E. {yiEfilON COULTER I ( I f I ! I Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from I MLS LG-70- 15-01 38- 15 https://archive.org/details/southerncultivat17unse SOIITHERS CniTIVATOE, A MONTHLY JOUENAL, U fl|f liitmsts 0f $0ii!ljerii AND DESIGNED TO IMPPiOVE BOTH THE SOIL AND THE MIXD ; TO ELEVATE THE CHAKACTER OF THE TILLERS OF THE SOIL, AND TO INTRODUCE A MORE ENLIGHTENED'SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURE. ELUSTHATED WITH NUMEHOUS ELEGANT ENGRAVINGS. D. LEE, M. D.; D. REDMOND, and C. W. HOWARD, Editors. VOLUME XVII.-1859. AUGUSTA, GEOEGIA. PUBLISHED BYT WILLIAM S. JONES, PROPRIETOR. 1859. V.. r i 'A '10 lA-i]A/c. i A ^ ^ j(X,o, f 4;^ ,0 3 I- 7 Z ■ ;j 7l IT J 0 T '■ , u 9 H 0 ;i ;) . /: T< 1 A. :i .7 '-/jJa!// yu (V'-n'iuvrj 7!ci's: \ ! i I 1 ? i ’. i V A SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. INDEX TO VOL. 17, FOR 1859. PliANTATION ECONOMY AND MISCEEEANYT Agriculture, an essay on ■ Page do. and Horticftture do. Dignify and Exalt do. General Importance of do. American do. ought our Legislature to aid? . . . do. German do. Uses of Salt in do. State iLa to ; Letter from Hon. B. P. Johnson do. State aid to ........ do. in Arkansas /Agricultural Fair, Marshall coymty, Miss do. do. do. do- do. (do, .do. do. ..do. Grass and Forage crops in Texas “ 2 do. Stanford’s and Hungarian. “ 39 do. Bermuda “ 124 dp. Manures for “ 58- do. Hungarian Pages 39, 89, 12& do. Culture at the South “ 137, 154 do. Stanford’s Wild Oat Page 138' do. Growing “ 165 do. for low, wet land “ 361 Gestation of animals “ 88’ Gravel Walls or Concrete Houses “ 168' Gas Lime as a Fertilizer “ 138 Ground Peas or Pinders “ 158 Gin Gearing Lever ‘‘ 45 Guano Question “ 75 do. and Central Railroad “ 75 do. for rolling Cotton Seed “ 103 do. does it exhaust land ? “ 175 do. test of “ 207 do. use of “ 255 do. reply to J. M. Mei-iwether “ 263 do. on Wheat ‘‘ 360 Georgia negress in Africa “ 156 Gun, Rice “ 158 Goats, Cashmere for Texas “ 187 INDEX TO VOLUME XVII. V Grave, decorating the Page 190 Gins, Saw Pages 202, 238 Good profits Page 202 Gums, sweet, how to kill Pages 202, 205, 222, 231 Grain, weevils in — remedy Page 251 Governmental aid to Agriculture, (fee “ 265 German Agriculture “ 319 Good counsels of Chaucer (poetry) “ 345 Hogs, slops, peas “ 11 Hogs, quinsey in “ 239 Highways, how should we improve ? “ 57 Homes, pleasant “ 13 Home, make it bright and pleasant “ 335 do. a world of love (poetry), 155 do. haw to make happy. “ 45 do. Journal for 1859 “ 25 do. Manufactures “ 97 •do. have a “ 31 do; they have none ‘‘ 128 Hoofs, brittle “ 14 Hints for the Month. .Pages 17, 33, 65, 97, 129, 16I, 193, [225, 267, 289, 321, 853, 353 Horses, practical hints on “ 59 do. stiffened and hoof bound ‘‘ 60 do. care of “ 125 do. feeding and watering “ 191 do. Shoulders “ 203 do. intestines, sand in “ 232 do. high price of “ 270 Horse Ploe “ 187 Harness, how to oil “ 59 Honey, sources and quality of Pages 72, 135 do. question, once more Page 172 do. poisoned from eating. “ I99 Hungarian Grass Pages 39, 76, 89, 126 Human Voice, its effect on animals Page 124 House, a Southern, “ I39 Hams, Mutton “ 157 House-keepers, items for « 16q Household duties of a lady “ 233 Humbug! » 198 Hills and old home places ' “ 2OO Hill Lands vs. Swamp Lands “ 235 Hancock county. Farming, &c. .Pages 201, 238, 261, 315 Health, influence of Temper on Page 201 Homestead, make it beautiful ! “ 346 Huller, Cotton Seed 375 Indian Meal and Corn Bread “ 15 Insects, protection of plants from “ 37 Implements. Southern made “ 39 do. Planting “ 128 Ice House, out door “ i/*-* Instrument for tallying • • * . . “ 159 Irish Potatoes. ' * * ’ « ^60 Iron Hoops and Ties for cotton bales “ 199 I love this glorious Southern Clime (poetry) ... “ 235 Improve or Kemove ? ’ ’ * « 290 Johnson, Hon. B. P., letter from “ 329 Lay, a iender, (poetry) u 25 Light in Stables. !!”!!! “ 26 Lapin « 284 Land, to enrich ; Stock Raising o 30 do. skinners.... ct 02 do. foi the Children — West! “ 76 do. and Labor (poetry ( « 221 do. Meaearing.i y,’ u 270 do. improved and increased value “ 234 do. renovation of — Peas “ 235 do. relation of to labor ] o 322 Lime and Potatoes « 89 do. for Cotton “ 109 do. as a Fertilizer ” » 233 Light Soils, manuring ”” «» 95 Low price of land at the South — cause and Remedy ^ [P.‘ges 131, 162, 230, 350 L;fe, duration of 141 Life m New York “ 293 L uisian a, tropical fruita in “ 142 L'brary, agricukural “ 153 Locusts, re appearance of the “ 153 Long Ago (poetry) i «. ise I L'gbtning, cheap Rod? Page 190 do. ^ Phenomena. “ 198 Ladies Dresses — Fire! “ 2o3 Legislature?, ought they aid agriculture ? “ 226 Love of Nature “ 285 Manure®, the study of “ 1 do “ 27 do. for Grasses ‘ 58 do receesi^^y of “ 71 Manuring light scii.® “ 95 Manure, fowl “ 233 Moving ; the West rv fever “ 12 Mu'ep, longev'fy of “ 55 Man of energy “ 189 Men, an improved breed of. “ 77 Men, young, useful hints tv “ 187 Manufactures in the S -U' b “ 94 Microscope and it? revelations “ 268 Mutton ham® “ 157 Meat, smoked and unsmoked “ 174 Meet, curing, new method “ 320 Melon, P e App!« “ 293 Moo’^, u flu^nce of the “ 300 Mov^r^ ye (poetry) “ 331 Morgan Stallin'^, “C (dliistrated) “ 3M Manure, save your “ 375 Music of the Vv'heels (poetrv) “ 359 Night S^i' Pages 3 11, 232, 267, 325 North and Soi tb Page 110 O’d Proverbs “ 41 OJvc>, Wild, or Mock Orango. ... “ 138 Oak?, Cork. “ 198 Old Home Places “ 200 Oats Pag“« 2'''! , 2' 5 Oaf®, Rust in Pige> 2 5 Orch.a»-d, a great Southern., “ 2'''6 Old Man's Psalna (poetr’^) “ 298 “Ordure” “ 325 Order overdone “ 349 Our Bobby Asleep (poetry) “ 78 Pedigrees of Devon® “ 8 PeacAj fami'y “ 14 P®e, as a fertilizer “ 30 Plant's, protection from insects “ 361 Powder, Lyon’s, death to Insects “ 37 Proverbs, o'd “ 41 Portugal, wine and frui’h “ 42 Pea Nn*-, cultivation cf.. “ 79 Peat, L'me and Potatoo'^ “ 89 Plowing De'^n, when aud where it is beneficial “ 62 Plow and Hop, give them no rest “ 64 Plow, bi?torv of the “ 93" Pi /ws and Plowing u Plow, Steam, Prenaium for o 221 Plow, Brinley “ 170 Plow, Excelsior o 296 Profits of farming ”V.V..Page^ 124, 202 Pictures and Books- Pd^e 186 Planting l:r/pUments..y.y.y.y.’'.’.’'.’ 128 I Plantation Management “ 169 Pride, false “ 205 Pasturage «« 222^ Potato, the “ 221 Potatoes, Sweet, how to raise and preserve them.. “ 297 do. Irish, cultivation of “ 160 Privy arrangements — “Night Soil” “ 232 Philosophy, the True “ 253 Pork, bow much to a bushel of corn ? “ 253 Peach Tree Worms— China Berries “ 255 Pump, the American “ 287 Poudrette “ 325 Pie Apple Melon “ 293 Poultry Cholera “ 302 Racers vs. Trotters “ 13 Rice, machinery, &c “ 56 Rice Gun “ 158 Races, mortality cf “ 91 Rural Architecture (illu-strated) “ 104 Ridicule often Ridmulous “ 143 Rain, philceophy cf “ 185 Rye “ 205 Ropes for Cotton Bales “ 223 Rust in Oats “ 250 Remove or improve ? “ 290 Renovating exhausted lands “ 328 Slave Tradn, re opening of Pages 6, 133 Slavery, Judge Taney on Page 233 S ws, to prevent from killirg their young “ 26 Sol's and their management “ 27 Stan'ord’e Wild Oat Gra®“, Pages 39, 294 VJ INDEX TO VOLUME XVIL Sweeney and Pounder Page 49 Stable?, light in “ 26 Sorgho Syrup Pages 47 , 6^, 287 do. Sugar .Page 174 larift in tho O gg 77 78 79 P3 94 109 128 139 « 159 gpgar— new process ofmakinr Page? 141,204 Single Crop, trustir g. to T ...P^ge 152 Sheep Eaiamg in Pages 157, 189 ^ “ 1^7, 2:^6 do. killing 3 Papg 239 Sugar Cane in the West Sa'i, uae of in Agriculture “ Squares in an acre “ Stump Puller, cheap “ do. blasting “ Seed'', starting early. “ Stock JRaising in the South Skins, tanning with the k^’/ir 'oii. . “ Southern House (illusttr tgf]) “ do. — — ^ ^ - destroy “ , to cure “ Sassafras to Stammerir Spurrj. sentimentp, &3 1 “ ^ vs. Yeast for Bread “ on taneous Combustion “ -jpadirg Pork “ Southern Watering Piacee “ Saw Gins “ “Soiling” “ Scraper, Winger’s “ Steam Machinery for the farm .... “ Ships, alloy for eheathing “ South, the — her strength, resource'', Sz.'i “ Stables, aristccrat’c “ Saving Sweet Potatoes, “ Trees, their uses, poetry and beauty .... Tool House “ Texas Cotton Lands. ............................ ** do. a “great country” “ do. early Cotton for “ Tobacco tor Wire Worms “ Time, fastest oa record “ Thorough Tillage “ “Tom Boy,” the “ Tanning Skins with the hair on “ Tea, Chinese and S autherr “ Tillage, philosophy of “ Tropical truits in Louisiana “ Turnip seed, depth to sow “ Turpentine and its uses “ Ticks on Sheen, to kill ] “ a useful ] « TpatlVd"cot;5ee. :: do. Bust and Mould in..... do. do i“Jbe S ou tb . - . . L' 166 167 184 187 196 2(!1 2n7 221 235 253 264 286 21)3 294 297 359 7 11 46 253 347 61 63 91 127 128 168 130 142 199 172 236 303 43 330 12 13 201 205 223 “ 300 26, 265 Page 42 155 “ 361 “ 252 “ 252 ao raising m the West and South Washington a Partner p’ ' Vg Wine ana Pruit in Portugal ................. ^ - do. Cellars of Bremen.. * do. domestic.... * uth “ Georgia Wine in 0 i ‘‘ Pages 145, 273 Pag^ do. ,P irs money .tor Western Produce (Saf^essjng, _ ’’th., - “ Hints for . “ Hancock County h Japan Wax Tree... “L'terary Department “ Late Keeper L=ms Lr Manure “ L berality, nobie ' "p’-eg'g'.*'. “ Lovfcjoy’e Anti Priction Cotton .. .V. * •< Manure, Tanbf; k a? o do. L’ me for “ Messenger, imported n New.'Year and New Volume 240 146 49 115 144 209 144 242 273 273 307 51 %9 273 273 306 306 337 241 113 338 145 17; 307 213 177 209 274 306 364 114 274 2''8 “ 16 P.'.ricdical?, Pamphlet?, &e Page 49 Panopp, force, &e. . *' o 215 Poisonous Fungi ^ 27-3 Peaches, S ptember Pacepbo Pernvi n Guano, Reese’s i. Parspbate of L’me^ Rhodes’ “ 338 Pfitent Office Report, Agricultura' “ 305 Pows, Steam, in Englabd.. “ 309 do. do “ 309 Re-opening of the S ave Trade “ 83 Rhodes’ Super Pbosphato of Lime “ 338 S ave T'ade, re-opening “ 88 S’eam Po ws “ 309 S raw berries “ 208 S »u‘h Countryman and Cultivator “ 240 Subscribers, to “ 273 Subscriptions, renew “ 333 INDEX TO VOLUME XVII. VII “Spirit of the Tiooee,” old Page 337 Slavery in Georgi— Lord Brougham “ 369 Southern land and labor “ 369 Tobacco, easiest and best mode of raising plants. “ 36 Tanbark as a Manure “ 114 Transactions of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society “ 306 Vineyards near Macon Georgia “ 213 Western Produce, Georgia money for “ 338 Wool, samples of “ 48 Wine, Georgia, &c “ 113 do. Making “ 209 HORTICULTURAL. Arkansas, cheap lands for Vineyards Page 316 Anna Grape “ 21 Angelica “ 85 Apples, Yellow June and Shockley i . . . “ 86 do. Nantahallee “ 220 do. Crab and their uses ‘‘ 220 do. for the South “ 280 do. in Middle Georgia 318 do. Orchard, Col. L D. Buckner’s ‘‘ 118 Apples and Plums “ 22 Asparaffus— its culture, &c “ 351 Aiken Vine Growing and Horticultural Associafior, Constitution of Page 119, 214 American Grapes, list of varieties ‘ 151 Borer, Peach Pages 150, 341 Chinese Sugar Cane, wine from Page 88 Cotton, Nankin, &c 183 Currants, Zante “ 216 Crab Anples and their usee “ 220 Champagne Wine, sparkling o 238 do. Rhubarb ] « 3^0 Catawba Grape, ils origin o 246 do. V/ine (poetry) o- 282 Domestic Wines “ 54 Dwarf Pears « 219 Diseased Pear Tress “ 249 Devereux, Ohio and Lenoir Grapes “ 311 Evergreens, Forest, transplanting “ 118 Egg, vegetable, to cock o 2.56 Fruit cu'ture. prospects of, o 20 do. at the North — the Fairs, &'j “ 21 do. beneficial to health « 55 do. Trees, manure for. c< 22 do. eating 428 do. Trees, pruning Pdges 148 180,216 do. Trees fcr the South Page 151 do. Glowing in a general point of view “ 179 do. how to increase the s’ze. . “ jgi do. Trees, to clean moss from 221 do. do. Northern, &c Page's 249 309 do. Transporting to market Pao-e 280 do. Trees, paging around 284 do. Indian <: 284 Figs and Grapes f. 452 Fruit Trees from the North ' ' ’ « 374 Florida lands and climate [[[ ’ u 452 Flowers o 452 do. the (poetry) '* u 433 do. Girder “ 218 do. effect of charcoal on 372 Grape, the Anna “ 21 do. culture, encouarge the .'!!!.'! “ 22 do. do. in Texas n 53 do. do. in Louisiana * “ 53 do. do. Wild Siupperncng “ 52 Grapes and Graperies “ 8.5 do. the new V‘. “ 8*6 do. and Wine !".".!!! “ 86 do. Vine pruning “ 86 do. culture “ 88 do. Peaches, &c — h bridizing “ 445 do. culture, pruning, training, (fee “ 149 do. American, list of varieties “ 454 do. and Figs — F;orida land and climate 152 do. Culture at the South and W^est.... ....... “ 182 do. do. <= 183 do. Vine, ringing the “ 183 do. culture, wire trellisses 216 do. Catawba, i^e origin, &o “ 246 do. ripen earliest neat the ground “ 247 do. culture in Florida, &e “ 278 do. do. long and short training “ 316 do. a succession a 343 do. Devereux, O Joand Lenoir. ’.'.’.'.il'.'.'.P g'eB 341, 374 do P ucing and Training (illustrat, d) Page 341 Grapes, “Union Village,” Page 116 Grapery, a beautiful (illustrated) “ 248 Garden Flowers “ 218 Grafting the Grape — Taylor Grape from Kentucky. “ 372 Horticulture, young— how he cleaned and manured his orchard,*20 acres in 20 minutes “ 20 Horticulture young “ 23 do. Japanese “ 53 HooSung 23 Haw Stock for the Pear Pages, 117, 151, 283, 313 Horticultural S ?.hool for Women Page 182 Hybridizing e “ 116 Hybridization, a chpter on “ 363 Lily, gigantic “ 23 Lime as a manure for Grapes “ 88 do. in transplanting trees ?.... “ 320 Manure for fruit trees, &e “ 22 Mulching “ 120 Magnolia Grandlflora Gloriosa, &c “ 213 Mustang Wine in Texas “ 53 Moss, to cleanse from Fruit Trees “ 221 Nantahalee (poetry) “ 152 do. Apple “ 220 Never too late ! “ 183 Nankin Cotton “ 183 Northern Trees. Vines, &c “ 246 do. Tree Pedlers, &c “ 320 Orchards, how cleaned and manured. “ 20 do. Profits of “ 54 do. Col, Buckner’s “ 118 do. and Vineyards near Aiken, South Ca*-olina “ 214 Orchard Rambles Pages 214, 277, 282, ,373, 3 74 Pear, curious mode of grafting Page 54 do. Trees, to make grow “ 89 do. Haw Stock for P^ges 117, 151, 283, 313 do. Quince stock Page 217 do. Dwar*", culture of “ 219 do. Trees, spotted; &c “ 249 do. culture in the South “ 310 do. on the Sea coast “ 183 do. Bl’ght ‘ 370 Pruning Fruit T -ees and \ine? Pages 148, 180,86 do. and Training the Grape Pages 149, 216, 341 Peaches - PagellG Peach Tree, the Old (poetry ) “ 118 do. Rorer Pages 150. 341, 315 do. for the S uth Page 317 Plums and Apples, &c “ 22 do. Coickasaw “ 283 P jmolcgical Resources of the South Pages 314, 339 Patent Office, U. S .....Page 249 Paving Around Stone Fruit Trees ' “ 284 Pruning the Grape “ 371 Ringing the Grape Vine. “ 183 Rhubarb Champagne “ 316 Steam Engme, what it does, (poetry ) “ 286 Scuppernong Grapes, Wild “ 52^ do. a true native Grape “ 313 Strawberries, «... Pages 150, 218 do. in the S.uath Page 243 Southern Fruit “ 372 Tomato, its properties, &3.. “ 23 do. cultivation of the “ 281 Tree Planting as it should be “ 117 Trees, old, renovation of “ 217 Tree Peddlers from the North .r. Pages, 215, 245 246, 320 Tea culture Page 249 Tree, Ye Little (poetry) “ 280 Vices of “Vintland” (poetry) ... “ 247 Victoria Regie, L'ly “ 23 Violets, (poetry) “ 287 Vegetables, grow and eat “ 55 Vineyards, TiaHve,^md cheap lands in Arkaneee... “ 316 Vint.age nnd Fruits of Italy “ 55 Wire Trei'ises for G-'apes “ 216 Wemen, Hortieultura! S^hcol for “ 182 “What’s in a name ?” (poetry) “ 277 Wine, Domestic “ 54 do. from Chinese Sugar Cane « 88 do. That Bottle “ 433 do. Making “ ]83 do. old...., “ 216 do. made, stuff “ 218 do- making in the S uth “ 247 do. Champagne, spaiklitg “ 238 do. Foreign, an item for Giirkers “ 285 do. Catawba (poetry) “ 282 do. Jobannifberg, its origin “ 349 d 1. in r xas. Mustang “ 53 do, Georgia, in Cincinnati “ 116 VIII INDEX TO VOLUME XVII. DOLtlESTIC ECONOMY AND RECIPES. Broachlti?, remedy for P^ge 64 Bacon Hams, preparing “ 64 Baskets, Coral “ 64 Blaze proof Dresses 96 Bread, Grreham “ 96 Bocks, to prevent mould in “ 192 Blueinv for clothes ‘‘ 256 Bug, Vine “ 288 Bugs, death to “ 352 Butter, to makein 5 minuteg, without churning. . .. “ 352 do. preserving 352 Cake, pint, Tea, & 3 “ 32 do. Sponge.... Pages 192,256 do. Delicate .... “ 256 Cough or hoarseness “ 32 Crickets, to destroy “ 32 Chowder, to make". 64 Colors, to wash “ 354 Cora! Baskets “ 64 Croup “ 96 Catarrh, cure for “ 192 Cattle, Lice on “ 224 Cheese, cream “ 353 Dyspepsia, infallible remedies “ 22 Doge, distemper in Pages 32, 256 Delirium Tremens, Ipecacuanha for “ 96 Drinks foi summer “ 224 Eyes, weak and sore Poges 32, 288 Founder, for Page 64 Flies, to destroy “ 354 Foo-1 cure “ 352 Fistula, cure for “ 192 Foul foot in horses “ 224 Fowls, delicious dressing for “ 192 do. Vermin on “ 224 Fruit, dried, preserving “ 256 do. pies “ 256 Fieas on dogs “ 288 Fever and Ague “ 288 Gumbo Smp “ 37 Graham B read . . i .* “ 96 Galls on Horses “ 224 GrubinSheep “ 224 Housekeepers, important to “ 96 Hoo Sang — how to cook P^ige 192 Hams, Bacon, prepar.ng “ 64 Horses and Fowls, vermin on “ 224 do. galls on “ 224 do. Heaves, &3 “ 224 do. Bota and Grubs in “ 256 Hollow Tail “ 288 Herbs, to preserve “ 288 Ink, to take out of linen and books “ 32 do. 8 lid “ 288 Insects on Trees, to destroy “ 288 Indian Pudding “ 224 Ipecacuanha and Delirium Tremens “ 96 Jumbles “ 32 L'ce on cattle 224 rdeasles anp SQ’^rlatina “ 64 Meat, how to keep, &G.. “ 96 do new method of curing “ 352 Mould in Bocks, to prevent, “ 192 Muffins, potato “ 256 Mosquitoes, to clear a room of 288 Nutmegs, economical use of “ 96 Oil, fragrant ‘‘ 224 Pove ty, recipe for “ 64 Paint with singular preservative quality “ 192 P>,i8on, neutralizing 288 Pitch, Tar, Resin, Paint, to take out “ 288 Potato Muffins “ 256 Recipe, valuable “ 32 Soap, rew and valuable “ 32 Stomach, pain in “ 32 Scarlatina and Measles “ 64 Sourkrout, to make “ 64 S'.ndwiches for evenirg pa) ties “ 96 S arch polish “ 192 Stucco, or whitewash “ 224 Summer drinks “ 224 S leep, grubs in “ 224 Siik, eleanirg — •. “ 354 Sprains, cure for “ 354 S >up, Gumbo “ 37 Tomatoes in a new fashion “ 256 Vermin on horses and fowls, &o “ 224 Vine Bugs “ 288 Waffles, raised “ 32 Yeas^, how to make gopL..., “ 256 DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE IMPROVEMENT OP SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE’ VOL. XVII. AUGUSTA, GA., JANUARY, 1859. NO. 1. WIIililAM S. JONES, Publisher. BANIEL LEE, TtI. D., and D. REDMOND, Editors. See Terns on Cover. Ccnuniiii} cni ^iscelknij. THE STUDY OF MANURES. A late number of the Sandersville Gcorgiav. mskes th.e following statements : "There has been quite an extensive outlay among our Hancock planters for Gaano to apply to cotton, the past eeason, one gentleman expended the handsome sum of S7,000 for this single fertilizer alone. Last year it paid well it seems, this year it pays over the left shoulder. The guanoed cotton has suiiered more with the rust than any other. We still hold to what we have heretofore enunci- ated, that, the purchase of Guano two years hence will be much smaller than now. Purchased in small quantities, and applied judicious’y, to particular classes of lands, in moderate quantities and especially to winter crops we think it will pay then a half dozen years together ; but on summer crops, a decided failure of our crop in three or four years takes off all the profits. "Last fall we applied 185 pounds of guano to an acre of wheat at a cost of $1 40. The wheat grew off finely, out- stripped the rest of the field, and ran up nearly a foot high- er ; but the manure seemed nearly spent, and made but a small head. The result was, just about enough overplus to save us from loss, leaving the land, in our opinion, poorer in salts than the surrounding acres, for the growth of grass and weeds is not more luxuriant than in the rest of the field. We took off of that acre about 1200 pounds more than we put on of valuable salts, which, in our humble opinion, is obliged to tell in a series of years.” It by no means follows that, if one removes 1200 pounds of wheat from an acre a year, (no matter for what length of time), more than he applies in manure, his soil must be impoverished by the operation. Yet, if he uses only Peruvian guano, bone dust, or " ammoniated super-phos- phate of lime,” the final exhaustion of the cultivated land so treated may be reasonably expected. If guano, and the phosphate of lime were perfect fertilizers, they would equally enrich the soil forever, precisely as good stable manure is known to do ; but they are special and partial manures, which furnish to growing crops only a part of their necessary mineral food. Mow, as a part of a thing can never be equal to the whole, the commercial fertilizers named are essentially defective for the due nourishment of all agricullura! plants in all soil*. It is true that they will often hit, and give a good immedi- ate return ; but this is poor evidence of their value. The live stock of a farm subsist on the vegetable pro- ducts of the land, and, therefore, their excrements are pre- cisely adapted by nature to give back to the soil those ele- ments of plants which it furnishes and parts with in their growth. The sea-birds whose excrements form guano, sub- sist not on the seeds of land plants, but on flesh and bones of fish and other marine animals. Their excrements, there- fore are rich in bone earth, and rich in nitrogen, (two im- portant elements of fertility) but poor in potash, soda and magnesia. Nearly one-half of the ash of the seeds of wheat, corn and cotton, (our greatest staples) is made up of the two ingredients, potash and magnesia. As guano fails to supply these constituents to the crops named, the soil must furnish them; and when from the long use of super- phosphate of lime or guano, one has exhausted the potash and magnesia in his old fields, their sterility is far more hopeless and forbidding than it would have been had a wise system of tillage and husbandry been earlier adopted. In a word, if commercial and special manures are used at all, it should be with a view to the permanent improvement of a landed estate — not to rob it of those costly alkalies, without which no crop can be grown. The Patent Office Reports have done and are still doing great injury to the farming interest of the whole country, by scattering broadcast over it exaggerated statements in favor of new things and fancy manures. Speaking of "Columbian or Bird Jslanu Guano” in the report for 1854, page 95, Mr. Browns says : "From ^areful analyses, it has been ascertained that this substance is by far the richest source of phosphoric acid for the farmer yet discovered, as it contains eighty-four per cent, of dry super-phospliaie of lime'^ On page 97, in the same article, in describing the general features of all guanos, Mr. B. says, "they in- variably contain feathers and comminuted shells ; water of course; organic matter, always; crystalized gypsum ^ never ; carbonate of lime, comm jnly ; phosphate of lime j always ; super -phosphaU, never ; ard nitrogen or ammonia, invariably.” It is obvious that both of the statements in regard to the super-phosphate of lime cannot be true; while the farmers of the country who read this official document are o s()i^^^I^:l^N cui/riVATon. lc,fl wlKtlly ill I Ik: (lurK wIk LIici- citlKjr iitittiKuciil i:i true or taiiio. Ill :iiiiiiiiiiii;»- iiji I Ik: f'cncnil tnci’Il;i of /Minrio in llic Uust i]iiii'ii;';rii|»li on tlio i.ulijcc.t llic readi ri;i told (lint “rcriivltin ''jiuino i;i, iiiK|uo;illonnl)ly, (lie licid jiofinildc rnuniiro for ull IjiliuiltJ lliul i'<'(j[iiire iviiuuire al ull, jirovidcd tiiCMoil Ls kcjit ojimi by di/'ji^itij'',' in louveii, v(i‘*:lablc i ubbluli, rinci(des, depemlent not on tradition, but the heaven-created relation of things. 'J'o produce ma- nure one needs a critical kaowledgo ofihe relative, value of each element that enters into its most perfect and com- plete aggregate. Not many of those wlio manufacture manure for sale, nor of those who purehaso and use the same, possess tliis useful information. Tlie whole busi ness is very much fike tlie uncertain steps of one blind man leading another through the devious course of a narrow and perilous path. iSeience alone can ojum the eyes ot both parties and enable th m to sec their way eleai ly. 'I'o the farmer, the manufacli. er, and the merchant, lia in crease of knowledge is the one tiling needtnl l-'.aeh should imdeistaiul better the wants ofthe other, as well as his own pvotessional duties. Let the manulaeiim r and nierehant give tlu' farmer a cheaper and better maium Ihun he ean make at home, if (/k i/ can. On ihe oihu hand, let the owner and euhivator of tlu; soil give has best thoughts to tlie eonsideratlon of the ways anu me;»ns at his( unimand lor enriehing his farm, and suppl\ ing the mcrohmit and luanmaeturer with the. pabulum on whi.-h lliey suosisl, w;ih a imge and s-xtisfaetory prolit to him sell. Within his nach, bountiful jXaUire has placed her incxliuij;.til)le rc.oourccs; and a small increase of knowl- ledgo will enable the f.nmcr to use. thc.so with equal honor to iii.'j high culling, und benefu to mankind at large. L, laiASSJiH AN1> FOKACHi CUOIbS IN TEXAH, 'riiM culture of forage plants is an essential part ofa good system of improved independent agriculture, without which really no perfection in this latter is po.saibic. It is very properly remarked, iu the Latent Office lieport of IH.%, j), xii, that already in old times, Cato declared the best sy.stcm of farming to be pasccrc f translated, to graze well, or to procure food for cattle. This may, indeed, he called the good part of farming. Tho last three yours have shown that even the natural sources of food for cuttle in Texas— the prairies, were not sullicicnt to keep entile from starving and perishing, par- ticularly where tho free range for cattle was overstocked, as in the more settled parts ofthe country ; and the com- [ilaiiit in such parts was frequently heard, “the range ie getting loo bad for cuttle.” Jt maybe seen, on some reflection, that there is some- thing wanted yet in the system of agriculture followed till riO’,v, which, if not remedied, together with the increase of population and stock of cattle, and the eventual return of similar unfavorable years and seasons, might bring on tho same kind of hard times and wants — possibly even to o greater degree. Tlie increased culture of wheat and other grains, and tho experiments with Sorgho and different other plants, show that tho necessity for more varied culture is recog- nized in general. The whole can ho comprised under the licad of forage crops, and their proper introduction into the agriculture of the State, It shall be tried here, to show, first, tho influence whicha proper culture of forage plants can have on ngriculturo, and tho advantages it promises, and afterwards, how such a culture may be put into prac- tice, and what kinds of forage plants arc probably to suc- ceed best in the climate of Texas, which, particularly in the Western jiart of the State, through the frequent drouths, acts very imfovorably on many crops, which would succeed well in other States, Forage crops allbrd tho principal means to procure and to fertilize and improve the soil by rotations. Manures and fertilizers of all kinds, properly applied, arc the chief levers of agriculture, without which, soils become gradu- dly exhausted and impoverished, and make farming un- profitable. A good rotation of crops, which is made pos- sible only with the help of suitable forage plants, facili- tates a greater variety in grains and fodder raised, pro- duces better grain crops, and secures tho fixrmcr against want and total failures in bad years and seasons ; and the remains and roots of one plant prepare tho ground for the better production of a following dilltrent crop, as plante of the same genus and family cannot, on an average, be raised successfully for many years, without interchange on (ho same piece of ground. A rotation ot crops, compricing the forage plants, with I he production of manure and fertilizers, makes possible the introduction and extension of fruit culture, and is in- ti ispcnsablo for the imprevement of horticulture in gene- ral. But tlic greatest advantage to be obtained from a •suitable oultm c of forage plants, ns means of good feeding, .mil especially also of grasses, will consist in tho im firoveinent on the ditVeicnt breeds of domc'stic niiininls and I ho fnoiliu'ts drawn from them, which point requirea to *'0 iroatod at some greater length. Tho prairies of Texas form the most considcrahle nn- mr.il ni'hos, as means of cattle raising; and those natural pastures, conibinod with a suitable olimatc, made stock iMiMiig (ill now, the most important and easiest branch of agriculture in the State. But this natural supply wiU SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 3 only be sufficient for a limited number of cattle, and if overstocked, as happens where the settlements are become more numerous, the pastures, together with the cattle, will decrease in value, if left without the proper artificial help, as will be considered in what follows : ^ j The natural pastures consist of a variety of native : grasses— some coarser, some finer and better, but less ofi the latter— mixed with other plants and v/eeds, some i fra^^rant and aromatic, and some with unpleasant smell, some eatable, but the greater part avoided by cattle, | which prefer the grasses as their most natural food. Now, where a range is overrun with catte, they will first eat up all the good grasses, and leave such plants untouched, as may be called weeds. The conser^uence is, that year after year, the good grasses are no more allowed to ripen and drop their seed, but the v/eeds the more so, and that these latter will spread and multiply — and the pasture gets bad, as is very natural — so that in the neighborhood i of towns and settlements, large tracts of prairie, and even 1 fenced pastures, a fev/ years ago covercil with high gra.ss, are nov/ nearly bare in certain seasons, or composed in j 9-lOths of their vegetation, of weeds, v/ith hardly one part in ten of good grasses. , The nature of domestic animal?, as milk and beef cattle, ! horses, sheep, goats, hogs, and also poultry, is such, that they want a certain amount of food in proportion to their bodily weight for mere suhisistence, without increase or produce of any kind, v/ithout which supply they v/ould die, and which, according to experiments made on model farms in Europe, with horned cattle, has been estimated at about one pound of average hay, or its equivalent in other food, for every 60 pounds of bodily w’eight of the animal, for one day : while to their complete saturation, the same cattle will consume about double the quantity, or one pound of good hay, or its equivalent, for every 30 pounds ofbodily weight, every day. Now, as much more as a domestic animal will consume in food, over and above the quantity necessary for subsistence, or to keep alive, without loss, so much more in proportion will be its pro- duce, or use in some way ; the surpdus of food, or pro- ductive food, above what is wanted for subsistence alone, producing either milk with cows, or bodily increase with young cattle, or fat and meat with grov/n cattle, or labor with draft cattle, or progeny of young animals, or eggs with poultry ; or it may be consumed and wasted in run- 1 ning far about for food on poor pastures, or to resist the : inclemency of the weather in v/ant of shelter. If use is ; exacted without corresponding food, the cattle will get j poor and fall off in flesh. It has been estimated from the same experiments that every 10 pounds of productive fod- der, in hay value, (above the subsistence) produce about 10 pounds of milk with a milking cow, or one pound of bodily weight in growth of the animal v/hen young or be- ; ing fattened. It is farther in the nature of domestic ani- mals, that improved breeds can only be kept up by pro- per feeding, besides the breeding, so that the natural quali- • lies can freely develope themselves ; a good breed of milch j cows for example, require a certain quantity of suitable} food, to preserve their milk producing quality. In conse- 1 quence of these natural conditions, if a milch cov/, having , a calf to nourish, does not find sufficient food or pasture, she will get poorer, will furnish only a small quantity of milk, if milked, and the calf v/ill be poor, while another cow of the same quality, with plenty of food, or good ' pasture, will keep in good condition, and improve even, ■ will nourish a calf v/ell, and besides, give three or four times as much milk as the former. Cows in Texas com- monly want about half of the good season to be restored again to good condition, and enabled to resist the subse-i quent bad season ; and so there is ou'y a shr.rt time left; j during which they can be of full use, and without their' great capacity to resist starvation and neglect in bad sea-' e- T. v not endure what they often do. As, therefore, the milk producing quality in good cows, can only be preserved and developed by a continual suf- ficiency of food, so it is more or less the case with all good qualities in breeds of domestic animals. Food for mere subsistence can bring no profit, or produce nothing; ljut good and sufficient feeding can bring the highest possible profit, if properly applied. Improved pastures and forage crops will furnish essential means to develope and pre- serve good c[ualitles for use, in cattle, for dairy produce, for flesh, fat, labor and raising of young stock. The culture of forage plants may be practiced in two different ways : one is to improve the natural pastures, and prepare good new pastures, by sowing seeds of good grasses and other forage plants, which can be mowed for hay, or grazed and used as pasture, and by extirpation of weeds and dressing of the ground; and the other way is to bring suitable forage plants into the farm rotation, to intermix befv/een grain f’rops, or raise such crops as pro- duce both grain and fodder, of which ways we shall treat more in detail. With regard to the natural growth of forage plants in Texas, there ere in particular, many excellent native grasses, as good , and better for the climate than Blue- Grass, Timothy, Ray Grass, and others in their respec- tive countries, A collection of such native grasses, made in a limited circuit, from March till July, shows more than fifty different species, of mostly good grasses, besides I several species of clovers, vetches and lathyrus; some of I the gras.ses low, and some growing tall, some blooming ■ early and some later in the summer and full, and many j more besides, are remembered as seen in other places, so that there is a sufficient variety ofgowl native grasses for culture. The best of these compose, commonly, only a I small part of the prairie grasses, and are rather scarce, ' v/hile some coarser kinds, be'-i^'es v/ecds, make up the greater part of the prairie vegetation. To judge from ap- i pearance, there are among these native grasses species of i firomu^, llolcus, Poo,, Fostuca, Pho,Lo,ns, A^roxlis, AUj- j 'pp.curu?,, Po.r,'po,lu7fL, Panicu'ra, Cynodon, Axra, Aveno., 1 Hord/Mm, PVUicurn,, And,r(ypoi'on, and others. As an ex- ; perirnent, one specie of these native grasses of the genus Pha,lo,ris, or Canary Grass, was cultivated since tv/o years, and proved to be an excellent forage grass, fit for v/irder pasture and hay making, ripe enough to be cut in April already, of a growth similar to wheat or timothy, very much reli.shefl by cattle, g^een and dry, and making a soft long hay of fragrant smell, if stored up ; it may be called Texas Canary Grass, Several others, of the native grasses .seem to improve in a similar way, if cultivated. Among these are the comrnoi Musquil Grass, and species of JPomus and Po,'fdcu'rri, and a mixture of seeds of dif- ferent species and genera of gra.sse9, sown in the fall, would, no doubt, produce good pastures and meadows, A collection of seeds of all the good native grasses of Texas, and their propagation by separate sowing, in order to obtain seeds for more extensive culture, would, no doubt, prove very useful, for the purpose of improving pastures. The capacity of the soil and climate of the State, to produce these grasses, and their existence and adapt“dnefis for improvement by cultivation, constitute a mine of riches, v/hich can only be rendered useful by cul- ture, but must be without value, if not developed in the proper v/ay, although for intensive agriculture, these are of more value than the natural advantages of the prai- ries. Cultivated grasses, and also clovers, are the most necc.v sary and natural food for domer.lic cattle, and the good grasses v/ill not grov/ in sufficient quantity and quality v/ithout artificial aid ; other forage plants are more or less only surrog it'-s of the grass family. The u -,e of cultiva’ed grasves is able to acccmipnsfi great resu! s 'or o-ie f>rmer. W;:er<^ laoor is c’cer and land cl cap in pioporlion us it thf' case io this roeoey, corn" "ed wi l- • -n '' ' t n. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. Europe, itie cuUnre of grass is particutariy adapted to the proper system of farming. A number of grasses are in use in other States and countries, called artificial grasses, but natives of some place also, and improved by culture Many of thr^se are adapted to a variety of climates ; yet the difficulties of the climate of Texas, particularly in its dry western portion, make it probable that the best na- tive grasses, if found out and cultivated, v/ill be more adapted to agricultural purposes, than the common artificial grasses in general. Among these may be named. Blue Grass, Orchard Grass, Timothy, Fiorin Grass, Herds and Oat grass, Ray grass, with others, species of diffierent genera of grasses. The different species of Mil- let, Sorgho, Indian corn, and the smaller grains, as Wheat, Oats, Rye and Barley, belong also to the grass family, but ftom their way of cultivation, are numbered among the grain and forage crops. Next to the grasses, some leguminous plants, particu- larly clovers and peas, furnish the best forage, green and dry. The forage plants, intermixed between grain crops in rotation, are numerous, and differ in countries accord- ing to the difference of climate and soil, the state of agri- culture and other circumstances. Rotations of crops may comprise from two to ten, and more years, with as many or less different crops, and may be repeated and con- tinued regularly, or changed, or carried on altogether free according to general good principles of agriculture, and the judgment of the farmer, varying in time and in plants cultivated, according to circumstances, as is more especi- ally explained in farm books. Fallov/ing, every third year, was in former time introduced in Europeas a rule in the grain fields, as indispensable for good crops, be- cause the soil refused to produce grains in succession. The buried v/eeds, together with the plowing done in these fallows, and the rest and exposure of the soil to the air, acted as fertilizers, and enabled it to produce some bread crops again. Forage crops and green manures were afterwards substitute! instead of the fallows, be- cause they acted in the same way, and were more profit- able. The following are plants for forage and grain crops, to be used separate or in rotations, and probably suitaWe to the climate of Texas, or partly proved to be so already, by experience, or worthy of trial, as being generally in use in other countries. The Clovers— among these the Lucerne Clover has already proved to be hardy enough for the climate, and to stand winters and summers green, nearly without inter- ruption, affording excellent winter and summer pasture, or making several crops of hay in one year, if kept for this purpose. In several places, where it has been plant- ed, the stand is better now — four and five years after sow- ing—than in the first year, and there is a probability that it will last for about ten years or more, on the same field. The greatest difficulty is to get a good stand in the begin- ning, and to have it soon strong enough, beyond the in- fluence of weeds; the fall, about the earliest fall rains, is a good time to sov/ it, and a clean, well plowed ground is necessary. With good rains, it will also grow well if sowed in spring ; once established, the Lucerne Clover will do well and improve for many years. The Alfalfa or Chilian Clover seems to be the very same plant; a sample, raised from seed of the Patent Office, and grown up to blossoms and seeds, showed no difference so far, in the whole plant, compared with the common Lucerne Clover. The Samjuin or Esparsette Clover, deserves a good trial, as it grows well m Europe on stony lands, in lime rock formations, and lasts there often ‘20 years on the same field, making, like the Lucerne Clover, excellent green and dry fodder; it is rather difficult to get good fresh seed. The White Clover deservea a farther trial, as aa ad- mixture to pasture^; in winter, because it usually drops seed enough, if once growing, to re-appear again next fall. In summer time, white and red clover and also crimson clover, have not yet proved hardy enough to re- sist the dry seasons. Of the Peas— there are several field peas used in other States, as forage crops and for green manure to be plowed in. The Chinese Prolific Pea is much praised as a forage plant, and seems to deserve a good trial. Vetches are also used extensively in some countries, aa forage plants, mixed with oats or some other grain, and cut green, Tho grains and different bread plants of the grass family. Among the smaller grains, the wheat has already proved to be an excellent plant for winter pasture; rye and oats gro’w equally well during winter, and very probably, barley will be adapted to the climate, as it is cultivated in many dry and mountainous countries. Oats and barley deserve to be more cultivated for horse feed, instead of corn; barley is also the grain used generally to feed the horses in Arabia, which is a very dry country. The Sugar Sorgho and Imphee varieties, and the Dourah corn, newly introduced plants, are excellent forgae plants, besides their use for grain crops and sugar or syrup mak- ing, and stand drouth well. The circumstance, that the Sorgho produces a profitable crop of fodder and grain; besides the sugar contained in its juice, makes this plant very valuable for the country, and its use for sugar or syrup making practicable. Experience has also shown, that the grass hoppers hardly ever touched the Sorgo, while they ate up corn and wheat in the same fields. Different varieties of Millet are also in use as forage plants, severe of which are possibly suitable to this climate. The Indian Corn is known as the principal fodder and grain plant till now, but has proved to be an uncertain crop in very dry years. Some varieties of Early Six Weeks Corn, might be tried with advantage for early and late crops. Of the Crucifer family, several species are used as for- age plants ; of these are the cabbages, of which a large winter cabbage, or Collards variety, makes good cow feed in winter. Colza, or Rape is sometimes used as a green manure, and for cows in winter to feed on. The Turnips and Rutabagas belong to this family, and are much used in some countries for cattle in winter. The Sugar Beets and Mangelwurtzel Beets produce great crops of roots, used for cattle during fall and winter, and they seem to succeed well enough in this climate. If sown in the fall or early spring, they will grow all thesuB^ mor following, and often to a very large size. Besides these, there are several other plants, more or less in use as forage plants ; among these are Carrote, Buckwheat, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Squashes, Lupines and others. The mentioned plants, with, perhaps, many others that may also be adapted to the purpose, offer sut ficient variety for selection, according to circumstances. Experiments and trials, would soon bring with them the necessary experience in the culture and application of them, which, in time, may be of great benefit to the agta- cultural interests of the Stats. — Southern Intelligencer. Kansas Sweets. — They are making Sorghum Sucre in Kansas. A letter from Leavenworth says : I was in the Quaker settlement, some 12 miles from Leavenworth, and saw them making the Chinese Sugar Cane molasses. The gentleman boiling the molasses told me that the juice only needed reducing two-thirds to make thick molasses, full as thick as New Orleans (Hr sugar-house. He said he could make nine gallons of mo- lasses from seven rods of ground! One man near Ls- compton, I understand, would make a thousand gallons. It is expected to sell at fifty cents a gallon. It is engaged at that price. SOUTHERN CUUTiVATOR. 5 FAKiVIERS, DIGNIFY YOUR PROFESSION. “ But no one knows How oats, peas, beansand barley grows.” [Old Song. Mr. Editor— '^diy'xn^ been silent a long time, by way of variety, I will endeavor to do something for your columns— I do not know what it will be, but v>^e shall see when we get through. For some thousands of years, the husbandman has been putting seed into the earth, and weeding and turning the soil, and anxiously Avatching the result. He has been trying to pry into the arena or secrets of nature. The strongest motives— self-preservation, duty, and even pride, have actuated him. His calling is the foundation on which civilized society rests, and he is conscious of it. Is he, then, the foremost man in society does he fill the high places'? does he have the largest share of honors^ Nothing of this. He is still “the hewer of wood and car- rier of water” for the rest of mankind. He sees combina- nations forming all around him to clutch the profits of his toil, and he doss not— perhaps cannot — resist. Is this his lot by an inexorable fate 1 If so, he must submit ; he cannot help it. While others dance, he must pay the piper ; while others sing, he cannot sing again in answer. But is this necessarily so, and is there no remedy '? The human mind is expansive and progressive. Look to the other departments of human labor: Mechanics build bridges, steamboats, railroads and palaces; spin textile materials, and weaves them into all kinds of fabrics, and, when finished, dye them with a thousand hues. Chemis- try and other sciences have lent them their aid, and they have received it. They have not turned away, or given them a cold and listless attention. They have paid them in honors, they have paid them in material substance. But the farmer turns away. He v/ill not prove the value of their suggestions by a practical test — by trying them fairly, and reporting success or failure. No ; he is, in his own conceit, too wise for that. He says, “no one knows how oats, peas, beans and barley grows.” “You can’t tell me” — and sings it, too. It must be confessed the old song is too nearly true. While all other callings are advancing, agriculture stands nearly still. It is doubtful whether, in practical agricul- ture, we have advanced far ahead of the Romans two thousand years ago. In fact, I fear we do not equal them in practical knowledge; and I am sure we do not attach the importance to the calling, nor dignify it as they did. Then Virgil, the greatest and sweetest of poets, sung its praises ; Cicero, the orator and writer, par excellence, de- lighted to do it honor; Cincinnatus, the dictator, left th^ plow and his farm to assume the supreme command, and after having been honored with a triumphant entry into Rome, as her savior, did not hesitate to return to his farm. They did not look upon the professions of law and medi- cine, or a clerkship in a store, as positions higher, and more dignified, than that of the farmer. They did not think the pursuit of agriculture disqualified the citizen from holding offices of honor and trust, nor degrade it by giving a preference to men engaged in the professions. Farmers and Planters, would you dignify your calling I Would you see it honored and prosperous^ Imitate the ■Romans. Do not degrade yourself by making a low es- dmate of your calling. Do not consider scientific knowl- edge incompatible with your business. Do not suppose there is no call for knowledge and trained intelLct in the management of the farm. Be assured that what chemis- try and other sciences have done for mechanics, she will do for you. Do not turn away from her suggestions, but give them a fair trial. Everything is proved by well-conducted experiment — experiment is the test; “try all things, and hold fast to that which is good.” Build up an Agricultural 'College, and prepare your sons, not for the professions, - clerkships, &c., but to be intelligent iarmers. Send a due proportion of farmers to your Legislature, and give them a fair share of the offices of profit. Show thus that you do not regard them as an inferior cast. If you will do all this, knowledge will abound, science will unfold hei' secret stores, and we may yet understand “how oats, peas, beans and barley grows.” Franklin, {in Laurensville Herald. THE SCIENCE OF BREEDING. Wb are induced to write out and pulblish the leading points of a lecture on the Science of Breeding, mainly to correct the mischievous errors which give rise to legisla- tion like the following: “Marriage of Kindred. — A bill has passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 36 to 52, prohibiting the intermarriage of first cousins under a severe penalty, and cutting off the inheritance of issue. The preamble of the bill asserts that many deformations of mind and of body are of congenital origin, from the practice of near kindred intermarrying with each other.” — Southern Recorder. Many a bill had a mistaken “preamble,” and served to perpetuate false views on the most important subjects. “The intermarrying of near kindred” is no worse now than it was when the first descendants of Adam and Eva married not only first cousins, but brothers and sisters. The whole teachings of the Bible in reference to the difi ferent species of animals springing each from a single pair, are false, or else to propagate and multiply the same from the blood of a single pair violates no law of nature. Truth is always consistent with itself; while error is ever forced to adopt conflicting principles. There is no evidence whatever that Providence was under the necessity of cre» ating two men and two women to avoid the deterioration of their offspring by too close intermarriage ; and yet their entire issue would contain only the seminal blood of four persons — compelling very close breeding in a few generations. Has this natural system of in-and-in breed- ing either emasculated or deformed any one species of the cVdzsT^^malta, to which man belongs? Certainly not. On the;contrary, the most vigorous and perfect herd of neat cattli^ known to civilized man is seen in Chillingham Park^^here all the alleged evils of the closest possible intermarriage of near kindred have preyailed for six hun- dred years. It was the wise and salutary instruction of Nature in matters purely physiological, in this, famous English park, that enabled nature’s, noblemen, the Messrs. Colling, George Culley, Bakewell, and others, to break the chains of an iron superstition, and by following nature’s laws, make the farmers of all Europe and America pay tribute to their skill in the improvement of domestic animals. Of course, defects and deformities may be pro- pagated through the agency of near kindred as well as ^by the intercourse of sexes belonging to different families. In all such cases, however, the error lies not in the close relationship of parents, but in pairing individuals whose constitutions, physical and physiological developments, one not adapted to each other. To study and understanfi these in all their vital functions and relations, gives one that clear and systematic knowledge of the subject which makes him a scientific breeder of live stock. Hitherto lha world has produced but few such breeders; but BU)<^h 6 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. aa it has produced, have wholly disregarded the false idea that there is something in the blood of animals which renders deterioration nwre than probable if issue spring from parents who are as nearly related as first cousins. What is the blood of any person or animal, but a part of the food eaten within the previous 48, or perchance, 60 hours 7 The blood of no father or mother was ever the same for six month in succession ; and, therefore, no two children born at different times, and the offspring of the same parents, were ever so much alike as some twins have been. Cain and Abel differed widely in their dis- positions; although neither could have had either the Tices or virtues of a long line of progenitors. The differ- ent members of many a family in our own time evince as wide a discrepancy of character, v/hose parental blood eame from the same living hearts. One child is very conscientious through life ; while a brother or sister dis- plays a lamentable want of moral rectitude. If the same blood in the popular, not scientific, use of language, pro- duces such varient results, why talk about the blood of eouains necessarily leading to bad consequences, if mingled by intermarriage 7 The notion is but little short of a downright absurdity. How can the marriage of a sound man and sound woman impair the blood of either, whether they are brother and sister, first cousins, or fourth cousins 7 The thing is impossible, unless one gratuitously assumes Tices which it were just as logical to assume in the mar- ried life of any other parties. And if the marriage of near kindred cannot impair the blood of parents, how is it pos- sible for healthy parental blood to weaken the consti- tutional powers of its offspring 7 This, too, is equally impossible. Parents communicate deformity and imbe- cility to their children not because they may happen to be cousins, or their grandmothers were such, but from errors, defects and maladies which have an entirely different ori- gin. If it were proper to use the argumentum ad hominumi and were the writer addressing a legislative body it would be easy to name some of the blood- corrupting poisons which eat like a cancer into the constitutions of more than one generation. “It is not necessary to our argument that we point out any of the pregnant follies, vices and crimes which civilization breeds with extreme fecundity, to show that the occasional marriage of first cousins is not one of the number. Pure blood is never contaminated by what it parts with, but by what it receives that is impure. Hov/ to judge of the quality of blood is a lesson which even legislators may study with benefit to themselves and advantage to the public. The outward signs cf good breeding, of in- ternal health, strength and purity, are almost as difficult to describe as the beauty and splendor of a sunbeam. Liiie the latter, they may be seen and felt, but elude the grasp of one who would weigh them in a balance. An eminent writer on the art and science of breeding neat cattle has the following remarks ; “ The securing of the greatest profit with the least labor in breeding, consists in procur- ing that breed which attain the greatest weight and ma- turity in the shortest time, and on the least quantity of food. How is it that some animals of different breeds, | or different individuals of the same breed, fatten faster than others ^ They all receive the same attention and care, food and comfort. On inspecting the subject m.ore closely, the breeder discovers that those animals which improve fastest, are the most beautiful to the eye, and handsomely formed. Out of regard for them he has a desire to handle and fondle them, when he makes a new discovery — he finds that their skins feel agreeable to the touch, are loose and easily laid hold of. Their bodies are soft and fat and he can press his finger into the flesh, which springs back again in an elastic manner. He also ascertains the same properties in the parents of the cattle which have produced them ; and when he has made ob- servation he has made another discovery. He thereby learns that cattle possessing certain good and useful pro- perties have the power of imparting them to their progeny. His mind having thus been awakened to the proper course to be pursued in breeding, he perseveres in the se- lection of the best animals, and, in the course cf time, his experience and taste correct the defects that exist even in the minuter properties of his animals.” There are other points to be attended to with equal care and discrimination, but space will not permit us to cite them at length. The term “blood” as applied to neat cattle was used by Bakewell to designate those new breeds called into existence by him in which the most de- sirable properties to early maturity and easy keep had been fixed as a peculiar characteristic. Repeated and careful experiments have proved that^ome animals return twice the flesh for the food consumed that is obtained from others. By simply keeping young and growing animals warm and quiet, less nourishment is wasted in maintain- ing animal heat and muscular action, and more goes to produce tender tissues and fat ; and consequently giving a better return for the grain or forage consumed. More exercise, and a larger development of bone and muscle are required in breeding stock; while something of the high keep, and fattening process should be omitted. Due care should ever be had to avoid epidemics, or diseases of whatever kind ; and especially should caution be used in the application of popular remedies. We have no doubt that more cattle, horses and hogs are killed by medicine than are cured. In nine cases out of ten. Nature is the best doctor for live stock, if not for the human species also. True science teaches both prudence and modera- tion in dealing with so frail a thing as life. Science in- forms us that warmth is, to a certain extent, the equivo- lent to food ; so that the man who keeps his stables and yards well supplied with dry leaves or straw for his stock to sleep on, saves both fodder and flesh by so doing, and adds much to the value and quantity of his manure. Good keeping and good breeding are almost synonymous terms in stock husbandry. Calves should be early taught to eat corn meal, and have a little twice a day. Sheep ought to be fed regularly with turnips, beets or carrots ; each of which grow finely at the South according to our ex- perience. Let the reader try root crops for stock, and re- port the result in the Cultivator. L. RE-OPENING OF THE SEAVE TRADE. , Editors Southern Cultivator— -In the Decemfcfr number of your valuable periodical, I have read with much interest, the questions propounded to you by your correspondent, Mr, Thos P. Miller, of New Pre.s- pect, Miss , upon the “Re-opening of the Slave Trade." And I shall be pleased to see answers to his queries, eitl ci from you, or from any of your correspondents. And I should also be pleased to hear from Mr Mil!* r again, as I think he has taken a very sensible view i this late agitation. Native South C aroltnl' n. Columbus, Ga., Dec.AHbS. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. T AN ITEM IN NEAT FARMING. There is a slovenly practice among farmers, and some pretty good ones, of putting logs, brush, stumps, &c., &c., into the nearest branch or gully in the field. Sometimes they are put into the fence corners. Now I protest against anything of the sort. They are an abomination to a real neat farmer. If you cannot find time to burn them as they should be, then you had better make them into piles or heaps in the field, and plow round them; for after awhile you will get tired of going around them so often, and will set them on fire. Better dig pits, like the Flor- ida man, and bury them. Some men suffer bushes, briers and weeds to grow along the branches, and thus form a crooked, horrible looking hedge, a fit harbour for snakes, frogs, minks, and other varmints. Clean out those places when you are tending your crops, or after harvest. Instead of letting the bushes grow up along the branch- es, a good plan is to have a strip of meadow on each side. Along the margin of a branch the grass grows most lux- uriantly, A strip of meadow will catch the rich soil that washes from the adjacent fields and prevent it from being lost to the rightful owner. This is much better than to try to raise corn in the bends or crooks of the branches, where it is so difficult to plow, and infinitely better than to have those ugly crooked hedges. Brother farmer, I i move that we repudiate such hedges. Who’ll second the motion I— Valley Farmer. TREES — THEIR USES, POETRY AND BEAUTY. An anonymous writer says : “How beautiful are Trees! Whether we look at them in spring, with their swelling buds and folded leaflets — in summer, crowned v/ith bright and dancing leaves, through which the ‘soft south wind’ loves to wander, ever singing sweetly and musically— in autumn, dressed in garments of purple and gold, with trees. Most beautiful where and as God plants them, but beautiful even as planted by the poorest art of man, trees should be protected and preserved, “If he is a benefactor who causes two blades of grass to grow where one grew before, how much greater his be- neficence who plants a tree in some waste place, to shel- ter and shade, to draw thither song-birds, and to bear fruit for man. Plant trees, O man, on that waste land, and be careful of those that are planted.” We do not (says the Christian Advocate') know the author of the above beautiful and comprehensive notice of trees; but we think its perusal will cause many of our readers to involuntarily and heartily respond to the fami- liar and popular language of the song of WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE. BY GEORGE P. MORRIS. Woodman, spare that tree ! Touch not a single bough, In youth it sheltered me. And I’ll protect it now. ’Twas my forefather’s hand That placed it near his cot ; There, Woodman, let it stand; Thy axe shall harm it not ! That old familiar tree. Whose glory and renown Are spread o’er land and sea — And wouldst thou hew it down 1 Woodman, forbear thy stroke! Cut not its earth-bound ties; Oh, spare that aged oak. Now towering to the skies. ‘ When fairy colors deck the painted tree, When the vast woodlands seem a sea of flowers’ — or in winter, with their delicate tracery of twigs and branches sharply defined against the clear, cold sky — at whatever season we behold them, they are ‘beaudful ex- ceedingly,’ and the man who does not prize them is blind to the loveliness of Nature.” Another writer eloquently says : “How beautiful, most beautiful of earth’s ornaments are trees ! Waving out on the hills and down in the valleys, in wildwood or orchard, or singly by the wayside. God’s spirit and benison seem to us ever present in trees. For their shade and shelter to man and brute ; for the music the winds make among their leaves, and the birds in their branches ; for the fruit and flowers they bear to delight the palate and the eye, and the fragrance that goes out and upward from them forever — we are worshipful of trees. “ ‘Under his own vine and fig-tree’— what more expres- sive of rest and independence and lordship in the earth ! Well may the Arab reverence in the date palm, a God- given source of sustenance. Dear to the Spani./rd is the olive, and to the Hindoo his banyan, wherein riweli ilie families of man, and the birds of heaven build their nesis Without trees, what a desert place would be our earth- naked, parched and hateful to the eyed Yet how many arc thoughtless of the use and beauty of trees. How many strike the axe idly or wantonly at their roots. Above all other things in the landscape we would deal gently When but an idle boy I sought its grateful shade ; In all their gushing joy, Here, too, my sisters played. My mother kissed me here, My father pressed my hand j Forgive this foolish tear — But let that old oak stand. My heart-strings ’round thee cling, Close as the bark, old friend! Here shall the wild- birds sing, And still thy branches bend. Old tree ! the storm still brave ! And, Woodman, leave the spot, While I’ve a band to save, Thy axe shall harm it not. MARHHAIiE COUNTY (MISS.) AGRICUETUItAi- Fair. A correspondent of the Memphis Eagle cf* Enquire ^ writing from Holly Springs, under date of Oct. 29, says; “The Agricultural Fair now being held in this county, IS deserving of notice in your paper. The exhibition has neen highly creditable to our citizens. There were some Jen or twelve competitors tor the premium bale of cotton, and I assure you that at no other fair were more beautiful samples exhibited — far surpassing anything I saw at the •Siiel -y county fair. In the ladies’ department ! never saw finer exhibitions of skill and taste. At the close of tb« Fair 1 will give you a detailed report of the exhibition and the premiums awarded. 8 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. AGRICUIiTURAIi EDITORIAL. CONVENTION. One of the most pleasing events of the past month, has been the privilege we have enjoyed of meeting in this eity, during a single week, some seventeen or eighteen of our brethren of the Agricultural Press, several of them for the first time. Scattered, as we are, over a wide territory, we had hardly hoped to greet in a year even, so many to whom we hold the peculiar relationship of fellow-laborers in the same enterprise, that of promoting the elevation and improvement of agricultural labor. It was the hope of many of us that the occasion of the American Pomological Society, on September 14, 15 and 16, would furnish an appropriate season for meeting in council, not only to become better acquainted individual- ly, but also to discuss the best means of advancing our peculiar profession. The former end was, in a measure, accomplished, though the latter was partly interfered with by the programme of the Pomological Society, as the meeting of that body commenced at 9 A. M., and lasted until 10 P. M., with only a short recess at 1 and 5 o’clock for a hasty repast. Furthermore, our fraternity seemed to be in so great demand as workers that a large number of those present, were kept constantly occupied on vari- ous fruit committees all the time the Pomological Society was not in session. However, two meetings were held, at which considerable interest was manifested, and sever- al suggestions were made by different gentlemen, as to the importance and the power of the agricultural press, especially if there could be any degree of concert of ac- tion ; also the best means of bringing about that end. There was a general desire that arrangements should be made for a future gathering of all persons connected Edi- torially with Agricultural and Horticultural Journals. After due consultation and interchange of opinions, it was unanimously resolved to appoint a President and Secretary and a Joint Committee, who should consult to- gether and select the best time and place next season, and issue a call for a general convention. The time and place were left unsettled, as it was thought that these might best be fixed in connection with some other promi- nent agricultural or horticultural gathering. The follow- ing officers were chosen : President — H. P. Byram, Editor VdUey Farmer^ Louis- ville, Ky. Seeretary—QxQXigw fostering the Agricultural interest ^^Let every farmer who has a son to educate, remeia- ber and believe that science lays the foundation of every- thing valuable in AgrieuUure. ^ SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. THE CAMEE— HIS NATURE, HABITS, AND Uses. Washington, Nov. 29, 1858 To the Editors of the National InteUigencer : Gentlemen : I observed in the National Intelligencer of the 24th inst, a re- publication of an article from the Alaba,ma Sentinel “On the Uses of Camels,” by a corres- pondent who signs himself “Jatros.” The purpose of the article is to induce inquiry as to the usefulness of the camel in the production of corn and cotton, and on our planta- tions generally. Having been occupied now 10 years with the experiment of introducing the camel into this country, permit me to offer, tl>rough your columns, brief- ly, to “Jatros” and other inquirers, a few of the results of reading, observation, and thought upon these points. To do so concisely, and at the same time sufficiently, I will follow them in their order, as presented by your corres- pondent. The climative range of the camel, within which he has been known, indisputably, to live, thrive, and be useful, may be stated at from 50° to 52° of north longitude. The mean temperature of this zone may be rated at from 50° to 68° Fahrenheit. As animals, we know, are diffused over the globe, first, according to zones of climate, and, second, according to degrees of longitude; and as we know that “camel land” and the United States are includ- ed in the same zones of climate ; and as, further, the secondary order of arrangement (by longitude) is but of trivial importance, your correspondent is right in his supposition “that the camels would flourish in any lati- tude within the United States.” The cost of a camel, a good, serviceable one, landed at Mobile orPensicola, may be put down at from S150 to S200— not more, I think, if the purchase and transporta- tion are judiciously managed. The greatest expense in general will be in the freight. In any project, therefore, for the introduction of the animal, this must be the main item for close calculation. So far as the voyage is con- cerned, there need be no apprehension, for I know of no animal so little trouble at sea as the camel. I speak from a tolerably large experience in the transportation of horses and mules during our war with Mexico. So far as the motion of the vessel goes, whether in calm or in gale, one hundred camels would not cause as much anxiety or give as much trouble as ten horses. The camel does not consume more food than a horse or mule; prefers a coarser diet ; satisfies itself readily with either scanty grazing or browsing ; requires feeding but once a day, being a ruminant ; and would be with diffi- culty distressed for water. It requires no close stable ; only a shed protecting it from cold northerly winds and from falling weather ; and requires no grooming, though certainly healthier and better, like all other animals, for a clean skin. The camel is undoubtedly a hardier and tougher animal than the horse ; not surpassed, if equalled, in these respects, by the mule ; and with half the forage of either, and with two or three hours grazing or brows- ing, ean be kept in condition. In addition to the econo- my of forage, the use of camels saves the outlay for wagons and carts, harness, shoes, and the necessary re- pairs of them. The pack-saddle being so sinple in its construction as to be readily made on the plantations, its cost will be but a trifle. Its weight, moreover, compared with that of a wagon or cart, increases the physical en- ergy devoted to the transportation of goods. For short distances, say about a plantation, or for six or eight miles on the road, a strong camel will carry, on an average, from eight hundred to one thousand pounds. The Tiulus -of Asia Minor, the produce of the double-humped Bactrian male on the single humped Arabian female, will average, for the same distances, from one thousand lo fifteen hun- dred pounds. All of the statements in my official report of what was done by the camels under my direction in Texas are made frotn accurate weights and closely com- puted distances. So far, the general advantages from using camels may be summed up as fellows : They will flourish as well in the United States as either horses or mules. They may be introduced at Mobile or Pensacola at rates not greater, certainly not much greater, than present prices for good mules. They are not as expensive to feed as horses or mules. They require no close stables nor grooming. They are as tough and as hardy as either horses or mules. They save a heavy outlay for wagons, carts, harness, and shoes, and a constant tax for their repairs. Their physical energy is not largely drawn upon {di the draught of a wagon or cart, and therefore is propor- tionately given more usefullp to the transportation of goods. They will do more work at the same cost and keeping than either horse or mule. These are the general advantages that I think may be fairly claimed for the camel. Now, let us examine how far this animal, with these advantages, may he suitable for our plantation or farm uses. In Egypt I have seen the camel used in cities and in the country, on plntations, in fields, and on the road, for every purpose that horses and mules are used with us. I have seen them transporting bricks and broken stone from yards and quarries for buildings, sleepers, rafters, scantling, boards for flooring, &c. I have seen them carrying chopped straw, corn, cotton, fodder, merchandise of all kinds, men, women and chil- dren, and with their burdens stepping intelligently and with sure-footedness into and out of clumsy ferry boats. And I have seen them usefully employed in carrying bur- dens on the dams and check banks of rice plantations. Is there anything more than these uses that our plantations and farms require I As a Southern man, from a cotton, corn, and rice grow- ing section, I believe that in many respects we might use camels with advantage in our agricultural labors, while pulling corn or fodder, or picking cotton, in transporting them from the field to the barn or gin house, in carrying seed, manure, fire-wood, &e., about the plantation, and in transporting produce and goods to and from the railway, or market. So far as the negro is concerned, I am satisfied from a knowledge of the nature and habits of both, that no animal better suited to him in all respects than the camei can be given to his management. That the preceding may prove of interest enough to find a place in your columns, and result in benefit to our country, especially to that section of it we both hail from, is my apology for trespassing upon you. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Henry C. Wayne, Major United States Army. » ^ < To Clean Sponges. — When very foul wash them in dilated tartaric acid, rinsing them afterwards in water; it will make them very soft and white. Be carful to dilute the acid well, as it is very corrosive, and therefore, should be weak. I^^Time is the most precious, and yet the most brittle jewel we have; it is what every man bids largely for, when he wants it, but squanders it away when he it- - 30 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. THE PEA AS A FERTILIZER. Editors Southern Cultivator— Enclosed you have cne dollar — the amount of my subscription for yonr val- uable journal for 1859. There has been a great deal said in relation to peas as a fertilizer, but I have known of ssveral cases in this neighborhood in which they have entirely failed for cot- ton, and I would like to learn the experience of others in the matter. About four years ago, I made the experiment myself, in this manner: I planted a small field of 4 acres in peas about the 1st of July. When they were ripe, I picked them, and, the vines being very luxuriant, turned them under, and the following spring planted in cotton. It was a failure. This year, two or three of my neigh- bors did the same thing, with the same result. Well, my faith in the pea for that purpose is not yet exhausted, and I am trying the experiment once more, with the addition of lime. Now, the question is, how much lime shall I usel (I mean the oyster shell lime.) Perhaps, after all, I may fail again; for, if the land is exhausted of alkaline^ matter, viz : potash, soda, magnesia, phosphoric and sul- phuric acids and chlorine, there will probably be no good result. The field is high, dry and sandy, and has been in cultivation with various intervals of two, three, five and seven years, for fifty years. It has now been lying out three years. The cotton crops on the seaboard are very short. I presume the gale of September cut them off generally about one-third — in many instances, more. The corn crops are pretty fair. With best wishes for your continued success, I am. Very respectfully, your ob’t serv’t, Bryan. Way's Station, Ga., Dec., 1858. • ■ ■ . ■ TO ENRICH LANR — STOCK.RAISINC4, &c. Editors Southern Cultivator — The time has ar- rived for me to renew my subscription to your journal, and I avail myself of it to say something to the readers of the Cultivator, albeit little given to writing. I have been a reader of the Cultivator for many years, and in every No. I have seen something about manures — hauling muck, barn yard manure, guano, and all the thou- sand and one things used in England and the North for manuring the ground— and I never have yet seen one that I thought was practicable, till the Dec. No. came out. “ Stock Husbandry at the South” embraces the whole thing, and is the only way that lands at the South ever will be, or can be, enriched ; ’tis nature’s own mode, and by it our lands can be enriched, while we enrich our- selves ; and for fear that there may be some who do not understand the manner of doing it, I will try and tell how: I knew of a worn out cotton plantation in Middle Ten- nessee that was made to produce 80 bushels of corn to the acre, on 300 acres, the first fall. One-half was sown in rye and clover; the rye fed down in the field by hogs, then grazed on the field till September ; they were then turned into the corn field, and the whole fed off on the corn field (the farmer renting land to make his corn for winter use); this was sown in rye and clover, as the hogs finished a field (the corn field was divided in four parts.) That fall the farmer bought all the poor calves and sheep he could find, with sufficient beef cattle to graze the rye. During winter and next spring they were put on the clo- ver, and.by fall he had a fine lot of stock. The place was kept to grass for three years, and then put under the three field system ; and, although never originally the richest land, it is now the most productive farm in Middle Ten- nessee— three years since, it look the certificate as 2nd best place, at the Nashville .Agricultural Fair. The whole secret is in having plenty grass, with plen- ty stock to eat it. The system of farming at the South is different, and always will be. No large amount of ma- nure will ever be collected in stables and barn yards, be- cause cattle do not require housing all the time. If your land is so poor that grass vull not grow on it, sow peas, feed off to hogs, turn under the vines, and sow rye or oats ; feed off again, and sow peas, and so on, till your lands become rich ; get you good plows of easy draft, that turn well ; plow deep and often. Get the best stock you can procure; see them often ; don’t tmst to any one ; salt often— and you can furnish your table with good, whole- some meat, and be done with pickled pork from the North. As to profits of sheep raising, we have made 150 per cent, since we commenced, although on a small scale— that is, S220 worth of sheep netted us last year S375, be- sides the lambs, which were a rather poor lot last year — cause: breeding in-and-in too long. Don’t believe that any kind of stock will improve under such treatment. The Blakewell sheep, that so much has been said about, has always been a doubtful experiment. I doubt much if he did not cross them, for he seems to have been afraid some one would procure his stock. Will the writei’S for your journal take a little advice 1 That is, don’t interlarde your writing with French and Latin phrases. The farmers, for whom they are intend- ed, don’t like it; they think that America is the best coun- try, and the English language the best. Leave to millin- ers and French shop-keepers such stuff— let American farmers speak and write English. Yours, Dardanellb. Arkansas, Dec. 8, 1858. AGRICULTURE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. Gov. Allston, of South Carolina, in his last message, says; The State Agricultural Society is dispensing much in- formation and encouragement amongst famiers, whose do- mestic habits are not favoaable to .aggregation, and who, therefore, ai*e always benefitted by the stimulus of agri- cultural exhibitions. District societies have been organ- ioed, and Fairs held at many places, in preparation for the great annual meeting of the State Society. The Fair just closed exhibited stock of all kinds, implements of husbandry, fruits and grain of superior order ; besides, very numerous specimens of ingenious handiwork, many of which are but recently developed. The assemblage of substantial population was very great, among whom pre- miums were distributed to a large amount. The Execu- tive Committee will publish, in the course of -the winter, a volume of proceedings, in which will be found a pro- gramme of the Agriculturul Schools in France: ***:!:*** Connected with a proposition to the last General As- sembly to send a pupil to one of the agricultural schools of France, I received fcom the civil attention of the IMin- ister d’ Agriculture et d’ Instruction a programme of the said schools, showing the course of instruction and the cost. This programme, of which I furnished a transla- tion to the President of the State Agricultural Society in Jauuary last, was accompanied by a graceful tender from the Minister of France of his best offices towards a .son of South Carolina, who should be recommended by the Governor. The Pen. — In the hand that knows how to use it, it is the most powerful weapon known. As the tongue of the absent, how cheering! When the golden tints of virtue guide it, how beautiful 1 When self-respect gives it r.c .v vigor, how pleasing! When honor directs it, how i ' spected ! When wit sharpens it, how fatal! Wh scurility wields it, how contemptible. “Pis the v.cpp i of the soul.” SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 31 Have a Home. — Young naen have lately written to us, asking: “ Shall we marry, possessing only small m.eans V’ If the means are adequate to meet the wants of the man and the future wife, why not'? But they should be suf- ficient for this, else the most painful consequences may ensue. Moderate means are ample for the real necessaries of life, which ought to satisfy human beings, so far as externals are concerned ; insuring social and domestic enjoyment: meeting the real purpose of existence — their own advancement and that of others. But have enough for this. Have a home. Have a home, young man, be- fore you have a wife. At least have means to provide one. You have no business with an Eve till there is a paradise to place her in. Secure the garden, rnd the Eve will follow. If you are unable to provide an Eden, who ought to trust you with an Eve'? Sacred as we regard love, we do not be- lieve in divorcing it from common sense. This experiment is generally fatal to both happiness and respectability. Wake from mere dream-life, exert your energies; procure means by some kind of honest labor; secure a home; then ask your own heart, and the girl phrenologically best adapted to you, the question, “Shall I marry'?” — Life Illustrated. A New Species of Cotton. — Mr. Thos. Smith, who resides in the immediate vicinity of Richmond, has a small field of cotton which is considered a curiosity by all who have seen it. It dilfers but little in appearance from the ordinary kind, except in color, which is as deli- cately crimson as a maiden’s blush. Not only is the stalk of this gorgeous hue, but the leaves also, the vividness of color fading, however, as it approaches the margin of the leaf, into a purplish green. This is not the eifect of dis- ease or of any extraneous circumstances connected with its culture, but a peculiarity in the plant itself, every stalk possessing the same rich and healthful glow, and as thrifty as any cotton in the country. Where the seed originally came from we have not as yet ascertained. The prospect of a heavy yield is equal to that of any other species, be- ing well boiled, and the weed of vigorous growth. We were shown the lint of a few bolls of last year’s grovrth, and for fineness and length of staple we believe it not in- ferior to the sea island. If this cotton turns out as well as present appearances indicate, it will be a valuable ac- quisition to this branch of agricultural industry. — Rich- mond ( Va.') Reporter. ■ ' ■ ■ ^ » ■■ A Merited Rebuke. — We learn from the Macon Tele- graph that at the late term of the Superior Court of Pike county, a master was convicted of cruel treatment towards a slave, and was fined four hundred dollars by Judge Cabaniss. We know nothing of the details of this particu- lar case, further than stated above, but if any transgres- sion against the law should be punished to the fullest ex- tent of the penalty annexed, it is unnecessary cruelty to slaves. In fact, the cruelty practiced by some masters to- wards their s'aves, has given abolitionism more capital to go upon tnan everything else combined, and such ex- amples as set by Judge Cabaniss will go far to lake the wind out of the sails of abolitionism. — Exchange, A Farmer’s Library.— Dr. Johnson being once asked whom he deemed the most miserable, replied, “The man who cannot entertain himself with a book on a rainy day.” Were the question put, What farmers are likely to make the most rapid progress and improvement in husbandry'? the answer would be, other things being equal, those who read most on the subject of their vocations. A man who reads little, no matter what his vocation is, will be likely to think little, and act chiefly with reference to tradition- received from former generations, or else in imitation of what is going on about him. There is always hope of a man who laves reading, study and reflection. Not all who buy books liberally and patronize the press gener- ously, are readers. There is a class of fancy book buyers who purchase freely and expensively, but who read little and profit nothing from the stores of knowledge treasured up in their libraries. Fine collections of books nicely ar- ranged on shelves may satisfy desires of covetousness, but can impart little or nothing, only as they are read, studi- ed, and referred to. Every farmer, whether rich or poor, learnecTor unlearn- ed, should have a collection of books on agriculture, hor- ticulture, and the several subjects more or less intimately connected with the objects of his special pursuit. A few good books costing but little, should make the beginning of the farmer’s library. Gumbo Soup. — Who has not heard of the famous gumbo soup of the South-west, and who has ever visited New Orleans without luxuriating on it, and declaring it the very best soup ever conceived 1 We have often wonder- ed v/hy it is not generally made throughout the South, where all the ingredients are easily obtainable. Here is a. recipt for making it, furnished to the Mobile Mercury ^ by Mrs. L. H. Wright: “ After your chicken is prepared, fry it to a nice brown color ; season it with black prepperand salt ; have a large soup-plate full of okra; chop fine, throw away the heads ' of the same, as they are hard. Always use the long white, it being more tender and better flavored than the other kinds ; stir in this with the chicken ; and it will partake of the taste and seasoning of the chicken. Fry it a little, and have ready some boiling water, pouring over, say three quarts, and allow a sufficient quantity to boil away; let all boil down until the chicken becomes perfectly ten- der, so that it may easily be torn to pieces with a fork. If firied, it requires more pepper and salt, which shoul be added before it is thoroughly cooked. The gumbo thus made will be very thick. If you do not like it made in this way, do not boil so much, as it spoils all kinds of soup to boil down and fill up again, as many do, with cold water, and besides it is never so rich. Have vice boiled tender, but be careful that the grains are separate. Of course, it is both wholesome and rich. Netting Hogs. — The Kentucky rule is said to be, for the first 100 lbs. deduct 25 for gross; for the second 100 lbs. deduct 12 1-2; for the third 100 lbs. deduct 6 1-4; all over the third hundred is net. The net weight of a hog weighing 100 gross is 75 lbs ; a hog of 159 gross will net 118 3-4; of 250 gross 209 3-4 net, and a hog, the gross weight of which is 300 pounds, will net 256 1-4 pounds. From the gross weight of a hog that goes over 300, 43 1-4 pounds only is dedusted, even should the weight be 400. This rule, if correctly stated, may be of use to somebody. The Sugar Crop in Porto Rico. — Advices from Porto Rico to the 27th ult., state that Ihe^ island, after a long drouth had been deluged with rains, which had beaten down the cane fields and done some damage to the crops. The promise, however, was still highly favorable. Th« port of Aquadilla was visited by a severe hurricane on the 24th ult., attended with shocks of earthquake. One or two lives were lost The shipping escaped with slight damage. 32 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. BE GENTEE WITH THY WIFE. Be gentle ! for you little know How many trials rise; Although to thee they may be small, To her of giant size. Be gentle ! though perchance that lip May speak a murmuring tone, The heart may beat with kindness yet. And joy to be thine own. Be gentle ! weary hours of pain ’Tis womans lot to bear ; Then yield her what support thou can, And ail her sorrows share. Be gentle ! for the noblest hearts At times may have some grief, And even in a pettish word, May seek to find relief. Be gentle! for unkindness now May rouse an angry storm, That all the after years of life, In vain may strive to calm. Be gentle 1 none are perfect— Thour’t dearer far than life ; Then, husband, bear and still forbear — Be gentle to thy wife. Fanny Fern. lnmtstic (EcDiinrai aiti DYSPEPSIA — INFAEifilBEE REMEDIES. We publish the following remedies by request, with the assurance, from the gentleman who furnishes them, that they never fail of effecting a cure : NO. 1. One oz. Virginia Snake Root, 1 oz. Aloes, 1 oz. Ginger, 1 pint Molasses, 1 pint Cognac Brandy, best. Put in a pot and boil slowly for twenty minutes, and then strain and cool, and bottle and cork tight. Take every morn- ing, on an empty stomach, one teaspoonful; if it ope- rates too much, take less; if not enough, take more. Take it regularly. If you use tobacco, quit it at once. NO. 2. Take 4 ozs. of Sarsaparilla, bruised ; 1 oz. of Senna, 1 oz. Quassia, Put it into 2 quarts of Whisky and set it in the sun for three days ; shake occasionally. Take three drams a day, just before eating. Cure for Distemper in Dogs. — To a grown dog give half a tea cupful of Castor Oil. If that does not cure, repeat the dose the third day, which I have never known to fail in making a cure. F. H. C. Jasps^- County, Miss., 1858. Valuable Recipe. — In ninety-nine cases out of one hundred, Cranberries applied as a poultice will effectually cure the erysipelas. There is not an instance known where it has failed to effect a cure, if faithfully applied before the sufferer was in a dying state. Two or three applications generally do the work. Pint Care.— One pint of dough, one tea-cup of sugar, oiio of butter, three eggs, one teaspoonful of pearlash, with* raisins and spices. New and Valuable Soap. — An improvement in the manufacture of soap is noticed in the English papers, consisting in the addition of sulphate of lime to the usual ingredients employed in its manufacture, and by which it is made hard and durable. The sulphate may be add- ed to the soap in a dry powder, or in admixture with any of the usual ingredients employed in the manufacture of soap. The proportions of the sulphate which it is best to employ vary according to the article to be manipulated upon and the quality of the soap to be produced. Thus, about twelve ounces of dry sulphate is sufficient for one ton of the best soap; whereas, in common or highly liq- uored soap, six or eight pounds are used with advantage. Soap made with the addition of sulphate of lime becomes hardened, keeps dry, and is not liable to shrink while in water; its durabiliSy is increased, and it does not wear or waste away before its cleansing properties are brought into action. Cure for Cough or Hoarseness. — A correspondent of the Charleston Courier gives the following : Chip up fat lightwood and put a handful of the chips into a pint of common spirits. A teaspoonful in a wine- glass of water on going to bed will cure a hoarseness, and if taken three times a day, or whenever a cough is trouble- some, it will effect a speedy cure. A few chips thrown into a hot shovel and the odor breathed, will be found serviceable in lung complaints, and is calculated to relieve asthma. This is much cheaper than “Cherry Pectorals,” and equatly efficacinu-s. To Remove Ink Stains prom Printed Boose, &.c. — Procure a little oxalic acid, which disolve in a small quan- tity of warm water, then slightly wet the stain with it, when it wHl disappear, leaving the text uninjured. Sweet Potato Waffles. — Two tablespoonsfu! of mashed potato, one of butter, one of sugar, one pint of milk, four tablespoonsful of wheat flour; mix well t!> gether and bake in a waffle iron. Soft Cakes in Little Pans. — One and a half pounds of butter rubded into two pounds ot flour, add one wine glass of wine, one of rose water, two of yeast, nutmeg, cinnamon, and currants. Jumbles. — Three pounds of flour, two of sugar, one of butter, eight eggs, wiih a little caraway seed ; add a little milk, if the eggs are not sufficient. Tea Cake. — Three cups of sugar, three eggs, one cup of butter, one cup of milk, a small lump of pearlash, and make it not quite as stiff as pound cake. Raised Waffles. — Make a thick batter of milk and wheat flour, add four eggs, beat light a gill o£ yeast, a spoonful of butter ; let it rise some hours. For Weak Eyes. — Two grains acetate of zinc, in two ounces of rosewater; filter the liquor carefully, and wash the eyes night and morning. Pain in the Stomach, with Coldness or Wind — Swallow five or six grains of white pepper, for six or seven mornings. To Desthoy Crigkets.— Put Scotch snuff upon thtir holes. Cockroaches may be banished by red wafers. Paint is destructive to r.I! insert? and so is lime. DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE VOL. XVII. AUGUSTA, GA., FEBRUARY, 1859. NO. 2. WILIilAIVI S. JONES, Publisher. DANIEL. LEE, HI. D., and D. REDHTOND, Editors, (TF* See Terms on Cover, ^latttatinu ©caiinniii anJi HINTS FOR THE MONTH. The Plantation. — Break up land for Corn deep, using the subsoil plow, and apply all the manure you can pro- cure. Plant as early as is consistent with safety, Pre pare land for Cotton, throwing up deep and mellow “beds,” so as to get a good stand as early in the season as possible. Spring Oats should now now be sown Irish Potatoes planted and Sweet Potatoes bedded out for a sup- ply of “draws.” Fences must be now repaired, and Hedges set as soon as possible. The Vegetable Garden— The operation of the Gar- dener must now commence in good earnest. In order to secure a regular and abundant supply of good vegetables, the garden must be put in a thorough condition at once I»et it, however, be remembered that the soil should never he stirred, nor any seed be planted while the ground is wet; in fact it must be dry enough to crumble easily, when raked over. See remarks of last month, under this head, a 1 of which will also do for this month ; and if any crop, that was put in before, has been destroyed by frost, let it be renewed. English Peas may now have a careful hoeing, drawing a good ridge of soil to them, particularly on the northern side. All vegetable seeds, except Cucumbers and Musk Melons, may be planted from the middle till the latter part ©f this month, as Beets, Spmage, Parsnips, Salsify, Let- tuce, Turnips, Onions, (black seed) Cabbage for succes- sion, &c. Dunng the latter part of the month, Cabbage plants nay be set out fur a crop. Okra seed may be planted ; if put in rather deeply, say covered with a couple of inches of sod, it will be safe and ready to start as soon as the season will permit. Plant Irish Potaioes, and if any of the former planting have some up, hoe and draw the soil up, so as to cover them completely, and they will soon af)pear, again. By the middle of the month, Water Melons and a small crop of early Corn may be put in ; Adams’ Early, and White Flint Corn are the best varieties. Now is also the lime to sow Colza seed. Plant the seed, during the first week of February, and you may have ex- cellent greens in four weeks. If Hot Beds have not yet been prepared, do it at once. Where Sweet Potatoes are wanted early in the summer, put out your sets in a hot bed, that you may have an abun- dance of draws to sat out by the first of April. The Orchard and Fruit Garden. — Set out the Peach, the Plum, the Apple, the Pear, the Quince, the Fig, the Pomegranate, the Grape , the Strawberry, the Raspberry, and all other desirable Kinds of fruit and ornamental ti^es and vines. Examine Peach trees for the worm, and Apple trees for the borer, and dig those depredators from their hiding places with the sharp end of your knife. — Heap leached ashes around your Peach trees from the ^‘collar” to the height of 2 or 4 inches above the suiface of the ground, or pour boiling water around them ns hereto- fore directed. Work around all your fruit trees, stirring the ground well a little farther than the branches extend, and apply a good top-dressing of manure. Cover the surfare around newly planted, and all delicate trees, and shrubs, with leaves, pine straw, or loose manure, to the depth of four or five inches, so that the roots may be pro- tected. The Flower Garden. — Plant, at once, all Bulbs, such as Hyacinths, Tulips, Crown Imperials, Dahlias, &c , dtc. Sow lender Annuals in hot beds, and prick out inl.» open ground as soon as all danger of frost is over. Drr&s and trim borders ; plant edgings of Bux; spread gravel oa garden walks, and roll the surface firmly ; plant ornament- al Hedges or screens of Arbor Vitae, Wdu Olive, Euony- mous, Privet, &c. Prune Roses and other ornamental shrubs. Set out rooted plants, and cuttings of the R-^se, Cape Jasmine, and other flowering plants. Stake all newly planted and pliant fnrubs. Prepare ground for .awns, by plowing very lecp, (subsuiling IB inches) manure highly and sow a liberal allowance of mixed seed, such as Kentucky Blue Grass, White Clover, Herds Grass, ' exas .Musquu, Italian Ray, «&c., &c. When sown, roll smoothly with a rasii ron or stone roller, and keep off all owls, pigs, cattle, dws. F 34 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. ESSAY ON AGllICUETURE. Science and Art, which are designed by nature as twin sisters, for the mutual benefit and support of each other, have been from time immemorial alienated and estranged by the artifices of designing man ; but, I thank Heaven, they are becoming happily reconciled. Science, tired of spinning hypothetical cobwebs in secret, has at length found out that she is indebted to her long despised sister, not only lor the comforts of life, but even for the instru- ments with which she makes her discoveries ; and Art, finding herself no longer insulted, instead of grouping in darkness as heretofore, is now making rapid advances, in the prosecution of her labors, as she pursues them by the light of Science. Every branch of the useful arts is now assuming an improved character, as it begin? to be conducted upon scientific principles; but in no branch whatever is the knowledge of these principles of more importance than in Agriculture. The Art of Husbandry is unquestionably the most an- cient of all. Scripture informs us, that Adam was sent from the garden of Eden to labor or cultivate the ground. From the earliest accounts of the nations of the East, Ag- riculture was carried on by them to considerable perfec- tion- As soon as the descendants of Abraham were settled in Palestine, they became husbandmen, from the highest to the lowest ; high birth and rank made in this no dis- tinction ; for Agriculture was considered the most honor- able of all employments. Of this the history of Gideon, of Saul, of David, furnishes illustrious examples. The Chaldeans, who inhabited the country where Agriculture had its birth, carried that art to a high pitch of in>prove- ment. The Egyptians, from the fertility of their soil, en- riched by the overflowings of the Nile, raised vast quanti- ties of grain, for the use of other nations, as well as for their own wants. In the purest days of the Roman Re- public, to be called an industrious husbandman, was the highest encomium that could be bestowed on an illus- trious character — as witnebS Cincinnatus, who was taken from the plough to command the Roman legions. Hon- orable mention could be made of Cato, of Phocion and others. It was the practice among the ancient Persians, for their Kings, once in every month, to lay aside their grandeur, and eat with husbandmen ; the precepts of their religion included the practice of their agriculture ; it was even a maxim in their sacred books, that he who sowed the earth with diligence and care, acquired a greater degree of religious merit, than by the repetition of ten thousand prayers. The ceremonious respect be- stowed on Agriculture, in China, is well known : there the husbandmen enjoys many great privileges, while the tradesman and mechanic are held in comparatively little esteem. In the beginning of the spring of every year, the Emperor in person, attended by the chief men of the State, repairs to a field prepared for the purpose, an J there with his own hands holds the plough, and turns up several furrows ; the Princes and Nobles do the same af- ter him, according to their rank ; then the Emperor sows the seeds of wheat, rice, millett, and beans, and covers them over with the soil. Even in England, to this day, they have ploughing matches, and the honor of bearing off the trifling prize of a silver cup is boasted of from fa- ther to son. The prejudices of farmers against all innovations upon their established habits, are as old as Agriculture itself In the dark ages of superstition, a man who by any im- proved method, continued to grow larger crops than his fellows, was supposed to use supernatural means, and if he escaped prosecution as a wizard, was at least shrewd- ly suspected of dealing with a power, whom his pious neighbors carefully avoided. Why should the light of Science be hidden from the husbandman, and applied to the more learned professions, when Agricul ure requires its aid, and has more imperative claims upon the sublime mystery, than all the professions besides'? Farmers have to make more use of the powers and laws of nature, than other professions: they have to use the elements tor tools ; they are, indeed, practical chemists, for they have to make use of the various substances which nature has given them ; they have to combine, separate, modify and change both simples and compounds ; their firm is at one and the same time a laboratory and a workshop, and in pro- portion as they operate in such a way, as to afford the several elements, of which the substances are composed, and upon which they are operating to disunite and to combine, will be their success ; they depend upon the vegetable world for a subsistence; their labor is upon and among the plants on the earrh ; they have to change the state of it and adapt it to the seasons and the crops ; they have to “ discern the face of the sky,” and watch the changes of the weather, and regulate their movements accordingly ; they must use tools or implements of labor ; they must take advantage of the principles of mechanics to practical life; and in this country they have to contri- bute largely to the support and formation to the govern- ment, for upon them depends the election of rulers and law-makers; they have to administer to the sickness of animals under their charge, heal wounds and restore health. Indeed, so wide is the field of his labors, so nu- merous the subjects with which he is connected, so va- rious the operations which he has to perform, we verily think the farmer ought to be the most le.arned man upon earth, for his* whole business o; life is a series of illustra- tions of the principles of science, and his whole estab- lishment is a scientific laboratory. You will not object to giving learning to the man who labors for our spiritual good — to the lawyer who settles our temporal disputes, or to the physician who heals our maladies; then why in the name of common- sense is it not equally necessary for the farmer I 1 would not dis- pute with either ol these professions for the monopoly of the dead languages, but for the ever-living Sciences, for mathematics, mechanics, chemistry, botany, zoology, and their subordinate branches, I contend, that where a clergyman, or lawyer, has one professional occasion for their use, a farmer has fifty. By botany and chemistry, he learns the physiology of his plants, the nourishment and treatment they require, and by analysing the soil, he discerns what is neces.sary to maintain and increase its fertility. Zoology and natural history teach him the characters and constitution of his animals, and mechan- ics the structure and use of his instruments. There is no doubt but those who have no faith in book farming will smile at the idea of a college learned farmer; but how many things have been smiled at as ridiculous at one pe- riod, and at a subsequent time hailed and applauded as wonderful improvement '? The clergyman, lawyer, and doctor, by common consent, are made learned profes - sions; but poor Agriculture, whose hand sows the seed, ind whose arm gathers the harvest and the vintage, on which all our earthly conuorts, and indeed our very exis- tence depend, she can’t be allowed to teach her sons the most valuable of all arts! No matter; we are nothing but ‘ clod-hoppers:” if we have learnt our letters, and can read our bibles, what more can we want to knowl Let the disciples of the old school ridicule “ book-farm- ing,” and laugh at the idea of our sons being sent to col- lege to learn to hoe corn ; but, as I have intimated, the spirit of improvement is abroad. Ii we are charmed upo n viewing a garden upon a small scale, the worn, perhaps, of a single but skilltul individual, how infinitely more charming must be the view of three or four hundred acres planned and laid out with the accumulated skill of ages, and viewed by the broad light which Science has thrown upon the subject, with all the beauties of the vegetable SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. world, fciiid all ihe usetu! of the animal — could any earth- ly prospect be more delightfull Although other avocations may ofler the greatest prizes in the “ lottery of life,” yet if we compare the advantages of rural industry with those of any other of the common occupations to w hich men devote ihtmselves, we ehall find that he, who is engaged in Agriculture, has no reason to be dis3mi;hid with the hit which fortune has assigned him. Its supei oriiy in point of salubrity over any se- dentary employment is too .apparent to require illustra- tion— and it affords more of those common enjoyments, which constitute much of the elements of happiness, th.an any other state of equal mediocrity. The farm yard, the orchard, and the dairy, supply almost without expense, abundant means for those gratifications usually terrned the comforts of life, besides many luxuries beyond the reach of people of humble fortune. Few persons are in- deed insensible to the difference of mere animal existence as enjoyed by the farmer who passes his days in the healthful labors ot the field, and that of the mechanic or the shopkeeper who wears away his hfe at the bench or the counter.^ But it is not in these alone that the advan- tages exist; of all the feelings which we cherish, none is dearer than the consciousness of independence, and this no man who earns his bread by the favore of the public, can be said to enjoy to an equal degree with the former. Traders, as well as those termed professional men, are ri- vals, jealous of each other’s success, and let this be what it may, they still owe a deference to the world which is often galling to their spirits ; but the farmer fears no com- petition ; individually, he has nothing to apprehend from the success of his neighbor; he solicits no preference, and he owes no thanks for the purchase of his produce. His business, though subject to more casualties than al most any other, is yet so divided among many risks, that he is rarely exposed to the hazard of total failure ; the same weather which often injures one crop, improves anoiher, and the very difficulties of a critical season, opens a field of exertion, by which he is often gainer. Possessing on his farm all the means of life, he is under no corroding anxiety regarding his daily subsistence. He is removed from those collusions of interest, and struggles for precedence, which rouse the worst passions of the heart; and his constant observations of the benefi- cient dispensatory of Nature, for the care of all her crea- tures, can hardly foil to impress him with a deep sense of that religion of the heart which consists in the conviction of, and reliance upon, the care of an all-ruling and all- bountiful Providence. And to borrow the sentiment of a distinguished French nobleman — “ I could wish to in- spire all the world with a taste for Agriculture: it seems to me impossible how a bad man should possess it ; there is no virtue I do not attribute to him, who loves to talk of farming and to conduct it. Absorbed in this passion, which is the only one that increases with age, he daily overcomes those which derange the calmness of the soul, or the Ol der ofsociety, when he passes the limits of the city, (the seat of moral and physical corruption,) to go and work on his lands, or to enjoy them, his heart re- joices at the sight of nature, and experiences the same sensations on his lungs, on receiving the pure air that re- freshes him ” Nothing tends more to enlarge the mind, and extend the sphere of our rational pleasures, than the contempla- tion of the economy of nature ; and to those whom for- tune has placed above considerations of pecuniary advan- tages, but who set a due value on intellectual enjoyments, the stuoy of Agriculture offers an inexhaustible fund of amusement, as well as instruction. The same objects, seen in a variety of aspects, present an infinite variety of feature ; and the most slender stock of appropriate know- ledge, if aided by habits of observation and research. may be eminently useful in ascertaining facts hitherto un- known or unrecorded, and in thus illustrating Agricul- ture, which, however sedulously it has been explored, still opens a wide field for inquiry, while even if not for- tunate in the attainment of any material benefit, the mere occupation of the mind in tracing the origin and progress of any novel iiyprovtiuenf, will be found productive of the purest gratification As tiie soil, however rich, says Seneca, cannot be productive Vvithout culture, so the mind, without cultivatiiin, cannot produce good fruit. — Virgin- m Farm Jovrvai. HORTICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE. EXTRACTS FROM AN ADDRESS BY JOHN C. CARMICHAEL, ESa OF GREFNBORO’, GA. ‘‘For ages, and in all countries this subject (Horticul- ture) has occupied a portion of the attention of those who formed a taste for the beautiful in Nature. Where is the man who can look at a flower and say that it is not beau- tiful 1 The culture of flowers develops our finer feelings and softens our nature, Show me the lady who does not posses^, a taste for flowers 7 and I would say, if I was in search of a wife that she would not be selected oy me to occupy that position. The Duke of Richmond, having heard of a rare plant in India, dispatched a special mes- senger for it, who conveyed it to England at an expense of §10,000. The Emperor of Japan, v/ishing to bestow a mark of courtesy upon a distinguished personage, sent him a gold snuff box containing a rose and two other plants growing beautifully. The gardens of the Japanese are all on a small scale, and all of the plants are dwarfed down to the smallest size. The Japonica is the Rose of .Japan, but does not compare with Japonica of our own happy land, which has been beautified by horticulture, and whose petals have been largely increased in numbers, and whose colors have been increased by art and taste. The handsome Tulip, now almost neglected, once held its sway in Holland, and the excitement became so great that a single buib sold for ^'5,000. * * * * You, doubtless, have heard of the Rose of an hundred leaves. I once plucked a rose, cultivated by my own hand, which had one hundred and eighty eight distict pe- tals or leaves. It was known as the Souvenir de Mai- niaison. More than seven hundred different Roses are now known, and the number and variety is being increased by Horticulture. Some of them are beautifully striped. Some are of all the shades of red, and some are as delicately tinged with the pink, as the Maiden’s Blush. The differ- ent shades of white, the delicate straw color — the Cloth of Gold. The Green Rose, whose discovery was so soon followed by the Blue Rose, and they vary in size front the dime to the saucer. It is a source of deep regret that so little attention is paid to the subject ot Horticulture. Our Agrieulturistshave it in their power to develope many of the beauties of one science with another, by adding the beautiful to the usetuL In all the cities of the North, the proper attention is p dd to the culture of the handsome little emblems, which have been considered more beautiful than was Solomon in all his glory. “Consider the Lillies of the Field; they toil not, neither do they spin; yet Solomon in all his his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” ** * * The Cemeteries attached to the beautiful cities of the South, during the spring and summer months, are laden with flowers. Those belonging to New Orleans, and par- ticularly the one appropriated to the French portion of its population, is magnificently decked with boquets of the choicest flowers, which are arranged with truly artistic taste. This is particularly the ca.se on “All Saints Day,” which is the 1st day of November of each year. The 3« SOTTTHERN CtrETIVATOR. French employ ih^rnirno'LeUes to perpetuate the metnoi y o' the dead, and few years ago, the celebrated field of Waterloo v/as covered with the Forget me-noi. The Mag- nolio is the pride of the South, where it only exists, except in hol-houses The variety known as ttie Grandifloia, attains to a very large size, and bears a splen id flower ol a rich creamy white, and the odor is truly delightful to the senses. 7'he Spireas are in their peifei-tion duiing early spring, and are beautiful on account of the extreme deli- cacy of their formation. ‘‘In eastern lands they talk in flowers,” and what language can be more beautiful 1 and what would we be without the softening influences of flowers'? Oh! they have bet;n my solace; and now deck the narrow houses of six members of my family, and as long as my life is spared these sweet emblems of affection s’rall be nurtured by my hand and watered with a tear The Cemetery at Augusta, now so attractive and so beau- tiful, was once a wild waste, with not a fluwer or shrub within its walks; but now the hand of vandalism is checked, and taste and order everywhere prevail In the culture of plants and flowers we should allow na- ture to hold Us sway, except in cases which require some control by the hand of man, who should be governed generally by its laws; yet I have seen in the Rooms of the Horticultural Society of Boston, a Grape vine, which did not exceed 14 inches in height, and which bore a bunch of grapes the length of the height of the vine. The Cotton blossom is beautiful; but does it merit all of our attention 1 and should we be so much charmed with it as to abandon all others for its sake, simply be- cause our fathers did so before us This is the age of progress and improvement. Where is there a more beau- tiful country for the culture of the Grape, small grain and the raising of Slock of allkindsi Clover will grow here, and with the Bermuda Grass, too. A root of the Clover has been traced in this State for 30 inches. 1 know lands in ihe State of New York, which have been planted in wheat and clover for 50 years, and which cannot be purchased at any price, and which will be valuable as long as time lasts t>ur system is ex- hausting Tio ruinous. Hillside ditching is all important to our interest as weil as a change in our mode of progress in the old paths ol those who have gone hence. Systematic writers on agriculture, and most others, when tieating of the various plants usually cultivated on a farm, always describe their charai-ieristic in botanical phraseology ; and though this way of describirtg them seems a proper one, when dilferent genera of plants have' to be distinguished from each other; yet when mere varieties of the same species, and especially when these varieties are numerous have to be treated of, a more natur al method of describing them seems desirable, so that they snay be easily distinguished by other people than botan- its. fhus. Professor Low, when treating of wheat, enumerates eleven sub divisions which are cultivated, all which, doubtless, form distinct characteristics; but the disiinctions between them art not likely to be apprehend ed, far less applied by the majority of farmers; and much less likely are they to discriminate, with botanical accur- acy, between the very numerous kinds that arc cultivated in diflferent parts of the world. Lawson's Agricultural Manual describes eighty-three varieties of wheat. Col Le Conteur mentions having in possession one handred and fitly kinds of wheat; and the Highland Agricultural Society of E.1inburg, as early as the year 1H3G, found I4l varieties. To distinguish between ull these with botani- eal exactne.ss would puzzle any farmer. The ancients ased to preserve grain many years to serve for food, when years of fimine overtook them. When Joseph was in Egypt, wheat was preserved 7 years in the stores; but that might not be a difficult matter in a climate so dry as The Romans prt served wheal in iheir granaries for 50 years, and Millet 100 years, underground. This plan is pursued in Russia to this day The wl.eat crop of the United States is about 100,000,000 bushels ThatefOhio •20,000,000; New York and Pennsylvania 16,000,000 ousbels each. Col Le Conteur divides all the varieties of wheat into two classes, namely : bearded and beardless, io so far he imitates the modern botanists, who divide the cultivated vanities of wheat into two divisions, signify- ing the above characteristics; but, unfortunately for the stability of this division, the distinction is mutable, for some bearded wheats loose their beards on cultivation, and some beardless ones are apt to become bearded, whem cultivated on poor soils and exposed situations. Qf Barley Mr. Lawson desciibes 20 varieties, while the Museum of the Highland and Agricultural Society has 30 kinds. The Barley crop of the Um»ed States, 'n accordance with the last census, was 4,162,000 bushels. Oils are cultivated on a large extent of country in Scot* land, and it is believed that no country produces greater crops of them or of finer quality. There are 51 varieties of them known. Rye was known in Egypt 3300 years ago ; but one kind was known in that country, though 7 varieties are to be seen in the Rooms of the Highland and Agricultural So- ciety of Edinburg. Red rust has been known for 2562 ye^rs, or 704 years previous to the oirth of our Saviour, and no remedy has ever been discovered for this scourge to the planter. The ancient Romans even resorted to the destruction of aU the female red dogs, during the appearance of the Dog Star, but without success. TOBACCO— EARLilEST AND BEST MODE OF Raising Plants. To raise tobacco plants early and successfully, is a great secret. People often fail to get early pants, because they do not take sufficient pains to pul in the tobacco seed; nor do they make their beds in the right location, and put them in a suitable condition for the rapid growth of the plant. A tobacco seed seems to be slow to start, un- le'-s you resort to the most ingenious means to force swell and sprout. The earliest, and perhaps the best mode of raising t<5- bacco plants, is as follows : Piepare abed, 40 feet long and 10 feet wide, in a warm place where the sun will help enliven the soil ; pulverize the ground thoroughly and deeply, and in the mbaniime work in fine manure, free from foul seeds, so that weeds will not come up among the plants; rake down the sur- face of the bed smoothly and nicely ; and after you have thus perfected a kind of hat-bed — not at all expensive to make — and when you are satisfied that the ground ii warm, or in a satisfactory state to receive the seed, sow it on the bed at the rate of three ounces for a plat of ground of the above size. But, before sowing the seed) prepare it in the following manner: Put three or four ounces into a tightly made woolen bag; moisten it witk warmish water, and then hang it up behind the stove in a warm location. It will soon begin to show signs of sprouting, (it should be watched;) and having found out that it is about to germinate, by its swollen condition and other indications, sow it on yo«r bed in connection with two or three quarts of dry sand or Indian meal The sur- face of the bed should be pressed down with a heavy plank before sowing the seed, and never rake tn iobacc* seed; but, after you have distributed it evenly over yoar plat of ground, either roll il io with a hundred pound roll- er made for the purpose, or tread it in with your feet Some press it in with a plank. About the 15th or 20th of April is the time you should sow your seed, if the ground IS passably warm Some sow earlier and some sow later. [Fifst of March, in the South.] ssouthern cttlttvator. 37 Now fir ihe glass sa h workover Ihe bed— the sash made long and not too wide. Some do, and some do n<>t use them They should be placed over the bed, and the sun soon produces its good effects through the glass upon the surfai'e of the soil, warming it into activity, and thus Starting the little plants into active vegetable li'e I The glass also protects the plants from frost; but mind you when the sun shines wartniy, be careful that by reason of its effects through the glass, it does not burn up your plants. After the plants have got up reasonably large — as large as a dime, for instance — the glass fixiures may be removed ; and then you can dash on your liquid ma- nure evenly with a tin watering sprinkler You will be •urprised to see the raptd growth of the plants, raised and managed in the above manner The bed should be thoroughly weeded, and judgment should be used in selecting a plat of ground as free as pos- sible from foul seeds Sandy sod is, on the whole, the best for the plants. Fine horse or hog manure is the best to incorporate with the soil of the bed. In a fiw days after the plants get a start, they will he fit to set in the field in rows three feet and a half apart cme way, and two feet the other. I believe I am right in saying that, to be a successful to- bacco raiser is also to be a successful plant raiser. Rais ing tobacco is a trade; and in o.ur Northern States, where a good deal ofit is raised just now, the plants should be set eaily, and thus you will secure your crops early, and »o fear need be apprehended that it will not cure. Hereabout, a large quantity of tobacco is raised annu ally. Much patience is required to raise it, as in the cul- Uvaiion of all other plants. T. \in Genesee Parmer PROTECTION OF PLANTS FROM INSECTS. Upon looking over the "Revue ComplemenLaire des Science Apliquees a la M^decine et Pkarmacie, a V /Ig- Hculture, ,par F. V Raspail. Bruxelles, lfl54, I8ii.5,” my atteniion has been called to an article by the author, on the ‘‘U-^e of Aloes as a Preventive of the Attacks of Insects upon Vegetables ” I consider the subject a highly important one. As T have never seen it in print in this country,! take the liberty of furni hing you with a translation, (rusting that it may prove of sufficient value to merit a place in your Journal. 1 would say, in advance that Mons Raspail ranks among the very first chemists of Europe As an agncul tural chemist, and as a close and a-mrate oh'^erver, no man is more worthy of attention. He is emphatically the Chemist of Gardeners; em 'ellishing his science by a life of practi( al usefulness and rendering hims» lf dear to all who know him, by an urbanity which nrver fails His article may, perhaps, give us a clue to a method of rid- ding the Plum tree of its pest, the curculio. 1 shall cer- tainly make the experiment the coming season, upon my own trees, with a reagonaf^le hope of success In the number for September, 1854, Mons. Raspail “ Some months since, I published in the journals, and more recently the ^ Fermmr V terinaire,' a metho of pre serving and freeing plants of their pirasites, by means of a simple infusion of aloes. Thus the trunk and branches of an apple tree, covered with the wooly-coa'ed filant louse {fucerons lanisera) were rid of these vermin by a Btngle washing with a sidmion of aloes ; and the year fnl lowing, the new brood made their appearance but for a few days, as the washing had not been repeated. Upon Peach trees, the leaves of which were efFecied by that form of diseased swelling, culkd by garden- rs ‘curl,’ we have seen these injured leaves giving place in a short luwi to a new and luxuriant vegetation, simply from the applicatnm to their cracked trunks of a coating of clay, tempered with a solution of aloes. With regard to these trees, the disease did not come from the attacks of the wooly-coated plant louse, as I did not observe a single in- dividual upon them at the time of the diseased limbs. I had hereretofore imagined the disease due to the pre- sence and attack of these insects in the cracks of the trunks, “This year, the storm of May 5th having blighted twe of these trees throughout, and another near them, in part, all ihe leaves being blackened or carbonized, so to speak, in a single, day, I applied to their trunks the remedy which had preserved other trees, and enveloped them in a strong coat of clay, tempered with a solution of aloes. Th« success surpassed my hopes; one of the three was is- jured in the core, and we had reduced it almost to tha bark in order to withdraw the dead portion. Bu' new branches covered with foliage, put forth upon the old ones long before the flow of sap in August, and not a single Aphis was found upon the lower surface of the leaves ; not an ant roamed over the branches in search of them ; and the ant is very fond of their eggs. ‘b 'bseive, that I do not wash the branches ; and conse- quently the leaves, in putting out, could not have coated themselves with the aloes from the effVets of rain. NeveP- iheless, parasitic insects refused to feed upon the leaves^ as though they had been coated with gall. “Is it not, therefore, certain that the trees were imbued with aloes through the sap 1 Did not the trunk and roots kbsorb this substance in order to transmit it to the leaves through the circulation 1 And why not, since roots can convey to the sap arsenic, mercury, and many other metals 1 “All this leads me to believe that we will be able to preserve certain vegetable from their parasites, by watering their roots with a solution of aloes. We may thus communicate to them a dose of bitterness sufficient to disgust the insects, although inappreciable to our palates ”, In the number for February, 18.55, in speaking of the dangers of preparing seed with arsenic to protect it from the attacks of birds and insects, Mons. Raspail says: “Why, then, use poison alike injurious to man and to para-iiic animals, when we have at hand a substance which dri es away insects, and cannot possibly injure him who uses itl 1 speak of aloes. “Dissolve three ounces of aloes in one hundred and fifty four gallons of water This quantity of liquid will serve to prepare the seed for eight or ten acres of land, at least, if you do not waste it; and 1 can assure you, this preparation will protect from the attack of insects, not only the seed, but also the future plant. My experience this year with trees which formerly were devoured every yeat uy insect.s, leaves me no doubt upon the subject: this preparation with al.»es will produce certainly the eflfect on the crops which a single watering with this substance pro'iucea on the growth of fruit trees ” J Mons Raspail has given the result of some experimenls made upon the same subject since the above papers were written by him. 1 have, as yet, not had an opportunity of seeing these papers When I do, if agrec.-.ble to yoa^ I will make them the subject of a future communicatioiL I urn very truly yours, W. M. Uhlkb, M.D. Falls of Schuylkill, Phila.. [The only notice we have ever seen of M. Raspail’s ex- periments was, we believe, in the London GardenePi Chronicle, atiout the time of their first publication m France. The subject has since been overlooked, bttt is well worthy of further experiment Dr Uhler has ottt thanks for intro-iucing it, and our readers will share vritk us the hope that he will again fevor us, as promised. — Jli^. Gardener's Monthly.} 38 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. GESTATION OF ANIMAES. [n answer to the inquiry “Tamola” December (1858) number, page 370, v/e give the following complete article from the American Farmer's EncyclopedM Gestation. — The gestatory term in quadrupeds is much regulated by their bulk. In the elephant it is about 20 months, in the camel between 11 and 12, in the mare and ass the same. According to the observations of M. Teissier, of Paris, in 582 mares, which copulated but once, the shortest period was 287 days, and the longest 419, making the extraordinary difference of 132 days, and 89 days beyond th^ usual term of 1 1 months. The cow usually brings forth in about nine months, and the sheep in five. Swine usually farrow between Ihe 120th and 1 40th day, being liable to variations, influenced apparently by their size and their parttcular breeds. In the bitch, on the contrary, be she as dimiutive as a kitten, or as large as the boarhound, pupping occurs on or about the 63d day. The cat produces either on the 55th or 56th day. The true causes which abridge or prolong more or less the period of gestation in the females of quadrupeds, and of the incubation of oirds, are yet unknown to us. Many persons are also unacquainted with the proper age for re- production, the duration of the power of reproduction, and other conditions even of the domesticatfd animals. It cannot, therefore, but be interesting to find in the fol- lowing table the results of observations made on this suMect by the best ancient and modern naturalists ( Oeconomische neukundige Verhandl ;) Kind of Animals. Proper age for Reproduction Period of the Power of Reproduction, Number of females for one male. The most fa- vorable Sea- son for Co- pulation. Period of Ge; Shortest period. station and Mean period. 1 Incubation, Longest Period. Years. Days. * Days. Days. Mare 4 years 10 to 12 May 322 347 419 Stallion 5 .. 12 to 15 20 to 30 Cow 3 .. 10 July . 240 283 321 Bull 3 .. 5 30 to 40 Ewe 2 .. - 6 i . Nov 146 154 161 Tup 2 .. 40 to 50 Sow 1 .. 6 March 109 115 143 Boar 1 .. 6 6 to 10 She-Goat 2 .. 6 Nov. 150 156 163 He- Goat 2 .. 5 20 to 40 She- Ass 4 .. 10 to 12 May 3G5 380 391 He- Ass 5 .. 12 to 15 1 1 She- Buffalo 281 308 335 Bitch 2 .. 8 to 9 *Fcb. 55 60 ■ 63 Dog 2 .. 8 to 9 She Cat 1 .. 5 to 6 48 50 56 He Cat 1 .. 9 to 10 5 to 6 Doe-Rabbit 6 months 5 to 6 Nov. 20 28 35 Buck-Babbit 6 .. 5 to 6 SO Cock 6 .. 5 to 6 12 to 15 Turkey, sitting ^ Hen ( [ . V . 1 17 24 28 on the eggs >Duck - , , 24 27 30 the ) Turkey 1 1 24 26 30 Hen, sitting on ) Duck ( 3 to 5 26 30 34 the eggs of the S Hen ( 1 • 19 21 24 Duck 28 30 32 Goose . 27 30 33 Pigeon 16 18 20 Some of these results do not altogether coineide with the results of observation in England, where, for example, July, the season of copulation of the cow, is considered too late That period would produce late calves in the fol- lowing year. November is stated to be the best season for the ewe; for the blackfaced ewe it is, but for the Lei- cester, and, in many situations, for the Cheviot ewe, it is a month too late The duration of the power of repro- duction accords with our experience as respects the mare and stallion ; but 13 years of age for the cow, and 8 for the bull, is too young a period or old age in them, fine ani- mals of both sexes, of a valuable bred, having been kept in a useful state to a much greater age. I have seen a short-horned bull in use at 13 years, and a cow of the same breed bearing calves rt 18 ; but if the ages of 8 and 13 respectively refer to the usual time buPs and cows are kept for use, the statement is not far from the truth. From some carefully collected and very extensive notes made by Lord Spencer on the periods of gestatian of 764 when a cows, it resulted that the shortest period ofgestation live calf was produced, was 220 days, and the longest 313 days, but he was not able to rear any calf prodnced at an earlier period than 242 days. From the result of his ex- periments it appears that 314 cows calved before the 284th day, and 310 calved after the 285th ; so that the probable period ofgestation ought to be considered 284 or 285 days. The experiment cf M. Teissier on the gesta- tion of cows, are recorded to have given the following re- sults: 21 calved bet.’n 240th & 270th day, mean time being 259i 544 _ _ 270th & 299th — ' 282 10 — — 299th & 321st — 303 In most cases, therefore, between nine and ten months may be asssumad as the usual period ; though, with a bull- calf, the cow has been generally observed to go about 41 weeks, and a few days less with a female. Any calf pro- duced at an earlier period than 260 days must be con- sidered decidedly premature, and any period of gestation exceeding 300 days must also be considered irregular ; but in this latter case, the^ health of the produce is not affect- ed. I will conclude this article with the remarks of Mr. C, Hilliard, of Northampton, who states that the period SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 89 of gestation oi a cow is 284 days, or, as it is said, 9 calen dar months and 9 days; the ewe 20 weeks; the sow 16 weeks; the mare 11 months. The well-bred cattle of the present time appear to me to bring forih twins more fre- quently thin the cattle did 50 years ago. The males of all animols, hares excepted, are larger than the females Castrated male cattle become larger beasts than entire males. {Blaine's Ency. pp. 205, 281 ; Quart. Journ. oj Agr. vol. X., p. 287.) “STANFORD’S GRASS” AND “HUNGARIAN.” A friend, who knows all about Grasses and many other kindred subjects, writes us: ' The “Stanford” does best when sown at the earliest date in the spring, when oats is sown. Best to sow in drills 1 foot apart, very thick in the drill, or it may sown broadcast, 2 bushels to the acre — the land to be well pre- pared by a harrow and deep plowing. If in drills, 1 bush- el seed per acre will do. It is one of the best grassas we have for winfer graz- ing, and makes a good hay, growing tall and thick. It should be cut just as it is in bloom, if left longer it gets too coarse. If sown in drills and well top-dressed with manure and a coulter run between the drills every spring, it will, on good land, yield two tons of hay per acre, and afford a splendid pasture throughout the winter; the stock to be removed in March, prior to plowing and manuring The Hungarian Grass seed I send is pure, having come from the Patent Office importation. It will be a great ac- quisition to the owners of rich swamp lands, for a hay crop, f )r sale, as three to six tons may be raised on an acre and much the most valuable hay. 1 think a peck would seed an acre. The lightest frost kills it. It should be sown late in spring; does not do well on thin, dry uplands; is a great exhauster of land. P. McCOMB’S COTTON PRESS. Editors Southern Cultivator — A young friend ni South Carolina, begs me to give, through your colunms, a description of McComb s Cotton Press, with the remark “there are several who desire to see a description.” My talent, if any, does not lie in discriptions ; yet as this has been urged upon me by two other friends, I can- not refuse. In the first place, it is to be borne in mind, the bale is pressed upwards, taken out on 1st floor. The press is a frame, firmly connected together with mortice and tenon and supported on two stout girders, or gearing beam on the upper sills of the gin house, the lower story where gin horses work, being the bottom of press, then 1st floor in which the bale is pressed, and above that is a garret for holding seed cotton, where the picked cotton is put in The four main parts of the press, 20 feet long by about 10 by 14 inches, are connected together side and ends ; above is tire follow block against which the bale is pressed and moved out to put cotton into box, this is retained in position by the top end ties of the press ; box some 8 feet long, then side and end doors, with bottom block 4 feet 6 inches, by 2 feet, running up and down in box. To the bottom of this block is attached sockets of iron, in which work ends of levers, which I can best illustrate by two human arms, the hands attached to centre of bottom block in sockets above; the end at shoulder attached to cross tie at bottom of press; a cast iron groved wheel attached out side at each elbow, in which a 2 1 2 inch rope freely runs and the wheel plays on an axle; one end of rope is attached to end of axle; is carried to the opposite wheel on same side, over it, then to the wheel on the other el bow where rope started, over it, then through a shaft ex- tending from centre of press under the bottom block to the earth on a olock, gudgeons in both ends working elbow above and below, and working like a capstan on a vessel ; the rope is then carried to wheel on the other side of cot'on, over it, to the other, and over it, to the other again and made fast to end of axle. A lever is put in bot- tom of capstan, a horse attached, and, as he goes round the rope winds up on capstan, and as it is so done the el- bows are brought together and the lower block forced up- ward and bale pressed. 1 do not know that my friend “C ,” ofSociety Hill and the others can understand, but when a model is seen it will be plain I have pressed, with 5 1 ands, 20 bales by half-past 2 o’clock P M , and am certain 1 can press 30 bales per day to 2 feet square, bales averaging 4.50 lbs. I have repeatedly presst dS bales per hour, with no white man to push up negroes, and have sent off lOO bales in hoops 8,2 inches in length. But Messrs Provost, of Selma, Ala., have brought out this year, a press for excelling this in simplicity, in dur- ability, in form, and I believe in expeditiousaess, I have now pressed nine crops with McComt.s’ press, and I think 1 have some claim to experience with it. I built my own, with my own negroes ; it cost me about S300, but I took more pains than was needful, all ray timbers dressed as particularly, as accurate as if I had been milk- ing it for exhibition. The Provost can be bought tor $300 I think, and put up with 4 to 6 hands in about a day. I am as anxious to own one, as a boy ever was to own a poney, being fonder of mechanism than any other calling in life. I hold mechanics is a pursuit that a genth-man may follow, but peddling pills ! may do for some— not for me Hoping others may be as pleased in the reception of this as I have been in the attempt, 1 am yours truly, M W. P. Edwards’ Depot, Miss j in, , 1859. SOUTHERN MADE IMPLEMENTS. Editors Southern Cui tivator — To night 1 learn there are readers of your (our) paper residing in several States, from Texas east, who are writing to Mr. T. E. C. Brinley, of Kentucky, about his plows. I beg permission, through you, to inform those of your readers vvho are anxious to purchase plows, wagons — ag- ricultural implements ijenerally — that Mr. Brin'ey is now, in this city, and engaged as Superintendant in the Southern Agriculiura Implement Factory The proprie- tors are M. W & Z A Philips &Rolt. Kells — myself, my borther and my son in-law. I admit to any and all. North and South, that I was ac- tuated in starting this enterprize ny a deisre to drive out the opponents of the South, from selling agricultural implements here No need for ms to en'er into trading matters; yet, as I could not influence friends to go into the business, I influenced my family to do so. We ask nothing from our friends, if we are not worthy. If our implements are not as well made, if not out of as good steel, as good iron, as good wood as are used by our Northern friends ! an-l sold not at as reasonable prices, then let us sink If we can serve them as well or better, and it is their interest to boy of us, then they can do so We intend to do our duty, and let others do as they will. Yours truly, M. W. Philips. Jackson, Miss , Jan., 1859. In the intercourse of social liie, ii is in little acts ot watchful kindness, recurring daily and hourly, (and op- portunities of doing kindiie.-is, if sought for, are ever start- ing up) it IS by words, by tones, by gestures, by looks, that affection is won and preserved. 40 SOUTHERN CULTrVATOR. PEABODY CORN — A WORD FOR IT. Editors Sodthebn Cultivator — Noticing letters in ** our papercondemning Peabody and his Corn ” I pur diased seed intending to muster my forces, to his aid, if possible. 1 selected a piece of poor, sandy land, capable of pro- ducing, in a. good season, 8 bushels Corn to the acre, •mithoui manure — laid it off four and a half feet each way, dropping about 1 quart stable and cowpen manure mixed, in each hill, planting the Corn by the side of manure and and covering with a hoe. When about 18 inches high, thinned out to one (some- times two) stalks in a hill ; the season has been rather more than an average ; yield per acre, 29 bushels. The Corn suckered very little, and the hills with two stalks, produced double ihosQ with one; some stalks had five and six ears, but generally two or three. There is less cob and shuck to this Corn, than our common varie- ties. Although this experiment falls far below my expecta- tons, I do not give up — but shall “ try him again ” I purchased the seed from Messrs Isaac G. Williams Co., Agricultural Warehouse, Galveston ; so have no doubt of its purity. 1 hear that S. Wallace, Esq., of Wallaceville, has a field of this Corn, which promises all that Mr. Peabody elaims for it. Planters of the South who have fully tested this Corn, let us have your opinion. A Texan Smith's Point, Texas, 1858. P. S. — I should mention that being troubled with “ Cutworms” and “Black “ the stand” was very poor — not more than 2 3ds the number of stalks remained ; had the “ stand” been good, the yield would have been near fifty bushels CONCRETE BCIEDINGS. Wb have heretofore given our own experience in build- ing bouses of Concrete material, clay mortar, &c., and the mansion and out-houses at “ Ffuitland" will pro- bably long continue standing evidences of the value and durability of this style of building. Wherever rock, grav- el, sand and lime are plenty and easily obtained, Con- crete houses will be found nearly as cheap as wood, and Superior, in many respects, to all others. The Maine Farmer of a recent date, has the following article, and as the process described by the Homestead differs somewhat from our own, (as set forth in the No of Southern Cid- UvatoT for August 1857,) we copy entire: A great majority of the country buildings in New En- gland are constructed of wood. These may be consid- ered, in the beginning, the most economical — and in the end the most expensive; or, in other words, the first cost, in Maire, at least, is cheaper than if built of some more durable material — as of stone or brick; but their durabil- ity is so much less, and the repairs required when they begin to decay are so many and often, that they are, af- ter all, most expensive. Within a few years, we have heard of concrete houses, gravel wall houses, and the like. These, when built upon a foundation that is not liable to be thrown up by the frost, and the cement pro- perly made and faithJully applied, are undoubtedly excel Itnt. Their first cost is comparatively light, and their du- rability great. There are many places among us, where such build- ings might be consiiucied easier and cheaper than they could be in any other siiuations We have heretofore given our readers such directions as we have found, and which promised to give them insight info the best proces- ses of preparing the cement, and of applying it. The Homestead, of last week contains some very good ideas in regard to gravel wall buildings, and the editor informs us that he has recenily exaniined a large and con- venient barn, built on this principle, by Mr. C F. Pond, in Connecticut. He expresses his belief that gravel walls are, for those who want the most economical building material possible, and who would build for a century hence as well as the present, the very best thing. The mortar he describes as being of mixed lime and hydraulic cement, which sets at once. The size of the sand, or gravel, varies from quite fine up to the size of stones as large as one may handle conveniently with the hands. The larger stones, he says, are not mixed with the mortar, but put in after the mortar is laid. He then describes the process of building as follows: — A form is made of boards of the width of the wall and exactly where the wall is wanted. Then the mortaf thoroughly mixed, and containing no stones larger than an egg is spread in layers, and cobble stones, with larger angular ones for binders, laid in and bedded in it, so as to, as far as consistent with the strength of the wall, econ- omise mortar. Thus may the wall be made in layers, or blocks, as large as convenience may dictate, say eight or ten feet long by eighteen inches high. Ttie barn in ques- tion was built with walls 20 inches thick to the height of about ten feet from the ground, and above that thinner. The upper part is made ot blocks of concrete about three feet long by a foot square, as large as two men could con- veniently handle — these were made in moulds, while the other part of the wall was in process of making, and as soon as it was hard enough to receive them, they were laid up, thus materially expediting the erection. The whole barn is in size 50 by 30 feet, with a cellar, about 9 feet in the clear beneath. The whole was erect- ed in ‘’I days. The ;walls are as firm andha'd as stone, and will continue to grow harder as long as they stand. The outside has been washed with a thin mixture of hy- draulic lime and a little Prussian blue, which gives it a uniform greyish tint which is very agreeable. A frost proof barn cellar is a treasure to a farmer, the worth of which cannot be estimated. The cellar beneath this barn is divided by a tight partition, and a portion, setting off about one-third ot the whole for a root cellar. Here are piled a noble store of roots secure ftom injury by the severest weather of our climate, easily got at, and in a convenient, light apartment. The whole cellar, by the way, is well lighted, and has at one side a door wid« enough to admit a cart and oxen. The door lifts perpen- dicularly, and is thus entirely out of the way, CONCRETK CISTERNS. Near the barn, and just above it on the sippe of the hill,~ Mr. Pond has a concrete cistern, built in one day, and ca- pable of holding 65 to 70 hogsheads of water. The process of building was this : A laborer dug the hole in hard gravel in a forenoon. It was dug accurately round and smooth ; then a mason plastered the bottom and sides with a thick coat of the concrete made with no large stones, the largest being only coarse gravel 7'he concrete was made of hydraulic lime so that it set quick- ly. A quantity was thrown into the pit and smoothed over with a shovel ; then, as it set somewhat, a flot form ofboatds was placed upon Hand sides laid. As i. was required for immediate use, it was not domed over,— but plank laid t>ver it and covered several feet deep W'lih earth to secure it against frost. The best way is to m«ke a rough dome of thin boards that will easily bend to uirm the arch of the dome, and then to rover it with a ihm layer— three or lour iruhes ihick — oi concieie. When this is hardened sufficiently, put on another, and thicker, coating, w'ork u!g up the dome leguiarly and symmetri- SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 41 Cally four or five inches at least, thicker still. In this last coat the cobble stones may be again added In finishing the dome, leave a good sized opening in the top and lay upon it and imbedded in the mortar a fla^^ging stone with a man- hole of convenient size ; and as soon as the arch has hardened, which will be in only a few days, the sup- ports may be removed with safety. Tnese," by the way, should be quite numerous, and strong enough to bear the heavy pressure to which they will be subjected without yielding, otherwise the safely of the dome will be impaired. This cistern will stand anything but frost. CORN CULTIVATION, dkc. Editoes Southf5rn Cultivator — I have read every- thing I could get hold of in regard to the growth and cul- tivation of our standard provision crop — Indian Corn — and am yet altogether unsatisfied in regard to the practi- ces of our farmers in its cultivation, and with the aston- ishing ignorance I find to exi-t amongst the farmers in regard to it. Men may write volumes on deep plnicing — manuring, &.C., and others may “ astonish the natives” by “ chemical analysis” to the end of the chapter, while one or two practical questions will utterly knock all their theories into nothing I am a young farmer; never until four years ago, did I know or care when or how to plant or sow, reap and mow ” I have endeavored to become enlightened on the principles of farming from every quarter possible to obtain such enlightenment 1 have sought information from our most successful plan ters — and my success has been a series of disappoint menta. One of the most snccessful planters answered me that he " had no system at all ” — But to Corn cuLUvation Will you or some of your “scientific” or “bundling” readers inform me and no doubt, many others equally as ignorant, which of the roots which supports the growth of the Cam plant, supports and matures the ear of Corn 1 Is the «ar made by the lateral roots which exten by passing his wine with the ‘ bil- hete’ to a merchant at Oporto. The price paid for a ‘ bii- hete’ varies between ^£3 and £i. Under this system, therefore, it is extremely difficult to ascertain the real amount of wine produced in the privileged district. The amount officially declared for the last season was 15 000 pipes, but 1 have heard it doubted, on the best au- thority, whether as much as 6,000 pipes was really pro- duced. It is not to be understood, however, that the wine grown outside the district is necessarily of an inferior quality. Prejudice and ancient custom are also a good deal mixed up in judging this question, and 1 have been told by competent persons that some of the wine grown beyond the boundaries is quite equal to that produced within them.” “It is a fallacy,” adds Mr. Paget, “to suppose that such a thing as what is termed pure port wine— that is, without an admixture of brandy — exists. On the first arrival of each pipe of wine at Villa Nova, a certain quantity of this spirit is immediately added, for without it the witie would not keep.” The failure in the crop of wines last year (1857) was very calamitous, and, of course, prices rose accordingly. The produce in the Alto Douro district, ordinarily 100,000 pipes a year, fell off to 15,000. The price of a pipe of port from a farmer is now about i:30 ; before the failure it was less than one moiety of that sum. The same as regards all the wines of the country. The com- mon wines of the country were formerly drunk by the peasant at about one halfpenny the pint ; the same quan- nty now averages two pence. The failure in the crop of oranges and lemons has like- wise been most disastrous in its consequences. Several 'cmedies, particularly sulphur, have been tried for the •ure and prevention of the malady ; but the success has aeen very limited, and should the blight continue for a ew years more v/ith the same virulence, the result must e the utter ruin of a vast proportion of the agricultural community? Under these circumstances, it becomes more han ever necessary to give assistance and encouragement to this class of the population. Portugal, as before sug- SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 43 gested, instead of endeavoring to become a manufacturing country, should turn all her energies to agriculture. The soil is of the most luxurious and fertile description, and her geographical position is such that she ought to be the most natural granary for all the markets of Europe. The wages of labor are low, and the population are in- dustrious, yet with all these advantages more than half the land is uncultivated, and that which is cultivated is in the rudest and most primitive manner. — London 'Times. Mr. Paget, the English diplomatic Agent at Lisbon, also says : “ Portugal should content herself with being an agri- cultural country, and supplying the markets of the world with grain and wine. ^ “ There are districts in which vile wine is made from good grapes, although much better wines might be pro- duced with less trouble. But of this the manufacturers (or rather makers) cannot be convinced even by “ repe- tition hammered on their ears.” There is no wine of any kind, or anywhere obtainable, that may not be grown in Portugal, yet more than half the land is uncultivated, and all modern improvements are carefully eschewed. This sad state of things is chiefly attributable to' the want of roads and means of transport throughout the country. Another great bar to progress in Portugal is the absolute reliance of every one on the government for every work of utility and improvement. Whatever the government do not undertake remains undone. * * * * Mr, Pa- get, at the close of his report, observes that every wor'< of improvement and progress finds the most strenuous support in the present intelligent sovereign of the coun- try. As regards port wine (of which more hereafter,) it is a fallacy to suppose that “ pure” port v.^ine exists, as it is invariably mixe'3 with brandy at Villa Nova, and, indeed, would not “ keep” without. THE VINTAGE IN THE WEST. Cincinnati, Sept, 21st, 1858. Owing to the very unfavorable weather in May and June, our grape crop in the Ohio Valley was almost de- stroyed by mildew and rot. The vintage this year will therefore be light, scarcely exceeding one-fifth of an aver- age yield, or about 40 gallons to the acre. Many vine yards have no grapes, some only a third or fourth of a crop, and a few, but very few, in favored positions, tolerably fair crops. This is the case in the Ohio and Mississippi valley, on all the limestone formations. On the sandstone soils, some good crops are found, and also on Kelley’s Island, opposite Sandusky City, where the atmostphere is tempered by the water of Lake Erie. The soil is a mixture of clay and sand, underlaid by limestone rock In some parts of Tennessee^ Georgia, and North and. South Carolina, sood crops of grapes have been gathered this year, notv'iihstanding tha,t the early shoots were de- stroyed by frost on the ^Ith of Aprit. 'This applies to the mountainous districts of those States, where the grape is found to flourish best, and where, I believe, they have a more favorable region for the cultivation of the vine than ■' we have in the Ohio valley. This is the worst year for the grape we have ever had; and yet we are not discouraged. All crops are subject to casualties and ar^^ affected by the weather, and why should the grape form an exception '? The apple crop in all this region of country is almost an entire failure, from ihe same cause that destroyed the grapes, viz, mildew produced by the cold and wet weather in May and June, We have had no good grape crop here since 1853. The yield that year was very great — on some vineyards enor- mous, Since then, the croos have been light, but none so small as the present one. Last year the vineyards rn Missouri produced larger crops than they ever die before ; this year, no better than ours. In France and Germany, the vineyards suffered severely, for four or five years, from a disease celled the “ oidium.” But, by the applications of sulphur and other remedies, the vines were restored to a healthy condition, and produced good crops last year and this. Many remedies have been suggested for mildew and rot — but however plausible in theory, they have, thus far, all failed in practice. No system of planting, culti- vation, or pruning, can conquer diseases caused by bad weather and atmospheric changes. They may be slight- ly ameliorated, and this is about all we can hope for. Some varieties of grapes are less subject to these disea- ses than others, but none are entirely exempt from them. Even the different varieties of the Fox grape — with their thick..skin and hard pulp — suffer more or less every un- favorable season. But with all these drawbacks, the cultivation of the vine is too widely extended and firmly established in our country, to be abandoned for the discouragements of a few bad seasons, and we must persevere, in hopes of better success in future. R. Buchanan. {Journal of Commerce. EMIGRATION WEST — GEORGIANS WANTED! Editors Southern Cultivator — 1 want the “ Culti- vator'^ another year, being the third I have taken it. Every intelligent man, who cultivates an acre of ground South, ought to have it, for the large amount of practical, as well as scientific information it contains, of interest and importance to the Agriculturist. 1 have found it of great value to me on the little piece of “ mother earth” where I have made my suburban home, an amateur til- ler of the soil. In your last number, you discourage emigration from your State. When I have leisure, with your permission, I would like to show that you are wrong in this, and that the great interest you are advancing, the Agricultural dignity and importance of our common South, as also, the well-being of many of your planters and their chil- dren, argue against you The iron rail has made us as one people, has made us neighbors, breaking through State lines and mountain barriers, and obliterating time and space, so that, being thus a common people, our in- terests are in truth common, whether we settle among you of old Georgia, or you come among us of the new and vigorous West. “ The “ Empire State of the South” can spare much of her wealth and enterprise which, there is necessarily inert, comparatively, but here, in the West, would be highly productive and cumulative, and thereby, equally honorable to big hearted old Georgia. Though we had the pleasure, some time ago, of seeing some of your people among us, yet most others in those old States have HO just conception of the magnitude and capacity of this country, agriculturally, or of the rapidity and per- manency of its growth. And, in fact, Messrs Editors, from all we saw and felt of your people, also, in your own State, we are rather more than anxious that Geor- gians should come among us. But I must stop. Respectfully, J* T. G. Memphis, Tennessee , 1858.. “Think’st thou there is no tyranny but that Of blood and chains ! The despotism of vice — The weakness and wickedness of luxury— The negligence— the apathy— the evils Of sensual sloth— pro uce ten thousand tyrants, Whose delegated cruelty surpass The worst acts of one energetic master, However harsh and hard in his own bearing.” [Bybon. 44 SOUTHHRN CULTrVATOR. For till- Southern Cultiva'or. THE FARMER-MAN — A «EORGI-AC. INSCRIBKI) TO “ N OP VIRGINIA. Between her Rivers and beside the Sea! Hy mother-land 1 What fairer land than ahel Tho’ vandal hands have from her bosom torn The richest robe the virgin earth hath worn, Uncrowned her hills, despoiled each forest dale. And left her cheek to blush without a veil; Yet wist we well a gentle race shall rise, Sons of her soil ! and daughters of her skies t Restore each trace of primal beauty flown. And lend, perhaps, a lovelier of their own. 0l such my song— most happy might it be As meet in all, oh, Friend ! as that it sings to thee. PYTTH I. The Farmer-man ! I see him sit In his low porch, to muse a bit. The while I throw him in a— Fytte. What time the Jismines scent the air, iLnd drop their blossoms in his hair; What time the evening echo tells Of trampling herds and tinkling bells; And all the echoes of the Ark, Salute the planter-patriarch ! So, sitting with his collar spread. And heels y’levelled with his head ; A monarch in his mere content, A king, by general consent. PTTTB II. And framed between his heels he sees A picture, which, perchance may ple*««, The distant City, and more nigh The River’s twinkle, like an eye. Obscured at intervals by motes, Which quite extract its beam with btaU. The purple hills, where swift or slow, The cloudland shadows come and go; While dun as dormice at their hem The little rail-cars follow them 'VtUs Iww the pat led years have sped Wtlk the black, savage and the red. The yellow corn-fields, and the brown, Where Southern snow hath melted down; And borne its all abundant lint To drov/n the mills and drain the mint The woods, whose autumn glories cheer The solemn sunset of the year. With oval openings, which en-ring Such views as we are picturing. And hint how much the traveller sees. Who stays at home and studies trees, And thanks the telescope, tho’ dim, That keeps its smallest eye on him ; And nearer home all shape and sheen Of Nature’s endless evergreen; Through which a winding walk doth glide To Orchards, jubilant and wide. Restrained within an emerald edge, Of fair, tho’ somewhat thorny hedge. An arch-way entrance, and o’erhead This little legend to be read : “ Partake of all the fruit, nor grieve For Eden’s morn or Eden s Eve I” FYTTE III. what of him*? the Farmer man. His way of life and being’s plan I Why simply (be it so with many) That “now’s” as good a time as any; Yet he can tell you of a morn. Ere yonder valley sang with corn ; Or yonder hill top bared its brow. Submissive to the si/n and plow. And long before yon proud, white spires Crushed out the low, red council fires. With not a “turn-out” toe, to press The dim walks of the wilderness ( Of many a season, come and flown, With stroke of fortune, and his own ; Till waves of varied memory Shall leave him stranded as we see; With Time’s old foam-marks in the liiea. Now starry with the Jessamines 1 FYTTB IT. His politics I might rehe irso In limits lesser than my verse; Should any fool my State invade. Then mention strict “State-aid T' With all the clamor that portends The most prodigious dividends I The cottages with curling smoke, fiHgnificant of “colored folk,’* The world’s “Ewe”-nanimouspet laatb, Begotten of the black sheep, Han. The first, without a foe or care, To breathe Millenium’s morning air. Aid in their midst a lonely mound eloquent, without a tound, SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 45 Till then I mind my own affairs, And trust my friends to manage theirs ! flis Science 'I such as thou niay’st hit By plowing deep in search of it ! His wit 7 the shortest link that girds An English thought to English words. flis credit”? shall the world forget The Atlas that upheld her debt “? flis creed 1 in reverence of the Past, CHd faith and feeling, holds he fast. lo that my muse’s stenograph Anticipates his epitaph — ‘tfle read the Bible, loved his wife, And hated humbug, all his life!” And, happily, to round my “pome,” Loved God, his Neighbor, and his Home.” T. T^rch HUl, Ga., -\-mas, ’.58. GIN GEARING LEVER, dec. Editors Southern Cultivator — Enclosed T send you a drawing of a Gin Gear Lever and the manner it can be applied to any ordinary Gin Shaft. I am of the opinion tkat by this method of constructing the Lever one fifth Biore power or purchase on the Gin Gear is gained over Ae straight Lever. I have taken out the old straight Lever when the Gin pulled hard, and put in this kind of Lever I found in every instance that the team did the same work with more ease by about one fifth if not more. Several persons for whom this alteration was made ran testify to the same, and as this plan of Gin Lever is original with myself, I give it to you, and your readers if you think proper, to publish it. Most of the Gin houses in middle Georgia are about thirty feet square. I calculate the horses will walk around this cin le three times in one min- mte; now the cog wheel, band wheel, and trunnel must be proportioned to bring up the Gin 250 revolutions in the Mine length of time and the Gin to be 50 Saws; now to do all this it requires good pulling for two horses with Ae straight Lever on the old plan, the reason is, as you see in the drawing; dotted line F, as the horses pull around a circle, they spend agood deal of power against the centre •f the Shaft figure 1 ; now the idea is among many farmers tkat I have met with in Georgia, that a crooked lever has BO advantage over the straight lever, they have found out tkat something was wrong with the straightLever, and keace they substitute the crooked f evf r H By this meth- •d, they throw the horse in a better line with the circle, yet the tension against the Shaft is nearly the sam*. Now to get the best purchase on the Shaft is to throw the long Lever outside of the Shaft as seen in figure 3, and let it test o» the short piece figure 2, which passes through the centre of Shaft, and framed with mortice and tennon in piece figure 4. The drawing shows for itself hew to be firaoaed; the dotted lines a a show that figures 3 and 4 arc let into the Shaft about oae and a half inches to hohi «p and support the Lever; thus you see the alteration is very simple and costs but a trifle ; and those who wish lo case their teams a little, and do the same amount of work, •SB but try tne cant-hook principle. Respectfully, James B. Knox. S^rta, Ga., Jan. 1859. fTkc improvement above indicated, strikes us favorably, but we aie unable at present to give the drawings r ferred to All who desire to avail themselves of the advanta- ges set forth, may address Jno. Knox, as above, and he will furnish drafts and models of his improved Lever, &c.— Eds.J THE COTTON GIN — ITS ORIGIN, See. Editors Southern Cultivator — I noticed Inst yeeur a coiiiroveisy about the origin of the Saw Gin. Some wri- ter or writers in the CuUivalnr were disputing who made the first Gin, some say one and some say another, the truth of the thing is just this, Whitney invented the thing and Edward Lyon and his brother Henry made the first Saw Gm that was ever made Whitney made a small hand Gin with a wooden Cylindar, with wire drawn in and bent forward for teeth ; this, Mr. Lyon saw and im- proved his opportunity, aided by a young Scotchman, made the Saw Gin. Lyon having through disguise in wo- man’s clothes seen 'A hitney’s Gm, in the year 1794 in Elbert county on Broad river he made the Saw Gin. An- drew Ml- Ever mHde the wheels to set it going at Mr. Fulton Jones’ Mills on Falling Creek in said county, the Rolling Gin sp»)ken of was washed away at the lime of the ever mi-morabie Yazoo freshest that inundated Augusta and drove out the Legislature then sitting in Augusta. I saw Mr Lyon at work on the Gin in ’94 as above stated; I know not that it is of any avail who made it, so that we have it — Whitney and Lyon went to law about it, but neither got a patent for the discovery. 1 could tell muck about the transac.tion, but am a poor writer, as you ca« see without being told of it. John Evanc. HOW TO lYIAKE HOME HAPPY. Do not jest with your wite upon a subject in wki(^ there is danger of wounding her feelings Remember that she treasures every word you utter, though you never tliink of it ai;ain. Do not speak of some virtue in ano- ther m in’s wife, to remind your own of a fault. Do not reproach your wife with personal defects, for if she has sensibilitv, you inflict a wound difficult to heal. Do not treat your wife, with inattention in company. Do not upbraid her in the presence of a third person, nor enter- tain her with praising the beauty and accomplishments of other women If you would have a pleasant hotns and cheerful wife, pass your evenings under your owB roof Do not be stern and silent in your own house, and remarkable for sociability elsewhere. Remember that your wite has as much need of recreation as yourself, and devote a portion, at least, of your leisure hours to suck society and amusements as she may join. By so doing, you will secure her smiles and increase her affectioB. Do not, by being too exact in pecuniary matters, make vour wife feel her dependence on your bounty. It she ie a sensible woman, she should be acquainted with your ■usiness and know your income, that she may regulate her household expenses accordingly Do not withhold this knowledge, in order to cover your own extravagance. Women have a keen perception - be sure ske will disco- ver your selfishness, — and though no word is spokeOf tVor* that moment her respect is lessened, and her co«fi- denv:e diminished, pridj-wounded, and a thousand, per- haps unjust, suspicions created From that momeat is your domestic comtort on the wane There can be no oneness where there ts no full confidence. — fVamMn^S Thoughts about Wompu. ly Refrain from ..luei w.,o,s, .i..re is only the differ-. ence of a letter between words and sivords. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. TEXAS COTTON EANOS. 46 CHINESE SUGAR CANE SYRUP. Messrs. Editors: — Having been at the State Fair, and there exhibited some Syrup made from the Chinese Su- gar Cane, and being there requested to give my process of manufacture by some members, I said that I would do so through the Wisconsin Farmer at my earliest conven- ience, although many others have had much, while I have had but little experience in the manufacture of Syrup from Cane, The fact that others have had more expe- Tience than I, will not deter me from giving my mite for the benefit of those who may be aided thereby. I will here state that before this year I knew nothing of raising Sugar Cane, or of its manufacture into Sugar or Syrup, excepting that I saw some last year while growing, and the little that I read upon the process of its manufacture This year I have taised some of the Sorgho Sucre, and experimented a little in Syrup making. • I will here state that the planting and cultivation of the Cane was about the same as though it had been In- dian corn ; the ground was ridged four feet apart, and planted so as to be about four feet each way. It was planted from the fifteenth to the twentieth of May, culti- vated and hoed twice. From the calculation that I have made upon its yield of Syrup per acre, and I have had no other means of knowing than by calculating and com- paring the number of hills it required for one gallon, with the number of hills upon an acre — the cane used for the gallon being about an average of the acre. In this way I calculate that one acre of good cane will yield about 200 gallons of good syrup; this 1 think is a safe calculation. If our seasons hereafter prove as favorable to the growth of the Sugar Cane as this has, the State of Wisconsin need not be wanting in the production of her own sweets The process of the manufacture of the Syrup exhibited by me at the State Fair was as follows : The Cane was cut, (such as was ripe or nearly so,) the leaves stripped off, the top also taken off, and passed through a mill, hav- ing three cast iron rollers, an upright shaft and sweep power, the rollers standing in a horizontal position in the machine. This machine we had made by Winchester & DeWolf, White-water. In expressing juice it will do a business of from 30 to 40 gallons per hour. After straining the juice, which was done through a linen cloth, I take a gill of the milk of lime and the white of two eggs to each five gallons of the juice. After beat- ing the the eggs well, I mix with the milk of lime, and put the mixture into the strained juice. I then place the boiler over the fire, or the fire under the boiler, as the ease may require, and bring the contents to a boil, when a thick green scum will have arisen, which I immediate ly take off, taking care not to let it boil in, after which I let it boil until one- half its quantity has been evaporated, then strain through a thick flannel strainer while hot, and then place over the fire and boil down to the consistency of Syrup, taking off the scum as it arises, throughout the process of evaporation. I find that it takes about seven gallons of the juice to make one of good Syrup. — Wiscon- sin Farmer. Improvement in the Barometer — A very marked improvement has recently been made in the mercurial barometer, which can scarcely fail to bring it into more general use than it has enjoyed hitherto. The new in- vention renders it portable — so that it may be carried about in any position without in the least impairing its reliability. It is also made so much cheaper than hereto- fore, that it will be brought within the reach of farmers and all others who have constant occasion to consult in- dications of the weather in advance. If this improvement works as well as it promises, it will be one of very great practical importance. The San Antonio Ledger takes up the cudgels for Texas, as follows : We observe an article in the N. Y. Journal of Com- merce of the 18th ult , upon “ Cotton Lands,” which we are of opinion does Texas great injustice. In speaking of the Cotton lands of the South, it does not refer to Texas in any manner. Now Texas possesses a scope of country, running from the^Tth par dlel to the 35th, and extending from the Sabine to the Rio Grande, which for Cotton, is unsurpassed in a world And in Texas the producer is not liable to be troubled, as the ar- ticle in question seems to infer planters from off the Mis- sissippi, Red and Arkansas Rivers, are, by the soil be- coming exhausted. In Texas our soil extends various depths, from two to twenty feet, and no soil of such depth can be exhausted by cultivation. Good judges have es- timated that Texas alone is capable of producing 10,000- 000 bales of cotton annually. We think therefore, that the planter will not require to go to Africa,. India or South America, to produce ; let him come to Texas, when he finds his soil exhausted, and our word for it, he will not be disappointed. The Southern States can al- ways supply the demand, if our planters will only awak- en to the importance of properly cultivating their home lands. CORN STALKS — CUTTING, CURING, AND I Feeding. My plan is to cut twenty- four hills to the shock. 1 use a stay post with two arms, made from a light piece of wood, two and a half inches square, four feet long, with a pointed socket on the end I bore two inch holes cross- wise through it, near the top, put a couple of good rods two and a half feet long through the standard, making four arms. Set the post in the ground, cut the corn, and set an equal number of hills in each square. Bind the tops, withdraw the arms, reach in the hand, turn the post a little, and lift it out from the shock. By this operation 1 have no hills of green corn to hinder the curing process; no hills to cut off when husking and drawing in. Stocks set up in this manner stand firmer than any other way I ever tried. 1 usually cut up corn the last of September and first of October, husking as soon as dry enough, in the field, putting four shocks into one, until finished I draw in on a damp day, and instead of packing or laying down in the mow. Island them upas closely packed as possible, buttsdown,and never have a mouldy corn stalk. I cut them forfeeding, cutting a wholeday at a time, sprink- ling them occasionally with weak brine. When feeding milch cows, I put on a little bran, or mix a few turnips or carrots I have no weste, no long stalks in my manure and my stock do full as well as on hay, especially my cows. They give milk of better quality than when run- out on late frosted feed, or fed on dry hay. Some say cut stalks make their cattles’ mouths sore I never feed cut stalks in hard frozen weather, but only when it is warm and moderate; and never had cattle troubled with sore mouth. I also feed them moist, and change to hay when cold, or cattle seem tired of them I never confine cattle to one kind of feed more than five or six days at one time, if possible to change. Dayton Sigler. [in Genesee Farmer. Sensible Negro! — “ Csesar,” said a planter to his ne- gro, “ climb up that tree and thin the branches” The negro showing no disposition to comply, and being pressed for a reason, answered : “ Well, look heah, Mas- sa, if I go up dar and fall down and broke my neck, dat’ll be a tousand do'lars out of your pocket. Now why don’t you hire an Irishman to go up, and den if he falls and kill himself, dar won’t be no loss to nobody.” SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 47 Bi.ACK TONGUE IN CATTEE. As the danger of a recurrence of this very troublesome and fatal disease is not yet over, we append the following from the American Veterinary Journal — most excellent authority: “The cause of this malignant disease does not seem to have been yet ascertained, though by many it is aitri buted to the rust, which, in various parts of the Southern States, as elsewhere, has affected the grain crops, and it is said in some pi ices the grass also. The cattle are at- tacked by a stiffness, and walk as though foundered; white froth is discharged in large quantities from the mouth — they can eat nothing, fall away rapidly, and the tongue and gums become dreadfully swollen and turn black, and death speedily releases them from their agony.” “The rapid progress which usually attends this dreadful epizootic, calls for prompt and energetic treatment. It is evidently a congestive disease, and very apt to run into typhoid stage and end in suddden death. The moment an animal is suspected to be the subject of this malady, he should be drenched with table salt, twelve ounces; warm water, one quart; to which add tincture of capsi- cum, two ounces This medicine will act as a powerful antiseptic and stimulating; tonic, thus preserving the animal tissues against putrescence, and at the same time it relieves the venous congestion. If, on applying the hand to any part of the body, a crackling sound is elicit ed, the-animal is then said to be emphysematous ; v;hich signifies an accumlation of gas beneath the skin ; the patient should then be immediately drenched with two ounces of pyroligneous acid, twenty-eight drops of pure oil of sassafras, linseed tea, one quart Mix the oil with the latter, then add the acid After having drenched the animal, apply a portion of the following to the tumefac- tions, or emphysematous region: Take of Soft Soap four ounces, Oil of Sassafras halfan ounce. Dissolve the sassafras in two ounces of alcohol. Tincture of Capsicum two ounces. Tincture of Peruvian bark one pint. Mix, and rub the external surface with a portion of the same. The swollen tongue should be frequently covered with fine salt, and the moment there appears any improvement, tonic medicine should be given. One ounce of fluid ex- tract of camomile flowers may be given, twice daily. This remedy will give tone to the system and restore the appetite.” Southern Wool ! — Horses, &c. — Mr. Mark R. Cock- rill, a celebrated farmer and wool-grower of Tennessee, believing that a soft climate will produce a more soft and perfect wool than the far-famed German province, Silesia, proposes to select five sheep from his flock — three ewes and two bucks— and show for S2,000a side, against any five sheep selected from from one flock, ewes and bucks as above. All the world are requested to compete, mak- ing as many enterics as they may think proper. The premium to be awarded to the party who has three sheep out of the five that have the most soft and fine filire of wool. Entries to be made with the Secretary of the Ten- nessee State Agricultural Bureau on or before the 20th day of April next, but the exhibition to take place on the Nashville track, on the second Monday in May, 1860 Mr. Cockrill also proposes to compete with two blood horses, for S2 000, against all the trotting stock in the world, the animal travelling the greatest di&tance in two hours to take the prize. Camels and dromedaries are re- quested to compete in this trial. FOUNDER AND SWEENEY. Editors Southern Cultivator — I have seen several remedies recommended in* the for Founder in Horses, but nothing to equal the following, which has not failed in one case since I have commenced using it, which is some ten years since. I send it for you to do with it as you please : Bleed the horse in the neck freely; pulverise a' piece of alum the size of a hen egg and dissolve it in a bottle of warm water and give as a drench, and if necessary you may use the horse immediately, and he will gradually im- prove, so that in a short time you will not know that the horse was foundered. The Sweeney can be cured by bathing the shoulder once a day for three days in the Oil of Spike, say 1 1-2 tabiespoonful at a time, driven in by holding a warm oven- lid near. Yours respectfully, G. F. T.^ Chullahoma, Miss., 1858. ‘«RICE CORN” — SORGHO SYRUP, BRANDY, &Co Editors Southern Cultivator— Enclosed, I send you a few seed of what is here called “Rice Corn.” If you should recognize it as an old acquaintance, please inform me whether it be good for forage. In case it should prove a stranger to you, I will give you what little information 1 possess in regard to it. Some time ago, I saw some growing in a garden near this place, and never having seen any before, went in to examine it. The stalk, blades and head at a distance resemble the Chinese Sugar Cane. There is very little juiee, however, in the stalk, and judging from the taste, very little saccharine matter in the juice. It was sown very thick in the drill, and the stalks averaged about ten feet in height. It is very pro- lific of seed, yielding, I should think, twice as much as Chinese Sugar Cane on land of the same fertility. When a stalk is cut or broken, young sprouts grow off luxuri- antly, which, witn the fact that it grows well when sown thick, renders it probable that it is valuable for littering stock. I had hoped to see something in the last CuUivoIor in regard to your experience with the Hungarian Grass, but i was disappointed. Do let us know whether it wdll pro- duce seven or eight tons, or half that amount otgoodfor-^ age per acre, on good land in the South. To day our County Fair closed The exhibition was fine in every particular, excepting Machinery and Farm- ing utensils. We are behind the times in regard to plows, and 1 reckon I will have to get up a club of subscribers to the Cullxvatin in order to induce our people to adopt the Horse hoe and other iinprovements. A barrel of Chinese Sugar Cane syrup was on exhibition equally as good as sugar-house molasses. I have hereto- tore considered the syrup and sugar of the cane a humbug ; but the former is certainly no humbug. The exhibitor stated that he made eight barrels at a cost ol 15 cents per gal. I think he sold that barrel at 40 or 45c. per gal. He aho exhibited some very strong brandy made from the syrup. I am glad that you have arrived at the conclusion that your paper is worthy a covering — an opinion which I en- tertained and expressed some time ago. Theta. Payettville, N. C., 1858. [The seeds sent are of that variety of Millet known a& ‘'Chicken Corn,” or “Chocolate Corn” — by no means ae valuable as Sorgho for forage. We have not given the Hungarian Grass a fair trial. See the opinion of an ex- perienced friend, elsewhere in present number, and letUB hear from you again. — Eds.] 48 SOITTHEFN CULTIVATOR. €jie lautljun Cttltmator. AUGUSTA, GA: VOL. xvn., No. 2.::::::FEBHUARY, 1859. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " LiMa — HOWTO Apply, &c. — L. S. — See Voh 15(1857), ]^ge2l. Also, Vol. 16, (1858) pages 139, 353, &c Lime should not be mixed with guano or stable manure — it is most valuable on soils containing an excess of veget able matter. Salt as a Manure — C. M. R. — You will find articles on this subject in our last volume (1858) at pages 97, 307, 342. Also, in vol. 15, (1857) at page 338. We cannoi re-publish these articles, injustice to our present subscri- bers, unless there i^ a general demand for them. Cotton Seed Crushed — J C. M. — We should prefer the crushed seed as manure. Use as soon as possible af- ter crushing. Grass Seed — J. R. R — See advertisements in our •olumns, and address Plumb & Leitner, V. LaTaste, or other dealers. Tobacxjo — We do not know of such a Treatise as one of our correspondents calls for ; but there is a practical ohopter on Tobacco raising in Beatty’s “Southern Agri euliure,” page 15. The book is a copy right, or we would re-publish. It costs $1 only, and may be ordered from A. O. Moore & Co., 140 Fulton street , New York City. Cob and Grist Mills— J. R. B — The “Little Giant ” and “Young America” are Cob Mills. The “Felton” Mill is a Gust and Cob Mill Forinfoi mation respecting the “Lutle Giant,” address Carmichael & Bean, Augus- ta, Ga. H & J. Moore & Cu , of this city are the Agents for the “Young America,” or “Excelsior” Mill, and will give you all necessary information. Daniel Chaffee, oI this city, will reply to all inquiries respecting Felton s Mill— its cost, capacity, &c. We must again repeat that, in no case can we und rtake to decide upon the relative value of these mills— our own experience with them be- ing too limited. Tobacco, Poppies, Grabs for Hay, &c — W. S W , Jr. — >ee lemarhs above, on Tobacco. The Poppy, so far as we know, has not been cultivated lo any extent fot commercial purposes, in this country — nor do we think there is any profit in it — labor is loo high. Why culti- vate such poisonous and depraving drugs as Tobacco anif Opium, when your lands will produie Cotton Gram Grass and Fruit 1 See pages 41, 73, 158, 3IH, 342, 32:^ ©flasi volume (1858) foi valuable information on Gr sses See, also, present number, article headed ‘ fcfianfl^rdV Wild Grass and Hungarian.” We think the latter would suit your low lands and latitude. The seed may be ob- tained here. It you can procure plenty of oyster shell or other lime, and will plow deep and prepare your land very thoroughly, you may try the Clover — also Lucerne. S >w early in Spring. If you want to master this subject • ully. send SI. 25 to A 0. Moore & Co, 140 Fulton street, New York City, and order a very valuable new work, en- tittied “Grasses and Forage Plants, ’ by Flint. Side Hill Plows. — F B F — John and Thos. A. Bones, or CARMicHXiiL & Bean, of this cijy can, probably supply you. Globe Artichoke — J. P. S — See White’s “ Garden- ing for the South ;” pages 215-219. Broylk’s Subsoil Plow — J. W. S. — We have not the cut and description you allude to, and do not remember ever to have published it. Grafting Scions — D. A. McL. — Address any of the nurserymen whose advertisements you will find on the cover. Cllb Rates of Southern Cultivator, — J. W, M. — We will furnish our paper to Agricul ural Societies order- ing several copies for premiums, at 75c per copy; but we cannot afford them at the rate you mention. The regular price, SI, affords us little enough profit, in all conscience. Sorgho and Imphee — A. F. C.— Yes; all the varie- ties ot Sorgho and Jmphee will mix, and you must plant them widely apart, if you wish to keep the varieties pure and distinct. Lime aed Guano.— J W, McC. — Do not mix lime with your gwano. Use leaf mould or surface scrapings from the woods- -5 or 6 parts to 1 part of guano, and af- ter carefully mixing, sprinkle the pile with a strong brine t^salt and water,) let it stand 24 hours, and use. Osage Orange Seed.— J O, L. - Address V. La Taste, or F. A. Mauge, Augusta, Ga. Chufas— J. S. R. — Address Mr. Chas. A. Peabody, Columbus, Ga. Felton’s Mill.— W. T. S— -Address D, Chaffee, Augusta, Ga, Bi-st one Horse Turning Plow — W, D. T.— It is par- ticularly hard for us to decide this question. We have tried a great number within the past lew years. Welike Rich’s Iron Beam and Utley’s. The latter took the pre- mium as the best one horse plow at the late Atlanta Fair. We h ive recently made some important improvements in tne Utley Plow, and hope to get it right after a while. We are much inde ded to Mr. G W. Cooper, of Ogee- chee, Ga.,for his assistance in this matter. Mr. C. has done much, himself, for the improvements of Southern Plows, as many of our readers know. Cheese — Coloring Matter, &c, — W. W. H. — Anott€ is the substance used to give Cheese it’s “ beautiful rich re4 appearance.” A little of it is not particularly injurious, but manulacturers of “skim milk” cheese are apt to put in too much, in their desire to counterfeit cream. Lawn Grasses for the South — W. D H. — Plow very deep — subsoil harrow, sow your seed, and roll in with a heavy roller. Use a mixture of red clover, white clover and blue grass— from 1 to 2 bushels to the acre. The (•roper manures are Phosphate of Lime, Ashes, &c,, plowed in before sowing; and liquid manure (Guana dissolved in water, 4 quarts to a barrel,) afterwards, at intervals, just before a r in. It costs labor and some lit- tle money to have a fresh, green lawn under our burning sun — but it ca» be done ! If the above directions ar« fcd- iowed. Samples op Wool — Mr. James Slocum, of Pittsbur]^, Pa., sends us some very long and fine samples of Woof, from his Merino Sheep. See his advertisement, on corar. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 49 Periodicals, Pamphlets, &c , received at this office since, our last issue : The Lotus, for January, 1859. Vol. 1, No. 1. Edited by Annie Chambers Ketchum, and published by Hutton & Clark, Memphis, Tenn., monthly, at S3 per annum. A new Southern Literary magazine, of much promise. Address the publishers. The CiNciNNATUs— an excellent monthly, devoted to Scientific Agriculture, Horticulture, &c., &c. Edited by F. G. Carey. Published by W. G. Ongley, College Hill, Ohio. S2 per annum. Annual Catalogue of Southern and Acclimated Fruit Trees, Evergreens, Roses, Grape Vines, Rare Trees Shrubs, &c , &c., cultivated and for sale at Pomaria Nur- series. By William Summer, of Pomaria, S. C. An excellent Catalogue, containing many articles of great value. Russell’s Magazine, for January — a capital number — published monthly, at S3 ptr annum. Address ^^Bussdl’s Magazine,^' Charleston, S. C. Address on Horticulture, (fee. By Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, Jr., of Savannah, Ga. We are indebted to the respected author for a copy of this admirable Address, from which we will make extracts hereafter. The Horticulturist, for January, is fully equal in inter- est and value to any of its predecessors. It is embelished with a “Group of Van MonsPears,” (by Dr. Berckmans) and other engravings of merit. Every gardener and fruit grower should take The Horticulturist. Terras— S2 per annum. C. M. Saxton, 25 Park Row, New York City Ladies* Home Magazine, for January. This is really what it purports to be— an excellent Magazine for home and the fireside — and cannot fail to be a welcome visitor in all families of taste and refinement. Terms — S2 per year. T. S. Arthur, publisher, Philadelphia, Pa. An Address, delivered at the Dedication of the Agri- cultural College _^of the State of Michigan, by Jos. R Williams, President of the Institution. The Address o' President Williams contains many v luable ideas on Agricultural Education, and we are glad to perceive that the subject is receiving so much attention in some of our sister States. When will the South establish such Ag ricultural schools and Colleges for the education of her sons 1 “The South Countryman,” is the title ofa new month- ly Agricultural, Industrial aifd Educational journal of 32 pages, published at Marietta, Ga., by W. H. Hunt, at SI per annum. The Countryman is under the editorial charge of Rev. C. W. Howard, and cannot fail lo be an able and efficient co-worker in the cause of Agricultural reform and improvement. We give it the “right hand of fellowship,” and wish it abundant success. Patent Office Rcpukts fur 1857— Agricultural and Mechanical — ^just received as we go to press, and will be noticed in our next. 8^* Hon. J. H. Hammond, of South Carolina, will ac- cept our thanks for various public documents of interest and value. FORCE PUMPS AND COTTON CULTIVATORS. We are indebted to Messrs. Payne & Olcotts, of Corning. New York, for one of Wyncoop's superior “ Force, Suction and Self Pa-'king Pumps” for which the Patentee claims the following advantages : “ let. It is durable and not liable 1 1 get ont of o’^der. “2d.^ It ’’s so CO struct d as to be s If pack ng, *he pack- ing beinj- made of rubber and < f a peouliar shape, so ihat it I annot fail 'o pack at every stroke. “3d. The piston rods work thrmgh Ftnffiog boxes that are i a ked with rubb'^r, and so arran\;ed as to for n a sori’^g to fa'^- litate ihe packi' g of t e pi^t n as the connect on strkes the stuffing box spri g tbe concussion ca’'8 s ’be vhI es allt shutinsta tly. t^-ev ar- also as is ed by the pres- sure of w.-iter, the press re being in bo h cylinders equ 1. “ 4th. S mpl city ; the wh le t i g is h“ld together with fo.r b It , by removi gtl e four nut= your whole pump w 11 cme to p eces 'or lepair or examioation, whif h a'>y person ran do with a common wrench, wh ch at the rate the origin- al trial puirp has worked, will not happen in two years in or- dinary use.” This pump is furnished with all the couplings, suction pipes, hose, (fee. necessary to form a perfect Fire Engine, and may be made an extremely useful appendage to any dwelling; for if properly fitted up in a convenient posi- tion, it would form a perfect security against the ravages of fire. It may, also, we think, b“. very profitably used for irrigating, either when stationary, as a force pump, mr attached to a large water cart, as a garden engine. VVa- ler is the life of vegetation, in our sultry climate, and any practicable and cheap method of applying it to our crops is most desirable. Such a pump as the one under notice can be turned to a variety of economical uses on a farm or plantaiion ; and is simple, desirable and cheap. It cat be furnished, we believe, of all sizes — to go by hand, hose power or steam Messrs. P. (fe O., have also sent us an improved Corn and Cotton Cultivator, that we think very well of. It is in the shape of a double mould-board plow, followed by a set of drag teeth or small harrows, that pulverize and level'the earth loosened up by the plow, These drag teeth may also be replaced by small mould boards or cul- tivator teeth, that will throw the earth up to the row, and the implement is in all respects, one of the most in- genious and efficient that we have seen. See advertisement of fcMessrs. Payne (fe Olcotts, (hb cover. -Garden Seeds. — Mr. V, LaTaste has kindly sent us some choice Garden Seeds, of which he has a fine supply. See advertisement. Chinf.se Sugar Cane — A meeting of the Chineet ''Ugar Cane growers of Winnebago county (111 ) was held at Rockfoid on the 8th of December, when a large nuna- ber of samples of sugar and syrup was offered, compris- ing a variety of grades, some of which were repotted »* very fine. Two hundred gallons of molasses to the acr* of cane was mentioned as a fair crop. The cai e has l>ee* extensively cultivated in Illinois the past season, and from facts at hand, says the Rockford Republican., it is show* ihat “syrup and sugar are destined to become as staple ar- ticles of production of this State as wheat.” 50 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. Pears at the North. — A Southern friend, who is thoroughly versed in the science and practice of Fruit Culture, writes us fi'om Philadelphia, under date of Nov. 5th, 1858 ; “I forgot to mention the fact of my being offered for Pears, per barrel, ^30, by several of the fruit men in this city. Now, I should think it would pay well to raise the Winter Pears — a profitable investment, so long as they can be sold at such prices. They will be higher in a few years than they are now.” Lime for Manure. — A gentleman, in all respects fa- miliar with the subject, writing from Cass county, Ga., says : “With a patent kiln, lime can be burned here at 3 cents a bushel, rating labor at per month. The freight to Augusta is now 11 cents per bushel. If the State or the parties purchasing provided their cars, the freight could be reduced to 9 cents, which would make the cost of lime 12 cents per bushel, delivered in Augusta. As an item of Agricultural interest, this is well worthy of notice in the Cultivator. You may rely on the figures being correct.” “ Grape Culture,” — ‘T take this opportunity to return my thanks lor the Report on the Culture of the Vine, Wine Making, &c., by Mr, Caradeuc. It is the very thing I have long sought after. J. E. P,” AjRicultural Books Forthcoming. — A New York city correspondent writes : “Our enterprising friend, A. O, Moore, the great Agri- cultural Book Publisher, has now in press several new books or new editions of old books, among which I may mention : — ‘Downing’s Landscape Gardening,’ which will contain 5 new steel plates in the best style, besides new wood engravings, portraits of places and trees of interest, mostly drawn by Mr. Moore., himself; ‘Darlington’s Agricultural Botany,’ or ‘Weeds and Useful Plants,’ also well illustrated ; ‘Longsti'Oth’s Hive and Honey Bee,’ a much improved edition with new matter ; ‘Elliott’s West- ern Fruit Book,’ which, I think, you will find much im- proved. Besides Mr. Moore is getting out ‘Herbert’s Hints to Horsekeepers,’ v/ith additional chapters on Car- riages, Harness, etc , making it a more complete manual for the horsekeeper than has heretolore appeared.” [All our readers should possess these valuable books. The cost is trifling, and the information which they con- tain, invaluable. — Eds.] Georgia Catawba Wine. — A gentleman of Middle Georgia, who has paid much attention to the Grape, writes ; “I have, for the first time, made some Still Catawba Wine this fall. By next fall, if it turn out as well as I ex- pect, I shall compare notes with Mr. Axf, and shall send you a sample to test it. If, however, your taste is not in constant practice, you may call the aid of some one on whose judgment you can rely. I don’t pretend to be a professed wine maker or manufacturer, i nd do not aspire to anything more than an amateur ; but I can assure you that the wine 1 make is considered very pleasant, and is devoid of all inebriating qualities. My wine took the prize at our late County Fair. I think well of your sug- gestion to use the plow for the grape culture; it is well adapted to all sandy, grey, and mulatto soils, but the red stiflfclay needs the spade. It is well, however, to en- courage the culture of the grape in any way.” Grafting into Suckers — “I have purchased a lot of trees from a small nursery establishment in the interior of Georgia, being attracted by the low price of per 100, at which they were offered. I find that they have been raised from cuttings or from layers. Will they make as healthy trees as it grafted in good roots'? I send you a sample of the trees.” A Constant Readkr. [The trees sent are miserable and worthless— not worth the freight — will be a Dailey “ eye sore” to the planter — should have been grafted on good seedling roots, as is the practice of all reliable and intelligent nurserymen. — Eds. The Grape Culture in California. — By the last ac- counts from California, it is stated, that one plantation of forty acres of ground containing 40,000 vines, yielded this season 37,000 gallons of white wine, 3,000 gallons of red wine, 5,000 angellica and 3,000 gallons brandy, in all, 48,000 gallons — which gives 1 ,200 gallons per acre. 1 his is the product of one vineyard in the district of Los An- geles, (not los Angelos as it is sometimes written ) Los Angeles means the Angels, a very appropriate name for a good productive climate and soil; 5 gallons wine make one gallon brandy, one gallon angellica gives 15 pints wine. P. [How is it possible for one gallon (4 quarts) of angelli- . ca, to give 15 pints (7 1-2 quarts!) of wine I Will our friend “P.”, be good enough to explain, and also tell our readers what “ angellica” is ? — Eds.] Crab Grass — Editors Southern Cultivator — There is a diversity of opinion in this region of country as to whether or not Crab Grass is a good fertilizer. Some of our farmers contend that a good coat of crab grass ploughed under in the spring and summer adds much to the pro- duction of the soil, and that if allowed to mature the hay ploughed under in the spring is of much benefit to the production that years. I contend that weeds when very luxuriant if ploughed under will be a benefit. I wish to know from some of your scientific practical farmers (some of your numerous subscribers) whether the crab grass is a benefit or an injury to land, and whether or not it pos- sesses all the fertilizing chemical ingredients that are ne- cessary on sandy lands. An answer through your valua- ble paper will benefit some of your subscribers veuy much in this region. Yours truly, Wattensas. Des Arc, Arkansas, 1858. Prize Animals.— We have received a list of Prizest won by Col. J. W. Ware, near Berryvile, Clark co., Va., at the Virginia Valley Agricultural Society’s Fair, U, B. Fair at Richmond, Va., Fair of the Maryland State Socie- ty, &c., &c., and should judge that the Horses and Sheep of this gentleman are of very superior quality. The Cultivator “ too late for “ T” (ba). — Our gift- ed “ Torch Hill” correspondent — the renowned and im- mortal author of “ The Farmer Man,” (published else- where in present nu nber) sends us the following com- plaint of the tardiness of our January number: What impedes his wheels'? and what Detains his coming chariot 7 What, I say, can be the matter With the Southern Cultivator? Broke his clevis 7 beat his steel 7 Sprung his beam 7 or split his heel 7 Here are orchards that implore him 1 Here are gardens waiting for him! Seeds to plant ! and plants to “ tend to”f “ Worlds of work “ that there’s no end to I Say, what can the matter be That he doesn’t come to “ T 7” {3*^ The intellect of the wise is said to be like glass ; it admits the light of heaven and reflects it. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 51 Tar as a Disinfectant. — The editor of the Medina Gazette tells of a skunk being captured in a house by a dog, with the usual result of disgust to the victors. The terrible s^ent was neutralized by burning tar upon live coals of fire by which the air was purified as if by magic. If this kind of fumigation is a sure specific, it deserves to ' be known and put upon record. GRAPE CUIiTURE IN THE SOUTH — NO. 3. \ \Continued from December number of Southern Cultivator.'] Preparation op the Land, Continued. — Since the publication of No. 1, the writer has received numerous let- ters on the subje.ct of Grape Culture, from all parts of the Southern States, and as the inquiries of his correspondents seem to be mainly directed to the cheapest and best method of preparing the soil for a vineyard, he will give his own experience and practice, and go a little more into detail. In the first place, then, it is absolutely necessary to have good tools in order to do work properly and economical- ly ; and as spade trenching is too laborious and expensive, we are necessarily obliged to adopt the plow. For all heavy work, heretofore, we have used the “Deep Sod Tiller” and “Rich’s Iron Beam” or “Washington” plow, but these and all others are now cast aside and entirely superseded by Utley’s Combined Subsoil and Turning Plow. With the assistance of one of our ingenious mecnanics (Mr. G. W. Cooper, of Ogeechee, Ga.,) we have made such alterations and improvements in 'this Plow, as adapt it especially to the preparation of land for vineyards and orchards, and we can confidently re commend it (in its improved form) as the very best Plow we have ever seen for deep tillage. With our present “means and appliances” for the preparation of land, then, we can very confidently lower the estimate of cost given in our previous number; and, as spade trenching cannot be adopted by the mass of Grape culturists, we give the following as ih^latest, cheapest, and iesimode of inaugur- ating the culture of the Vine in the South: Select a moderately sloping hili-side, with any exposure from east to south west — an old field is preferable, because more easily brought into cultivation — burn off all grass, weeds, broomstraw, &c., and carefully grub out all briars, roots and stumps that might offer the least obstruction to thet plow. With one of Utley’s large plows, (properly set for subsoiling and turning) a pair of strong mules, and a good plowman between the handles, you are ready to commence. In the first place, plow your land perpen- dicularly, up and down the hill, taking a very narrow furrow slice (say 8 inches) and running as deep as pos- sible. When you have plowed the land in this manner, close and deep, “turn your hand” and cross-plow the whole, horizontally, or across the hill, running again very narrow furrows, and as deep as possible. (Keep plenty of new plow points at hand, and change as often as tht- old ones become dull.) After you have thus plowed and cross-plowed, harrow carefully and closely, running around or across the hill. If the work has been properly perlormed, you will now find the whole of the land thoroughly stirred and broken to the depth of from 12 to 15 inches, and you may then proceed to lay off your rows. A Level, such as is used in hill-side ditching, will be ofser- viceto you in this matter, but is not necessary. W e have al- ways been guided by the eye alone. Begin at the top of the hill, and lay off row after row at the proper distances, circling in crescent shape around the hill, as in the follow- ing diagram : HILL side. These rows may be indicated by long stakes (which are more conspicuous if freshly peeled,) and can be marked off by a steady hand, with a single mule and a shovel or turning plow. After they are marked off plainly, take the Utley Plow, as before, and run deeply either twice or four times in every row, backwards and forwards throwing out the earth both ways, and forming a trench 18 to 20 inches deep. Planting. — Set short stakes or sticks along the edge of this trench, at the distances you intend planting, and let your hands pass along with their shovels, filling in a mound or dam of surface earth, a foot thick and level with the edges of the trench, at every stick. These mounds or banks of earth, that are formed in the trench, may be left moderately sloping in the direction of the trench, so that when the roots or cuttings are dropped in against them, they will lie at an angle of about 45 degrees. Let us endeavor to explain, by another diagram: trench. a a a a a a a The cross marks, a, a, &c , are intended to represent ^the little mounds of sui’face soil that are filled in across the trench for the roots or cuttings to rest against. When the trenches are prepared in this manner, one hand places the roots or cuttings, leaning against these little mounds, at the proper depth, and another follows and covers them with the shovel, using surface soil from the edges of the trench. In planting cuttings, leave the top bud or eye just even with they surface, or is slightly covered with light soil, it will break through, and perhaps he less liable to injury from late spring frosts. In planting roots, ihe strongest shoot of the previous year must be retained and cut back to 2 or 3 good eyes, the lowest of these to be about one inch above the surface. When planting, it is not absolutely necessary to close or fill in the entire trench at once. Each root or cutting may be surrounded with a foot or two of earth, at first and the intermediate spaces, in the trench left open for a few days. If deemed advisable, a slight compost of leaf mould, ashes and bro- ken bones may be scattered in these spaces between the plants for^the future nourishment of the root, and the 52 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. french afterwards closed by the shovel or the turning- plow. In order to secure a good stand, it has been our custom to plant twice as many cuttings as we intend to leave. For instance, if we intend our vines ultimately to stand 10 feet apart in the row, we plant cuttings every 5 feet in the row, and if all grow, take up every second one at the ONG GRAPES, &c. Editors Southern Cultivator — I have been trying fora terra of years to promote the cultivation of Fruit and Ornamenti.l Trees — and have given all my leisure to this object and Horticultural improvement. Living in alow, flat country we suffer exceedingly from late frosts — my experiments all inculcate the idea that Northern F-ruit will not succeed in this latitude: a few years ago I got some Onio men to graft my Apple trees. They were very expert in the business — cut up my trees— filled them full of best grafts from Ohio — half of the trees were so much mutilated that they died, and the rest which live and bear fruit never bring an Apple to perfection. By th« time they are grown they rot and fall off, or dry up on the boughs. They did not lack either in experiness in charging. This experiment satisfied me; as the old say- ing is “ a burned child dreads the fire,” in future I expect my supplies from the South. The Tennessee trees do pretty well here, those from North Alabama also. I ■iiave a lot obtained from the vicinity of Yuzoo City, which came highly recommended, but are as yet to bi tested I have the nucleus of a vineyard ; all my varietiei have failed the last two years except the S.-uppernong, which this year in particular, has exceeded all expecta- tions. I have found this variety growing luxuriantly i» the low land of Lipsey river; There appears to be two parent vines, which fiom size and appearance must b« quite antiquated; from these seedlings some white some iilack are scattered all around in the vicinity — these ori- ginals must have existed here from a remofe period — to which time the “ memory of man runneth not back how they came here no one can divine — perhaps the seed WHS deposited by the woodpecker in his annual migra^ lion South and brought from the Roanoke ; we know by experience that they are very fond of the fruit and may have scattered the seed in their telegraphic flights in quest of isothermal comfort. It is true that our country is settled up wuh North Carolinians, but none so old as these vines, and strange to say, none of them are im- pressed with the ideas of the utile et dulce. Thcreiore, the advent of these strangers could not be attributed to them Yours, very respectfully, J. E. P. Vienna, Alabama. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. / 53 GRAPES IN TEXAS. Editors Sodthbrn Cultivator — As you are doubt- fes« aware, this city is directly upon the bank of the Rio Grand, opposite the city ot Matamoras, Mexico, and 25 miles from the mouth of the Eio Grande and the Gulf of Mexico. I have made some experiments with Grapes, and have CTCceeded well. I believe the soil and climate of this val- ley are as well adapted to the culture of the vine as any portion of France, Frenchmen pronounce my vines equal to any they ever saw in France, and equally pro- iuetive. We are free from mildew and insects. I have low an abundance of ripe ones. I am ignorant ot the proper mode of cultivation, ex- •epting what I have accidentally picked up within the tast few years Your obedient servant, I. B. B. Brownsville^ Texas, 185H. MUSTANG WINE IN TEXAS. OtJR old friend and correspondent, Thomas Afflbck, tike well known horticulturist, writes as follows, in the Houston Ttlegra.pk: “ Our Eutaw friend requests me to ‘ detail the modus of wine- making from the Mustang Grape; the manner of obtaining the juice ; the amount of water used, if any,’ and so on. “ Although tolerably conversant with the manner of making wine, as practiced in the difR-rent countries of Europe, and about Cincinnati, &c , I find that there is much to learn from practice and experience, with a grape Kke the Mustang, newly employed for the purpose, or, at least, of which we have no written experience For my part, I have been mainly a looker on, this year ; a pu- pil of M. Gerard. Until this experience in a small way, in 1656, I had strong doubts whether a wine made from juice of the Mustang would keep in this climate with- eut the addition of spirit or of sugar which becomes spirit. The wine made that year, and that, too, with very •rdinary means, such as tubs, &c , was excellent, and kept perfectly ; being now sound and good ; vastly im- proved indeed by age. Nothing was used but the juice •f the grape, pressed by tramping. “ This year the Grapes were gathered by plucking off ill bunches with the finger and thumb. Every second •vening, the grapes thus gathered, during the two days, were run through one of W. 0 Hickok’s Cider Mills, |made at Harrisburg, Pa., and an excellent machine it is lot the pui pose) juice, skins, pulp and seeds all running directly into a fermenting tub. Fermentation commences immediately ; the mass rising to a considerable height, •are being taken fiot to break the crust or mass of skins, fcc. To say what ‘the proper temperature should be’ or iie ‘length of time required fi r fermenting,’ &c., is impos- sible for me as yet. My cellar is 30 by 15, and ten foot deep, with a stout roof of cedar, covered with earth, and kept as cool as possible. The time required for ferment- mg varies from 60 to 80 hours; andean only be deter- omaed by the nose! The tub may be tapped with a gimb- tet, and a little wine drawn off. When it runs clear and pirells — well, like wine, is the best direction, it may be drawn off and barrelled. Fill the barrel and lay on the kung reversed, so as not to be tight. After from two to tluree weeks, the wine may be drawn oflT clear, and still fiirther clarified with the white of egg Then, when ful ^ settled, say in two or four weeks, it may be bottled off, •Tracked off again into casks to remain until wanted. “ When the wine has been drawn trom the tub, until it iegtns to appear muddy, stop it ; then add three or four buckets of water to each barrel of grapes in the tub, and allow another fermentation, when the result will be f^fnetle ot petit vin — the most excellent drink imaginable during warm weather; and may be drank as soon as made, It will not keep long “ These directions might be greatly extended. But the fact is that those who desire to do more than make, a few barrels for their own use, had better employ some one in the first instance who understands fully the process “ I intended planting in vineyard — the Mustang Grape — every foot of land under tillage this coming fall. “ Mustang wine requires age, and repeated racking oflT and other manipulaiions, to bring it to anything like the degree of perfection it is capable of being brought to. It is an excellent wine, but in its natural state contains a very large proportion of tartaric acid, which, however, it pre- cipitates in the cask with time. Drs Key, Graves, Red, and other practicing physicians here, prescribe it, when- ever to be had, as the best of all tonics to patients in « state of convalescence ; and especially after low fevers.” GRAPE GROWING IN LOUISIANA, Editors Southern Cultivator — I believe I am the first who attempted the culture of the vine in the State of Louisiana. If you know any one who commenced before I would like to know it. If there is no person en-aged in that culture on a large scale before me, please take notice and mention in your valuable journal that I am the first who began the culture of the vine in the State of Louisi- ana. I am at this moment clearing 15 acres more; then next spring I will have about 25 acres, and 1 intend to continue year after year, until I will have 50 acres. Being a novel culture here, I am dai.y exposed to the ridicule and blame of my neighbors. Prognosticating that 1 am going to lose eight or ten thousand dollars in ihe experiment ; notwithstanding, I go to work with a strong and confident heart. I want en- couragement; and I find it every month in reading vour valuable journal. Like you, lam for pmgress, and I think if 1 succeed, it will be great acquisition for the upper State of Louisiana ; we have so many hills — land selling at one dollar an acre, and finding no one to buy at that low price— but, if success crowns me, these lands will soon increa.se in value. Yours, &c., P. Breda, M. D. Nat-chitoches, La , 1858 JAPANESE HORTICULTURE. Unites States Consular General, ) At Simoda, Japan. ) Sir: — A letter from your Department, dated July 14, 1856, and addressed to this Consulate, was not received until the 20th of October, 1857. I have not had an op- portunity of communicating with any part of the world since the receipt of that letter, and it is quite uncertain when I shall be able to dispatch the present letter. The statements in the “ World in Miniature '' concern- ing the Japan Radish, are much exaggerated It is true that radishes are grown in every part of Japan, but no where are they a principal article offiiod ; they are mere- ly an adjunct to the rice, wheat and barley, which are the great staples of the country I ordered the best specimens of the long radish to be brought to me when I first visited Yeddo; the. longest were less than thirty inches in length, and about one inch in diameter; this radish, when dried, loses more than three-fourths of its bulk, and looks very like a whip- thong. With the long radish specimens of another kind were brought to me. These were shaped like our parsnips. The largest measured eighteen inches long, fif- teen inches in circumference, and weighed four lbs, five oz avoirdupois. All of the radishes of Japan, when used as a salad, are 54 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. inferior to the garden radish of the West, being tough, and not of an agreeable flavor. When boiled, they are quite insipid, having nothing of the flavor of the white turnip or ruta baga. ' I shall embrace the first opportunity of sending you seeds of both the foregoing varieties, but have great doubts about these reaching you in good condition, as I cannot get the metal cases in which to seal them hermetically, nor can Wardian cases be procured here, as there is not a pane of glass in the whole empire. Very little attention is paid to the cultivation of fruit in this country ; the cherry and plum tree produces magnifi- cent blossoms, but they bear very little fruit, and that little is worthless. Peaches are for inferior to those of China, being quite bitter, and the same remark will apply io the apricot. I have seen only one variety of pears ; they are in all shapes and colors, and are quite like a russet apple, but they are unfit to eat raw, and when cooked are quite insipid. The best grapes of Japan resemble the Catawba in ap- pearance, but aie inferior to that variety. - The only fruit I have seen in Japan that particularly merits notice is the Icali, a variety of Diospyros, and be- longing to the order of Ebenacee ; it is really worthy of being introduced into the United States. Quite a number ol sorts have been brought to me ; one has a skin as thin as tissue paper, and the pulp resembles the Egyptian fig in flavor. Another variety has a thick rind, and a finer pulp than the sort first mentioned, while the taste strongly reminds me of the flavor of the delicious mango of Siam and Bombay. The tree is very ornamental, and of rapid growth. It would, no doubt, succeed in any part of the United States south of 37° of latitude. Unlike the per- simmon of the United States, there is very little astringen- cy in the skin of the fruit, and frost, which matures the persimmon, greatly injures the kali. This fruit varies in size, but is always larger than its American relative, and some are seven inches in diameter. The fruit is in sea- son nearly three months. When dried, it resembles the dried Smyrna fig in taste. I send you a few seeds of the kali, under this covering, thinkiug that they may possibly germinate, after.they reach Washington, and knowing that they will only cause a trifling addition to the postage of my letter. 1 am, very respectfully, your ob’t servant, Townsend Harris, Consular General. To the Commissioner of the Patent ( hUce, Washington. PROFITS OF AN ORCHARD. It is reported that one of our farmers in the neighbor- hood ot Nashville, has this fall, after making a large amount of cider and vineger from his orchard, sold the balance of his apples to a New Yorker for $‘900, and the New Yorker claims that he will realize six thousand dol- lars by the operation We suppose there is little doubt of his being able to do it. The orchard consists of some 5,000 trees that have just come into bearing fhe enterprising proprietor has twelve thousand trees already set out, and will soon have an orchard that will yield him an immense revenue. One hundred acres of orchard will contain some six thousand trees, and they will yield enough the sixth year after planting to pay all expenses, of trees, planting and cultivation. When in full bearing, they will furnish some three barrels of apples to the tree every other year. If the orchard is on any of our railroads the apples will nett two dollars a barrel, or six dollars to the tree, which will be equal to three dollars to the tree every year. Thus we see the handsome annual income from 100 acres, or an orchard of 0,000 trees, of eighteen thousand dollars. If those statements are exaggerated by one-half, it will be seen at a glance, that nothing promises half so well. But there are a thousand facts that prove this estimate below instead of above, the reality. Tennessee has a position among her sister States, that enables her to supply them with many valuable things, but the day will come, when her fruit and vintage will be one of her most pleasant and profitable sources of in- come, and the market cannot be overstocked. — Home- stead. DOMESTIC- WINES. The rapid progress which vine culture is making in this country is one of the best guarantees against the se- rious evils of intemperance, and this progress cannot fail, ere long, to give cheap wines. American champagne is gradually obtaining the reputation of being the purest ef- fervescing wine in the world, and if, as Mr. Longworth says, we have five thousand varieties of native grapes — all of them free from the oidium, or grape disease, which is spreading over every coiner of Europe — it will be seen that the West has in reserve an enormous field of produc- tiveness to fall back on, as population grows dense, and profitable investment for capital is required There is an absurd idea prevalent that wine cannot be profitably raised in this country ; that labor is too dear, and European opposition too great. On the contrary, wine raising is at this instant the most profitable branch of agriculture in America. It will pay from one to three hundred dollars an acre, yielding a higher profit on capi- tal, skill and labor invested, than any other planting. The wines which can be most easily raised are, like those of Germany, light and very inocuous. We often hear it said that there is no drunkenness in France but drunkenness is even rare among the wine drinking Ger- mans of the Rhine. Liebig, the great chemist, declares that these people, far from being injured by their wine, owe to it the health for which they are so famous, there being no place in the world where there is so little de- mand for apothecaries’ wares. But the reader will recol- lect that those wines are very different from those of other nations, being no more intoxicating to those familiar with them than common claret When attention is more gen- et ally devoted to wine culture, we shall probably see wine as cheap here as cider, and strychnine whiskey and fight- ing brandy at a discount. Excessive use of ardent spirits is a great cause of national suffering; anything whieh will do away with it, or modify it, can hardly fail to be regard- ed as a blessing — Pefersburs; Express. CURIOUS MODE OF GRAFTING THE PEAR. The French, it is well known, says the Country Gen- tleman, are very expert in grafting and budding, including tomatoes on potatoes, cucumbers and other singular plants — sometimes for profit ; at others, apparently more to show to what extent the art can be applied. Another singular practice has just come to light, through tho me- diuiH of a correspondent to the English Gardener's Chron- icle, which is the working of flower buds of the pear, ta- ken from bearing trees, on to barren ones. The extract reads : — “ The finest Pears exhibited (Paris Hort. Exhibition) were produced from flower buds, which had been insert- ed on barren spurs of other trees during the previous au- tumn. The method of budding is called by the French, “ Greffes de boutons a fruit,” which to me was a novelty in horticultural manipulation, The whole spurs were cut from the trees, to show the buds inserted, which latter had produced no wood shoots, but only the fine fruit in SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 55 clusters of threes and tours. The best speci nens were those of Doyenne d’ Hiver, Duchess d’ A ngoulcme, Beurre Clairgeau, Belle de Berry, and Belle Angevine,” “Another method of grafting, exhib'ted nt the same time, reads as follows : — “ Connected with the fruit department, was a series of fruit trees in pots and tubs, for the purpose of exhibiting the different methods of grafting, budding, pruning, train- ing, &c., which afforded much interest, and were closely inspected by both practicals and amateurs To me some of the manipulations appeared ingenious as well as effec- tive. One curious mode of grafting is interesting in a physiological point of view. It consisted ot the leaf on an orange tree, which had produced roots from the foot- stalk, after which the parenchyma was cut from each side of the mid-rib near the centre, when a scion was grafted on the latter, which was bushing into a regular and vigorous plant. I understood the person to say that these scions were covered with mold, into which they soon rooted, when they had both the advantage of their own roots, and those of the stock on which they were grafted.” Grow and Eat Vegetables. — One of the strongest arguments in favor of the culture of vegetables and truit and their consumptian in the family, is the fact tiiat such consumption prevents disease We are by no means strictly vegetarian in theory or practice, hut we know by experience, that fruit even at large prices, is cheaper and far more profitable to purchase than the services of a physician, and that if the former are not consumed as an article of eve'-y day diet, the services of the latter will be required We have seen it asserted recently by a medi- cal writer, that the introduction of the tomato upon the table has reduced the severity of certain types of summer diseases to a noticeable extent, and yet in a book, not a dozen years of age, we saw it asserted that this same to- mato is “ a most unhealthful and innutritions fruit.” As soon as we learn how luxuriously we can live with no increase of cost, and a great increase of health, by the consumption of the products of our garden, more and better gardens will be found on every homestead. — Eme- ry's Journal. THE VINTAGE AND FItUITS OF ITAEY. A correspondent of the Providence Journal writes as follows : We are apt to associate none but poetical ideas with a vintage and wine-making in Italy, but what intensely patriotic American who has seen both, will have the courage to say that these are all more poetical than a New England harvest of Indian Corn, pippins or pumpkin 1 It is distance, the atmospheric medium of three or four thousand miles through which we gaze, which greatly aids the charm. In spite of all the poetry of grape-gather- ing and grape-eating, even in Italy, we find that the se- cond good-sized bunch will set the teeth on edge. In our untraveled innocence, we imagine that the clusters which we see in our hot houses and horticultural exhibitions but imperfectly typify the ponderous development and luxuri- ant abundance of this fruit in grape-growing countries. 1 have not yet seen, either in the markets or grape yards of Southern Europe anything that would compare with the fruit displayed at our annual shows. Not only in the large grape yield, but in other kinds of fruit, this will be a bountiful year in Tuscany. Figs, pears, and peaches are in uncommon abundance ; indeed, the last named are about as plenty, good, and cheap as with us during a favorable season in New Jeisey. Of fresh figs, fifteen to twenty can be bought for a crazia, a little more than our cent. The olive yield does not pro- mise so well as u^ual, which may otdige the Florentines after this to pay a little more lor the oil they burn in their lanps and eat on their salads FRUIT BENEFICIAIi TO HEALTH. A noted author, speaking of the utility of fruits for food and the preservation of health, says: “The fruits of various climes should be regarded as one of the most valuable gifts which Divine Providence has bestowed upon man ; and the cultivation of them should, on all accounts, be promoted ; not merely as a source of luxury, but as a substitute for pernicious meoicine, and as a delicious healthy, and most nutritious article of food. ’ Another celebrated physician says that “thoroughly ripe fruit, eaten with bread, is the most innocent of aliments, and will even insure health and st.ength.” Volumes of similar extracts might be adduced, but the following will suffice : “One of the best aliments, and the best ad ipted to the different ages of life, is that whu h fruits afford, d hey present to a man a light nourishment, of easy di- gestion, and produce chyle admirably adapted to the func- tions of the human body.” The writer of this has himself experienced, as he be- lieves, much benefit from the use of good fruit, and of the opinion that for the preservation of. health it is of more benefit than any quaniity of drugs a person may chose to consume Calling, at one time, upon a physician for medicine to remove cosiliveriess, he knew none equal to good, ripe apples The prescription met wnha cordial reception, and nas been many times tried with go*d suc- cess — Main e Fa / vier. BLACK TONGUE IN CATTLE. Editors Southern Cultivator — In the September number of your valuable journal there is a recipe for the cure of the Murrain, Black Tongue, &c. Will you or some of your correspondents communicate, through the medium of your paper, what are the first symptoms, and in what way does the Black Tongue af- fect cuttle Is it contageous ] Is it pioduced from any- thii'g they eat I Are cattle that are pastured in fields, and those that range the woods, all subject to iti Is the Murx’ain and Black Tongue one and the same thing I There is a disease among the. cattle in this region of country, and we do not know what it is. When first taken, they are stiff in their limbs, and walk lame; they seem to have a good appetite, and will lick salt 'reely. I have not seen one that has died from the disease, but un- derstand a good many are dying through the countiy. Tours with respect, W. Broulchaven^ Miss.^ 1858. [See article from Velerinary Journal in present num- oer.— Eds ] Longevity of vtuLES.— Says the Lancaster (Pa.) Ex- aminer, we have numerous reports of mules attaining the age of forty, fifty (»r sixty years of age, and Col Mid- dleton of South Carolina stated some years ago that he had on.e at work on his plantation eighty years old ; and we have seen an account of a mule in Ireland, certified to have been at work since 1707, making over one hundred and fifty years old This, is of course, a very uncom- mon age, but, we are satisfied that with proper u>age,, mules would commonly attain to about forty years, being serviceable to the last, and this should be counted as one of the elements of their valu^*. A Fact for Farmers — li you invest money in tools, and then leave them exposed to the weather, it is the same us loaning money to a spendthrift without security — a dead loss in both cases. 56 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. RICE, MACHINERY, &c. Among the curiosities of the North End known to but few of our citizens, is a mammoth “rice-hulling” establish ment lately owned by Mr Parsons, The expensive ma- chinery and the great number of experiments to be tried to make it a first c lass establishment, and the incidentals required in getting up a new establishment consumed a great amount of capital We understand it is in good hands and doing a profitable business, rendering it one of the most valuable establishments. We, New England people, outside of commerce know but little of the preparation rice must undergo to make it an article of food and commerce. First, then, the rice is enclosed in a thick s'nell-like substance composed of silica, which will wear out almost anything to grind it In its natural state it becomes an article of commerce for trans- porting throughout the world. The shell in which it is encased is impervious to water; any amount of wetting will not prevent its keeping under water and mud, or en closed in the Egyptian mummies it has still come out bright. There have yet been no machines introduced except the old way which has been practiced for four hundred years, viz : the mill stone and the pestle and mortar We have engravings of the Chinese as far back as that time, the same as used at the present day. Through the genius aud persevering industry of Mr. Williams, the overseer, and Mr. Dyer Green, the foreman of this establishment, this system has been brought to as great perfection as possible; and we have been compelled to admire — amid the apparent complicated mass — the beautiiul simplicity with which everything works at this establishment, turning out daily six hundred bushels of clean- polished rice We have our object ons to this sys- tem. First, that a great amount of broken rice is pro- duced, and, second, a great amount is polished ofif fur more than is necessary. The flour and broken rice is sold at a low rate from to $30 a ton ; while the whole rice is sold at $80 per ton, thus losing a large amount in value. We commenced to give a history of its operations, and not our own opinion and speculations. First, the rice that comes to this port from Charleston in the hull, is called “paddy,” known throughout India, China and the East, and transported throughout the world in that state and under that name. In India, at the present day, it is hulled by rubbing between stones and balancing a pole across a fence with a stone tied to one end anb jumping off and on to lift it up and down. In our country, the all powerful mill stone and steam are bi ought to bear by a rapid motion ; a centrifugal force is brought to bear which tips the rice on its ends. But previous to this it is screened to sort the small from the large, so as to adapt the stones to the size, I should have mentioned that when the rice is brought to the wharves in ships and discharged into the ware rooms where it is Weighed and elevators pass it to the upper lofts of three large granite stores, so they are able to discharge about three thousand bushels per day into these upper lofts. It is cirried into screens as mentioned above, and from that conveyed to the millstones, and from there it is conveyed to the upper loft to a fantiing mill to separate the hulls. Another screening process takes placf;, and all that is nol b-ullcd i-i ssu'. bact to the siqnee whole. The other pa.sses to the mortars on the lower floor Here are 12 great mortars, holding 08 bushels, Now commences the beating with the pestles, great iron and wood beams jumping up and down. This is called the beating pro cess in Older to get off u yellow coating Stained by the hull all the ri< e would bejustasgood ii this was notiaken off, but who would buy or eat yellow rice 7 not I exclaims every on,' at the table; but I want white rice and clean. Be it so then, but at a greater cost, After being beat for three hours, it is then passed up into the upper story, where another screenini takes place to separate the flour. It passes to an upright cylinder covered with sheepskim with the wool on, surrounded .by a wire seive. This is called the polishing process, or in other word* “pearling” rice. It then passes to a cylinder with three apartments; the first lets the dirt through, the next lets the fine broken rice, and last the finished rice. From these it descends to barrels and casks to be packed. Here then is a beautiful system, where manual labor is not wanted from the lime the rice leaves the loft till it is finish^ ed and put up, with only one exception, and that is the putting in the mortar and taking out ; this is the only break in it. Here, then, are eleven operations the rice undergoes be- fore it is finished. It is carried up to the ton of the build- ing four times, screened six times The hulls are used for scouring woolen cloth ; the flour is used for fattening hogs and horses, and they have what is called screenings for poultry. Farmers coming to Boston should not go empty handed when this stuff is almost as cheap as corn, and 50 per cent, more nutriment in it. The broken rice is sold to factories for 22 cents per pound for sizing. We consider this one of the grandest and most perfect institutions the world can show. They have nothing equal to it in the great rice marts of Savannah and Charleston, and we wish nil prosperity toil. As it be- comes more known it will become more profitable, as they are unable to supply the market after running fifteen hours per day, and they have commenced running day and night. In connection with this subject, we should mention the great want the planters of the South and of other parts of the world feel, for some machine by which each planter can hull his own rice. As it is now, they are obliged to submit to the great mills of Charleston and Savannah, and send their crops hundreds of mills to be fitted for market. A machine that would give this power to the planter would be valuable. Many machines have been invented, but nearly all have been too expensive, and erf no durability, and altogether too bulky. We have within a few weeks seen a machine, invented by one of our most ingenious machinists, Mr. Danid Lombard, of this city [Boston], which, for simplicity, cheapness, and durability excels all others. And we have every reason to believe Mr Lombard has accomp- lished the long sought for machine, and that the planter* will render to him thousands of thanks, as well as line his pockets. If this machine, at a cost of a few hundred dollars, with one man to turn it, will turn out from 75 to 100 bushek per day, he is sure of a fortune. We have often fell dis- pleased to tee what leluctance our rich men feel in en- couraging or aiding inventors, and to see some of the most valuable inventions of the age lie untouched. 1. W., [in Max cumbered by obstacles of art to shoot harmoniously int« the shape that nature drew. But this is a business fbr mothers to attend to. It is important, however, that the girl should undeF- stand, as soon as she, comes to the yeais of discretion, or as soon as she is old rnough to realize the importance of beauty to a woman, that she has, to a certrin extent, ib« management of her own lorm within her own power. The first thing to be thought of is healthy for there can be no development of beauty in sickly fibres. Plenty ofejt- eercise in the open air is the great recipe. Everything should be done to give joy and vivacity to the spirits at this age, for nothing so much aids in giving vigor and elasticity to the form as these I have to tell you, ladies — and the same must be said to gentlemen, too — that the great secrets of acquiring a bright and beautiful skin lies in three simple things— as I said in my lecture on Beautiful Women — temperance, ex- cise, and cleanliness. A young, lady, were she as fair as Hebe, as Charming as Venus hers* If, would soon destroy it all by too high living and late hours. The Science of Going to Bkd.— The earth is a mag- net, with magnetic currents constantly playing around it The human body is also a magnet, and when the body b placed in certain relations to the earth, these currents har- monize— when in any other position they conflict When one position is to be maimained for sonie time, a positiott should be chosen in which the magnetic currents of tne earth and the body will not conflict. This position, as io- dicated by theory, and known by expennient, is to lie with the head towards the north pole. Persons who sleep with their heads in the opposite direction, or lying crosswise, are liable to fall ini.i various nervous disorders, When they go back to the right position, these disorder^, if not too deeply impressed upon the cons ituiion, soon vanish Sensitive persons are always more refreshed by sleep w’hen their heads point due north. Architects, in planning houses, should bear this principle in mind. [Are any of our readers “scientific” enough to tell m whether there is any “sense” in the above % The ScientiJU American copies it without comment, but we are not ynt quite satisfied. Let the savans speak out !— Jr. Ed j Sorghum Strup — A prodigious number of saerhar- omeiers lor testing the strength of syrups have been made and sold in this city during the present autumn Their purchasers, as we have been intnrmed, were mostly west- ern farmers who obtained them for testing syrups Made from Sorghum Cane Frona this we infer that the new sugar plant was extensively cultivated during the past season, and that the syrup made from it will take tiM place, in a great measure, of common molasses, among our rural populatioes. — Scicnti/e Amcruttn. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 61 REPORT ON CORN, READ BEFORE^THE New'bury Agricultural Society. ' CORN, VARIETIES, USES, CULTURE, MEANS OP PRODUCING THE LARGEST CROPS, HARVSSTINO, &C. Every one who is conversent with ftirming, is aware of the great difference in the capacity of the soil for grow- ing good crops of corn. A deep, rich, moist soil is best adapted for corn. The corn crop is of vast importance; and no farmer can get along well without it, as wc mainly depend upon it for bread ; and it is generally considered the most wholesome we use; and on the corn crop we mainly depend for a supply for our stock. In fact, no farmer can feel truly independent without a good supply. Full cribs and fat stock are what the farmer delights to look at. And for us to feel truly our dependence for a supply of this, one of our greatest temporal blessings, we have only to refer back to 1846, then was witnessed the effects of a short crop ; and poor stock was the result, a sight that no person likes to look at In fact, if we wish to be truly prosperous people, we must raise plenty of corn, and by that means we may be able to raise a plenty of horses, mules and hogs, and not be dependent on Ken tucky fora supply. And as we desire the prosperity of our District and State, we say to one and all, rai'ie your own stock, which can be done in Newberry; for the stock exhibited on the Fair ground at the annual exhibition, will amply prove it; and then, and not umil then, can it be said of us that we are a truly independent and pros- perous people. VARIETY. Of the different varieties of corn, we prefer the large white variety, a cross between the flint and gourd-seed ; it makes a beautiful bread, and is not so hard for stock as the flint variety, and is much firmer than the gourd- seed Any of the different varieties may be greatly improved with proper attention. Every farmer should gather his seed from the field at gathering time, by going over and selecting from the best spots, the stalks that have two or more ears, and put it away carefully with the simek on till planting time. It should then he shacked, and the ears with the largest grains and the smallest cobs selected, and both ends shelled off and the centre taken. USES. We have but little to say about the uses, as it is an easy matter to use it after it is made. We would recom- mend the praciice of grinding and cooking it for stock, instead of the old plan of feeding it whole, as it is said to be a saving of at least one-third. SCtliTORB, THE MEANS OP PRODUCING THE LARGEST CROP) HARVESTING, 4C. Upon the preparation of the soil mainly depends our success ; for we cannot reasonably expect a large yield without a thorough preparation. If the land to be planted in corn is stubble, it should be turned over in the fall, in the latter part of October, or the first of November, with a two horse turning plow, from four to six inches deep, fol- lowed in the same furrow by one of Broil’s two-horse subsoils, as deep tis two mules can draw it, and remain till planting time; and no stock should be permitted to run on it. But if after cotton, which plan we prefer, be- cause it is very difficult to get a stand on stubnle, on ac- eouni of the bud worm, and corn grows off much better after cotton. The cotton stalks should be plowed up in JarHiary, by running two or three times in the rows with a long scooter plow, and let it stand till just before plant- ing rime It should then be plowed deep and close with a sMbsoil scooter plow, and if the land is broken or hilly, and has not been ditched, it should be, for every farmer try to save his land, and this is one important step towards it; this being completed the manure or the cotton seed should be hauled on the land, and if the land is hiijh and dry and the season suit-', the planting should commence about the 10th df March. The same process should be followed on stubble, as on cotton land. If the land is le- vel the rows can be run straight, but if broken and ditched, the rows should be laid off by the ditches, com- mencing at the upper ditch and filling out to the lower ditch; the rows should be five feet wide, laid off with a gauge, which can be done very easily by a very simple arrangement It is the only plan to get the rows all of a width. Where the rows are horizontal, we recom- mend the practice of drilling, as it is the only plan that can be followed on broken land, and it has the advantage m cultivation. Part of the roots are not cut, and it will yield more to the land than hilled corn ; the rows should be laid off with a shovel plow; followed by a two-horse subsoil plow as deep as it can be drawn, the seed should then be dropped in the bottom of the furrow, about twenty-eight inches apart, or an ordinary step on ordi- nary land. The better the land the closer it should be, and from three to five grains should be dropped in a place. It is better to thin out than to re plant, whick rarely ever pavs The dropping should be done by a carefel hand. The cotton seed or manure should be put in the bottom of the furrow, a handful close to the corn on both sides, it should then be covt^red by throwing two light scooter furrows on it, making a nice sharp ridge. As soon as it commences coming up the ridge should be boarded as harrowed off, as soon as it is well UD it it should be re-planted, and run round with a sub- soil, and followed by a scooter plow, making four fur- rows to the row; the hoes should then follow and chop it to a stand, leaving ane stalk in a place, and put a little dirt to it; it will then stand from three to four weeks; it should then be run round with a wing scooter, the wing to the corn, lapping the furrow nicely ; the hoes should be dropped in the furrow half way between the hills of corn, the rows should then be plowed cut with the sho- vel plow, with a wing on next the corn, which will lap the furrow out smooth and nice ; it will then stand from two to three weeks ; it should then be plowed with the sweep plow; the hoes should then follow and chop out the weeds and grass. It is then laid by, which should be done when the forward stalks commence showing the tassel. The time to commence saving fodder is whea the corn commences gening hard, it is belter to loos« some fodder than injure the corn. The f )dder when pull- ed should not remain more than one day exposed to the sun ; it should then be gathered together and piled, and remain until it goes through a sweat ; it should then be spread, and when dry should be hous' d. The proper time for gathering corn is as soon as the first killi ng frost comes; it should then be gathered and housed dry. That intended for bread, or to keep for a length of time, should be put up in the shuck ; it will keep for several years, if this plan is followed. Respectfully submitted, John R. Spearman, Chairman. [ Conservoiist:. Tobacco for Wire-Worms. — Hiram Spear, ofSprin^f- fieW, Bradford Co., Pa., says tobacco will efftctually pre- vent wire-worms from destroying seed-corn. Boil one pound of good tobacco in water enough to cover a bush^ of seed corn; pour the liquid on boiling; stir till cool ^ epre.ad the corn to cool, and plant He says the root and sprout will partake of the tobacco sufficient to prevant worms touehbg if. It is easy tried.— 62 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. LAND SKINNERS. Tills term applies to a class of men — farmers, shall we say 1 — who want to get the increase of land without mak- ing any compensation for its use. They may be found in almost every SfCtion of the country. If they crop their land, the product is all sold and carried off the farm. Not the grain simply which they raise; but the straw, if the crop be barley, wheat or oats, and the stalks, if it be corn. Only cattle sufficient to meet the necessities of the family, are kept on the farm These consist of two or three half fed cows, as many lean pigs, a span or two of horses; or, in their stead, the frames of one yoke or more. of oxen What manure they make is all required for the garden, or for one or two acres of corn ground. With this management, the land very soon fails to yield its increase of grain,'\and then grass is tried. For a year or two a tolerable crop is produced ; but this, too, is sold and carried off the farm, and, as might be expected, very soon the hay crop is too inconsiderable to meet the ex- penses of the farmer’s family; and grain growing is once more tried, but with no better success than formerly. Under such management, it is no wonder that the man concludes that his land is too poor to pay for cultivation, and lie sells at a sacrifice, and “moves out West.” Such a man is a “land skinner;” and whether among the rocks of New England, or the deep, loamy soils of the west, he is the pirate who, without compensation, appro- priates to himself the products of mother earth. — Rural American. Negroes— High Prices ! — A goodly number of negroes were sold, among whom were able-bodied field hands, which brought the following prices: — SI ,630; SI >405; Sl,425; SI, 505; Sl,405; Sl,190; SI, 350; a boy weigh- ing 99 lbs. sold for Si ,105 ; one who had his shoulder dis- located, and his little finger on his left hand injured in some way, sold for SI, 200, A likely young girl, about 18 years of age, good field hand, brought SI, 300, A ne- gro woman, rather elderly, with three children, the eldest about ten and the youngest about three, brought S2,400. — Winnsboro' {S. C.) Register. The demand for slaves exceeds anything we ever before witnessed in this country. At several large sales in the country, during the last ten days, besides the professional traders present, every other man seemed anxious to pur- chase one or two for his own use. The prices given are enormous. From SI, 200 to $1,500 for men, and from $1,000 to $1,300 for women, are the limits in which we have known negroes sold in the last few days — Charlotts- ville ( Va.) Advocate. Tomatoes and Melons. — Use tomatoes largely, both at breakfast and dinner; take hot or cold, cooked or raw, with or without vinegar, fried in sugar and butter, or stewed, with salt and pepper. Their healthful properties consists in their being nutritious, easily digested, and promotive of that daily regular action of the system, with- out which, health is impossible. Their anti- constipating quality is in the seeds— on the same principle that grapes, raisins, and white mustard seed have stood high in this respect, the attrition of the seed on the mucous surface of the alimentary canal, exciting its peristaltic motion, thus causing regular daily action. As to the water melons, they are the only things we know which can be eaten with impunity until we cannot swallow any more. The best time for taking them is about eleven o’clock in the morning, and about four in the afternoon. They are not safe for very young children — the seeds are especially injurious to them. — Hall's Jour- nal of Health. WHEN AND WHERE DEEP PEOWINXJ IS Beneficial. An English paper discusses this subject at some length, and the points brought out will interest and instruct American readers. We condense them in the paragraphs below : “ Deep plowing is most effeciual in autumn, exposing the soil to the infiuence of frost, rain and air, during the winter, which act upon the mineral ingredients of the soil,, re idering them available for succeeding crops; also, pul- verizing the soil, and thus facilitating the passage of the roots into tiie subsoil. As regards the period of the ro- tation, it should precede root crops, (or, in this country, Indian corn,) or may be the first plowing for fallowing preparatory to the wheat crop. “ Deep plowing is most beneficial to stiff clays, and as a rule, we may plow deep when the subsoil is of the same character as the surface, if both are tenacious, or when the subsoil is composed of good clay, only requiring atmos- pheric inflnences to sweeten it. Deep cultivation should be avoided in nearly all very light soils, and in plowing for crops after large applications of manure, thus oury- ing it too deeply; or in turning under clover or other green crops. Deep plowing in autumn, on most clays, is equal to half dressing of manure. Clay from which the air is excluded exhibits a blueish color. After draining, it is not advisable to bring to the surface more than 2 inches of clay subsoil at a time, otherwise more is brought up than the frost, &c.. can fit for growing good crops. BE GOOD FOR S03IETHING. Every human being was sent into the world to perform some good use or other. It may be in an humble sphere, but nevertheless a good use, or it may be in a higher sphere, but perhaps not more necessary than that of the humble station, and, therefore, not more honorable in it- self considered. It is a duty imperative upon every indi- vidual to fit himself so as to be good for something Any man or woman who may think themselves exempt- ed from doing this, on account ofbeing born wealthy, or from any other accidental circumstance of rank or posi- tion, either mistakes the object of their creation or per- verts the facts which point out their duty in this respect. We have been amused with the arguments used by a very sensible Chinaman made before a band of Melbourne miners in Australia, They show what value other people whom we consider barbarians, place upon skill, though it may be in humble occupations and stations, and it gives a lesson which ought to impress us with the idea that the humble man, who is good for something, is of vastly more consequence to the community than an ignorat loafer, though he may boast of high blood and great riches. The Melbourne miners proposed to drive the Chinamen out of the country, and they petitioned the Legislature to do it. One of their tribe, named Quang Chew, thus plead against the proposed injustice. “Among our numbers we have men well skilled in gar- dening and ti*e culture of all sorts of fruits and flowers ; likewise carpenters, and workers in fine wood and in ivory, which we hear abounds in your forests ; also cun- ning agriculturists, who know how to manage the worst as well as the best soils, particularly Leu Lee, and his first nephew ; also men accustomed to make ornamental bridges, and a skillful man named Yaw, who can make the best kites, having wings and great glass eyes not to be surpassed ; likewise Yeu, who understands the breed- ing of fish, and birds, and dogs, and cats; also many ex- cellent cooks who would allow nothing to be wasted ; and moreover we have lock makers, and many umbrella makers, conjurers, &c. Why should all these things be sent back with disgrace SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 63 ASHES AS A MANURE. Messrs. Editors: — The question has often been asked, but ne-ver to my satisfaction has it been answered, why so little, if any, difference is found in the value as manure between ashes leached and unleached, when ap- plied side by side, on the same land and crop, and under precisely the same circumstances 1 In other words, what is the use, and what becomes of the large quantity of al kaline and other matters found in unleached ashes, to the virtues of which have long been ascribed their power and value in the fructification of the crop and extra yield of produce, and to preserve which from the influence of climdie and consequent deterioration, it has been the aim of almost every one, by preserving them in close rooms and water-tight casks or cisterns, under the cenvietion that even by evaporation would their value be rendered less, by weakening their efficiency as a dressing to the land when applied to any description of crop, and by which careful preservation their immense and universally acknowledged superiority to other articles, especially as a top-dressing, is ascribable. But in the midst of all this seemingly proof-positive, comes the testimony of those, who declare that they have demonstrated by oft-repeated experiment, that leached ashes are as efficient in their ef- fects, as those that have been thus carefully preserved and applied by immediately covering them, so as to pre- vent the escape of the volatile gases into the atmosphere. This I consider a subject of great importanee, and worthy the closest examination, and as few of my friends in my humble walk of life may be aware of the enormous quan- tity of ash and alkali contained in some of our crops, made manifest by their incineration, I beg leave to offer for re-publication, the following table of the produce in ashes and alkali, of one thousand pounds of the follow- ing woods and weeds, which I find in an agricultural journal of some years standing, the correctness of which 1 presume may be depended upon, and on the perusal of which I am led again to ask, “what is the use, and what becomes of the alkaline and other matters found in un- leached ashes, to the virtues of which have long been as- cribed their power and value in the fructification of the crop and extra yield of produce I” B. W. Table of the produce in Ashes and Alkali, of 1000 lbs. of the follov)ing woods a.nd weeds. Yield of Ashes. Of Salt or Alkali. Salts of Corn . 88.6 17.5 Sunflower . 57.2 20. Vine branches . 34.0 5.5 Box . 29.0 2.26 Sallow or Willow. . 28.0 2.85 Elm . 23.5 3.9 Oak . 13.5 1.5 Aspen, or Poplar . . . 12.2 0.74 Beech . 5.8 1.27 Fir . 3.4 0.45 Fern, in August... . 36.46 4.25 Wormwood . 97.44 73.0 Fumitory .219.0 70-0 [Boston Cultivator. Revenge is longer lived than gratitude. Indorse Mr. Smith’s note to keep him from bursting, and he forgets all about it in a month. Pull Mr. Smith’s nose, and he will cherish a secret desire to burn your house down for the remainder of his life. Revenge is a passion. Gratitude appears to be only a sentiment. We can all hate ; but it is only one man in a hundred that possesses goodness enough to be thankful. The man who is attached to the soil, will be always bettering it by kindness. CAUSES OF FERTIEITY. In a letter to the New York Farmers’s Club, Prof, S, W. Johnson, of Yale College, says : The labors of chemists, to discover positively all the causes of the fertility of soils, have not yet met with con- clusive success. The mechanical structure of soil is of primary importance. Naked rock grows lichen — the same rock crushed into coarse grains, grows a much higher order of vegetable — pulverized fine, the cereals grow in it. Geology, chemistry, botany, physiology, meteorology, mechanics, hydrodynamics, heat, light and electricity, are all intimately combined in the grand pro- cess of vegetation. There are sandy soils in our Eastern States, which, without manure yield meagre crops of rye and buckwheat ; but there are'sandy soils in Ohio, which without manure yield on average eighty bushels of Indian corn an acre, and have yielded it for twenty to fifty years in unbroken succession, the ingredients of these soils being by chemical analysis the same. At present no difference is known between them, except the coarse- ness of the particles — the first being coarse, while the Ohio sand is an exceedingly fine powder. The power of soils to|attract and imbibe moisture and oxygen, was well shown by Schubler, o‘ Hoffen, 40 years ago. Of 13 dif- ferent soils, quartz sand absorbed in thirty days, 11,000 parts of oxygen and no moisture, while humus absorbed 13 of oxygen and 120 of moisture. The Fastest Time on Record. — Porterh AS';?m^says the fastest time ever made by an American horse was made by Pryoress, in her running for the late Cesarewitch, in England, over the Newmarket Heath. The distance run was two miles and a quarter and twenty-eight yards, and the time in which it was run was three minutes and fifty-six seconds, the mare carrying 107 pounds. This is at the rate of 1 minute 45 3-4 seconds, or say 1 minute 46 seconds to the mile, two miles at the rate of 3 minutes and 32 seconds, and if carried out at the same rate, the Goodwood Cup distance in 4 minutes and 25 seconds, and a four mile heat in 7 minutes 4 seconds. The two mile rate, however, having been done, is that which may fairly be compared with the two mile time performed by American horses in this country. The “ American Rac- ing Calendar and Trotting Record‘d gives the time of Hagira, a four year old, which ran a two mile heat at New Orleans in 1850, with catch weight, in 3 minutes 34 1-2 seconds — the best two mile time in this country ; consequently, the 3 minutes 32 seconds of Prioress is in every way better, and deserves to head the American record. Sheep in Texas. — Wool growing is steadily increas- ing in Texas, and the State will soon number its flocks by hundreds of thousands. The San Antonio Herald says that Captain Sweet, late of Laporte, Indiana, has just returned from Mexico, whither he went last fall to pur- chase sheep. Capt. Sweet went with others, and the whole number of sheep brought out was about 4,000. His portion, about 1,000 head, he has placed on a ranche on the head of Curry’s creek, Blanco county. The Cap- tain is delighted with Texas, and is sanguine of the ex- ceeding profitableness of the sheep busines. The Ledger says that the wool growers about San Antonio are bring- ing their wool into market, and mentions several lots. At San Antonio this wool brings from fifteen to thirty- five cents per pound, according to cleanliness and quali- ty. That paper says, for the benefit of wool growers, “ tie each fleece in a separate bundle by itself, and take pains to wash the fleece well before shearing. Clean wool brings from thirty to fony cents more than dirty.” SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. e4r Givk the Plow and the Hoe no Rest. — 1. In order to prevent the growth of weeds, 2. To insure needed moisture through the deposition of a greater amount of dew, upon v./’hich plants so largely de- pend— softening the earth, so that the moisture that con- denses upon the suiface may penetrate more deeply, atid rendering it more porous for the easier passage of the at- mosphere, for condensation in the cooler soil below. 3. To secure a greater absorption ofammonia. 4. To aid in the decomposition of minerals whose ele- ments are food of plants — N. E. Farmer. Knowledge, — It is in knowledge, Irving says, as in swimming; he who flounders and splashes on the sur- face, makes more noise, and attracts more attention than the pearl diver who quietly dives in search of treasure at the bottom. ^^Tha writer who uses weak arguments and strong epithets, makes quite as great a mistake as the landlady who furnishes her guests with weak tea and strong but- ter. lamtBtic (Economi Etcijits. TO MAKE A CHOWDEK. 1st. Procure a hard fleshed fish, like a striped bass — than which nothing is better— one of six pounds will be sufficient for an ordinary family. Clean the fish in the coldest well water ; split it from head to tail, and cut it then into pieces, half as large as your hand. 2d. An old-fashioned, round-bottomed pot is indispens- able. 3d. Take half a pound of salt pork, slice it and fry it in the pot ; then remove the pork, leaving the fat. 4th. Make a layer in the pot of fish ; then season this with a little salt, red and black pepper, and a little (only a little,) ground cloves and mace, on this sprinkle a small quantity of chopped onions, and a part of the fried pork chopped or cut into fine pieces. 5th. Cover this with a layer of split crackers. 6th. Another layer of fish, seasoning, chopped onions, and pork, as above. 7th. Another layer of cracker, and so continue till all the fish is used, letting the top layer be of crackers. 8th. Pour into the pot just water enough to cover the whole, set it on the fire and let it simmer, half an hour or so till the fish is tender to the touch of a fork. Great care should be taken that it does not come to a hard boil, but keep it at just at the boiling point. Then remove the fish, crackers and all, with a skimmer, to a deep dish, leaving the gravy in the pot. 0th. Thicken the gravy with pounded crackers, add to it the juiceof a lemon, half a tumblerful of good claret, and if it needs more seasoning, a little red and black pepper to your taste. 1 0th. Pour the gravy over the fish and crackers and all ; garnish the dish with slices of lemon, serve warm, eat, and return thanks. To Imitate Coral Baskkts — Make the basket of pasteboard m any shape you please; dissolve three sticks of sealing-wax in a pint of alcohol; wet the basket with Ibis mixture, and sprinkle on rice whic h has been about hact ijround; let it dry, and repeat the process until the pas»et>oard is revered, alter whi^h paint it with the mix- ture until It is red enough, A brush ot haa or leathers should be used. ScAF.LETiNA AND Measles. — Mr Witt, member of the Royal College of Surgeons, has published a pamphlet, in which he states the carb' mate of ammonia is a specific for the cure of scarlet fever and measles. He cites Dr. Pearl, of Liverpool, and other practitioners, who have never lost a case out of hundreds since adopting this remedy. Two drachms of the bicarbonate of ammonia, are dissolved in five ounces of water, and two tablespoonsful of the solu- tion given every two, three or four hours, according to the urgency of the symptoms. No acid drink must be taken, but only water, or toast and water, the system if to be moved by a dose of calomel if necessary ! The room must be well ventilated, but the patient protected from the slightest cold or draft. Gargles should also be employed for clearing the throat. The ammonia, it is said counter- acts the poison which causes scarletina, and also acts om the system by diminishing the frequency and at the same time increasing the strength of the pulse. As so many children die from these diseases in this country this remedy ought to receive a fair trial from the profession. To Make Sourkrodt — Select sound, solid cabbages, slice them across and place the slices in a barrel, in lay- ers of about four inches high — over each layer strew a handful of salt, and some caraway seeds Pi ess the whole down tightly, and when the barrel is full, place a very heavy weight upon the end. After standing a week, more or less, according to the temperature, the mass will begin to ferment; and when the fermentation is over, the barrel should be headed up. There is no vinegar used in the preparation. Sourkroct is considered to be an ex- cellent anti-scorbutic, and is used as such on board ships on long voyages. — Gardener's Chronicle. For Founder. — A recent founder may be easily cured by giving, if a large hor^e, a pint of salt dissolved io water, at a single drench ; give him exercise but no water for a few days after, and then spaiingly for a day or two; feed light, and green would be prelerable. Repeat the operation about every third day. Strong salt water rub- bed en the part every other day, as hot as can be used without burning, will cure the Sweeney on some hors^ and they may be w®rked moderately all the time. Remedy for Bronchitis — A writer in the BaiiimcH'e Sun, who has been afflicted severely in his family by that appalling disease, bronchitis, has found relief from the following remedy : “Take honey in the comb, squeeze it out and dilute with a little water, and wet the lips and mouth occasionally with it,” It had never been known to fail, incases where children had throats so swollen ae to be unable to swallow. It is certainly a simple remedy and may be a very efflcacious one. Recipe for Poverty. — 11 you want to keep poor, buy two glasses of ale each day, amounting at the end of the year, to ©38 50 ; smoke three cigars, i654 05 ; keep a big lazy dog, SI5: acatS5; in all, the snug little sum of SI 01 25. Enough to buy several barrels of flour, one hundred bushels of coal, one barrel of sugar, one sack of coffee, a good coal, a respectable dress, a half a dozen pair of shoes — more or If-ss Peppering Bacon Hams. — A writer in the PUinter, over the signature of “ London,” says, “ My tiacon alihough invariably excellent, was never so good as last year, when 1 was induced to drop each ham for five minutes in a strong red pepper tea before rubbing with salt.” ©BVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE IMPROVEMENT OP SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE. VOL. XVII. AUGUSTA, GA., MARCH, 1859. NO. 3. WILLIAM S. JONES, Publisher. DANIEL LEE, M. D., and D. REDMOND, Editors. []:f=* See Terms on Cover. ^lantatiflE (EtDitDrai} anit y^\m\\u\ HINTS FOR THE MONTH. The Plantation. — Make ample preparation for a full supply of provisions for your family and servants — also, an abundance of provender for your stock — by planting as soon as the season will allow, full crops of Corn, Irish and Sweet Potatoes, Spring Oats, early Cow Peas, in the drill, for fodder. Lucerne, in the drill, &c. Plant the Chi- nese Sugar Cane, also, for syrup and forage. We have given full directions for the culture of this plant hereto- fore. In preparing for your regular Corn crop, plow or sub- soil your land 10 to 12 inches deep, manure heavily and plant early. Do not lose a moment after the danger of late frost is over. As soon as you have finished the planting of Corn and other provision crops, prepare for Cotton, respecting which see various articles in former numbers of the Cul- tivator. Sweet Potatoes should now be bedded out, so as to se- cure an abundant supply of “ draws.” No crop cultivated in the South is more worthy of attention than the Sweet Potatoe. It is one of the most valuable esculents for man or beast, and every planter should have full banks,” at the setting in of winter, even if he does not make quite so much Cotton. The Hayt’^ (white Yams,) the Yellow Yams, and the Red “ Negro Killers” (so called) are all fine, productive varieties, Irish Potatoes should be planted in drills 3 feet apart «nd covered with a thick layer of pine straw or leaves, as heretofore directed; or, scatter manure in the bottom of a deep trench, drop the sets upon this, and cover up with earth, drawing it to the stems as they grow. The Vegetable Garden. — If you have Cabbage plants that have been kept over winter, set them out now. Sow more Cabbage seed to head in the summer; Flat Dutch is the best. Thin out Turnips, as soon as they have four leaves; leaving them at the distance of six inhces apart; find BOW more Turnip seed : Early White Dutch and Red Topped Dutch are the best for spring use. If you did not sow Onions seed (black,) last month, do it at once; they w'ill come into use in the latter part of the summer, when all that were raised from the sets or buttons are gone. If you did sow black Onion seed in Septemper, it can now be transplanted. Sow Carrots, Beets, (Extra Early are the finest,) Parsnips, Salsify, Lettuce, Radishes, Thyme, Parsely and Rape (for early greens.) Plant all in rows 15 inches apart. Sow, also, a little spot with Celery and protect them from the sun. -When Cherry trees are in bloom, plant Snap Beans; and when Apple trees are in flower plant Squashes (Scallop Squash is the best) in hills 3 feet apart; also. Cucumbers and Muskmelons 6 feet apart; the Nutmeg and Citron Melons are very fine and the earliest ; Beech wood Melon is very superior, but a little latter. All vines are greatly benefitted by guano or poultry manure. At the same time, also, sow Okra, To- matoes and Egg Plants. Asparagus will now begin to sprout; don’t suffer any to run up to seed, but cut all down. Cabbages, which have been set out, and are start* ing to grow, should, once a week, have a v/atering of liquid manure— a shovelful of chicken manure, dissolved in 10 gallons of water, will be found an excellent fertilizer for them, All vegetables, that already have a start, should have a good hoeing by the latter part of this month. Plant a full crop of English Peas, as heretofore directed. The Orchard and Fruit Garden. If you have not finished pruning your orchard, do it at once, omitting on- ly such trees as are growing too luxuriantly to bear. Such ought not to be pruned until the leaves are pretty well sprouted. By this method, such trees will get checked and go to bearing ; should, however, this late pruning not be sufficient, give them another severe pruning in the middle of July ; that will prove satisfactory. As soon as the trees are beginning to bloom, hang a number of wide-mouthed bottles, half filled with molass- es-water, in your trees— you ^ill catch a great number of insects and thus prevent them from doing injury to your fruit. The Flower Garden. — Propagate Dahlias aa soon bb you can see the sprouts or buds ; with a sharp knife split the stem right through, leaving a piece of the stem and 66 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. one or two buds to each piece ; plant them-so deep as to be covered with at least 4 inches of soil. Tie up all your flowering plants to stakes; the v/ood of the China tree, ■when splintered out, furnishes the best and most durable stakes, where Cypress cannot be had. If annual flower seed has not been sown yet, it should be done at once. Recollect, that fine seeds will only need to be covered slightly. If covered deeply, they will not sprout. A liECTURE ON HEREDITARY BEOOD IN Man and other Mammalia ; in the University of Georgia. BY DAKIEL LEE, M.D , TERRELL PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE. Gentlemen: — No branch of natural science is less studied, or more important than that which treats of the relations known to subsist between parents and offspring. These parental relations extend as well to all cultivated and other plants, as to all domesticated and other animals. Vitality in all its manifestations, from the humblest cellu- lar plants up to the most gifted philosopher, presents no feature more uniform and striking, no law more exacting and inexorable, than that which brings death to all that live. The total extinction of all organized beings would ensue at the decease of each generation, were not ample provision made, in the great economy of an all-wise Providence, for the endless transmission of life down the line of every species by a law no less certain, no less per- vading than that of death itself. As agricultural students, you will be expected to study organized matter, not only in the double capacity of being ever-living, and yet ever-dying in each generation, but in the double endowment of possible vital changes both in form and function, either for the better, or for the worse as life advances from age to age. The laws that govern at all times these possible changes, work out slowly but securely, an improvement of Blood in one direction, as a reward for obedience to the same, and its deterioration in another direction, as the natural and inevitable punish- ment for disobedience. It some limes happens that these anatomical and physiological variations from the parent type, are so slight as to be scarcely perceptible ; and many have hastily and erroneously concluded that the blood of all human families, and of all domesticated animals, is very nearly of equal purity, and of equal value. If this conclusion be sound, and true,] and in harmony with nature, it follows that there is no essential difference be- tween healthy and diseased blood; that the vital principle in a child, able only to breathe once and die, and that in another child whose vitality lives a century — braving the heat and miasm of an hundred summers, and the no less trying cold and humidity of as many winters — are the same in parental vigor, and of the same intrinsic value. All reasoning leading to such conclusions in reference to the equal purity of hereditary blood, or equal power in any respect, is either based on wrong data, or defective in logical sequence. Nature loves diversity, loves variety. The rays of the sun are not all of one color, nor of equal force summer and winter, spring and autumn to vivify organic nature. Everything is in motion ; everything changes ; and one cannot search long for the originals of our best pears, peaches, apples and other fruits; of our common wheat, corn, oats and other cereals; of the sheep that now yield us so much valuable wool ; of the cows that supply us with milk, butter and cheese, and not be satisfied that these useful plants and animals have been changed for the better by virtue of some law inherent in their vitality, which is alike favorable and available to the industry and knowledge of man. A little more and a little deeper in- vestigation leads to the conviction that man himself pos- sesses the capacity for progressive and indefinite improve- ment in a far greater degree than any other living being. Hence, if the bud of one pear tree is worth something more than the bud of another in the way of yielding fruit in due time, then just so far as man stands above a pear tree in the ascending scale of life, must the parental blood of one child exceed in its physical and psychological develop- ments the parental blood in the veins of another child. The antecedents of different fruit trees, and of different human families having been different, the vital principle in each assumes a modified form and character. The essential superiority of the hereditary blood in one man over that in another, consists mainly of two primary elements First. That of a constitutional change for the better, over, not merely the average of the normal con- dition of the race, but above that attained by the person whose blood is brought into comparison ; so when one’s moral perceptions, reasoning powers, or muscles, have been long cultivated, under all favorable influences, in a line of progenitors, the functions, whether of mind or body so exercised, acquire peculiar strength with the in- creased growth of the organs in which they naturally ex- ist.x You see the right arm of a blacksmith, and often both arms, who commenced working at his trade early, larger and stronger than those of his brother raised as a clerk in a dry goods store, or as a book-keeper ; because the in- fluences brought to bear on these organs have been quite different. Let their sons and grand-sons follow each the occupation of his fatther, and the peculiar anatomical and physiological powers developed will be more marked in each generation. Virtues and vices run in the blood, or grow on what they feed to an equal degree. Society, however, has the power and uses it, to modify all con- sanguineous tendencies, and often b)^ its examples and education, wholly overcomes the force of parental blood and instruction. A father who was never adicted to the use of profane language, nor his father nor grand-father, may, nevertheless, see his son fall into this vicious habit by the influence of bad examples constantly set before him. Society may teach him to be a gambler, a thief, or a mur- derer, in spite of all the restraints of virtuous hereditary blood, and the best efforts of his parents ; for, as it is pos- sible for one person to learn to be honest, so it is equally possible for another to learn to be dishonest. The pos- sibility of descending never so low in vice and crime, proves nothing against the practicability of leading a strictly moral life. Every virtuous example is worth much in a community, and tends to purify the blood of the next generation. The impressions made on the living organism by things barely seen or heard are among the most durable, when circumstances favor such lasting impressions. Jacob took the sheep, goats and cattle of Laban when they were ail of one uniform color, and by availing himself of a well known physiological law, produced young stock that was all ring-streaked, speckled, and spotted. Things seen, and acting alone on the optic nerves of parents caused this result. At the seige of Landau, in 1793, there were much cannonading and the explosion of a powder magazine, which kept the women in the district in a state of con- stant alarm. According to Baron Percey, out of 92 chil- dren born within a few months in the district of the can- nonading, 16 died as soon as born ; 33 languished 8 or 10 months and then died; 8 became idiotic and died before the age of 5 years ; and two came into the world with numerous fractures of bones, caused by the explosinn. Here is an instance where 59 children were destroyed uy impressions made alone on the organs of hearing. Pr A. Combe relates a case where a healthy child was poisoned to death by drawing milk from its nurse while in a fif of violent anger. Fear, hope, disappointment, bodily pain, and many other purely mental, or physical forces affect persons of all ages, but most in the first stages of human SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 67 I existence, in a way that tells powerfully on the blood of ) the family, as well as on that of the individual. Civiliza- . tion has control of the future destiny, not only of the ; Caucasian race, but by its enterprize, knowledge, capital, ubiquitous commerce and free trade, of all the other races of the human species. 1 I come now to the consideration of the other material elements of superiority in hereditary blood. It is the fixedness, or depth, strength and durability of an advan- tage gained, no matter how, by one person or family over another person or another family. Almost every man knows from experience it is one thing to acquire property, and quite a different matter to ; be able to keep and enjoy, as a permanent estate, property already acquired. Wealth in hereditary blood is, il pos- I sible, a little more uncertain in its abiding place— a little i; less exchangeable in trade — but it is infinitely more produc- l: tive of good fruits, and useful to mankind, than any 1 physical achievements of human labor possibly can be. Washington derived from the blood, the milk, and the soul : ofhis mother, virtues and powers whose fruits are likely , to bless unborn millions in ages to come. It is from the germ cells of maternal blood that nearly all great men de- rive the primary elements of their greatness ; although the character of the vitality that passes in sperm cells from the blood of the father to his offspring, is by no means a matter of little importance. To render greatness (in the best sense of the word,) a fixed element in paren- tal blood, as it may chance to exist in either parent, so- ciety must study and master that part of human physiolo- gy which treats*" of the vitality in a family^ a race, and a species. For instance, when Capt. Cook discovered the Sundwich Islands, they contained between four and five hundred thousand native inhabitants. Since that time, from some influences, quite obvious to every student of ethnology, their numbers have steadily decreased to about sixty thousand — showing beyond doubt or dispute, that human blood may degenerate — that the vitality in a race or nation, may die as well as the vitality in an individual. To understand how to improve human blood, the first lesson to be learnt is to avoid those adverse agents and influences which deteriorate this vital fluid ; and through the poison and weakness thus disseminated and planted in every organ and function, render the body a feeble, a diseased, and a corrupt, half-living, half-dying piece of humanity. The natives of the Sandwich Islands have not avoided the poisons and degenerating influences to which allusion is made ; and all can see the consequences. The laws of nature as they affect the human constitution are the same at Honolulu as they are in New York, Paris, London a^d Vienna. Modern and ancient civilization differ only in their outward developments — not in the least in their physical character. The same vices that made the best man of his age, Noah, a drunkard, and shortened the lives of all antediluvians after Methusalah, were equally powerful in working the downfall of the great city of Babylon, whose walls were 300 feet high, 75 feet thick, and 60 miles in length ; and for ages were adored with hanging gardens that were esteemed one of the seven wonders of the world. The dilapidated walls of Ninevah are 40 miles in circumference; and those of Thebes are only little less in extent. Every distinguished ’ nation which has conquered the rest of mankind, so far as they were known, has in turn been conquered by its own internal vices; and some have been utterly extermi- nated. People who cannot govern their own passions and sensual appetites, are only a shade better than wild beasts, and must have masters, or be exterminated — by a law en- acted, not by man, but by his Maker. The Indians of North and South America have been unable to abstain from the vices of European civilization. They have had no master of superior intellect to govern and protect therm from their own natural weakenesses and propensitiea ; and the resuK is their gradual extinction on the face of the earth. With all its learning, science and advanced evilization, the French nation has found itself ir>eapable of maintaining a system of self-government, end has chosen a master to keep the people from committing sui- cide. This, however, is merely a tern poi ary expedient. It does not improve the blood of the next generation, nor satisfy the self-respect and hopes of the present. Some- thing more, and somthing better is needed than an emperor to purify the congenital blood of the French nation. Spain, Italy, the Ottoman empire, and the Mongolian race generally, are in a worse condition than the people of France. Their civilization is older in some countries, and more debased in others ; but in all evincing an unmis- takable want of healthy vitality. Protestant civilization in Great Britain, Germany and the United States is the youngest of any, and, therefore, displays more activity and vital force than is seen either in Catholic, Mohome- dan, or heathen civilization. But is it, in fact, any less in- jurious to the hereditary blood in the veins of kings, queens, lords, ladies, and merchant princes I With every desirable opportunity to diminish the vices, follies and dis- eases that weaken and pollute the blood of parents, what have the royal and aristocratic families of Protestant Eu- rope done in two centuries to purify and elevate their hereditary vitality I Why has it been necessary to resort to plebian blood to add physical and intellectual power to the oldest houses in the kingdoms'! But one answer can be given; to wit: that the same gross indulgence of ani- mal appetites and pasions which vitiates the blood of the eanibals of the Pacific islands is no less prejudicial to the blood of the most cultivated and refined of the human species. One law applies to all of woman born alike; and since the lowest and the highest strata of human society are known to be losing their constitutional energies and virility, let us enquire whether those intermediate between the extremes named, are ascending or decending in the scale of parental vitality. Has European and American civilization operated to diminish the number and general severity of human diseases of body and mind, in the last one or two centuries % No one has made an assertion to that effect. On the contrary, an increase of luxuries among farmers, mechan- ics, merchants and others, has everywhere tended to pro- duce effeminancy, or feebleness of muscle, of bone, nerve, brain, intellect, conscience, and of the higher social af- fections. Just so far, and just so fast as modern civiliza- tion extends, congenital degeneracy follows. Seeing this, some have ascribed the evil to the occasional intermarriage of first cousins ; as though the mingling of really pure blood, however nearly related, could, by possibility, pro- duce impurity. After the closest possible intermarriages for seven generations from Adam, Methusalah lived to the good old age of 969 years ; and when the great and virtuous Abraham was, by divine appointment, about to give existence to one of the most remarkable nations the world has ever known, and establish the parental blood whose vitality was to live, and did live in the veins of the Saviour of mankind, he married the daughter of his own father in preference to all other women. To assert that tne blood of the mammalia cannot be healthily propagated in the line of first cousins, is to assume that the laws of nature have materially changed since the creation of the milk-giving species, at the head of which stands our own; or to assume, against all probability, and the Mosaic account of creation, that many paas instead of one pair of each species, were formed of dust, simp- ly because the vitality of the race could not long live in a sound condition unless it ever flowed in blood not at all related ! This abiurd idea has done an infinite amount of 68 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. iarm in the human family ; and it is but a few weeks since the Legislature of Georgia passed a bill in the House of Representatives imposing pains and penalties, and cut- ting off the inheritance of issue, in case first cousins should be so vicious as to intermarry. It would show more sound sense to pass a law to hang all handsome ladies for witchcraft.' An error of this grave character must have some foundation ; let us see if we can find it, ( To be Concluded.') THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE. Editors Southern Cultivator — As the African slave trade has been mooted in the Cultivator , I hope I can have my say without being suspected of a desire for con- troversy. So far from it, I now manifest my innocence of such intention, by protesting that I not only am not an- swering anything written, but hold myself not bound to answer any thing that may be said in reply, should any one honor this communicatins with a notice. For, I have had quite too hard a struggle^ with my indolence to put down what 1 have been, sometime, wishing to say on this matter, to take a position which might require the resumption of my pen. But knowing, if it be deferred too long, politicians may take up the question, when it will be too late to hope for impartial readers. It will then, be like summoning a jury in an exciting cause. They will all have formed and expressed an opinion, or rather, the demagogues will have expressed it for them, mattering fiot whether they have formed one or no, I wish toad.Iress the readers of the because they are, generally, slave holders, and interested in the preservation of slavery, for its merits, and unwilling to hazzard it as a foot ball for political gamesters, or avari- cious smugglers. For, when the evil spirit gets into this herd of swine, it would matter not if they should run vio- lently down a steep place into the sea and perish in the water, as fools and brutes should perish, were it not, that (hey may drag the country with them. The great difficulty in forming an opinion, in this country, on the subject of slavery is, that the champions, par excellence^ of the peculiar intitution, and who take lead in the mutter, do not reason from the sound data of what will, in the end, benefit it, but what is most offensive to the abolitionists. The antagonism has been so bitter, and of such long duration, and it has become so habitual to take the other side, that the presumption is whatever is offensive to them on this subject is right, and the more offensive, the more certainly right. And this mode of reasoning being very short and more convenient than the exercii-e of dispassionate losic that looks to cause and effect, it is adopted at once, with the relishing seasoning that it spites the abolitionists. If you appeal to such men for humane legislation for the slave, he will think it “ un- sound on the slavery question,” and vvhy I not because he is cruel, but because the abolitionists preach humanity for the slave, and therefore humanity is “ unsound.” 1 recollect once, during great excitement on this subject, being present with an old friend at a public sale of slaves by an administrator. My friend was a large slave holder, and one of the peculiar guardians of the insiitution, and whose friendship I should have been afraid of losing, if I liad proposed legislation to prevent an abuse we witness- ed at the sale ; certainly been charged as not being “sound on the slavery question.” I am proud to say this abuse has since been corrected through the influence of a former Senator from this county. The administrator had put up a woman, mother of a large family of children, and sold her, and then put up the older children, and was coming regularly down the steps, too low for humanity, (the crowd, no doubt, being oppressed between the appeals of humanity and the fear of the suspicion of “ unsoundness”) when honest human nature parted the lips of one of the bystanders with the exclamation of shame ! shame! Then my old friend, whose heart was in the right place, though there was no place for logic in his head, was the loudest in condemnation of the abashed administrator. These champions may be just men, feeling the sacred- ness of good faith, and appreciating the rights of property and every other right except one; even magnanimouc and kind hearted. But there are a few scattered free ne- groes in our State who hold their freedom by as sacred a title as any of us hold our lands and slaves, given to them by kind and grateful masters, under the law, as valid as that which authorises the grants to our homes. And though you may trust the reverence of these “ sound men” for justice in every thing else, yet they would be willing to cheat these “ poor devills” indirectly, or rob them directly of their freedom. Not because they can show it to be just, or right, but it has the crown- ing recommendation of being offensive to the abolitionists, and proves the “ soundness” of the advocate on “ the slavery question.” It is immaterial to my argument whether the negro would be better off without his free- dom 1 for laying aside justice, many white men would be better off to deprive them of so useless an incumbrance as freedom. I only give these cases — as I could give a hundred others — to expose the folly, not to say wicked- ness, of the peculiarly “ sound men.” Some of them, I have no doubt, are the legitimate descendants of the old tory — not intimating they inherit the toryism — of whom Judge Crawford used to tell us : who being arrested in Columbia county, directly after the revolutionary war, was undergoin_g trial before Judge Lynch, and who plead, in his defence, that the war being ended, and the con- test over, it was then not only unjust but useless to shed blood, in mere wantonness and revenge. The whigs re- plied that so much blood having been shed during the war, the must have more blood in return. Why, replied the tory, triumphantly, at the happy idea of solving the difficulty that would save his life, why then not kill a negro, if blood is what you want, and then you can get as much as you wish. We read in the French revolution, how during the Sep- tember massacre, M. de Sombreuiel being about to be executed as an aristocrat, and his daughter clinging about his neck protesting he was not, was given the blood of aristocrats to drink, to prove her “ soundness” on the jacobin question; she drank, was pronounced “ sound” and for that time saved the life of her father. So, if our “ sound memon the slavery question” should take it into their heads that eating a “ nigger” would be peculiarly offensive to the abolitionists, we might expect, in addition to the oath that is required, to see at the balj^t box, a tray full of stewed “ nigger,” to be taken as a test of the “soundness” of voters i and like Sidney Smith’s cold missionary, to be taken without mustard or vinegar. When a candidate, to manifest that he is “dyed in the wool,” and ravenously “ sound” beyond dispute, to re- commend himself to the voters, will be s^en carrying about a shin bone, gnawing it as a relish; and will es- chew pig tail tobacco, substituting nigger heel for a cud in its stead. I have made these preliminary remarks, with the hope of inducing the leader to examine it, as any other ques- tion, upon its merits, and its merits alone, and should conclude them here, but, though I have not much rtspect for the old judge who tried the tory in Columbia ci unty, yet having a wholesome terror of rails, feather beds, tar barrels and such like horrid instruments of toriu.t , and having shown some of the weak points of the “ sound slavery men,” now to manifest my own “soundness,” I must allude to one of those of the “sound” anti-slavery men. As I am addressing slavery men, I take the one pertinent to my case, and hope I shall be excused from SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 6S being cited cited before judge Lynch, if I omit the sins of deeper die, being not material, in as much as my argu- ment is not for them. By their annoying interference with our rights, they have p ovoked the extreme slavery " soundness” above eompLined of, and so much to the injury of the slave. Besides the many other cases that could be given, to prove the injury they have done, the one under discussion is as strong as any. When our people were Jet alone, they abolished the African sLve trade, years before the time limited by the constitution of the United States when Congress was allowed to do it. And but for their driving some of our people into extreme “soundness,” no one in, the South would now be advocat- ing the measure. For, when left to view the measure on its merits, our people were ahead of many at the North in its abolition. It is consoling to reflect, that while the abolitionists have done this evil, they have un- wittingly strengthened slavery in the States. For, I think it plain that several of the border slave, would have been free States, but for abolition thefts and other intermedling with slaves. They have provoked examination of the question, to the strengthening of the institution at home and abroad, and which has result^’d in arguments scrip- tural, moral and political in favor of the institution that otherwise would have lain dormant. If time and space would permit, many pages could be filled with the evi- dence. During this century, speeches and compositions in the schools were commori in condemnation of slavery It is within the memory of men now living, that July toasts were given by slave holders in favor of the free- dom of the slave, and at the Court Houses of the strongest slave counties &c. &c. But a few years ago, the Missouri compromise was almost universally acquiesced in if not approved, but it has fallen before the arguments provoked by the abolitionists. Thus have devils been cast out through the prince of devils. The leading reason given for the introduction of wild Africans is, the want of labor in the slave States. But a greater want, and which their introduction would aggra- vate— is plenty of rich, good, cheap, land. It won’t do to say that they are required to improve the land. We have experience to prove they do the contrary. Negroe were introduced into Wilkes county from Virginia, but instead ofimproving, they wore out and exhausted the soil, and went first to the Uen new counties between the Oc- mulgce and Oconee, wore out and exhausted those; were then carried to Alabama and Mississippi, and have nearly w’orn out those States, and now are ready to wear out the Mississippi bottom, if it can be done — Arkansas, Texas and all other slave soil in creation. It is folly to say what men ought to do for the good of the country : they vnlL do that which is for their present benefit, as regardless of the country as if it were anybody else’s country. We, sometimes, wonder how we got along in the world when there were no rail roads, steam- boats and the thousand othe-- labor saving machines, that this age is heir to. When coffee was from twenty five to fifty cents per pound, common calico one dollar a yard, salt at two dollars a bushel, and every thing else in pro proportion. The solution is that there was plenty of •heap fresh land, on which the men only could make an abundance of every thing to eat and take holiday every Saturday besides. And all the women, black and white, remained in the house engaged in domestic manufactures. We are often cited to the many crowded villages and towns as the evidence of the prosperity of a country. Perhaps the country as distinguished from the people may be prosperous. But I prefer a prosperous, happy people, let the country show as it may. Whenever there is population sufficient to support rail roads, and such like conveniences, and maintain the independence of the country, we have enough. And thanks to the fruitfulness of our women, white' and black, (ex- cuse me for not saying ladies, as the fashion is,) we are likely to have enough home-made folks, without encour- aging the introduction of any more outlandish people, whiir or black. It is enough to take crae of those we have. Having lost Kansas, we cannot hope to have any nioie slave territory, utiJ we hardly 'have room now for our own home made negroes. The slave holder must have land in abundance. We know that from experience. Confine him to small territory and he is but the keeper of a poor house, but with his broad acres he is as inde- pendant as a feudal lord, and quite as respectable, if he could appreciate his position. But 1 forget, this is advo- cating aristocracy, for wealth is aristocracy accord- ing to those who obtain the sweet voices of the sovereign people. If you have property and wish to be a favorite of legislation get rid of it, become a vagabond, a supporter of grog shops, and your great merit and worthiness will be discovered t hrough your rags, which your decent clothing concealed. Above all, become criminal, and then your advantages will fol- low you to the courts; you will then have more challenges of jurors than the State on your trial. If the judge com- mit any error for you, you can carry the case to the supreme court, but if against you the error cannot be reversed — with many other advantages too tedious to mention. Then, if the advantages of room are to avail in the argument, it must be shown to benefit the poor man. We all know, through newspapers, and other sources, what abject creatures the poor in over-populated countries are, but your poor man with, room a plenty, is an enviable piece of fuzzy headed humanity. He can, after whetting his appetite with a bottle of strychnine whiskey, with a stomach that grinds like a corn and cob crusher, take his wheelbarrow of provender, washing it down with a gourd of milk, or skillet of sassafras tea sweetened with molas- ses, without a grunt, and sleep it off like a negro, breath- ing like a blacksmith’s bellows, with a chorus of steam engine snores, waking in the morning, not only without a head ache, but even a yawn. And after he rises, blow- ing on the frosty air a current of vapor from his lungs equal to a tar kiln. And if the precipitated strychnine should kill young chickens in the yard, and the heat of the current thaw the frost and snow like t he escape steam from the cylinder cock of an engine, yet there is room for him to snort, and, thanks to space, room to dodge the sirocco too. If he were to hear of the price of coals he would think you meant common charcoal. And as for water, he has a branch full at the back of his lot for nothing, but for which he has not much use, except to cool the strychnine in his stomach, and cook his dinner. He holds washing one’s face, for pride and putting on airs, and would never be guilty of such dandyism, except to make a blaze on his Irontispiece through the soot and lightwood smoke, to show, that if not exactly a white man, he is not a nigger. Though it might take half a day’s parboiling to loosen the scales on his hide, still, they are made of smoke and out door dirt, quite innocent compared to the mange of poor houses and hospitals. If I am to be governed by the legislation of sovereign san- culotts, let it be of such butt cuts rather than the spur ends of creation. Not counting the whites, twenty-five years will double our home-made negroes, and have exhausted mor^thac half the land now in cultivation. I'hen it will bedifficult for many masters to support their poor dependants. And ip. the lifetime of the child now born, it will be as difficult to get a ten acre patch, as a cotton plantaiion now. I have thought if providenre ever desigiied that slavery in our country should become extinct, this crowding the coun- try would be one of the two ways by which it is to be 70 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. brought about. In 50, or 100 years, masters may be moving them to Mexico, Central and South America to t>e relieved of the responsibility of maintaining them. Who now, in any of the countries of Europe or Asia, would, for their labor, take one hundred men, women and children, and be responsible for their support, as we are for our slaves 'I But how will the poor get homes, when land is scarce and labor so low 1 We all know that the slaveholder is able to, and does, seize all the best land now. It is mu^h more important to have a home than a wild African. Statesmanship looks to the future, as well as the pre sent. But we would be injured as fast as the Africans could be introduced. The first effect would be to bring down the price of cotton. Some assert the paradox that increase in the supply does not effect the price of cotton, because, accidentally, and from extraneous causes, prices have sometimes ruled hi^h on a large crop. But I do not know that we need lay the reason for it to accident, for a high price may rule when a large crop in coming forward, consistently with orthodox political economy. Cotton so large an article of commerce that the effect of supply may not, and I apprehend is not, felt under a year, or perhapslonger, after it is made. By the time the crop is be- ing moved to the interior towns, then to the sea ports, then to Liverpool, then to the factories, then into the hands of those who give orders, then to the sea ports of the con- suming world, then to the interior towns, and then, by the thousand rills of conveyance, to the retailers, and then finally, to the consumer, I apprehend, quite a year will have elapsed. But we have not computed all the time, for it will take some time for the retailer to know that the consumer is over supplied, by his refusing to buy, and this knowledge, which will make what is called the reac- tion, will take, perhaps, as long in travelling from the consumer to the gin house, as the cotton was in taking the track that I have so tediously gone through, So the short crop of last year and year before, may now be sustaining the price of the present large crop, by furnishing the spinner with the orders now in Manches- ter. And on the other hand, by the time the present large crop shall have taken the route I have just indicated, and have reacted back on Manchester by a scarcity of orders, a short crop may be coming forward, for sale at low prices ; because the spindles cannot go without or- ders, and the orders cannot be had because the consumer will be wearing goods made of the present large crop. Let no man flatter himself that the inexorable laws of political economy are different with cotton from any other article of consumption. So that increase of labor will bring increase of crop, and in the long run a reduction in price, as certainly as any cause in nature will bring its legitimate results. Hast thou found honey 'I eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. It is said of Alfierri, “ that he thought Italy and England the only countries worth living in; the former because there nature vindicates her rights, and triumphs over the evils inflicted by government; the latter, because art conquers nature, and transforms a rude, ungenial land into a paradise of comfort and plenty.” But in our slave States both these advantages are com- bined, and will improve if we will let well enough alone, I have been hearing, for half a century, of the good time that was coming, but it never arrived till the year 1858. Abundant crops; cotton, and every thing that makes cotton high, and every thing else low ; and the crowning advantage is the State has been during the year without barbecues, speeches, or elections. Can the man who calculates the eclipses tell us when such a year will come again? I have often thought of the application to our case of an anecdote I once heard from my friend Gen, H. He resided in the same tov/n with Judge C,, both of whose doors, it would seem, had for years been “ham- mering places” for petty collecting agents and ministerial officers of the courts. Judge C., finally took refuge upon one of the islands on the coast by marrying a rich widow, who resided there. Coming to the town after the honey- moon, and meeting his old and persecuted friend, Gen. H , and who looked as ifhe needed sacutuary, invited him to the island; telling him that he could read when he chose, sleep when he wished, hunt when he desired, and not a d d constable on the island. Now, when my eyes have been swimming with pleasure at viewing the gushing abundance of our harvests, knowing their high value, and the general prosperity and health of our people, 1 my heart has overflowed with gratitude ; but when the crowning blessing of the year, that there was not a candidate in the country, if in the State, suggested itself, I have felt the unutterable joy of Judge C., at the absence of constables fr©m his Eibn. Now, Messrs. Edi- tors, open the African slave trade, and there will be an end to this prosperity. The price of cotton, and of our slaves will come down, and the abundance of money which has kept our people’s property off the sheriff’s block will disappear and go to the Northern shipper for slaves. And, as an additional argument to the “ sound men on the slavery question,” the Northern people will receive immense benefit in having our cotton at four and five to cents to make red handkerchiefs, to supply us with slaves for our hard dollars. The Northern shipper and manu- facturer are aware of all this ; for they are as sharp in discovering their interest as modern chivalry is, as to how and when the greatest amount of bullying can be enjoyed with the least possible risk of danger. But they are controled now by the “sound” anti-slavery men, who in their madness and folly are as incompetent to reason correctly on the subject as their prototypes of the South. They are wiser in their own conceit than seven men that can give a reason. To a humane and Christian people it is pleasant to feel that slaves are humanely treated, for the greater their value the greater the security for the exercise of humani- ty. At their present prices is it economy to take good care of them, if other motives than humanity are wanting for their protection. But let them be reduced to one-fourth of their present value, and it is not to be feared that many owners would work one to death to buy two more 1 Many men. North, have manfully stood by our rights, and I can well appreciate the difficulties they must have encountered in such a contest in supporting the right, in the face of these “sound” anti-slavery foes. But we cannot expect, if they have the African slave trade to shoulder, but that the camel’s back will be broken. The advocacy of the African slave trade by the South will most certainly put the abolitionists into power in the Union, and if we have any friends there who can stand this test, why then we may try the eating ordeal ; for then they can swallow that too, and live and conquer. But, if the trade is to be opened, let it be done accord- ing to law. For, if the country is to be ruined let it be ruined according to law, and not give all the advantage to smugglers who will make immense fortunes at other men’s expense. At the present prices of slaves, without great vigilance by land aud water, they will be smuggled, in defiance of law. Open the trade at once fairly, so as to give us all a chance, or close it effectually. If fortunes are to be made, there is no reason why a preference should be allowed to law breakers. Why, Messrs. Editors, if labor is so important now, might we not introduce coolies ? I ask the question, be- cause I do not feel sufficiently informed to answer it. But it seems to me that if the Spaniards, French and English find them profitable, we can make them so ; for I w'ould rely on the energy of Southern planters making more out SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 71 of any kind of labor than others have made or ever will make. And then, by the terms of contract, they could be returned to their own country, relieving us and our land, from the responsibility of sn^iporting them and their posterity forever. Well, now, gentlemen, to be dune with niggers; for, like myself, 1 presume, you ore as tired of the. subject as John Randolph was of the tariff, when he said he would walk a mile to kick a sheep, let U' have a little talk that concerns ourselves only. I know it has no connection with the rest of my communication, but if 1 do not out with it now, while I am down with my pen, I don’t know when I shall have resolution to resume it again. I have a complaint against you in this wise. Though it may be vanity in me to say so, who should not say it, yet with all becoming modesty I am compelled to vaunt my own virtue. I am proud to say, that I am not only an old fogy, but the oldest of old fogies, a hard-shell old fogy. I believe in the Bible, the Union, home made ne- groes, hanging murderers, shooting fillibusters, in young folks dancing and old folks looking at them too ; in egg- nogg, holly and misletoe and old Santa Claus at Cfirist- mas times; and in a clean shaved face at all times. And gentlemen, before I was seduced and instigated by the devil to take the Southern Cultivator, I would have turned my back on no man for soundness on the fogy question. And, thank a fast anchor, I am yet sound enough to com- miserate the fallen condition of young America ; for I still knoio he is a fool whatever the puppy may think of me. But the sin of your CvllivoAor is that it has got me to suspect there is a sort of intermediate condition, a sort of purgatory, a lucid place between the “sound” slavery and the “sound” anti-slavery man, that it is worth a man’s while to ex- amine, to see if it is not only a habitable, but good country. Indeed, I fear I am falling from the grace of old fogyism. It is a very perplexing, nay, painful con- dition. Like a man sick with a disease which permits him, occasionally, to be tantalized with the hope of re- covery. Like the weak brother in the church who finds 'himself, on trying occasions, yielding to the tempter. And what, perhaps, is more appropriate, like the lunatic with his lucid intervals 'I Have you never thought of the horror of such an existence as that of George the third, who lived through years of alternate spells of insanity and lucid intervals. How in those 'lucid intervals he must have suffered from apprehensions of a recurrence of his malady 1 Would it not be better, therefore, to be taken off by a stroke of lightning, than a lingering con- sumption 7 to fall into the arms of the devil at once, and enjoy all his gross sensualities in deep, hardened and oblivious vice, than to fight him at arm’s length for years and be conquered at last 7 To sink into the permanent forgetfulness of continued insanity than be tortured with fitful lunacy 1 To give up at once to the pleasing delu- sions of book farming than to take it by paroxysms, sub- ject to be rebuked by fogyism in my lucid intervals 1 I once knew a rollicking young debauchee who very much hated a distant relation, and who every time he had com- mitted an act that met his self-condemnation, would ex- claim “that drop of D blood in my veins will hang me at last in spite of all I can do.” Now, whenever, I attempt, unsuccessfully, some suggestion I see in your paper, old fogyism exclaims that the Cultivator will ruin me in spite of all its admonitions. If the attempt seems to succeed, old fogy shakes his conservative head and says it is the nature of insanity to be pleased and captivated with the kink that has confused the poor muddled brain. And the cunning wizzard has so fascinated me, that I can- not break with it; for let me at the end of the year, re- solve to save my peace and my dollar too, the result turns out as all reason does against inclination. And like the poor habitual drunkard who stands with eyes on the rosy god and his hand in his pocket holding his last dime trying to reason his clutched fist to stay there, out will it corns with the dime on the counter, with “d d the odds, plenty of money and no heirs, give us a drink.” xAnd so, let old fogy reason as persuasively as he can^. about l)ook forming and my dollar, when the time comes roiind for the January number, and I see the contents noticed in the ('kronicte. ant Sentinel, down goes the' dollar for the Cultivator ^ot another year. Thus, year by year, ever since its publication, have you robbed my pocket and crazed my head with your book farming. That is not all, lur so great is its witchery that I can’t re- sist the temptation to seize it first, out of the pile, when my post office bag is opened. So, il I am ruined by book farming, and life and my senses are spared me, you shall have one ^more letter from me, on God'‘s revenue against taking the Southern Cultivator ; in which 1 will give my own case as the text, and though you may not dread its severity, yet I think I will have my revenge when I tell you I will bore you with one as long as this. In accordance with what I have recommended to your correspondents in a former communication, I subscribe ray own proper name. Garnett Andrews. Washington, Ga., 1859. ♦ ^ » NECESSITY OF MANURES. While soils remain covered by unbroken forests, they not only retain their fertility, but actually grow richer and richer from year to year, notwithstanding the vast amount of nutritive matter annually absorbed the roots of the growing trees. Everything thus taken from them is ultimately returned with interest. The leaves and bro- ken twigs, and eventually the branches, trunk and roots, in their decay, give back not only what they receive from the soil, but much in addition, that they have elaborated from the atmosphere. We receive from the hands of na- ture no worn-out lands ; but her system of tillage is very different from ours. The productive power of soils subjected to cultivation is gradually exhausted by the process. Some of the allu- vial lands of Virginia produced large annual crops of corn and tobacco for more than a century, without any return being made to them for the elements of fertility abstrac- ted ; but these lands are now nearly valueless. The sec- ondary “bottoms” of the Sciota and Miami may not at- tain an apparently diminished fertility for a still lon- ger period, but they must ultimately fail, and unless a system of cultivation radically different from that now pursued be adopted, become like the worn-out lands of some of the older portions of the country. Reliable sta- tistical tables prove beyond a doubt that, notwithstand- isg our improved farm implements and superior methods of cultivation, the average yield, per acre of the cultiva- ted lands of the State of New York, has decreased con- siderably since 1844, when the records on which these tables are founded were commenced. In corn the de- crease was nearly four bushels per acre ; in wheat near- ly two bushels; and in potatoes, partly owing to the lot, no doubt, twenty-two and a half bushels. The falling off would have been still greater had not deeper tillage and better husbandry furnished a partial oflTsel to the decreas- ed fertility of the soi. These are instructive facts, and should cause the farmer to pause and reflect. The fruitfulness of a soil is decreased or increased accord- ing to inexorable laws With each crop that is taken- from a plot of ground a greater or less amount of each of the elements of fertility — silex, poiash, lime, soda, mag- nesia, chlorine, etc., — is necessarily removed. Another portion is lost in the process of cultivation independently of what is taken up by the plants. Continue this process- 1% SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. year after year, and what must be the result'? Ultimate barrenness, of course. There is no remedy but to sup- ply in the form of manures what is thus taken away. The farmer must feed the land which feeds him and so many others, or in the end all must starve together. In !be older portions of our country at least, the time has ^me when the importance of manuring should be more &jlly appreciated. — The Farm. The above article is timely, and contains truths oft re- peated, and not sufficiently heeded by cultivators, but at the same lime some of the inferences are erroneous. The opening of the article infers that soils in woods grow jicher oy the additions added to them from the decay of the current growth. This of course is true so far as addi- donal organic matter, or that solidified from the atmos- phere by the growing forest, as carbon, &c., is returned io the soil; but it is not true that any new portions of the more valuable inorganic matters are added. The greater sause of improvement is from the fact that the portions taken from the soil, and which would develop themselves as ashes if the woods were burned, are progr£ssed or ren- dered capable of feeding a higher class of plants by each appropriation in organic life. The quality, and not the , quantity, is improved, and it is for this reason mainly that old forest lands, when cleared, are found to be pro- ductive, and particularly when the forests are burned in place. In such case, all the alkalies and other inorganic constituents of the trees are not only restored to the soil in an improved condition for re-assimilation, but they also decompose the leaves and other organic matter in the soil, and thus cause them in turn to give up their progress- sd mineral constituents. In the last paragraph the writer says ; “With each crop that is taken from a plot of ground a greater or less amount of each of the elements of fertility — silex, potash, lime, soda, &c., — is necessarily removed.” Now all this is tru^ and particularly in shallow plowed soils, but the inference of the total removal of these inorganic constitu- ents from the soil is certainly erroneous, as in most soils the same ingredients continue a depth of many feet, if not all the way to the earth’s center. But unless the soil be deeply plowed, and for a considerable time, it is true that progressed portions, ox those which have occupied or- •ganic life before, may be removed so as to leave the un- progressed portions only, which cannot be assimilated by crops of a higher order, and hence the necessity for manures as well as for deep plowing, so that atmospheric and other influences may progress new quantities of the constituents of the soil so as to replace those removed by crops. Manures simply supply progressed constituents Tsrhen placed in soils made up of un progressed constitu- ents, and thus supply the current wants of a crop until na- •'Ure’s laws can progress new quantities from the soils fhemselves. These processes go on most rapidly in un- der-drained and sub-soiled lands. — Working Farmer. SOURCES AND QUAEITIES OF HONEY. Editors Southern Cultivator. — One intelligent man, hy promulgating a few errors over his own name, can do isaore harm to the cause of truth than all the old believers m death-watches and ear-wigs put together. For this reason, men should be cautious, and not essay to establish a great truth, until they are certain they can support ^eir theories by sound philosophical reasoning. I have Ibeea led to this train of reflection from reading an article ia the Dec. Number of the Medical Journal, “ on the resources and qualities of honey, by Dr. Baker, of Eufala, .Alabama.” The Dr., sets out, as he intimates, “ to combat the erroneous, yet almosr universal impression that bees “ extracF honey from flowers, and that as some blooms possess poisonous properties, the honey extracted from them must, of necessity, be more or less deleteriourfy impregnated,” The article is intended as a partial reply to a short one of mine, written for the same Journal ; and in which I assumed the position, that the notion that honey is ever poisonous, is nothing more nor less than a popular error — and I am of the same opinion still. In the examination of Dr. Baker’s communication, I shall in the first place notice the first branch of the subject, viz . the resources of honey, and that I may do the Dr. fafl justice I will quote all he says upon it : “About the middle of June, 1850, 1 was at an old hun- ter’s house, in South-Western Georgia, preparatory te starting with him on a deer drive. This man was a great lover and minute observer of Nature ; in his yard there was a great number of bee-hives, and he sold the honey in large quantities to the neighboring villagers. While at his house, I heard him complaining that there was a honey famine — that the hives were all ready for its recep- tion, but that they were utterly destitute of honey, and that the bees would soon starve. I asked him, how such could be the case, when it was then the middle of June, and the country full of flowers, and why the bees did not col- lect it'? 'To my great surprise, he replied, that bees did not get honey from flowers, but that it “ fell Irom the clouds.” I was amused at the idea, but, of course, wholly sceptical concerning it. He, nevertheless, assured me of its correctness ; and to my question, why did we always find bees at work upon flowers '? — he answered that, they were gathering pollen, from which they made bee-bread for their young, and that they were also collecting mate- rials for forming the honey-comb and arranging the cells, — to convince me, he exhibited to me a hive, where, sure enough, existed the comb, cells, and all else, perfectly prepared, yet not a particle of new honey, and the old supply nearly exhausted. There was prevailing at the time a severe and protracted drought. Of course I had to believe what I saw, but was still an unbeliever as to the “ honey falling from the clouds.” “The evening of the same day, we went fifteen miles in- to the wild woods, where our hunting party camped, far away from any dwelling. The Old Hunter and I slept under two beautiful young hickory trees, and at dawn the next m.orning he roused me up, exclaiming, with great enthusiasm, “ the honey dew has fallen ! — get up, you unbelieving Thomas, and and see for yourself.” Upon rising, the first thing that attracted my attention was the buzzing of bees, and on looking up to the top of the hickory trees, I saw myriads of them working, and coming and going ; the limbs of the trees grew low to the ground, and upon its being pointed out, my astonished eyes beheld, for the first time, the “honey dew,” on the leaves,_and occasionally actually roping down and drop- ping from the pendant points of the smooth leaves; I tasted it frequently, and at once recognized the peculiar flavor of the common honey. I saw, and felt, and tasted it, and my mind was convinced by these means, which God had given, to lead it to correct conclusions.” I would not make the Dr. answerable for the errors of his friend, the old hunter ; but I do assure him that bees never starve, so long as the weather will permit thena to go out ; of this fact, he can satisfy himself by a little con- sultation with his bee-keeping friends. The only instance in which T have known them to starve, occurred with me last year — I had two swarms to issue on the first of April. The weather continuing very fair for a few days A«y SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. in worked on beautifully, but a sudden change to severe eold taking place, in consequence they could not leave their htves to procure nourishment, and I lost both. Now the idea that the sole dependence of the honey bee is upon the honey dew, is pretty enough as a poetical thought and may be true as far as the bird of paridise is concerned; but lam sure will not stand the touchstone of reason when you come to apply it the bee. That bees do gather from the honey dew has never been denied, but that they resort to this for their entire supply I do deny, and 1 will add, that the man who can establish the re- verse will immortalise his name. Tn regard to the point that bees visit flowers for the only purposes cited by the old hunter, the Dr. can again satisfy himself, in a very short time, that bis old friend is in error. If he will take his stand at a peach tree, or any shrub producing flowers that bees approve, there he will see some of the bees leaving the tree laden with their cargo of pollen, carefully packed in the cavities of their thighs, while others, dilligent workers, too, will leave with nothing visible. The question, then, is, what have these last carried home? If not pollen, the conclusion is irresistable that it was honey, the identical substance that humming birds, butterflies, and a thousand other insects gather from flowers; for, I presume, it will not be con- tended that they are gathering material for bee bread and honey-comb. Again, if the Dr. will confine a swarm of bees in a room, and supply them with syrup, made of sugar, they will thrive— -another fact going to prove that honey dew is not the only substance that bees can live on. I have frequently saved my bees, when the winter has been very severe, by feeding them on this syrup. I might call the Dr’s, attention to the swarms of bees found about the sugar hogsheads, soda fountains, confectiona- ries, &c , in our cities, and ask him to account for their presence. Would he answer, in the language of the old hunter, that they were collecting materials for forming honey-comb I The Dr. must know that bees gather nothing but pollen and honey, the first is always placed in the cavities of the legs, and never taken in the stom- ach ; it is the food of the larvae, and does not enter into the composition of wax. Pure wax is always white, whereas pollen is of different colors. If the Dr. desires to gee wax in its purity, let him examine a piece of comb just formed. When honey-comb is immersed in boiling water, to extract the wax, it is the pollen that imparts to it a yellow hue, but I repeat again, that bees do not use it in comb building. For full information on this and all kindred topics, I would refer him to Miner’s work on the honey bee. To make the question more interesting I propose to add a little more on the question of honey dew. What is honey dew I I presume the Dr. is aware that there exists a great diversity among naturalists on this question. Dr. Good describes it as “ peculiar haze or mist loaded with a poisonous miasm, that stimulates the hop to the morbid secretion of a saccharine and viscid juice” — Linneus ascribes the honey dew on the hop leaves to the catapiller of the ghost moth, {Hepinlus humuli) attacking the roots — Dr. Withering was of the same opinion. Mr. John Murray ascribes it to an electric change in the air — last Summer,” he says, “ we inves- tigated the phenomenon with great care : the weather had been parched and sultry for some weeks pre- vious, and the honey dew prevailed to such an extent, that the leaves of the currant, raspberry, &c., in the gar- dens literally distilled from their lips a clear limpid honey dew, excreted from the plant.” Mr. Ducarne, a for- eign naturalist, thus speaks ; ‘'You know what honey is, which the bees cffllect with so much ardor from flowers, but you do not, perhaps, know that there are two kinds; one, which is real honey, being a juice of the earth. which proceeding from the plants by transpiration, col- lects at the bottom of the calyx of the flowers, and thickene afterwards; it is, in other words, a digested and refined sap in the tubes of plants — the other, which is called the honey dew, is an effect of air, or a species of gluey deWj which falls earlier or later, but in general a little before and during the dog days.” “ 1 have long adhered to the opinion,” says Mr. Knight, that the honey dew deposited on the leaves of the trees, was only an exudation, &e.” Miner, than whom a better aparian never lived, says: “ It is my opinion that no honey dew ever existed that was not an exudation from the leaves of the tree.” I coincide in opinion with the last mentioned author; and if Dr. Baker had allowed his skepticism to have abided with him a little longer, he might have satisfied himself there, on the ground, that if his old friend, the hunter, was not laboring under delusion, he could, at least, have found good reasons to suspect it. The Dr. had been in- formed by the old hunter, that honey dew felt from the clouds.^' If the Dr. had examined the surrounding trees, the rocks and leaves on the earth, he would have seen nc honey dew, a conclusive evidence that it did not fall, for if it had, its appearance would have been general. But the Dr. says : “ The same evening we returned to his house, and at day light the next morning we went int© the yard, and the smooth-leaved black gums presented the same, appearance as did the hickories in the woods on the previous morning.” I would inform the Dr. that honey dew invariably makes its appearance on trees of the smooth leaf kind ; but whether it does or not, he may rest assured that bees will not refuse to use it let them find it where they will; therefore the old hunter gave incor- rect information when he states that they will not gather from any other than smooth leaves. I will call the Dr.’s attention to one important fact, and then leave the matter with him, and it is this : that honey gathered in regions where the white clover abounds is very different from that collected in the neighborhood of the buckwheat, the first being much whiter and of a purer quality than the last. We are also informed “ that the Sicilian honey seems to be particularly high flavored, and, in some parts of the Island, even to surpass that of the Minorca, which, no doubt, is owing to the quality of aromatic plants with which that country is overspread.” All this must be either true or false, and that it is true the Dr. can be easily convinced if he desire; and then it will devolve upon him to prove that honey dew is not identical in all latitudes, failing to do which he must ac- knowledge that bees do gather honey from flowers. On the second branch of the subject, viz : the qualities of honey, I shall have but little to say; while I regret that I cannot concur with Dr. Baker in his theory of the sources of honey, I cannot withhold the expression of the pride I feel in having the aid of one so intelligent as he in combatting the absurd notion that honey possesses poisonous properties. I am not one to make up an opin- ion upon, an “ it is said'^ argument— I must have reason- ing, facts, indubitable facts, before I can yield acqui- escence, believing that “ it is better when we are ignorant to say so, rather than to retard the progress of inquiry by inventing baseless hypotheses that explain nothing.” I have said that I do not believe honey to be ever poison- ous, because I have, and can find no proof that it is so; I have said that even admitting the nectar of some flowers to be poisonous, it does not follow that honey may be so, because the bee has too much sagacity to gather it. In this opinion I am sustained by Dr. Darwin, who says “ that bees are well aware of the sorts of honey that would in- jure themselves and will not therefore touch it,” though my friend. Dr. Campbell says, “the instinct of the bee may, in most insta'^ces, preserve him and his race from the toxic effects of the deleterious properties of flowers- •74 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR and yet, what’^has served as his nutriment may be, for man, a most destructive poison." It may be so; but as I am not physiologist enough to determine the question, I must be content with the remark, that it seems strange that that which n )urishes a bee may destroy the life of a man ! “With respect to poisonous honey,” says a writer, “the oarliest notice of it we have met with is given by Xeno- phon who tells us that, during the memorable retreat of the ten thousand Greeks from Persia, the soldiers coming to a place near Trebizonde, where there was a great number of bee hives, sucked some of the combs, and in conse- quence become intoxicated, and were seized with virulent cholera morbus.” The historian does not tell whether the whole, or what proportion of the ten thousand, were made intoxicated, if the whole, it establishes the fact, that honey is no drug in Persia, and if a part only, may they not have become sick from eating too much, as some men are apt to do when the oyster season commences 1 Or if old peach" in vogue in that day, I would believe, like Dr. Baker, that an undue quantity had been mixed with their honey. In conclusion, I have to say that I think it more than likely that Dr. Baker is correct in his conclusions, that the causes of sickness from eating honey is to be traced to other sources than to the honey itself; and that if those who make the assertion would take more than a superfi- cial view, perhaps they would be of his opinion. A glass of milk is quite an innocent thing, but a small quantity of strychnine or arsenic put in it would change its charac- ter, but that ought not to justify us in pronouncing milk poisonous ; so if a person eat honey, and in so doing take with it a bee sting, or some other unwholesome thing, why should we speak of the deleterious effects of honey I especially v/hen we know ten to eat of it without any injurious effects where one suffers. I could add much more to this, to me, interesting question, but am fearful of weary- ing the patience of the kind reader; hoping he will pardon my uninteresting style, I am Respectfully, Augusta, Geo., Jan , 1859, V. LaTaste. BANGER — AND HOW TO PREVENT IT. Editors Southern Cultivator. — There are many things, seemingly trivial, and hardly deserving the at- tention of the printer, that nevertheless, may be import- ant to the farmer. I give you several of them, which you can either spread before the votaries of the plow, or con- sign to the receptacle of trash, as you think best. 1. Plowmen riding horses or mules with the gear on, not unfrequcntly are thrown down, and becoming en- tangled in the traces (sometimes used as stirrups) are dragged^to death, even by gentle animals. The remedy, (which has saved the life of at least one plow hand on my form) is, always to untie the hamestring before mounting 2. To protect against fire, let the little negroes be dress- ed in woolens throughout the winter, clothing them thus, before the field hands, and when fires are first needed in full. Impress on the minds of all, large and small, field and house servants, the importance of not running if they catch a-fire, otherwise nine-tenths will run. 1 often cate- chise them pleasantly, especially when they are clearing up, and burning brush &c., in the Spring, a time of dan- ger, and the more so, as women, girls and small boys are usua’Iy detailed for that work; I proceed something after this fashion : What will you do if you catch a-fire 1 will you run 1 No, Sir. What then 1 1 11 fall downsand roll over and keep a rolling. Why I Because that is the best way to put out the fire until help comes, and running will make it burn faster. Is that all I No, Sir. If we lie down and roll over fast, we only get burnt a little on the legs, and perhaps not at all, but if we stand up, or run, we may breathe the blaze, and they say that will kill, or get burnt all over, and that is certain death. Char- ley a boy of five or six years, had the lesson so well by heart, that he ran to the rescue of a blazing child of two years, threw it down and rolled so energetically, that when the frightened mother arrived, the blaze was ex- tinguished and the child suffered from only a small blister or two. In short, this course, under Providence, has saved a large family for many years, from and serious burn. 3. What avast number of recipes are found in print for scratches in horses. Only one is necessary, here it is. Put one dram or so of Corrosive Sublimate (Chloride of Mercury), in about a gill of water, apply some of this to the diseased surface with a mop, rubbing the part with a cob, if not too tender ; having first washed it with soap and water. One application generally cures. If Quinine is good for chill and fever, this is better for scratches. But it is a virulent poison, therefore take care of your bottle. 4. There is danger in giving copperas (sulphate of Iron) end salt (Chloride of Sodeum) to hogs at the same time, though both are good when given at different times. Should a hog eat much of the mixture, such a quantity of chlorine gas may be disengaged, by the play of chemical affinities, as to kill him. I have known hogs to die uhder circumstances that render this speculation plausible, and the caution justifiable. A. Rustic, M. D. SALT AND CORN. Editors Southern Cultivator— It has been suggested to me that three tablespoonfuls of salt put under each hill of corn will answer for manure. It is said the corn will have a small stalk and a large ear. I want to try it this year ; but before I commence I want to hear your opinion whether you think salt will make good manure or not. Yours respectfully, &c., J. T. E. Twiggs Co., Ga., 1858. Reply to the above. — It is rarely that common salt is of much value when used alone as a manure. This re- sults from the fact that all agricultural plants require some fourteen elementary substances for their growth, of which salt supplies only two— chlorine and sodium. Being very soluble in water, salt is sometimes rather more wash- ed out of a soil than other fertilizers; so that its applica- tion to a hill of corn has precisely the effect that would follow the use of the best stable manure. We have used it a good deal on corn in the hill, but always in connec- tion with wood ashes to supply potash, magnesia, sul- phuric and phosphoric acids. Apply three tablespoon- fuls of salt, and as much good hard wood ashes, to the hill, such as will make lye for soap, and you will have a reasonable prospect of a satisfactory result. You may, however, fail from the lack of ammonia in the soil. L. Strange Mortality of Hogs and Cattle.— A friend living in the neighborhood of Fort Browder, in Barbour county, Alabama, informs the Eufaula Express that he has within a few days lost some twenty head of cattle, by some unknown disease. They were in good condition, and would eat heartily even up to the moment of death — in fact, one cow was in the act of eating oats and dropped dead as suddenly as it it had been shot. Several other planters in the same section have lost stock in the same way. No clue to the cause has as yet been discov- ered. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 75 THE GUANO QUESTION. Editors Socthern Cultivator — We are pleased to see that Dr. Lee, in the January number of the Cultivator, has sustained all that we have ever contended for on the subject of guano. We are only sorry that our article which he quotes, from the Central Georgian, should have been so badly printed as to make us say what we did not intend. One of these typographical errors, in justice to myself, I deem it important to correct : “The purchase of guano ten years hence,” (not tivo as quoted,) we said “will be much smaller than now.” This 1 wrote editori- ally in the Georgian twelve months ago, and reiterated it as correspondent in the article referred to by Dr Lee. Nine more years will test the validity or fallacy of my prognostication. We wish also to correct a mistake in point of fact which it seems we made. When we wrote the general impression everywhere among planter was, that the rust had ruined the cotton, and the guano would not pay. This, at one time, was the opinion of Mr. Daniel Dickson, Col. Turner, and Hon. T. J. Smith, who buy guano ex- tensively. The fall, however, proved so favorable in every particular, that since gathering the crop they have changed their minds and so have we. But it is strange that in all the applications of guano, so few reliable ex- periments are made as to its real value as a fertiliser. Our opinion is, that rich men who have abundance of lands to rest, may, by a judicious policy, make it pay longer than ten years and may continue to purchase it, but when we take a broad national view of the subject ; when we look to husbandry, our population and renovat- ing our lands, we consider the guano question as a great curse to the country. The truly philosophical axiom of le^s land o.nd more labor is scouted as “tom foolery.” The making and husbanding stock manures, the hauling in of muck and vegetable matters, to give basis to and re- cuperate worn out soils, is denounced by these guano farmers, as a one-horse system, and everything is on the stretch to make cotton out of the land as fast as possible by the stimulation of the Peruvian dust, v/hich is equal, in the estimation of many, to that which comes by harder digging from California. Let these guano farmers remember what Dr. Lee says in his article, and what we have, in effect, so frequently announced before, that “When, from the long use of Superphosphate of Lime or Guano, one has exhausted the potash and magnesia in his old fields, their sterility is far more hopeless and forbidding than it would have been had a wise system of tillage and husbandry been earlier adopted.” We do not wish to be misunderstood, as we have been misquoted more than once. We do not say there is no ready money in the purchase and application of guano. Practical men attest it after several years experience. All we have ever contended for is what Dr. Lee expresses in his article — that it will, after a series of years, exhaust the land of its most invaluable salts. If this be true, we say it is bad policy to use it so extensively. It will hasten the decrepitude of the South, delude our farmers into a neglect ofhome manure, permanently and almost hopeless- ly injure our soils, depreciate our population and trans- fer to Peru and the North nearly all thr profits of the slave labor of the South. If this is not making money over the left, we know not what is. E. M. Pendleton. Sparta, Ga.,Jan, 1859 A small piece of paper or linen, moistened with turpentine, and put into the wardrobe or drawers, for a single day, or three times a year, is a sufficient’preserva- tion against moths. GUANO, 4fec. — CENTRAL RAILROAD. Savannah, Dec. 13th, 1858. Transportation of Guano and other Manures, and of Lime and Salt, for Agricultural purposes. Hereafter Guano and other Manures, and Lime and Salt, for agricultural purposes, will be transported to all points on the Central Road and Road to Eatonton, at two dol- lars per ton of 2000 lbs ; provided, at least 16,000 pounds (a car load) is offered at one time, for one consignee, to one station. Parties, to avail themseves of the advantage of this regulation, must give notice when they begin to send a lot of Manures, &c., of the quantity to be sent, and must satisfy the Superintendent that the Manures are not for sale, but strictly for planters’ use, as this regulation is intended for the benefit of that class only. G, W. Adams, General Superintendent. We invite special attention to the above notice, emanat- ing from that prince of good fellows, and model Railroad Superintendent, George W. Adams. We hope other Railroads “will go and do likewise.” The soil of Geor- gia, in many localities, impoverished by unskillful culture needs resuscitation. If our Railroads would put the rates offreight for manures at the lowest point which would pay expenses they would be doing a service to the plant- ing interests of the State, which would be some compen- sation for the exclusive privileges which they enjoy. — Atlanta Intelligencer. WHY USE CUT FEED ? An intelligent farmer asks for the philosophy of cut- ting hay. He can understand that it is useful to cut corn stalks and coarse fodder, because the cattle will eat them better. But when the cattle will eat good English hay perfectly clean, why should it be passed through the hay cutter? Our friend evidently supposes that the stomach does its work upon everything that passes into it, with eqnal fa- cility, and without any tax upon the rest of the system. This is manifestly an error All food has to be ground up before it can be assimilated and pass into the circulation of the animal. If food is not artificially prepared by cut- ting, grinding, or steaming, the animal has to prepare it himself so far as he is able. Certain kinds of food will pass through the system, imparting to it only a part of their nutriment, because the teeth of the animal have not perfectly masticated it. Whole kernels of corn or of oats are often seen in the fseces of an old horse The more perfectly food can be prepared, the more com- pletely will be the system appropriate its nutriment. If the whole labor of grinding up the food is thrown upon the animal, it is a serious tax upon the vital energy, which every good farmer wants for other purposes. In the case of the horse and ox, you want the strength ap- plied to locomotion and draught. Whatever strength is applied to grinding food, is so much taken away from their capacity for labor. If three or four hours of stiong muscular labor are spent in work- ing up hay and straw into a pulp, there is a great loss of strength and of time. In the case of fattening animals, you want the aliment to go to the formation of fat and flesh. This process goes on successfully, just as the animal is kept quiet and com- fortable. No useless labor should be expended in the grinding up of food. The straw-cutter, working up the hay into fragments of half an inch in length, or less, per- forms a good part of the working of the jaws, and makes the feeding of the animal a light matter. If the hay could be ground up into a fine meal, it would be still bet- ter; as it would make the work of the animal stil lighter, and would more completely yield up its nutriment. If it 76 southern cultivator. could be steamed it would be best of all, as it would then be wholly appropriated. We have no doubt that it pays quite as well to pass hay throagh the machine, as the coarsest fodder. A root- cutter IS also on indispensaqle adjunct to the barn, and the more perfectly it comminutes the roots the better. The farmer who has ever experimented with these ma- chines, and marked the results of feeding with hay and roots prepared in this way, can have no doubt of their utility. Laziness, we apprehend, has quite as much to do with these machines as ignorance. It is work to turn the crank to cut up hay enough to feed twenty head of cattle; and in prospect of spending the elbow grease, it is very convenient to believe that it will not pay. Sloth, however, is a poor counsellor in this case, as in all others. We should as soon think of feeding them with uncut straw. A w*arm stable and a straw-cutter are both good investments. — Hovjard’s Register. HUNGARIAN GRASS. The Hungarian Grass, very nearly resembles the com- mon Millet and requires the same culture. It has gained great notoriety upon the Western prairies, where it ap- pears much better adapted than to the ordinary farm lands of Kentucky and other States. It resists drouth to an ex- traordinary degree, and upon the porous prairie lands it threatens to almost supercede timothy entirely. In other States in the Union, and even in its native country, the Pnnicum Germanicum, or Hungarian Grass, is not so highly appreciated. The usual practice in the West, with this grass, is to secure both a crop of seed and a crop of hay at the same time, and the consequence is both are inferior. V\/hen seed is the object, a less quantity should be sown to the acre, say eight quarts, either broadcast, or what is bet- ter, drilled in. But for hay, not less than a half bushel of seed should be sown to the acre, and even three pecks would give more and finer hay. The ordinary quantity sown, however, is one-third of a bushel; this, on good land, will give from 20 to 30 bushels of seed, and from 2 to 3 tons, and even more, of hay to the acre. The ground should be rich and well prepared. The proper season for sowing is from the middle of May to the Middle of June, [first of April in the South.— Eds.] but it may be sown as late as the last of June and pro- duce a crop of hay. It may be sown on wheat or rye stubble, and will afford good fall pasturage. The proper time to cut the Millet for hay is when the blades begin to turn yellow, or when the seed is just pass- ing out of the milky state. If allowed to fully ripen the seed, the hay is not so rich and nutritious, but while seed ©ommands the high price that it has since it was first in- troduced, it has usually been allowed to become too ripe to make soft, sweet hay.— Valley Farmer.. Yearly Food of One Man.— From the army and navy diet scales of France and England, which, of course, are based upon the recognized necessities of large numbers of men in active life, it is inferred that about two and one- fourth pounds, avoirdupois, of dry food per day, are re- quired tor each individual; of this, about three-fourths are vegetable and the rest animal. At the close of an entire year, the amount is upwards of eight hundred pounds. Enumerating under the title of water all the various drinks — coffee, tea, alcohol, wine, &c. — its estimated quantity about fifteen hundred pounds per annum. That for the air received by breathing may be taken at eight hundred pounds. The food, water, and air, therefore, which a man receives, amount in the aggregate to more than thrf e thousand pounds a year ; that is, to about a ton and a half, or more than twenty times his weight. THE WEST — L.AND FOR THE CHILDREN. “The West, the Great West !” is now the prevailing cry. Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana are the prominent and at- tractive points, whither emigration is tending. The plea for leaving old and tried and cherished homes for new ones, is, “I want to procure land for my children” — “I cannot bear to leave them a heritage of worn out and ex- hausted fields.” That in many portions of Middle and Upper Georgia, the lands present a very forbidding and discouraging as- pect is very certain, but whose fault is this'? Certainly not that of the soil or the climate. And will not westera lands, however rich and productive, after a while, present the same cheerless aspect, under a similar system of wasteful and improvident husbandry '? But of what use will any lands be to children who are not taught practically and experimentally the lessons of intelligent and thrifty agriculture? So long as all lessons and habits of industry are virtually ignored or discarded, of what avail is a landed or any other heritage to children % Unless labor shall be dignified in the eyes of their child- ren—unless they study the soil and take pride in develop- ing and promoting its fertility — unless they shall cease to devolve everything upon overseers — often men without the intelligence or disposition to practice thrifty and skill- ful husbandry— how can they hope long to do better in a new country than they have done in the old? The great misfortune is, that we have too much land — too much for good neighborhoods, and schools and social advantages. It takes but comparatively a small tract of land to meet the actual wants of a family. We^say then to those who have pleasant homes in the old States, do not desert them hastily. Take the Southern Cultivator, Southern Planter, and other valuable Agricultural Jour- nals. Study the profession of farming. If you have sur- plus slaves, sell them to good masters, and put the pro- ceeds into railroad or other stocks, or have improvements and comforts. This is our advice, which may go for what it is worth. — Macon Journal cf* Messenger. THE BEST DOCTOR FOR ANIMALS. We have seen a great deal of doctoring for sick animals — some successful, and a great of deal of it unsuccessful — and we have long since come to the conclusion that the most skillful physician we have ever met with is Doctor Nurse. If an animal, (as well as human being) is not carefully taken care of— nursed — all the medicine in the world can do but little good. And, on the other hand, with good nursing, medicine is generally unneces- sary. Our own obseivations lead to the opinion that in at least nine cases out of ten, as commonly administered, medicine does more harm than good. An eminent New York physician said that taking medi- cine was always a choice of evils— that being poisons in nearly all instances they necessarily did harm to the sys- tem, and were never to be employed unless there was a strong probability that they would benefit more than in- jure. This is not the rule adopted in doctoring horses, by most horse jockies and others having care of these ani- mals, if we might judge from the way in which gunpow- der, salts, red pepper, turpentine, whiskey, corosive sub- limate, and other violent remedies, are administered at hap-hazard, increasing, in nearly all cases, the violence of the disease. It may be laid down as a general rule, that it is much safer to give too little than too much medicine; and that none should be given unless we know distinctly how it is to operate and what it is for. Some years ago, a valuable horse caught cold, and was troubled with a cough so severe that he might be heard halfa mile, and which appeared to be rapidly reducing his flesh. We had an abundance of prescriptions from neighbors of all frightful medicines, enough to have killed SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR 77 him had he been in perfect health. We concluded to discard all, and to place him under the attention of Dr. Nurse. Great care was taken never to work him to perspiration — he was blanketed whenever the weather was chilly — he was fed regularly and moderately on succulent food, all such food partaking of the character of expectorants, and favoring a free discharge from the lungs — and all his other wants were observed as well as we able to, and prompt- ly supplied. In six weeks he was perfectly well. Had gome nostrum been employed, it might have injured him and prevented recovery ; or if it had not. Dr. Nurse might not have been called in ; but if he had, and the medicine had not greatly retarded his recovery, and he had got well in six months, it would have been regarded as an ex- traordinary cure. At another time, a valuable mare, eleven yeers old, was badly sweenied by hard work — the worst case of sweeny we ever met with. It was generally regarded as a hopeless case — but various remedies were proposed and offered, costing from S20 down to We concluded that our friend. Dr. Nurse, should be again called, to the ex- clusion of all tnese fellows, and the consequence is that, with simply careful, moderate treatment, the animal is well and the sweeny filled up. The majority of sick horses get well; every owner tries some remedy; and that particular medicine that he happened to be using at the time, gets all the credit— although, as a general thing, it retarded, more or less, his recovery. We must make one exception in the general rejection of medicines — there is one which, if given moderately, can scarcely ever injure, and may often do much good. This is powdered charcoal — a powerful antiseptic and ab- sorbent of bad matter, while, unlike most other medicines, it does not irritate — a most important advantage. A clear illustration of this advantage recently occurred in the case of a fine call, five months old, which had become bloated by eating too many apples, blown down by a violent gale. Its sides became distended by wind to an almost incredi- ble size; a solution of salersetus was poured down its throat repeatedly, and as often thrown out violently on account of its irritating action on the throat of the young animal. It continued for eighteen hours with little or no improvement, when a large tablespoonful of powdered charcoal, mixed with half a pint of water was given. The dose was swallowed without any difficulty, and in four hours the calf appeared to be perfectly well. Charcoal may be given in nearly all cases of derangement of the digestion, whether with men or beasts, with great advant- age. Oiie-hulf to a teaspoonful is a full dose for a man, and as much more for an animal, as its food exceeds that of a man. We do not mean to say there are not other medicines that occasionally prove eminently useful; but un- less they can be given understand! ngly — with a full com- prehension of their mode of action, and with an undoubt- ed knowledge of the exact nature of the disease — and their use sanctioned by very clear and distinct previous success— it would be much safer to discard them. — Coun- try GenLleman. USE OF SALT IN AGRICULTURE. The beneficial effects of salt in agriculture have long been known and its application practised by many of the best farmers in this country and in Europe. Mr. John Johnston, of Geneva, New York, has regularly applied it to his wheat land for many years, and with the most beneficial results. Besides imparting a strength and vigor to the plant that insures a largely increased yield, it forces the plant to maturity several days earlier than wheat on similar land, not treated with salt. The precise action of salt as a manure has been a. ques- tion of some interest to agriculturists. Mr. A B. North- cote has communicated to the London Philosophical Maga- zine, a paper detailing some experiments he has under- taken, to ascertain the rationale of the action of salt i* increasing the fertility of certain lands. We have noi space to give in full the experiments as conducted by Mr. N., but we give his conclusions; — He says; the results, then, at which we must arrive are, that agricultural salt is a most energetic absorbent of ammonia, both in virtue of its chloride of sodium and of its soluble lime-salt, and that the proportion of the latter, especially, most power- fully affects its action ; but that, at the same time, its agency does not seem to be altogether a permanent one; it will collect the ammonia, butst is questionable whether it can retain it for any great length of time, because in the very decompositions which happen, in order to render the ammonia more stable, salts are formed which have a direct tendency to liberate ammonia from its more fixed combinations. It may, however retain it quite long enough for agricultural purposes, if the young plants are there ready to receive it. Its state of gradual liberation may be for them the most advantageous possible; and to this conclusion, all experiments on the larger scale appear most obviously to tend. It is described as an excellent check to the too forcing power of guano ; and from Mr. Barral’s experiment we see that it either prevents the too rapid cremacausis of the latter, or stores up the ammonia as it is formed. As manure for growing crops, all experience and all theoretical considerations, therefore, show it to be most valuable ; but when employed to mix with manure heaps which have to stand for considerable periods of time, theory would pronounce, as practice has in many cases done, that its power of retaining ammonia, under those circumstances, is at best doubtful. — Valley Farmer. AN IMPROVED BREED OF MEN. An experienced stock-raiser who will notice carefully the build and general appearance of the human beings he meets in the streets of a large town during half an hour’s walk, or at a county fair, if he will notice them as he would other animals, with reference to their healthiness, working ability, soundness of wind and limb, speed, strength, or even their capacity for fatting, will soon come to the conclusion that there is a strong necessity for some movement to be made for the improve- ment of the breed. Other kinds of stock may profit by the importation of other breeds from abroad, and this process is going on very extensively among us at the pre- senttime; but when we reflect that for all the uses of life our own native blood is, perhaps, the very best known, we must come to the conclusion that foregn importations will not do all, and our experiments can be most profitably di- rected to the better management of that. There is, indeed, great room for human stock managers^ to wit : the fathers of families throughout the land, to im- prove in their way of operating. It won’t do to begin by killing off the puny ones— for however good and perma- nent an effect such an operation might have, there are ob- jections to it in a moral point of view. The next best thing might be to forbid ministers from marrying mean looking men; but, as ministers might not always possess sound judgment in such matters, the only thing left us is to labor the improvement of the race as it is. We want a race of tall, broad-shouldered, thin-flunked, clean-limbed, clear eyed, sinewy, firm-muscled men, with women to match, and in order to get it we must use a little of the same common-sense that we employ in the managemeat of the inferior orders of animals. As we said above, the points that we attend to first with regard to them, cannot be brought into consideration heae, but the particulars of cleanliness, food, proper Bhelter, we- 78 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. ercise, amount of labor, &c., &c., can be arranged with the greatest perfection. If all men would join in, study the laws of their own health, and do their best to inugur- ate an improved way of managing our breed of men, we think the results could not fail to be of the happiest kind, — Wool Grower. bandry will wear out any soil, but land can endure more under cotton culture than under any other that can be named. — Mobile Mercury. For the Southern Cultivator. OUR BOBBY — ASIiEEP. COTTON SEED. We find among our scraps, laid aside for future atten- tion, one from a Cincinnati paper, on the subject of cot- ton seed oil, which is represented as a very valuable illu- minating and lubricating substance. We have no doubt of this, and there is only one consideration in the way of the manufacture of cotton seed oil becoming a lucrative business— that is, the value of the raw material. The experiment of manufacturing cotton seed oil was tried, on a pretty liberal scale, more than twenty years ago, near Natchez, but it came to nothing ; no doubt from the diffi- culty of procuring the seed at a suitable price. Northern men, who have a notion of embarking in this business, would do well to come South and look about them before they risk their capital. Should they make the trip, they will discover first, that cotton seed is, with us, no inconsiderable succeedaneum to that boasted hay crop of the North, and jolly fat our cattle get around the cotton seed pile in the winter. In the spring it is ap- plied directly and indirectly as manure, and we have seen gardens in the black lands absolutely white with the seed lying on the surface after as much had been plowed in as the earth would hold. This great amount of vegetable matter worked into the substance of the limy soil prevent- ed it from baking and becoming too hard to work or to permit the transpiration of the moisture below. At other times we have seen corn cut down by a late spring frost in one field, but preserved in the adjoing one by the warmth developed from the fermentation of the cotton seed which had been applied liberally. We have now in our mind’s eye a plantation, some two hundred miles away, on which the thirty-second ci’op, unless we miss the count by a year too much or a year too little, is now growing, and the oldest cleared portion is the best, although it lies less favorably than some other parts. The reason is that being nearest to the gin house it gets rather more than its share of the cotton seed ma- nure. Indirectly, too, cotton seed is extensively applied as manure, not only through the medium of the cattle fed upon it, but from the way in which the cotton crop is planted. We do not dole out the seeds three or four in a place, as if each were a grain of bread corn, but throw them in liberally, till a ridge of seeds extends from one end of the field to the other. This furrow is covered,and in due course of time is alive with young cotton plants, which are chop- ped out until not one in a hundred remains, nor does one seed in a dozen get a chance to germinate ; they are smothered, and so rot in the ground. Thus the seed of one crop manures the next one. No, indeed ; Southern planters are charged with being thriftless by those who not know the difference between Southern and Northern agriculture; but you will not catch them selling their cow feed and manure to Northern manufacturers to make oil. And here is one explanation of the agricultural prosperity of the South, It is the pro- cess of ripening the seed which chiefly exhausts the soil, and the country which exports breadstuffs, or meat, must become impoverished unless recourse be had to manures imported or dug from the beds of marl and gypsum with which Providence has supplied it. Our corn is consumed among ourselves; our great export is the light carbonace- ous substance of the downy cotton, derived from the at- mosphere, while the phosphatic and nitrogenous ingredi- ents of the seed are returned to the soil. Careless hus- The cows have come home from the cotton-field pasture, The colts are at rest, and the calves are all dumb, Aunt Rosey has given the app’e he asked her, And Bobby’s asleep as sound as a drum ! From the earliest neigh of Dan Phoebus his courser. Till the last weary team from its yoke was unloosed — He’s run with the wagon and ridden the horse, And now he has gone with the chickens to roost ! And sweet be the dreams of his manly young spirit. When beautiful sleep on his eyelids shall rest. Till the hands that have wrought for the bliss they inherit. Shall be folded for oye^ on an innocent breast ! No poet may scribble his deeds into story ! No column arise with the sound of his name. But the works of his hands shall be better than glory, And the worth of his heart shall be brighter than fame. T Torch Hill, Ga., 1858. NUMBER OF SQUARES IN AN ACRE. ^ The following table is convenient for reference when desiring to know the number of trees or plants which will occupy an acre when set out at given distances apart. It will also assist in determining the amount of manure to be applied to a hill, when distributing a certain number of poundsfor loads upon an acre. An acre contains 43,560 square feet. It is usually better to keep this number in mind, and at once obtain the number of squares by divid- ing this sum (43,560) by the number of feet inclosed by four hills. Distance apart No. sqrs. Distance apart No, sqrs each way. or hills. each way. or hills 1 foot .43,560 12 feet 302 1 1 -2 fftp.t ..19,360 15 “ 193 2 “ .10,890 18 “ 134 2 1-2“ . 6,969 20 “ 108 3 “ . 4,840 22 90 3 1-3“ . 3,535 25 “ 69 4 “ . . 2,722 ,30 “ 48 5 “ .. l’742 35 “ 35 6 “ .. 1,210 40 “ 27 8 “ .. 680 45 “ 21 10 “ 50 “ 17 If the rows are three feet apart each way, there will be 3 times 3 feet, or 9 feet in each square, and 43,560 divid- ed by gives 4840 squares, trees, or hills. If the rows be 2 feet apart one way and 3 feet the other, the enclosed space will be 2 times 3, or 6 feet. 43,560 divided by 6, gives 7260 as the number of squares. In rows 3 by 3 1-2 feet there are 10 1-2 feet. 43,560 divided by 10 1-2, gives 4148 squares; and so for other distances. This table would not be quite accurate if allowance be made for rows around the entire outside, as in that case there would be one more row each way than the number of squares. Thus, in a square plot of one acre, with the rows 3 feet apart each way, there would be, say 59 rows each way. As two of the corner trees would count both ways, we must add to the 1840 hills, (in the table,) 4 times 69 hills, less 2, or 274, makir^ the total number 5114 These figures are illustrative only, and not exact, as ihe precise number of rows in the instance given is a little over 69 1-2. — American Agriculturist. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 79 NEW AND CHEAP FOOD FOR BEES. It is stated in the London Gardener's Chronicle that a : correspondent of that paper has long been in the habit of 1 supplying the London shops with fresh honey in the ,| comb all the year round. In the hardest winter his sup- i ply was equal to the finest summei. How he succeeded Ij in this was a mystery. It finally came to light ij that he fed his bees, in the absence of flowers, on a solution of the oil cake made from the seeds of the Bene I Plant {Sesamum Orientate^ Indeed he would boast that j he wanted no flowers for his bees. I The Sesamum orientale, or Bene is cultivated in vari- I ous paits of the world, both as food and for oil. The oil I remains sweet for a l®ng time, and is sometimes used as i a substitute for sweet oil. In China and Cochin China I it is used as a substitute for butter in pteparing the vari- ous dishes. It is cultivated to a considerable extent in several of the Southern States. It is sown in drills about four feet apart, in the month of April, and the seeds are gathered in September ; it yields a large proportion of oil which is expressed in the same way as linseed oil. It grows much like cotton, from three to six feet high, and bears numerous square seed pods, about an inch and a half long. The leaves of the plant have long been used as a remedy for the dysentary, and cholera infantum or summer complaint of children. For this purpose the freshly gathered leaves are placed in a tumbler of cold water, which immediately becomes ropy, without losing its transparency, or acquiring any unpleasant taste, and is readily and even gratefully taken by the little sufferers, and in such cases is used as a substitute for other drinks. The Sesamum is indeed a valuable plant if cultivated alone for its medicinal and domestic uses, if not for its oil, which last, however, under proper management, would prove a profitable product where the climate favors its perfect maturity, which perhaps would not be North of the 38th or 39th degrees of latitude. — The Sesamum cake is extensively used in France for manure, and is most valuable for all growing crops. Should the Sesamum prove as valuable for bees, as the statements seem to claim for it, it would warrant the im- portation of the oil cake from England and France for that pu>-pose. — But we would advise some experiments for this purpose before much expense was incurred in that wav. T he Flore des Serres relate=: the discovery of the value nf the cake for feeding bees from the following circum- stances : “Two bee-masters in a village in the depart- ment of the Var, in the south of France, were in the habit of wintering their hives in the forests of Mandelieu. When uncovering the hives the apiarians perceived about noon, on the 4th of May, 1856, that their bees were out and yet the hives were full, and of extraordinary weight for the time of the year. Surprised at the circumstance and wondering what the bees could be at, they remained on the watch till evening. About G o’clock the bees be- gan to return, loaded with an incredible quantity of the richest plunder; so heavy, indeed, were their burthens that the least experienced observer could not have failed to notice it. Astonished at such an event, the bee-mas- ters proceeded to examine the fields and mountains in the neighborhood, but in vain; they discovered nothing in the country around them at all different from preceding years. At last they crossed a field in which the oil-cake, resulting from the pressure of Sesamum seed was being prepared for putting into the ground with potato sets, as is the custom in that country, where Sesamum cake is much valued as manure. The cakes had been steeped in a pit of water till they were reduced to a state of liquid plaster for it is thus that cakes are used with most success at Mandelieu. “ Oho!” said the farmer who was planting the potatoes, on seeing the apiarians, “ You are come to see how we make bee- soup Look there, every day for some time past, we have been overrun with your swarms, and they feast famously; they take their fill, I assure you.” On returning to the same place next morning, the mountaineers were con- vinced of the truth of what the farmer had said, for there were the bees in prodigious numbers, buzzing about the tub and feasting on the Sesamum cake which it con- tained. The bee-masters from Mandelieu took the hint. They, immediately placed near their hives some large tubs, filled with Sesamum cake, dissolved in water to the consistence of pap. The bees no longer wandered from home; the tubs were kept regularly filled with “ soup,” as the farm- ers called it, and the bees stayed at home. The food has since been given in winter with perfect success, only if the weather is frosty, it is necessary to use warm water, in order to keep the Sesamum cake soluble. The results have been astonishing, not only in a large increase of honey comb, but in enabling the bees to increase beyond all belief, nearly ten times the quantity being bred in con- sequence of the facility afforded of obtaining abundant, and as it would seem excellent nourishment from this un- expected source. It is an easy matter for some of our Southern bee-fan- ciers where the plant is grown to make an experiment, and see whether there is any exaggeration in this French statement. We know that the French are a visionary people, always making some grand discovery in nature — but as this statement is given with so much clearness, it seems to bear upon its face the semblance of truth, and as we can see no room for them to be deceived, nor any motive in them to deceive others, we think the facts should be proven by experiment. — Valley Farmer. CULTIVATION OF THE PEA-NUT. A correspondent, of Yolo County, who has a practicM experience in the cultivation of the pea-nut, submits to the readers of the Unionise following considerations in connection with the raising of this product : Many readers of your paper wish information as the cultivation of the pea-nut. I will say, first, that it re- quires light, sandy soil, such as will best produce water- melons and sweet potatoes, and yet I am persuaded that the pea-nut can be raised on soil so dry that it will not produce either melons or potatoes. Too damp or irri- gated land will not do, as the pea will (as many of us in California have done) overshoot itself. The time to plant is from the 1st to the lOth of April. The way to plant it is to break your ground with a harrow, to a level, then open your drills four feet apart and about one or one and one- half inches deep. The pea has to be broken, and two kernels dropped in the drill, twenty-four inches apart, and covered, as above stated, one to one and one-half inches deep. After they come up, the vine spreads out on the ground, much like the red clover. When six or eight inches long, they commence to blossom, when the vine between the rows is taken and the vine and blossoms are covered about one inch deep, leaving the ends clear. This is the first working. And again, when they have grown out again with plenty of blossoms, cover as be- fore, until the 1st of August, which will make two or three workings. There is no use in covering after the 1st of August, as the pea will not mature. Now for tne gathering. I generally commence the 1st of October. Get all the ends of the vines in each hill in your hands, and pull them up gently, and you willb ing nine-tenths of the peas; turn them over, with the peas to the sun, until sufficiently dry to gather— say six to eight days — when, of course, they will be gathered and sacked. — Sacramento Times, 80 SOUTHHRN CULTIVATOR. AUGUSTA, GA: VOL. XVII., 3>To. 3.;:::::;:::::MARCH, 1859. Early Issue. — In order to manage the cover, and mail our paper so that it will reach distant subscribers season- ably, we shall, hereafter, be obliged to go to press by the 10th or 15th of the month previous to that for which our paper is dated. For instance, the March number is put to press the 10th of February, &c. Correspondents and ad- vertizers will, therefore, be kind enough to send their ftivors in early. “The Farmer & Planter,” comes to us in a new dress, and otherwise greatly improved, from Columbia, S. C. Wm. Summer, Esq, Horticultural Editor; R. M Stokes, Publisher. SI per year, in advance. Address the publisher, as above. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. “ Young America” Crusher. — C. H., M. D. — It is probable you can obtain one of these machines in Colum- bia, S. C. See remarks on page 48, February number. The “ Simon Pure” Rarey. — W. C. K — We believe John S. Rarey to be the great Horse Tamer, par excellence. The others are lesser lights. Grafting the Grape — H. L B. — Common splice graft- ing succeeds very well, but the plug system, which fol- lows, is more certain : Remove the earth, and cut the old Tootoif, say two inches below the ground, by a horizon- tal cut; then take a gimlet just the size of the graft or scion to be inserted, and bore from one to three or four holes, according to the size of the root, and insert the scions, first removing the loose bark. The holes should be two or three inches in depth, and the scions should fit accurately. Replace the earth over tlie root and around the scions, and the work is done. Cotton Culture. — E. T. E. — “ The Cotton Planter's Manual,” by J. A. Turner, will give you the informa- tion you desire. The book may be obtained per mail for Sl-25. Address A. 0. Moore & Co., 140 Fulton St., New York. We would cheerfully comply with your request; but, at present, W'e cannot spare the space that the arti- cles would occupy. Cooking Vegetables, &c.— B. R. S. — We willendeavor to comply with your request soon. Seeds to La, — R. G. L. — The seeds your desire might bo sent per Express, but the freight is high Can you not supply yourself in Nev/ Orleans I Aylesbury 1)ucks— Gardening, &c — Mrs. Dr. H. — You can probably obtain the Ducks from Maj. Thomas Daniel, Atlanta, Ga. “ Gardening for the South,” is tha book you need. It can be obtained at SL25 per mail from Wm. N. White, Esq., Athens, Ga. Chapped and Rough Hands. — P. — All who work in the earth, planting trees, seeds &c., are apt to have very rough hands. To remove the roughness, wash your hands every night after coming in from the field or garden with Castile soap and soft water— dry them thoroughly, and anoint them all over with a few drops of Glycerine. It acts like magic, and will make the roughest hands as soft as a kid glove. The inodorous Glycerine is the most agreeable. Stock Rmsing in the Sooth. — H. J. S. — Your article has been unavoidably deferred. Will appear in April number. Sorgho Svrup, &c.— J. D. H — See Olcott’s work. Sorgho and Imphee.” We have o.ften heretofore pub- lished the information you desire. CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. Cheap Lands in Alabama. — A subscriber, writing from the neighborhood of Valhcrmoso Springs, Morgan County, Alabama, says : You are perhaps not aware that large bodies of good land may be obtained here at low rates ; such lands as will make from 6 to 10 barrels of Corn, andfi'om 1000 to 1500 pounds of Cotton per acre. On the mountain plateau dividing North from South Alabama, (from 60 to 80 miles across,) soil do^rTc sandy loam, and which contains superior smaller bodies of black land in the bottoms, land may yet be entered at 12 1-2 cents per acre. This is in my opinion one of the finest countries for stock farms in the South. The fruit crop never fails there. Do sen i us some of your thinking Georgia Farmers to give the na- tives here some lessons in Agriculture. Weaving — Mendenhall’s Loom, &c. — Ed.itors Sou- thern Cultivator. — Inclosed you will find one dollar, to pay my subscription to the Cultivator for ’59. I wish to call your attention to the advertisement of Menden- hall’s new and improved Hand Loom; you have doubtless seen it in operation and can tell whether it fully comes up to his advertisement. You will recollect, he says it can be opperated by a girl of fifteen years of age, and will weave easily, from 25 to 30 yds. per day, with more facility and ease than 8 yards can be woven on the old fashioned Loom. He also says it ms of the simplest construction, the largest occupying a space of 4 1-2 by 6 feet, and can be kept in perfect order with the least imaginable care. Easily operated, requiring but two motions of the hand, with the lay or batton to throw the shuttle, operate the harness, take up the cloth and let off the web. Lastly, so arranged that eight different kinds of goods can be woven on the same web, and the alterations required to produce any desired fabric can be made in a few minutes. My better half, having some knowledge of cloth making, flatly contradicts this last clause of the advertisement, and says it cannot be done. Now I should be glad to know whether this Loom will conie fully up to the letter of the advertisement, what the cost in Augusta, and what de- livered in Mobiilel Yours, &c., J. T. C. [N. B ] One more question about the Loom, Messrs. Editors, and I am done, can any person who knows how to weave at all, can waave the different kinds of cloth mentioned in the advertisement, on the new Loom, with- out some one to instruct them ? fWe must refer our subscriber to some of our readers who have used this Loom. Would it not be well for those SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 81 jfiterested in the sale of this and similar michines, to Keep them more fully before the public 1 We do not Know the address of the of these LoomSj or any person who makes or sells them. — Eus j. Gin Gearing &c. — I see a cornmutiicaiion si;^ned T. in No. XI, (I858j page 337, in wliich he states that he has seen a sixty saw gin propelled by friction. Will you do me and probably others the favor to requec t him to give us a description of that gin gearing through the CvMivator — size of horizontal wheel and handwheel, mid how tnuch is “ a sufficient enlargement of the shaft to secure ample contact” or in other words, how large should the shaft be made at the place where it rolls on the horizontal wheel. J. D B. Richmond, Arkansas, 1859. Who’s Got a Camel for Sale % — Will our friend, ‘‘B.,” of Mobile, reply to the inquiry of our subscriber'? Editors Southern Cultivator. — In your January Number, page 29, I notice an article from H C. Wayne, Maj , U. S. Army, descriptive of the Camel, amounting to a recommendation of the animal, for Agricultural pur- poses. I want one of the and must beg yot to tell me how I can get one, transported or shipped to Macon, Geo. Allow me to hope that you may find a leisure moment, and devote that time, to me, informing me how 1 can have a Camel delivered at Macon ! Yours enquiringly, G. W. T. Forsyth, Geo., 1859. Measuring Corn. — In your January No. p. 10, is a rule for measuring corn in the bulk which I conceive to fee incorrect, at all events I cannot apply it; as for in- stance what IS the number of barrels in a room of 20 feet length, 15 width, and 9 depth, according to rule ! Yours Respectfully, W. C. K. [Will some of our readers who are “ good hands at figures,” answer the above % Distemper in Horses, — Take a piece of Indigo the the size of a Lady’s thimble ; tie it up in a cloth, reduce it to a powder, put it into a bucket of water, and rub out enough to color the water — and let the Horse drink it Let him have no water except the Indigo water, he v,?ill be well in two or three days. R. B. P. Poll Evil in Horses, — I have bought a horse that has the Poll Evil. The Gentleman says he has had it for four or five months; you or some of your numerous correspon- dents will please give a receipt to care it. I came from Georgia, and left all of the back numbers of the Cultivator or I have no doubt but I could find a receipt in some of them. C. W. A. Shreveport La., 1859. [A correspondent of the Cultiva.tor (Vol. 13, for 1855, page 271,) says of a Horse affected with the Poll Evil; " I made a large plaster of white lead and put it on ; in some 6 days it dropped off itself, and all the time I own- ed him it never returned.” Youatt recommends the pas- sage of a seton through the tumor. (See Youatt & Skjn- nbr, page 157.) And Dr. Dadd, (“ Modern Horse Doc- tor” p. 363,) recommends that the sore be dressed and injected with Spirits of Turpentine, i Pyroligneous Acid V Fqual parts. Linseed Oil. ) especially, if it assumes a morbed character. He adds ; “ So soon as the parts show a disposition to heal, dress with tincture of aloes and myrrh.” We shall be glad, also, to hear from nur correspondents who have had ex- perience with this disease. — Eds.] The Camel and “ Cuffy.” — A medico-agricultural correspondent, writes us from Mobile, under date of Jan- uary, lOth: “ In Bug’s Travels in Tartary, you will find a very in- teresting aiticle on the Camel, and I should like to see the claims of that valuable animal more strenuously urged. They are certain to succeed in the South, Dr. Lee has conclusively proved that v/c need more laborers and cheaper ones, it is equally true that we want more and cheaper draught animals. Let “ Cuffy” come and his ap- propriate CO- laborers the Camel. However people may differ about the negro, nobody can be offended by the im- portation and breeding of the camel, so let us have the Camels right off, and then defy the world to prevent our gettting as many of the wool bearing bipids as we may need.” R. G. J. An Appreciative Subscriber. — Enclosed you willfind one dollar for my subscription to the Cultivator. I think it a most valuable publication, and if your price were ten times the amount, I would not hesitate to pay it. I am trying to get up a club for you amongst my old fogy neighbors and hope to be successful, G. Morgan Co., Ala., Jan. 1859. Too Diffident. — A correspondent of the Cultivator , who always writes for us well and to the point, says: “I am so an.v.ious that the Cultivator should flourish and do all the good to farmers it is capable of doing, that I continue to write, though with great misgivings as to my capabilities. If you publish, correct errors. The enlargement, the matter, and the new dress of the Culti- vator, are all admirable. Why don’t all tillers of the soil take it ? Surely they would, they could see and read it.” OUIl BOOK TABLE. An Argument Against the Policy op Re-openikg thb African Slave Trade. By Robert G. Harper, Esq. Atlanta, Ga Printed by C. R Hanleiter. The above is a pamphlet of seventy-eight well filled pages, devoted to the discussion of a subject of great prac- tical importance, not only to all the Southern States, but to the entire confederacy and the commercial world. Mr. Harper has evidently. felt the dignity of his theme, and brooght to its elucidation much patient research, close ob- servation, and sound logic ; and, therefore, his “Argu- ment” is every way entitled to the most respectful con- sideration. The perusal of this pamphlet has reminded us constantly of the writings of Mr. Jefferson, Johjt Randolph, and other emineni men, whose clear and vigorous intellects have been so far absorbed in consider- ing the evils of negro slavery as it exists in the South, that they have singularly failed to do justice to its grow- ing advantages. Randolph said “ the time will com* when masters v/ill run away frorw their slaves and Mr. H seeks to delay that dreaded state of things as long as possible. On page 84 he says: “We have now in the Southern Slates about three and a half million of slaves. If the trade from Africa was re-opened, bow long would it be before that number would be doubled'? Ijn western 82 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. Africa, which contains a population of forty or fifty millions, slaves are sold at two or three pounds a head, The supply which that entire country would furnish is in- calculable and inexhaustible,” Now, a man who saw clearly that there are over six hundred million acres of land in the Southern States, and that a slave population of twenty million could not pro- perly cultivate one-fourth of it, would have no objection to the addittion of three and a half millions more except on the ground that it would augment the evils of the insti- tution. lis benefits Sive apparently unseen — nothing can possibly come from an increase of an intrinsically bad thing. This idea is shown in a foot note on page 49 as follows : ^‘Professor Tucker estimates that the slave population of the United States, from natural increase, according to the ratio of its past multiplication, will, be in 1920, about 41,000,000. If this be true, there will be negroes enough at that time for our posterity, and more, I fear, than they can safely manage. And but threescore years lie between that period and the present.” The United States Census for 1850 shows in its appen- dix, page 88, that the white population of the South in- creased in the preceding ten years at the rate of 34. 32 per cent.; while the increase of the slave population was 28. 87 per cent. These official figures show that, from the immigration of white persons into the South from Europe and the free States, the increase of whites is 5.45 per cent, greater than the increase of slaves. These figures refer solely to the ratio of increase. The positive increase of white laborers over slave laborers is nearly two to one, simply because the number of whites to breed from already in the South, added to the number of immi- grants, forms a double power of reproduction as compared with that of slaves. In 1850, the white population of the South was 6,222,418. The slave population was 3,204,- 051. Facts prove that the power of fiee labor increases about twice as fast at the South as that of slave labor; and they have led the writer to fear, not that there will be too many negroes in sixty years, but relatively, so few in number, and these in so few hands, that voting nonslave- holders will easily send them out of all the States where slavery now exists. Hence, the writer has shown from time to time, that slaveholders act unwisely when they join the anti-slavery sentiment of England and the North- ern States in opposing an increase of the power and wealth of the South, by an increase of that productive labor which experience has shown to be so effective in its influ- ence on the commercial and manufacturing in lustry ofboth Europe and the United States. In the Patent Office Report for 1849, we have shown beyond dispute, that free agricultural labdr has damaged the soil of New York to ihe amount of more than one hundred million dollars ; but we should be ashamed to ascribe this injury to the abolition of slavary there some 45 years ago. In Georgia, long arated fields have been impoverished by simi'ar agencies — not because slaves held the plows, but because the owners of the land saw fit to do as they have done. Now, many farmers are do- ing better in New York; and so are slaveholders in Georgia. Give the latter a constant increase of knowledge, cheap mules and cheap negroes, and all will yet come out right. Transactions of the Massachusetts Horticultual Society, for the year 1858. From Eben. Wight, Cor- responding Secretary. This volume contains : Reports of the Committees on Gardens, Flowers, Fruits, Vegetables, &c., and remarks on the culture of the Gladiolus, Japan Lily, Rose, Aster, Gloxinia, Achirmires, Native Plants, Strawberries, Cher- ries, Raspberries, Currants, Blackberries, Peaches, Plums, Grapes, Gooseberries, Apples, Pears, &c., &c. The transactions of this most useful Society are always full of interest^ and we do not remember any previous issue more so than the present. We are under obligations to Dr. Wight, for the copy before us. The Texas Almanac, for 1859. With Statistics, Histori- cal and Biographical Sketches, &c., relating to Texas. W. & D. Richardson, Galveston, Texas. This Almanac forms a thick pamphlet of over 200 pages, containing the following articles pertaining to Agricul- ture : The Wheat Region of Texas ; Agriculture in Texas; Corn and Cotton Crops in Texas; Corn, Cotton and Su- gar, etc.; Staple Crops on the Brazos bottom Lands; General Hints for every month in the year ; Sheep Rais- ing in Texas — several articles; Chinese Sugar Care; Sea Island Cotton ; &c., &c. Also a new Map of Texas, and a great amount of Statistical, Historical and Biogra- phical information ; sketches of the early settlement of the country, &c. We believe the cost of this Almanac is ;^1 per mail, and every Texan should have it. Address : W. & D. Richardson, Galveston, Texas. The American Bee Keeper’s Manual; being a Practi- cal Treatise on the History and Domestic Economy of the Honey Bee, &c., &c. By T. B. Miner, Fourth Edition. The work of Mr. Miner, (which has been more fully noticed heretofore,) has long been a standard of reference on all matters connected with Bee management, and may be considered almost indispensable to all apiarians. It can be had per mail for ^1 00. Address A. O. Moore & Co , 140 Fulton St., New York. Report of the Commissioner of Patents for the Year 1857. Agriculture. The volume on Agriculture for the year 1857, contains a number of interesting papers upon the progress of Agriculture in Russia, Prussia, and the United States ; some valuable reports on Domestic Animals, and other general information for Agriculturists. An agent has been employed by the Department for the purpose of visiting the Tea districts of China, for the purpose of collecting the seeds of the tea shrub and other plants with a vie w of introducing their cultivation into the United States. Investigations into the quantitative analysis of the Cotton plant, and the soils in which it grows, are being made by an able chemist, and also in reference to the amount of alcohol and saccharine matter in the Chinese Sugar Cane, and the nutritive properties of the Yam, the Potato, Chufa, SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 83 and Indian Corn. Considerable attention has been de- voted to the native Grapes for the manufacture of wine. Within the United States there are forty well defined bo- tanical species, including upward uf one hundred varie- ties of grapes, perhaps half of which are suscepuble of being converted into wholesome wine. 1 he cuttings of Sugar Cane imported from Demerara promise to largely compensate for the trouble. More than one hundred bushels of Sugar Cane seed from France have been dis- tributed for cultivation, and sufficient returns have been made to piove that it will be valuable for feeding stock and other economical uses. The cultivation of the Chinese Yam has been quite successful, so also has Barley from Tuscany, and Wheat from the Mediterranean. The Com- missioner is of opinion that, the success which has attend- ed the experiment of disseminating new and useful seeds, cuttings, &c., and the collection and promulgation of facts connected with the history, progress and economy of the principal Agricultural staples, fully warrant the expendi- ture which has been made for those purposes. The report may be obtained from your Representatives in Congress. DOWNING’.S “FRUITS” &C, — CORRECTION. A pomological friend at the North writes us : “In your notice of a little work work styled ‘ The Garden' (August, number, 1858, p. 249,) you sey, 'we are glad to find that Southern fruits are not overlooked &c., and this is the first instance of the kind we recollect to have noticed in any Northern publication, etc. You cer- tainly must have forgotten, or else not read the revised edition of Downing’s ‘ Friiils and Fruit trees,' where twice or three times the number of Southern fruits are described that there is in ‘ the Garden.’ [We are obliged to our friend for correcting us in this matter, and cheerfully make the amend.e. A portion of the notice alluded to was copied from one of our Mobile exchanges, and adopted without sufficient reflection. We have always held the labors of the Downing brothers in the highest respect, and w'ould not willingly do their ad- mirable work the slightest injustice. We are glad to no- tice the great amount of information on Southern Fruits which the revised edition contains, and commend it to all American fruit growers, as the standard authority — Eds.] RE-OPENING THE .SLAVE TRADE. The writer has no wish to enter upon the discussion of the re-opening of the slave trade in the South with foreign countries; but as two correspondents have referred to it, and as it deeply concerns Southern agriculture, we think it not amiss to answer Mr. Miller’s questions in the December number of the Cultivator. He says: “If I understand Dr. Lee aright, he is in favor of re-opening the African Slave Trade, that additional labor may be ob- tained in the Southern States for the purpose of reclaim- ing ouc exhausted lands. I beg respectfully to ask Dr. Lee if we have any warrant that the labor so obtained would be devoted to that purpose? Would it not rather be employed in cutting down and wearing out more land ? If I was convinced that the labor obtained by re-opening the slave trade would be employed to improve our worn-] out old fields, I would go heart and hand with its advo- cates ” In answer to the above, we remark that we are not in favor of re-opening the slive trade as it has ever existed betw'een Africa and America : and at the same time we are free to say that we do not know any tource better able to supply a part of the labor required at the South than Africa. The French government not long since ap- pointed an able commission to investigate the matter of supplying laliorers to Algeria, and other colonies belong- ing to France. After a thorough examination of all the facts, it was decided best to continue the slave trade in its modified form. The latest accounts from Paris inform us that a contract has been signed between the Marine De- partment and a firm at Marseilles to supply Guadaloupe and Martinique with 20,000 free Africans suited for agri- cultural labor before the 1st of January, 1863, and that similar contracts have been entered into with other houses, which Prince Napoleon, as Minister of the Colonies, is resolved to avail himself of Dr. L1VING.STON, Mr. Bowen and others who have been in the interior of Africa have thrown much light on the State of society in different parts of that immense con- tinent, The natural and normal state ot the inhabitants is that of servitude of the many to few masters of their own color, language and tribes. The extensive valley of of the Niger is so well adapted to cotton by climate and soil, that the plant is ii'.digenous, and over 1200 bales of lint were collected, pressed, and sent to Manchester in 1857. It is the policy of the English government to en- courage the cultivation of this staple everywhere in Afri- ca, and especially in the populous and fertile valley of the Niger. The w'riter has seen a letter from one of the party sent to explore the country who says that slaves are bought and sold there at from one to ten pounds a head; or in our money from at five to fifty dollars. Emigrants from Great Britain and the United States go- ing there to raise cotton will have the protection of a British consul, and, if need be, of British guns, and can obtain any amount of rich land for nothing, and healthy, able-bodied negroes to work it at ten, or tw’enty dollars a head. There must be some unknown cause of failure, or cotton culture will soon be carried on v -ry largely and profitably in a region quite as well adapted to the business as the lower valley of the Mississippi. Let us suppose that good mules three, four, five and six years old, could be bought in Africa for five dollars a head, and delivered in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to planters at fifty dollars each. Would our friend in the last named State require any “ wmrrant,” or bond that these mules should not be used to wear out the soil of the States named before he would permit one to be purchased or sold ? A mule does quite as much damage to the soil while pulling at one end of the plow, as the negro does v/hile holding the other end. Both are proper- ty— both are wealth-creating powers in the hands of own- ers having common sense. Why, then, permit free trade in one and notin both? Only one truthful answer can be given to this question; and that is this: Public Opin- 84 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR ion now regards the buying and selling of mules as right and proper ; while it regards the buying and selling of negroes as wrong and improper. If it is right to hold per- sons as slaves in Africa and America at all, then it can- not be worse to transport slaves from the Niger to Savan- nah than from the Potomac to Savannah for sale, as is now done. Every slaveholder who opposes free trade in slaves diS property, strikes a deadlier blow against the in- stitution than any abolitionist possibly can strike; for he has the object of his attack entirely within his reach. Let us carefully arialyse this problem a little farther. It will not be denied that a large majority of Southern voters own no slaves ; and that, under our republican system, a poor man’s vote counts just as much as the vote of a man who is worth a million, and holds a thousand slaves. A large majority of these non-slaveholders are friendly to the institution, and would bfe glad to buy a few negroes from Africa to lighten the labor of their own hands. Free trade in this kind of Southern property would enable them to become slaveholders. But to allow them to import slaves as freely as cattle are imported from England, might interfere a little with slaveholding as a close monopoly; and, therefore, this right to purchase negro laborers where they can be had on the best terms is denied them. What, now, are these non- slaveholding voters to do to obtain their rights in this matter? Clearly, one of two things: Either to carry out the principle of free trade in slaves in spite of the hos'ility of the very selfish monopolists, by using their power at the ballot box for that purpose; or join the anti-slavery sentiment of the free States, and invite the monopolists to emigrate with their “peculiar institution” out of the re- public. It cannot be wise and proper for one-fourth of the citizens of any State to hold slaves, and at the same time unwise and improper for the other three-fourths to do like- wise. If to add ten thousand more slaves to those al- ready in Mississippi would injure the State by “wearing out more land” as is suggested by Mr. Miller; then the removal of a like number of those already there, to Central America or Africa, will lesson by so much the damage now done to its virgin soil. Our esteemed correspondent must see that this argument against free trade in slaves proves quite too much. Slaveholders have unwittingly done the institution great harm by asserting that, if an at- tenipt is made to cultivate one-fifth of the five hundred million acres of wild land in the South by a corresponding addition of slave labor, it will inflict on the planting States a great and lasting injury. When the owner of a tree de- liberately affirms that it bears such poisonou.s fruit as to be dangerous to all that come near its shade, and that to increase this fruit will be fatal to the whole neighborhood, his statement, proves conclusively that such a tree ought to be cut down and extirpated root and branch. If the tree of slavery bears such fruit, then slaveholders are right in preventing, ifthey can,the bringing of another seed from Africa; but if the fruit is such as really sells high in Southern markets, then let all have a seed to plant and cultivate who desire it. To drop the figure, the people of the South appear to us as having made up their minds to have one of two things; either all the benefits of free trade in slaves, or all the benefits of free labor without slaves. This alone will dispose of every thing like mo- nopoly in Southern labor. With free trade in slave labor, every man can buy according to his means, or not bay at all, if he prefers. With free labor and no slavery, al will then stand on an equality to prosecute whatever busi- ness shall be thought most profitable. But a system that talks turkey for one man’s dinner, and talks buzzard for another man’s dinner is not quite the system to suit the party expected to dine on buzzard. Non-slaveholders have, or easily can have, a plenty of land to cultivate; and what they most need is cheap and reliable labor. This is their turkey which is not yet caught. They can neither buy nor hire negroes at a fair price, and, there- fore, they are compelled to look to Africa, or Europe, few: laborers. Their system of farming and farm economy will be less commercial than that of cotton growers, and, consequently, less injurious to the land. They will na- ttwally keep more stock, make and apply more manure; and thus improve rather than impoverish the soil of the South. The State of Georgia now contains about thirty million acres of wild land ; and the handful of negroes (some 400,000) within its empire dimensions, only stand in the way of its proper cultivation Increase their number to a million, and then the industrial force of the State would do fora beginning. The single county in New York from which the writer came, produced in 1849, 350,000 bush- els of wheat more than was raised in all the “Empire State of the, South.” With labor suited to the work, Georgia might easily grow twenty million bushels of wheat a year on less than one- thirtieth part of her territory. We are willing to allow twenty million acres for wilder- ness, in which to rear up wild hogs, wild cattle and wild children, and think that ought to satisfy anything short of total wildness. L Treatment of Asthma.— A writer in the Boston Medi- cal Journal describes what he has found to be an efficaci- ous remedy for the asthma, the administering of the hy- drate of potassa. Employed in five-grain doses three times a day, the effect is immediate and marked. The administration of it is soon followed by a slight expector- ation of the viscid mucus, attended with an amelioration of al! the most urgent symptoms. In hay asthma — caused by certain perfumes, vapors, &c. — this remedy produce* the same relief. The writer add: “That hydrate of potas- sa possesses a specific influence upon the air passages 1 think is undoubted, and I am prepared to learn that it wil be found one of our most efficacious remedies in ‘pseudo- membranous’ croup, to disengage the false membrane aftw the inflammatory action has been reduced.” All subscriptions to the Southern CultivatoT coai- mences with the January number. I^^Rise early to your business, learn good things aad oblige good men ; these are three things you shall neT«r repent. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. r 85 lortiraltttittl Itpaitment. GRAPES AND GRAPERIES. There is no fruit-bearing plant, adapted to temperate climates, at once so available and useful as the grape ; and now that cultivators seem to be settling down to a unanimity of opinion with regard to the culture of both for eign and native varieties, it may safely be predicted that the grape is to take the first rank among American fruits. The recent valuable additions to our list of hardy and native kinds, has given an impetus to their cultivation, and awakened an interest in the production of seedlings of further excellence, leaving little room to doubt that we will at no distant day, possess varieties equal to the best of any climate, and produce abundant crops with as much success and facility as we Indian corn. The first requisite in grape culture is a sufficient depth of porous soil, A free percolation of water through the soil is indispensable. Mere richness of soil is only of secondary importance, no amount of surface manuring will secure profitable crops on a retentive sub-soil. A sandy loam is the most suitable, although proper draining and trenching will render even clayey loams adapted for their profitable growth. The soil should be broken up at least 18 inches in depth, so that the roots may ramify in a medium somewhat exempt from external influenoes, and ensure a uniform healthy growdi from the opening buds to the ripening of the crop. Having thus prepared the soil we would commend the following gene- ral routine of management. Procure plants not more than one year from the cutting, prune them down to a couple of eyes when planted. The treatment during the first season will consist in simply securing them to their sup- porting trellis. In winter prune down according to vigor; if the canes have grown to 10 or 12 feet, prune down to about half of that length. Most of the buds will produce a ^fruiting shoot ; allow not more than two bunches on each shoot. Tying up to the trellis is all that will be necessary until the period for winter pruning arrives. During August and September, it may be necessary to dust the vines with sulphur in order to prevent or check the spread of mildew. The great secret in gro wing is to preserve the foliage healthy and unimpaired until the crop US gathered. Let the winter pruning be directed to the securance of young growths ; the renewal system of pruning best en- courages the growth of young strong shoots, which inva- riably produce the best fruit. Ihere is no danger of the plants overbearing, if pruned understandingly during winter, and “ let alone most severely” during the period of growth. Summer pinching and pruning weakens and retards growth, and diminishes the foliage necessary to ripen the fruit. Graperies. — Glass houses for exotic grapes are now built for reasonable prices, and their culture is extending accordingly. Here again the requisites of a properly pre- pared soil are paramount. A free, sandy loam is the best for a basis; if manures are applied let them be well de- composed and thoroughly incorporated. Bone dust and charcoal m ly be freely mixed with the soil, but these lat- ter are not indispensable. Neither is it necessary to make an extensive border at the outset A border 6 or 8 feet wide and 2 1-2 or 3 feet in depth, will afford a sufficient nourishing medium for a number of years : and additions can be made from time to time as circumstances seem to indicate its requirement This gradual addition to a bor- der is preferable to making it larger at first, as in the lat- ter many of the principal advantages of a good border are lost before it is reached by the roots. In choosing plants, select young healthy stocks ; one yeai from the cutting is preferable to older — plants ; cut them down at planting to a couple of eyes, and when they push into growth disbud all shoots but the strongest. Let them grow at will; do not remove a healthy leaf or twig until g»owth is completed for the season. If th« plants have done moderately well they will have grown from 15 to 25 feet. In November prune down to 8 or 1® feet lengths. This much for the first season. The second year’s growth will show a portion of fruit; leave but one bunch to a shoot. If any of the shoots indicate an exu- berance of growth over the others, check it by pinching out the point, but only equalize growth ; the more foliage the-betier the crop. Do not be deterred from taking a slight crop the second year by any fear of destroying the future health of the plant. To form rich composts for borders, and stimulate, and pinch and prune and cut back a grape vine for 4 or 5 years before allowing it to fruit, is a waste of time and means, altogether unjustifiable, and no one having the slightest pretensions to culture would find it profitable to do so. Those who are less fortunate, or less skillful than their neighbors, sometimes find it convenient to make a virtue of necessity, by decrying the results which they cannot attain. It is only the ordinary practice of good gardeners to fruit grapes the second year after planting, and continue fruiting each succeeding year W't.'iout fear of losing a crop or weakening their plants. The growth during the third and following years, re- quires the same general treatment. The greater the amount of foliage, provided it is under the influence of light, the healthier the plant and the greater the crop which it will mature. Close pruning during summer is more frequent- ly the cause of badly colored grapes, than all others com- bined. Wm. Saunders. \in Horticulturist. ANGELICA.* Editors Southern Cultivator— The term ‘'angelica,” used in California, took me by surprise. I think it must mean the choicest “must,” or first pressed, or drawn juice of the grape — if one gallon of it produces, as it is stated, fifteen pints of wine, to obtain this quantity there must, of necessity, be something added to it. The true meaning of the word cannot be ascertained without ap- plying to the editors of the Southern Vineyard, of Los Angelos county, California. Later accounts from California continue to give reports of sundry vineyards. At one vineyard they have made this season 38,600 gallons of w^hite wine, and 8000 gal- lons of red — the latter to be converted info brandy. The largest vineyard is said to contain 58,000 vines. Generally, the vineyards are young, and have not conae to full bearing. In most of the vintages, angelica is men- tioned as a part of the product. From all accounts it may be inferred that California, taking climate into considera- tion, is to take the lead in wine making. It would be desirable that experiments should be made with some of the most approved vines from California. We need to make experiments with different varieties to ascertais which are best suited to our climate, and, indeed, almost every locality has its peculiar favorite — the Constantia wine can only be produced within a limited compass oa the table lands of the Cape-of Good-Hope. P. *You have it angellica ; the California papers have it aEg©U«a See February number of the South rn Cultivator. Tobacco leaves put around the body of peach trees, just beneath the surface of ground, are recommended as a pr«- ventive of the borer. 86 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR, THE NEW GRAPES. Mr. Chas. Downing gives the following character to the new grapes ; Delaware. — Longest tested. Not a delicate grower, as some represent Fruit i-ugary, aromatic, refreshing Never cloys, and is of the highest quality. Diana. — One of the ino.-i vigorous growers. Begins to color and is very .«:ood to eat almost as early as the Delaware, but does not hasfeti to maturity as that kind does. Herbemont. — Needs protection in winter, and will not ripen its fruit north of New York, as a rule. It gives abundant crops of delicious, spicy fruit, the berries of which are bags of wine. Anna. — First fruited while A. J. Downing was living. Flavor reminds one of the Muscat of Alexandria. It grows much like the Catawba, and seems to resist mil- dew better than any except Delaware. Berries large, much like Catawba, peculiarly dotted and covered with bloom. Color, greenish white, sometimes light amber. Less acid than the Catawba. Ripens as early as the Isa- bella. Rebecca. — Any one who tastes it will be unwilling to do without it. Mildews a little, but not more than the Isabella. Requires but time to rank as the “American Chasselas.” Hartford Prolific. — Very hardy, and ripens e irlier than any grape in his collection. Not as good in quality as Isabella. Berries drop from the bunch as soon as ripe. Union Village. — Not fully tested. York Madeira. — Hardy, productive. “Pretty good.” A few days earlier than Isabella. Hyde's, Eliza, Canbifs Aitgiist and Baldwin's Early. — All probably same as York Madeira. Clara. — Excellent so far, but not fully tested.— culturist. Grapes and Wjne. — At a late meeting of the N. Y. Farmer’s Club, Dr. Gallager exhibited some wine from the native grape of the vicinity of Washington, N. C., and some also from the Mish grape, supposed to be a Scup- pernong stock, grafted with the Butters grape Though there was a great deal of saccharine matter in the grape, sugar had been aided in the manufacture. Prof. Mapes remarked that the fermentation of the fermentation of the sugar of grape makes brandy, while the fermentation of the cane sugar makes rum. Bran- dy decomposses anim;! matter, rum preserves it. — The older a wine becomes, to which sug.ar has been added, the worse it is ; the older the wine which has no sugar added, the better its flavor. Old rum has higher flavor than new, brandy loses flavor with age. Hence, the French when they put up fine wines of fleeting flavor add brandy, not sugar, after it has passed the period of fermentation. He had been making what they called “wines” from fruit, from rhubarb, &c., to which he added sugar. They eert iin'y were very pleasant, but the trouble was that they would not stay what he made them; as fast as the fusil oil separates, they become rummy. It was easy to increase and change the flavor of fruits, especially of grapes. The experiment of mixing a drop of fusil oil with a drop of different acids was familiar, and the pro- duction thereby of the flavors of different fruits. Now, when he saw that the union of tannic acid and fusil oil gave the strawberries flavor, it was easy to believe that dressing the strawberry bed with tan-bark would improve the flavor of strawberries— especially when it was remem- bered that the wild wood strawberry, where the fallen leaves and decaying bark of trees furnished an abundant supply of tannic acid, had a finer flavor than any cultiva- ted berry. But the finest flavored grapes did not produce the finest flavored wines, for the reason that they contain- ed too much fusil oil. This topic was one of immense interest to fruit-growers, and experiments were already being freely tried. There were 800 kinds of pears now in existence which were unknown when he came on the stand, and he felt sure that the palate was only just be- ginning to enjoy the pleasures in store for it, and which che.mistry and the horticulturists were fast developing. YEEEOW JUNE AND SHOCKEEY APPEES. Editors Southern Cultivator — Your correspondent “ Windsor” wishes to know if any one can inform him whether the Yellow June Apple is of Southern origin — There is in this County, (Macon, Ala.) about four miles from Tuskegee, a tree bearing very fine Yellow ^June Apples. Said tree was found growing in an Indian’s yard when this country was first settled by the whites ; and from it I distributed cuttings somewhat extensively, a few years since — Dr. W. 0. Baldwin, wrote Mr. Van Buren, requesting him to name the Apple, and the latter gentleman called it “ Nantehalee” — an Indian word which, I believe, means “ Maidens Bosom.” With regard to the Romanite or Shockley A^pple, be- sides its close resemblance to the Holley, Maj. Richard- son of Cave Spring, Geo., sent it to this county under the name of “ Spitzenburg and a gentleman from Har- ris County, Georgia, brought a load of Apples which he called the “ Sugar Crab” to Tuskegee, which would pass any where for Shockleys. The load of Sugar Crabs how- ever would have averaged twice as large as any lot of Shockleys I have seen. Yours &c. J. L. MouLTtE. Union Springs, Ala., Jan , 1859. ^ GRAPE VINE— PRUNING, &c. We copy the following remarks from the California Culturist, and endorse the leading ideas as equally appli- cable to our own climate : The proper season for pruning the vine, with a view of securing its fruitfulness, is now at hand ; and pruning can be cont’nued at convenience, till just previous to that season in early spring, when the vines on being cut, “ bleed,” or throw off their juices from the newly cut wood. Cutting-in, as injudiciously practiced by some, is usually performed “ when the fruit is swelling;” with this process then we have, at this season of the year, nothing to do but record our protest against the practice, based upon our own personal experience for years, as well in the western States as in California; and this ex- perience endorsed by the oldest vine culturists of this State, and in a section that produces the largest and best grapes that have ever yet appeared in the market of San Francisco. All cultivators of the vine admit the necessity of an annual pruning. It is this that gives to the cultivated vine a productiveness over the uncultivated “ wild grape vines indigenous to our mountain gulches and ravines ;” for it is a well known fact, that such wild vines, subject- ed to a proper winter pruning are rendered fruitful, and this without any after cutiing-in or “ shortening” of the fruit bearing branches, at the season of the swelling of the fruit, The proper mode then, of pruning the vine to secure fruitfulness, as well as a vigorous, healthy growth, is one of the first importance to the vine grower. Every day’s experience is teaching the observant California grape culturist the utter fallacy and error of being un- changeably wedded to the old system of pruning, or of supposing that because entirely applicab’e to other coun- tries, the same must necessarily be here. Men of but one idea, natmally hold to the one already acquired, no mat- SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 87 ter how erroneous, rather than give place to an improved one. When, therefore, we Ijave a practice recommended as essential to the growth and productiveness ot the vine in Europe, as equally befitting our climate, though in direct variance with our own experience, we shall always ad- vance and propagate our own opinions, even at the risk of their being called ‘ new.” First, then, we are entirely opposed to the system of close pruning, so rigidly adhered to, even in this country of heat and sunshine, by most of our culturists with Euro- pean experience. This class of culturists grow grapes here, and often very good grapes, but seldom equalling those grown under a less rigid system of pruning. In this view of the subject, the result of our own direct ex- perience again, we are not alone; and it is gratifying to know that our opinions, however much they may differ from those who remain true to ancient usage, are never- theless corroborated by those of far more extended expe- rience than our own. The Hon. A. G. Semmes, of Florida, an amateur cul- turist of foreign grapes, says: “I train my vines on trellis from seven to eight feet high — of wire — but cannot follow the rigid system of pruning recommended in European culture, and practiced at the North. We have to so train our vines, that not a ray of sunshine ever touches the fruit ; otherwise, the /ruit loses much of its fine flavor, and is altogether robbed of its bloom, which, if it does not preserve its flavor, at least adds to its beauty.” On an- other occasion he says : “ The close pruning for out door culture, adopted in Europe, and the Eastern States par- ticularly, will not answer for this climate. The reason is very obvious. On account of the heat and duration of our summers, a vine here under proper culture, will, in twelve months, grow as much as a vine in England will in four years.” And we believe this remark as applica- ble to California as Florida. — After a vine has become established — say after the first fruit year — if healthy, it should be pruned back not exceeding one-half, and often- times not more than one third, of that year’s growth, un- less it be the smaller lateral shoots. This will secure a sufficient foliage to protect the fruit from the rays of the sun; for unlike other fruit, it is all-important that the grape be entirely shaded at every stage of its growth and maturity; otherwise, if it escape the rot, it will be small, hard and insipid. The natural shade and protection of the fruit is the foliage, and the more luxuriant this is, the greater certainty of fruit of large size and rich flavor After several years’ experience with some five hundred vines, I have never known an instance in which these suggestions did not prove true, both in regard to the na- tive and foreign varieties ; especially the latter, on account of their thin skin and great delicacy.” J. Fiske Allen, in his late treatise on the culture of the grape, says : “ It is the established opinion, in vine- yard culture, that the best fuit is produced when the vine receives the most sun ; not upon the fruit, but upon the foiliage.” This fact alone, would mark California as being one of the finest grape growing countries in the world, a suitable soil and proper culture alone remaining to demonstrate its truthfulne^s Experiment has proven the former to be all that could be desired, leaving proper culture the only matter upon which a doubt can rest ; and this can only be resolved oy years of practical experience. We have introduced the foregoing, lourhing upon the culture of the grape in Florida, believing that the climate of that State is more nearly similar to ours, than that of any other section of the Atlantic States, if we except Texas. We wull now take the vine at two year’s growth from the seed or bud, and one year from the ordinary cutting. In the followung autumn or wintfr, cut oM ba^k to three well developed buds. From this time onward year by year, the pruning and trimming will depend upon the mode — for there are many — to be adopted, and the fancy of the culturist; but as California bids fair to be- come largely grape producing, counting here acres of vineyards by thousands, we shall in the present article speak only of that mode which we believe best adapted to open, vineyard, field culture on the largest scale. Almost every cultivator has an apparent reason for the distance at which he plants his vines, and hardly any two agree. Give each vine a stake six feet in height above ground, of the most durable wood possible to be procured. With your vine pruned back to three eyes as before stated, train the upper shoot to the stake as it advances in growth, to a hight of two feet only ; then allow it to bend over and spread as it may ; this checks its over exuberent growth, shades the fruit better, and is preferable to pinch- ing off or cutting back; and should it set more than one bunch of grapes, pinch them off. The two lower buds we would allow to grow as they might, without training up at all, each with its single bunch only. No summer pruning, cutting or shortening would we give, except pinching off the laterals that might appear from the first five or six joints only. Upon this head, the summer short- ening, checking or cutting in of the vine, we had thought of saying nothing at the present lime ; but good authori- ties are so thickly strewn upon our table, almost speak- ing themselves into notice, that we conclude to make a quotation or two now, not knowing when we may renew the subject. H. "VV. S. Cleveland, of Burlington, N. J., ctltivates an extensive vineyard, “ and is increasing it largely.” He says: “ Formerly, I used to be careful in my summer pruning, but after experiment, I was con- vinced that the vines are best let alone; that all the leaves are needed for ripening the fruit” Dr. Sidney Weller, of North Carolina, in an article originally written for De Bow’s Commercial Review, also says : “ The principle of allowing the vine to spread and range freely, during summer is undoubtedly, correct.” And J. Fiske Allen, as good authority as we have in the United States, says : “It is what I have recommended for many years.” We might multiply authorities upon this point, but enough has been shown to prove, that however well the summer practice of shortening, checking thegrowth or cutting-in may apply to a European growth of the vine, practice, experi- ment and experience has proven it not adapted to Amcri- ican culture. We will proceed to prune for the second bearing year, by shortening the upright shoot down to four, five or six buds, depending upon the strength of the vine; to those of weaker growth, of course a lesser number than to the stronger, and cut back tlfC two lower shoots to two or three buds each, and then let the trimming for the sum- mer be precisely the same as the previous year ; and let the pruning of subsequent years be the same continued till the top of the stake is reached, or the vine has ac- quired the desired height. You will then have a strong standard trunk, surrounded with fruit spurs and bearing wood from bottom to top, but for several years requiring the stake to sustain it in its upright position. We have already extenr'ed our article to a much greater length than we intended, but the importance of the subject seemed to call for all that we have written, and much more might be s lid. Cabbages. — To prevent the growth of long shanks, and secure true, solid heids on those stalks that manifest a- dis- position to drow to what are commonly known as long “shanks.” The Genesee Farmer a: “Take a pen-duif-. and stab it through the stalk about t’le middle; insert a small piece of wood to keep the incision open, whi h wi'l check the growth. By doing thi'j, a good head of cabbage may be secured on every stalk.” SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 88 GRAPES, NATIVE WINE, «fec. Every season, (s-.ys the Working Farmer,') gw ts rxfw evidence that many parts of our country are suited to grape culture, wine making, &c. Ramsay Crooks, Esq , •f New York, is now selling a Hock Wine, made by the American Wine Co , ofSt. Louis, which is not inferior to ^e belttr class of imj.ortcd Hocks, while the wine makers ®f Cincinnati, headed by the pioneer, Nicholas L )ng- worth. Esq , are gradually displacing the Champaignes and sparkling Burgundies of France, by the sparkling Catawba, at least in the west. Cheap wines do not tend to drunkenness ; and all the wine making countries of Europe fully establish this fact, while in those districts where distilled liquors take the place of wines, drunken- Bessis common. The wine drinking peasants of France and Germany are not drunkards. From the following, it is evident that California promises to become a great wine growing district : Grapes from the garden of Mr. Dearborne, of Sandy ©ulch, about thirteen miles above Mokelumme Hill, were brought into market at that place, last week, which for superior excellence, far surpassed anything of the kind we have seen of out door cultivation. Mr. Dearborne kas three varieties of foreign grape-vines, three years old, in full bearing; the Black Hamburg, Muscat of Alexan- dria, (the best grape known in the world) and the White Hamburg, (so called) but bearing a very striking resem- blance to the White Syrian. One bunch of the latter on exhibition at the Union House, Mokelumne Hill, weighed seven pounds. It is truly astonishing to see such bunches ©f the Muscat of Alexandria, a grape so shy, naturally in setting its fiuit, grown to such perfection in the open air ; the first of the variety, true to the name, which we have seen and known to have been grown in our country. The bunches of the Black Hamburg variety were compact and well-formed, and the berries exceedingly large. The bloom on the berries, which professional horticulturists pay great regard to, was certainly noticeable and com- plete We have now substantial evidence of the adaptability ©fmuch of our mountain soil for grape-growing. As a proof of this, we would direct the attention of visitors to the above vineyard, and to the gardens of Judge Thomp- son, Dr. Holbrook, S. W. Brockway, Wm, Higby, A. P. Dudley, and others in Mokelumne Hill, the garden of Dr. Sober, Big bar Bridge, as well as other nicely arranged gardens and vineyards in and around almost every ramp in the country. Tne garden of Mr. Schrack, of the Gol- den Gate Ranrh, is certainly entitled to cred'table men- tion. This vineyard, which is quite extensive, is com- pletely burdened with fruit, presenting a spectacle of no common interest. A few miles south of Mokelumne Hill, is the garden of Madame Catae, where the “fruit of the vine” gracefully hangs through the lattice-work of tasteful- ly constructed arbors. — San Andrea'^ Independent. Very gratifying indeed, to us, comes the oft-repeated intelligence of success in grape-growing in the mountains, for it must be recollected that we have for years urged the cultivation of our mountain land ; our hill-sides for vineyards being the very best soil and position for their culture. The Independent is ever alive to the interests of the country, and this excellent journal contains continued proof that it deserves the support of the industrials of our State. Gro.pes in Toulumnc. — So abundant is the grape crop ef this country getdng to be, says the Sonora Herald , that the cultivators will shoitly be compelled, for v/ant ©f a market for their fruit, to turn their attention to the manufacture of native wine. We shall, when it arrives, hail that time as an auspicious period, because the gener- al use of native wine will, in a great measure, supersede the consumption of poisonous manufactured liquors, and thus abate drunkenness. THE GRAPE CULTURE. We have no apology to make for the liberty we take in presenting this subject to the consideration of our readers. 'Ihe lime is now near at hand, when those who are dis- posed to embark in this pursuit, should be preparing their plants and cuttings for the ensuing Spring. Our enter- prising fellow- citizen, Mr. H. Muhlenbrink has, for some time past, in connection with Mr. Axt of Craw ford ville, been engaged in this business. They have a vineyard of seven acres in this vicinity, besides a large one at Craw- fordville, where Mr. Axt has, for some time past, been making the finest Catawba wine in the United States, which can be bought at Mr. Muhlenbrink’s store, in this city. We might, if we had time and space, moralize a little upon this subject. A great deal has been said and written about the evil consequences of the use of ardent spirits, and very justly said. Let the culture of the grape, and the making of wine in its purity, be inaugurated in this country, and there will be no need of temperance societies, In France and the German States, where the pure juice of the grape is the common drink of the people generally, drunkenness is almost unknown. Strychnine and othei drugs, which make up the principle part of our drinks at this day, are the fruitful sources of the most of the evils which flow from the use of ardent spirits in this day and generation. Let every man in Georgia have his own vineyard, and make his own pure unadulterated wine, and the price of strychnine would fall fifty per cent. “We speak as unto wise men, judge ye.” — Atlanta Inlelligencer. LIME AS A MANURE FOR GRAPES. Editors Southern Cultivator— -There being many inquiries as to the proper mixture and use of lime as a fer- tilizer, I will give you the substance of what was publish- ed in 1857 in connection with the article on grape culture. Take one bushel of salt, dissolve it into a barrel of water ; with it slack one barrel (or two and a half bushels) of lime; mix the slacked lime with three cords of leaf mould, muck, rich top soil from virgin woods, or any vegetable matter ; spade it well till it is thoroughly mixed ; I put it under shelter, and in a few weeks it can be used as it may be needed. Any quantity can be made by taking the same proportion of the different articles. This is a good compost for corn and cotton as well as for the vine. It may be used broadcast or in the hill or drill. Sprinkle in the drill as cotton seed is sprinkled for manure ; half a spade full to a hill, or ten, twenty or thirty cart loads to the acre broadcast. D. P. Wine prom the Chinese Sugar Cane. — We Itarn from Col. Wash. Crawford that Mr. Wood, of Washington, is patting up a distillery f)r the manufacture of wine from the Chinese Sugar Cane, with just enough of the juice of the native grape to give it color. We received a bottleofthis wine some time since, after so long an interval from the receipt of the letter, that we had forgot the description given us of this wine, but atiributed its superior quality to the age it had acquired before it came to hand. The truth is, we suspected some alcohol, sugar, &c , had been ad- ded. But we now learn that this wine was made, as stated above, from the Chinese Sugar Cane, and that nothing whatever was added but a little of the juice of the Mustang grape. We predict Mr. Wood will meet with complete success in his enterprise, in which case he will be entitled m the tliands of the country — Texaspaper. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 89 To Make Young Pear Trees Ghow. — I was afflicted by the sight, in my garden, for fflur or five years, of the most luxuriant and thrifty young pear trees, which would not bear, but all their strength ran to wood. Vexed at this, I resolved to try the effect of bending down the branches so as to cheek the flow of the sap, and cause them to form fruit buds instead wood of buds. According- ly, the first week in December, I filled my pockets with Stout twine ; I drove down some small pegs into the ground beneath my trees (which had branched low, so as to make dwarfish heads ;) I then tied a string to the end of every shoot, and gradually bringing down the end of the limb till it curved down so as to make a considerable bend or bow, I fastened it in that, either by tying the Other end of the string to the peg, or to another branch, (Sr a part of the trunk. According to my expectation, the tree next year chang- ed its habits of growth, and set an abundance of fruit buds. Since that I have had plentiful crops of fruit without trouble. Take good care not to let many branches grow on the upright system. — Horticulturist. Fermentation. — A thorough exclusion of the air from fermenting liquids is all-important. Professor Shephard here describes a most excellent way to accomplish this desirable object. Blessrs. Editors: — An important secret in fermentation of wine so as to retain a large amount of saccharine mat- ter after fermentation, may be of service to the readers of the Homestead. The same process is equally beneficial in making cider. It is as follows : Fill your cask with new wine or new cider, and bung it up tight. Then bore a hole in the centre of the bung, and fix in a tube, which must be bent over like a syphon with the long arm or end dipping into a vessel of water. The result is, that fermentation will go on, and the car- bonic acid gas be forced through the tube, and escape under the water, while the oxygen of the air cannot re- turn to enter the cask to make the wine or cider sour. This is, in short, the way to obtain the pure juice of the grape. Forrest Shephard. \in Homestead. CHEAP STU3IP PUEEEK. A very good stump puller may be made by any farm.er who has an axe, a stick of timber, and a chain. You have only to save one white oak stick in your clearing, 15 or 20 feet long. This is your lever power. You need not raise it to a a perpendicular, nor lift it about by main strength. Hitch a good pair of oxen to the top end and make them drag it along side of the stump to be pulled — drag it till the butt end comes even with the stump. Now, with a couple of iron bars, two men will cant this butt end against the fast stump— make the lever fast to the stump with a timber chain, giving it the right twist. Thus your machine is attached to the stump, and you have only to drive your oxen at an angle to give it the right twist. Large stumps are drawn out by this simple method, and should your stump prove too large for your team, you have only t6 dig around and cut off some of the principal fangs — as all are obliged to do when they use patent ma- chines. Two yoke of oxen may be hitched to such a lever when the stumps are large, and with one or two yoke the lever is readily dragged from stump to stump without unfasten- ing the drag chain on the top end. The attendance of two men is required, but there is not one-fourth part so much lifting and hand labor as when n complicated ma- ckine is us^. This white oak lever moves in a horizontal line and twists the stump off instead of raising it up into the air, a great advantage over the tipping operation, which leaves the stump on edge. When the stumps are not large, one yoke of oxen and two men will accomplish as much in a day as any ma- chine can do with two men to tend it. In fact, we have seen four men in attendance on a patent machine pullet;, and their labor was not so light as it is on a simple lever, drawn from stump to stump by oxen. — Mame Farmer. HUNGARIAN GRASS. Believing a brief account of this grass and its merits may not be amiss, and knowing that the circulating medi- um of the “newspaper” extends through all the States of our Union, I will, for thh benefit and interest of our farm- ing community East and West, North and South, endeavor to say something relative to its introduction in America^ of its productiveness, and also of its use, but feel certain I shall not be able to speak of its merits as it deserves. Its introduction in the United States w’as, as near as I can learn, in 1853, by a native of Hungary. A gentleman, then residing in the State of Illinois, procured a small handful of the seed from the Hungarian exile and took it to Iowa, and sowed it first on the prairies of the great West. The demand increasing, the little handful has fallen far short of supplying the cry for more seed. As yet its cultivation is chiefly limited to but two or three counties in Iowa, but such is the demand for it that its seed sells at unusual high rates. Its productiveness, both for hay and seed is such that it is supplanting oats and timothy, and even the numberless acres of corn are wan- ing before it and giving it place. From three to four tons of hay and from twenty-five to thirty bushels of seed is an average crop per acre, yet it has frequently been known to produce, at one cutting, six tons of hay and forty bushels of seed per acre. Drouth does not appear to ef- fect its growth, its long roots strikingdeep into the earth, draw up the substance from a depth that cur common grasses, owing to their short roots, cannot reach, which enables it to withstand the hot, dry blasts of midsummer when other grasses fail. Horses and stock of all kinds give the hay made from this grass the preference over all others. A horse fed on it with the seed left on, requires no other grain through the winter; cattle and cows fat- ten on it; and as a food for young poultry, it cannot be surpasssed, as the seed seems to be suited precisely in quality and size to their wants. I have, as I said, given a very brief account of its merits, but hope some one more competent than your humble servant will give it more fully. I would further say, from what I know of it, that all that can procure even but a small portion of the seed and sow it, will be well repaid by its proceeds for the present year’s subscription to your useful “newspaper.” The above can be relied upon as no exaggeration, but falls far short doing the subject justice. — Ex. L. R. , in Valle]/ Farmer. McDonough Co., Illinois, 1858. Peat, Lime and Potatoes. — Mr. Philip O’Reilly, of Providence, R. I., (says the Germamtown Telegraph) states that lime is of no avail in preventing potato rot, afi he has tried it. and has seen it tried by others in vain. After many experiments, he has found that a handful of dry peat in powder or small pieces was the best preven- tive, and he thinks if it were generally applied, it wouW save ninety-nine in every hundred hills. 90 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. FATTENING ANIMAES. There are certain principles which apply to the feeding of all animal?, which we will briefly notice. 1. The breed is of great importance. A well bred ani- mal not only affords less waste, but has the meat in the right places, the fibre is tender and juicy, and the fat is put on just where it is wanted. Compare the hind leg of a full-btood Durham ox, and a common one. The bone at the base of the tail extends much further in the former, affording more room for flesh, and the thigh swells out, of convex or circular shape; while in the common ox it falls in, dishing and hollow. Now the “ round” is the most valuable cut, and is only found in perfection in high-bred stock. The same is the case over the whole body. So well do eastern butchers understand this, that their prices are regulated by the breed, even where two animals are equally fat. They know that m a Durham or Hereford ox, not only will there be less offal in proportion to weight, but the greatest quantity of meat will be where it brings the highest price when retailed, and will be of a richer flavor, and more fibre. The same is the case with hogs. A large hog may chance to make more meat on a given quantity of food than a small one, but the meat of ihe first will be coarse and tasteless compared with the other ; and in the east, flavor and tenderness greatly regulate prices. Consequently, moderate sized, short-legged, small- headed hogs, always, in the long run, beat large breeds out of favor. In preparing for a market, “fashion and taste” must be as much considered by the farmer as by the tailor. This one fact is at present revolutionizing the English breed of sheep. The aristocracy always paid high for small Welch and Scotch mutton ; but the great consumers, the mechanics, preferred large fat joints. The taste is now changed. In Manchester and other such cities, these large joints have become unsaleable ; and all the efforts of the breeder are now turned towards small breeds maturing early, with comparatively little fat. Ac- cording to late writers, the large Leicester and Cotswold are going quite out of fashion. When we give ^3,000 for a Durham bull, it is not that his progeny are “ intrinsi- cally” more valuable to that amount, but the increased value and the fashion together, make up the difference. And it is thus, that while Durhams and Herefords are preferred for ships and packing, Devons are high in repute for private families. The joints are smaller, but the meat has a peculiar richness, probably found in no other kind of stock : and the proportionate waste is said to be less than in any other breed. Thus in the London mar- ket, the Scotch Kyloes, and then the Devons, (the former even smaller than the latter,) bring the highest price, because preferred by the aristocracy. So in Dublin, spayed heifers are sought for. But the breed also regu- lates the profit. There is nothing more certain than that one kind of animal will fatten to a given point on much less food than another, and as fattening our stock is only rarother mode of selling our grain and grass, those ani mals are to be preferred which come to maturity soonest, and fatten on the least food. The difference in hogs is very great and important. While some breeds must be fed fjr two, or even three winters, others are full grown and laitened at ten months old ; and the difference in pro- fit is enormous. We cannot go into particulars, but the Ibhowing rules may be considered as applying to all : An animal may be expected to fatten easily when it has fine, soft, elastic skin, with thin or silky hair; the head and legs short, the “ barrel” large, but chest and lungs small; and w’hen it is quiet, sleepy and easy in temper. An un- quiet, restless, quick-tempered animal, is generally a bad feeder, and unprofitable. 2. Much depends in fattening, on outward and mechan- ical management. Fat is carbon, or the coal which sup- plies the body with heat. If we are exposed to cold, it is burnt up in our lungs are fast as it is deposited by the blood ; but if we are kept warm, by shelter or clothing, it is deposited throughout the body, as a supply on hand when needed. Warm stables and pens are a great assist- ance in fattening, and should never be neglected. So, also quiet and peacefulness are important. Every exeited ac- tion consumes some part of the body which has to be suplied by the food, and detracts from the fat. In the climate of Michigan, warm stables, regular feeding at fixed hours, and kind treatment, with perfect cleanliness, save many a bushel of grain. Animals fed at irregular tihies are always uneasy and fretting. 3. Ground and cooked food fatten more profitably than raw food. Mr Ellsworth found that hogs made as much flesh on one pound of corn ground and boiled to mush, as two pounds raw unground corn ; though the first did not fatten quite as rapidly, as they could not consume as much food in the twenty-four hours. By grinding and soaking, ten hogs will each gain 100 pounds in weight, on the same food that five would do if it were raw. 4. A change of food helps in fattening. Thus an ox fed entirely on corn and hay, will not fatten as fast, or as well, as one which has roots, pumpkins, ground oats or buckwheat, &c , fed to it at regular periods. The latter may contain intrinsically less nourishing matter than the corn, but the change produces some unknown effect on the stomach and system, that adds to the capability of depositing fat. The best feeders change the food very frequently, and find that they make a decided profit by so doing. Salt should be given with every meal to cattle — say an ounce a day. It preserves the appetite and pre- vents torpor of the liver to which all fattening animals are subject. This torpor, or disease, is to a certain extent conducive to fat; but carried too far, the animal sinks under it. 5. In cattle the skin should be particularly attended to. A fat animal is in an unnatural state, and consequently subject to disease. Taking no exercise, it has not its usual power of throwing off poisons out of the system, and if the skin is foul, the whole labor is thrown on the kidneys. It is round by experience that oxen, regularly curried and cleaned daily, fatten better and faster than when left to themselves ; and if the legs are pasted with dung, as is too often the case, it seriously injures the animal, 6. Too much rich food is injurious. The stomach can only assimilate a certain quantity at once. Thus an ox will prosper better on thirty pounds of corn and thirty pounds of cob ground together daily, than on forty pounds of ground corn. These mixtures are also valuable and saving of cost for hogs when first put in the pen. If an animal loses its appetite, the food should at once be changed, and if possible roots, pumpkins or steamed hay may be given, 7. Oxen will fatten better if the hay or stalks are cut for them, but care must be taken not to cut too short. An inch in length is about the right size for oxen, half or three-quarters of an inch for horses. — Farmers' Com-, and HorticuUural Gazette. Cotton in Cuba. — Cotton is now growm in Cuba with excellent success, A Havana correspondent of the Sa- vannah Republican speaks of a cotton field on the island, that this year yielded 900 pounds to the acre, and a sec- ond crop of bolls are now on the plants. He says : “Proper gins, &c , have been sent for to Charleston, and Georgia ; South Carolina and Louisiana will have to look to their honors as cotton producing States. Cuba will ere long deprive them of that grand position they now occupy in the cotton market of the world.” SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 91 MAKING FARM RIFE ATTRACTIVE. A few months ago, something was said of the import- ance to farmers, of cultivating a habit of observation, and of making notes of their experience for the benefit of others A few thoughts on this general subject may well be added : Why should not every farmer make a cabinet collection of every kind of rock upon his land 1 All soils are made up, in no small measure, of these rocks disintegrated (worn down) by the action of the elements. Having small specimens of these rocks arranged on shelves in his house, he can daily see the chief constituent elements of his farm. To do this, he need not himself be a scien- tific chemist or mineralogist ; the neighboring school- teacher or educated physician will tell him the precise name and quality of every stone. Then let him label them, and at his leasure read and learn all he can about his cabinet of minerals. Near by, let him have a collection of the different soils on his farm ; from the hill and valley, top soil, subsoil, alluvial, clay, gravel, and sand. Let these be arranged in vials and bottles, and neatly labeled. And let him not stop here. Do not trees grow in his wood-lot and orchard, and grasses and grains in his fields 1 Let him select specimens of every variety of wood — say a small cross- section of every sort of tree, specimens of their leaves, flowers and seed, and samples of dried grasses and grains, neatly prepared and labelled. And as to fruits, if he has a son or daughter skilled in drawing, they should make pictures of all the fruits growing in his orchard and gar- den. A gentleman of our acquaintance has begun to make such a collection of fruits, drawn and colored by his own hand in leisure hours, and it is very beautiful. He takes the fruits as they succe.=-sively ripen, drawing and painting them in water-colors. He began with the earliest strawberry, and included the cherries, raspberries, currents, summer pears, apples, and Fall and Winter fruit. Those which escape him one year, he obtains the next year. When he has copied the whole circle of fruits growing in his^neighborhood, he intends to have the draw- ings handsomely bound. They will make a set of books of rare interest and value! Let the farmer and his family make some collection of this sort. And to these things let him add specimens of the insects injurious to vegetation, classified and named. Nor would it be amiss to make or purchase drawings of useful animals, farm implements, and various works of art taste. But enough has now been said to show that a wide field of pleasing and useful observation lies open before any farmer. How much would the habit we have advo- cated tend to liberalize his views, give him a new and stronger interest in his chosen profession, and elevate it also in the minds of others ! It would then be plainly seen that there is no end to the subjects of interesting and useful observation and thought suggested by the pursuits of agriculture. And what a happy influence would this habit of observation exert on the children educated on a farm so conducted ! They would grow up, thinking men and women, and they would honor and fondly love the calling of agriculture. How foolish it is for farmers to complain of their children forsaking the homestead at the earliest opportunity, while such parents do nothing to invest farming with some kind of attractions! Their children would be dolts, if they didn’t wish to get away from some farms that we know of. But let parents show them that agriculture is some- thing besides drudgery; show them that it awakens thought, demands thought, and honors thought, and they will not run away from it. They will not hasten to towns and cities to engage in trades and professions less honora- ble, more uncertain of yielding pecuniary advantage, and less heathful to body and mind and morals. One who tries to practice WHAT HE PREACHES. American Agriculturist. BRILLIANT PROSPECT FOR COTTON PLAN- ters. We clip the following fiom the January number of Debow’s Review, for the benefit of our cotton planting friends. The intelligent commercial editor of the United States Economist predicts for cotton the most gratifying future : “The course of events for the last two or three years had pushed consumption of cotton so far ahead of the production thatthe prices had risen to 48c., notwithstand- ing that the high price of food in Europe and the state of affairs in Asia were adverse to a large consumption of cotton. The panic has greatly curtailed the use of cot- ton, but the prospect now is a combination of all the ele- ments of a large consumption, Asia taking great quanti- ties this year, and with a crop which is now estimated at 3.500.000 bales, or 400,000 bales more than last year, the exeess in receipts over last year being already S240,- 000. “If cotton has maintained its value in the last year, with an increased crop of 100,000 bales, and a decrease of 500.000 bales in consumption, it is but reasonable to as- sume that with a renewal of the consumption, under the favorable operation of cheap labor and larger markets, that the prices of 1857 will be reached, say l8c. for mid- dling, or that the mark then anticipated — 20c. for fair cotton — will be reched. This would give a value of $327,000,000 for the crop of 1858 coming to market in 1859. Such a result, supported by good crops, and sales of sugar, tobacco and rice, will give continued balances in favor of the South, which already presents such a strong contrast to the Northwest, where the prolonging of re- vulsion lies upon crops and values.” Thorough Tillage. — At one of the Irish agiicultural meetings, one of the speakers remarked — and the truth may be well applied in this country : “What brought out the immense agricultural wealth of Scotland I and what enabled the small farmer in Bel- gium, who, on seven or eight acres of light, sandy land, was able to do bette r for himself and his family than we can do on twenty or thirty acres of land in this country 7 It was not by allowing three-fourths of a^light tillage farm to remain in poor herbage, and making the other quarter pay the rent. It was because the farmers in those countries alluded to, made agriculture a study, a duty, and a pleasure, and because the farmers till their land to the best advantage, and because no man tliere would keep one single acre of land more in his possession, than his capital and his means would enable him to cultivate.” Mortality op Races. — The Providence R. I. Journal in reviewing the tables and reports of that city for 1858, remarks ; In proportion to the population, the number of death .s in 1858, was very nearly as follows: White American population, one in 57. Colored American population, one in 28. Foreign population, one in 39. For the whole population, the deaths were about one in fifty. The large proportional mortality of the colored popula- tion is undoubtedly owing to cause inherent in the race itself in the Northern climate. 92 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. [F'/om the Ncio Orleans Sunday Delta.'\ SONG OF THE COTTON PLANT. BY JOHN ANTR0B08. I slept in the eye of the golden sun, Nursed by the breath of the tropic zone, I drank the dews from a million flowers, And fed on the balm from roses blown. I lay in the gray of the early spring, In the loamy banks of the parent stream ; And I heard it sing of the lands it knew. Where the frost-winds chant and the ice-lamps gleam. But soft and warm in the tropical soil, I lay till the yielding earth was green; And the air was thrilling with vernal sound, And odorous censors swung unseen. Tlien, awake with the sun at early dawn, I rose, and Raantled the genial mold; And over the tapestried plains of green, I scattered a bloom of burnished gold. At noon, I tinted each quivering cup, With rosy streaks from the solar ray ; And I kindled a blush of crimson flame. Which purpled the blosso.ms at close of day. I arose in pride, as the summer gleams Fell warm and fond on my emerald vest, And gladdened with life I lavishly hung Thick, clustering bolls about my breast. Oh! I smiled when the nipping autumn’s wind Withered my leaves in the dead of night, For close at my heart was the downy fruit, And mocked at the wandering midnight blight. But, ah! the triumph was mightier still. When the subtle frost came stern and black; I rose in might, with a banner of light, And flung my robes on his dreary track. And lo! when the sun, with misty eyes. Looked forth on the work of the sullen night, I met his gaze with a flood of rays From a thousand flowering fields of white. Ijeweled the banks of that mighty stream, Which ever rolls to the sounding sea, And its solemn floods, where’er they go, Bear forth some memory thereof me. I have crossed the deep, I have filled the isles, I have made proud Europe own my sway; And the anxious millions humbly wait To carry me on my regal way. But you deem it strange (to see me lie, A simple plant in a fertile land,) That I should stretch from coast to coast, And hold the balance in my hand. J hold the threads in the web of trade; Commerce is knit in the woof with me; Nations I hold with a simple braid, While 1 laugh a^ War’s artillery. I abide a while ’mid sullen walls, Dumb with the dinning of shaft and wheel, While shiv’rmg mortals grimly watch My panting throes on the burnished steeL There a million spindles whz and whirl, And torture my heart with whirring spoom ; But my silken veins revive again, In wond’rous forms from the heated loom. From cradle to grave I nurse and robe. And blazon with vestments lorldy man; I flutter among the bridal guests, And join with griefin the funeral train. I swathe the limbs of the royal babe. The serf, and the freeman lowly born ; While I make the cerements for the king, And the stinted shroud by the pauper worn. I cherish the thoughts of mighty men. From pen and press, on the snowy page; And lie in the broad and pregnant sheet Which chronicles lime from age to age. I have slaves at my back, who dress my fields, And gather me in my lusty prime; Who laugh at the jeers of Northern seers — Bubbles to break on the lip of Time ! The North may fume in its smoky looms, The West may hide in its fields of grain; But with wings as white as cygnet’s breast, I hie to the Sunny South again. I pillow her head on my breast of down. Strengthen and lengthen her bands of trade ; Where 1 stretch my wings her flii^ht may be, With banners of light and might arrayed. Once in the dawn of a Nation’s day, When struggling Freedom almost fell, I rose in her front with rampart-bales, And bared my breast to the shot and shell. Then freemen sped with a joyous shout. And placed their banners aloft with me ; While “Liberty,” with her sacred things. Twined me in her wreath of victory. Give hemp and flax to the grosser soil, China the nest of the silkcocoon, Give me the lands of the golden zone — I’m King, and the genial South my throne ( Chinese Sugar Cane.— One of our patrons in Texas, seeing a notice of the souring of the Chinese Sugar Cane Molasses, has addressed us a note, containing sugges- tions that may be profitable to tliose of our farmers en- gaged in the culture of this article : Ecleto, Karnes co. Texas, Dec. 18, 1858. Editor Knoxville Whig: — Dear Sir: — From a notice in one of your papers, I see there are complaints — in your section of the country — in regard to the Chinese Sugar Cane Molasses, fear of its souring, &c. I made some the last season which soured — the cause ofits souring I think was for the want of thorough boil- ing. T boiled it over, putting a little Sal Soda, say half an ounce to the gallon of syrup, and was well paid for the trouble, the Molasses being much better than when first made. You can make this public for the informatien of those whom it may concern. Respectfully yours, &c., 0. H, P. Scanland. [Knoxville IVhhg. What one Bean has done. — According to the Ban.' stable (Mass.) Patriot, Mr. Loring Crocker, of that vil- lage, raised last season on one stalk, and consequently from one bean, 106 pods, which yielded 453 beans! SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 93 AGRICULTURAL. EXPERIMENT. When Agriculture meets with its just and rightful at- tention, everything bearing upon it is sure to prosper Life and activity is given to all the operations of man, and the world moves as if upon greased axles. Beauty is im- pressed upon everything which surrounds us, and our handiwork bears unmistakable signs of prosperity and intelligence. To plant properly requires thought and re- flection, and to be successful in planting, our minds must go back through long years, that experience may be ren- dered profitable, and passed errors remedied. All can plant and raise something which may be styled fruit, but all do not plant so as to be equally prepared for sunshine and rain, drouth or wet, and live confident the harvest will be every way satisfactory. In the midst of the continual change which is going on, it is not reasonable to suppose routine planting and culti- vation will answer, but, on the contrary, we are continu- ally admonished to advance by means of a proper appli- cation of mind to our pursuit, and, by addressing our- selves to the reasonableness of all things and systems, de- termine which is the best— which is the safest course to pursue. It is well known that some years we suffer by drouth, some we are too much flooded; reason, then, would prompt us to set on foot an enquiry after that mode of preparation, planting, and cultivation which would be proof against either extreme. The science of Agriculture consists in this, to make the most with the least labor, and under all and every circumstance. When an Agricultural people give themselves up to this charac- ter of progress and advancement, then they may be truly said to be developing their science, making for themselves and theirgrowing plants strong armors against all enemies, improving the soil, making the'staple richer and better, the fruit more delicious, the country more independent, and themselves more intellectual. Judiciously directed experiment will accomplish every- thing, and, indeed, the farmer and planter is infinitely more benefited by his own experiments than by those of others — that of others may direct him in pursuing his own, but should never be followed except under the guidance of his own judgment— a reason for this is readily seen in ' the fact that the same combination of circumstances can ■ hardly be expected tosurround any two making the same experiment. We hope this matter will receive its merited attention from our Agriculturis s. — Southern Rural Gent. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. The New York Farmer , published at Trenton, in in- troducing tu its readers a recent letter of Gov. W^right, of Indiana, describing an agricultural school in Germany, says: “ Every profession has its school — why agriculture should be left to glean its learning as best it may, we can- not understand. If schools are necessary to train the clergyman, the lawyer, the doctor, the merchant and the artist, is it not eminently proper that agriculture, which depends so entirely for its complete success upon a knowledge of the natural sciences, should also have its schools V' Certainly it is, and it passes our comprehension to know why, among farmers themselves, such prejudices exists against everything that is to quality the young farmer for his profession, except the mere act of his working upon the land with his own hands. It is breath spent in vain to talk about managing a farm well theoretically. We might as well expect the body to grow and flourish without its vitalizing breath ; theory and practice must go together, and it is well if the practice is quite thorough be- fore we pause to theorize much. That proper schools for instruction will afford the-young farmer important aid in the pursuit ofbusiness, will not admit ofa doubt it seems to us, in any unp ejudiced mind. What such schools shall embrace, and how they shall be managed, are ques- tions not yet settled among us. — Southern Rural Gentle- man. HISTORY OF THE PLOW. The first plow is supposed to have been the rude branch of a tree, cut so as to have a cleft end, the point of which dragged along the surface of the ground, scraped a furrow into which seeds were thrown. It soon occurred to the husbandman that he might relieve his own labor by yoking an animal to the long arm of his primitive instru- ment; then arose the necessity for a handle, affixed to the back, so that the plow might be guided. The strength of the animal soon wore away or broke the cleft of the branch, and this necessity gave rise to the invention of means for attaching movable shares, first of wood, and next of stone, copper or iron, worked to a shape adapted to the cutting of furrows, so as to avoid the excessive labor arising from the plowman’s having to lean upon the plow with all his weight, to press it into the earth. Just such an implement as these conjectures indicate, was used by the Saxons. Some of the facts connected with the history of the plow are almost incredible. In Ireland there once prevailed a custom of “plowing by the horse’s tail.” The draft-pole was lashed to the tail of the horse, and, as no harness was employed, two men were necessary, one to. guide and press upon the plow, the other to direct the horse, which he did by walking, backwards before the miserable animal, and beating it on the head on either side, according to the direction required . This custom prevailed for a considerable time, in spite of a law which was passed in the early part of the seven- teenth century, imposing severe penalties upon persons found guilty of “plowing by the horse’s tail,” as in the act mentioned and described. From the Rev. Ceesar Otway’s “Sketches in Erris and Tyrawley/’ it appears that the bar- barous practice lingered in the remote west of Ireland as late as the year 1840 ! And from a paper “On the breed of horses in Scotland in the Ancient Times,” piinted in the first volume of the “Transactions of the Society of An- I tiquarians of Scotland,” we find that the same custom was j practiced in that country as late as the year 1792. — Pro- 1 gress of Agriculture. Gkowth of Animals. — Man grows for twenty years, and lives ninety or one hundred. The camel grows for eight years, and lives forty years. The horse grows for five years, and lives twenty-five years. The ox grows for four years, and lives fifteen or twenty years. The Lion grows for four years, and lives twenty years. The dog grows for two years, and lives for twelve or fifteen years. The cat grows for one and a half years, and lives nine or ten years. The hare grows for one year, and lives about eight years. The guinea pig grows for seven months, and lives six or seven years. Wherever you see a neat farm, be assured tlie manager is an economical man; where a farm is the re- verse, the manager is not an economist. 94 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. STARTING SEEDS EAREY. Rev. Daniel Emerson, Summit Co., O., writes that he has been successful in giving garden seeds an early start in the following manner : Having selected the quantity needed, each sort is tied by itselfin a cloth, the name being plainly written on a slip of paper, and inclosed with the seed. The packages are then buried about two inches <3eep in the ground^ for a week or two. When ready to plant, the kinds needed for planting are taken from the bags used. They will be found to have swelled, perhaps sprouted, and ready to grow. If the ground should be quite dry, it is best to water the drills after dropping the seed, and then cover with dry earth. Mr. E. says that by this plan he has never failed to raise plants from every seed planted, though when put out they were often sprout- ed. If each seed is placed where it is wanted to grow, it will save the labor of thinning, though many prefer to thin their rows, leaving the most prominent plants to grow. — American Agriculturist. Gophers. — In some portions of the South, and more par- ticularly in California, there is a pest known as gopher, an animal somewhat like a ground squirrel, and very sly and difficult to catch. They live in holes dug in the earth and where they are abundant they are very destructive, consuming the seed as well as the product when the seed escapes their ravages. Chemistry has been invoked to show how they may be destroyed in their holes, and the following is the process given by the California Farmer : “Prepare strips of pine wood, about the size of the finger and six inches long, then take rosin and melt the same; dip the point of the stick in the melted rosin, about two and a half inches, and let the rosin be rolled around the point of the stick — perhaps two coats of rosin ; then take powdered sulnhurf flour of sulphur) and roll the dipped end in the sulphur tilll it is well coated ; then again dip it in the melted rosin, and again in the sulphur, and give a last coat of rosin, making four coats of rosin and two of sulphur, to the thickness on the stick, of one- halfto three-quarters of an inch, prepare as many sticks as there are gopher holes, and take them to the place ; insert the stick a little distance in the hole and light it; then cover the hole with a clod of earth, not to f ut out the light, and leave the remedy to work a cure. The match will burn freely, although the hole is closed, and will speedily generate -sulphuric acid gas, which is and must be certain death to all that breathes below the surface, within reach of its power, and it will perforate every nook and corner of earth where there is a pore, working downward as well as upward; thus, at once relieving our industrious farmers of one of the severest trials they have had to encounter.” The same process (says the New York Tribune,') may be used to destroy other noxious varmints where gophers are unknown. Large Sale of Cotton. — During the present week, Col. Joseph Bond disposed of (in this city) his entire crop of cotton of 1858, amounting to over 2200 bales. The purchase was made by Col. T. R. Bloom ot Macon, and the net proceeds amounted to over one hundred thousand dollars. This is the largest sale that we have heard of being made in Georgia, and the largest crop of one sea- son made by any planter in the State. This crop was raised in South-Western Georgia, and grown on the fol- lowing plantations; “ Fowltown,” “ Wilkins,” “ Mud Creek,” •' Ducker Place,” “ Hi'^kory Level” and “ White Hall.” These places embrace some of the finest lands in the State. Should Col Bond live a lew years, with his present income, and exercise prudeiue and ec./noray he w[\], perhaps, be a rich man. — Albany PatroU. MANUFACTURES IN THE SOUTH. The New Orleans Picayune is much pleased at th« steady advance of the South in manufactures. It says the most profitable cotton factory in the South is in East Mississippi, and that many of the cotton planters hav® introduced the new machine to spin cotton on the planta- tions. In Warren county there is a movement to estab- lish a factory in that rich region. The Picayune con- cludes : This is a movement in the right direction. The South can manufacture cheaper than any other part of the world. With the raw material growing in sight of the factory ; with slave labor, under all circumstances and at all times, absolutely reliable ; with provisions of every descrip- tion and of the best quality, and cheaper than in any other quarter,, furnished without transportation, the manufactured fabrics can be produced so as to compete successfully with the world. The North and Europe her- self, will find that the South has advantages for manufac- turing purposes that even pauper white labor will not counterbalance. Success to the movement to manufac- ture in the South ! It is destined to form one of the most powerful elements in our advancement in wealth and power. This sounds very encouraging’ says the New Orleans Delia, but how, neighbor, if negroes continue to advance as they have for the last three or four years 1 They com- mand sixteen hundred dollars, and if a few thousands are drawn off into manufactories, this figure will be still furth- er increased. VVIEE CLOVER KILL CATTLE ? — MEASUR- ine Corn in Bulk. Editors Southern Cultivator— I do not often write for the scrutiny of public gaze ; but I feel constrained to reply to your correspondent, “W. A ,” whose article ap- pears in the June (1858) number of the Cultivator. Raised in Ohio, I have been familiar with the growth of Clover, and I believe it is known to farmers there, generally, that Clover, white or red, when in blossom and especially whilst wet with dew, is very likely to kill cat- tle. “W. A.” asks “What is there in it ?” Now, since my step-mother was a Yankee, I’ll answer by asking: “What is there in it” that makes it a superior pasture ? But “why did it kill one and not another T’ Because one eat a greater proportion of bloom than another. Why did it kill the milch cows first? Partly for the same rea- son ; and partly because the solid food you gave them, left less room for the expanding clover bloom. I have seen like results from a like cause in Ohio. The symptoms of illness, and post mortem appearance, narrated by “W.A.” contain an account of the observation of many a morti- fied stock grower. That rule for measuring corn in bulk, which appeared in your April (1858) number, is most egregiously in er- ror. A bushel of shelled corn occupies more than a cubic foot, while the rule makes a bushel of ears only equal to 4-10 foot. The correct rule is to divide the cubic foot by 4 1-2, because 4 1-2 cubic feet make a barrel, i. e., a flour barrel full of ears, which will generally shell out about a bushel. Instance, 4 1-2 feet make a bushel— hence 4 1-2 4 1-2=1. But as per April number 4 1-2-y-l 1-2=2. 0 1-1. You see at once that it would not begin to do. J. T. K. Yorkto w n , 7 \\vo s. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 95 BLOODED STOCK. To what is the comparative failure of the American horse in England to be attributed 1 Is it that the English horse is superior in some or all the requisites for the turfi Or is it to be accounted for by the effects of change of climate, or some unfavorable in- fluence of so long a sea voyage 1 A writer in one of the English papers is certainly free in his comments on the specimens of our stock which have entered the lists in England ; this is a tough morsel for our sportsmen : “In America, great atention is being paid to the breed of horses, and hence some of our best animals have been of late exported. Jonathan however, entertained an over- weening estimation of his blooded stock, and although he acknowledged that the British racers could lick creation, he boasted that his could lick the British. Lecomte and Pryor died in this country, but before their death they did nothing to justify the reputation which preceded them to England. Prioress — not better than a second-rate English three-year-old— has been more fortunate than meritorious; whilst Babylon and Bonita — if we are to regard them as specimens of the American race horses — have brought the American blood-stock into contempt. The former came to this country with a reputation of having chased a flash of greased lightning round a field, and beaten it by a neck ; but it has been proved that he cannot go over a two mile course, unless carried in a van ; whilst Bonita, not big- ger than a donkey, would be a week galloping off a cab- bage leaf.” This is noticed by Porter's Spirit of the Tivies as fol- lows : “If any of our racing correspondents Vi^ishes to contest the above views, they are welcome to the battle. For our part, we will be a little patent, and wait till next year We feel at liberty to say at present, however, that we do not consider the relative measure of merit between the horse.s of the two countries as by any means established through the comparison of the last two seasons; and we shall not be finally satisfied in the premises until some first class English race horse is sent out here. We wish to ascertain whether there is not something in acclimation, and the effects of an Atlantic voyage on thorough-bred stock. Manuring Light Soils. — I like your paper first rate, and would like to see a few hints as to the best way of managing a farm composed of 30 acres of light sandy loam. As my farm is on high land, and composed of a light sandy loam, the advice about draining, using peat, muck, &c., does not reach my case, as these materials are not at my command ; would that they were. I cannot satisfy myself as to what is the best way to enrich my farm; yet it must be done somehow to make it pay. Am at present using the manure from one horse, six cows, three hogs, and fowls, mixed with half loam. 0. P. W. The application of the compost, so far as it goes, is a good one — the greater the amount of clay in the loam used for the compost the better, both because it is the best absorbent of the enriching parts of the manure, and be- cause it tends to give strength to the soil. We would re- commend as an additional means of enriching the land, the practice of plowing in frequently green crops, and especially of clover. It often happens that this proves much the cheapest mode of manuring, obviating the cost ofheavy cartage. The addition of some lime, ashes or marl (shell or earthy) in connection with other fertilizers will probably be useful. — Counfrij Genlteman. NATIONAL AGKICULTUBAL COLLEGE. The following are the provisions of the bill, now pending in the Senate, for the establishment of a National Agricul- tural College in each State of the Union: Sec. 1. Enacts that 5,920,000 acres of land be appro- priated in each State, in quantity equal to 20,000 acres for each Senator and Representative in Congress to which the States are now respectively entitled. Sec. 2. That the said land, after being surveyed, shall be apportioned in sections, or subdivisions of sections not less than one-quarter of a section ; and wherever there are public lands in a State worth Si 25 per acre — (the Go- vernor to determine the value) — the apportionment shall be selected from such lands. Where there are no public lands of the Value of SI 25 per acre, the Secretary of the Interior shall issue land scrip to the amount of their dis- tributive shares in acres, such scrip to be sold by such State and the proceeds applied for the purpose of this act. Provided., That in no case shall any State locate its land scrip within the limits of any other State, but their as- signees may locate their scrip on any unappropriated lands, subject to private entry. Sec. 3. All expenses of management and disbursement shall be paid by the respective States, so that the entire proceeds of the land shall accrue to the College. Sec. 4. All money from lands and scrips shall be inves- ted in the United States, or other safe stocks yielding not less than 5 per cent. — which sums invested shall consti- tute a perpetual fund for ever undiminished, of which the interest shall be inviolably applied to the maintenance of at least one College in each State where the leading ob- ject shall be, without excluding other scientific or classical studies, to teach such branches of learning as relate to agriculture and the mechanic arts, in such manner as the legislature may prescribe, in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the se- veral pursuits and professions in life. Sec. 5. Details various financial minutiae, and permits 10 per cent, of the grant to be expended in purchase of site for experimental farms. An annual report shall be prepared by each College and be sent to every College constituted under this act, also the Smithsonian Institu- tion and the Agricultural Department of the Patent Office. This bill passed the House of Representatives, April 22, 1858. A Pretty Conceit. — We yesterday saw, in the parlor of a friend, a very beautiful conceit. It is, of course, the fancy of a lady, and consists of a burr of a pine tree placed in a wine glass half-full of water, and from between the different layers of the burr are shooting forth green blades — bright, beautiful, refreshing. For a little thing, we have seen nothing that so pleased us by its beauty and novelty. And the secret is this : The burr was found dried and open ; the different circles were sprinkled with grass seed, and it was placed in a wine glass, with water in as above. In a few days the moisture and nourish- ment gave the burr life and health; the different circles closed and buried within themselves the grass seed, and a few days more gave to the seed also life, sprout and growth; and now a pyramid of living green, beuutifully relieved by the sombre hue of the burr, is the result— as pretty and novel a parlor ornament as we have for a long while seen. We do not know whether the idea w'as ori- ginal with the lady, but we do not know that its success is beautiful. — Troy Times. Love of Flowers. — it you find that your child loves flowers, cultivate that love — encourage it. It will be found refining and elevating, and the child will grow thoughtful, docile ard beautiful under such influence. Let him (or her) learn the history and character of one flower, before’another is added to the list. ^6 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. Mmmlit (EcnEom^ ml How TO Keep Meat, from Spoiling. — At this season -of the year, when persons are putting up their meat, it frequently happens that a sudden change in the weather, or other causes, gives a tendency to the meat to become tainted. This may be completely remedied by taking a quart of water and pouring into it two or three table spoonfuls of Darby’s Prophylactic Fluid, which may be had at any Drugstore, and then thoroughly washing the parts affected with it. If the meat is badly tainted, a larger quantity of water should be used. To housekeepers, this information will be very valuable for more purposes than to prevent the spoiling of meat. It will apply to removing the rancidity from butter and lard with the same result. We have frequently tried this simple plan ourselves and known others to try it, and we have never known it to fail. It entirely removes all bad odor and makes the meat as sweet and solid as it ever was. — Atlanta Intelligencer. Important to Housekeeper. — A lady correspondent desire to impart to the public what she believes to be valu- able information. She writes that having read the papers of the death of a man in Boston from inflammation caused by the toe nail growing in, she desires to let the public know of a remedy which she used in her own family with ■complete success. A daughter suffered for years — con- sulted several physicians, and had finally arrived at the point where the doctors said the toe must be cut off, or the nail torn off, to save life, when this simple but sure remedy was applied, and in a very few days the cure was complete. The remedy was simply blue vitriol, a small quantity mixed with an equal quantity of burnt allum, pulverized and sifted through muslin. If the toe is ul- cerated, first wash it with Castile soap suds, and then ap- ply the powder two or three times a day. She also wishes to have the ladies know her remedy for getting rid of cockroaches. It is simply to take a dish with live coals in it, covering the coals with tobacco leaves and placing it in the closet, cupboard or buttery, and they are no longer to be seen. — Exchange. Economical Use of Nutmegs. — If a person begins to grate a nutmeg at the stalk end, it will prove hollow throughout; whereas the same nutmeg, grated at the other end, v/ould have proved sound and solid to the last. This circumstance may be thus accounted for: The centre of a nutmeg consists of a number of fibres issuing from the stalk and its continuation through the centre of the fruit, the other ends of which fibres, though closely sur- rounded and pressed by the fruit, do not adhere to it. When the stalk is grated away, those fibres, having lost their hold, gradually drop out in succession, and the hol- low continues through the wdiole nut. By beginning at the contrary end, the fibres above mentioned are grated off at their core end,’ with the surrounding fruit, and do not drop out and cause a hole. — Arthur's Home Maga- zine. Ipecacuanha and Delirium Tremens — The jail physi- cians at Chicago, has had 100 cases of delirium tremens the past year, of which only four proved fatal. Of his manner of treatment, the doctor says : “Ipecacuanha, which I have tried in thirty-six cases, I found most remarkably successful, quieting the nervous system, exciting the appetite, acting on secretions, and uniformly producing sleep. When a case is not of too long standing, I give it as an emetic the first dose, and afterwards I give from 15 to 18 grains every other hour. Connected with this remedy, 1 use shower baths, and let 4he patient frequently drink strong beef tea, without any alcoholic stimulants.” Sandwiches for Evening Parties. — Chop fine sorm cold dressed ham, say about a quarter of a pound ; putia a basin with a tablespoonful of chopped pickles, and a teaspoonful of mustard, a little pepper or cayenne; pig about six ounces of butter in a basin, and with a spooa stir quickly till it forms a kind of cream ; and add the haM and seasoning, mix all well, have the sandwich bread eig in thin slices ; have already cut, thinly intermixed with fat, either cold rost, beef, veal, lamb, mutton, poultry, pheasant, grouse, fowl, partridge, &c., either of which lay evenly and not too thick, on your bread; season with a little salt and pepper ; cover over with another piece of bread; when your sandwich is ready, cut them in any shape you like, but rather small and tastily, and servo. You may keep them in a cold place, if not wanted, as they will keep good under cover for twelve hours, Graham Bread — One quart of milk ; scald one-half of it and pour on one quart of good Graham flour; then add the rest of the milk warm ; and flour enough to stir as thick as possible with a spoon, adding half a cup of good molasses while stirring it — then bake slowly for one hour. Another. — Two tea-cups of sweet milk, two of sour milk, half a cup of molasses, one teaspoonful of soda, Graham flour enough to make a thick batter — bake slow- ly one hour. This makes the better bread of the two recipes, in the opi nion of the generality of people. Graham flour to be good should be made of the best white winter wheat, and great care should be taken by the miller that it be not ground too fine. It spoils it to be ground fine ; the bread does not rise well. Every house- keeper should have this bread. Blaze-Proof Dresses, — The London Medical Times says : “The melancholy accdent by which the Ladies Laura and Charlotte Bridfiman and Miss Plunkett have been such fearful sufferers teaches a lesson which must not be neg- lected. The light fabrics manufactured for ladies’ dresses must be made blaze-proof. Nothing can be more simple. The most delicate white cambric handkerchief or fleecy gauze, or the finest lace, may, by a simple soaking in a weak solution of chloride of zinc, be so protected from blaze that if held in the flame of a candle they may be re- duced to tinder without blazing. Dresses so prepared might be burnt by accident without the other garments worn by the lady being injured.” Croup. — At a recent meeting of the Paris Academy of Sciences, the disease of croup — so common among chil- dren— formed the subject of very important remarks- Dr. Judin stated that it was a parasitic affection, and of all simple remedies capable of removing these parasitical growths the perciilorideofiron is by far the best. It pene- trates through the fungus, modifies the hemorrhagic state which alwas exists in the affected parts, and in their neighborhood, and, lastly, obliges the patient to ex- pectorate, by which means the false membrane is expelled, and an immediate cure effected, Preservation of Meat,— A Belfast (Ireland) paper states that meat first dried in a current of air and then hung up in a close chamber and exposed for twenty or thirty minutes to the fumes of burning sulphur, will keep as long as required. The meat, before packing, mu^ be further dried and then covered by some impervious substance. Sheep killed in Algiers during the month of August, and passed through this process were taken to Pans, and sold a month later. We have seen hams which after packing, were smoked a short lime over burning sulphur, that tasted and kept well — C»untry Gent-kman- DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE. VOL. XVII. AUGUSTA, GA., APRIL, 1859. NO. 4. WILiIiIAM S. JONES, Publisher. DANIEIi EEE, M. D., and D. REDMOND, Editors. o:r=* See Terms on Cover. ^laEtatinn (Ecnntira^ aitb HINTS FOR THE MONTH. The Plantation. — The general prevalence of heavy rains during the past winter, has, doubtless, retarded the 'preparation of land for Corn and Cotton, and it may not, therefore, be too late to urge upon our readers the great necessity of breaking up their lands very deep, as a pre- paration for the long drouths which are almost certain to follow the deluge which we have been subjected to. It is too late, now, to discuss the benefit of deep plowing — it is universally admitted by all farmers of sense and experi- ence. If the ground has been properly prepared. Corn should now be planted, immediately — if not prepared, do not de- , lay a moment, in getting it ready. Manure heavily — plow deep—xxsQ the best and heaviest seed you can obtain, and let your after- culture be of the most thorough character, working often and shallow, so as to break no roots. Indeed these three things comprise the whole system of Corn planting, viz : deep breaking up, plenty of manure turned under, and a frequent, shallow stirring of the surface during the growth of the crop. Cotton. — After your Corn crop is well started, push for- ward the planting of Cotton without delay. It is very important to get an early stand, and much may be effect- ed in this way by throwing up the beds light and dry. See various hints and sugestions on this subject, in pre- vious volumes and numbers. Sweet Potatoes.— your main crop of “sets” and “draws” this month. If you plant in hills or ridges, plow the soil very deep and throw them up broad and flat on the summit so that they may catch and retain as much moisture as possible. Potato “draws,” or any similar plants may be safely set out even in dry weather, by dip- ping the roots in a thick batter of black woods-mould, or surface soil and water, as heretofore described. Irish Potatoes, if not already planted, must be put in immediately, or it will be too late for a summer crop. They should be dropped 10 inches apart in 3 feet drills, | and covered with a thick layer of partially decomposed pine straw or leaves. Chinese Sugar Cane, for syrup, should be planted as soon as the weather becomes settled and warm — a little after Corn planting time. The people of the West, where the climate is not so favorable for this plant as with us, are planting it largely for the production of syrup and fod- der. Sow, also, Egyptian Millet, but do not let it come near the Chinese Sugar Cane, or you will ruin the latter as a sugar plant. Early crops of the Cow Peas may also be sown. For fodder, we prefer to sow them in the drill ; but if intended to turn under for manure, sow them broad- cast. Common Corn may, also, be sown in the drill for forage. The Vegetable Garden. — Attend to all work not per- formed last month, without delay. Set out all Cabbage plants, you may have, and sow more Cabbage seed to head in the summer ; Flat Dutch is the best. Thin out Turnips, as soon as they have four leaves, and sow more Turnip seed ; Early White Dutch and Red Topped Dutch are the best for spring use. Also sow the White Norfolk Tujnip ; it will grow larger than the former and succeed them. If you have not already sown Onion seed (black,) do it at once ; they will come into use in the lat- ter part of the summer, when all that were raised from the sets or buttons are gone. If you did sow black Onion seed last fall, it can now be transplanted. Sow Carrots, Beets, (Extra Early is the finest,) Parsnips, Salsify, Let- tuce, Radishes, Thyme, Parsely and Rape (for early greens.) The White Belgian Carrot stands our hot sum- mers best. Also sow Mangel Wurtzel; it will be found very good for late use, when the other beets are gone. Plant all in rows 18 inches apart. Sow, also, a little spot with Celery and protect the plants from the sun. When Cherry trees are i« bloom, plant Snap Beans; Early Val- entine is an excellent variety, and we are inclined to recom- mend it in preference to all others. When Apple trees are in flower plant Squashes (Scallop Squash is the best) in hills 3 feet apart; also. Cucumbers and Muskmelons G leet apart; the Nutmeg and Citron Melons are very fine and the earliest ; Beechwood Melon is very superior, but a little latter. The Persian Melon, or “I-pahan,” is an 98 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. excellent variety, too tender for the middle States, but does well here. All vines are greatly benefitted by guano or poultry manure, applied in a liquid form, often, but not too strong. At the same time, also, sow Okra, Tomatoes and Egg Plants. Hill up Rhubarb. Asparagus will now begin to sprout ; do not suffer any to run up to seed, but cut all down. Watermelons may now be planted in hills 10 feet apart, using leaf mould, ashes and poultry manure liberally in the hill. There are so many different kinds and varieties that we will not undertake to decide as to the beet. Plant a full crop of English Peas, for a succession. For a late crop, we think the “Blue Imperial,” and the “Prus- sian Blue” the best ; when planted at the same time as the “Extra Early,” they will come in three weeks later. The Orchard and Fruit Garden. — Young trees, if properly planted and trimmed, will need no stakes ; but if they are inclined to blow about in the wind, tie them up to a firm stake with a stout and broad strip of cloth — tailor’s “listing” or selvedge” is excellent for one season. Should the spring be dry and warm, they must be imme- diate ly “mulched” heavily (as directed for Roses ielow,) and watered, through the mulching, from time to time. Do not delay the mulching beyond the middle of April, at all events. It is one of the most important operations connected with tree culture in the South. Spare the birds in your orchard and gardens — they are your best friends— they “pay their rent,” not only in music and in the delight which they afford the eye and the heart, but also in the destruction of myriads of rapacious insects. As a further protection against predatory insects, hang up a number of wide-mouthed bottles, half filled with molasses- water, in your trees — you ,vill catch a great number of them. The Flower Garden. — Propagate and set out Dahlias —plant the seeds of all hardy Annuals — mulch your Roses with a thick layer of leaves from the hollows of^ the woods, sprinkling a little soil over the mulching to I keep the wind from blowing it away — transplant Ever- greens of all kinds, just as the nevj growth is Qommencing — the only proper time. Clean up and roll your gravel walks — dress your borders — tie up all herbaceous flower- ing plants to stakes of cypress or China tree wood, and ' put everything in trim for the season. If Annual Flower seeds have uot been sown, do so at once; work the soil deep, and enrich it well— poultry njanure is excellent ; all Stocks and Gill Flowers are high- ly benefitted by it. A liECTURE ON HEREDITARY BEOOD IN Man and otlieT Mammalia 5 in tiie Univer!§ity of Georgia. BY DANIEL LEE, M-D., TERRELL PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE. {Concluded from our March number, page G6.] , Whatever evils result from the intermarriage of first cousins are due mainly, if not exclusively, to diseases, and bodily deformities in parents, which are common to both sexes. Thus, if a father and mother alike inherit a scrofulous diathesis from their progenitors, the malady is likely to be somewhat intensified in their offspring. The congenital blood derived from both parents tends to the same tuberculous affection ; and as cousins are more often subjected to common antecedents than those not at all re- lated, it is easy to understand how more cases of dis- orders, both of body and mind, should sometimes exist in their children than those free from all parental con- sanguinity. Hence, more caution to avoid unhappy marriages is necessary where first cousins are disposed to wed, than in other cases ; because both may have some anatomical or functional defect in the brain, nerves, heart, or blood vessels, in the lungs, the organs of digestion, of secretion, or excretion, which forbid the parlies to inter- marry. But where both are healthy and sound in all re- spects, no injury whatever can follow their union. The propriety, or impropriety ofconsanguinous intermarriages is a matter for the parties most interested, and their friends to decide, and one in which no legislature has a right to interfere. It often happens that persons not at all related by blood being brought up in the same district, living much alike, and exposed to the same malerious poisons, or the same exciting causes of consumption, are strongly predisposed to the same maladies. In cases of this kind, the injuries from improper marriages are not less marked and permanent in their character than are injuries in the offspring of blood relations. Like produces like, not less where parents are not related by blood, tlian where they are so related. What is most needed is a knowledge of physiology that will enable the masses in all civilized communities, to remove from their blood, and especially that which is to become parental, every constitutional impurity and weakness. The art and science of preventing diseases in the human system, and in domestic animals, are matters of great importance. It is the office of the blood to repair the waste svhich is ever taking place in all parts of the body by the removal of elements no longer cap-^ble of sup- porting life. The sanguineous system also operates, with the aid of the lungs which are a part of it, to maintain that natural warmth of the body which is generally known by the name of animal heat This circulating fluid is not less active in conveying to the various outlets of the sys- tem aH effete substances to be separated from the living organism. Thus, the air expelled from the organs of res- piration, carries with it 100 times more carbonic acid gas gas than it contained when inhaled into the lungs. Much vapor also escapes into the atmostpliere in the same way. Sensible and insensible perspiration discharge through the pores of the skin fatty matter, nitrogenous oompounds, and various salts held in solution. The quan- tity of oi'ganic and inorganic elements removed through the function of the kidneys is still larger. The most im- portant elements in the feces of the mammalia, and es- pecially man, are derived, not directly from the food taken into the stomach which has never left the alimentary canal, but from matters poured into this lengthened or- gan near its outlet, from vessels adapted to rem.ove the waste tissues of the system. The great work of ever building up, and of ever taking down this wonderful living edifice, can not be seriously disturbed without af- fecting injuriously its vital fluids. Physiological science has disclosed the fact that when one takes into the stomach an excess of soluble, or of digestable, nutritive matter, this excess passes in part directly into the blood where it is not needed to repair any waste that exists, and where, by its presence, it creates an engorgement of the capillary tubes, and cells in the excretory, and other or- gans, giving rise to gout and other arthritic affections, to diseases of the liver, kidneys, ossifications of the heart, and causes the functional derangement of the brain and nerves. Far more systems are injured by improper eat- ing than by improper drinking. Not only is itposssible to pour into human blood an ex- cess of all the elements of nutrition, but every person is SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 99 liable to have in this vital fluid an excess of only one or two needful substances, and a deficiency of all the others. Again, there may be a fiiir supply of some elements, and a deficiency or an excess of others; or there may be a general and equal deficiency, causing emaciation, and ul- timate starvation. Now, the improvement of live stock, and the improve- ment of civilized man, as well in reference to his consci- ence and reason as to his physical organization, have a common basis in sound vitalized blood. No wise man would hope to propagate, from generation to generation, in the human heart and mind, either a profound sense of right and duty, or great intellectual powers, in badly dis- eased bodies, laboring under incurable hereditary mala- dies. Hence, our daily food and drink, the air we breathe night and day, the houses we live in, and the clothes _we wear have a direct and important bearing on our blood, our thoughts, morals and character. Society has become exceedingly prone to vicious, sensual indulgences. That self denial which is taught alike by the Bible and by Science, has fallen sadly into disrepute. Virgil express- es a great truth in three words, when he says : “Facilis descensus Averni. “Easy is the descent to Hell.^’ Civilization must reform its dietetics and its morals, or its vices, crimes and follies will ere long exterminate the whole human species. Commercial cities scatter the seeds of contagious maladies everywhere among civilized nations, and all uncivilized people. Evil customs, habits and fashions spread much farther than any natural, or physical pestilence, on the wings of the wind. Educated, thoughtful young men are the persons to inaugerate, by their example and their social influence, a better state of things. It is evident that whatever improvement is attainable inhuman blood as appertaining to a race or family, must take place before this blood becomes parental ; for a change for the better after that time wall not influence the condition of isssue already born. In consonance with this suggestion is the well-known fact, that in the earlier stages of the existences of ah living beings, whether ani- mal or vegetable, their growing parts and functions are most plastic, and susceptible of melioration. “As the twig is bent, the tree's inclined.” Every possible im- provement in all agricultural plants and animals, and in all persons, which extends beyond the individual, to the succeeding generation, must not only be early impressed on the vital organism, but the impression must be deep enough to affect sensibly the after current of the living principle. Otherwise the impression will be as evanescent as the disturbance on the surface of srhooth water by the fall of a pebble upon it. To maintain and perpetuate any improvement in man, or in his live stock, the same agencies that cause the change for the better must be continued inactive force, or a relapse is inevitable. If one were to treat the greatly improved short horns, devons, or other English breeds, the same as their progenitors were treated five centuries ago, they would not only fall back to the condition of the native cattle of that era, but for a time become poorer, from their comparative inability to subsist on scanty and coarse forage, and their acquired tenderness of constitu- tion. The bovine aristocracy of the present day have not all the physical and vital hardiness, which breeding ani- mals ought to possess. Their food for many generations has contained an excess of oily particles, and of fat pro- ducing substances. John Bull has rather overdone the feeding part of good breeding. As fat race horses cannot run in competition with those properly trained, breeding mares and stallions have been more skillfully managed in propagating horses for the turf in England, than the stock animals belonging to any other species. Without a frame and constitution, vigorous and sound in all respects, it is idle to hope for any substantial progress in animal pov/er or vital function. The life of a species is not to be trifled with. Great Nature has her own laws, which man must study, and learn to obey. So far as this is done, a satis- factory reward may be expected. It is the end and aim of all agricultural science to increase human knowledge of the primary principles and elements of husbandry, til- lage and farm economy. Before one can surround every plant and animal, cultivated or grown, with all favorable influences, he must know what are the requirements of these living objects of his care, and sources of his profit Not to understand what they need, places one much in the dark how to treat them. For instance, about eighty per cent, of the blood of all mammalia is pure water ; and the muscles of man and those of his domestic animals, contain about seventy-five per cent, of this abundant con- stituent in all organized beings. Not to supply persons and live stock with plenty of pure, wholesome water is to commit a great error in their management. It is, however, possible for animals to drink more than health demands, especially when it has been too long withheld. In the humid climate of England, where turnips are fed largely to stock which contains some 90 per cent, of water, it is not uncommon for cattle and sheep to take an excess of water into the system to the injury of their blood. In the South and West both cattle and hogs often poison their, blood and have what is called cholera in some sections, and a disease in cattle known as “black tongue” in other districts, which, I have pretty good reasons for believing, are the effects of eating poisonous mushrooms. These fungi have been uncommonly abundant the past year, and wherever cattle and hogs have had a wide range, or have had access to these plants, they have consumed them with avidity. My own, I think, have been some- what injured by them. The every day food and drink of man and beas' receive less attention than they deserve, to secure good health, and prevent deterioration. It is impossible to unite all the freedom of wild animals with all the advantages of high cultivation. Savages sometimes attempt this, but they rarely fail to reap far more of the evils than of the benefits of civilized life, so long as they retain their primitive habits and associations. The half civilized people of this or any other country need the light of science more every year, in their own minds to protect themselves from the impositions of misapplied science in the hands of dishonest men. Where great skill and much learning are used to produce an attractive counterfeit, it may require greater attainments to detect and expose the fraud. Many scrub animals of no pedigree, and of no extra value, have been sold to ignorant farmers as pure blooded stock, and at ten times their value. Many worthless seeds and fruit trees have, in like manner, been palmed off as something extra- ordinary in their character. Patent manures, and patent machines have become very numerous, and demand a knowledge of first princi- ples for one to judge of their value. In short, a cultivator of the soil can hardly take one step in the improvement of his servants, horses, mules, cattle, hogs or sheep, nor in the improvement of his crops and land, in safety, without considerable study and reflection. The intrinsic value of Blood depends very much on a man’s knowledge how to use it. A steamship that cost a million dollars would be worth- less to one who could not sell it nor use it for some good purpose. It is a remarkable fact that many a youth does not appreciate the value of the parental blood in his own veins, and much less that in the veins of others. This want of just appreciation operates to prevent any high achievements except in rare instances. Thousands neg- lect their own duties, and proper education, in a vain and silly dependence on the v/ealth, position and Blood of 100 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. their parents and relatives. Important and useful as aids to farhigher efforts to attain honorable distinction, where they serve to satisfy a low ambition, and prevent due personal exertion, they are a hindrance to progress rather than an dvantage. Steady and persistent self-reli- ance often wins the high prizes of society and government in competition with the oldest and best blood in the land. A steed may excel in natural powers of muscle, wind and bottom, yet if he never runs, nor wins a race, the world will hardly give him credit for a capacity never exhibited. Talents that remain forever as barren as a dead fig tree, might about as well have no existence. It cannot be less important to improve one’s intellectual gifts, whatever they may be, than to improve horses, neat cattle and swine. To do this, a regular system in all studies, and thoroughness in the mastery of scientific prirciples, are suggested for your consideration. In conclusion, I will only add that you will probably be happier as well as wiser men through life, if you soar to the heavens in the pursuit of knowledge, instead of creeping on the earth in search of riches. BREEDING AS AN ART. Animal and vegetable life left to itself, seems to be sub- ject to a general law, that continually re-produees itself in the sameform in which it originally appeared. The hardy crab, gnarled and thorny, is the same in the western prairies, as on the eastern hill-sides— the same now as it was a thousand years ago— the same now it was when the stars sang together. Left to itself, it is unchangeable. But subject it to the control of man, and the rules of art, and the acrid, worthless crab, swells into the princely Baldwin, and Golden Pippin. The change is slow, and the result of much care and labor. It ovust be taken from the forest and planted in better soil. Competing trees and hungry weeds must not steal away its nutriment. With careful and generous culture, the fruit will be enlarged, slight deviations in flavor will appear to the critical and careful observer. The best of these must be planted and reared to bearing, and the best again selected, and so on, until the highest perfection is attained. Precisely the same law obtains in animal life ; and those animals and birds that are domesticated, have been, and can be, greatly and permanently changed by the breeder’s art, in color, form, qualities and disposition. The changes you desire will perhaps seem slow, but will be certain if the rules of art be steadily followed. But first of all, the breeder must have a clear and distinct idea of what he wants to breed, and this should be determined by the soil on which his animals are to be reared, the climate they are to inhabit, and the use to which they are to be put. For instance, the Durham, so admirable for the shambles and so well adapted to the luxuriant pastures of Kentucky and the prairies of the west, would probably find the rug- ged and scanty pastures of many parts of New England, insufficient to develop his rapid growth, when the sau'ie pastures would easily sustain the lighter, more agile and hardy Devon. Because a breed of anihials are adapted to, and profitable in one location, it does not, therefore, follow, that they will succeed equally well in other places, with a different soil and climate. The skillful breeder, who pursues his object by the highest rules of art, must thoroughly consider and decide on the result to which he wishes to attain. Does he wish to increase the size of a breed 'I This, perhaps, is easy. But is it wise and will it be profitable'? We should have no difficulty in increas- ing the size of the Devon or Morgan ; but when you have increased the size will you have ihe Devon streer, and the Morgan horse'? What you have gained in size you may have lost in symmetry, compactness, ease of motion and vigor. The question of size is of the greatest importance in breeding, and one in regard to which the inexperienced breeder is very liable to mistike, and the more so, as com- mittees and agricultural societies often foster and encour- age erroneous opinions on the subject. A great calf or colt, if very fat, is likely to get a premium— all can see that the colt or the calf is large, but all are not critical judges, and under a load of fat but few are capable of pointing out the defects in the animal. It is probable that every departure from the medium size of a race of ani- mals is attended with some loss of power, or at least that the medium size of the race should not be departed from, except to raise animals for special purposes. The draft horse for heavy weights must be heavy. But he will be slow, and will not have ease and grace of motion, nor will he have the iron hardihood and endurance of the medium sized horse. L., \ifi American Slock Journal. CHAMPAGNE WINE-SOME CURIOUS FACTS about it. Where one line has been written in America about champagne, an hundred baskets have been drank. It is, p:ir excellence^ the fashionable and the favorite wine of the Americans. Itis always on our dinner tables— we call for it from the frescoed ceiling of our New-York-hotel din- ing-rooms, till we reach^the outskirts of our Western wildernesses. We call for it in the cabin of the steam- ship, no matter on what ocean she is floating — we drink it at the head-waters of the Missouri, at the cataracts of the Nile, at the sources of the Amazon, on the vales of the La Plata, and at the .ffills of the Ganges. If there be a good geuius in wine (and a thousand inspired odes to Bachus have said there was) that good genius lurks un- der the champagne cork. It is a wine better suited to our climate than any other, for it has the inimitable gift of creating an impromptu inspiration ; and even when used with hardly justifiable freedom, the mists which it scatters over the memory ere more readily dispersed by a few hours of balmy slumber, and the invigorating breath that comes with the pure air of the rising sun. And yet we have taken very little pains, and had very lit- tle curiosity, to learn the origin and history of this unrivall- ed accompaniment to the scenes of joyousness and luxury that brighten and embellish our social life. We will fur- nish such a brief history of champagne wine, as the frnit of our observations in the champagne districts of France, where all the champagne of the world that is genuine is made, can give. Champagne is an artificial wine. Per- haps irwould be better to say a compound wine; for in no instance is it the simple juice of the grape, corked up after fermentation. It may, when well made, be quite as pure; but certain elements are combined in the manufac- ture of a fine champagne, for which we depend solely upon art. Therefore, the quality and flavor, and the value of champagne, always depend upon the flavor of the ingre- dients used in the manufacture, the processes by which it is carred on, and the skill with which it is perfected. There is no champagne of reputation that is made with- out being composed of a mixture of the wines of various vintages, or vineyards. All the champagne wine worth speaking ofin the world comes from the Champagne district, which is about thirty miles long and from one and a half to three miles broad. The river Marne flows through the whole district, aug- mented by the numerous trioute streams that come rip- ling down from the circumjacent hills. This is the only district of France where grapes are grown which produce a juice specially adapted to a champagne wine. There is, indeed, the sparkling hock of Germany, and the vino Asfi of Italy, both of which have, in a natural state, some of the qualities, especially the effervescing ones, of champagne. But, in no part of the world have soil, SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 101 science, labor, or capital, combined with success to pro- duce real champagne except in the beautiful valley of the Marne. There are the favorite spots for growing the champagne grape — as famous as the vineyards on the south side of the island of Madeira, which from the period of the Romans, has been known as the chief seat of that delicious grape which make Madeira. So, too, along all the southern slopes of Spain and Italy, and through the extent of the Mediterranean, between the bases and the summits of the hills, where neither the moisture of the valleys nor the chills of the mountains interfere with the genial and delicate process of maturing the luxurious grape. It is well known that the flavor of all wine, in a natural state, depends upon the chemical qualities of the soil, the dryness or the moisture, the heat or the cold of the atmos- phere, and other natural causes, which in the invisible and beautiful operations of chemistry, produce these re- sults. The odor of the floweV depends not alone upon the species, or even the family to which the plant belongs. Some species, by being, transplanted, change their per- fume; and some have been known to lose it altogether. It is one of the nicest and most delicate and difficult prob- lems in agricultural chemistry, to ascertain how the high- est flavor or odor can be infused into the plant, or the ■flower. In the Champagne district, as well as in ^many other vineyard regions of France, and other wine countries, the grape is cut down, within from two to twelve inches of the ground, every year after the vintage is gather ;d, and the sap has retired to the root. Our vine-dressers in America may learn a lesson from this.* If we would cul- tivate these varieties of grapes, this pruning should be thoroughly done in the fall. This is true of all grapes which produce their fruit from the new growth of the stock exclusively, and why all the pruners should cut every- thing down to near the suiface, leaving only the eyes, from which the germs of the next spring will burst. Our American readers must not fancy the Champagne district to be one of the warm blushing valleys of the south of Italy. This district is in the latitude of Canada, and they have cold winters there. So, when the process of pruning the grape in the fall is finished, the remaining stock is protected someti.mes, and all the grapes that are to be grown next year, must come from the new shoots. When thus cared for, the grape vine takes to growing in the root, and these roots elongate themselves sometimes for enormous distances. In Italy, and in some other portions of Europe, we have seen grape vines run im- mense distances, with branches lopping down and root- ing again, and still growing with the utmost luxuriance, when the parent stock itself had rotted off above the ground from which it grew. Thus it is no uncommon thing it Italy to find grape vines that have been in the soil, probably for ages, producing from the original root oi branches that sprung from it, without transplanting, for a period of 500 years. This fact is so well known to stu- dents of Oriental history, that it grew into a proverb at least four thousand years ego, when in “the good time coming” of the prophets of Judea, it was declared that every man should “sit under his own vine and fig tree, having none to molest or make him afraid.” Some grapes attain their perfection in four, five or six years. This is the case generally with the champagne grape. The champagne grape produces from one to half a dozen bunches on every stock, except in poor years, as they have recently experienced several in France. IBut there is no relaxation in setting out new plants, or forcing the yield, whether it be a good on bad year. Neither •This system of close pruning will not do for oi r nvtive Ameri- can Qrapes.— Eds. science nor experience has yet been able clearly to ascer- tain the causes of failure of the grape crop. The champagne grape matures later than many other varieties, chiefly bee use it has greater acidity. The champagne vintage begins about the 20th of September, and ends by the 15th of October Thi. period there, re- sembles the season of cotton pictiing in the South, when the whole force of the district is called into requisition, and they work on night and day. In both cases, the la- bor must be done quick, for a heavy storm, or a long period of damp weather, would produce ruinous conse- quences, leaving the grapes so wet that, even if ripe, they would become mouldy and musty, and the exquisite aroma be utterly destroyed. Great care is taken in the process of getting the juice out after the grapes are gathered. They are brought in baskets, and, on being delivered, are carefully looked over by the hands in the establishment, when the best clusters are placed in large tubs, containing one or two hundred pounds each. These grapes are purchased by the buyers of large establishments, who are always on the spot, with their orders or m.oney. When a sufficient quantity is col- lected, they are carried to some place in the neighborhood where they aVe pressed ; and thus a frir experiment is made, and the result known. The juice is then sold to the larger dealers. But recently the more common mode has been for the large manufacturers of champagne to send their agents out through the grape districts, to pur- chase the grapes themselves and do their own pressing. They thus find that they can produce a greater uniformity of quality, and assimilate their different wines intoamore perfect compound. The present manner of pressing grapes does not differ essentially from what we call, in New England, the old fashion cider press On a platform of from four to twelve feet square, the grapes are thrown into what cider-makers will understand as a cheese; and through the orifices in the bottom and in the sides of the press, grapes will, by their own weight, exude the first juice, which is of course the purest and the best, not be- ing mixed with any impurities that come with the clus- ters when impregnated with any of the bitter or obnoxi- ous flavor of skins or stems. In any vintage the juice gained by the first process is the finest. But the juice of the grape has to be produced by artificial pressure, which forces it out, and although sometimes differing in color — the coloring matter being chiefly in the skin of the grape, since the juice of nearly all grapes is very much alike in appearance — it is perfect. Very little of the champagne that we use is made from the first quality of juice. It never could be manufactured and sold for the prices of a sham article. It is dealt in only by houses of the first reputaiion. Most of the cham- pagne drunk in America comes from suspicious quarters, and we may be very thankful when we get the fruit of the grape: for, except in rare cases, we are sure to be-de- ceived. The juice of the grape being thus collected into a thou- sand or ten thousand pipes, the fermentation must first take place. This is completed in a few days, when the taster of the establishment (no mean personage) goes through, and ascertains the amount of acidity on the one side, and saccharine matter on the other, in every cask. Which ever quality is lacking is supplied at once by add- ing sugar in the one case, and wines of a different quality in the other. It is a nice process to determine and regulate the flavor, the bouquet, and the body of the champagne wines. It is well known that manufacturers of the greatest experi- ence and reputation, have had more faith in learning to discriminate in the natural qualities of different vintages of the champagne wine, than they have had in the appli- (.atioa of chemical ingredients of an artificial description. us the wines of different fields, or even different vint- 102 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. ages, are successfully combined by fskillful tasters, who thus produce a result finer, perhaps, than could be reach- ed by the production of any one vintage whatever. The taster is the man upon whose judgment the process de- pends. Thus, when the mixtures are complete, the wine is put into large vats, containing from a thousand to five thou- sand bottles, where it remains until it is drawn off. By this time it has perfected itself as far as it can, when it is put into bottles and deposited in the coldest cellars that can be made. When the spring comes on, the second fermentation of the wine takes place, and this is often at- tended with a heavy loss by the breakage of bottles,- But those which stand the racket are then carefully wired for a year or two, and laid down flat, when a sediment gathers on the lower side of the bottle. The bottles are afterwards turned to stand perpendicular, and shaken every day, until the sediment which forms comes to the top, leaving the wine clear. After this period the bottle is not disturbed until the final process is reached, when this sediment must be got rid of, and it is to be done by a rapid and skillful movement. The string is cut and the cork goes off with a pop, and with it all the sediment that had been collected. Then a small per centage of the finest crystalized sugar, with from one to three per cent, of the best brandy in the world, is added to snpply the vacuum made by that small portion of wine which escaped. The bottle is instantly corked firmly, and the wine is ready for exportation. The reason for putting same sugar in, is to overcome the asperity, roughness, or even bitterness, which might be detected in the best vintage by a fine palate ; and this infinitessimal quantity of brandy is added as a corrective, to produce a chemical whole, combining and blending all the elements together. A powerful machine drives the cork home, and thus, from five hundred to ten thousand bottles a day, pass through a great establLshment, The government of France reported last year something like sixteen millions of bottles exported. The German States consume five millions, while England takes only about six hundred thousand; France, Belgium, and Spain, con- sume but two millions ; other smaller nations in the ag- gregate use but two, and the balance comes to the United States. It will thus be seen that we drink move champagne in America than all the rest of the world put together. Every quality of it is sent here, and almost any quantity with- out labels, that each dealer will put on what label will best suit his customers, varying the price as he can make it, for it is absolutely within our own knowledge that we have drank champagne of all prices and all brands, at the same table, when there was but one quality of champagne under all the brands, and that of the most infamous des- cription.— Democratic Age. THE STUDY OF FARM ECONOMY. Editors Southern Cultivator — Dr. Lee, on pp. 17, 18 and 19, devotes a rich article to the above subject, and it is well handled ; yet pardon a less skillful, a less scientific friend of yours when he dares to differ. I here give you where we differ, and will leave it to the experi- ence of others to decide. I take his last paragraph, the last subject, “making vnn- tcr butler. Now, sir, 1 will not dare to say my house- wife is any smarter than a great many others ; yet I do affirm that we have on our table, the first week in Febru- ary, as pretty yellow butter and as rich flavored as you will find, usually, in many, aye, the most of families even in May. I admit it is not so rich in color or flavor as May butter is here, and ought to be elsewhere. If you will pro- vide field peas, corn and turnips, I will agree to show you good looking and good butter any month in the year. We are now cooking a few cotton seed, say 1 gallon to each cow, with meal and turnips daily, and our butter is as I say. I have known this done by my old mother, a native of Maryland, “forty years ago.” I read, with pleasure, v/hat our Dr. says about Ber- muda Grass, and I endorse fully, “the best grass on the farm is Bermuda.” I have seen hay from it, and some 100 or more of as pretty cattle, Ayrshires principally, on a pasture as I ever saw in Kentucky, even on the farm of H. Clay himself. I believe, on land good for forty bush- els per acre, that Bermuda will feed more horses or cattle, from 1st of April to 1st of October, than will the same quality of land in Blue, Orchard or Timothy, in Kentucky or Virginia. I knov/ all these grasses, but more of Ber- muda. Fifty acres of fair land, well set in Bermuda, 50 choice Devons of 2 years old, with winter pasture, would be an income sufficient to educate a large family. Keeping Sweet Potatoes is another matter we shall dif- fer upon. I have housed sweet potatoes some twenty to twenty-five years, and seen them housed by my father many years before I left my nativity. I have lost more potatoes this season than ever before, and it is “the cry ^ in more than one-half the families I have visited. I had potatoes planted in three fields, with the intent of giving the largest portion to hogs, In Oct, I saw there w^ould be a scarcity at best, so I dug before frost, the field in corn, perhaps some six or eight acres, so I could give the pea field to hogs before frost. They were banked as usual, level off land, laydown corn stalks about three inches thick, cut all off to a circle of say six ti eight feet in diameter, 'land slightly elevated, place in the centre a box six inches wide, six feet long, holes bored in sides from top to bottom, bank up potatoes all round compact as possible, until raised near or about five feet high to a point, then put corn stalks all around, some four inches thick and bank earth about as thick ; leave hole in box open until freezing weather, when a little more earth may be put put on the heap. No boards, no roof, I have put up potatoes in a rain, have known many bucket of water thrown on after being bulked, but never lost potatoes as the present year. I have a potato house, have seen them for “some forty years” or less, and would rely upon them sooner than on banks 1 have seen hundreds of bushels lost irom one house, because too warm and too tight, seldom when open enough. . , In 1842, 1 visited a planter down in Louisiana in JMaich and saw a house about 16 by 20 in which the hands were overhauling the potatoes, and there was not a bushel un- sound to 250 bushels. , , , • I visited a gentleman, over 70 years old, this season in Mississippi, a native of South Carolina, and saw his po- tato house. I will describe it; the best I have seen, as it was very neat and all snug. The house about 12 by 16 and 9 feet high. Framed and weather boarded, covered with shingles. . , -n j The sleepers were, say, 6 inches deep, with a sill under each end and the middle, under side lined with plank, filled in with saw^-dust and floor laid down. No cold air could pass up. re. The walls were ceiled with rough plank about o feet high and filled in with saw-dust. Rough boards nailed to upper joists and the gables left open. A 3 feet pass way from door to window in the rear; on each side were 4 bins, made of inch plank, not touching, in which I saw as pretty potatoes in February as I ever saw in October, The house excluded air pretty much, yet neither too warm, nor would it be too cold in cold weather ; in fine weather the door and window was to be opened, with a half door to be shut, so as to keep animals from enter- ing. The greatest thing to fear is too much warmth. Sweat- ing will do no harm if there is an absorbent, 1 have been SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 103 used to banking and housing 50 to 500 bushels per year, all my life — shall I say 50 years — and there is no more need to put potatoes up in sand, &c., &>c , than in wash- ing them before you put them in the ashes to roast, the best way to cook them after all — oh, for the days of ash cake and roast potatoes. This world of ours loses many good things in getting refinement. The man who sighs after ask cake, old-fashioned johnny cake, roast potatoes, corn dumplimgs, jowl and turnip tops, is too old fogy to read after ; but I am not of that stamp. I go for roast beef, plum pudding and champagne, with a S160 per thousand cigar — might as well talk big, it costs “noffin.” Yours truly, Lynche’s Creek, S. C, February, 1858. GUANO FOR ROLLING COTTON SEED. Editors Southern Cultivator— While the best mode of applying guano is undergoing investigation, whether broadcast or in the drill, each of which plans having its advocates, permit me to suggest a mode of using it, with which I am well pleased, and recommend as worthy of at- tention to cotton planters. Mix together two sacks of best Peruvian Guano, with one barrel of Plaster of Paris. In this, when properly moistened, rub your cotton seed, pre- paratory to planting. By rubbing the seed we are able to sow them with greater regularity, and, if the opinion of Pr. Washburn, of Yazoo City, is correct, it will prevent the lint on the seed from producing the destruction of the young plant, so often seen to occur in fields after the cot- ton is up, and it will impart a vigor to tiie young cotton, which is uncommon, and noticeable all over the field. This healthy and vigorous growth of the plant facilitates its escape from the young grass, and enables you to use the plow much earlier, and by its warmth or stimulating properties it is better fitted to contend with those enemies which are the offspring of the damp and precarious weath- er of spring. I mean the lice. Rubbing cotton seed, or rolling, as it is sometimes call- ed, is an old practice— in the days of “Auld Lang Sine.” My father, who was one of the pioneers in the cultivation of cotton in South Carolina, always rolled his seed ; as guuno was then unknown as a fertilizer, he used unleach- ed ashes, and applied the plaster in the drill, which he had to boat off from Charleston at heavy cost and then have it ground in a mill for use. The practice was then approved of, and time has not changed that opinion with me. One of our neighbors, by the bye, a very practical ag- culturi-'t. Col. Jonathan Davis, the father of Dr, Davis, the importer of the Cashmere Goats, used to steep his corn in the sweepings of the horse yard, which, as he then said, gave it a vigorous growth and protected it against the cut worm and the crows If these suggestions, as well as those of Professor Ras- pail, the eminent French Chemist, be reliable, and we are inclined to attach much importance to it, the addition of water in which aloes is dissolved to the guano and plas- ter before the rubbing the cotton seed might be the means of effectually driving away the host of insects which so often blight our prospects and send us away disheartened in pursuit of new homes, or new occupations. As long as “Colton is King,” and its production gives vitality to our Southern instikUion, it is our imperative duty to aid in its successful cultivation by any and every means, how- ever humble, in our power. J. E. Pearson, M.D. Vienna, Ala., Feb., 1859. 8^*Modern drainage of is one of the offsprings of those laws stumbled on by experience. GIN GEARING-LEVERS, &c. Editors Southern Cultivator — I will endeavor, in a few words, to demonstrate the fallacy in Mr. Knox’s ar- ticle on Gin Gearing; and to prove that no lever applied to a shaft, has any advantage over a straight one passed through its centre. Thus. Suppose, instead of one straight lever you have twenty, radiating from the shaft like bars of a capstan or the spokes of a wheel. These being of equal length, are, of course, of equal me- chanical value. Now, fill up all the space between these spokes, so as to constitute a solid wheel. It is perfectly clear that any one point on the circumference of such wheel will have the exact leverage of any other point. Select, therefore, any point on this circumference and carve out a lever of any sha.pe you please, it is self-evident that you do not, in any manner, alter the leverage Suppose you cut one straight ; another like a letter S; a third like a “cant-hook ;” a fourth like a “helix,” pass- ing any number of times around the shaft. In each of these different forms, you stand exactly “as you were” — the straight lever being the measure of your gain in power and having the advantage of less loeight and less work ! In short, to gain power over the shaft you must length- en your lever in an absolute mathematical straight line ; and not, as Mr. K. proposes, (practically) lengthen your lever and then reduce it to its original length, by a crook, or elbow ! ^ The cant-hook is a great convenience where you have not a hole in your log into which you can thrust a long stick, or a projecting limb to revolve it by. The mechani- cal power in all three cases, being identically the same. A hand-stick thrust under a log acts a little differently, tending to lift, or move forward the whole mass, instead of simply revolving it on its axis. But a cant-hook when applied, is in the exact position of a lever fastened at right angles to the axis of the log. Its value is in the clamp which so fixes it ; and its power can only be increased by lengthening the handle. Mr. K. might crook a lever till he reduced a mile’s length into the space of fifteen feet, and he would then have a fifteen-foot lever for his pains. How he gained o. fifth hy the cant-hook principle is probably explained by his (and his neighbors’) mules resting during the alteration ! With regard to the line of traction there can be but one rule. The extremity of the lever traverses an invariable circle the mule that walks in that identical circle, will transmit the most power. Are not these things so '1 T. February, 1859. Blasting Stumps. — The Ohio Cultivator relates the experience of W.’^A. Gill, of Columbus, Ohio, in clearing a field of stumps by gunpowder, which really appears to be a most powerful “stump extractor.” He cleared a stumpy field of twenty acres cheaply and expeditioesly, the following plan being pursued for each stump ; “Select a solid place in a large root, near the ground, and with an inch and a quarter auger, bore in, slanting downward, to as near the heart of the base of the tap-root as you can judge ; then put in a charge of one or two oz, of powder, with a safety fuse, and tamp in dry clay or or- dinary tamping material, to fill the hole, some six inches above the charge ; then touch fire to the fuse, and get out of the way. The blast will usually split the stump into three pieces, and make it hop right out of the ground. If the charge is put in too high up, the blast will only split the top of the stump, without lifting it,” 104 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. RURAL ARCHITECTURE. We copy the following illustrations and descriptions from an excellent little treatise entitled “The House,” else- where noticed : ‘‘This differs widely from all our previous designs, and indicates its adaptation to a different climate and different social customs and habits. Its principal features are the veranda, which extends on all sides, and the broad hall running through the center. This hall furnishes access to every room, and facilitates a free circulation of air through the house. The living-room and the large bed- Fig. 1. A SOUTHERN COTTAGE— PERSPECTIVE VIEW. room may change places, where the situation and aspect render such a change desirable. The bay window adds much to the beauty and comfort of the parlor, but may be omitted, if considerations of economy require. The elevation is plain but not unattractive, and, in its external features, very distinctly expresses its character aS a Southern dwelling. This will be found a comfortable and convenient home for a planter of small estate and means, or for an over- seer on a large plantation. Its cost will vary much in Fig. 2. GROUND PLAN OF A SOUTHERN COTTAGE. different parts of the South. Built of wood, as represent- ed in our perspective view, from ^650 to $700 would perhaps be an average estimate. VERANDAS.* The veranda is an essential feature of the Southern *In this country a ver?inda is often improperly called a piazza. The latter is properly a more solid structure, and is defined as ^ eontinued archway or vaulting, supported by pillars.” house. It should extend the entire length of two sides, at least, and it is better that it should encircle the whole building. It may, however, if desired, be either wholly or partially enclosed on the north side, forming small rooms under its roof. There should be ventilating hooded apertures in the roof of the veranda for the escape of the heated air, which otherwise accumulates under it. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 105 The next example is much more pretentious and ornate and is styled A SOUTHERN VILLA. This house consists of a large center and two wings, connected by two covered arcades of one story each. It is entered under a veranda 12 feet wide, which extends the whole length of the front, and is also continued around each side of the projecting portion of the center. The entrance door leads to an elliptical vestibule, 10x17, hav- ing four niches for statuettes, vases, etc. The vestibule opens on the right into a parlor 17x21, and on the left into a drawing-room of a like size. Each of these rooms is lighted by two windows, of which those at the ends of the rooms are projecting. The vestibule at its farther end leads into a hall 8 feet wide, which extends across the whole central portion of the building, and being continued outside of the center at each end so far as to embrace the veranda, terminates in an open arcade which leads to the wings. The center and wings at the rear of the building are also connected by two open arcades in the manner shown. Passing across the hall, we find the principal stairs, consisting of three flights — a central flight leading to the first landing, and two return flights, one on each side of the central, each of which return or side flights lands upon the chamber floor. The staircase is 14.6x17, and the entrance to it may be richly ornamented by means of two pilasters or columns supporting an arch above. Passing on towards the rear of the building un- der the first landing of the stairs, we find two closets to the right, and under the first landing a door leading to a gentleman’s dressing-room, 10x12.6, with closet attached ; and at the opposite side of the landing we find a door opening upon a lobby which leads to one of the arcades at the rear of the building, before noticed. Returning to the hall, and proceeding along it to the light of the prin- cipal entrance, we find a dining-room, 16x28, lighted by a large w'ndow at the end ; it is octangular in form, and by making it of this shape, four closets are obtained at the angles, as shown, This room has three doors, one open- ing upon one of the arcades at the rear, another opening to a passage which communicates with the waiter’s room, and the third opening to the hall. The waiter’s room, is 7.6x9, and communicates with — a small closet ; a pantry 6x13.6 ; and a store-room, 8.6x13.6; the store- room has also a door into the front arcade. Continuing our progress along the arcade, we find, immediately after passing the store room, a lobby which leads to a a gentle- man’s bath room, and also communicates with a staircase in the right wing of the building. Two doors open at the bottom of this staircase — one to a billiard-room, 16x18.6, at the rear of the wing, having a closet under the stairs before alluded to, and with a door opening upon one of the rear arcades ; the other door at the bottom of the stairs leads to a smoking room, 11.4x16, which has also a door communicating with the arcade in front. Two clos- ets are attached to the smoking-room, with a door be- ween, opening upon a platform occupying the space be- tween the closets, extending to the front of the wing, and covered so as to form an open recessed space from the 106 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. front wall of the wing, which admits of smoking in the open air. Proceeding again along the hall, but to the left of the principal entrance, we came to a boudoir, 13.6x8.6, ellip- tical on plan, with four niches as in the vestibule, and for similar purposes ; the boudoir opens into a lady’s dress- ing-room, 8x13.6, which last is also entered from the hall. Succeeding this is a nursery, 13.6x16, communicating with a bed-room, 13.6x14, which is also entered from the arcade. The arcade terminates at the remaining or left wing of the building, with which it communicates by a door whieh leads into a large lobby, containing the stairs to the chamber floor, and two closets, between which is a side entrance door. This lobby leads to an octangular library, 16x16, which communicates with a cabinet, 12x16, from which a door opens to the left arcade at the rear of the building. The second or chamber story is divided as follows : two triangular spaces are taken off the second landing of the principal staiis, in such a manner as to^ preserve the symmetry; the landing is thus converted into a semi-oc- tagon, and this process, in conjunction with that_ of nar- rowing the hall to five feet, enables us to obtain a number of closets, which dre appropriated as shown on the plan. The entrance from this landing to the hall may be orna- mented in a manner somewhat similar to the lower en- trance before described. A passage commencing at ihe landing on the dining- room side, leads to two bedrooms over the dining-room, that next the passage being 13.6x15, and the other 15x16; these may be made of equal size, if preferred ; each has a closet attached. The passage turns at right angles, leads to a linen press, and terminates at a lady’s bath-room. Bedrooms are also obtained over the parlor and drawing- room, each 16x17.6 and over the boudoir, 13x18.6. A!1 these bedrooms have'closets attached, leaving two closets opening from the passage, unattached to any bedroom, and which may be applied to whatever purpose may be thought advisable. A circular room, 17 feet diameter, is located over the vestibule; this room, with a circular table in the centre, covered with rare shells, bijouterie, etc., and with statuettes or vases in the niches, may be made to assume a very rich and ornamental character. The windows to the parlor and drawing-room, to the bedrooms over them, and to the circular room, should be French casements opening to the floor, so as to allow ac- cess to the veranda and balcony. Two bedrooms are also obtained over the billiard and smoking rooms ; the former 15.6x15, and the letter 13x15^ with closets to each ; and two more bedrooms, with at- tached closets, and an additional large closet, are provided over the library and cabinet ; that over the library being 12x13.6, and that over the cabinet 12x13. The stairs to the tower are situated along the external wall of the build- ing, over the two closets before mentioned, as shown on the plan. Access to the fiat on the roof may be obtained by a step-ladder, which may be removed when not in use ; or, svhat is still better, a flight ofstairs may be constructed in the space occupied by the two closets adjacent to the bed- room over the boudoir, and inclosed by a door so arranged as not to interfere with the symmetrical appearance of the hall. Should this latter method be adopted two or three bedrooms may be formed in the roof, and lighted by sky- lights from the flat. The style is Italian. The quoins, the avinaow and door dressings, the chimney tops, and the arcades arepro- proposed-to be of stone ; the remainder of tire external walls of good, square, well-burned brick. Tiie quoins and window dressings to the first story are to be of the kind of work commonly known as rock- work; that is to saj’-, the stones are to be first iia.mmer-dressed, then truly bed- de'Fand jointed, and lastly a margin draft chiseled off the outer edges of the external surfaces; this draft should be about two inches wide, leaving the remainder of the ex- ternal faces rough from the hammer. It is. also proposed to execute part of the mason work of the arcades and of the wings in this style; but the portions of the elevation i.n which it is proposed to introduce this description of stone-cutting are sufficiently indicated on the engraving. The quoins and. dressing to the second story are to project from the face of the brick-work, and 'to have the angles chamfered off. A good idea of the remaining features of the elevation will, it is presumed, be obtained from the engraving. BISUNION AND ABOLITION I I I [as seen THEIOUGH A PAIR OF VERY KEEN YANKEE SPEC- TACLES ] Wb seldom allow the CuUivator to dabble in any- thing that even resembles the “dirty waters of politics,” but one of the vital issues of the times is so forcibly and fairly presented in the following, from the Providence (Rhode Island) Post, that we cannot withhold it from our readers. Our Eastern friend characteristically heads his article: THE DOLLARS AND CENTS IN THE CASE. We have more than once said, and we think we have proved, that a dissolution of the Union would injure the business interests of New England more than any those of any other section of our country. The “statement of the case,” as the case is presented to our mind, is simply this : We now receive from the South our cotton, onr to- bacco, our rice and sugar, and not a little of our corn and lumber. In exchange for these we send to the South a large amount of manufactured articles — cotton and wool- en goods, farming implements, mechanic’s tools, machin- ery, boots, shoes, jewelry, notions, nick-nacks, &c. The exchange is profitable to us ; first, the articles received cannot be produced at the North. We cannot produce corn enough for home consumption. Again, it is profit- 1 able, because we .mmsthave the Southern markets for our SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 107 manufactures. And, finally, profitable to us because the exchange of products is made in our own ships. Should the Union be dissolved, there can be little doubt that, finally, all the Western and Middle States would go with the South. The West would follow the Mississippi. The Middle States would follow their commercial inter- j ests. New England would stand alone. Even without I the Middle States, however, the South would have im- mense advantages over the North. Euerything which she produces is wanted in England ; and in return for her pro- ducts Old England could send her, at lower rates than she is now paying, everything which is now sent her , from New England, She could thus at once “make terms” with England — while New England, producing nothing for export which Old England does not also pro- duce for export, would be left to trade with herself. Let the Union be dissolved to-morrow, and in thirty days every|manufacturer in New England would be bank- rupt— three-fourths of all the banks would have to wind up their affairs — nearly all the railroads would be with- j out the power of declaring a dividend in the next twenty years— a hundred thousand mechanics would be thrown I out of employment — and a full half of our shipping would ! be rotting at the wharves. 1 This is one view— a very fair view, of the first conse- quences the North of a dissolution of the Union. Let us now ask what would be the consequences of the imme- diate abolition of slavery at the South, admitting no harm to the Union, politically, to result from it 7 There are, we will say, four millions of slaves at the South. Would these remain in the States where they are, if slavery should be abolished 7 x4.ll intelligent Southern- ers assure us that they would not. The fact that they could not be profitably employed as freemen— at least for the next thirty years— is plainly apparent. Even allow- ing that they would remain peaceable, and could he safely- entrusted with the privileges of citizenship, it is very cer- tain from the moment they became their own masters they would produce much less than they do at present. They would become burdens to the communities in which they resided, and thousands upon thousands of them would be driven North. In exchange for them, the South being forced to depend less upon cotton growing, and finding it necessary to manu.facture to a greater extent the articles now purchased at the xMorth, would import Northern la- borers, mechanics and manufactures. In twenty years, if we are not deceived, the South would manufacture her own shoes, hats, clothing, furniture, stoves, machinery,' &c., and millions of dollars, which now annually flow North, would be kept at home. The moment the cotton plantations of South Carolina and Georgia felt the depres- sion which inevitably result from universal emancipation, that moment would the shoe-makers of Massachusetts and the weavers of Rhode Island feel it also. The justice and reasonableness of this inference is admitted in the follow- ing which we find in the New York Eoening Post : “Suppose,” says our New York namesake, “that the Southern States could once rid thernselvds of slavery ; the effect would be that the North would almost immediately standstill. The fertile soils of the South; its more at- tractive climate ; its noble harbors and navigable waters, its vast uncultivated fields, would invite a rush of people from the free States, and turn the course of the emigration from Europe to the region below the Potomac. The growth of the free- States of the West, now so rapid, would be checked at once; its rising villages would cease to augment in population, or augment but slowly, and that rise in the value of land, on which the settlers now count so confi- dently and with so much exactness, would not happen.” The purpose of the Evening Post, here is to convince the South that she would add to her wealth by abolishing slavery ; but but who does not at once perceive that, even could this result be realized after many years of confusion, it would cost the North in wealth, all that the South could possibly gain 1 We are not contending that slavery should continue to exist, or cease to exist as it is found profitable or unprofit- able to the North. We only throw the right and wrong of the institution out of the argument for the purpose of showing the falacy of four-fifths of the arguments which are offered to Northern men by abolition demagogues. These demagogues tell us that the North is wealthier than the South ; that our merchants and manufacturers and mechanics have grown rich while the South has stood still. We do not deny the fact. We only ask, from whence came this wealth, and how long could it be re- tained if slavery were abolished 1 “Slavery may be a great outrage against humanity. We look upon it in this light, and haye no defence to offer for it. But we remind Northern men, not only that the North clung to while it promised to be profitable and kept up the traffic in human flesh long afler a cold climate and un- productive soil had sealed its doom in its own section, but that Northern merchants and Northern mechanics and Northern manufacturers are dependent on it to-day for their stately ships, their immense store-houses, their splendid dwellings, their paying railroads and their repu- tation for thrift.” CHxlRRED CLAY AS A FERTILIZEK. Messrs. Editors .—Know that a large number of the most intelligent landholdei’s and farmers in all parts of our extended country read the National Intelligencer, I should be pleased if you can find room for a few practi- cal suggestions addressed to them pointing out the value of Charred Clay for the improvement of impoverished farming lands. In all districts where the great staples, cotton, corn, wheat, and tobacco, are cultivated, experience proves that it is exceedingly difficult to prevent the deterioration of the soil. Extensive areas being ever under the plow, til- lage soon consumes the vegetable mould, heavy rains wash and leach the stirred earth, and the crops being uni- formly sent to distant markets, it is easy to understand how all these operations remove fertility from all culti- vated farms, and diminish, from year to year, the re- sources of the cultivator to prevent the final exhaustion and abandonment of his long arated fields. To make stable manure enough to meet the wants of our Southern plantation economy is out of the question, and to pur- chase guano, bone dust, or other commercial fertilizers is equally impracticable for the million. The mass of man- kind must ever look to the earth where it is cultivated for the food of agricultural plants; and as good clay contains more of this food than any other part of earthy matter, its economical development is a point in husbandry of the greatest importance. Heat, wisely employed, is unquestionably the most ef- fective and powerful agent known either to science or art for eliminating the insoluble elements of fruitfulness in any soil or rock where they exist. The ancients, who built and peopled cities of such dimensions and splendor as to be a marvel to all after ages, understood the utility of arti- ficial heat in agriculture far better than we do in the mid- dle of the nineteenth century. Virgil alludes to an old and well-known practice in the first book of his Georgies, where he says : “Soepe etiam steriles incendere profuit agros.” “Often it is advantageous to burn sterile fields.” Southern Planters shou’d bear in mind the fact that this maxim had its orgin in districts contiguous to the Medi- terranean, where the climate matures the olive, orange, and pine apple; and therefore where solar heat is by no means a feeble power in all tillage processes. It was pro- bably by slow degrees that man learned to roo.sl his cof- 108 southern cultivator. fee, bakeYixs bread, boil his vegetables, and cook his meat ; and, if so, it is by no means wonderful that he is some- what slower in learning the value of heat in preparing food for his domestic animals, and in using it generally to effect those chemical and physical changes in soils which increase their fertility. Unable to see what takes place in roasted earth, and wholly unacquainted with the play of chemical affinities as modified by heat, farmers have often injured clay by over-burning it. Nothing is easier than to spoil coffee by the application of too much heat ; and to to burn bread or meat is not to bake either properly. These remarks are intended to illustrate the fact that there is an art in the use of fire for different purposes ; but that which applies to the due charring of clay is less than what is required to generate steam and apply it success- fully to the propelling of ships on the ocean or locomotives on railways. I regard the application of heat to the two last named purposes and its known power to extract iron from the crude ore, and caustic soluble lime from the com- paratively insoluble mountain rock, as true types of its equal availability to work the most important chemical changes in nearly all poor soils. Summer fallowing, which has been practised for indefinite ages, exposes till- ed earth, in a peculiar manner, to the influence of solar heat during the hottest part of the year ; but as the natur- al heat of the sun will not roast coffee nor bake bread, neither will it decompose the debris of felspar and mica in common clay fast enough greatly to improve poor land. Partial calcination does this under favorable circum- stances, by liberating potash from its before insoluble sili- cates. Sir Humphrey Davy, Liebig, and other eminent chem- ists have expressed the opinion that the charring of clay increases its capacity and aptness to absorb ammonia from the atmosphere, and in that way augment the fer- tility of impoverished fields. Dr. Voelcker, Professor of Chemistry in the Royal Agricultural College at Cirences- ter, England, wisely brought this explanation to the* test of experiment, and found that clay, in its natural state, imbibes from the air considerably more ammonia than it does when charred. Dr. Sprengel, a distinguished Ger- man agricultural chemist, taught his readers that heat probably converted the protoxide cf iron in clay into a peroxide, and decomposed water in the process, its hy- drogen combining with nitrogen to form ammonia, which was retained by the porous clay, and its oxygen uniting with the iron to change it into the red rust of that metal. The carefully conducted experiments of Dr. Voelcker, at the agricultural college, fully corroborated by experiments in the field, did not sustain this ingenious theory. In an- alyzing clays of the same locality and original composition, both before and after torrefaction, Dr, V. found that pro- perly roasted clay gave nearly four times more potash than it yielded to water before it was acted on by heat; and at the same time the carbonate oflime dissolved out by water acidulated with hydrochloric acid was considerably lessened by charring. Further researches proved that a double decomposition in the clay had taken place; lime that was before combined with carbonic acid had left it, and united with silicic acid, forming an insoluble silicate oflime. The potash that was before chemically united with silicic acid in an insoluble condition, and, therefore, not available as food for plants, being set free, united with the carbonic acid from the lime and formed common pear- lash or the carbonate of potash, which is a very soluble salt. These experiments and results teach us how unsafe it is to depend on the mere theories of great men, like Davy, Liebig, and Sprengel, where the momentous interests of agriculture are involved ; and how important it is to have agricultural colleges and experimental farms, where every scientific opinion entitled to investigation and every new practice in tillage or stock husbandry may be fairly tested by disinterested and competent persons. It will, I fear, extend this article to an inconvenient length if I undertake at this time to describe what agri- cultural clays are best for manure and the most economi- cal way of roasting them. If the subject, which contem- plates the improvement of many millions of acres in the United States, be deemed worthy of a small space in the Nationol Intelligencer, I shall be happy to present its readers with a summary of all the important facts devel- oped by the joint labors of cultivators and men of the highest scientific attainments. In this country we have yet to learn the wisdom of rigidly applying the inductive system of reasoning to the consideration of agricultural phenomena ; and hence, with all our mental culture and activity, we achieve next to nothing for the advancement of the science of agriculture. We accept for scientific truths the idle speculations of attractive writers on rural affairs ; and, finding them to fail when reduced to prac- tice, all book knowledge in farming and planting is brought into disrepute with the honest cultivators of the soil. D Lee, [m National Intelligencer. CHINESE SUGAR CANE. A correspondent of the Farmer tf* Planter remarks very sensibly : Mr. Editor: — No foreign plant has ever been introduced into the country which has swept it with such a “furor’^ as the “Sorghum Saccharatum.” Incredible has been its attributes. It was to makegood sugar, good syrup, good brandy, good beer, good flour, good dye-wood, and good paper, &c. It is one of our American peculiarities,^to always expect too much of a good thing. One virtue is never sufficient — it must claim, every one under the sun. We are optimists, and the mo- ment we find out that our sanguine expectations are not going to be realized, we get into a pucker, and denounce it all as humbug. Careful experiments, made by distinguished chemists during the last year, have settled the point that the Sor- ghum belongs to the family of grasses which secrete “glu- cose,” or fruit sugar — not crystalizable or cane sugar. The value of cane sugar compared to glucose, or grass sugar is as 3 to 1. We may give up, then, the hope of making sugar profitably. Carefully-conducted experi- ments, during the last year, however, have satisfied the writer that a very good syrup can be manufactured at the rate of 50 cents per gallon, and for even less, by the small farmer who is not entirely engrossed with the cotton crop. This will prove an inestimable blessing, bringing it with- in the means of almost every farmer owning a horse and an acre of ground, to provide their families with a luxury. But the great value of the Sorhum rests not in its syrup- making qualities, but in its being, for all animals, one of the cheapest, most delicious, and nutritious article of food ; particularly during a season of the year when a scarcity prevails. The period between the small grain harvest gleanings and the pea crop, is a very trying one ; and my friend, Maj. W. S. Lyles, asserts, from carefully-conduct- ed experiments, that land planted in sorghum will pay better in food for hogs, horses, mules, and cattle, during the autumnal months, than anything else. If a few acres of sugar cane — even on the best land a man has — will keep his stock out of his corn cribs until the pea fields are open, and start them into winter quar- ters in good order — fat, sleek, and contented — there is no telling its value. Don’t get alarmed, and cry, humbug ! but try it again ; try it as a part of the farm crop— as an investment, not as fancy a experiment— and you may rest assured it will pay. Glucose. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 109 LmE FOR COTTON, &c. Editor of South Countrymaif' — Dear Sir : — In order to test ihe value of Lime, as a fertilizer, when applied to cotton, I selected from a stubble field of fifteen acres — five acres decidedly inferior in quality to the balance — and dur- ing the second week of February last, without previous breaking, laid off the rows with long, straight shovels, three feet apart, returning in the same furrows, so as to make deep trenches. These were filled with wheat straw partially decomposed ; unslacked lime was deposited in small heaps at the end of the rows, at convenient distances apart, for distribution, and seventeen bushels applied to the acre, regularly and evenly distributed over the straw The ground was immediately bedded out in full. A few days before planting, two sweep furrows were run be- tween each row, and fresh dirt thrown over the entire row. The seed were sown between thelOth and 15th of April, in a furrow opened down to the straw, and covered with a harrow. The stand was impel feet, in consequence of faulty seed. The yield, eight hundred and twenty-five pounds to the acre ; I am satisfied from previous experi- ence in the cultivation of the same ground, that without the application of the 1 me, the yield would not have ex- ceeded six hundred pounds per acre. And in addition to the increased yield of the past crop, I anticipate equally good results from the coming crop. The lime was applied at so late a period that the straw was not fully converted to manure, and in consequence the past crop fai'ed to receive the fuh benefit of it. The great desideratum of planters in this section, is to secure some agent that will push forward the young cot- ton plant rapidly in the spring, and, as a consequence, to early maturity. Our cotton growing seasons are too short for the full development of the plant, except in extraordi- nary years like the past; hence the necessity of using some means to supply, as far as practicable, this defect in the climate, by pushing the cotton to early maturity. I am fu ly convinced, from the small and imperfectly conducted experiment by me, that lime will supply this desideratum. Its cheapness and fdcilities of transporta- tion, place it in the power of farmers of limited means, to improve their lands, and thereby increase their crops ; and the permanency of its effects, saves the expenses of an- nual outlays. Yours, &c , Charles N. Mayson, [ill South Countryman. Kingston, Cass Co , Ga., 1859. STOCK RAISING IN THE SOUTH. Daniel Lee, M. D.—Dcar Sir :—\x\ the December (1859) number of the Cultivator I see an article under the head of “Stock Hunbandry at the South,” which I sup- pose is from your pen. I have long been of the opinon that sheep raising, in this and adjoining counties, might be made profitable, and your article has determined me to attempt it. With this view I write you, hoping you will give me such information as is within your reach, and such directions as will enable me to go to work not entirely without some land marks that will be of service. The citizens tell me that they never have, as yet, fed a sheep in this county through the worst winters that we have had, and that, when undisturbed by dogs, they are very prolific, seldom dying. The breed are rather small, 1 think, yielding from 2 1-2 to 5 lbs. to the fleece, and can be bought from Si -25 to Si. 50 per head. The wool sells this year for 20 to 22 cents. My object is to know what number of sheep would pay to have a shepherd 1 And how many might be kept in a flock, healthy, living, as I propose, upon the range for a support! And would it pay or not to introduce some of the finer grades and yet depend upon the range for a suppori 1 1 propose to buy first as many as will be profitable for one shepherd to tend and keep healthy, and move them every few days to another range. I own an interest in 42 lots of land in this and adjoining counties, and can keep them moving all the time, making 12,580 acres of land, which, I suppose, would be a pretty good sheep walk. If you know of any gentleman that would wish to en- gage in the business, who has capital and experience, am? would like to try the experiment in this section of the-* country, I would be much obliged to you for the reference. I would be willing to drive them West if the experiment did not succeed. I will give you reference (without per- mission, however) to the Hon. Peter E, Love, Hon. A. E. Cochran, Hon. C. B. Cole, and my county generally for what I profess. I am a practitioner of Medicine in this county, with a property worth $5,000 or $6,000, the most of which I would be willing to engage in the ener- prise. Please write me where I will be able to find Mr. Mor- rall’s “American Shepherd,” and other works that you think would be of service to one engaging in the busi- ness. If you think it advisable, you may arrange an advertise- ment and put it in the Cultivator for such a length of time as would suffice to call the attention of any one who would like to invest in such a scheme as I have spoken of. Our county will never be so thickly settled that the business might not be carried on profitably, in my opin- ion Tiie soil is too thin to induce large farmers to plant in cotton with a hope of making it remunerative in this county. The time may be when, by a proper manuring system, the cultivation of any crop might be profitable, but not so long as the fine cotton lands of the South-West, with their natural fertility, remain unworn. And, again, tiie surface 61 the country is too low for thorough drain- aage, and the ponds and bogs would make the opening of a large farm too expensive, and from that reason it will remain (as it is) a poor man’s county, and only the high elevated ridges be settled, while the^avannahs, bays and ponds will ever remain as pastures, and of the finest kind for sheep. The citizens tell me that sheep generally (except in very wet and cold winters) do much better in the fall and winter months than summer upon these savannahs and ponds, and if they should ever want feeding, it is only in the commencement of spring. With a hope of soon hearing from you, I remain Yours most respectfully, Henry J. Smith.' Horn esvilU) Appling Co , Ga., 1589. In treating of sheep, in his learned and instructive work on the “Domesticated Animals of the British Islands,” Prof. Law, says that the ten million migratory sheep in Spain give employment to fifty thousand shepherds. This is at the rate of one shepherd to 200 sheep. It is not im- probable, however, that the race of shepherds in that Kingdom, has increased somewhat faster than their flocks ; so that this peculiar class of people, who have their own laws, customs and usages, handed down from time im- memorial, might now tend two or three times more sheep than they have in charge. Surrounded by good fences, on cultivated farms, and in well settled districts, sheep re- quire very little more looking after than cattle; but in open, and wild stock ranges, or sheep-wallrs, they soon invite wolves, dogs, foxes and other vicious and destruc- [ live animals, to prey upon the weak and the young in 110 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. large flocks, if not upon the strong and the vigorous. Hence, shepherd dogs, men, women and children have been, for ages, bred up to the business of watching and guarding this, the most peaceful and helpless domestic animal kept by man. One good shepherd, with three or four children to assist him, aided by dogs, will take care of 2000 sheep. In shearing time he will need the labor of men skilled in clipping wool from sheep in a neat and workman-like manner. Pains should be taken by sowing grass seed to increase the natural supply of herbage for the support of flocks wherever they are kept. Their manure, dropping con- stantly on these out pastures, vdll steadily enrich the soil from year to year, and thus augment any given power of support that a given area may originally possess. Land so barren of herbage in a state of nature, as barely to sup- port one sheep on ten acres, may, in time become ■ rich enough to keep, under wise management, ten sheep to the acre, or 100 on ten acres. A few years ago, before dairy husbandry become so profitable in the State of New York, it had one sheep to every two acres of improved land and more than one to every cultivated acre, in ad- dition to all the horses cattle and hogs, and all the people, supported on the comparatively few acres enclosed in the State. The more sheep one keeps, the more wheat, corn and cotton he can raise on his farm. If animals naturally impaired the fertility of land, it would soon cease to pro- duce either plants or animals. Animals as well as plants tend to enrich the soil that sustains them; and both are endowed with the function of multiplying their numbers to keep this advancing fruit- fulness of their parent earth in a self-supporting condition. Neither the v/heels of time, nor any of the movements of Nature, ever take a retrogressive course. To be in har- mony with her laws, we must maintain on the soil we cultivate a just equilibrium between -her two great living kingdoms. Planters are apt to forget this fundamental principle, in seeking to grow in perpetuity, commercial plants vvithout either sheep or other live stock, and with- out commercial manure to rejuvenate their tilled fields. Let them grow wool as well as cotton for export, and pro duce all the manure practicable from sheep husbandry, and then it will not be difficult to maintain the true bal- ance in organic nature as between plants and animals. No man can make the half of a thing equal to the whole; ,and no wise man will long try to do so. The same causes which are creating such an unusual demand for cotton fabrics throughout the world to meet the wants of a rapidly advancing civilization, create also an equally increased the demand for woolen fabrics. When a servant girl has eaten what food she needs, her hun- ger is satisfied ; but when does her desire for new dress and new patterns of gay cotton prints, rest satified, so long as she earns money to pay for morel And do not journey men tailors, and others in a similar condition in life, often wear finer woolen coats than the richest noblemen in Eng- land! The only limit to the consumption of woolen and cotton goods, is the productive power of the countless mil- lions, over and above what is needed to feed them. This power of production is augmented in each individual, every year, in a thousand ways, by new discoveries, new inventions, and new facilities of transportations ; so that Great Britain, with cotton and woolen mills and steam, equal to the labor fifty million persons, beats us ten fold in the creation of wealth. It is time that we studied the science of agricultural and mechanical production. We possess all the elements of national of wealth and posper- ity to a much greater extent than Great Britain, Why, then, may we not use these elements ! Morrell’s work, Randall’s, and others on this subject, may be obtained from A. 0, Moore & Co., 140 Fulton street. New York, L. CUI/TIVATION OF THE CHUFA OR EARTH Almond. We have received a communication from a valued East- ern correspondent, upon the merits and culture of this newly introduced tuber ; and though not intended for publication, we take the liberty of appropriating so much thereof as we believe will interest those who are desirous of experimenting with this new acquisition to our best swine feeding products. The almost universal acknowl- edgment of its excellent feeding and fattening qualities, and general productiveness in all soils adapted to potato culture, or indeed in soils so poor that a fair crop of pota- toes could not be, expected, has given to the Chufa a celebri- 'ity never before obtained by any newly introduced veget- able in so short a time. So wonderfully prolific is it upon soils even of medium quality, no one need hesitate to attempt its cultivation who desires to grow at the least possible expense, the largest quantity of an excellent feed for swine and poultry. Here are the remarks of our correspondent : “Having cultivated the Earth Almond for three seasons with a view to the fattening of hogs at a cheaper rate than upon corn, the result of my experience is this : — I believe that many a farmer who now owns land so poor that he neither raises corn or peas equal to a fair average crop of the country, if he would plant but an acre with Chufa, would realize more of a truly fattening product for his herd of hogs, than he could possibly obtain from two acres of any other product at the same cost. “My second year’s crop on the same ground was more than double that of the first, and the last season’s crop quite equal to both of the proceeding, and this without any re-sowing of seed or cultivation of the land beyond what was given it by the noses of the hogs in rooting out the tubers. l am confident also that land is actually en- riched by their growth and mode of harvesting if perform- ed by swine, and they kept upon the land night and day; the decomposition of the tops and the manure from the hogs more than making good the loss to the soil, by the mere consumption of the tubers. The fear with many, is that in growing them upon an already fertile soil, they may prove difficult of eradication when once established. I have no fears of this; I find that to turn them in deep with the plow, at a season of the year when the bulk of the tubers have attained to half their grawth, will destroy the greater part of them ; another shallow plowing or severe harrowing two or three w^eeks afterward, will effectually subdue the remainder, “I would plant them at first in di'ills, two feet apart ; this enables the cultivator to be run between the drills till the Chufa gets a start, after which it will take care of it- self; I would give the tubers a distance of five or six inches in the drill ; but if the soil be rich, eight inches will answer, and plant at the proper season for planting Indian corn ; this, of course, applies to our country of SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR 111 frosts and snows. In California as in the Southei'n States, it doubtless might be planted at almost any season and vegetate successfully.” ‘•The taste of the Chufa is hardly inferior to the best chestnut, which it much resembles. Poultry are quite as fond of it as hogs, but cannot do their own harvesting; but turn the hogs upon the Chufa patch and a most re- markable attachment of the hen to the hog's nose is im- mediately observable, and being quick of foot, and keen in their perception of the delicious, soon retire with their crops filled almost to a surfeit. As a cheap and nutriti- ous food for sw'ine and poultry, the Chufa has not its equal.” — California Cnllurist. HABITUAI. COSTIVENESS=-ITS CAUSES, Couseqacnces and Cure, Editors Southern Cultsvator — Were it possi^de to notice a national sin without a passing shudder at its national punishment, we might eliminate from our essay all the co-nsequences of habifual cosiiveness. Shall 1 refer the reader to the advertisements of the pill- makers, who have only Paled to mention one of the very worst and most nation,!, to wit : fill lol{ing 7 Or to Ins own record of sympt6rn ? 1 Or to the avr-.r-age sanitary rt-nori of his neighborhood, — “Pooily, thank God !” From each and ail of these he may gather a Pandora’s list, ranging foma bad breath to a premature interment, inclusive; which will leave us more time to state the cause of this “defect,” and ics naasral and “ever}'- man his own physic,” cure. Habitual costiveness, then, has its rise in an early and habitual neglect of the monitions of nature. She hath kindly left us a margin in the matter of “time — when” — and we have abused her kindness beyond all reason. Neglect in infancy, neglect in childhood, neglect in youth, neglect at maturity, neglect (not in old age, but) in decline ! Yet, in all these stages the evil is curable, and curable in one way alone. An earnest, persistent, daily efiort, though often defeat- ed, will at length, never fail to propitiate her w'hom we have offended, and to restore the bowels to their natural sensibility, the ground work of their healthy action. This is all. But there is a great deal In the way ! Laziness, business, wmnt of proper acco'mmodation, and gross ignorance and neglect on the part of those who have the care of youth. ■ The Romans had their Temples to Cloacina. Owrs might be dedicated to all the infernal gods at once ! There is a point at which human repugnance becomes invincible, and that point, ray dear sir, lies within a few rods of your thousand dollar carriage-house! Nature must back her orders with the point of a bayonet before any man who has an alimentary canal will trust it in that inhospit- able region ! No wonder that many prefer to become peripatetic stercoraries themselves ! This is a national nuisance ; intolerable and not to be endured. The savage is better off. I designed a gentle hint to Boarding Schools before concluding, but not having the club of Hercules, and no- thing gentler that will do, suggesting itself, I will refrain. I will ask, however, whether any reward of merit is con- ferred on those who most assidnously cultivate their gifts of continence in this particular 1 for many of their with whom my profession has brought me into contact, have made a merit of it ! and it has seemed to me that it was solely because they had never been taught any better; for they gladly adopted the advice (no physic) given them and got well directly 1 I Ivvo r.o'.v to m^l’c n small apology to some of your readers, whom I will address generically as Miss Nancy, We have the concurrent testimony of two sublime Pliilosophers, one of either sex ; Dr. Johnson and Mrs. Partington ; that “the indelicacy of a thing lies a good deal in the way you look at it;” and I W'ill add, for Miss Nancy’s benefit, that the affected delicacy with which she looks at things, is to a sensible man a sign of prurient imagination; w'hich to a physician is a symptom of the disorder which I have treated of Therefore, and also for her benefit, I have spoken in plain words, and only put in a few long ones by way of emphasis. 0. February, 1859. MEASURING CORN IN BULK. Editors Southern Cultivator — In answer to the cor- respondent, “W. C, K,”in relation to the rule for calcu- lating the quantity of corn in bulk, I may say that, upon a careful consideration, I ©annot see any incorrectness in the rule that would materially effect the result. It is a thing that cannot be treated in a perfectly scientific man- ner; but rules sufficiently exact for practical purposes, can be constructed. For Shucked Corn — It is proved by experiment that corn shells out half its bulk in the ear, (or never less.) Then fin ling the cubic feet in a crib, by mulfiplying the 3 dimensions together ; a cubic foot is 8-10 of a bushel, (4 4-10 inches over, which is too small to effect a practi- cal result,) and multiplying the cubic feet by 810 wc have the bushels in shelled corn, then taking half for corn in the ear, we have what the corn would shell out net. Dividing by 5 will reduce the bushels to barrelsT Then 8-10, 1-2 and 1-5 multiplied, give 8100 of a barrel for 1 cubic foot; multipling-tlie cubic feet by 8-100, i. e., by 8 and cutting off two figures, will give the barrels as nearly correct as can be cstimausd in such things. The example of “W. C. K.,” 20.15 9 feet multiplied give 2700 cubic feet in the crib; muittipiying 8, and cut- ting off two figures v.mhave 216 barrels. Taking 2700 (which applies any v/here) and multiply- ing 8-10 we have the bushels, taking half we have the shelled corn, dividing by '5 we have 216 barrels, as before, showing that the rule is founded on the same principle. The rule seems to apply to the example of “W. C. K as accurately as any other rule could. I think the rule for unshucked corn is liable to too many errors to be considered as reliable. Yours, most respectfully, William P, Bradford. Danburg, Feb., 1859. Constant Impovement — Every farmer siiould be constantly “fixing up” his barns, stables, and yard fences —constantly adding to the comfort and conveniences of his domestic animals and their attendants — constantly im- proving in neatness, cleanliness, efficient shelter. Racks for fodder, and troughs for meal,? are easily made at this time of the year, and frequently save their cost several times over, by keeping hay from rnud and meal from waste. Every field should have a good gate to enter it, and these gates may be constructed in winter by every ingenious farmer wno has a v/orkshop and a few simple tools. “Night Soil.”— Mr, Liebig, the chemist, writes: “1 am firmly of opinion that if England wishes to remain an agricultural country, she must use as manure the night soil, and similar residues produced in large cities. This necessity would be increased in the event of a war with America, when the supplies of guano would cease. The price of corn [“corn,” in England, means wheat, oats, &c.] depends upon that of guano, and it is most unnatural that, in a country like Engl md, the production of corn and meat .should be so dependant on the supplies of foreign manure. 112 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. Cotton Seed. — W. M. B. — On page 226, of the “Cot- ton Planter’s Mannual,” you will find a very excellent ar- ticle on the properties and value of Cotton Seed, as a ma- nure, It will “pay” for all planters to furnish themselves with the leading text-books of their profession. Hog Cholera, &c. — C. T. B. — See volume for 1858, page 371. WvNcoop’s Force Pumps. — L. P. — Address F. G. Wyncoop, Corning, N. Y. Back Volumes of the Southern Cultivator. — W. H. H. — We supply these, bound, at $1.80 each, post paid. €lit iatitjjnn Cttltrank. AUGUSTA, GA: VOL. XVII., No. 4.:::::::::;:;:: APRIL, 1859. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. “Honey Blade” Grass.— -0, H. L —This is the Hun- garian, merely, with a fancy name. We have given a description of this grass heretofore. “Agricultural Statesmanship.” — The suggestions of Dr. F. H. Gordon deserves the particular attention of our readers and contemporaries. We are strongly in favor of such a movement as he advocates, and hope the “ball” he has started will be “kept in motion.” Texas Letter, — A. M. — Greatly obliged for the valu- able information you send us, and hope to hear from you hereafter. Berkshire Hogs.— S. G. J. — Any person having Berk- shire pigs for sale will address S. G. Jenkins, Silver Run, Alabama. Magnolia Trees. — J. H. — The best time to transplant Magnolia Grandijiora^ and most other evergreens, is in the spring, just as the new growth is commencing. Corn and Cob Mills — N. J.— We do not know of any Mill that will do all you require. You may, however, address any of the Agricultural Implement dealers whose advertisements appear on our cover. Utley’s Plow and Stanford Grass. — P. S. M. — We do not know the holder of the Patent for North Caro- lina. Address, Grey Utley, Greensboro, N. C. The quan- tity of Grass Seed you want, sent per mail, will cost about one dollar. ‘ “ Morell’s American Shepherd.” — J. W. E. — Send $1.50 to A. 0. Moore & Co., 140 Fulton street. New York City, Hollyhock Seed.— H, M L, — We have none of the desired seed. Write to J. M. Thorburn & Co., 15 John St., New York City. Utley’s Plow, — P. S, D. — This Plow, in its improved form, cannot be sent out until the autumn of 1859, and we believe the right for Texas is yet held by the Patentee, Grey Utley, of Greensbro, N. C. Southern Agricultural Implements. — W. P.— Our good friend and correspondent, Dr, M. W, Philips, with Z. A. Philips and Robt, Kells, have a Factory at Jackson, in your State, (Miss.) and can doubtless supply you. Ad- dress Philips & Kells, Jackson, Miss. Wheat, Rye, Oats, or Barley. — C, L — We rather prefer Rye— though we have known Wheat sown in drill to give an excellent yield. We would advise you, also, to try “Stanford’s Wild Grass.” It must succeed in your section. “Work on Gardening,” &c.— J. E. H.— The price of White’s “Gardening for the South” is $1.25, per mail, paid. Send us 95 cents more, and we will forward it. Distemper in Sheep— Grass, &c — H. H.— See Ran- dall’s “Sheep Plusbandry.” Use a mixture of Red and White Clover and Blue Grass— equal parts— and sow about a bushel. Grafting the Grape, — B, S. — See our March num- ber, page 80, Southern Agricultural Papers. — In response to the wishes of a subscriber, we will give a list of all Southern Agricultural journals, with terms, place of publication, &c., in our May number. This request was only received I as we were going to press. 1^^ Rarey’s “Horse Taming” has been mailed to ail who have applied for it, up to the 10th of March. If any have failed to reach their destination, we will cheerfully send them again. Several interesting communications, received too late for present number, will appear in our next. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Special attention is called to the following advertise- ments : Rhodes’ Superphosphate Lime, J. A, Ansley. Whale Oil Soap, D. B. Logan. Flower Seeds by Mail, J. M, Thorburn & Co. * French Hybrid Gladiolus, J, M. Thorburn & Co. Agricultural, Carmichael & Bean. Important to Planters, A. Johnson. Elliot’s Western Fruit Book, A. 0. Moore & Co. American Weeds and Useful Plants, A. 0. Moore & Co. Landscape Gardening, A. 0. Moore & Co • Rural Manuals, Fowler and Wells. Short Horn Herd at Auction, Samuel T. Tarber, New Agricultural Warehouse, John Mayher & Co, Agricultural College of Michigan. — From a recent Report of the Board of education for the State of Michigan, we extract the follbwing paragraph, from which it will ap- pear that this experiment, so full of interest to every lover of industrial progress, is proving an eminent success ; “We have at present, accommodations for but sixty students ; but these are made by the necessities of the case, to answer for one hundred. The number of appli- cants, judging from experience, will exceed any accommo- dations the Institution will be likely to possess, exclusive of the numerous applications from other States. In our opinion, provisions should be made as soon as practicable, for the accommodation of a' least two hundred students; to do which some additional buildiugs will be required, and, also, an increased number of Professors.” SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 113 CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. The Vine in North Alabama. — Mr. C. W. Strong, of Meridianville, Madison county, Ala., writes us that he has been engaged in Vine Culture for the last six years ; that, in 1856, he made 325 gallons of wine ; failed in 1857 on account of frost and a hail storm ; in 1858, made 210 gallons of wine, all Catawba, Isabella and Herbemont’s Madeira, and will have in 1860 five acres in full bearing, &c. Howto Kill Sassafras. — We have published various methods of destroying the Sassafras, heretofore, but the following inquiry may elicit something new : Editors Southern Cultivator — We are greatly troubled in this part of the country with Sassafras sprouts that spring up in multitudes in our fields a few years after they are cleared and brought into cultivation. These sprouts, owing to their incalculable number, give us great annoyance in our corn, wheat and oat crops. The object of this communication is to ask some of your numerous correspondents to inform us through the medium of the Cultivator how we are to prevent the growth of the Sas- safras in our fields, or how to exterminate it when grown. An answer to this will much oblige, Yours truly, Joseph McKee. Juno, Dawson, Co., Ga., 1859. Hog Cholera and Black Tongue. — Can you or your numerous correspondents give me a certain, safe cure for Hog Cholera; also, Murrain, Distemper or Black Tongue in cattle 1 C. T. B. Corns on the Foot of a Horse. — Will you, or some of your numerous readers, inform me how to cure corns on the fore-feet of a horse I I have one so afflicted with them as to be scarcely able to get out of a walk. R. J. R. Awful! — The terrible results of a failure of the Culti- vator to rtdich. its deslinaiioxx, are but faintly shadowed forth in the following “burst” from a Mississippi corres- pondent : “Why, if the Cultivator were to stop coming here (where every number, I suppose, from the first of the first volume to the last of the last has come,) we would all get entirely out of gear. “Buck” would not havj, nor “Brandy” gee ; the mules would cease to bray ; the horses become slug- gards; the colts would stop growing and the mares foal- ing, the sows to grunt and the pigs to squeak 1 The fences would fall down and the gates fly open ; the hens would cease to cackle and the Shanghai ‘ roosters” to crow (so loud), the bees to buzz, the birds to sing, the corn to grow, the cotton to open, the fruit to bud, ilie flower to bloom; “the nightingale would pine, the roses fade,” and everything else you can imagine would happen, in ad- dition to my imaginings.” GEORGIA WINE, IN OHIO. The interesting and suggestive letter of our friend, R. Bcchanan, Esq , of Cincinnati, ought to remove any lingering doubts that may still be entertained by our peo- ple, respecting the capacity of the South for the easy and profitable production of Grapes and Wine; and will, we doubt not, give a new impetus to Vine Culture among us. If we divide by 4 the one thousand (1000) gallon esti- mate of Mr. Buchanan’s Georgia correspondent, we still have 250 gallons of wine per acre ; wfflich, at the low price of SI per gallon, gives us S250 — a return far better than we can expect from cotton, corn, rice, wheat, tobacco, or any other staple crop. It may be urged that, with a large increase in produce, the price of Wine must, necessarily, fall, and that the present rates cannot long be sustained; but the history of the past proves that the demand for nearly all the necessaries and luxuries of life more than keeps pace with the supply, and that most of our agricul- tural and horticultural productions command a higher price now than they did ten years ago. It will require a century, yet, to supply our vast and constantly in- creasing population with good and cheap wines in abundance, and to drive out of use the immense quantity of adulterated trash which we import from abroad, and the vile alcoholic mixtures that we make at home. By reference to the article on Champagne Wine, in present number, it will be seen that America alone imports from France and consumes about six and a half million bottles of Chaynpagne ipex yeniX I to say nothing of the hundreds of thousands of barrels and hogsheads of stuff called “Madeira,” “Claret,” “Sherry,” “Port,” &c., &c.; the importation of which from other foreign" coun- tries, costs us additional millions of dollars annually. With our vast extent of country suitable to the Vine, and our abundance of cheap lands, we ought not only to supply our own wants, but those of the “rest of mankind,” and we can do it, if we will try. Let us, then, push for- ward the production oipure and chea.p native American Wines ; drive all poisonous and unwholesome foreign mix- tures from the market; suppress, in a great measure, the tippling of maddening alcoholic drinks, and keep our un- told millions of money at home, for the benefit our own people. There is no work of patriotism or philanthropy in which a portion of our land owners can engage more com- mendably than this; and few enterprises that hold out as strong and sure pecuniary inducements. OUR BOOK TABLE. Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society, for 1857. B, P. Johnson, Esq , the accomplished Secretary of the New York State Agricultural Society, has given us an op- portunity to read the seventeenth volume of the Transac- tions of an institution which deserves sometlung more than a passing notice. In the volume before us, of over 800 pages, there is one of the best addresses ever written or spoken by Mr. Edward Everett, whether viewed in reference to its classical purity of style and language, or the happy choice of themes adapted to the occasion of an aniversary festival of American farmers. Prof. Wilson of the Edinburgh University ; Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert, of England, the largest experimenters in agriculture the world has ever produced ; Prof Brewer, of the Agricul- tural College of New York ; Dr. Fitch, Entomologist to the Society; Peter Love, of England, on the Mechani- cal mode of Deepening Soils ; Sanford Howard on Dairy Stock ; not to name other able contributors, furnish in- structive papers in the work under consideration. So much new matter, and much of it from practical farmers connected with the well organized county societies in 114 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. New York, as well as much from the pens of the most devoted cultivators of agricultural knowledge, will justify frequent reference and citation hereafter. The officers of this flourishing Society, and especially its indefatigable Secretary, have had large experience in commanding the best talent in this and other countries to aid them in pro- moting agriculture. They wisely use only thhe soundest materials in getting up their annual volume of Transac- tions : and in this way, make it an object of interest to nearly all the learned societies of Europe, and at the same time, a matter of just pride to the intelligent farmers of the State under whose fostering care and patronage it is issued. Cultivated and applied common sense always gives strength and stability to an institution. Men honor and elevate themselves so long as they honor and ele- vate the true interests of agriculture If. is only by forget- ting all mere personal feelings, and hdmring for the com- mon good of all, that man rises to the dignity of a superi- or being, lo combine the wisdom of many minds in a book that may be read and understood by all, is an art that very few possess. Mr. Johnson has sbov/n in the seventeenth volume published by the N, Y. State Agricul- tural Society, that he has not long studied and practiced this profljund art, without profit. It is a little more im- portant to know what to keep out of such a work than to learn where to And suitable matter for insertion. Our rural literature is sadly damaged by the profuse publica- tion of crude ideas, and false conclusions in reference to tillage and husbandry. Thousands undertake to teach principles in a profession, which they have never studied with due cave and diligence in order to reach the truth. In- deed, we are ali too apt to forget what Lord Bacon taught three centuries ago, to this effect : “That Science can only grow by the observation of individual factsY Nothing, therefore, can be gained by premature generalizations ; and the volume before us is by no means free froin the common error cf ardent minds which sometimes jump far to reach a sought for conclusion. L. The House: A Pocket Manual of Rural Architecture; or, Ho\v to Build Dwellings, Barns, Stables, and Out Build- ings of all kinds. With a chapter on Churches and School Houses, &c. Price, post paid, paper cover, 30 cents; muslin, bound, 50 cents. Fowler & Wells, publishers, 308 Broadway, New York This little treatise contains a great deal of valuable in- formation on all subjects connected with Rural Architec- ture, and may be very profitably consulted by all who in- tend to build. It furnishes designs and plans of every description, from a smoke house to a modern villa, and will be found very interesting even to the general reader. We give samples of the illustrations, in present number of the Cultivator^ and can honestly recommend it as worth many times the price asked for it. Address Fowler & Wells, as above. Domestic Anim.'.ls: A new Pocket Manual of Cattle, Horse and Sheep Husbandry ; or, How to Breed and Rear the various tenants of the Barn Yard, &c. Price, p.aper, 30 cents ; cloth, 50 cents. Fowler &• Wells, 308 Broadway, New York. In the absence ofa more elaborate and complete work on Domestic Animals, the above will be found a use- ful compendium and ; and every person at all interested in domestic animals can well afford the very moderate price at which it is offered. Address Fowler & WT:LLs,-.as above. Proceedings of the Seventh Session of the Ameri- c.AN PoMOLOGiCAL SOCIETY, held in the city of New York, September 14, 15 & 16, 1858. Published by the Society. 1858. j This volume contains 264 pages, comprising the Ad- dress-of President Wilder; names cf Delegates and Members; Officers, Committees, &c ; a General Report of the Discussions on the merits of different Fruits ; Consti- tut'on and Bye-Laws of the Society; Reports from the different States, &c., &c. Also, the foliowing papers, read before the Society : “Fruit Grawing, in a General Point of Vew,” bj'- L .. E. Berckmans; “Adaptation of Varieties of Pearsjo Soils and Localities,” by T. "W. Field ; ^ “Fruit Culture,” by J. J. Thomas; “The Poraological * Resources of the South,” by D, Redmond, &c. We are ’ much obliged to our friend. Field, the able Secretary, for the copy before us, and will give our readers some ex- tracts from it hereafter, “The Democratic Age,” is the title of a monthly m igazine, devoted to “Statesmanship, Science, Art, Litera- ■ ture and Progress.” It is edited with much ability by C. Edwards Lester, and published by R. Edwards & Co., No. 41 Park Row, New York, at S'3.50 per year, in ad- vance. We give a specimen article from the Age in pre- sent number [Champagne Wine] and, throwing all politi- cal bearings out of the, estimate, find not a little in the , woxk that is genial and readable. The CiNCiNNATUS is a capita! journal pfScientific Agri- culture, Horticulture, &c , &c.,' published at College Hill, | W. H. Ongley, at ^2 per annum, in advance. We have 1 before noticed. this periodical v/ith favor, and always find { in it much to interest and please us, TANBARK AS RIANURE. . Werever tanbark has been partly rotted, and especi- ally where it contains the trimmings of bides, shavings and schivings of leather, and refuse lime, it is often a valuable manure. Bark just from the tan vats is not fit to f act at once as a fertilizer, or as food for agricultural plants. The tannic and other acids it is likely to contain is like- ly to injure growing crops. The best way to use it, as a general practice is to dry it at the tanyard, and put it in stables for horses, cows other stock to stand and lie f upon, so as to have their liquid exci’etions absorbed by | the dry bark, The chemical changes first commenced by the urine, will extend to the constituents of the bark, and ’ both the latter and the former, as well as the solid excre- crements, if prcseiT^- will form a rich compost applicable to any soil. Where one has no horses or other stock, then lime or ashes ought to be mixed with spent bark to cor- rect acidity, and improve the quality of the vegetable mass. The soluble salts in leached bark are dissolved out in the tan vat Saussure found 7 per cent of sJablo mineral t SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. il5 salts in the ash of oak bark , 3 per cent, of phosphates of lime and magnesia ; G6 per cent, of carbonate do ; 1 1-2 per cent, of silica; and 2 percent, o.xide of iron, Mr, Mills says that ‘'one load of oak bark laid in aheap i and rotted after tanners have used it, will do more service to stiff cold land, and its effects will last longer than two loads of the richest dung,” This is probably an exaggeration. Every animal substance mixed with bark greatly increases its value. Dry bark, satu- rated with chamber slops, soap suds, or mixed with the materials that may be had at the garden house, becomes an excellent manure. Everything of the kind ought to be saved witli the greatest care by all who have any land to cultivate, or fruit trees to look after. Lime in which there i is more or less hair is better for agricultural purposes than a^pure article. Dry hair, like that of hogs and cattle, is worth its weight in Peruvian guano ; or !^3 per 100 lbs, L. POISONOUS FUNGI. Excessive rains during the spring and summer, and humidity of soil and atmosphere resulting therefrom, often produce an unusual amount of poisonous fungi to be eaten by cattle, hogs, deer and other animals. That cattle are very fond of the esculent and healthy species of this numerous tribe of plants is a fact very generally known; and that they should mistake poisonous varieties where they abound, for such as are not poisonous, is as na tural as it is common. Most readers know how fond the Romans were of mushrooms; and botanists inform us that no fewer than thirty species of agaricus are eaten in Russsia at this time. Some of these are not free from poison; for tobacco is not_the only poisonous plant that man knowingly and habitually puts into his mouth. Like ourselves, our live stock are able to consume a little poison with their daily food with no perceptible inconvenience; but when they indulge their apetites to excess, disease and death follo w as the natural results. They find poison- ous mushrooms mostly in woods and swamps, and should be kept out of such infected ranges during the prevalence of hot weather when fungals grow with the greatest luxuri- ance. Dr, Chritison gives the following general directions for distinguishing the esculent from the poisonous varie- ties . “It appears that most fungi which have a warty cap, more especially fragments of a membrane adhering to their upper surface, are poisonous. Heavy fungi which have an unpleasant odor, especially if they emerge from a vulva or bag, are also generally hurtful. Those which grow in woods and shady places are rarely esculent, but most are unwholesome ; and if they are moist on the sur- face they should be avoided. All those which grow in tufts or clusters from the trunks or stumps of trees ought likewise be shunned. A sure test of a poisonous fungus is astringent or styptic taste, and perhaps also a disagree- able, but certainly a pungent odor. Those, the substance of which becomes blue soon after being cut, are invariably poisonous. Agarics of an orange or rose red color and boleti, which are coriaceous or corky in texture, or which have a membraneous collar round the stem are also unsafe. These rules for knowing deleterious fungi seem to rest on fact and experience ; but they will not enable the collec- tor to recognize every poisonous species.” , Poisonous mushrooms, in cooking, disengage so much sulphuretted hydrogen gas that it will tarnish a silver spoon or silver coin brought in contact with the seething vegetable; and persons having little knowledge of edible fungi cannot be too careful to avoid mistakes in a matter of so much importance. In cases of doubt, it is safe to ab- stain from eating any fungals whatever. The parasitic fungi that grow on corn, wheat, oats, rye and barley are even more injurious to man and beast than any of the agaric genus. The writer has noticed that corn is often affected to an unusual degree with the large black fungus nearly allied to smut in wheat and oats. All these microscopic fungi that prey on cereals are poison- ous ; as is also ergot or “horned rye.” In securing a corn crop, whether fodder, stalks or ears, care should be taken not to contaminate either with the black dust of the fun- gus alluded to. The diseased part is too prominent not to be noticed, and it should be cut or broken off and thrown away. Hundreds of experiments have estab- lished the fact that the seeds of the uredo segetum adhere to the seeds of grain, such as corn, wheat, oats and barley, and are planted and propagated with them. Hence the value of washing all seeds of the cereal grasses in a strong solution of blue stone (sulphate of cop- per) or of common salt before planting. Recently slaked lime, or water saturated with caustic lime is fatal to the vitality of all sporules of this character. Care should be had not to allow seed grain to remain too long in any steep to kiil smut, as the brine may penetrate the oily covering of the seed and destroy its germ. We have often seen seed wheat injured, and sometimes wholly ruined by being too long in some mineral steep. Three or four hours are long enough, with good washing. It is not known how long the seeds of these pajrasitic seed will live in or on the ground; but they have been planted in burnt soil under circumstances that leave no doubt of their being taken up by the roots of wheat and maize, and conveyed to the points where the fungus mul- tiplies its species. Its fecundity is amazing, but, fortun- ately, it does not thrive except in peculiar circumstances and condiuons. Clean culture, and the free circulation of dry air operate against every species of blight. Humidity and heat favor the increase of these vegetable pests. Mil- dew, mould in bread, and dry rot in timber are parasitic plants closely allied to smut ^nd rust on wheat and oats. Even animals nourish parasitic plants as well as parasitic animals, like lice and ticks. It would almost appear to be a law of nature that the smaller the individual animal or plant the greater its power of reproduction to compen- sate for its feebleness. Where a slight change of tempera- ture, or of moisture destroys millions of living germs, millions are shortly produced by a single germ, where the conditions favor such a result, All the conditions favorable and adverse to vitality, whether in the plants we cultivate, or in their enemies, are subjects worthy of our best consideration. L. 116 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. CHINESE SUGAR CANE SYRUP. In reply to “L W. P we would state tha’, at one of the meetings of the United States Agricultural Society, Dr. Charles T. Jackson, of Massachusetts, is reported to have made some very interesting remarks, based on re- cent investigations which he had made by order of the Patent Office to investigate the amounts of saccharine matter in different varieties of Sorgho and of Imphee, both of which he had found would produce crystalized and crystalizable sugar. Seed and sugar cannot both be raised in great amounts in the same plant, If one be great the other must be small; one will preponderate at the expense of the other. We cannot have a great crop of seed and of sugar at the same time The unripe cane yields grape sugar or glucose, whilst the ripe cane gives crystalizable or cane sugar. It is always possible in Massachusetts to make syrup, but not cane sugar. But this syrup or glucose is better than cane sugar for alcohol, (in now so greatly increased request for manufacturing, chemical and medicinal purpose,) because cane sugar has to be restored to grape sugar syrup before it can yield al- cohol. The average crop of syrup from the Sorgho in Massachusetts is 300 gallons to the ucre. Mr. Hyde, of Newton Centre, had so produced it, and sold it at a dol- lar a gallon, whilst ordinary molasses only brought fifty cents. This is a fair test of its value in the market. Its value to the rich is great, but to the poor still greater. From it can be made their burning fluids. In reply to a question from a member. Dr. Jackson said that on aver- age good soils he considered three hogsheads of syrup per acre could be safely reckoned on These plants would certainly hybridize, as they all belong to the genus andrc- vogon. Dr. Jackson next mentioned some minute results of his investigation as to the best method of forming crystalized sugar from the syrup of the Sorgho. It is be ter, he said, to have an excess of lime. He also insisted on the neces- sity of a cold filtration before boiling, to rid the syrup of all impurities Afier n first boiling, he advised a second boiling to be followed by a second skimming, and filtra- tion. The boiling must be done slowly, and care taken not to burn the syrup, or it will not crystalize into sugar. He also enlarged on the advantages of making sugar in vacuo, which enables the whole mass of syrup to crystal- ize. S^“Hon. A. H. Stevens, of Georgia ; Hon. J. H. Ham MONO, of South Carolina; Commissioner Hoi/r and D J. Browne, E q , of the Patent Office, will accept our thanks for valuable public documents, seeds, grape cuttings, &c. All subscriptions to the Southern Cultivator com- mences with the January number. Caution ! — The fine stallion. Black Morgan, owned by Mr. A. C. Stowell, of Petersham, Mass., died on the 2nd ult. The horse was unwell and his Ovvner intended to dose him with linseed oil, but thiough some mistake of the clerk in the store where the purchase was made, the horse got a bottle full of either resin oil or spirits of tur- pentine. The animal died in great agony in about seven iBiticuUata! Itpattmtnt. GEORGIA WINES IN CINCINNATI. Editors Southern Cultivator — I have just sold the first Georgia Wine sent to Cincinnati. It was of the vint- age of 1857 — seven hundred gallons. The price obtained (Sl.15) will nett the owner about $1 05 at his vineyard; a price with which our wine growers here are generally satisfied. Sometimes a very fine wine is sold at Si. 50, but the average price is SU I had some of our best judges to examine it, and they pronounced the quality excellent — “more body and less accidity than our Ohio wines.” One of our most extensive wine planters observed, “those gentlemen can scarcely be aware of their advantages in soil and climate, but, sooner or later, they will find it out.” It is pleasant to observe the cultivation of the vine ex- tending all over the country, wherever the climate is favorable to its growth. It adds another branch to our agricultural resources, and will, in the end, make us a more temperate people. It is, also, highly gratifying to notice the public spirit and liberality with which some of your cit-zens of Georgia enter into this cultivation. As an an example, I give the following extract of a letter, recent- ly received from a gentleman of wealth and judicial emi- nence in your State. I am not at liberty to use his name, but his motives are alike honorable to his head and his heart: “Our wine made in Georgia is better than some made in Ohio. It is all of 5 per cent, stronger, and will yield as I doubt not, an average of 1 ,000 gallons to the acre, and often over 2,000 gallons. This I scarcely expect you to believe. “And yet I do not go into it for money. I have, I be- lieve, a higher motive: first, sobriety, but mainly to show poor families how to suppoit themselves comfortably off a small piece of land ; and to do this, I must make money, for if I fail to do so, I shall then fail of my true object. If I succeed, I have not the time left me to profit much for myself; but can, I hope, leave a benefit to others.” The sale of Grape Roots and Cuttings to the South- West has, this season, been very large, and is the best evidence of the increase of wine planting. R. Blchanan. Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 24, 1859. GRAPES — PEACHES— HYBRIDIZING, tsi- ness of the Society. It shall be optional with them to meet ofiener, if necessary. For ordinary business, three Direc- tors shall constitute a quorum ; ^but in no case where a difference of opinion cxi-^ts will a majority numbering less than three, decide the case or que.stion. Art. 2nd-— It shall be the duty cf the Directors to re- ceive and manage, to, the best advantage, articles offered for exhibition ; or to appoint a Committee, either of their ov/n number or of t’-.e Society, to do the same. Art. 3rd. — Jc shall be the duty. of the Directors to offer Pitmiums for tiie best <;rb.ao lejs, or such uriiclcs coming within the scope of tiie Society, as may be offered for ex- hibition. Art. 4th — Fruits, and other perishable produce, may be exhibited at any of the meetings of the Society, or of the Directors ; and a Committee shall be appointed to ex- amine the same, and report on that w’liich may be worthy of notice, Art. 5th, — Premiums shall be awarded at or only im- mediately after the Regular Annual Meeting of the So- ciety ; but perishable articles exhibited as above, and fa- vorably reported on by the Directors or Committee, shall be entitled to premiums. Art. 6th. — In offering premiums for articles exhibited it shall be the duty of the Directors to offer such as shall conduce to the advantage and advancement of Agriculture Horiicultuie and Vine-culture, such as improved imple- ments of husbandry, subscription to an agricultural pa- per, a certain number of fruit trees or grape vines, &c., or some approved wmrk on any of the above cultures. Pro- vided, that iffhe successful competitor should^ prefer an equivalent in plate for his premium, he shall be entitled to receive it in such form. Art. 7th — Premiums awarded and not called for at or before the next Annua! Meeting, will be considered as donations to the Society. Art. 8th. — Competition on all articles within the scope of tiie Society is open to all, whether from this or any other State, as it is important to the members of this So- ciety that they should become acquainted with all articles of superior merit wherever produced. Art. 9th. — Premiums shall not be awarded on articles of inferior merit, although there may be no competition. * Art, 10th — New Seedling Grape Vines, Apples, Pears, Plums, Peaches, or other fruits raised at, or adapted to the South, are to be particularly encouraged, and those deem- ed valuable shall be entitled to the highest premiums. Art. 11th — The Pre-ident, or, in his absence, the Vice- President, or Chairman, tern shall be required to offer a subject on Agriculture, Horticulture or Vine-Culture for discussion at the ensuing meeting, and appoint a mem- ber to prepare an essay on the subject. Members are also requested to try experiments in any of the above branches and to give in a minute and correct report of the results — in writing or otherwise Art. I2ih — Honorary Members shall be elected by the unanimous consent of the Directors, subject to the appro- val or rejection of the Society at its next regular meeting. They shall be entitled to all the priviledges of regular members, except that of bein^ elected officers of the So- ciety. 120 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY FOR 1858-59. President — Dr. J. C. W. McDonnald. Vice President — Col. Wm. Gregg. Treasurer — H. W. Ravenel', Esq. Secretary— V.. J. C. Wood. Directors — Messrs. J. G. Steedman, Jas. Purvis, W. G. Mood, A. De Caradeuc, J. D. Legare, Judge A. M. D. Robertson, and Col. W. P. Finley. Anniversary, Third Thursday in July. Quarterly Meeting, Third Thursday in July, October, January and April. Regular Monthly Meetings in May, June, July, August, and September, 3rd Wednesday. ON niUIiCHING. BY WILLIAM SAUNDERS, GERMANTOWN, PA. , “'If we were asked to say what plactice, founded on principle, had been most beneficially introduced into our horticulture — we should answer rnulching — mulching sug- gested by the need of moisture in ouifMry climats, and the difficulty of preserving it about the roots of plants.” — A. J. Downing. At the late meeting of the Am, Pomological Convention the subject of mulching was brought up and an opinion un- favorable to the practice prevailed among those who par- ticipated in the discussion. As there was no vote taken on the question, it would be unfair to conclude that the sense of the meeting was opposed to the practice, as might be inferred from the published reports of their pro- ceedings. It is, perhaps, to be regretted that the Convention should undertake the discussion of such subjects, its time being too limited to do them justice ; otherwise we can hardly conceive it possible that a practice so generally conceded as being in the highest degree beneficial, should be brand- ed as injurious, at least without some explanatory qualifi- cations. The object of mulching is to maintain a uniform degree of moisture in the soil by aiTesting surface evaporation This is most eflfectually secured by the interposition of a statum of air in repose. Bodies are said to be good or bad conductors just as they are solid or porous. Iron is a better conductor than wood ; granite stone a better conductor than brick. Hard pressed soil is a bet- ter conductor than soil that is loose and porous. A beaten path is warmer in summer and colder in winter than the cultivated ground alongside of it; its particles being in close contact, its conducting powers are Increased ; the arid winds of summer passing over uts surface carries off the moisture which the heat evaporates, and renders it unable to support healthy and vigorous vegetation ; there- fore, in covering with manure, tan, or charcoal dust we apply a materia! that contains more air than the soil, and in a position not easily disturbed. As to the value ofmulchingas an auxiliary to success- ful cultui’e, the result of practical experiments fully con firms all that theory propounds; and in the case of newly planted trees the preservation of a uniform degree of mois- ture in the soil surrounding their roots is the most impor- tant point of management, and, other things being equal trees will languish or grow just in proportion as this con- dition is secured. One of the speakers at the Convention alluded to, ob served that, “mulching had always proved of no value, but rather injurious 1 have found that the mulch dries out in summer when most needed, so as to be of little value, and the trees cast their leaves.” This might well be taken as an argument in favor of mulching, as the trees lose their leaves when the mulching fails. The evi- deiit course to pursue in such cases, would be to renew the mulch and so maintain vigor and preserve the foliage. The drying out of the mulch is no argument against its value. Such materials as tan bark, wood chips, charcoal dust, or even barn yard manure does not readily dry out or decay. It cannot be considered a fair test to allow the mulch to dry out “when most needed.” Another objection to mulching is the harbor it provides for mice and insects. When mulching has been left on dur- ing winter I have seen much destruction from mice eat- ing the bark and roots, but I have never seen mice do in- jury to trees in clean, cultivated ground, whether mulched or not; and in regard to insects I would express a con- trary opinion, and assert that were it convenient to keep the soil constantly covered with a suitable mulch, we would abridge, to a considerable extent, the increase qf insects; the shade and moisture of the mulching being inimical to their habits. A further objection was brought forward, “that a heavy mulch absorbs all the water from a light shower, and the soil below is dry,” This, as an objection, is practically unimportant. Although mulching is apparently a simple operation, yet care is required in its application. Before mulching a newly planted tree, if in the spring, shape the soil in the form of a basin, extending the rim beyond the extremities of the roots, thus rains will be retained and ar- tificial waterings effectually applied, if found necessary. If planted in the fall, the soil should be mounded slightly to the stem and well firmed round the roots ; in either case be careful that the mulch does not approach nearer than within 10 or 12 inches of the stem of the tree. Win- ter mulching should be heavy to prevent frosts from reaching the roots, and will be found of great benefit in clean ground, but if rough and weedy so as to encourage mice, no mulching should be applied during winter, and every precaution taken to prevent them from eating the bark, such as tramping around the roots after heavy snows, and keeping the soil well pulverized, clean and compressed. To be effectual it is not necessary that the mulching in summer be heavy, three or four inches in thickness of well rotted manure I consider the best that can be applied ; if tan or charcoal dust, a thicknesss of two inches is suf- ficient; the short grass cuttings of the lawn forms a very suitable material, but it must be spread thmly so as not to ferment, which it is very sure to do if applied wet in quantities; a mouldiness frequently originates after fer- mentation ceases which is very injurious. Some years ago my attention was directed to a plantation of young trees that had suddenly and prematurely lost their foliage. They had been carelessly mulched with rough hay, and it was discovered that a peculiar fungus had originated in it and spread over the roots, and in some cases enveloped the stem of the tree. The mulching was immediately re- moved and the soil forked over ; the growth of the fungus was arrested, but several of the trees died. I mention this as a warning to inexperienced mulchers. The benefits of mulching may be carried into the veget- able as well as the fruit garden. Mulching between the rows of growing crops I have found to be of great value. The soil is not compressed by rains nor baked into a crust by sun, weeds are kept down, evaporation arrested and the crops materially mcteixsed.— Horticulturist.. Travel. — Traveling is good to take conceit out of man, "to shake out his ideas, and enlarge the bounds of his men- tal vision- It makes men wiser, but seldom happier. After all, home is the place for comfort; we are always happiest where the heart is. As Holmes says: “The world has a million roost for a man, but only one nest. Others may roost where they please ; give us the nest.” f He that v.'ould have his business well done, must either do it himself, or see to the doing of it. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 121 , LAND AND LABOR. BY T . Cheap Labor ! dear Land ! let the Dial go back Some cycle or so, for the blessing we lack ! Let the darkest of ages their annals expand With the cheapest of toil, and the dearest of land ! i Two Serfs for a Seignior ! weary and froze ! Hot blood for his foot-bath ! bless his old toes ! There’s a “rise” in mankind since the Seigniors are gone! And a “farther decline” ! be it upwcu'd and on I But a dollar a “muscle 1” ten for a ‘ bone !” To high 1 my dear sir ! then rattle your own ! Too much for a darkey ? the deuce must be in’t If he is a gold-mine, and thou not a mint ! There’s a Imo on the subject that holds like a vice — Of all a man hath, his toil is the price, And his are good wages, whoever the man. Who has what he makes, let him make what he can. To starve with old Erin ! to sin with New York ! Let them fix the price of your land and your work ! But for bread while you live, for a hope when you die. Give us land “cheap as dirt,” and a labor “sky-high.” February, 1859. “ AGRICULTURAL STATESMANSHIP Editors Southern Cultivator— In the January num- ber of the Cultivator, Dr. Lee has published an article under the above head, which is an able, patriotic, and in- dependent editorial. The good of the Union, and especi- ally the agricultural interest demands that all our agricul- tural periodicals shall abound in such editorials. The ar- ticle in question begins thus: “The time is not remote when the study of agricultural statesmanship will form a prominent feature in the education of young men, who shall aspire to the honor of representing, at all times and in all places, the great farming interests of the country, in a way that shall be creditable to themselves and bene- ficial to the public.” And with candor and force the edi- tor urges the necessity of such an education. Some three years ago, the writer of thes present com- ment, wrote an article addressed to Dr. Lee, (which was published in the Cultivator) under the head of “Agricul- tural Politics.” In that essay I set forth a platform which I thought embodied the necessary fundamental principles of an Agricultural Party. In Dr. Lee’s editorial comment, he urged against my position that agriculture is too pure to be mixed up with the corruptions of political parties, but still, substantially admitted the necessity and justness of carrying into effect, in some way, the principles I there set forth. (I talk from memory, his comment not being before me.) Dr. Lee’s article, as I have now quoted from the number ofJast January, admits and urges the neces- sity of agricultural statesmanship. In substance we agree, but differ as to the means of accomplishing the same ob- jects; and the difference is but appar^t, not real. Agri- cultural statesmen (when we shall h^e them) will freely utter their sentiment and urge their policy, and this will soon form an agricultural party. To this end all things are now rapidly tending; and this endive must come before our State and National Legislatures will do jus- tice to our great agricultural interest. Till then farmers and common mechanics will, virtually, have no part or lot in ruling public affairs, and their great interests will receive no consideration or aid from our statesmen. Com- merce will still receive its millions of dollars from the National Treasury, and millions of acres of choice lands from the public domain, while statesmen will console themselves for their patriotism and liberality in appropri- ating a few pitiful thousands to buy seeds for the benefit of agriculture. Colleges and Universities will still be built by National and State appropriations, adapted to the education of merchants, divines, doctors and Lawyers, while there will be no schools suitably organized and en- dowed to educate farmers and mechanics. Their only dependance upon public aid will still be the miserable common schools, where teaching is let out to the lowest bidder, who may be willing to do a sorry sort of teaching for his sorry wages. Farmers will still constitute three- fourths of our popu- lation, and form our strongest national defence in time of war; they will still own eleven-fourteenths of the national wealth, and support the public treasury about in that pro- portion ; but, notwithstanding all this, they will have no influence upon national policy. They will continue to vote for this or that aspirant to office, as their party leaders may influence them, and never ask what their candidates will do for their peculiar inter- est. This is what has been done, and what will ever be done, till farmers shall assert their rights at the ballot box, and claim that they are citizens— that they constitute a portion of the body politic— that they have equal rights to distribution benefits from the government. By this course our statesmen have to be taught that our agriculture is a great interest— that it is greater than any other on the face of the earth— that to foster and develope this interest by all prudent means is the greatest business of great statesmen— that, by a judicious fostering care of our ag- culture, this Union will soon grow to be the greatest na- tion upon the globe, and produce enough to feed and clothe the whole world. We have the extent of territory, the diversified climates and soils, and the energetic popu- lation capable of all this ; and we only need comprehen- sive statesmen, who can and will appreciate all our great interests, and devise the best means foj promoting them. We want statesmen who consult not the interests of com; merce alon, but whose ambition is to make our nation great in Commerce, great in Manufactures and great in Agriculture, and, as necessary to all, great in the intelli- gence of the people. When we shall have such statesmen, farmers will soon become as intelligent as they should be, and agriculture will become the most reputable and the greatest profession in the United States, because Nature has so ordained. We can, and will raise up such statesmen as we need, whenever we shall unite and resolve upon it. Just at this time, the political parties of the country have got into a giddy whirl : they are divided and scatter- ed into factions, each of which is in the minority— no one can, by itself, rule the country ; therefore, now is the ap- propriate time for the farmers to make a solemn declara- tion of the r own equal rights in this Confederacy, Ifwe could now have a Convention of farmers (no politicians of any party) ; if we could have one assemblage of talent- ed farmers from all parts of the Union, such a convention would do away all sectional discord, and materially and beneficially change the policy of the government. Mental culture as well as agriculture, and all our industrial pur- suits would rapidly advance, and former dreams of Re- publican prosperity would soon become realities. What say the intelligent editors of our thirty-eight Ag- ricultural journals I What say the numerous able con- tributors'? Shall we have such a Convention '? Shall it meet in the year 1859, and deliberate a week or two in earnest for the good of our country and especially our pro- fession '? I know there are hundreds of patriotic farmers 122 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. who would fieely spend the time and money required to hold such a Convention. Popular sentiment is ready for it, provided all our agricultural journals agree upon it, and they ought to take the lead. We hope all will speak free- ly upon this subject. With deference and respect, F. H. Gordon. Sugartree Farm {near Rome) ^ Tenn,^ Feb., 1859. BOIili WORM INSECT — BIBB’S PATENT. Editors Southern Cultivator — In this, my first communication, I promise to deal in plain, stubborn facts — facts, proven by experience, and, if any contributor to your excellent Cultivator should feel his experience ag- grieved in reading these “facts,” let him “stand from under,” or else, take up his pen and wage a war to the last drop of ink in the “stand.” So much by way of in- troduction. Here, in the northern portion of Mississippi, we have as fine a farming country as the sun has yet shone upon (I refer to the prairies of Monroe and Lowndes counties) unlike any other soil I have ever seen, requiring a differ- ent mode of cultivation. What I consider the proper cul tivation of this peculiar soil I shall possibly make the sub- ject of another communication. Allow me, in this, how- ever, to that the continued growing of one crop, with- out ever rotating, upon the finest land in cultivation, will entirely exhaust and render it worthless in a few years. All farmers are aware of this, and yet how few profit by ib These Prairies were once covered with a dense mat of grass, weeds, &c., the soil being fed continually by a large amount of decomposing vegetation, the natural soil containing large quantities of shells and lime in almost every conceiveable form, together with other necessary chemical compounds, making the soil capable of the high- est productive qualities. In this condition it was found and settled — the heavy surface of grass and weeds were turned under by large plows, and cotton and corn grew in perfection — large crops w'ere soon gathered — one bale to an acre was a common yield — by some, fouiteen bales were made to the “hand.” Nothing was allowed to grow in the field but the planted crops ; grass and weeds were almost considered a disgrace ; the farms were as clean as an eastern garden ; the fi-rmer would defy you to produce a hatful of grass frdm his entire farm. In preparing the land for a crop, the cotton and corn stalks of the previous year were all carefully pulled up, thrown in heaps and burned — time could not be spared to haul off cotton seed, which rotted in large heaps at the gin house. It seemed riever once to occur to the farmer to restore something to his land until, worn out by constant drain- age, it refused to yield so bountifully. This despicable system of cZeaw has well nigh ruined our prairie lands. I confess the soil is as black and, apparently , as rich as ever, yet it does not yield one-half as much as formerly. I, therefore, class this mode of culture under the head of ‘^dovjnright foolishness.'^' I am not an advocate of foul farming ; but believe in returning to the sail something, whether it be in the rota- tion of crops or a portion of the farm lying out resting, sowing small grains or a crop of peas in the corn, or at least, giving back to the soil the cotton and corn stalks. Our lands are now rich in some things, yet literally im- poverished for want of vegetable matter in its composition. With us, the cotton crop has got to be the most uncer- tain of all others, and subject to more disasters than ever cursed the land of Egypt. Grant that it escapes the early frosts of spring, the cold rains, “sore shin,” crawfish, rust and insect, and that even in July, the prospect was never so flattering, let there be but a few more rains than are needed, the miller makes its appearance and in flying about, -deposits its larvae on every stalk in the field, and in twenty days the cotton bolls are but empty, rotting, stink- ing hulls — the “second growth” has made a mass of large, thick, heavy leaves — tender “water shoots,” and all over the field, the best prospect in the world for non-payment of debts and extended bills on January 1st following. What has brought about this great change in the produc- tion of our soil ? Why this exhaustion of the soil 7 Why these unnumbered disasters I if, in a great degree, it be not through a system of bad cultivation, then give me a reason, ye learned “cotton headed” savans of the prairie. The insect, or “cotton louse,” frequently injures the crop in the spring. In reading your Oaltivator I find various opinions ad- vanced in regard to what it is that produces this insect. Seeing them in great numbers on my cotton last spring, and desiring to find out what produced them, I experi- mented sufficiently to satisfy my mind of their origin, habits, &c. They are deposited on the leaf by a small black ant ; a few days after the hatching out of the egg they have wings and can fly about. If now taken and placed under a glass, in a few days they will shed off their wings and are nothing more than the common little black ant. I experimented, also, with the boll worm, and may, at some future time, give you the result of my observations with regard to them. I will say now, however, that the prevailing idea of their hibernating in the cotton or corn stalk is false in the extreme. I am prepared to prove this assertion. Wm, H. Bibb, a citizen of this county, claims to have invented a plan for destroying the miller, which produces tne boll worm — he has procured a patent for it. It is simply a lamp set in a large tin pan — in the pan there is molasses •, it is Ik up at night and placed on a pole some six feet high ; the moth flies against the glass and falls in the molasses below. One lamp cought two thousand moths iu one night, whilst testing it last summer. Now, my dear Editors, if you can make this communi- cation in anything like “ship-shape,” you will have per- formed an “Herculean task.”' Homespun. Prairie Horne, Feb., 1859. EDUCATION OF ENGEISH GIRLS. BY REV. J. C. BODWELL. Step info Moseley’s in Summer street, and you will see one indication of a good time coming for daughters — ladies’ boots, with soles of a thickness which it will cheer every man''s heart to look at — and fa.shionable, too — the very latest fashion ! -Now, is it not a matter for Kejoicing and even for devout gratitude, that it is actually fashion- able for women to wear shoes which will keep their feet dry and warm '? Our countrywomen have long endured great and cruel hardships in this particular, compelled to wear so flimsy an article as if all the shomakers were in league with con- sumption and death ; while their husbands and brothers have walked by their side in boots which protected them from all harm. This hardship and cruel inequality of the sexes has been national, as the custom of pinching the feet of women has been peculiar to the Chinese. European women have been wearing the very description of boots and shoes which is now fast becoming fashionable with us, never dreaming of anything else as at all consistent with common sense. English duchesses have worn shoes from time immemorial which our country misses would have considered very vulgar. And so English duchesses have retained their plumpness and bloom and joyous health to fifty and sixty years of age, while our women SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 123 have lost the last rose before thirty, and have gone in frightful numbers to an early grave. This whole subject of the training of our girls must undergo a thorough revision. Many other things need looking after besides shoes. Our climate has, unques- tionably, something to do in transforming the round and ruddy Anglo-Saxon lass to the pale and slender miss of Boston and New York. But sadly defective education does a great deal more. This differences in the training of English and American girls begin in the nursery, dat- ing from the first weeks of existence, and extend over the entire period from infancy to ripe womanhood. As it is my desire to furnish something that may be useful, rather than entertaining, I shall speak very plainly, aud some- what in detail. One of the first maxims applied to the management of both girls and boys in England is, in the words of one of their old physicians, “plenty of flannel, plenty of milk and plenty of sleep.” lam quite sure that a great many of our young mothers do not understand the importance of every pa°t of this maxim. It does not require a pro- fessional eye to discern that many an infant suffers from want of flannel, although the inexperienced mother has no conception of it. The child looks warm, and is warm to the touch, but is irritable, restless, unable to sleep. Were you never troubled through the night without know- ing the the reason, till you awoke in the morning and found that though you had not any sense of chilliness, yet you had wanted more covering to make you sleep soundly I Infants require a-great deal of warmth, and can- not be healthy without it. As to food, every mother in England understands that an infant must not be fed with all kinos of trash, ginger- bread, cake, pie, &c. Nothing of the kind is permitted to be given them. The shops of London grocers, drug- gists, and pastry cooks — abound in simple articles of diet, prepared especially for infants, as ‘‘biscuit powder, “baked flour,” “tops and bottoms,” “patent American corn flour,” “arabica revelenta,” &c.,.&c. “Plain, simple and nutritious,” is the rule here. Through xhe entire period of childhood, and even ol youth, the diet of Eng- lish girls is extremely simple. No tea and coffee, no hot bread — indeed it is a very common rule in well ordered English families that no bread must be cut, for old or young, till the second day from the baking and very little of pastry or sweet meats of any kind. Plain bread and milk, and fresh beef and mutton, roasted, or boiled or broiled — not baked nor fried — with plenty of vegetables, make up the principal food for English childreri. Pork, veal and salted meats are allowed very sparingly, as all English mothers know that they are difficult to digest, and especially injurious to a child that has the slightest constitutional tendency to scrofula. A well-lighted nursery is considered indispensable, as it is well understood that a dark nursery will kill a scro- fulous child. Their odious and abominable window-tax, modified and relieved of its worst features within a few years, makes Englishmen anxious to get as much light as possible into their dwellings, whereas we cover our houses with windows to an absurd extent and then, still more absurdly, and very injudiciously, beyond all ques- tion, shut out nearly all the light with blinds. English children must have abundance of fresh out-door air, every day if possible ; and an important part of the duty of the nurse maid is to take the children out several hours every fine day, including the infant. One of the most |beautiful pictures in the London parks, and in- deed everywhere all over England, is the innumerable nurse-maids, themselves radiant with health, with their still more innumerable children. Thus the English girl is early trained to a habit and love of walking which she never loses, and in this way secures rounc^limbs, and ex- panded chest and ruddy countenance while still a child. It is hardly necessary to say that the shoes of English children have thick soles and that their clothing through- out is very carefully adapted to the season and the weath- er. I am afraid American mothers will laugh when I say that the mothers of England are very particular not to al- low their children, before they are old enough to walk, to sit much on the carpet, as it is a posture unfavorable to erectness and fullness of figure. They are, therefore, taught with special pains to roll themselves on the carpet, and to lie on the stomach, all of which have a direct ten- dency to secure a perpendicular spinal column and broad, full chest. It is a beautiful feature of English families, that the chil- dren, instead of being pushed into a precocious maturity of dress and manners, and habits, are children all along; their parents love to have it so — simple, free, joyous, play- ing, laughing and romping all they can. It is not the least of the advantages of this, that when womanhood comes, as come it will, in spite of everything, it sets easi- ly and gracefully upon them. English children do not go to fashionable parties or keep late hours. It is a special study to provide them abundance of healthy sports, and, above all, to make home radiant with cheerfulness through the day; and, when the night comes, the young misses instead of staying up and being called ladies, are called girls, and sent to bed. — Happy Home. CORN AND COTTON CULTURE IN SOUTH Westerii Georgia, Editors Southern Cultivator — Together with my subscription for the Cultivator I send you plan of farming somewhat peculiar to our immediate locality : Corn follows cotton. The land is broken up or bedded up just at the time we plant. The rows are three feet and a half apart, and the corn spaced in the drill according to the strength of the land. The first working is about the tenth or fifteenth of May, by running around it with a doable plow invented ten years ago by the late Mr. Abner Ward, of our neighborhood. It consists of a wooden beam with iron feet, to which small sweeps or hoes are attached. (His family are making arrangements for a patent.) By running around the corn it plows out the rows thoroughly ; the hoes follow after, thinning the corn which is then from half leg to knee high, and trimming around the trees and stumps and at the end of the rows. In three weeks it is generally bunching to tassel. The plows run around it again, and, if it should rain about that time, so as to prevent the grass from dying, the hoes go over it again ; if not, it is “laid bye,”' In using these plows, each hand has two mules and changes at twelve. So a hand does just about double the plowing as he would with an ordinary stock, and we have only half the number of hands at the plow. The mules keep in better order when they pull them a half day than the ordinary plow all day. Ours is a soft and sandy land. Our corn is madeby running around it three times and one hoeing, and the average of it will compare favor- ably with any corn raised in Middle Georgia. The aver- age crop is from twelve and a half to twenty-five bushels to the acre. Our cotton is mostly planted on stubble land and land that has been lying out a year. We make from two to three plantings. The first about the 1st of April, the second from the 15th to the 20th of April, and the 3d from the last of April to the 10th of May. For the following reasons, viz: Some land will bear planting early. Some lands will mature a crop earlier than others, and this plan gives a better chance at the seasons; and, lastly, we can cultivate more of it and easier. The first planting is 124 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. generally worked over before we plow our corn. The modus operandi of the after culture of the cotton would be too lengthy for this communication. We cultivate from twenty -five to thirty acres to the hand, besides smallgrain enough for our families, raise our own meat, and make from five to twelve bales to the hand, weighing 500 lbs., and, in a lew instances, have exceeded that amount. This plan of farming has been followed here for ten years with uniform success. The South Western Railroad is nearly completed through our county. Lands are plentiful and cheap enough. We have flourishing schools and Colleges. -Smooth Western Georgia is healthy and productive, and holds out a great many inducements for emigrants. B. J. B. Shell Rock, Randolph Co., Ga., Ftb , 1859. BERMUDA GRASS. Editors Southern Cultivator— Whilst I am ever wil- ling to do all I can to promote the best interests of my fellows, I do not relish farmers — planters if youlvill — using a fictitious name either when seeking information or in holding up the tricks of traders. I like an open field and a fair fight. No one objects more to have his name before the public than myself, and if feeling was alone considered, it should not be given. Of course, there are those who attribute to me other motives, but 1 can only say, “evil to him who evil thinks.” I can understand why a gentleman would dislike to see his name bandied about, but 1 cannot feel, appreciate any glory or honor in it, unless he gives up to an evil, that a greater good does result— to him an evil in using his name, to the public good. Some of your correspondents, in former numbers, call on me for information. Cheerfully I give it. The history of tlie Bermuda can be found in books. My knowledge of it is : in 1819, 1 think, Mr. Aynesly Hall, then a merchant in Columbia, S. C,, doing the most extensive business, brought this grass from the East Indies, I think was said, and my father, being at that time in daily association with him, procured a portion and plant- ed it in our yard, between house and kitchen and garden. Since writing this much, I now think it was before 1819, for said yard was a perfect math of this grass, and I think the children played thereon before our father’s death— in 1821. I have the Bermuda now, and have had it here, brought from 3 or 4 different points, among them St. Jago de Cuba. 1 brought it here knowing all the “bug-a-boo’' stories ofit, and my friend, Mr G. D. Harman, is engaged in prepar- ing and forextending its culture. I have made over 1500 pounds of cotton and 40 bushels of corn from acres, where if the grass was let alone for a year it would cover. As to Meadow Grass, Mr. John Farrar may have never seen Bermuda Grass in a favorable location, nor kept as meadow, for mowing, and still his never seeing such, does not make Mr. Affleck nor myself story-tellers. Until after a rich piece of land, well prepared and fully set in Ber- muda fails to grow high enough to be a mowing grass, I hope Mr. Farrar and “Parara,” will not doubt. Col. Knight, of Adams county. Miss., had a sample in 1842. I think, at a Fair in Washington, brought to convince me that it grew high enough to mow — fully 12 inches high and over. The land was shown me, on the south of a bayou, and subject to annual overflows. The part where Mr. Affleck gathered and sold largely, was rolling land, growth almost entirely Magnolia, and rich enough to brag on. I think it can be eradicated. Have always had too much to do to try. A freeze, they say, at 20° will kill it, but we cannot have all the roots exposed, even by two, three or four different plowings and freezings. I would advise to plant land thoroughly, say in oats, sow down 1 1-2 to 3 bushels of oats per acre, the more that the land will bear the better, enough not to need tillering to make a crop. When oats are removed, plow thoroughly and sow peas broadcast, 3 to 6 pecks per|acre, and harrow thoroughly. This will destroy it, in my opinion, in three years, (where the plow touches); around trees and stumps, &c., it will not. As to varieties, I never saw but one Bermuda. I saw, in the immediate vicinity of Augusta, what was called Bermuda, but one who knew the thing pointed it out, ten feet off, as not, and another as the thing. On poor spots it does not look as it does on rich spots As to its value, I would not be without it. Acre for acre, it will feed more mules, horses, cattle, sheep and hogs than will corn and a Cob Crusher thrown in. Yours, '&c., M. W. Philips. Edwards, Miss., Feb., 1859. THE HUMAN VOICE — ITS EFFECT ON ANI- inals. A correspondent of “The Field,” says: — '• No sound, however loud, whether produced by a cannon or a fowl- ing-piece, causes the same amount of terror amongst wild animals and wild birds as the human voice. I have al- ways known more grouse to be sprung by sportsmen speaking to their dogs, or to each other, on the mountains, in the shooting season, than by any other cause: and it is a rule of mine only to make use of the whistle and signs to my dogs, such as taking off my hat, &c., and a wicked or cross look has often more good effect upon a dog than a whipping. So, likewise in snipe-shooting, one word spoken, springs more birds than twenty shots. If you go to a rabbit-burrow to ferret,|you may bang away all day with your gun and the rabbits will still bolt; but once commence speaking and your sport is over, the fer- ret lies in, and the rabbits submit to certain death sooner than to move towards your voice. Patridgesare so much accustomed to the loud voices of farmers and laborers, that, generally speaking, you may talk as much as you like in pursuit of them. Nothing proves the power of man over the brute creation more than his voice. Even in the thickest jungles, wild beasts will skulk away if they hear him speak.” PROFITS OF farming — ONCE MORE. Land.... ._ 9,000 Negroes 20,000 Stock, Provisions, &c 4,871 Total S33,871 Amount sold from farm during the year, em- bracing all articles S6,395 70 Increase of negroes 850 00 Increase of stock, &c 390 90 . S7,635 70 Expenses of all kinds .$2,103 17 $5,532 53 16 1-2 per cent, on capital is $5,504 04 Leaving $ 28 49 Editors Southern Cultivator — For the last preced- ing three years I have given, in the Central Georgian, the result of my farming profits, &c. In 1855, I made 10 per cent; in 1856,8 1-2; in 1857, 12, and now, in 1858,1 have made 16 1-2 per cent, on capital invested, as you will perceive from the figures above. This is no guess work. I Ireep an account of all expenses attending the SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 125 farm, then deducted from the receipts, will give the net income of the farm. You will see from the above table, that my investment in farming — land, negroes, stock of ail kind, plantation tools, provisions, &c., &c. — amounts S33,871. The gross income cotton, corn, bacon, wheat, potatoes, oats, shucks, fodder, &c , &c., sold from the farm during the year — amount to $6, 395. 70 ; increase and growth of ne- groes, $850; income of stock, &c , $390 Making the sum of $7,035.70 Expenses of all kinds off $2,103. 17 will give $5,532. 53-100, or 16 12 per cent, on capital invested. Pretty good for poor piney woods Farmers, if they would give their farms credit for what they are entitled to, would be better satisfied than they seem to be. I feel well assured that it is the very best business for making money of all the vocations. I have given my farming profits to the public for the last four years, not with the view of letting the country know what I was making, so much as to induce farmers to investigate for themselves. Thos. M. Turner, Sparta, Ga , Feb. 15, 1859. CARE OF HORSES. We may not hope to remove existing evils, simply by -calling attention to them, but we can point them out, and leave the work of reform to whom it belongs. Let us confine ourselves, in this brief article, to some of the more prominent features in the care of horses. Assuming that an animal which has good treatment, will be sound and healthy, while one does not receive this care will be diseased, we are led to, believe that to pro- mote the health and comfort, and to secure the kind (reat- naent of animals under his charge, should be the constant aim of the breeder. It does not necessarily injure a horse to work, or to trot fast, provided he receives good care after performing the labor. The practice is an inhuman one, of driving aharsefast, and then putting him in the stable without a good brushing; or letting him stand where cold wind or night air comes upon him, without throwing a blanket over him as a protection. This is a simple matter, yet any one who neglects it, has no feel- ing for the health or comfort of his horse. Feeding is an item of great importance in the care of horses; but, as every breeder has satisfied himself in re- gard to the best and most proper method, it wall be un- necessary to treat of it at length. Be sure to avoid musty feed of whatever kind, whether hay, straw, corn, or grain. It is dear at any price, and should never be fed to a horse. Give only good, sweet, hay; and clean grain. It is an excellent plan to cut hay, and mix it with Indian meal or middlings. Salt the feed once a day, and as often as once a week throw in a small handful of wood ashes. Pure water should be provided with regularity. If this course is uniformly pursued, horses will seldom be troubled with any disease, but will be healthy and sound. If those who now feed dry hay without cutting, will try the plan given above, my word for it, it will not only be found cheaper, but your horses will look fifty per cent, better. Horses should have plenty of room in a stable, and not too much deprived of the liberty of motion. Close confine- ment after hard work, is apt to abate their circulation too suddenly, make them chilly, and stiffen their joints. When horses are kept in stables, as they always are the coldest half, if not the whole of the year, the curry-comb and brush should be used faithfully every day. This treat- ment, will not only make them look better, but they will be more healthy, and have more courage and activity. It is a bad practice to omit this operation ; more especially is it necessary after a hard day’s work, when they begin to grow cold from being sweated by labor. Then it •should Tiever be omitted. In warm weather, it would be better for the health of the horse if he were allowed his liberty, to roam st plea- sure in the pastures, provided a shelter is afforded as a protection, both from the intense heat of the sun, and the damp, chilly atmosphere of night ; as well as from cold winds and pelting storms. Horsts that are worked every day in summer, should be kept on green fodder in the stal}le,in preference to grazing in pastures. It is no great burden to tend them ; and a large quantity of manure will be saved. Is there any good breeder who fails to perform these simple acts ot kindness to his -horse, contributing as they do in so large a degree to promote his health and comfort I Cannot our horses be kept in better order; receive more attention and' greater kindners the coming winter, than they have previously I Is not the merciful man “merciful to his beast I” S. L. B., [in American Stock Journal. Brookdale Farm, Alahie. COTTON. Cotton is King, and wields an astonishing influence over the world’s commerce, and over the minds of those engaged in its production. We have often thought it too Kingly, and, if anything, too influential in its sway. The best of things are liable to abuse, and, however good and desirable, the ends are often perverted. But cotton is King, and absorbs the attention of Southern Planters, and however much exclusiveness may attach to its culture, the world goes on tolerably smooth, though not so pros- perously as it would under a little dilferent system from that pursued. In contemplating the attention bestowed upon cotton in very many instances, we are forcibly reminded of the parent who fondly and affectionately takes one of his children to his bosom in love and confidence and coldly neglects the balance of his household. When we see the planter cultivating his cotton to the exclusion of his grain, to the neglect of his stock, and to the extent of impoverish- ing his land, we think of the unnatural parent, and feel, if it is right and just for that parent to love all his children and treat them equally well, it is equally incumbent on the planter not to become so absorbed in cotton culture as to neglect his grains, stock, improvements upon his farm, and the rendering his home more delightfully plea] sant and prosperous. It is right for us to grow as much cotton as we can ; it is pleasing to contemplate a large crop ; it is flattering to our vanity to be able to boast over our neighbors ; but, in the summing up of accounts, if we have to buy corn, stock, and repair dilapidations the result of gross neglect, we shall find startling inroads upon our profits. Our ambition should not be to plant the largest quan- tity, but only so much as we can work well and not to the neglect of equally important field products and ad- juncts. The planter should determine how much he can culti- vate easily and well to the hand — when his mind is ma- tured on this point, he should address himself to as per- fect a preparation of his field for the seed as thought and physical industry will admit of. A great deal of loss is annually sustained by the crops driving the planter instead of his driving or keeping his crop in advance. To ex- plain—time is not economically used at the beginning of the year — the season advances like a thief in the night upon the planter — it is then discovered that no time is to be lost — a rush to get cotton beds thrown up, corn land prepared and seed in them, characterises every movement — crops are sown — all come up together — for want of system in the beginning, up to the ears in grass is the consequence — negroes are driven — stock plowed to death, and aTom Thumb plant meets the eye all over the field — 126 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. drouth comes, or a wet season sets in, and one’s luck is cursed, and infidelity springs up in the heart. Planters, is not this more or less the case every year '? It has a remedy, but that remedy can only be found iu a more tliorough tilth. The true principle is to plant less of every- thing, and cultivate what you do plant thoroughly, and, rely on it, your profits will be greater. The quaritity grown may be smaller, but the superiority of the article, and the enhanced value because of that superiority, will over balance gxQdXly— Southern Rural Gentleman. CHINA BERRIES POISONOUS TO HOGS. Editors Southern Cultivator— Having experienced a fact, existing, in relation to the berry of the China tree, I have concluded to communicate the same to you, that, perchance, through the Cultivator, I may get the experience of others and learn a remedy, or, if none is known, perhaps sufficiently elicit the interest of others, to ascertain, by experiment or otherwise, something that would save our pigs when we find they have been eating these berries; for it is a fact that they will kill small pigs very soon, and, occasionally, old hogs, if they get too many ; and those under a year old are not unfrequently killed by them. The effect they produce on hogs seems to be similar to that of strychnine on dogs; it deprives them of the use of their limbs for some little time before killing them, causing them to drop down frequently and suddenly with their feet doubled up under them, when in that position they seem to be easy, but on attempting to walk they show great uneasiness and restlessness, until down again, when they soon die in that way, without ap- pearing to suffer any at all. Now, have been losing a few pigs every spring for several years in this way (and usually the fattest are most aot to die from them) without having my attention par- ticularly called to it until recently, having a fine lot of young pigs (just beginning to eat corn well) in a field where those berries were growing, and beginning to miss them, I found they were dying from eating the berries. _ 1 had that trees immediately cut down and the berries all removed, since which time I have lost no more pigs. If you think this worth noticing in the Cultivator, you can give it a place therein, or call the attention of your readers to the subject and oblige a subscriber. Very respecfully, F. G. Stickney. Havana, Green Co., Ala., Feb., 1859. MEASURING CORN IN BUEK. Editors Southern Cultivator— In the March number ofyour valuable paper, just received, I notice your cor- respondent, “W. C. K.,” has endeavored to apply, without success, the four rules for measuring corn in the bulk, (crib, pen, or house) which appeared in your January number, on page 10, and proposes that some one inform him, how much is contained in a crib 20 feet, long, 15 feet wide and 9 feet deep. Having had some experience in making such calculations, I was induced to examine those rules, and found rule the 1st to do very nearly for shucked, or shelled corn, but not for corn in the shuck. The 4th rule is sufficiently correct for all practitical purposes. The 2nd and 3rd rules are both incorrect, when compared with the former. The 2nd making more than contained in a given bulk, and the 3rd much more than the 2nd. By the 1st rule for (for shucked corn) the above named crib will contain 216 barrels. By the correct short rule, multiply the length, width and height together in feet and their product by 8, then cut off the right hand figure, and divide by 5 to turn it into bbls. (432). Ifthe corn is shucked take one half, and add a half bushel for every hundred barrels, and you will have 217 barrels. If the corn has tne shuck on, one- third of this product (432), when the half bushel is added, will give 145 1-3 barrels [(fractions omitted.) If shelled corn, 432 barrels. Rule the 4th is very nearly correct, as the dimensions in inches are to be calculated, and then divided by 2150. To make it perfect, multiply the length, width and height together in inches and divide the product by 2150.40 (a Winchester bushel) and you will get the precise contents, in bushels, of any crib, pen or house. 'The crib named above, of 20x15x9, by this rule, will contain 217 barrels of shelled corn (fractions omitted), and the same quantity as rule the 1st, after deducting for shuck and cob. As corn varies so much in quantity of shuck and size of cob, it is impossible to make a precise calulation for any other than shelled corn. In this section of country the custom is to take off one-third for the shuck, and one-half of the remainder for cob. But when the shuck has been partially taken off, or the cob larger or smaller than usual, the buyer and seller can agree between themselves as to the deduction. In the absence of a special contract, the customary rules govern. If you think the foregoing will be of any value to your readers, I shall be repaid for the time consumed in giving the correct rules for measuring corn in the crib. Yours very respectfully, R. B. N. February, 1859. FISH PONDS. Editors Southern Cultivator— Some years ago there was a good deal said in the CiCltivator about “stocking any waters with any desired kind of fish. Can it be done'? If so, can we raise White Shad in Mississippi'? We can make ponds here from 10 to 15 feet deep, sup- plied entirely by rain water. _ _ It is some time since we had the pleasure of sitting down to a dish of fresh fried shad. We remember, too, that the Rock Fish was very palatable, fresh from the waters of Pee-Dee. If such a thing is practicable, where and how can we get the stock 'I And some directions, as to food and management of fish and pond, will be very acceptable, (as many things in the Cultivator are) to more than one of your subscribers. Very truly, J, C,, M D. Port Gibson, Miss, Feb., 1859. [We have not room, in present number, for tlie details of Pisciculture required by our corrrespondent ; but may give a chapter on the subject hereafter. Dr. Garlick’s work, published by A. 0. Moore & Co., 140 Fulton st.. New York; and “Artificial Fish Breeding,” from the press of D. Appleton & Co., New York, contain a great amount of information on this subject. Ei s ] Hungarian Grass —A correspondent of Emery's Jour- zl, says: “You ask if Hungarian Grass is profitable for extensive iltivation. I affirm that it is. First, one acre sown to ungarian Grass will yield as much as two acres of imothy, and the hay is as good as common hay and oats, orses at ordinary work require no other feed, and it will lake their coat look sleek and glossy. Second, there can 5 two good crops grown on the same ground in one sea- m of 4 tons per acre. I think one ton of it as good as 2 ms of Timothy. My experience in growing it is : It wants ryland; harrow the ground once before and once after; ill it by all means, as that is of the most importance. 1 Dw one half bushel of seed to the acre for hay, and one- lird of a bushel fur seed. Cut jt when the seed lias grown ) full size, and cure as long again as other hay = stack b11 and top it up with Slough Grass, ithout it after he has used it once.” stack No farmer will dO' SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 127 THE “T031-BOY.” Some parents seem stiil to entertain the notion that young girls need no training except that of the mental faculties ; that their forms are of less consequence than their dresses ; and that a development of physical strength would impair their delicacy, and tend to make them mas- culine. By restricting their physical education and limit- ing their sphere of activity, they are condemned for life to •enfeebled health, and an aimless, idle existence. Let such parents ponder the truth exbodied in the following re- marks, which we cut from the Home Journal : “The ‘Tom-boy’ is an eager, earnest, impulsive, bright- ■eyed, glad-hearted, kind-souled specimen of the genus Jemince. If her laugh is a little too frequent, and her tone a trifle too emphatic, we are willing to overlook these for the sake of the true life and exulting vitality to which ■they are the ‘escape valves and indeed we rather like the high pressure nature which must close off its super- ■ffuous ‘steam’ in such ebullitions. The glancing eye, the glowing cheek, the fresh, balmy breath, the lithe and graceful play of the limbs, tell a tale of healthy and vigor- ous physical development which is nature’s best beauty. The soul and the mind will be developed also in due time, and sve shall have before us a woman, in the highest 5ense of the term. “When the ‘Tom-boy’ has sprung up to a healthful and vigorous womanhood she will be ready to take hold of the duties of life, to become a worker in the great system of humanity. She will not sit down to sigh over the ‘work given her to do,’ to simper nonsense, languish in ennui, or, fail sick at heart — but she will ever be able to take up her burden of duty. In her track there will be sound philosophy, in her thoughts boldness and originality, in her heart heaven’s own purity, and the ‘world will be better that she has lived in it.’ To her allotted task, she will bring health, vigor, energy, and spirits, and these will give her both the power and the endurance without which her life must be, in some respects at least, a fail- ure.” PROTECTION AGAINST DROUTH. The frequent stirring of soils between the rows is un- doubtedly a protection, and, in ordinary cases, sufficient protection against drouth. The air passes freely through soils frequently stirred; and whenever air comes in con- tact with a body colder than itself, it deposits moisture, as in a tumbler filled with ice water at the dinner table, or in particles of a soil at some inches depth, and conse- quently colder than the air above the surface. When the farmer sees his tumbler sweat, as it is sometimes express- ed, he may be assured that so it fares with the soil six or eight inches below a well-stirred surface, provided the soil were mellowed to that or a greater depth before the crop was put in. The great source of protection in our country is in deep plowing. On a soil of any decent consistency, it would be impossible that a crop should suffer from drouth if the soil were pulverized to a depth of fifteen inches, because the lower portion of such a soil would retain moisture till long after the surface should have received new supplies from the clouds. If our readers are alarmed at fifteen inches as a depth which they despair of reaching, we think them too easily alarmed, but still we will meet them on higher ground. A field thoroughly pulverized to a depth of ten inches will seldom suffer from the drouth. Abundant and reliable testimonies have been published, going to show that fields plowed to a depth of eight or ten inches have escaped unhurt, when other fields, equally well cultivated, with the single exception that they were plowed but half as deep, utterly failed ofgiving crops. That deep plowing is a sufficient remedy against any or- dinary drouth — any but the very longest and severest — is an established truth. — Plo^igh, Loom and Anvil. SHEEP — AND FISH PONDS. Editors Southern Cultivators — I have been on a plantation nearly two years, and, having become interest- ed in the raising of sheep deem it proper that I should give you my experience in that department of plantation economy. My little flock contains but 43 sheep, of which there are 3 bucks, 14 wethers and 26 ewes. They had proper attention, and were in fine condition all summer; and after the gathering of the crop the sheep were turned into the fields. Last September I sowed about six acres in barley, the ground having been made very rich by stable manure, and the lot has presented a beautiful appearance all winter. As fast as the lambs came they, with the ewes, were put into the barley lot ; and now I can show 36 of as fat lambs, and a little flock of as fat sheep as any one can. During the month of May next, I will separate the lambs from the ewes, so as to insure early lambs next year. In Fish Culture I have been very successful, and have caused to be made three ponds, which are supplied by bold springs of pure and limpid water; and, though I com- menced this department of the “pleasures of hope” less than twelve months ago, I think that I can show 20,000 at any time. My “Loch Lomond” is the largest pond I have, it is 65 feet by 225 feet, with a depth of water at one end of 15 inches with a gradual increase to 5 feet at the other. This is intended for bream, trout and shad. In fruits, I have made a commencement, and at this time I have planted 1,300 cuttings of the finest Grape, 212 choice x\pple trees, and 110 of the finest Pear trees. John C. Carmicpia'el. Greensboro , Ga., March, 1859 FRICTION GIN GEAR. Editors Southern Cultivator — Please allow me to answer, through your columns, several gentlemen who have addressed me on the subject of Friction Gin Gear. In the case reported to your journal there was no alter- lion in the relative size of parts whatever. Opposing sur- faces were substituted for cogs. That is all my present knowledge on the subject. Of course, however, such an arrangement will require the utmost nicety of wormanship, and in my own case (now progressing), unless I can se- cure a good workman, I shall stand by the cogs. I under- stand that this principle has been applied for many 5mars in parts of the State, and would like, myself, to hear more on the subject from the more experienced. , Eesrectfully, T. Torch Hill, Ga., Feb., 1859. CHLOROFORM FOR BOTS AND COLIC, *fcc. Editors Southern Cultivator — In the Cultivator for November, 1857, I saw chloroform recommended for both the Colic and Bofs in Horses, About four weeks since, I had a horse suddenly taken very sick ; as I did not know what was the matter with him, I concluded to administer a dose of chloroform, which I did according to the direc- tion then given, and the horse was well in about half an hour, I will mention one other instance in which one number of the Cultivator has been worth, to me, ten years’ subscrip- tion. My wife never could make light bread, until she tried according to directions which she saw in your valu- able journal. Now she can make it most excellent, J. A. M. Louisiana. 128 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. PliANTING IMPLEMENTS. It is manifest to every Southern planter that the sys- tem of cultivation necessary to good and remunerative crops is a peculiar one : hence the necessity and import- ance of implements correspondingly peculiar that are to be used upon the plantation. Wtiat we mean is, imple- ments for plantation use should originate with those who know their use and importance, should be conceived and manufactured expressly for the work they are to perform and that an instrument suited to the working of a North- ern farm, though fully suited to its work there, may prove wholly worthless to us ; at least, may occasion a great deal of loss in more ways than one. Every planter, who gives himself up to a proper study of his business, knows precisely what kind of implements suits him. How much better it would be then, for him, and each and every one, to design such as are precisely of the kind wanted, take the model to some good smith, and have the precise thing made. It would save a vast deal of tinkering on Northern work to make it answer, and a great deal of vexation of spirit which every one, we imagine, would very willingly be relieved from. Bessdes, there is a pleasant indepen- dence aKout the matter — ’tis beneficial to the mind — makes one feel he is living aad working to some purpose. Let a planter have just such implements, as he knows will answer his ends, manufactured under his own direc- tion for the preparation of his land— others for planting — others for the different kinds of workings of the plants, &c., &c., and, though it may be at a little more outlay of money, our word for it, his satisfaction will be greater, his work better done, and his fields more fruitful. The implements a planter uses is no trifling consider- ation in agricultural progress, and it is really censurable for one to work with inferior tools when superior ones can be equally as easy had— to be content with little, when much can be as easily attained— to stand still, when it requires little or no effort to move ahead to wander off for elements of good, when every needful one surrounds and is with him all the time, and to purchase implements of husbandry, which are manufactured elsewhere just for money and without an eye to their adaptation, when he can so easily have a different sett right at his own door- just the kind he wants— by a very little extra application ofmind, and a veay little attention to every ramification of his business. This is a matter which deserves the atten- tion of the Southern planter, and one which should be more practically carried o\xi.~Southern Rural Gentle- man. INTERMARRIAGE OF COUSINS. Editors Southern Cultivator— In looking over the March number of the Cultivator my attention was drawn to an address delivered by Dr. Lee, “On Hereditary Blood in Man and other Mammalia,” in the course of which he stated that an act was passed in the Georgia Legislature “imposing pains and penalties” in any case where cousins should marry. I was under the impression that such a “bill” was offer- ed but did not pass but one house, having been lost in the Senate. I would be glad if you would inform me correctly in regard to one particular point, viz: “Did such an act be- come a law in Georgia!” An answer in your next will greatly oblige “Almo.” Alabama, February, 1859. THEY HAVE NO HOMES If we look well into the causes of the increase of crime, and the growing corruption and immorality in our great com- mercial metropolis, we cannot fail to find one of the condi- tions of existence in that city, which undoubtedly exercises an important influence. The people of New York have not room to live comfortably, nor even decently. The mass of the population, as well as many whose circumstances are considered good, have to exist in quarters so confined as to cause many deficiencies which good morals require. They are crowded into dwelling in such numbers as to render the air unwholesome, and forbid purification. Neither physical nor moral health can exist where people are packed into apartments too contracted to affsrd the or- dinary comfort and conveniences of life. There is nothing like home'm such dwellings — nothing like the social and friendly intercourse, and fire-side amusement and recrea- tion, which makes home under any other circumstances. The crowding of several families into a dwelling fit but for one, gives rise to bickering which destroys anything like satisfaction in domestic circles. One consequence of this manner of life is seen in the fondness of the New Yorkers for public amusements. Many of them regard their dwel- lings as merely places to eat and sleep in. They spend their hours of recreation, as well as business, away from their i nattractive places of abode. Another pernicious result of this manner of living is seen in the desire of families to live in hotels and boarding houses. Nineteen-twentieths of the people here can not atford the expense of a home; and those who might, are too much bent on making a display of their wealth to think of what makes real happiness. Certain physical comforts^and conveniences, as well as room, are utterly necessary for the proper home education of children; where these are wanting, the morals of a community must suffer. — Home Journal. Eating Fruit. — No liquid of any description should be drank within an hour afeer eating fruits, nor anything else be eaten within two or three hours afterwards — thus, time being allowed for them to pass out of the stomach, the system derives from them all their enlivening, cool- ing and opening influences. The great rule is, eat fruits in their natural state, without eating or Irinking any- thing for at least two hours afterwards. With these re- strictions, fruit and berries may be eatesn with moderation during any hour of the day, and without getting tired of them, or ceasing to be benefitted by them during the whole season. It is a great waste of lusciousness that fruits and berries, in their natural state, are not made the sole dessert of our meals, for three-fourths of the year ; human enjoyment, and health, and even life, would be promoted by it. — Hall's Journal of Health. Tanning Skins with the Hair on. — E. E. M., Jr., writes that the following is the best mode of curing skins with the hair on : — Take alum, salt and saltpetre in equal parts ; mix them together and pound them fine. Then spread the skin on a board, and put on the mixture before mentioned ; roll it up so as not to have the outside touch the inside. In a few days open it, ande scrape the grease off, which can be done very easily, and your skins is tan- ned. It will be soft and pliable for any use. — Boston Cul- tivator. l^'Let no man be ashamed of work, a hard hand, and a sun-burnt brow. ^^Tirae never sits heavily on us but when badly em- ployed. Remarks by the Editor.— The Bill referred to passed one branch of the Legislature, and was lost in the other. DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE IMPROVEMENT OP SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE, VOL. XVIL AUGUSTA, GA., MAY, 1859. NO. 5. WTI^LIAM S. JONES, Publisher. DANJEE EEE, M. D., and D. KEDJIONO, Edirors. See Terms on Cover. ^Untatiott ©cniiani^ anil y^\m\\u\ HINTS FOR THE MONTH, use. Sow, also, Chinese Sugar Cane, for fodder ia the ^ame way, and try it for hay. It may be cut two or three times, but if allowed to stand, it will mature its seed if planted even as late as the middle of June or 1st of July. Make the ground very deep and rich, as previously direct- Thb Plantation.— May is one of our busiest months ©a the plantation, and no one who desires to make a good •rop can afford to lose a moment from the field now. Corn, if not already brought to a “stand,” must be pro- perly worked at once; first “running round,” close to the row and deep, with a long “bull tongue,” after which keep the ground stirred between the rows, as often as once every 10 or 15 days, running quite “shallow” with a harrow, cultivator or ahorse hoe, followed by hand hoes to clean and mellow the space between the hills. Do not break any roots, or use the turning plow, at all, in work- ing this crop ; surf ace -culture, after the first working, being the proper mode. Cotton must be brought to a “stand,” and scraped and moulded, without delay. The moulding must be done as soon after scraping as possible, so that the roots of the young plants may not be left exposed to the scorching affects of the sun. Oats, Rye, and perhaps Wheat, may be cut in some places, the last of this month, and the ground afterwards planted in Sweet Potatoes “draws,” or Cow Peas, Cow Peas should be now sown broadcast or drilled, in deeply plowed and well manured land. If intended for hay, the land must be rich ; if seed only is desired, moder- ately fertile land will answer. Sow Peas, also, broadcast, to turn under as green manure. Sweet Potatoes should be planted extensively, as here- tofore recommended. Select a rainy or a cloudy day, or the cool of the evening (from 4 P. M , till sundown) for setting your “draws” — dip the roots in a batter of water thickened with fine rich soil, make holes with a pointed stick (“dibble”)— set the “draws” deep into the mellow ground, and press the earth firmly around them. Sow Corn in drills for fodder — opening the drill wide and deep with a long shovel, and scattering the corn along in it at the rate of about 3 bushels fitr acie. It may be eut when in the tassel, and feed green, or dried for winter ed. The Vegetable Carden — Transplant Egg Plants, and continue planting Snap Beans every 10 or 12 days. Hill up Bush Beans, before blooming, to keep them up- right when bearing. Work carefully around Melons and Cucumbers with a pronged hoe— prune the vines so as to distribute the fruit equally, and if the striped bug is troublesome, fry the ef- fects of sprinkling the vine with weak camphor wafer, which is made by tying up in muslin, a piece of gum camphor as large as an egg and infusing it in a barrel of rain water. To prevent the wind from bundling up the vines, throw a shovelful of dirt upon them, here and therdT The main point, however, in this month, is the proper thinning of the crop. Never leave but two, or, at most, three plants, of Melons, Cucumbers or Squashes in each hill. All vegetables will be greatly benefitted by a judicioug thinning, for a crowded growth is just as injurious to them as if they were overgrown with weeds. Hoe and stir the soil frequently around your plants, and, whenever you possibly can, mulch them ; it will improve them wonderfully. Plant out Tomatoes towards the end of this month for a late crop, and nip them down until the early patch is giving out ; then let them go to fruit, and you will have plenty until frost. Sow Cabbage seed the latter part of this month, for fall and winter use. Flat Dutch and Bergen are the best. Try, also, the genuine “Buncombe” seed, if you can ob- tain it. Transplant Leeks— they will be fit for use all next win- ter. ' If you are raising Onions from the black seed, thin out the rows and transplant. Such transplanted Onions will come in late, and last till Christmas. Finish cutting Asparagu.s by the middle of this month, or the 1st of June, at farthest. Continue to plant Okra, Squashes and Mehms of the dif- ferent varieties, Lima (or Butter) Beans, Sweet Corn. Transplant the Tomato, Pepper, Cabbage. CauliHower, Celery. &c.. Plant Carrots, Beets, Salsify, Parsnips, &c., for a succession. Now is, also, the propr-r time to feed your plants with, liquid manure, [say '>ne pf>un>i of Peruvian Guano or two pounds of hen manure dtssolved in 10 gallons of waitr J 130 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. Once a week is enough, and give plenty ot pure water after the application of the manure. The Strawberry patch should receive a good working with pronged hoes, to avoid injuring the roots. After thus loosening up the soil, replace the mulching, and there will be little trouble with the weeds for the remainder ol the season. If cultivating solely for fruit, the runners must be scrupulously kept down. Weeds will now begin to infest your garden, and must be ruthlessly destroyed at tneir first appearance. Thb Orchard and Fruit Garden. — Destroy Catter- pillar’s nests wherever found on your fruit trees. If the branches are crowded or over-laden with thickly-set fruit thin out one hall of it, and the remainder will be enough better to pay for the trouble. Dust over the Plum and Nectarine trees with a mixture of quick lime, ashes and sulphur, while the dew is on the leaves, to destroy the curculio. The Flower Garden. — Shade, water, weed, cultivate and mulch your flowers and notice the general directions for last month in this department. THE PHILOSOPHY OF TILLAGE. In developing his philosophy of tillage, at page 236, Tull reaches the following conclusions : — “From all that has been said, these may be laid down as maxims, viz: that the same quantity of tillage will produce the same quantity of food in the same land; and that the same quantity of food will maintain the same quantity of veget- ables,” The first named maxim is unquestionably sound and true, provided the conditions of the earth tilled are alike in all respects when the cultivation takes place. But the same quantity of tillage when the ground is too wet to plow will not produce the same amount of plant food that would be obtained if the earth was dry enough to break up into fine, pulverized particles Again, it is known that the longer a field is tilled without rest or manure, the more adhesive, compact, and dead the clay and other earthy particles become; so that any given quantity of cultivation produce-' a smaller quantity of plant food, and less friability and comminution ol soil as the stirred earth approaches exhaustion, and demands renovation. On the other hand, the length of time which some fields not flood ed nor irrigated by a river or other stream, will remain fertile without manure, and by wise cultivation alone, is truly remarkable. Tull’s long residence in France and Italy extended his observation of the results of cultivation alone in maintaining peiennial fruitfulness. On the page above cited, he says : “A vineyard, if not tilled, will soon decay, even in rich ground, as may be seen in those in France, lying intermingled as our lands do, in common fields. Those lands of vines which, by reason of some law suit depending about them, lie a year or two untilled produce no grapes, send out no shoots haidly ; the leaves look yellow, and seem dead, in comparison with those on each side of them, which, being tilled, are full of fruit, and send out a hundred times more wood, and their leaves are large and flourishing ; and continue to do so for ages, if the plow or hoe do not neglect themP The experience of every man of years and close obser- vation in vine culture will corroborate the remarks of this accute student of nature. The earth thoroughly stirred by the implements of tillage yields, by the chemical de- composition of its own compounds, potash, salts of lime, and other minerals required to form the v/ood and fruit of the vine. All the leaves and trimmings of the plants pro- duced every year being added to the soil to increase its mould, and the earthy elements which would form ashes in case these leaves and trimmings were- burnt, its fertil- ity in many vineyards needs no other fertilizers for cen- turies, if ever. What is really removed from the soil in fruit IS fully restored from the atmosphere and the deep subsoil in a way which every cultivator ought to under- stand. Very pertinently does Tull call attention to the fact, that no change of crop needed in vine culture for ages on the same ground. Be says: “But what in the vineyards proves this thesis mostfully is, that where they constantly till the low vines Vi?-ith the plow, which is al- most the same with the hoe plow, the stems are planted about four feet asunder chequer-wise; so that they plow them four ways. Whf>n any of these plants happen to die, new ones are immediately planted in their room, and ex- actly in the points or angles where the others have rot- ted; else, if planted out of these angles, they would stand in the way of the plow. These young vines, I say, in the very graves, as it were, of their predecessors, grovit^, thrive, and prosper well, the soil being thus constantly tilled. If a plum tree, or any other plant had such tillage, it might as well succeed one of its own species, as these vines do.” The above remarks made about 140 years ago, bring us fairly to the point ; how does tillage ever perpetuate fruitfulness without manure, for centuries in succession 1 The supply of water and gases from the ever-moving atmosphere will not alone meet all the requirements of grape vines and their annual fruits ; nor wdl any given amount of clay, sand and vegetable mould yield an ever-en- during, and therefore, an unlimited quantity of earthy salts, like potash, lime, &c. In the first place, we would state the important fact, that all soil in all situations will not yield annual crops grapes for removal no more than annual crops of wheat to be sent to distant markets, without manure of some kind to replenish the soil. The loss of fertility results often less from the deficiency of bone-earth, potash, soda, magnesia, chlorine and sunhuric acid in the soil stirred by the plow than from the imperviousness of the subsoil, which prevents the ascent of water during the hot summer months about the roots of vines and other plants, to sup- ply them with the earthy salts needed for their healthy growth. Subsoil plowing, double spading and trenching, so useful in vine culture, break the under crust, and operate at once to facilitate the ascent of plant food from below upward, and to augment the total capacity of the ground both above and below the roots of plants, to hold all fe.tilizing gases, whether from the atmosphere or decaying vegetation, and all uqueous and mineral aliment required to bring them lo lull maturity. Deep and thorough tillage enlarges the store-house of plant food, and gives vastly mure pulverized earth in which the myriads of tender rootlets are able to develop themselves for the sustenance of a common parent. Good culture renders the ground that was before com- SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 131 pact and much like a solid rock, as bibulous as growing plants, themselves ; so that a soil, recently so hard as to be nearly closed to all air and water, becomes by deep and perfect tillage, capable of drawing from the earth below and the air above, into the very mouths of hungry yet stationary plants, every element demanded by nature to yield the industrious husbandman a satisfactory har- vest. Nature loves the earnest and thoughtful cultivator who does his work in a masterly manner — crushing every lump of clay, and Dulverizing the ground to bring out all its hidden wealth, as if it were filled with particles or fine gold. Shallow plowing gives to the soil only a small capacity to hold water in rainy weather; and when this capacity is full and running over, as it has been during the rains of March and February just past, and still additional rains fell, sad indeed is the washing done to many a plowed field. The loose soil was like a bucket full of water which could hold no more. Upon this more rain, came in torrents, and started a flood where the ground was a little decending, which carried the li-ht mould loam, and deep- er soil as far as loosened by the plow, into the branch or river below. Horizontal plowing, and that of the deepest kind is needed to prevent injuries of this character. In sowing small grains and grass seeds, we have found a roller of much service, not only to compress the earth to the seed and enable it to take a firmer root, but to prevent surface water from collecting in rills, as it is too apt to do, where the plow or harrow was last used in cultivation. Too much pains to avoid the washing of tilled land can hardly be taken in the South. It is better to rest more surface, and do ri^hi all that is cultivated at all, than to scratch over a larger area to the serious damage of every half tilled field. Put a fair portion of the plantation down to the best sort of grasses for permanent pastures, and meadows. These will save much labor in pulling todder, will support muhs, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and hogs, cheaper than can be done in any other way. Perfect til- lage is an art which but few understand. It must be practiced every year, deeply and thoroughly, to bring the soil into the best physical and chemical condition. Sub soiling may injure one or more crops, while in the end it will deepen the rich earth full 100 per cent. A deep, rich soil can never be made in one or two years from a thin and poor one ; but time and skill will attain the great ob- ject sought. L. THE LOW PRICE OF LAND AT THE SOUTH — Its Cause and Remedy. It is a humiliating fact that, in no part of Christendom in which there is a settled popu ation and in which there is a good government, does landed estate bear *!0 con- temptible a value as in the plantation States of America. The enclosed lands of the State of Georgia, for instance, rate at an average of less than five dollars an acre. The whole area of the State consists of about thirty-seven mil- millions of acres ; these are valued at ninety-five millions of dollars. The lands ot New York, which is a smaller State than Georgia, are valued at five hundred and fifty millions— nearly six times the value of the greater breadth of Georgia land. A Pennsylvania paper gives the amount of sales of some fifty farms in Bucks county, in 1S58. A considerable portion of them sold for more than ;S150 per acre— the larger number for more than SlOO per acre. The same paper (the Bvcks ('ounty Intelligencer) estimates the ad- vance in the price ot land in Bucks county alone, at more than four millions of dollars, in 1858. Throughout the Middle and Northern States, the aver- age price of land is perhaps five or six times as great as the price of land of equal original quality at the South In those countries in Europe in a high state of cultiva- tion, the average price of land is not less than S500 per acre. The owner of an average plantation of one thousand acres in Georgia is worth, as to his landed estate, say five thousand dollars. If he could sell his land for as much as the same quantity of land could be sold for in many por- tion'' of the Northern States, he would receive for it more than one hundred thousand dollars, and in Europe five hundred thousand dollars. This is an immense difference. With a given number of acres of land in one position, the owner is comparative- ly a poor man — in another he he is a a man of large for- tune. This difference occurs not from accidental causes, as proximity to large towns, &c , but in the value of the same quality of land for strictly Agricultural uses. There must be a cause for this difference. What is it 1 As we are an agricultural people, and as a very large pro- portion of our property consists of land, it is obvious that there can be to us no question of greater pecuniary inter- est, than an inquiry into the cause of the low price of our landed property. It is remarkable that so little attention has been direct- ed to this point. Elaborate and able inquiries aie made into the effect of certain causes upon the price of cotton, or upon the value of our investments in stocks We do not recollect ever to have met with in reading, or heard in public speaking, an extended enquiry into the cause of the ruinously low price of land at the South, A share in a Bank or Railroad is worth as much in Georgia ks in New York. The same is true of a well blooded horse or cow, or sheep or hog. A bale of cotton is worth as much here as there, less the freight. But an acre of land is worth five or six times more there than here. And no one asks, “why V’ We propose to examine this question carefully. We be- lieve that in the partial attention which has been given to it, false causes have been assigned for ihe result under con- sideration and, that under the influence of this false caus- ation, the Southern mind has been misled, and its ener- gies perverted, or wasted or wrongly directed. If it shall be in our power to point out the real cause of the depreciated value of our lands, and suggest a prac- ticable method of bringing them up to the value at which land is held elsewhere, and if the South Countryman should have exhausted itselfin this effort, and not another of its pages ever be issued from the press, it will not have lived in vain. The inquiry is not new to us. We have pondered it for years. When in foreign lands we have passed through small estates, and on asking their value have received a re,^ly, conveying an almost fabulous amount, ; when the same result has occurred at the North, but with a diminished, yet great comparative value; in both these positions we have thought of our sunny land, upon which Providence has smiled with an affluence of favors beyond any other land, and have lamented that even the marhes of Holland, the furze covered Downs of England, the precipitous sides ot Ben Lomond, the sands of Cape Cod, the rocky pastures ol Connecticut, bear a higher value than the soil of Georgia. In the conduct of this inquiry, we shall in the first in- stance point out the the erroneous causes usually assigned for the low value of landed property at the South. Prominent among these false causes, is the abundance of cheap and fertile land at the West. This cause must indeed produce a certain degree of effect; but it cannot be the material cause; ifit were, the same result would fol- low at the North. The North-West has been settled chief- ly from the Middle and Northern States Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and the rest have been thus populated. But land in the older Northern States has not been dimini.-hed in value— on the contrary, it has been steadily rising in value. It is easier to reach cheap and rich government jands from the Northern States than it is to reach the SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR cheap lands of the South-West from the South — in the former case the emigrant’s expenses are sometimes paid, and a Sharp’s rifle added added by way of gratuity. The cheap lands of the West cannot be a material cause in producing the low price of land at the South. If it did, it must produce the same effect on the land of the old States at the North. Cheap Western lands have been so gener- ally considered to be the cause of our depreciated landed estate, that inquiry has hardly gone beyond it. The con- cise reason which has been given will show that this general impression is erroneous. The Abolitionist will tell us that it is slave labor which depreciates our lands. This is abolitionist nonsense. A single fact will show this. Where slave labor is most abundant, land possesses the greatest value, in all the South rn States. On the rice lands and sea islands, where the negro population is most numerous, land is worth fifty times as much as where there are scarcely any ne- groes, yet a heavy white population. The Cooper River and Waccamaw lands are worth fron S200 to S250 per acre, while lands in the interior are not worth per acre. So many of us have been educated at the North and in various other ways have been so acted upon by anti- slavery sentiment, that our views, though unconsciously, have been modified by it. Thirty years ago, religious slaveholders were afraid to look the subject of slavery in the face — their consciences were ill at ease in regard to it. Thanks to Abolitionists who compelled us to examine the social, moral and religious relations of the slavery ques- tion, our minds are at rest in the belief that we are doing right, and not wrong, in holding slaves. While this is true in the moral aspect of the question, we are not yet wholly removed from the effects of anti- slavery sentiment as to its economic relations. There is, in the minds of many persons, still, a latent idea that slavery has something, somehow, to do with ihe low price of our lands — they imagine it would be different if these lands were worked by free white labor. We have an experience of ten years in the use of this labor, and on a large scale. If planters were compelled to use the cheapest white labor that Europe affords in their present system of cultivating cotton and corn, they would soon find it to their interest to make a present of their lands to the first person who would be sufficiently foolish to accept the costly gift. If slave labor is unproductive, there must be a cause for this unproductiveness. Is it less constant than free labor I The slave has no Courthouse— no muster to attend. He has no provision to buy, and no anxiety or loss of time on this account — food lor himself and family is provided. If his funily are sick, he loses no time on this account, as careful nurses are procured for them. Slave labor is the most constant form of labor. The details of cotton and rice culture could not be carried on with one less constant. Is slave labor less vigorous than free labor 1 He who thinks so. has never fairly made the cowiparison between tue two. In all the forms of out door bodily and severe labor, to be continued for a length of tin.e, where mere animal force and endurance are concerned, and in a cli- mate suited to him, the well fed negro is more^ capable than the white man. The exceptions to his being well fed are perhaps fewer than can be found in any other ag- ricultural population. Is slave labor less cheerful and willing than free labor 7 Slave labor is indeed compulsory. But what hired labor is not compulsory 7 Who steadily works for another be- cause he loves to do it 7 Which is the sterner compulsnm for the negro with the negro’s nature to see the overseer in the field with his whip in his hand, (a sign rather of au tbority than an instrument of punishment) or for the white man with the white man’s nature to toil for his land- lord and remember that if he relaxes, he will be met with the cry for bread at night from his wife and children, when perhaps there is no bread to give them 7 We have often stood by and observed large gangs of men, women and children in other, countries, come to the roll call, and under a gang master pursue their labor in the field. We have observed in order to compare with things at home. As a result of this comparison, we firmly believe, as a general rule, that there is no form of agricultural labor done by inferior for superior, by the employed for the em- ployer, which is more cheerfully and willingly rendered than the work performed by our negroes for their own- ers. Is slave labor less intelligent than free labor? It is less intelligent than free labor at the North, and in Scotland, and some parts of England, but not less intelligent than the mass of Irish, French, or Belgian agricultural labor. The most perfect agricultureof Europe is found in Belgium — there, also, land possesses a very high value, averaging perhaps, $500 per acre. The mass of the Belgian agricul- tural peasantry are not more intelligent than the mass of our negroes. A striking illustration of this fact has re- cently occurred in our own State. A colony of Belgians established themselves in Floyd county. Its leaders were gentlemen of high intelligence and worth. They soon found it to their interest to exchange the stolid Belgian peasants, whom they had brought with them, for the more intelligent negro. Want of intelligence in our negroes can, therefore, have nothing to do with the low price of our lands, as other lands are of great value where the labor employed is not more intelligent than that of our negroes. It is not sn much intelligence in the operative, as in the directing and controlling mind, which is of moment in Agricul- ture. Is slave labor less economical than free labor! This question is sufficiently answered by directing attention to the fact, that the increase of negro property is considered to yield an interest of from 5 to 10 per cent on the capi- tal invested in it, apart from the products sold from the farm. It is certain that multitudes of men have accumu- lated largely, merely by the increase of their slaves. If we take imo the account, their increase, no form of labor, in a suitable climate, is so economical as slave labor. If slave labor is not less constant, vigorous, cheerful, in- telligent and economical than free labor, in countries where land bears a high price, then, in no sense, can the low price of land at the South be chargeable to slavery. Can the Soutuern climate be charged with the depreci- ation of Southern land 7 Certainly not. Otherwise lands of those portions of the South which are most sickly would not command the highest price. We refer to the Sea Island, Rice, and Sugar Cane lands. It is impossible to find a climate better suited to .Agricultural pursuits than that of i thfi great body of the Southern States. Shall we contrast it with the climate of the North, where the winters arc j almost wholly lost to agriculture! Or with England, i where rain and fog are the rule, and sunshine the excep- I tion 7 The climate of France is considered to be the bert i in Europe for Agricultural pursuits, and it is that climate, j in its variations fiom the Mediterranean to the English j channel, with which the climate of the Southern States i most closely assimilates. That climate must be eminent- ly favorable to agriculture, which enabled Dr. Parker, of | Columbia, S C , to accomplish his agricultural feat upoi : ‘a sand hill flat,” viz:— to raise 200 bushels and 12 quarts . )f corn from one acie of land, and on an adjoining acre t > raise S9 bushels of oats, and afterwards from the same ucie, and during the same year, to raise 82 bushels of corn. In connection with the kind of labor we employ, the mildness of our winters more than compensates ftw Ike SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 133 excessive heat of our summers, and would leave us on the whole, nothing to gain by an exchange with any other climate whatever. Apart from those portions of the State v/hich are confessedly sickly, yet where land is still high- est priced, if we remember the rheumatisms, and colds, and consumptions of the North, and the lake fevers and chills of the North West, we shall be satisfied with the measure of health, with which the Almighty has blessed us, and will conclude that our climate, as a whole, instead of depreciating, should appreciate the value of our lands Does the sparseness of our white population diminish the value our lands 1 This cannot be the case, for in those portions of the South in which the population is most dense, the land is least valuable, and where it is most sparse the lands are most valuable. Our population in Georgia is sufficiently dense, and capital has sufficiently accumulated to give land a higher price, if it were a good investment. It is not so considered, and hence the heavy investments in Railroads, Factories, and the Mechanic Arts. The money is here, but there is either a deficiency in the land or in the system of managing it, which makes other investments more lucrative than in land even at its ruinously low prices. Can the low price of our lands be attributed to the want of value in our products 1 There is no Agricultural pro- duct of the North, which cannot be raised and with as large a yield in some parts of the South. This remark is not made hastily, but after careful reflection. The prices of some of these products are higher there than here, and with others the reverse, so as to equalize the whole. We have in addition our most valuable staples, rice and cot- ton, which are peculiar to the South. It is no deficiency in the value of products, which occasions the low price ol land at the South. If the comparative worthlessness of our landed proper- ty, be not owing to the cheap fresh lands at the West, to slavery, to defective climate, to sparseness of population or a deficiency in the value of our products, to what is it owing'? So much space has already been occupied by this article that the answer to this question must be reserved for our next number. — South Countryman. RE-OPENING OF THE SEAVE TRADE. Editors Southern Cultivator— The fairness and liberality you have exhibited in publishing the views and arguments of your correspondents adverse to your own on the subject of re-opening the Slave Trade, encourage me to hope that you will permit me to express^ to your readers some objections which, I think, may be reason- ably made to positions taken by you in your article on that subject in the March number of the Cultivator, re- plying to a query propounded by Mr. Miller, in a former number. That gentleman asked what warrant we had that the ‘'additional labor,” proposed by you to be introduced, would be employed in reclaiming our exhausted lands, and not in “cutting down and wearing out more land V' You reply, in substance, that the re-opening of the slave trade, by cheapening slaves, would place that species of property within the reach of non slaveholders, who are now unable to purchase, by reason of the high prices at wnich slaves are held ; that “the system of farming and farm economy” of such “would be less com- mercial than that of cotton growers, and, consequently, less injurious to the land ;” that “they would naturally keep more stock, make and apply more manure.” This reply, if I have rightly understood you, is hardly satisfactory ; for 1 cannot see what there is in the circum stance of a man’s becoming the owner of a “lew slaves,” which would “naturally” incline him to adopt a system ot farming less commercial than that of cotton growers. There are a number of non-slaveholders around us here — all desirous to own slave property. Every one of them who owns land (with one exception) is engaged in rais- ing cotton. Some have rented land to grow that staple. None of them keep any more stock, in proportion, than the large slaveholders. They do not make and apply as much manure. Now, what reason have we to suppose that these per- sons, when they shall have become the owners of a few slaves, will adopt a different system of caltivation 7 Is there not very strong ground for believing to the contrary! When a non-slaveholder becomes possessed of a negro or two does he usually turn his attention to raising “stock,” to making and applying manures 7 No, sirs! In nine cases out of ten he puts his newly acquired slaves to raising cotton to get more money to buy more slaves. The “ad- ditional labor” is nearly always employed, as Mr Miller says, in “cutting down and wearing out more land.” Not that I believe this “wear and tear” system to be a necessary concomitant of negro slavery. I believe to tha contrary. No other species of labor is so controllable — none more efficient when properly directed — to none, is the saving and application of manures better suited. And when the planters shall turn their attention in earnest to this important branch of agriculture, they will excel in that as they have in many other things. The truth is, that the system of culture which has been adopted at the South is due in part to the fact that the j'rincipal crops are those which require the labor ef the whole year to make ar>d save them. But the maia cause of this “cutting down and wearing out” system is to be found fn the circumstance that, up to this time, we have always had an abundance of fertile land, whick could be bought low prices. And the planters will continue to practice this system until there are no more cheap, fertile lands to “wear out,” unless they shall be convinced by the arguments of the Cultivator and other agricultural journals, that their true interests require a different mode of culture. The re-opening of the slave trade, by adding io the wearing'' force, will hasten the coming of the period when planters will be forced to devote a portion of their labor to the improvement of their lands. But that ii will in any other way, or at any earlier period bring about a change of system, I do not believe. You think tnat the safety of the “institution” depends, in some degree, on the reduction of the present high prices of slaves, thereby placing them within the ability to purchase of the non-slavtholders. You say, “A iargs majority of Southern voters own no slaves” — '■'’o.poor man't vote counts just as much as the vote of a man who is - worth a million and holds a thousand slaves” — “the peo- ple of the South appear to us as having made up their mind to have one of two things; either the benefit of free trade in slaves, or all the benefits of free labor withoui slaves.” I Now, Messrs. Editors, I think you are mistaken as to the relative voting strength of the two classes. A fair enumeration will show that slaveholders have a majority, I know I shall be confronted with the Census 'Tables^ which make the number of slaveholders a small minority of the total white population. But if we recur to the man- ner in whi- h the census was taken, we shall find reason to believe that, instead of “slave holders” in the census we should read ''•slave owners” and that a large class dt persons, connected, m various ways, with these owners who are slo.veholders to all intents and purposes, stq counts e.'i in the residue of white population along with the othet class. Let me illustrate. I he white population of a plan- tation may consist of an owner, his wife, six sons, four daughters, the oveiseer w'lh a family ot five — total, eighteen. The census report for such a plantation wo«iid 134 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. show but sZrtrtVioZf/er in a total white population of eighteen; whereas the should be classed with slave- holders, because all are either directly or indirectly inter- ested in upholding the institution of slavery. From this it will readily appear that the slaveholding as deduced from the Census report, has beeen greaily underrated. The plantation above cited in- stead of one, would give two votes, at any rate, for slave- holders, while it may poll as many as eight. TKs case supposed is, I admit, not a common one. Very few plan- tation make so large an exhibit of white papulation. And there are large families all of whose members may be properly classed as non slaveholders, having no interest in slaves in possession — none mcxpcctancy, unless a desire to owa such property be considered as such. And this desire, almost universal among non-slaveholders, to ac- quire slave property, shows that there is no danger of a free soil movement in the South. If such should be made, slaveholders will be found strong enough both in votes and arms to put it down. You speak of a “monopoly in Southern labor.” You say, “to allow them (non-slaveholders) to import slaves as freely as cattle are imported from England, might inter- fere a little with slaveholding as a close vinnopoly.^^ I would respectfully ask, what monopoly 1 Where does it exist? What persons or class of persons at the South, enjoy the exclusive privilege of buying, or selling, or holding slaves ? I am not aware of any such. I am un- der the impression that slaves as well as “mules” and “cattle” may be bought anywhere in the slaveholding States, by any one who has the money to pay for them. If you mean that the price of slaves is so high that only those who can command a considerableamount of money can buy even one, and that therefore it amounts to the same thing as if the wealthy had a rtvonopoly in the buy- ing of slaves; I reply, that if this be a monopoly at all. it is one against which no provision can be made so long as this continues to be a free country. Reducing the price of slaves will certainly not “dispose of it.” Were prices brought down to one-third their present range, it would be found that, then as noic, those who have the most money 2could l>uy Ihe most slaves. Then, as now, poor men would buy very few slaves, while the greater part sold would pass into the possession of the rich. The idea of cheapening a thing that the poor may buy vrithout re- stricting the rich is a very fallacious one. The general government gave to the State of Arkansas the swamp and overflowed lands within her borders The wise heads of our Legislature conceived tne idea of offering these lands at a price so low that every pwr man might buy himselt a farm. And what has been the result .? Has this magnifi- cent donation passed, by eighths and quarter sections, into the possession of the hard-fisted yeomanry? No in- deed ! The right of pre-emption alone has secured any of it to poor men m want of homes. The greater part of these lands that have been disposed of, has been bought up by wealthy speculators. So it will be when the African slave trade cheapens slaves Those who have the money will, naturally enough I think, do the buying. Those who now own a hundred slaves will desire to possess a “thousand.” The price of lands will be enhanced, the staples of commerce over-pro- duced, the wages of labor reduced, the poor man’s means of making money will be diminished and thus, thougn the prices of negroes will be greatly reduced, yet hhsrelative means of purchasing will not be as great as they are now. The state of things which the reopening of the slave trade will tend inevitably to produce, will be anything else but favorable to the acquisition of property by the poor man. Eveiy obstacle that opposes him now, will be increased by the policy proposed. Nothing prevents him from acquiring negro property now but xh&want of means; this want will be rather increased than diminished, when his wages as a laborer are decreased, when the little cot- ton he may raise will bring but five to six cents per pound. Does any one doubt these results ? That the reduction of wages certainly follows a large increase of laborers is a proposition too plain for argument. 1 he over-production and consequent low prices of our staples of commerce will as certainly result. For, what will this “additional labor” do when we shall have import- ed it ? Are not the slaves, brought from the Potomac to the South, placed in the cotton, sugar, rice and tobacco fields ? And why will not the slaves from the Congo and the Niger be employed in the same way? If they are thus employed what is there to prevent over-production? The cotton crop of last year, though the season was an unpropitious one in a large portion of the cotton region, will exceed three and a half millions The price is now below what it ought to be, considering the cheapness of money from the discoveries of gold. I he prices of almost all other commodities have been greatly enhanced by this influx of gold into the circulation. Cotton, however, al- though the crop is not a full one, shows but little advance over the ruling rates when money was less abundant. We may safely assume, then, that, if a full crop had been made, prices would not have been higher than they were before California and Australia poured their millions inta the circulating medium ; while the operation of this gener- al cause has nearly doubled the prices of some other com- modities This, I think, indicates clearly that the supply of our great staple is even now increasing more rapidly than the demand The supply will certainly be augment- ed by the re-opening of the slave trade and consequent embarcation of a so much larger force into the cotton rais- ing business. And a material reduction of price must in- evitably result. The “additional force” will not, therefore, put money into non-slaveholders’ pockets. The want of money is the only obstacle that opposes their becoming slaveholders now. This, so far from being removed, will be increased by the introduction of more slaves. The policy advocated is by no means a poor mayds policy. It is admitted that slaveholders universally make a wide distinction between slaves and mules. The former are everywhere regarded as human beings and protected as such. Even masters are punished criminally for the abuse unnecessarily, or the murder of their oren slaves; whereas a man may kill or maim his mule with impunity But although there is this wide diflference between the two in public estimation, the “public opinion” of the South uni- versally regards both as the rightful subjects of property. Everywhere in the slaveholding Slates, the buying and selling of slaves is proper and right in public estimation as the buying and selling of mules. It is admitted, also that men have the right to own pro- perty in slaves in Africa and everywhere else as well as in these States. But it is not admitted, as you plainly in- timate that the slaveholding of the Potomac is the same with that practiced on the banks of the Niger. I earnest- ly protest against the putting of our system on a level with the horrible system of barbarous Africans. They are, in fact, strikingly unlike. The one is the mild, mer- ciful, almost patriarchal government of a civilized master, restrained by humane laws and an enlightened public opinion; the other is the cruel, brutal rule of a savage chieftain, with no law but his own barbarian will, and with absolute power over the lives of his captives The trade of one is the legitimate tiansfer of persons born and raised slaves, with a humane regard for comfort, health and domestic happiness ; the trade of the other is the rutnless foray of the strong upon the weak, the bloody destruction of all capable of resistance, the seizure and barter of the hapless survivors to ihe Coast Trader and their transpor- tation to the slave marts amid the horrors of the “middle passage.” SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 135 Such are briefly the chief characteristic of the system built up and sustained by the Foreign Slave Trade. The demand for slaves on the Airican coast, created by this Trade, by exciting the cupidity of the interior chieftains, kindles wars which otherwise would never have been thought of, causes the shedding of blood where else all had been peace, and adds in a tenfold degree to the horrors and hopelessness of savage existence. A conscientious man cannot sustain a trade whose direct tendency is to bring about such results The slaveholder may, therefore, consistently carry on the Potomac trade while he prohibits, under heavy penal- ties, that with Africa. The repugnance felt by slavehold- ers to the Foreign Slave Trade cannot be construed into tender-footedness diS regards their own slaveholding. There is no objection to the “fruit” of the “tree” which grows and flourishes in America. The fear is, that by overcrovMing this “tree” you may so deteriorate and viti ate its fruit as to render it unpalatable. It is not “the in- crease of an intrinsically had tking'^ which is dreaded ; it is making of di good thing evil, which enters more largely than any other consideration into the opposition to the proposed policy. There zvt political considerations also, which have great influence with the opponents of the measure But I refrain from any discussion of these as unsuited to the design of your journal. Sigma, Holly Springs, Ark., March 5 1>^59. “SOURCES AND QUALITY OF HONEY,?? AGAIN. Editors Southern Cultivator — The March number of the Southern Cultivator contains a communication relative to this subject, which I desire, itriefly, to notice, if only through courtesy to the writer, who, with so much solici ude for “the cause of truth,” warns of the danger of advancing theories, unsupported by sound philosophical reasoning, and considerately endeavors to lift from ones’ mind the yoke of error. The indulgence of your valuable pages is asked for with hesitancy, as it is known that the subject of dispute is of little moment in a practical point of view ; however", there are, in Mr. LaTaste's “examination,” some inaccur- acies and omissions that require correction. He asserts, as a plea for his review, that an article, pub lished some months ago in the Medical Journal, was in- tended as a reply to one from him that appeared in the same periodical. It is hoped that he will excuse the declaration, that such was not the fact, and pardon it, to zeal for “the cause of truth.” Indeed it is strange that he should suppose so, since it was distinctly announced in the article, that an oflfer of it was induced in consequence of the importance which an interesting editorial had at- tached to “the question of poisonous honey,” and, too, as it entirely coincides with the only point contained in his article, to wit: “whether honey is, within itself, a poison- ous substance.” In discussing the sources of honey, he proposed, in order to do full justice, to quote all that was written in re ference to it. This he did not do ; but, on the contrary, omitted some most important facts and corroborating circumstances which had been adduced in the narrative for the purpose of connectedly sustaining it, and proving that the observations were, as pronounced, matter of fact Some of these inadvertanries will be noticed in the order that they occur, though doing so must necessarily render this communication desultory in its character. Mr. La Taste formally announces that he is an inde- pendent thinker, and that he “must have reasoning, facts, indisputable facts, before he can yield arquiescer.ee”— to what, he does not say, and, being left to ctmjecture, ii is presumed that he means anything, which he is not pre pared to believe, or which d oes not readily accommodate itsell to the caliber of his comprehension. It is presumed that he is, also, one who claims no more for himself than he is willing to concede to another, and it would seem, that while disbelieving statements, merely because he did not see what they represent as true, and while his credul- ity and comprehension demand for their satisfaction “reasoning and indisputable facts,” he ought not to essay to teach and convince others by those means which he declares inadequate to his own conviction. But is this so I He asserts that bees never starve if the weather permits of their egress fro n the hive; but what surety does he offer for the correctness of this assertion I What reason or indisputable fact does he set forth to sustain and prove ill Why, forsooth, Afs personal experience with bees, surrounded by syrups, sugar hogsheads, soda fountains, and confectionaries! — backed by an '■'it is said/^ argu- ment propounded by himself!! — but it all does not afford “indisputable” proof that the hunter’s bees, which, un- fortunatfly had none of the city resources above named, would not have perished in a few weeks longer, had their store of honey continued to decrease from what it was when exhibited with the comb all perfectly prepared ; yet, without a drop of new honey, and the old supply nearly exhausted; nor does it explain why there was no new honey in all that empty comb, notwithstanding the entire face of the earth had been covered with flowers for more than two months, as it was then the middle of June. Passing by Mr. LaTaste’s digressive allusion to poeti- cal thoughts and the bird of Paradise, as matters wholly foreign to the subject, I must declare that he is not jusiified in the assumption that I suppose bees can live upon nothing but honey-dew; for, on the contrary, it is readi- ly conceded that they can derive sustenance from sacchar- ine matters; but, in doing so, it is by no means admitted that they can extract genuine honey from sugar or mo- lasses; and, in all probabili'y, the hunter would not have been afraid of his bees starving had they been provided with syrups, a soda fountain and eonfeclionary, tnough with these resources at hand, he might have remained si-liciious about his honey crop. But, to return, Mr. La- Taste admits “that bees do gather from honey dew,” but denies that they re'^ort to it for their nlire suppK , then, will he give the indisputable reason why the hunter’s swarms had collected no honey up t<> the middle of June, notwithstanding they were out and upon myriads of flowers all the while! and, moreover, if they do not de- pend upon the honey-dew for their entire supply, will he offer an explanation of the faxt, that while, up to the time of its appearance, they had stored not a diop of honey, with a world of flowers round them, after it was dis- covered, ea< h swarm succeeded ingathering from twenty- five to thirty pounds of pure and beautiful honey in the short space of two or three weeks! Dots Mr. LaTasie think such an amount could have been xtracted from flowers in the same space of time! He will doubtless attempt to parry these questions, by declaring that he did not see what is described, that it must be an error, perhaps a de- lusion ! at most, an "it is said'' argument, and in this way, can he always escape; for, in the communication, which he volunteers to review and question, no theory was offered ; but a simple statement of facts was made, the truth of which was tested by the senses, and they were set forth not as hypothesis, but as “matter-of-fact observa- tions.” and it would seem that an issue of veracity, is the only ground upon which an attack upon them should be attempted Mr. LaTasie says that one can be convinced that bees extrav^t honey from flow'ers, provided they take the trouole to ob'<^rve them while at work upon blooms, for the rea- son that while sonr.e will be seen going: with their load of pollen, others will tie noticed to carry nothing, and that, therefore, ‘ the conclusion is ir esistable,” that they are laden with honey; for, he says, it “must oe known that J36 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. bees gather nothing but honey and pollen yet, almost in the same sentence he declares that “pollen does not enter into the composition of wax,”, if not, then it appears that they do gather something else than the two sub- stances mentioned, since the v/ax is, most certainly, not formed at the expense of the honey, as the comb is always prepared prior to its collection ; then, it is asked, might not those bees appearing to have nothing, be, in fact, laden with materials for forming the comb 1 This reason- ing and the question that it lead ^ to, show clearly that the conclusion that “it must be honey” is not “irresist- able,” and it would seem furthermore to show that Mr. LaTaste does not always require “indisputable facts” be- fore being convinced. Had he caught these bees of doubt- ful burden (as was done with those gathering the honey- dew) and killed them and inspected and tasted the con- tents of their stomachs, then might he afford to talk about “irresistable conclusions.” But, before leaving this part of the subject it is asked, if Mr. LaTaste supposes that when bees, as is often the case, are seen working upon mud, they ate extracting honey 7 for, it is presumed that he will hardly contend that they are gathering pollen; yet, if, while at work, “bees gather nothing but honey and pollen,” and if it is not the latter that they are collecting from the mud, the conclusion, ac- cording to Mr. LaTaste’s reasoning, is irresistable that it must be honey. Moreover, he may not be aware of the fact that bees are attracted by corn cobs saturated in urine, and that such have been used by bee hunters as a means of ascertaining the whereabouts cf wild bees ; that they will collect upon such materials and work most dili- gently, and that in going off, no pollen can be descried in the cavities ot their thighs; therefore, his logic would argue that the conclusion was irresistable that it was honey ’ ! No wonder, then, that under the force of such circum stances and conclusions, he should feel assured that “bees never starve, for, verily, if they can extract honey from mud and urine, would it seem, that no such calamity as a famine could ever befall that industrious and w^onderfully discerning little insect. Mr. LaTaste farthermore says, that the honey which bees gather from flowers “is the indentical substance sought after by the humming bird and butterfly” — then, must he declare it as his belief, that the saccharine matter of the nectary of flowers is identical with the characteris- tic properties of honey ; for, in his article in the Medical Journal, he said, that “he believed that honey existed al- ready formed, and was deposited by the bee just as it was gathered” — if so, then he believes that a clover bloom is filled with honey, in all respects identical with the sub stance found in the cells of the honey comb, and if this is the case, ought it not to be detected by the sense of taste 1 But can it 'i Moreover, if Mr. LaTaste believes that bees deposit honey just as they gather it, and admits that they gather from the honey-dew as well as from flowers, he must believe and admit that the honey-dew and nectary of flowers possess identical properties; in doing which, however, he will admit an absurdity palpable to all who may have tested tne two substances by smell, touch, sight and taste. Towards the conclusion of his “examination,” Mr. La- Taste has the following complimentary paragraph:— ^‘While I legret that I cannot agree with Dr. Baker in his theory of the sources of honey, I cannot withhold the ex- pression ol the pride I feel in havingiheaid ofone so intelli- gent as he, in combatting the absurd notion that honey possesses poisonous properties.” It would seem that his criterion of one’s intelligence is the fact of their disagreeing or coinciding with his views ; be this as it may, he is thanked for the compliment, how- ever inconsiderately paid ; for, it would ajipear that his cause for self congratulation w^as rather quesfonabk, since the agreementj that gratifies him, was based, ac- cording to his own showing, upon a groundless theory which promulgated an error injurious to the cause of truth When one believes that honey is the extract of flowers, they are constrained to admit that it is sometimes poisonous, since it is known that an extract must contain the propert’es of the material from which it is made. The correctness of this position cannot be controverted by the idea that bees v/ill not extract from poisonous blooms ; for, even the most casual observation has noticed them at work upon flowers known to be poisonous — the mock- orange, swamp iaur-el and yellow jessamine, for example. Well, according to Mr. LaTaste, they must be gathering honey or pollen, either of which is poisonous, and both of which are used as food in the hive; therefore, will it not do to rely upon the sagacity of the bee, unless it is ad- mitted that their products, injurious to man, are harmless to the bee, in which case Dr. Campbell s remark will again come in, explaining how honey may be poison to man and nutriment for the bee. Mr. LaTaste may finally be convicted, out of his own mouth, of the belief that honey is sometimes poisonous, notwithstanding all his declarations to the contrary, and disgust at the absurdity of the belief. It has previously been shown that he says he believes that “honey does exist already formed, and that it is deposited just as it is gathered,” corroborating this belief, it has also been shown that he said that the nectary of flowers, sought after by the humming bird and butterfly, is the identical substance collected by bees as honey ; it may now be quoted, where he says that he “admits that the nectar of some blooms is poisonous.” Now, then, if the nectar of some blooms is poisonous, and if the nectar of flowers w “identical” with the honey that bees gather and deposit as they find it, he must certainly admit and believe that there is such a thing as poisonous honey “already formed,” whether a ^ee ever touch it or not. In reference to the source of honey-dew, but little will be offered. Mr. LaTaste admits its existence and its na- ture, but objects to the idea of its being precipitated from the atmosphere; still, he adduces the different opinions of so many different observers, that he shows the question to be an unsettled matter, in which the opinon ofone in- telligent man is as good as another’s ; besides, it is pre- sumed that he will not olject to the demand for an “in- disputable fact” to prove that honey-dew is an exudation from the leaves, before acquiessence can be yielded to his belief. It seems, too, that in his researches upon the sub- ject, he has found, at least, one Naturalist who believes, like the hunter, that it is “a species of gluey dew which falls sooner or later ” I would remark here, that my mind is not indissolubly wedded to the belief that the honey dew falls from the atmosphere ; it is open to con- viction upon proof to the contrary. The time of its ap- pearance, as much as anything else, lead to the idea that it was precipitated like common dew. If it be an exuda- tion from the leaves, why does it occur only at night T Acquiescence cannot be yielded to Mr. LaTaste’s asser- tion that no honey-dew would have been found upon the surrounding rocks and trees, since his simple statement affords no “indisputable fact ’ of its correctness. In leaving the subject, it may be remarked that the be- lief that honey is not the product of flowers, but of the honey-dew, and that this last falls from the atmosphere, is by no means, of recent date ; nor is it limited to a few It IS the prevailing belief among that class of people who learn what they know from experie nce and observadoo, and who study nature, not from books, but as they find it, in God’s wide universe. Before closing. I beg permission to correct Mr LnTaste in representing me as believing that “old peach” was mixed in the honey that sicaened the Grecian soldiers • luring the retreat of the ten thousand after the death ot the younger Cyrus — I expressed no such belief. The SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 137 description ijiven by Xenophon, represented the soldiers who ate the honey in small quantities, as having the ap- pearance of being intoxicated, and those who freely used it as lying on the ground, as if after a defeat ; and it was playfully remarked that if such an effect should be pro- duced among soldiery of ih& present day by the use of honey, there would exist in my mind stron^: suspicion that there was mixed with it an undue portion of “old peach ” Such are the remarks and corrections which Mr. La- Taste’s communication has elicited Hoping that our Eninds are satiated with the subject, I remain Respectfully, P. DeL. B. March, 1859. GRASS-CUL.TU11E AT THE SOUTH. The writer has paid much attention to the subject of Grass- culture at the South, and his observations lead to the conclusion that it presents an inviting field for agricul- tural enterprise and profit. Calling recently at the resi- dence of Y. L. G. Harris, Esq., of Athens, we were shown by him an acre or more of experimental grass-plots in which the Texas Musquite, Kansas Grass, Terrell Grass, Kentucky Blue Grass, and Orchard Grass, present- ed the greatest luxuriance. If there is any choice among these, as there appeared to be, we should give the in- digenous Kansas Grass the preference, as yielding the largest amount of rich herbage per square rod ; and the second place in that regard, to the Texas Grass. Judging from appearances alone, (and much observation renders an opinion of this kind worth something) the Terrel Grass will grow on poorer land than either of the other grasses, and at the same time yield less nutritive matter per 100 pounds. Dr. Terrell and others have proved it to be a very valuable plant for thin light soils ; such as will grow rye much better than wheat. Of course, it will do far- better on rich than on poor land. Mr. Harris cuts all these grasses and feeds them green to his horses and cow in stables; and as they are perennial and durable, a little land properly top-dressed occasionally with manure will keep a good deal of stock in fine condition. Col. Billups of Athens, Dr. Reese, and one or two other gentlemen of our acquaintance in Clark county, are experimenting in a small way in cultivating new varieties or species of grasses. Mr. Oscar Bailey, recently from Virginia, where his father is one of the most successful hay and stock growers in the State, has ten acres sown in winter grasses, that promise very satisfactory results. We trust every farmer will try to produce a few thousand pounds, if no more, of green forage for early feeding to all work- ing animals, whether mules, horses, or oxen, and to his cows giving milk and their calves. As small meadows will last a life time, with fair usage, and may be easily extended from seed grown thereon, we know not how to render our readers a better service than to commend this subject to ihtir favorable regards. We have no seed to Bell ; although last November we purchased seed for some who desired it, while at the North, It would give us great pleasure to see a marked improvement in the live stock of the South; and to this end, the cultivation of grasses, and the cheap production of far more manure, are every way desirable. Farmers, live stock, and live farmers will all gain much and lose nothing, by diversi- fying our agricultural industry. “All flesh is grass,” and to grow the latter profitably is the best possible evidence of an excellent cultivator of the soil. Every planter should know, and profit by the fact, that grass is Nature’s grand renovator to maifttaia forever the fruitfulness of the earth. Without it, none of the higher orders of the mammalia, including man, could long subsist on this planet. Hence, the careful study of the indigenous grasses of a continent or large island, in their economical relations, deserves the fostering care of every civilized community. Southern planters and farmc ers have hitherto paid too little attention to this depart- ment of agriculture, and tried more to destroy all natural grasses than to turn them to a valuaole account. Mora money might be made by transforming grass into woolj than common mould into cotton. The one operation aug- ments vegetable matter in the soil ; the other consumes and destroys it. Cotton culture alone, instead of improv- ing land, converts^^it into deserted, and nearly worthless old fields. Wool growing will redeem these, and ultimate- ly render them more productive than they were before a plow first disturbed the virgin soil. Try grass-culture a little, and you will soon desire broad, rich pastures, and green and beautiful meadows. Both Lucerne and Sainfoin will last thirty years with- out re-seeding, in the same ground. Tull says; “The reason why St. Foin will make, in poor ground, forty times greater increase than the natural turf, is the prodigi- ous length of its perpendicular tap root.” Deep-rooted forage plants are, of all things, most needed at the South to draw potash, bone-earth, and other elements of our great staples, from the deep subsoil to the surface of the ground. Millions of these suction pipes will draw up, day and night, from the bosom of our mother earth, those invaluable substances so indispensable to form cotton seed, and the seeds of corn and wheat. Even the long tap-root of the cotton plant will draw rich manure from the deep subsoil, if one will break the subsoil as it ought to be broken up and loosened. The raw material for mak- ing the seeds of all our crops, which form, when rotted, rich manure, is what grass-culture will give us in the cheapest possible manner. It will give us horses, mules, cows, fat cattle and working oxen of the best quality. Our hogs, sheep and goats will then be worth having. Things to Remember. — If you do not keep your pa- per, cut this out and put it where you can find it: A surveyor’s chain is 4 poles or 76 feet, divided into 100 links or 792 inches. A square chain is 16 square poles; and 10 square chains are an acre. Four roods are an acre, each containing 1,240 square yards, or 34,787 feet, or 24 yards 28 inches on each side. A pole is 5 1-2 yards each way. An acre is 4,840 square yards, or 69 yards 1 foot 8 1-2 inches each way ; and three acres are 120 yards and a half each way. A square mile, 1,760 yards each way, is 640 acres ; half a mile, or 880 yards each way, is 160 acres; a quarter of a mile or 440 yards each way, is a park or farm of 40 acres; and a furlong, or 220 yards each way, is 10 acres. 138 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. GAS I.IME AS A FERTILIZER. Editors Southern Cultivator — Will you please tell me if lime that has been used for obtaining gas, if applied to land will increase its production of corn, cotton, or po- tatoes—say apply it to common gray pine land. If you think it will pay, please say how it should be applied, and how much per acre? I must find something that I can use that will increase the natural production of my soil, or I shall be compelled to migrate West. I cannot figure it up so as to make guano or any of the foreign fertilizers profitable at present prices of what we raise tor market, viz : corn, wheat and cotton Any information that you may give me will be most thankfully received. Most respectfully, William Ellis. Oglethorpe, Macon Co., Ga., Feb. 19, 1859. On poor land, gas lime would be a quite uncertain fer tilizer; still, if it can be had at a small cost, it is worth a trial. If made into a compost heap with decaying veget- able matter, the chances of its acting as a manure would be increased. If not composted, it should be carefully and evenly spread and then plowed in and well incorpor- ated with the soil before planting, or sowing wheat or other grain If brought at once into contact with seed, gas lime sometimes contains poison enough to kill the germs of young plants when they begin to grow. Com- posting, or mixing with the soil, avoids this danger. Ap- ply some20 bushels per acre, more or less, as abundant or otherwise, L. THE “WILD OLIVE,” OR “MOCK ORANGE.” Editors Southern Cultivator— The value of this beautiful evergreen is either not generally known or cer- tainly not sufficiently appreciated at the South, particu- larly upon cotton plantations. It is usually planted and trimmed as a hedge or kept as an ornament for the gar- den or flower yard, where it fails to discover to its daily admirers its real merit and value, as a fruit tree, particu- larly to that important animal of plantation demand and consumption, the hog. At this suggestion probably some one might be tempted to laugh, as not being a very im- portant matter after all. But let us see. Since your fields have been thoroughly gleaned of everything by your stock of all kind, and the forest has been diligently search- ed for every remaining acorn, piggy has been depending for his sustenance upon the extent of your corn crib and your providing agency. Having now nothing to hunt for, he piles up in his dusty bed under your shelters and stables, much to your displeasure and his disadvantage. Turning a deaf ear often to the morning and evening calls to his scanty repast of corn which he knows and feels is not sufficient for his appetite, and rather than be tempted, prefers to remain in his sleep, and when aroused by the feeder, gives forth that peculiar wheezing cough readily recognized and omii^ous of the fatal event. And if you have not provided winter pastures, this period of the year of which I now speak is the drear dreaded period on our cotton “plantation desolation.” It is about this time you hear planters inquire for the price of bacon, and solemnly avow kis cheaper to make cotton to buy meat than to at- tempt to raise it; piobably, too, owning three or four times more land than they cultivate. Now, at this im- portant juncture of affairs, fifty or a hundred of these trees in your avenues or lanes would busily employ sows and pigs in picking up the ripe, nutritious berry that has patiently hung upon the tree until February and March i to be thrown down b> the frolicksome, merry birds and I every passing breeze. The berry is ripe now, and will lasr, your hogs tor employment and food, until the mul- berry blackens the ground. And other fruits hasten on in rapid succession and the crops of oats, wheat and peas, with Natnre’s liberal forest supply, fill up the year, and not much corn fed away at last. But some one will say that the leaves of the wild olive will kill cows. None but famished cows will eat the leaves of this tree enough to kill them. There is no doubt but in the spring the leaves are charged highly with pru- sic acid, and are excessively poisonous to cattle. But I will state that upon my plantation they grow exposed and can be readily reached, but I have yet to lose a cow’ from them. The berries, though, will not kill birds nor hogs ; but come to them most opportunely, and to the latter are exceedingly nutritious and I have thought, medic- nal to the hog in the lousy lethargic condition in which he is found at this season of the year. This tree is found upon our water courses, and in the sv/amps, but in the crowded condition there found they do not bear much fruit But planted isolated with room, as any other fruit tree, I have yet to see a cron fail to appear and drop gradually in February, March and April. Bsman. Birdsville, March, 1859. STANFORD’S WILD OAT GRASS. Editors Southern Cultivator — When I informed you, some three years since, that this was the greatest grass of the age, it was the truth, and no mistake, nor has any one who purchased seed and given it a fair trial been mistaken. And I now say that 1 believe it to be the best grass for pasturage and for hay in the world. It need not be sown on the same ground but once in five or six years; will produce four tons of hay of the best qual- ity to the acre, and for pasturage, it is a beautiful w-inter green, six to eight inches high all winter. The only mistake I made about it was, that I threw it open to the public before I had a peck of seed to dispose of, and thereby greatly diminished the fair compensation I ought to have received for its discovery and cultivation. For the present year I have reduced the price of seed to SlO per bushel (see advertisement, which will be found on the cover of this paper) and will most cheerfully return the money to any purchaser who will cultivate and sow it as directed, and will afterwards write me, on honor, that he has done so, and that he is not perfectly satisfied that the grass is no humbug — got up for speculation. I say this because^ have had five years experience with the grass, and one of your correspondents some years ago pro- nounced it a “Morus Multicaulis” humbug without hav- ing even seen or tried it, and simply so decided because the seed was high priced I have received letters from several persons to whom I have heretofore furnished seed and who reside South from Virginia to Texas, and who freely give their opinions of the value of this grass over all others, which opinions are annexed to the advertisement. Respectfully, John R. Stanford. [Our own experience with the grass of Col. Stanford, was somewhat limited; but altogether favorable. We think it exceeding good for this climate. — Eds.] Lice on Fowls.— Should lice infest your nests, sprinkle in them cut tobacco, and they will slope for parts un- known, instanter. Take my word for it, when I clean my chicken coop§ I springle in them a strong decoction, and every louse soon disappears to parts unknown. I have 1 cleaned sitting hens of them, where no tobacco had been I used, that were covered with the “tarnal critters” — in four hours not one of them was to be seen. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 141 as scarcely to admit of cornparison ; but we venture to as Bert that, if due allowance, is made for the comparatively greater amount of land under cultivation at the South, and the deteriorating influence of our climate upon arat- ed soils, the planting ei onomy of the South will, this day, exhibit as much foresight, thrift, progression and in- dustry as that of any other section of the country. We are not driven by the shortness of the season into the display of such desperate and go ahead energy as often characterizes our Northern neighbors; but, having ‘^twelve months in the year'’ to work out of doors, we accomplish as much or more in the end, and do it with greater ease, and less wear and tear of body and mind than they do. — Eds. • ^ « SUGAR — NEW PROCESS FOR MAKING. Ths Planters' Banner, (Franklin, La.,) of March 5, Bays: ?>'Ir. Francis Lombas, of Lafourche, who paid us a visit yesterday, and well known throughout the entire sugar region as one among the best and most experienced prac- tical sugar-makers in the State— having had over twenty years experience in the business — informs us that Col. Richard A. Stewart, a planter residing in the parish of St. Bernard, below New Orleans, has obtained letters patent from Washington, for anew discovery in the manufacture of sugar on the vacuum pan. Our informant has th^'roughly examined, as well as tested the new process, and hesitates not to pronounce it equal if not superior to his own, or any other plan now in use. The sugar, he says, is made without the use of bi-sulphate of lime, and is of a quality and texture really beautiful, being almost perfectly white, and the grain un- usually hard and firm — differing materially from the ordin- ary sugars now made throughout the State. Mr. Lombas is firmly convinced, from bis knowledge in sugar-making, that this new process of Col. Stewart’s cannot but cause an entire revolution in the present man- ner of manufacturing our great staple; and he hesitates not in recommending it to the favorable notice of sugar- growers, as the best aud most practical plan yet dis- covered. With this assurance on his part, we feel our- selves in duty bound, to communicate the information thus derived to those who may become benefitted, through the columns of the Banner, trusting that it may prove, on trial, to possess all the merits the discoverer claims for it. Those wishing information on the subject should address Col. Stewart through the post office, at New Orleans. Doration of Life. — Mr. Charles M. Willich, of Lon- don, has published asiniple rule for computing the pro- bable value of property in life at any age from five to sixty. His formula stands thus:— E = 2-3 (80 — a,;) or, in plain words, the expectation of life is equal to two- thirds of the difference between the age of the party and eighty. Thus, say a man is now twenty years old. Be- ween that age and eighty there are sixty years. Two- thirds of sixty are forty; and this is the sum of his expec- tation of life. If a man be now sixty he will have an ex- pectation of nearly fourteen years more. By the same rule a child of five has a contingent lien on life for fifty years. Every one can apply the rule to his own age. Mr. Willich’s hypothesis may be as easily remembered as that by DeMoivre in the last century, which has now be- come obsolete from the greater accuracy of mortality tables The results obtained by the new law correspond very closely with those from Dr. Farr’s English Life Table, constructed with greai care from an immerse mass if returns. F r the Southern Cultivator. “YE YALLER DOG.” Be peace to his, our honored Shakespeare’s, bones, Whose harp of varied string Hath drawn such'sermons from the senseless stones, Such good from everything! Peace to his manes ! The music of his mind What centuries shall clog 1 * That summons me in latter days to find Thy use, thou Yaller Dog ! Promise is none in all thy form or face Of ornament or guard ; Not sporting gent would choose thee for the chase, Nor I, for my front yard ! Not plaided shepherd on his post might sleep And deem thy watching good, Unless in dreadful vengeance on ye sheep Of ye whole neighborhood ! And yet — since length of days (and tail) are thiae And thou art fat and old — Some heart hath strengthened at thy bark and whine And held thy hide as gold ! Belike some bi ped of the a’aject poor. Some breechless son of gun, Who hathj beside ten children ‘^to the fore,” A dog to every one ! And thou elect! his own especial pet Of all the yelping score, In shape of uncouth heraldry art set Beside his cabin door ! Something to love! with which a man may share His uttermost of prog. Soothes the sore bite of hunger with the hair Of this old Yaller Dog! All moral else thine outer want of grace Must evermore deny. And therefore he, the sponsor of thy race Hath named thee “Cur,” or ^ohy 7 T. March, 1889. OoT Door Ice House. — A correspondent — one of the inventive men of the day — kept ice out of doors, and had a plenty to spare last September. He threw down four foot wood upon a space eight feet square, sufficient to keep ice from the ground. The spaces between the sticks were filled with saw dust or tan bark. The ice was then packed snugly in pyramidal form. To make the mass more compact, in order to keep the air from it, a few pails of water were thrown over it. The mass was then cover- ed with saw dust. We are inclined to think ice will keep in this way bet- ter than any other. Tlie evaporation from the outside carries off the heat, and the mass keeps cooler than it would it shut up in a tight house, t here appears to be philosojihy in the method. — Soulkcrn HmnesLeud. |^“To keep water out, use pitch ; to keep it in, use a pitcher. 142 southern cultivator. RIDICUJLE OFTEN RIOICUEOUS. Editors Southern Cultivator — Ridicule,, by those who know nothing whatever on the subject they are dis- cussing, has done more to keep agricultural improvement in the back ground than anything else. Whenever a planter comes to me and says that what I am doing in the field is wrong, and, instead of doing good, will result in harm and only harm, I want him to give me b. reason for so thinking ; and if he has no reason, only that he thinks so, his opinion is not worth a cent in my estimation For instance, if I was-subsoiling and a planter should pass by and inform me of the important fact that all my labor would be in vain; that the first hard rain would leave no traces of the subsoil plan, only to render the sOil and sub- soil more compact, I would, of course, come to the con- clusion that he had tried it, and that ’ his opinion was based upon experiment. I have respect for a man’s opinions if he reasons on the subject “like a man,” and desires to come to correct conclusions by experiment and investigation, though such investigation should uproot every old fogy notion which he and his father before him have ever entertained. But when a man plods away, literally, in the old beaten track of years past, and never tries an experiment, and ridicules those that do, and then presumes to say that everything is wrong, outside of his order of doing things, I do not feel called upon to adopt his system of plantation economy, because I know that he does not know whether he is right or wrong. I do not intend to take for granted t\Qxyth.\r)gl}\dii is told me about planting, subsoiling, composting, stock raisintr, &c , especially if such information comes from one who has never taken the trouble to step out of the common order of things to inform himself on the subject. If Dr. Lee, Dr. Cloud, Dr Philips, Col. Peters, Col Croom, or any of old veterns in the cause of our country’s agricultural salvation, should pass by the field that I were operating in, and say, friend, you are wrong, I would stop and hesitate long before I proceeded farther. And why'? Because I know they have studied agriculture, ex- perimented, tested and weighed in the balance almost all the theories now known to Agricultural Philosophy. It would be sensible to listen to them. They know what they are talking about. I would gain information from them that would be valuable. It has been by corresponding with such men, and read- ing what they have said in such papers as the good old Southern Caltivator, that I have been aroused and inform ed on the subject of agricultural science. And the thought of learning more and more on farming and planting and corresponding with such men as above referred to, gives to me half the pleasure of life. But when a man, for the sake of ridicule, says I am wrong, and gives me no other argument to convince me of the fact than a big foolish laugh, it is not apt to make a very lasting impression upon my mind in his favor. Yours, &c., G. D. Harmon. Millike7ds Bend, La., Feb., 1859. TROPICAL FRUITS IN LOUISIANA. A correspondent of the Homestead (Hartford, Conn.) writes : Tropical fruits in Louisiana, at this season of the year, are much more abundant than the fruits of the temperate zone. The only fruit of the North, at all common at the fruit stands and markets, is the Apple, and the specimens of these are not at all comparable to those seen at similar places in our cities. The growing of apples in this vicin ity is a recent movement, and they are not produced in sufficient quantity to supply the market through the win- ter. Those shipped from the North by way of the Gult stream, rapidly lose their firmness and flavor on the sea, | and are worth hule here. The main supplies come from up the river, and these are held at such prices that the consumption is not large. They come in competition, too, with fruits more congenial to the climate, and these are generally preferred by those accustomed to their use. The Orange stands first among these fruits, and is grown here in greatest abundance. It is found upon nearly all the plantations, where it is cultivated with reference mainly to home consumption. It is found also in many of of the yards in the city and suburbs, cultivated both for ornament and its fruit. The tree is of slow growth, but begins to bear in considerable quantities after six or eight years. It never attains a very large size, but trees are frequently found fifteen or twenty feet in height, and bear- ing four or five bushels of fruit. There is quite a variety of the Citrus tribe of plants cultivated here, the medica or lemon tree which bears the lemon of commerce, thevarigata or variegated lemon tree, the limonium or citron, \h&vulgagis or myrtle leaved, the acida or lime, the auraiitium or common orange, the ja- ponica or small fruited orange, bearing fruit about one inch in diameter, and thickly set upon the branches, a very beautiful shrub, the nohihs or large fruited mandarin orange, and the otaheite or dwarf fruited orange. Some of these are cultivated more lor ornament than for use. The sour orange is hardly to be distinguished in appearance from the sweet. It is nearly as common, and retains its fruit all through the winter, making a very inviting ap- pearance. The rind is very thick and bitter, and the pulp acid. It is only used for preserving. The orange gener- ally found in the New Orleans market is known as the Coast or Creole orange. It is supposed by tne nursery- men to be a seedling of the common Havana orange, with what reason I am unable to say. It is certainly very much modified by climate if it has that parentage The lorm is a more perfect globe, a little flattened at the stem and blossom ends, and the size abj>ut the same. The skin is thinner and finer grained. The quality is far better than the be^t Havanas I have ever tasted, and this is the common estimate put upon them by those who have eaten both varieties in their greatest perfection. A well ripened Creole orange just picked from the tree is so full of juice, neither too sweet nor too sour, that it leaves nothing to be desired in this kind of fruit. They continue in market four or five months. They are shipped to a considerable extent to the cities and villages up the river, but are never seen in )ur Northern markets. Strange as it may seem, they are not yet so generally raised, as to supply the market in this city. Immense qualities of oranges are brought from Havana, West Indies, Central America, and from Sicily. The soil and climate are well adapted to this crop, and it is only in rare cases, that the winter is severe enough to injure the trees. The tree is hardy and long lived, some specimens here being pointed out eighty years old or more. But the great business of the planters in the region where the orange flourishes, is growing the sugar cane. This is followed so exclusively, that on most of the plantations they do not even attempt to produce the meats and bread- stuffs for home consumption. The cane pays for every- thing. The unskilled labor employeu in this business is not adapted to the nicer manipulations of fruit trees, and the care of their fruits. The crop would be more perish- able, and for that reason the returns would be less certain. Few, except those of a small means, msike a business of growing oranges for market. A very large part of the trade in this fruit is carried on by boatmen, who call at the plantations, trade with the slaves, and transport the stolen fruit, fowls, and eggs to the city. These brats are always to be found in the season of fruit, at the levee among the steamers, carrying on a brisk trade with the travelling public. The few who have gone into the growing of this firm SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 143 for market, make it pay very well, and the business pre- sents an inviting field for the investment of capital. Could these Creole oranges be put down in New York, a week after they were picked, as they easily might be, they would sell on the top of they market, and soon crowd out Sicily and Hairana. There is no limit to the demand that would soon arise for so desirable a fruit. The demand, however great, could be easily met in this val- ley. The trees come into bearing much sooner than the apple, and bear with much more uniformity. A pilot, who owns a little place on the river, has an acre planted with 800 orange trees. He sold the crop this season on the trees for one thousand and twenty dollars As nothing v/as to be deducted for the expense of marketing, it made a very handsome profit upon an acre of land. A sugar plantation must be remarkable well managed to bring in a gross return of one hundred dollars an acre. A sharp Yankee, with a little skill in fruit growing, and capital, would soon make a fortune in raising this fruit for market. THE BANANA. The Banana is, after the orange, the fruit most prized and most abundant in this market. This is the extreme northern limit where the tree will flourish. Its long plume- like leaves are annually touched by the frost, and it stops growing fora time, with its flowers and fruit all upon the stalk. It sends up from the earth several large trunks shooting from a common center, and from the top of each one of these trunks, a fruit stalk puts forth. It has a very large purple flower, which continues for a long time, and the fruit sets on all sides of the stalk, until you have some- times a hundrtd bananas or more in a cluster, weighing forty or fifty pounds. The fruit is from four to seven inches in length, and an inch or more in diameter. It is covered with a thin rind which is easily stripped, off with the fingers. There are two varieties, the red and yellow, both common in the market. They are cultivated in many of the yards here, and quite as much for ornament as for use. The fruit is brought in extensively from the West India Islands, and, in its season, is quite- as abun- dant and cheap as the orange. There is another variety brought from Ruitan of more delicate form and higher fla yor. Bananas in good condition are very palatable, and are eaten with impunity at all times of day, and in any quantity. The Plantain belongs to the same genus, Mu&a^ as the banana, and has the same general appearance and charac ter. It is about the same size, a third or more longer, and the taste is much more acid. This is abundant in the market, and is principally used for cooking. Fried, and sprinkled with a little sugar, it makes a yery good substi- tute tor cranberry sauce. THE FIG. The Fig flourishes in this climate in the greatest luxuri- ance. It is as common as the quince or the apple at the North, and when labor is as cheap as it is upon the shores of the Mediterranean, there will be nothing to prevent the packing of this fruit, and supplying the home market with the American grown article. The varieties cultivated are the Brown Brunswick, the Brown Turkey, White Marseilles, Celeste, and Black Ischia. In the rear yard of the house where I write, there is a very large fig tree planted some ten years ago. It has attained the height of some twenty feet, and covers a large area. It is in bear- ing from July to October, and produces several bushels ot figs annually. The habit of the tree is to make a broad, ragged looking head, which is anything but attractive when the foliage falls. The leaf however is beautiful, and would redeem anything from positive ugliness. The fruit, in its fresh state, is rather insipid to those accustomed to the more sprightly fruits of Northern climates. It is highly prized by those accustomed to it, and is nutritious and wholesome in its season. There is perhaps no fruit so easily propagated, and no tree that will so readily take care of itself as this. It is wonderfully prolific, and the fruit might be produced in any desirable quantity. VEGETABLES. The markets here are as well supplied with these, and in as great variety as in our Northern cities. At this sea- son, many articles are much more abundant. Cabbage and lettuce, beets and turnips, celery, and other articles are brought in fresh from the gardens. The sweet potato is in great perfection the year round The yam, very little used even in our cities, is a common article here, generally keeping company with the sweet potato. The Irish potato was formerly rather an expensive luxury, and found its way hither, principally by way of the sea. It was thought that it could not be grown here. But now they are raised here early in the season, of good quality, and they are brought in steamers in immense quantities from up the river, and from our Northern seaports, and even from Scotland and Ireland. Nothing is more com- mon at this season than barrels of potatoes at the corner stores, and in the markets. Many of them are already sprouted, showing their long passage in the waters of the gulf They do not keep well through the summer, and the seed used for planting is invariably brought from a cooler climate The great increase in the consumption of this article is owing, among other causes, to the large im- migration of the Irish population. They come not only directly from the British Isle, in the ships that come hither for cotton and sugar, but from all our Northern seaports that have direct intercourse with New Orleans This population is so numerous, that they have gained the con- trol of the labor market, and manage things in their own way. THE PECCAN NUT. The Peccan Nut, pronounced with the broad sound of a, is the most common nut of this region. The tree flour- ishes best in theri h bottom lands along the rivers. There are two kinds in market known as the Louisiana and the Texas peccans. The nut somewhat resembles the best shellbacks, both in shape and in quality. It is longer, the shell is thinner, and the meat is covered with a very thin astringent skin, which is a drawback to their desirable- ness, The Texas nuts are generally larger, and bear a higher price. They bring from SlO toSlb a barrel, and form a considerable article of export from the Texan ports. The tree occupies very much the position of the shellback with u«, receives little attention, and is frequently left near the dwellings, and upon the meadows for shade. When full grown. It forms a magnificent head, and makes a strik- ing feature in the landscape of these alluvial regions. Agricola. New Orleans, Ftb., 10, 1859. A Warning! — The Lawrenceburg {Tenn.) Jmrnal of the 26th March, says: “We are pained to learn that on the 22d inst,, Joseph Kidd, second son of our worthy fellow-citizen, John Kidd, three miles north-west of Lawrenceburg, met with a terrible accident that ended his liie in a fearful manner. He WAS riding a mule which had on gear, he was thrown off, the chains being fastened to his legs, he was dragged near a mile and a half, and kicked to death and horribly mangled. His body finally became fastened to a log and thus the mule was stopped.” It is observed that the moit censorious are gener- ally the least judicious; those wno have nothing to recom- mend themselves, will be finding fault with others. No man envies the merit of another w ho has enough of his 1 own. 144 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR AUGUSTA, GA: VOL. XVII., No. 1859. FRIENDS OF THE CULTIVATOR. Though our subscription list for tbe present year is in a very flourishing condition, it has not yet reached that point which we anticipated, and which our friends gave us reason to hope for. The Cultivator, in its enlarged form, is acknowledged by the press everywhere to be the best and cheap- est paper of its class in the South, and we trust our friends will aid us in giving it a circulation commensurate with its merits. If each of our pre- sent subscribers will send us even one name in ad- dition to his own, we shall be satisfied. Many of you can send ten or twenty, and all one. Will not all make an efibrt to do so ? [See terms, &c., on cover.] ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Bermlda Grass. — L, T. E — Your letter and sample were forwarded to Dr. M. W. Philips, for examination. Grass Sekd, &c. — J. C. C. A. — You can obtain the grass seed from V. LaTaste, of this city, with directions for sowing. Fowl Lice. — M. L. B. — See short article in present number. Southern Architecture.— W. P. G. — See designs in last and present number, copied from “ House a. little work on Architecture noticed in our last, page 114 Also, a brief notice in present number of a new style of building originated by Mr. Valk, of New lork. If you have plenty of rock, sand and water, and li-ne is not too dear, you can build an excellent and economical house of concrete. See directions in “TVie House^^ page 165. Grass — J, R — Reply to your queries in our next. Chloroform for Cholic — Hungarian Grass Seed, &c — L S J. — Will our correspondent, “J. A. M of Louisiana, whose article we published in our April num- ber, page 1*27, give us the proper dose of Chlorolorm for colic in a hor.se I The seed ‘Tj S. J ” requires may be had from Plumb & Leitner, or V. LaTaste, of this city. Volume for 18.58. — A. M. N. — We can supply this volume, unbound at ^1. Nankin Cotton. — Any subscriber, having seed of this variety, will oblige the Editors by sending a few to this office, per mail. ‘ Bermuda.” — W. J. R. — The root you sent us is known here as '■'■joint grassy We do not think it is identical with the Bermuda, (C of Dr. Philips. F limit says there are two varieties — the Sample you send is, probably the native kind — the other, or true Bermuda, (of Dr. Philips and others) is the most valuable for pastures, &c., ard both are haid to get rid of Apple, Pear and Quince Stocks. — E. S. W. — It is cheaper to buy these stocks from the large Northern and European Nurseries, than to raise them here. Downing’s “Fruits” costs Si • 50, and maybe ordered from A. 0, Moore & Co, 140 Fulton street. New York. We have noticed, heretofore, all the new Southern Apples of merit, and will continue to do so. Guano, &c.— D. J — Apply to your cabbages in a liquid form, if possible. See “ Hints for the Month.” Cut Chinese Sugar Cane for green food when it tassels. It is one of the very best articles we have for soiling. Essex Hogs — J. E. McE. — The Hogs you desire are the Black Essex. Address : R. Peters Atlanta, Ga j or Wm. Summer, Pomaria, S. C. THE FROST AND THE FRUIT. We hear from various sections conflicting statements of the effects of the cold weather of 6th and 7th of April. At Washingtori, Athens, Greensboro, Cassville Atlanta, and LaGrange, Ga., the weather was quite cold, on the 6th, and fears were entertained for the safety of the fruit. In this vicinity, the damage was slight, and so far as we can learn from the latest accounts, fruit, generally, has not been seriously injured. We shall be glad to re- ceive and publish, from month to month, brief state- ments of the condition of field and garden crops through- out the South. Onions : How to Raise them Profitably^ <^c. Being the details of experience of seventeen practical Onion Grow- ers, &c. An excellent collection of essays on the subject. Price 12 cents. Address; Orange Judd, 189 Water st, New York. ToCorrespondents — Weare reluctantly obliged todefer the publication of articles from W. C, — Ozan — F. B, — J. L. M.— R. G.— J. B. P.— L. W. H.— E. F. E— E. J — A Patron and Subscriber — J. — B. F. T. — J. J. B. C — T. G. P.— W. T, C., &c., &c. Overseer or Manager. — Any large Planter, in a per- fectly healthy section of Georgia, who desires to secure the services of a very competent Manager or Oversee*" for next year, will be furnished with the address of such a person, by applying to the editors of this journal, and enclosing a stamp to pay return postage, “The CouRANT”is the title of a new Southern Literary journal, to be issued weekly at Columbia, S. C., commenc- ing in April. This journal starts under very favorable auspices, and will, doubtless, be a creditable exponent of the literary talent of the South. Terms, per annum, ii advance. Address Wm. W, Walker, Jr. & Co., Cohiw bia. S. C. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 145 COUNTRY COTTAGES AND VIEEAS — AMERI- ^ can Style. We have received from Lawrence B. Valk, Esq , Architect, 627 Broadway, a very beautiful little tinted engraving of the “new American style of Country Cot- tages,” &c. This is an attempt on the part of Mr Valk to establish for our own country a style of building which shall combine fitness, economy, beauty and eomfort ; and though the plan which he has adopted may not suit the tastes and wantsof all classes, it will probably be found well adapfed to the requirements of the great mass of our people of moderate circumstances. Further information may be obtained by addressing Mr. Valk*, as above. Distiller Wanted — A person who thoroughly under- ttands the distillation of Brandy from the Grape, may hear of a good, permanent situation, by sending his name to the editors of the Cultivator. Iron Clasp for Baling Cotton. — We have been •hown by Mr. E. L. Snow, a very ingenious, useful and ecocomica! iron strap or band (Speer’s Patent”) used, in- stead of 1 ope, for baling cotton. It strikes us very favor- ably, and we shall, probably, have occasion to refer to it hereafter. For further particulars address E. L. Snow, Charleston, S. C. 1^" Fowler & Wells, of New York, have in press a new work, which they announce as follows : A Remarkable Book. Hints Toward Physical Per- fection : or, The Phitn^aphy of Human Beauty. Show- ing how to AcquireandRetain Bodily Symmetry, Health, and Vigor; Secure Long Life ; and Avoid the Infirmities and Deformities of Age, &c., &c. In Press— ready May 1st. Such a work as the above is greatly needed ; and we shall have much more to say concerning it, as soon as it appears, if it at all equals are expectations. “American Veterinary Journal.” — We are sorry to learn that this valuable publication is suspended, and par- ticularly regret the cause of said suspension, as set forth in the following circular from Dr. Dadd: Boston, March 26, 1859. Dear Sir : — I take the liberty to inform you that the publication of the American Veterinary Journal is suspend- ed with the March issue. The only explanation I have to offer is, -that in consequence of remissness on the part of subscribers for the past two years, my pocket-book is now the seat of a very severe attack of dyspepsia, which threatens to confine me and my family to a diet of shorts. Very respectfully yours, Geo. H Dadd Georgia State Fair — The Atlanta American says : — “The Fair will be held in the city of Atlanta, in October next, commencing on Monday, 24th, and ending on Fri- day, the 28th. The arrangements are all complete, and most ample. The list is liberal — the officers able, indus- trious, zealous and efficient, and the time appropriate. We hope, and shall expect, to witness the most extensive exhibition ever made in Georgia, and to welcome the fergesi crowd ever assembled at a Fair in the State.’ GEORGIA AGRICUETURAE FAIR. The next Fair of the Southern Central Agricultui*ai Society,’ will be held in Atlanta, from the 24th to the 28lk of October, 1859, and copies of the Premium List may be obtained from the Secretary, Dr. Jas Camak, Athens, Ga- Chatham and Epfingham Fair. — The Fifth Annual Fair of the Agricultural Club of Chatham and Effingham counties will be held at the Tenbroeck Course, Savannah, on Friday, the 24th of November, 1859. The List for the present year is now ready, and may be obtained from the Secretary, D G Purse, Savannah, Ga , and all, irrespective of section, are cordially solicited to engage in the competition. LANDSCAPE GARDENING — STABILITY OF American Homes, &c. A friend, who has travelled much in various countries, and who is thoroughly familiar with Landscape garden- ing in Europe, writes us as as follows in regard to the new edition of Downing and Sargent’s work, which we have noticed elsewhere in present number; A. O. Moore & Co , our active and tasteful Book Pub- lishers, have just is-ued a beautiful volume on Landscape Gardening, &c. The first part is a new edition of the work of that great pioneer in refined landscape taste, A. J. Downing, a work which produced quite a revolution in rural matters at the time of its publication. The second part (in one and the same beautiful of’tavo volume) is the work o' H W, Sargent, Esq Indeed, no body could be better qualified to bring up Mr. Downing’s work to the present state of extended botanical and architectural knowledge than that experienced and tasteful inhabitant ofone or ihe finest residences upon the romantic shores of the great Hudson. The increasing taste for truly rural beauties and re- sources aives to that publication an actual merit of useful- ness and apropos. Americans must be proud ot their in- stitutions warranting to the rural resident (his confidence and security which are so rarely found in the rural dis- tricts of most of the European Continental States. Such publications show the pulse of the social liody, the relative condition of public life. While impending wars and re- volutions disturb every foreseeing mind in the old country, here we can safely talk about rural improvements without hedges, walls or fosses; and devote our time, money and skill to things that we know must be lasting and out of the range of foreign or civil wars at least as far as human foresightcan reach. Thanks to Mr Sargent and Mr. Moore for this valuable book — which is indispensable to the refined and tasteful lover of rural beauties and improvements. B. Cruelty to Animals. — Ihe following bill to prevent cruelty to animals has passed the Massachusetts Legisla- ture, and received the approval of the Governor: “Every person who shall cruelly beat, maim, or torture any animal, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county j iil or house of correction not more than one year, or by a fine exceeding one hundred dollars.” The Weather — More rain— deluges of it almost since our last It would s em that water enough in the last four months have been wrung out of the clouds for them to be rolled up and hung out to dry But the rains, floods, mud and storms, it appears, are by no means local to this vi- cinity. In the West they have been literally water bound . in many places all winter. — Florida Sentinel, March 29. 146 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. By request of a subscriber, ve give the following list of SOUTHERN AGRICUETURAE PAPERS. '■^American Farmer^' Baltimore, Md. Monthly. N. B. Worthington & Co., Editors and Proprietors. Si per year. Southern Plmiter,’’^ Richmond, Va. Monthly. J. E, Williams, Editor, August & Williams, Proprietors. S2 per year, in advance, ^^Farmer (f* Planter,'' Columbia, S. C. Monthly. Wm. Summer, Horticultural Editor. R. M. Stokes, Publish- er. Si per year. ^'■Southern Cultivator," Augusta, Ga. Monthly. Dr. D. Lee and D. Redmond, Editors. Wm. S. Jones, Pub- lisher. Si per year. “ The South Countryman," Marietta, Ga. Monthly, C. W. Howard, Editor. W. H. Hunt, Publisher. SI per year. ‘^American Cotton Planter and Soil of the South f Mont- gomery, Ala. Monthly. Dr. N. B. Cloud, Editor, Robt. Nelson, Horticultural Editor. N. B, Cloud, Publisher, Si per year. Southern Homestead, Nashville, Tenn. Weekly. L. P. Williams & Co., Editors and Proprietors. S2 per year. Planter tp Mechanic^ Jackson, Miss. Monthly. Jno. J. Williams, Editor and Proprietor, Si per year. ^^Southern Rural Gentleman," Grenada, Miss. Weekly. J. L. Davis, Editor and Proprietor, S2. 50 per year. ^^Valley ’’Louisville, Ky. Monthly. N. G, Col- man and H. P. Byram Editors. A, Gunter, Publish- er. Si per year. It is pos.sible that we may not have enumerated in^he above list aZZ the Agricultural journals of the South; but we believe there are few, if any, omissions. We will take pleasure in announcing the titles, terms, &c., of any others that may be added to our list of exchanges. BEECH ISEAND (S. C.) FARMER’S CEUB. We had the pleasure of attending the April meeting Of this Association, and were, as usual, much interested in the proceedings. The question for discussion was upon the comparative economy of soiling or pasturing cattle and other domestic animals — and incidentally the making and application of manure, &c., &c. It seemed to be the general sentiment of the members, that soiling was, in most cases, far more profitable than pasturing, and that well-saved and properly-applied stable or barn-yard manure is cheaper and better than any of the commercial fertilizers of the day. Much valuable information was elicited during the progress of the discussion, and many suggestive remarks thrown out; and the good influence of the Club is becoming every day more and more appar- ent. Since its formation, a new spirit of inquiry and enterprise has sprung up and spread itself over a large district of country; and the desire for progress and im- provement is perceptibly increasing. We have long regarded the Beech Island Club as a model organization of its kind, and upon revisiting it after an absence of some months, we were rejoiced to find no abatement of the zeal or spirit which has ever charac- terized Its members. May it live and flourish, until there is not a gullied hill-side, barren old field or undrained swamp within a hundred miles of the Club House; and may Planters and Farmers everywhere throughout the South speedily form and sustain hosts of similar associ- ations. - CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. The Grape in Florida. — A gentleman of Gainesville, Fla., writes: “I am about to try the open cultivation of the choice Foreign varieties, and should be pleased, at any time to reciprocate favors in the way of exchange of kinds. I shall use mostly scions, grafting them into the native stocks, “I have discovered a new native variety, which, if it prove valuable, I shall report to you. Very respectfully, 0,” Texas Ants. — A subscriber in Uvalde County, Texas, says : “I am trying to make a Peach orchard in stiff land, and am pestered with a small black ant, which works, I think, mostly upon the roots or tree under the ground, retarding the progress of some and causing others to die. Can you refer me to any treatise that will instruct me how to get rid of them I” fWe cannot; and must appeal to our readers, who may have had experience with these insects. — Eds.] Wild Grapes in Texas. — A gentleman, of Victoria, Texas, in remitting his subscription, says : “Please find enclosed SL for which send me the Culti- vator one year, I am so well pleased with your paper that I would not do without it for SlO a year. “Please give us the best mode of grafting Grape Vines. This part of Texas exceeds any other, I think, in produc- ing the ‘Mustang Grape.’ I have seen some trees in the woods that were covered with vines literally black with grapes. I got from one vine grapes enough to make fifteen gallons of wine. I wish to propagate many varie- ties of the grape by grafting in our native vines; for I think Texas will be a grape growing State. Yours respectfully, B. S, [For the method of grafting the grape, see March num- ber, of present year, page 80, We shall be glad to re- ceive cuttings of your best wild varieties, next fall. — Eds.] Prairie Pea— Grapes, &c. — An esteemed correspon- dent, at Pine Bluff, Ark., encloses i s a few singular look- ing Peas, with the following remarks : “Enclosed please find the ‘Wild Pea of Arkansas. These peas grow wild upon the prairies, and sometimes cover acres in extent with a thick mat of vines. Horses and cattle are so fond of the vines and peas that they fre- quently run off to a distance (often miles) to get to where they grow. All kinds of stock fatten very fast when feed- ing upon these pea vines. I am not aware that they have ever been cultivated, I send a few to you for that pur- pose. “Nearly two years ago I wrote to you, describing four varieties of Grapes, growing wild in this neighborhood. I have since that time seen the Arkansas grape growing side by side with the Catawba and Isabella, and consider the Arkansas Grape larger, better adapted to the climate, and superior in flavor to either of the others.” African Slave Trade. — “I thank Dr. Lee for answer- ing my questions on re-opening the African Slave Trade. My queries were not propounded in a spirit of contention or to advocate my own opinions, but to elicit discussion, and to gairf information. I was not wedded to my own SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 147 opinion, but was open to conviction, and 1 iliink that Dr. Lee’s free-trade argument is unanswerable. ^ Yours respectfully, Thos. P, Miller. New Prospecty Miss., March, 1859, Measuring Corn.— In your March number, page 81, is some information wanted in respect to measuring corn. Mr. “W. C. K.” has but to think what a barrel of corn is — it is not one bushel, but it is five, as he will see in rule third in January number, page 10. In a room 20 feet long, 15 feet wide and 9 feet deep three is 730 bushels, or 146 barrels, N. B. — This is unshucked corn. Respectiully yours, O. D. Night. Pihe County, Miss., 1859, Gin Gearing. — Our correspondent, “T.,” says, truly: “A good workman is all the rule I know for building any- thing. No modification in the size of parts in the gear is necessary, but the “king-shaft” must have no room to rock; and every part of the machinery must be as level, plumb and round as carpentry can make it.” Scratches in Horses — A Remedy.— Some time last winter three of my horses were taken with the scratches. Two of them were cured very soon with blue stone and lard. The third one got worse. I then tried white paint or white lead, but to no effect. I tried one or two other remedies, but with no better success. I then tried coper- as and urine, boiled together. 1 use this as a wash; and after washing and while the affected parts are wet I would sprinkle on the parts charcoal dust, made from burnt leather. Three or four applications of this will cure the worst kind of scratches, ' P. R. L. “Pip” or Distemper in Fowls.— Can you inform me through the columns of the Cultivator, of a remedy for the “Pip” in Chickens, so called by some of my neighbors. Their eyes first become sore, and close entirely up, and in the course of a day or two their throats become sore and seem to be closed up ; they linger for a day or two and die. Out of about fifty grown chickens I have lost fully one-third. If you or any of your numerous readers can give any hints or remedy for this disease it will greatly oblige, Respectfully yours, M. R. S. Darlington, S. C., March, 1859. OUIt BOOK TABLE. Landscape Gardening, “A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening, adapted to North America; with a view io the Improvement of Country Residences. Comprising historical notices and general principles of the Art; directions for laying out Grounds and arranging Plantations ; the description and culti- vation of hardy Trees ; decorative accompaniments of the House and Grounds ; the formation of pieces of Arti- ficial Water, Flower Gardens, etc. With Remarks on Rural Architecture, By the late A J. Downing, Esq Sixth edition. Enlarged, revised and newly Illustrated. With a Supplement, containing some remarks about Country Places, and the best methods of making them ; also, an account of the newer Deciduous and Ever- green Plants, lately introduced into cultivation, both hardy and half-hardy. By Henry Winthrop Sargent, New Fork: A. O. Moore dt Co, Agricultural Book Publishers, 140 Fulton St. 1859,” The progress of Landscape Gardening, since the la- mented death of Mr. Downing, made a new edition of this most valuable treatise altogether a necessity, and we rejoice that the work has fallen into such competent hands. In allusion to the new editor, the Home Journal says : — “Intimate with Mr. Downing, while living, and possess- ing this habitual sympathy of pursuit, Mr. Sargent was better qualified than any other friend to undertake the careful editing of a new edition ; and this he most promptly and generously undertook and has most admir- ably accomplished” Most people of cultivated taste in rural matters, are, of course, familiar with the earlier editions of this work ; but, for the benefit of such as are not, we append a list of the subjects treated upon, both in the original edition and the one before us : Section I. — Historical Sketches. Sec, II. — Beauties of Landscape Gardening. Sec. III. — Wood and Plantations, Sec. IV. — Deciduous Ornamental Trees. S^c. V. — Ever- green Ornamental Trees. Sec. VI. — Vines and Climbing Plants, S^c- VII. — Treatment of Ground — Formation of Walks. Sec. VIII. — Treatment of Water. Sec. IX. — Landscape or Rural Architecture. Sec, X. — Embellish- ments ; Architectural, Rustic, and Floral. Apendix, Supplement of Mr Sargent. — Section I — Progress of Landscape Gardening since Mr. Downing’s death ; For- mation of new places; Common Errors; the Lawn. Sec. II. — How to make a Country Place; Commencing with- out trees; commencing in a wood ; history of Wodenethe; history of Wellesley ; Italian scenery. Sec. III. — The newer Deciduous Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Sec. IV. — The newer half-hardy Evergreen Trees and Shrubs; acclimatizing and employing them ; tabular view of Har- dihood in different parts of the United States. Sec. V. — Historical notices ; examples of Landsape Gardening and Rural Architecture in the United States. Sec. IV. — His- torical notices continued; Rural Cemeteries; Central Park, New York; Llewellyn Park, New Jersey; Clinton Park, etc. The new matter added is very valuable, and the illus- trations exceedingly beautiful. Many of the latter are from the pencil of the publisher, (Mr. Moore) and reflect much credit upon his taste and skill. We fully agree with Mr. Willis, that “nothing could be more timely than the issue of this volume at the present moment. With the rallying of our country’s prosperity, the buyers and beginners of rural residences are greatly multiplied, and the wealthy town winterers are returning to their summer villas; and, to all these, the latest new book on the sub- ject of “Landscape Gardening” is very necessary. Be- yond its value as an accumulation of the required wisdom, however, it is a most ornamental addition to a drawing- room table, from its beautiful typography and splendid il- lustrations; and, in fact, we can recommend no purchase, to the proposed dweller in the country — none which so combines the valuable and tasteful — as this Sargent Edition of Downing,” Price, $3.50. Address A. 0. Moore & Co., 140 Fulton, St, New York, American Weeds and Useful Plants ; Being a Second and Illustrated Edition of Agricultural Botany : an enumeration and description of Useful Plants and Weeds, which merit the notice, or require the attention of the American agriculturist. By William Darling- ton, M. D. Revised, with additions, by Geo. Thur- ber, Prof of Mat Med, and Botany, etc., in the New York College of Pharmacy. New York: A. O. Moore & Co.. 140 Fulton St. 18.39. We have rarely had occasion to notice the appearance of 148 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. a more interesting or useful volume than the one whose title we have just given. It is a book which country ifesidents have long needed, and which will prove most acceptable to all who desire an insight into the most com- mon objects by which we are surrounded. How often, in rambling through the fields or woods, is the eye arrest- ed by some noticeable plant or wfeed, which, like the ‘"'yellow primrose” of Peter Bell, is to us a plant or weed, And it is nothing more; how much greater would be our enjoyment of such &ings, if we understand their names, properties and uses 1 To teach us this, and to render Botany not a formid- able “science,” but a “household word” to farmers, is the ©bject of this work. The author in his Preface, very truly remarks that “If our American youths, who are being educated with a view to Agricultural pursuits, were re- quired to make themselves botanically acquainted with that portion of the vegetable kingdom which annually demands their attention on the farm, the Profession [of Agriculture] would soon assume a new and engaging as- pect. The labors of the field would be blended with the tontemplation of facts and phenomena of deepest interest to inquiring minds--and agriculture, instead of being shunned as an irksome drudgery, would be justly esteemed as one of the noblest employments of a free and intellectual people.” We heartily commend “Agricultural Botany” to our readers Price, Si. 50, per mail, post paid. Address A, O. Moore & Co., as above. The Westeen Fruit Book ; or, “American Fruit-Grow- er’s Guide for the Orchard and Fruit Garden, (&c,, &?.. By F. R Elliott. Fourth edition — revised, enlarged and improved. New York: A. 0. Moore & Co , 140 Fulton St. 1859. This is a new and greatly improved edition of a work which we hive heretofore favorably noticed. It contains the names and descriptions of many new varieties of fruit, and is in some respects well suited to our climate. The author says: “Having given more attention to Southern Fruits and their seasons, than formerly, and finding many succeed well South, that have been superseded North and East, I have introduced them throughout the work ; hence, I think it will be found as well adapted to that as to other portions of the United Sates.” A really good work on Southern Pomology is yet to be published, but while we are waiting for such an one, we must welcome all that promise to be of value, and we have KO hesitation in placing Mr Elliott’s work on this list. Price, SI. 25, per mail, post paid. Address, as above. An Historical Sketch of Slavery prom the Earliest Periods. By Thomas R R. Cobb, of Georgia. Phila- delphia: T. & J, W. Johnson & Co. One rarely meets with a volume of 300 pages on any historical subject so full of interest, both in reference to its matter and manner, as this “Sketch of Slavery from the Earliest Periods.” It is most remarkable for the extensive reading and research displayed by the author, and for the Oareful citation of nunu mas aiuhoi iiies from ''•eginning to end. Jt supplies a reliable- work from which all may derive much useful information ; and it will rank as a standard authority in this department of historical know- ledge. Every one who seeks to be well informed on the important principles involved in negro slavery, and the practice of slavery in general from the remotest times, should place this elaborate summary within his reach, for reference. It is a masterly production, which cannot fail to add to the fame of its distinguished author, and strength to the convictions of the Southern mind in favor of a strangely misunderstood institution. The work ought to have the widest possible circulation for its solid merits. For sale by Wm N. W hite. Bookseller, Athens, Ga. Price, Si .50; by mail, $1. 75. . L. Russell’s Magazine for April commences the fifth volume and third year. The Proprietors express their thanks for the encouragement they have received, and while so iciting its continuance, remind subscribers that the terms of subscription must be strictly adhered to and payments for the coming year be promptly made This magazine deserves the support of Southern readers, and should be liberally sustuined. Terms, S3 per annum, in advance. Address “ Russell’s Magazine,” Charleston, S. C. Character. — Were I to make trial of any person’s qualifications for a union of much delicacy, there is no part ofhis conduct I would sooner single out than to ob- serve him in his resentments. And this not upon the maxim frequ ntly advanced, “that the best friends make the bitterest enemies;” but on the contrary, because I am persuaded that he who is capable of being a bitter enemy can never possess the necessary virtues which constitute a true friend. — Fitzosborne. g^”Other passions have objects to flatter them and seemingly to content and satisfy them for awhile: there is power in ambition, and pleasure in luxury, and pelf in covetousness; but envy can give nothing but vexa- tion. Ifiiticaltuittl Itpatlintiit. PKUINING FRUIT TREES. Editors Southern Cultivator — Pruning fruit trees is somewhat of a periodical disease, which manifests itself about this time of year. The Southern planter and farm- er now gives his orchard a passing glance and notices his trees to be sadly out of order, as well as unproductive, and hence concludes they need pruning— a panacea for all their diseases. He seizes upon the first axe he can find, no matter whether dull or sharp, and falls to upon his refractory, sickly, and unproductive subjects ; he cuts and slashes right and left, no matter to him how or what he cuts, provided the limbs come down with a crash. Afrer going over his orchard in this way, he stops and take a general survey of its improved appearance to his eye and ideas (if one ever entered his head). He sees his trees towering aloft like the sky-scraper of a-raan of war, and huge piles of limbs lying on the ground beneath, and with evident self-satisfaction fancies himself somewhat of a hurricane. He probably never thought, while at work, what he was doing, whether acting rationally or as a lunatic; but were he to haul up to a block his horses, mules and caule, and chop all their tails off close to their SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR 149 rumps and vvnen remoriscraied with, say, he was pruning them; we are of opinion a commission of lunacy would Boon be sued out against him; yet there would be about the same amount of good sense in one case as the other. On the one hand he would soon be without fruit and trees, for the scorching summer sun soon burns them to death: while the flies and other insects would soon reduce bis horses and cattle to skin and bones, and finally to death. We recently made a short trip through a portion of Middle Georgia, and saw numerous orchards of apple and peach trees, but amongst all, we never saw one tree properly trained or trimmed — all were trimmed up high, and Irom one-third to one-half of all the trees we saw, were dead on the southwest sides of their trunks, yet we lever found one man who could tell the cause, and pro- bably had never even thought of it. The scalding of the trunks of fruit trees on their south- western sides, by the rays of the sun falling on them dur- ing the long days of summer, kills and injures more of them than all other causes and diseases put together, and the owner alone is to blame for it, through his pruning operations. Remonstrate with him — tell him his trees should have low heads, and rarely need any trimming — he will meet you with the question : How am I to plow under them and cultivate the ground ? You have no business at all to plow under them, and expect a crop of something else; plow up to them until the limbs begin to interfere with you, and you are as near as you should go. The roots of a tree extend about as far as the limbs, and, as they take nourishment mostly from their ends, you have plowed and stirred the earth to precisely the right point when you come to the limbs ; nearer to the trunk than this is an injury, for you necessarily mangle and injure the roots. With young and newly planted trees which have but small or no tops, it is necessary to shade artificially, by plncing a clapboard beside them, securing it with a tie of some sort, or any other means which may suggest itself As soon as the tops are sufficiently grown to protect the trunks with their shade, which is the second or third year, all other means may be dispensed with. Some will say, I cannot make my trees branch out low down. To such we say, top them, and, our word for it, you will not have it to say again. The naked trunk of an apple tree should be about three feet high ; that of a peach tree from one and a half to two feet high to the limbs, which latter should be shortened about one- half their growth annually which will keep a new growth of fruit-bearing v/ood in the interior of the tree, instead of being alone at the ends of tke limbs. It is with raising fruit as with every other crop, if at- tended to and cultivated as is cotton or corn, our labor will be rewarded ; but we have no more right to expect a crop of fruit from an old, worn out, uncultivated sedge field, than we would a crop of corn on the same land without plowing or hoeing. “By the sweat of thy brow shall thou eat thy daily bread,” is the fiat of Almighty God, and he who thinks he can escape it will soon find his mistake. J. Van Buren, Clarksville, Habersham Co , Ga., Ftb., 1859. GRAPE CULTURE — PRUNING, TRAINING, &c. From the proceedings of a late meeting of the New York Farmer’s Club, we extract the following : Grape Culture — This was one of the questions of the day, and was called up in preference to any other for the purpose of getting Dr. Grant of Iona, an island in the Hudson, near Peekskill, to give the Club his views. The Doctor has devoterf a gr^at deal of attention to grape cul- tore, and has read all that has been published, and his re- narks were li^itened to with un attention that showed how deep an interest is taken in this question. We can only give a few brief notes of what he said, all of which he il- lustrated with well-executed drawings, and with real vines. His discourse was one abounding with jiractical information. Several grape growers present gathered near to catch every word, often putting questions that elicited valuable information. Pruning —Cut off the first year’s growth above two buds, and next year cut back so as leave two buds of that year’s growth. In nature a vine grows both branch and roots to a great length, before bearing fruit, as it can bear no fruit until its leaves and branches reach the air and sun at the top of the tree. In cuhivation we must train vines to new habits. We cannot depend upon any but native varieties. A well grown vine will reach 5 or 6 feet the first year, and 10 or 12 leet the second year, and its suc- cess as a bearer will mainly depend upon the manner of trimming and training it the fiist years. No untrimmed vine can remain healthy and be productive. Fruit buds grow upon the same branches but once. Ten feet square of ground is required for a root, and six or seven time.? that for the vine. Mildew is the great enemy to contend with, and the vine must have air and vigorous growth, for that tends to prevent mildew, and it must have room FO as to expose every leaf to the sun. On the third year two bunches to a cane, or branch, is all one can grow to perfection; all others must be plucked cff. The leaves naturally develop themselves to the sun, and no more leaves must be left than will fill the space. No healthy leaf grow’s in the shade. Vines suffered to bear too full the third year are ruined ever after. The fourth year, train up four upright canes, and these will each produce three bunches, and the horizontal shoots will produce 24 bunches and bud out new shoots. Only three bunches to a shoot should be grown, and a buncn never should be exposed to the noon-day sun. Training vines upon the trellis is best for the vineyard. The arbor gives shade, and may give satisfaction ; but the trellis gives the most fruit. Four feet length of elevation of canes is as much as will produce perfect fruit. At the end of the seventh year the vine is fully establish- ed, with three branches on each shoot, w'hich will give six bunches, three on each arm betv/een each upright. At the base of each shoot is a bud for the fruit-bearing shoot next year. The ends of the fruit bearing branches must be stopped at about two feet from the base. It will shoot again, and must be stopped again, leaving one leaf. The best thing to tie the vines to the tre!lis-v.^ires is bas- ket willow. Bull-rushes are also good. Hatters trimmings are ah-o recommended. If all the buds are permitted to gro%v, the vine will soon be ruined. The best branches always grow nearest the stalk. November is the best time to shorten back a vine to the buds that are to be left for bearing. It is an object with the young vine to cut back or stop the growth of branch- es, to give strength to the root. Pinching the bud of a growing vine is to give vigor to the root, as well as the buds that are to furnish the canes for fruit next year. The Doctor exhibited vines one year old six fbet long, and two years old twelve feet long, grown from two-eyed cutting of the Diana Grape, which is considered a slow grower. Long cuttings should never be planted. Two' or three eyes are better ; two eyes are best. A serpen- tine form given to a young vine makes it grow stronger. The best plan to get new vines is by layers. It makes vines that will bear earlier. I have seen five bunches upon a Delaware cane of one year grow perfect. But three bunches to a cane generally is as much as can be depended upon. A vine must not be made to overbear, or over-produce wood. Sparing the knife spoils the vine. I think, in this country, that the trellis form of growing vines both for wine and market fruit, ^ill be the best plan — better than growinu; upon stakes On posts seven or 150 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. eight feet high place five wires, and set the rows ten feet apart, and running norih and south if convenient. Grapes can be grown to advantage in the city. A vigorous vine can be carried up six or eight feet a year, without bearing until it reaches the top of the house, and there trained epon a trellis, and produce good fruit many years. Vines can also be trained upon brick walls, or in yards that have four hours of sun a day. It is not necessary that the sun shine on the ground where a vine is rooted, so that it reaches up to a sunny spot for leaves and ffuit. I have trained vines up a house side three stories high. All sides of a house may be used, but on the north side the fruit will not ripen well. A northeast exposure on the sea coast is not a good one for grapes. One objection to an eastern exposure is bright suns after frosts. Summer pruning is indispensable In the angle between the leaves two buds start, and if one is not plucked out it will pro- duce a shoot that will bear greea^rapes in the Fall. Care must be taken not to cut off the vines in the hard wood in the summer. The shoot must be stopped in the bud, by pinching, and not by cutting away hard wood. Vines never should be trimmed with ordinary shears, but by a very keen knife, with a smooih cut. The bunch next to the main stem covers the bud of the fruit-bearing branch for next year. In pruning in the fall all of the fruit-bearing arm is cutaway to one bud It is better to prune in November than later, on account of the exuding of the sap, which is considerable if pruning is done in JVlarch, which damages the vine more the second year than the present year. There are many ad- vantages in pruning in November, but if neglected then, it must not be neglected altogether, for upon that, and also plucking of all excess of fruit, depends the success of grape- growing The Delaware Grape. — The Doctor exhibited a paint- ing representing a Delaware vine in bearing, which was much admired, as he gave full explanations of the manner of treating the vine, to produce the growth and bearing it represented. Solon Robinson. — Upon this subject I will read a por- tion of a letter from a Rochester grape-grower, and indorse all it says of this best of all American grapes. The writer says : “We have been engaged in the cultivation of the grape for more than twenty years, and we can fully indorse your remarRs, by asserting that the Delaware is the best grape that we have ever seen for out-door culture in this latitude, because it possesses the following qualities : “1st Great Hardiness — It has been known^to stand un- injured where Labella, Clinton and Catawba have been killed to the ground. “2d Productiveness— It is a great bearer. The berries and bunches increase in size as the well cultivated vine grows older, and it probably will produce more pounds of fruit to the acre than any other sort that we know of “od. Earliness— It is said to ripen in Delaware, Ohio, about the middle of August, and in Western New York early in September. There is no other native grape, nearly as good, ripens so early, that we know of “4th. Quality is Best— Whenever and wherever com- pared with other varietiVs, Delaware bears off the palm. “Now, my dear sir, these grapes are so scarce for two reasons : “1st. The above-mentioned excellent qualities cause them to be in great demand, and prices rise in propor- tion. “2d. Those who have the genuine stock, find it is ex tremely difficult to multiply as fast as the vines could be sold at lauiie prices ” , Native Wines — Mr. Rockwell, of Ridgefield, Conn., exhibited a large numSer of samples of Connecticut-made wine, which were tested and several of them approved. To our notion, the fault of his manufacture is that he uses too much sugar. PEACH BORER— STRAWBERRIES— HYBRI- dizing, &;c. A very zealous and successful amateur of Charleston, S. C., “gives in his experience,” as follows: “Out of 12 finest varieties of Peach trees I planted two years (or more) ago, the borers mercilessly spared none! Dejected, but not disheartened, I procured a few of the “Amelia” and about the roots of five of them I placed pieces of the wood, and one dozen of the berries, (crushed) of the “Pride of India” or “China Berry” tree. The sixth and remaining tree, despite copious applica- tions of boiling water, died. Verdict, after a post mortem examination, “Ravages of the Borer.” The jive are now freighted with what (the dangers of a late frost excepted) will be fine fruit ! Is it necessary to speculate upon these facts I Will any one be so incredulous as to say that one out of six trees planted 10 feet apart is enough to satisfy the rapacity of the borers^ Perhaps xhQ race which in- habited that particular locality, like Eve of old, desired the “tree in the midst of the garden !” and, in order to be- lie my belief, and disappoint my expectations, refrained from disturbing five out of the six. Very probable. In the cultivation of Strawberries, I have tried six dif- ferent methods of manuring. That which produced the earliest and most luxuriant growth, largest and sweet- est berry (for you must know I believe strongly mjlavor produced by manure) was the barrel- made, vegetable manure, as follows; — I procured six whiskey barrels, and in these, to every bushel of vegetable matter, I put one pint of lime and ashes, until the barrel was within three inches of being filled. I then poured in boiling soapsuds, urine, and some night soil. I theji headed up the barrels and rolled them aside (this was in August) until Decem- ber, when I watered around each plant with the liquid, and forked in the solid matter. During our coldest nights in December and January, I did not cover the plants ; and have been eating ripe and luscious, Hautbois and Long- worth’s since the 10th of February ! These are facts. In the same spot of ground, the same varieties, treated, some without, and some with other manures, (Rhodes’ Superphosphate among the number) the plants have grown slowly, flowered and dropped their fruit. 1 have 2,000 plants in all— 1,000 Longworth’s and 1,000 Hautbois. Toe Hautbois yield more fruit, but Longworih’s make the handsomest plants, and bear earliest— this is my ex- perience. “I have some new hybridized Seedling Roses (my first attempt) coming on finely. If I get anything new out of them I will apprize you. I look for something good frooa the old Cabbage and the Lamarque, also from Mad. Masson and the Lamarque. I have also the commoa Cherokee and Lion des Combats. I devoted much time to hybridizing last year. I planted the seeds early under glass, in thumb pots, and have them now in the ground. I have also grafted the White Muscat Grape on our com- mon Bullace. V. S. ^^If “flowers are the alphabet of the angels” the little chernbs and seraphs will soon be able to study their letters from a new edition of the floral primmer, for this bland and delicious weathej^is starting every bud and swelling every sprig. % |^°How is it that trees can put on a new dress without opening their trunks 1 It^is becaause they leave ant their 1 summer clothing. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR 151 IIAW-THORN ON PEAR. Editors Southern Cui tivator — Your correspondent, D. M , of Osika, Miss , in the April number of the Culti- vator ^ is too fast. The Haw-thorn is a dwarf and a very slow grosver; and if transplanted, that operation will make it slower,' IfPear is grafted on White thorn (red berries) it will take readily, but it will be a dwarf, and only fit for ornament to place in court yards or pleasure grounds near a dwelling. For orchard stocks the Angiers Quinfte, is now considered the most approved stock for the Pear, as this will attain a tolerably good size, is pro- ductive and bears early ; also. Pear seedlings of the size of one and a half to two inches in diameter, are good stocks for the Pear and will make early bearers. If large Thorn stocks two inches or more in diameter are grafted, with Pear or Apple, on the spot where they have grown from the seed, they will bear much earlier than on small transplanted stock. Some large Thorn stocks which I grafted last spring, just about a year ago, as high as four or five feet from the ground, have grown during the year some three or four feet high. It must be observed that some Pears will not take on Quince, and probably not on Thorn, and some come to bearing at a much earlier period than others The Duchese d’ Angouleme, Bezi de Montigny and Due de Bordeaux, are amongst the earliest I have tried. The slow bearers might not come to full bearing, if on small Thorn stocks, in 15 or 20 years ! I have Apples grafted on Thorn stocks one inch and a half in diameter, just below the surface of the ground, which bloomed the fouth year, but did not bear till the seventh, and now, the eighth year, are very full of blooms and promise a full crop. These were grafted upon the spot where they grow, in an orchard. The Apple on the Thorn, will do better than the Pear. Any person desiring to plant an orchard should procure from a nurseryman, ten or twelve or more good sized grafted Pear trees and as many Apples, all of known goed qualities, some early and some late. These, if properly set in the ground and cultivated, will produce fruit in three or four years ; and from them one may graft annual- ly some 30, 50 or 100 stocks at hbitum, and so increase an orchard in a few years as large as it may be desired, without incurring any great expense. But to start an orchard on transplanted Thorn stocks, especially of small size, would require an age to bring them to maturity. D. P. Mount Zion, Ga., March, 1859. FRUIT TREES FOR THE SOUTH. Editors Southern Cultivator — Will some of your many contributors or nurserymen prepare apple and peach grafts for our Southern rlimatel I have tried /or ten years to have an orchard and have failed. The borer or worm in the root destroys all my trees. I suppose I have set out some 500 or more, and have never received in re- turn ten bushels of fruit, either peaches or apples. The quince, plum and pear all do well with us in the prairies Could the peach and apple be grafted into the plum successfully or notl If-so, I would guarantee a sale of a fine lot of fruit trees in our State— Mississippi. If any gentleman has a lot of trees grafted into the pear plum or quince, I would be glad if he would advertise the same in the Cultivator. By this means he can find a purchaser for his trees. Planter. March, 1859. AMERICAN GRAPES— LIST OF VARIETIES. To give our readers some idea of the number of varie- ties of hardy or out door Grapes (mostly nafire) now in the hands of amateurs, on trial, we furnish the following list, made up from the note books of gentlemen possessing specimen vineyards : Anna, Albino, Alexander, Alvey, August, Early, Arkansas, Baldwin, Baxter, Blue, Beansville, Blue Black Chillicothe, Black German, Bland, Blue Favorite, Brinckle, Black July, [or Lenoir, Liucoln, &c,,] Camak, Cape, Canadian Chief,* Canby’s August, Cassady, Catawba, Catawba, Mammoth, Catawissa, Clara, Clinton, Concord, Creveling, Clappier, Cowan, Cherokee, Child’s Superb,* Carter’s Fall, Caradeuc, Nos. 1 to 6. Creeling, Carter, Charter Oak, Delaware, Delaware BurgtifUlyi^ Diana, * Devereux, * * • * Early Amber, Edwards, Elsingburg, Emily, Eschol, Franklin, Guarriques, Graham, Gross, Guignard, {or Herbemoni], Hartford Prolific, Herbemont’s Madeira, {or Warren, or Guignard,] Hyde’s Eliza, Harris, [or “ Old House Isabella, Isabella, Maryland, Isabella, New, Isabella, Wright’s, Isabella, Paign’s Early, Kingsessing, Lehman, Lenoir, ) Syn. Black July, Lincoln, > Thurmond, Logan, Lady Finger,* Lyman, Long, Louisa, Malaga Seedling, Mary Ann, Massachusetts White, Marion, Martinsburg, Miles, Minor, {or Venango,] Mountain, Mottier’s White, Morse, Morin, Meadville, Northern Muscadine, Naumkeag, Norton’s Virginia, No. 7, Raabe, No. 8, Raabe, Ohio, Old House, {or Harris,] Ontario, Penn, Perkins, Pauline, {or Burgundy^ Piit’s White, Raabe, Rebecca, Red Traminer,* Raisin, Reissling,* Sage, Secord, Springstein, Swatara, ^ Schnicke’s New Red, • Scuppernong, Shaker, {or Union Village,] Saluda, Seabrook, Screw Pit, Thurmond, {or Lenoir, Lincoln, To Kalon, Tryon, Union Village, {or Shaker,] White Coleman, Wilmington, Wine Home, Winslow, Warren, {or Herbemont,] Walker’s Fall, York Madeira, King, Kilburn, Kilvington, ‘ Young, &c., &c. Those marked with a star (*), are of foreign ori- gin; but generally succeed well in the open air. There are, also, several known synonymes, many of 152 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. which are noted ; but the list shows at least one hundred distinct varieties of noJAve Gropes now in cultivation. These comprise nearly all qualities and properties that are desirable, either for the table or v^ine; and it will not be difficult to make selections from the list suitable to all iocaiities in the Union. — Eds. For the Southern Cultivator. NANTAHALEE.* You’ve heard, I think, of the beautiful maid, Who fled from Love’s carresses, Till her beautiful toes were turned to roots, And both her shoulders to beautiful shoots, And her beautiful cheeks to beautiful fruits, And to blossoming spray, her tresses ! I’ve seen her, man ! she’s a’iiving yet Up in a Cherokee valley ! (She’s an apple-tree ! and her name might be In the softy musical Chewkee, A long drawn — “Nantahalee !” Tis as sweet a word as you’ll read or write j Not quite as fair as the thing, yet quite Sufficient to start an old Anchorite Out of his ashes to bless and hite The Beautiful “Nantahalee!” T. Torch Hill, Ga , April 1, 1859. *A famous Southern Apple — Eds. FIGS AND GRAPES!— FLORIDA LANDS AND Climate* Editors Southern Cultivator— Will some of your contributors furnish me, through the pages of your valu able journal, with some information in regard to the cui tureof the F.gl — the best varieties for table use, as well as for drying; the most approved mode of drying, &c., &c. I am situated in a region of country admirably adapted to the cultivation of this delicious fruit, as the trees attain a large size and bear very abundantly. Would i' pay to raise figs and dry them for market in this coun- try 'I I also want information with regard to the important subject of Grape Culture and Wine Making in this cli mate (latitude 29°) If any of your readers, Messrs. Editors, wish to find p good country where they can make money by raisint Long Staple Cotton, Sugar or Tobacco, and' at the samf time enjov as delightful a climate as they can find in tht world — a climate that perfects the peach, apricot, plum fig, grape, orange and lemon, and is yet salubrious in t marked degree — let each come to East Florida; nay, le them come to Marion county — one of the finest counties in the State. Now, that Uncle Sain has nearly completed the remova of the savage Seminoles from the limits of Florida, an' since it is established by statistical evidence that in poin of health she will compare favorably with the healthiest o her Southern sisters, and is far ahead of the Western States ; since there is now no doubt of the speedy compie tion of several important Railroads in the State; in view of all these things, why should not emigrants from Georgii and the Carolinas sometimes turn their steps towards thi.- beautiful and fertile “Land of Flowers” instead of rushint in crowds to the bottom lands of the Far West, to dn with cholera or be washed out into the Gulf of Mexico by the spring floods, which, alas, too often blast the hopes oi the planter, and, subsiding, leave disease and death behind them. But I will stop, for fear some m.ay think T have lands to sell, and therefore wish to induce immigration But I arm not a land-seller. I only want to see this country settled up by good law-abiding, energetic, thinking farmers from Georgia and the other older States. We want more good citizens, good schools and churches, and we want the Cultivator and other agricultural papers to teach the peo- ple how best to realise the profits of the fai m and to build for themselves and their children beautiful and comfort- able homes — abodes of elegance and plenty — to teach them to combine the useful and the beautilul. Hove the Cultivator. In its new and becoming dress it is really a gem — a book to be sought after and read and studied by all who love good con-mon-sense reading oh agricultural topics ; by all true lovers of Mother Earth. May success ever crown your laudable efforts for the distribution of knowledge, and may you never be without “a dollar or two” by way of remuneration for the good you have done and are doing. Enclosed please find four letter stamps, and mail to my address a copy of the book “Grape Growing and Wins Making in the South.” Very respectfully, &c., W.B H , M.P. Wacahootie, Marion, Co., Fla., March, 1859. Flowers.— How the universal heart of man blesses flowers ! They are wreathed around the cradle, the mar- riage altar, and the tomb. The Persian in the far East delights in their perfume, and writes his love in nosegays, while the Indian child in the far West claps his hands with glee as he gathers the abundant blossoms, the illumi- nated Scriptures of the prairies. The Cupid of the an- cient Hindoos tipped his arrows with flowers ; and orange flowers are a bridal crown with us, a nation of yesterday. Flowers should deck the brow of the youthful bride, for they are in themselves a lovely type of marriage. They should twine around the tomb,fbr their perpetually renewed beauty is a symbol of the resurrection. They should fes- toon the altar, for their fragrance and their beauty ascend in perpetual worship before the Most High, trusting td a single crop. There is no crop that does not fail sometimes, though there are a few which are never cut off in any season. Grass, for example, always yields a partial crop, and a person may, if needs be, depend wholly upon this product as a means of subsistence. The same thing, however, can hardly be' said of any other staple crop. Innumerable il- lustrations might be given of the danger of depending upon a single crop. The result in Ireland of relying upon the potato crop is patent. The failure of the wheat crop, in many parts of this country, has involved thousands of farmers in debt,.which it will take years of toil and econo- my to liquidate. A friend at the West has been so suc- cessful in raising peaches, that he turned his whole at- tention to that crop. Last year he realized a large net profit, and, looking for still greater results this year, he laid out his plans accordingly and incurred considerable debts to be paid from the proceeds of his peaches. The result is that from some five or six thousandtrees, he gathers scarcely two bushels of marketable fiuit. A mixed cultivation is the safest in the long run. If the potato crop fails, let there be corn, whfat, barley, or other grain to fall back upon. The chances of utter fail- ure are diminished a thousmd fold where there are three or iOur different crops under culture. A season destruc- tive to one, is likely to be just the thing for the others. — Am. Agriculturist. g^“In seaons of war and pestilence, Death seems lo exchange his scythe for a patent-mower. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 153 AGKICUIiTUItAI. LiBHARY. Editors Southern Cultivator — I am in receipt of your valuable and very interesting number for April, and in it I see an answer, on page 112 to a correspondent, W. M. B., recommending the '^Cotton PLo.nter's ManuaV for reference in regard to the value of cotton seed as a manure, and adding that “it will pay for all planters to furnish themselves with the leading Text books of their profession ” Now, I am exactly of the same opinion, and I will be under great obligations to you, Messrs. Editors, if, in your May number, you will direct, among the answ- ers to correspondents, one to J. E. W., recommending lorae of those text books of the profession that are valu- able and worth having, 1 know there are such, and you are better acquainted with them than any one else I can refer to ; at least I would rather have your opinion. 1 ask this from a desire to increase my stock of information in regard to farming, for I am a young planter, just enter- ing upon my new avocation, and I want to get things going systematically. 1 have no doubt such a communi- eation from your journal would be received with satisfac- tion by many of your subscribers I take the Farmer tf* Planter also, and that and your journal are ray most wel- oome visitors. I hope you will think this no intrusion, as I am anxious to derive the information. Yours very truly, J E. W. Florence y S. C., March, 1859. We take great pleasure in responding to the wishes of our subscriber, and append the following, as a very good fist of Text Books in Agriculture and kindred sciences : Agriculture, generally : i Thaer’s Principles of Agriculture S2 00 Beatty’s Southern Agriculture 1 00 American Farmer’s Encyclopedia 4 00 Boussingault’s Rural Economy 1 25 Stephens’ Book of the Farm 4 00 Botany and Geology : Gray’s Botanical Text Book Si 50 American Weeds and Useful Plants 1 50 Johnston’s Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology 1 00 Sardenino: White’s Gardening for the South.” SI 25 Johnson’s Dictionary of Modern Gardening 1 50 Schenck’s Gardener’s Text Book 50 Fruit Culture : Downing’s Fruits and Fruit Trees SI 50 Elliott’s Western Fruit Book 1 25 Barry’s Fruit Garden 1 25 Thomas’ Fruit Culturist » 00 Allen os the Grape 1 00 Buchanan’s Grape Culture 75 Charlton’s Cold Grapery 50 Manures and Composts: Browne’s American Field Book of Manures .. ..Si 25 Dana’s Prize Essay on Manures 25 Dana’s Muck Manual 1 00 Ruffin’s Calcareous Manures 1 25 Agricultural Chemistry : Leibig’s Complete Works on Chemistry ,S1 50 Johnston's Agricultural Chemistry 1 25 Stockhardt’s Chemical Field Lectures 1 Of) Nortoti’s Scientific Agriculture 75 Flowers and Birds: Baist's American Flower Garden Directory $1 '25 Bnist's Rose Manual 75 Breck’s Book ot Flowers 1 00 Book of Caged Birds............ 1 00 Architkcture and Landscape Gardening : Downing’s Landscape Gardening $3 50 Downing’s Cottage Residences., 2 00 Rich’s American Architect 6 00 Vaux’ Villas and Cottages 2 00 Allen’s Rural Architecture ; 1 00 The House 50 Horses: Youatt and Skinner on the Horse Si 25 Dadd’s Modern Horse Doctor 1 25 Cattle : Youatt and Martin, by A. Stevens Si 25 Allen’s Domestic Animals 75 Dadd’ American Cattle Doctor 1 00 Milch Cows and Dairy Farming 1 50 Guenon on Milch Cows 38 Hogs : Youatt and Martin on the Hog S 75 Richardson on the Hog 25 Sheep : Randall’s Sheep Husbandry SI 25 Moreli’s American Shepherd 1 25 Canfield on Sheep 1 00 Poultry : Bement’s American Poulterer’s Companion SI 50 Brown’s American Poultry yard 1 00 Miner’s Domestic Poultry Book 75 Bees: Miner’s American Bee Keeper’s Manual Si 00 Quinby’s Mysteries of Bee Keeping..., 1 00 Miscellaneous : Lindley ’s Theory of Horticulture (English) SO 50 Field’s Pear Culture 75 The Cotton Planter’s Manual 1 00 Munn’s Practical Land Drainer 50 Pedder’s Land Measurer 50 Fish Culture, by Dr, Garlick 1 00 Flint on Grasses 1 25 • Hedges and Evergreens, by Dr. Warder 1 25 Moore’s Rural Hmd Books, 4 series, each 1 25 Chemistry of Common Life 2 00 &c , &c. All of the above are either published by, or may be ob- tained from A. 0. Moore & Co., 140 Fulton St., New York ; and where neighbors club together and order large- ly, a considerable discount will be made from the regular prices. Any desired book or books will, also, be sent per m^WJree of postage, upon the receipt, by the publish- ers, of the above prices. The back volumes of our journal and other Southern agricultural periodicals, are also indispensable ; and can mostly be obtained from the publishers, already bound, at a trifling advance on the subscription cost. The Cultiva- tor is fur mahtd, neatly bound, at Si 50 per volume, or SI. 80, sent per mail, post paid. Address Wm. S. Jones^ Augusta, Ga. consolation. “A little while, a little while, And each his burden will lay down, And he who sorrows now will smile To find his cross hath won a crown 1 A little while, ye weary, wait, Some pitying Day will beckon you To enter at the Golden Gate Life’s thorny path hath led you to.” 154 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. CHUFAS, GRASSES, &;c. Editors Southern Cultivator — Accept my many thanks for your kindness in answering my inquiries. And do me again the favor of answering the following: — Where can I get a few tubers of Chufa, or Ground Almond 1 If you have them, or can have them sent per mail, or by Railroad, to Doctor Town, care or E D Hendry, Savannah, Albany and Gulf Railroad, de so, and I will remit. T want to try a pasture of the grasses. Please inform me what species would most likely succeed upon this light soil 1 I propose to try a pond or savannah which I have partially drained ; all the fallen water runs off in a day or two at farthest — the top of the sutface is a black mould, with a white sand subsoil, and a sandy pipe clay within three or four feet. I have bought of Reese’s Mani- pulated Guano, which I propose to apply at the rate of 2 to 300 lbs. I would apply Lime, but that it is so far to haul; yet will, if you think best. 1 am confident that the soil has too much sulphuric acid in a free state to suc- ceed with, if prejudicial to the Grasses that would be most suitable for the South. I see Dr Philips, of Miss., seems to think best of the Bermuda. Having no experience and wishing to start right, if possible, I impose thus upon you. [ would like to buy a few head of a superior head of Sheep. I have commenced to buy me a stock of sheep and am picking up a few in every direction. Please tell me the best and where I can get them to my place ; also where I can get the grass seed you may re- commend. I live some 25 miles from the Savannah, Al- bany and Gulf Railroad. Henry J. Smith. Hulmesville, March, 1859, We cannot say where the Chufa may be had. It is of small value in this country. Open sufficient ditches in your level ground, that is occsionally inundated, to carry off all the water to the depth of thirty inches. This drain- age will wash out of the soil all injurious acids and acid salts, and thereby sweeten it for the growth of nutritious grasses. As soon as you conveniently can, give the ground a top dressing of lime. Sow v/ood ashes over the land if you can get them; but, above all, see that it is properly drained. Stagnant water is fatal to every valu- able plant. Even rice require a change of water. See that the out fall of your ditches is all right, and that they are kept open everywhere. The best single grass for your first trial is the Meadow Foxtail Grass, {Alopecurus pratensis) a valuable perennial. In general appearance it resembles Timothy, but is better adapted to low wet land like most savannahs in sandy districts. Hanham describes Fox-tail grass as being “one of the best of meadow grasses, possessing the three great requisites of quantity, quality and earliness in a de- gree superior to any other.” It is often fit for the scythe by the middle of May in England, and might be cut in April in the climate of Central Georgia. It flowers twice a year, and according to the higest English authorities, it yields more weight and bulk of forage than any other grass. It is well suited for permanent pastures on a moderately light soil, with a good supply of moisture. Mr. Sinclair says ; “The Meadow Fox-tail forms a part of the produce of all the richest pastures I have examined in Linconshire, Devonshire and in the vale of Aylesbury. In Mr. Western’s celebrated pastures at Creslew I found it more prevalent than in those of Devonshire and Lincoln- shire,” Hanham characterises it as being “not only re- markable for its early growth, but equally so for its late- ness.” It will grow in this State all winter. The “Smooth-Stalked Meadow Grass,” (Poa pralensis) dnd the “Rough-Stalked Meadow Grass” (Poa trivialis) both perennial, are probably the next best grasses to cul- tivate. Alter these come the “Reedy Sweet Grass,” {Glyceria aquatica), “Meadow Fescue Grass^' {Pestuca pratensis), “Common Cats- tail” or Timothy grass {PKleum pratense), Tall Oat Grass, Orchard Grass, and Blue Grass, which we have before described. Remember at least two things in grass culture. The first is to sow seed on well-prepared ground, plowed and harrowed fine and smoothly. The second is, not to cover the seed too deep in the soil. Use a light brush and a roller in putting in seed. Keep all stock off the young grass until its roots are fully developed. You will probably have to send or go North to obtain the first quality of improved Sheep. For wool-growing, ihe Merinos are the best, either the Spanish or French. L. DIGNIFY AND EXALT AGRICULTURE. Editors Southern Cultivator — I fed that it is some- what presumptuous in me to trouble you with crayon sketches, nevertheless I venture. Why is it generally considered that the profession of the farmer is an unworthy occupation for a man of talent I From time immemorial there has been an error in the minds of men, the effect of which is to separate in point of rank, labor and gentility. This error, like the leaven of old, hath continued to spread itself from age to age and from country to country until it has reached our own bright land and brilliant age. The consequences have been the crowding into the ranks of the farmer of ignor- ant men, unfit for anything; hence the profession has ceased to be respected even by its own members and of course by other professions. Again. There is another principle that serves to de- grade the farmer. ’Tis that material idea which reigns in all professions, but probably to the greatest extent in ours. I speak of that principle that would resolve everything into the “dollar and cent;” it b this principle that de- prives the farmer of a good library, and his children of an education; the same which “keeps them shelling corn during the long nights of winter,” instead of feeding the soul with good reading. The grinding of the mill, the rattle of the railroad constitute the music most complais- ant to the ears of men. This inordinate passion is like the lean kine of the dreaming monarch, swallowing up every other better purpose. Can we expect the beauties of our profession to be de- veloped under such influences'? Can we expect the edu- cated and aspiring youth to turn his attention to a pro- fession that promises no reward to genius I Is it not re- duced almost to an ordinance among farmers, to look with an eye of suspicion upon the man of science'? “Hang him with his pen and ink horn about his neck,” is the universal verdict. How often do we see talent lan- guish in our midst '? How often do we scorn the man who would tell us how “peas and corn grow?” That their growth is governed by fixed laws, and that those laws are subject to explanation. No matter how great may be his intellect, no matter though he could thread and un- tangle almost with the ease of intuition, the thousand little intricaces over which we blunder and fumble with painful perseverance, he is elbowed aside m the press of life to make room for men as far his inferior as the shrivelled shrub of a summer’s garden is to the tempest- stemming pine. B. F' K. Near Okalona, Miss., March, 1859. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 155 A WORLD OF LOVE AT HOiUE. BY J. J, REYNOLDS, The earth hath treasures fair and bright, Deep buried in her caves ; And ocean hideth many a gem With his blue, curling waves; Yet not within her bosom dark. Or ’neath the dashing foam. Lies there a treasure equalling A world of love at home. True, sterling happiness and joy Are not with gold allied ; ^or can it yield a pleasure like A merry fireside. I envy not the man who dwells In stately hall or dome, If ’mid his splendor he hath not A world of love at home. The friends whom time hath proved sincere, ’Tis they alone, can bring A sure relief to hearts that droop ’Neath sorrow’s heavy wing. Though care and trouble may be mine, As down life’s path I roam, I’ll heed them not while still I have A world of love at home. WINE CELLARS OF BREMEN. No city in the world can boast of possessing a greater or more costly treasure in the form of wine, than Bremen. The Bremen Town Hall cellar is famous all over the world were it only by the light than HaufF’s imagination has thrown over the subterranean premises. The traveller, whose route leads to Bremen, will seldom fail to visit it, for it contains the oldest Rhenish wines extant — and here the Twelve Apostles, with Judas Iscariot strangely placed at their head, have for more than two centuries dealt out the choicest Hock and Johannisberg. The patriarch, among the contents of the capacious cellar, where, in former days, the East India captains used to lay their ac- counts before their ship-owners, is the Rose Wine, As a sign of its value and superior dignity, it is kept apart in a separate cabinet, surmounted by a rose, and the door of the inclosure can be opened only by official authority In the year 1624, six pipes Johannisberg, and an equal quantity of Hock, were placed here by the magistrates, with directions that the Burgo-master should yearly dis tribute a small quantity, either in presents, or for the use of the sick, by order of a physician; the supply being gratuitous to the poor, and at a cost of five thalers (of cts. seventy eight) a bottle to those able to pay. To the citi- zens of Bremen alone, is reserved the privilege of intro- ducing a distinguished stranger into this sanctum, and after special permission, personally granted, he may (at the proper cost) entertain his guest with a bottle of the precious beverage. What is thus lost by annual con- sumption, is replaced from casks of the vintage next in date. The value of wine consists chiefly in its age. A pipe of it in 1624 cost 300 thalers, estim^vting the interest of the capital at 5 per cent, and the necessary current expenses at an additional 5 per cent., the capital at compound inter- est would double itself in seven years, and thus in the year 1858 each pipe of the Rose wine represented a value of 1,714 980 millions 441,413 thalers, and allowing 1320 bottles to a pipe, each bottle is worth 1299 millions 227,607 thalers. A botttle contains 8 glasses, each one ot which costs 162,403,450 thalers, and the drop which is spilled or left in the glass, computing it to hold a thousand costs 162,403 1-3 thalers. The people of Bremen, above all other people, are proud of their treasure, and it was, deemed a high mark of their esteem when the magistrates, at the suggestion of their counsellor, Dr. Mever, presented Goethe with sever- al bottles on his birthday in 1823, after his recovery from a severe illness. Goethe knew how to appreciate the honor and the value of the gift ; he delayed t.he enjoy- ment of it, postponing it until October, when the Diet met at Frankfort-on-the Mayne, and his old friend, Count Leinhard, the French ambassador, helped him to empty the first bottle. — North American. GENERAL I31PORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE. Every reflecting man recognizes the nature, and admits the value of agriculture ; yet every such man is not him- self a farmer, nor can he conveniently become one — the lots of many being cast in other departments of labor. Probably there are more who would cultivate farms, if they were fortunate enough to possess them, than there are who, possessing them would forsake them for a vo- cation less stable. Age, with its wisdom, likes the farm better than youth with its too frequent vain show and empty aspirations. If it be true, as Montesquieu observes, that “countries are not cultivated in proportion to their fertility, but to their liberty,” then republican America must soon rank second to no other nation in her perfection of terra-cul- ture. Our agricultural population may not directly lead or control the country, yet they hold the truest sword in defence; and in the heat of any contest will imbibe new courage from the recollection of their pleasant and endur- ing fields at home. 1 desire to present some thoughts upon this subject, in the form of distinct propositions. 1. As the roots and trunk of a tree are to its branches, so is agriculture to society , it upholds it, and draws from the earth and dispenses its nourishment to the different branches of the social fabric, while at the same time it derives new vigor from a vital reciprocity. Hence, 2 Agriculture is the foundation oi a well established nation, and the most stable element of its wealth, indepen- dence, and greatness. Therefore, 3. Agriculture should receive the fostering care of the State, and the respect and encouragement of every patriot. 4. Every farmer, to prosecute his business successfully should feel and cherish an ambition in it, and a convic- tion that he is just the man for it ; and, however unletter- ed he may be, under such incentives he will make great progress, not only in the profitable cultivation of his farm, but also in mental improvement. If he has not the stimulus of emulation, he should choose a business where he may be thus prompted, as agriculture can well spare the “slothful in business.” 5. Although farmers as a body may never expect to be- come erudite scholars, eichand every one would be great- ly benefitted by a small library of standard and miscellane- ous books. They are faithful companions that always in- struct and elevate. 6. If it be the “mind that makes the man,” it is not alone in its intellectual phrase, but also its moral. Every farmer who chooses, can attain to a degree of intellectual culture, and to a moral standard second to none. He can and ought to make himself the “highest style of man.” 7. Although, in their well being, vocations are mutual- ly dependent, to a greater or less de ree, the farmer should never mistrust the value of his profession, but should de- fend its dignity and worth by a commensurate indepen- dence before all men. — Genesee Farmer. ^^We can, perhaps, tolerate a man who has just ig- norance enough to talk among fools, if he has discretion enough to be silent among men of sense. 156 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. COTTON PROSPECTS FOR 1859. The Liverpool T^es contains some valuable specula- tions on this subject. The highest estimate of the cotton crop is taken as part of the data of his caculations. He states the American crop at 3,600,000 bales; the East India crop at 580,000; Brazil, Egyptian and West Indian at 240,000 ; making a total of 4,520,000 bales. Of this amount the United States will consume 700,000 . Exports from the United States to England will reach 1 ,900,000, of which 100,000 will be re-exported to the Continent and 20.000 probably be lost at sea, making the actual receipts for consumption from the United States 1,780,000. The Continent will consume of our cotton 1,000,000 directly exported and the 100,000 above named from England, 1,100,000, Of the East India crop, it is estimated Eng- land will take 300,000, and the Continent 280,000. Of the Brazd, Egyptian West Indian crop, England will take the whole 240,000 bales. The distribution will then be as follows:— Great Britain from all sources, 2,350,000, minus 20,000 lost by casualities at sea; the Continent, 1.138.000 ;^the United States, 700,000; total 4,420,000 The writer concludes his letter with the following specu- lation about which we commend to our readers who are interested in the great staple : We feel, however, that there is room for greater diver- gence from our views on the side of deficiency than abun- dance ; for if the peace of Europe is preserved there is every reason to hope for a year of unexampled prosperity to the manufacturing interest, and it would not surprise us if the consumption of the kingdom reached 45,000 bales per week. If, concurrent with this, the American crop provided only 3,500,000, and our computed export to England was abridged 100,000 bales, it is obvious that the interests of Lancashire wouldbe jeopardised. It seems, therefore to be clearly the wisest policy for manufacturers to encourage for another season at least a tolerably high scale of prices for the raw material ; for it is in the last de- gree injurious to their interests that the stability of their trade should be liable to be disturbed by a trifling margin- al deficiency in the annual supply, It does not appear, .then, that much lower prices than the present are justified, viewing the question commercially; and, if trade is allow- ed to pursue the even tenor of its way, undisturbed by political commoiions, it is not !ik- iy that prices will vary materially from their present level. At the the same time it is obvious that they are no longer so absolutely con trolled by the elements of supply as they have been for the last two years. There is now no immediatedanger of a positive scarcity of cotton, and, therefore, prices are more liable to the action of secondary causes, and a feeling of distrust, such as might be occasioned by a European war, would have full scope for producing very serious results. Liverpool. Jaii. 15, 1859. Fluency op Speech —The common fluency of speech snmen and women isowing (says Swift) to a scarcity of words; for, whoever is master of language, and hatha mind full of ideas, will be apt, in speaking, to hesitate upon the choice ofboih; whereas common speakers have one set of ideas, and one set of words to clothe them in, and these are always ready; so people come faster out of church when it is nearly empty than when a crowd is at the door. ||^"Many a dashing fellow is like the golden fleece — a fine outside on a sheep’s back. MEASURING CORN IN BULK. Editors Southern Cultivator — I notice in the valor inquiries for the most reliable rule for measuring corn in the crib. The following, I think, comes nearer than any other, though it is impossible to find any rule that will be exact in all cases. Reduce the length, height and width to inches; multi- ply together, and divide by 6171. This rule was obtained as follows ; We took a wagoa body measuring 12 feet 6, 3 feet 4 ; by 3 feet. The 12 feet 6 is 150 inches; the 3 feet 4 is 40 inches, and the 3 feet is 36 inches. Now, 150 multiplied by 40 is 6,000, which, multiplied by 36 gives 216,000, being the number of square inches in the wagon body. The wagon body was then evenly and closely filled with corn in the shuck, which on being shelled, produced 35 bushels of shelled corn. We then divided the 216,000 by the 35 and it gave 6171 and a small fraction, showing that it took 6171 squara inches of corn cob and shuck to produce one bushel of shelled corn. , A correspondent in the March number of the CuUivator asks how much corn is in a room or crib 20x15x9 feett 20 feet is 240 inches, 15 is 189, and 9 is 108 inches ; 240 mmuUiplied by 180, and that by 108 makes 4,665,600 square inches in the room; which, divided by 6171 gives 756 bushels of shelled corn in the room. Yours truly, O. K. Columbus^ Miss.j March^ 1859. A GEORGIA NEGRESS IN AFRICA. The Charleston Advocate is publishing a series of ^ scriptive letters from the pen of the Rev. C. W. Thoma^ Chaplain in the United States Navy, now in Africa. W« subjoin a few extracts : “In passing through the native market next morning in company with Lieut. M., our attention was arrested by a stand of ginger cakes and beer, behind which sat aa old black woman in a neat calico dress and white head- kerchief with the unmistakable tie and set of the low coun- try house girl of the Southern States. “This reminds of Georgia,” said one of the party. “I come from dareP exclaimed the old lady, rising to her feet. “From wherel® asked Lt. M. “ From Sav/annah.” “ Whatjs your nameL’ “Catharine.” “Where did you live 1” “Aide 'Our House,’ Mossa.” “Did you know Col. M.I” said I, referring to the father of my companion, an old and dis- tinguished citizen of Savannah. “O yes, Mossa!” said she, mentioning at the same time the names ot several of the family. “Would you know Julian now,” said I, casi- ing a glance at my friend, “Dunno, Mossa; Julebelittia boy den.” “Look at this man,” said I. “She gazed a moment, and grasping his hand, exclaimed “De Lord help my poor soul, if this aint Moss Julel Tank de Lord I Praise the Lord ! I see some my peo- ple one time more !” Then followed many inquiries after old friends, a sketch of her life since she left Georgia, and the touching question, “Can’t you take me back to «y peopled’ He explained that this was impossible, and, emptying the contents of his purse into her hands, bid her good bye with a softened voice. “Tell my broder an sister of Andrew Marshall church,” said she, “that I beat see heap trouble ; but my Jesus been wid me and I try meet urn ober yonder.” “Poor woman! she had been set free at tlie age of forty and sent to Liberia, but her husband, becoming dissatisfi- ed, came to this place, where he died, leavirg her hcljh less ; but the white residents buy her cakes, and sto makes a scanty living.” SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR, 157 ROLLING COTTON SEED. Editors Southern Cultivator — The very sensible re- marks of Dr. J. E. Pearson in your most excellent April number, on the subject of Rolling Cotton Seed, for plant- ing, has almost superceded the necessity of anything be- ing said on this subject by me. I positively know from practical experience that everything he says on the sub- ject is true, so far as rolling cotton seed in ashes or lime is concerned — I never tried guano. 1 would only commend the Doctor’s article to the notice of all cotton planters as worthy of consideration and drop the subject at present, and until somebody “pitched into” him, and then I would pitch 'nto them; but for the fact that some, and many, good planters in this country op- pose the practice on the ground, solely, that cotton seed, when they are wet and “rolled,” “swell and start to ger- minate very soon after p'anting,” and, therefore, if per- chance the ground should dry down to them in that con- dition, the germ will be destroyed, and you lose your stand. Now, so far as that is concerned, it is true; but that “germinate very soon after planting” is unfortunate in the argument. The sooner cotton comes up after plant- ing the less chances you run of having your stand in- jured by heavy rains, or from the ground drying to the seed. And, again, all cotton seed planted dry must, of course, get into the “swelled and germinating state before it comes up, just as the “rolled seed” does, only it is longer at it, and, consequently, gives more time for the earth to dry down to the seed, or heavy rains to destroy the stand. Why did you not think of that before, dry seed planter'? I have tried both plans ; and for the past 9 years I have rolled my seed, and I have had the finest success in get- ing-No. 1 stands. If any of your readers are in want of the best plow in the South let them order from Philips &- Kells, Jackson, Miss. They are putting up the Brinley Plow there, un- der the superintendence of Mr. Brinley himself, “according to Hoyle.” Dr. M. W. Philips, one of the firm, knows as much about a plow as any planter I ever saw, and Mr. T. E. C. Brinley has brought to perfection the best moeld of a plow I ever saw or tried ; and Dr. P was of the same opinion years ago, and so informed the public. The “Father of Waters” is again, I regret to say, laying waste the beautiful plantations on both sides of the river, and stil rising. Yours, &c., G. D. Harmon. Mdliken's Bend, La., March 30, 1859. Winter Apples, &c — Our readers may recollect that we acknowledged last fall the receipt of some fine looking apples from the orchard of Mr. Geo. Walker of Pulaski county. Two varieties of this fine fruit have remained in our office up to within a few days, and were very much improved in flavor by age. One of the apples is still left. Our object in this statement is to show that the claims of Georgia as a fruit growing country, have been too long overlooked. We have no doubt but we may have fruit of some kind of our own raising, all the year round. Indeed, last week we had a presentation of strawberries of this season, and a specimen of Georgia apples of last fall, still in our office. We hope to see greater attention paid to fruitgrowing in our State. To show the importance that is attached to the peach crop of Georgia, we will state that an agent from New York was in Macon, recently, for the purpose of making engagements for the early shipment of this delicious fruit to the North, should the season be propitious. — Journal Messenger. The poetical cij of “Westward koT is fast filling our territories wdlh rakes. SHEEP RAISING IN TEXAS. The Gonzales Enquirer replies to the queries of a North Carolinian who had written to the editor for infor- mation relative to sheep raising in Gonzales: 1st. What quantity of wool could probably be purchased for cash in your county, and the adjoining counties, at the clipping season '? Answer. — I cannot reply as to the quantity of wool that can be purchased in this and the adjoining counties. There are within four miles of this place about 1500 head of sheep which will furnish 6,000 pounds of wool next spring, all of which I suppose can be bought for cash. 2d. Where does your wool find a market, and what are the facilities for getting it to the coast ! Answer. — Our wool markets are any of the seaport towns of the United States; we get it to the coast on ox wagons (a distance of 100 miles,) for 50 cents per hundred pounds. 3d. What is the breed of sheep usually grown in yoiar county'? Have you the Saxon, the Merino, the South- down, or the Cotswold ? If any of either kind, are they numerous. Answer. — We have all the breeds of sheep mentioned. The full blood arc not numerous — only sufficient to sup- ply bucks for the flocks. 4th. What description of sheep suits your county best? Answer. — We prefer the Merino and Saxon, as they are the best wool growers, and it does not pay to sell mut- ton where beef and pork are so cheap. 5th. Is there much difficulty in keeping sheep through the winter'? Do they require housing from storms, and can they find winter pasturage half sufficient to support them'? Answer. — We never house. There is less trouble ia keeping sheep in winter than summer — the greatest difficulty being to keep them from eating too much of th« luxuriant grass that grows in such rich profusion around. 6th, What disease is their greatest enemy ? Answer. — I have never seen a diseased sheep in Texas, unless the so-called “screw worm” be termed a disease. 7th. Are dogs destructive to them '? Answer. — Dogs rarely ever trouble them, when they de they are sure to be shot. 8ih. About what price does your wool generally bring at home '? _ Answ-er. — We have never sold wool at home. Most of our wool was sold during the panic of 1857-8, and netted but little if any over 20 cents. 9th. Is it necessary to cultivate a vegetable crop, or gather a hay crop to feed them on during the winter 1 Answer. — As we do not feed our sheep on an average of ten days in the year, no vegetable crop is necessary. In connection with the above, we would state that quite a number of our citizens have lately engaged in this business, and that many others contemplate doing so at an early day. Their flocks are of improved stock, and all expect to realize a handsome per ceiitage on their itt> vestment. Mutton Hams. — Those fond of delicacies, will find a most excellent article of dried mutton hams at the store of Howell & Johnson, Broad street. Having tried them we can recommend them for their excellance.— Sun. We are surprised that so few “have tried” such luxuri. ies. The hams of a five year old mutton, well fattened and cured, are far superior to those of venison or pork — they are certainly more wholesome than the latter. Whea will our people learn to do something besides raise *»{- Journal Messenger, 158 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. GROUND PEAS, OR FINDERS. Editors Southern Cultitator — As I rarely see an article in your paper treating upon the Ground Pea, or Pinder, I propose, for the benefit of your readers, giving a few thoughts upon making them, and their indispensable benefits to the Southern farmer. I mean an ecpnomical farmer. There is no crop that yields so much ample pay for the labor bestowed on it as this pea. The making of them, after my manner^ requires so little labor that one would think they had reaped much without giving an equivalent. In the first place, 1 lay off my corn land in drills, three feet and a half, planting every alternate row in corn, the other with the pea, about the middle of March ; thus mak- ing each seven feet apart, giving good room to work each. The manner of cultivating them through the season is with the sweep after the first plowing, which is done by running the bar of a Dagon or turning plow next them, doing this only while working the corn. If they are proi erly managed at first the hoe can be kept in the cot- ton field, where every moment seems to require it. I will next notice some of the benefits derived from them, giving my experience (which is but one of many) of last season as proof of this matter. I had my entire corn crop planted in this pea, after the above manner, which after gathering a cut of corn the last of August, I turned in my hogs the first day of September, and they have not had an ear of corn thrown to theni up to this writing (March 2*2d),and were it not that the field has to be planted for the next crop there would be an ample sup- ply for them one or two months to come. One might ask if! raised my own pork 1 to which I would say, yes; nnd nearly double a sufficiency, that was killed from the field without a day’s confinement for corn feeding. I hope that every reader of this has discovered that there has been seven months of twelve that this stock has left the corn crib uninterrupted, which must prove a material help to the farmer. Hoping to hear some better ideas of this pea through your paper, I leave this to my planting friends. William P. Gammon. Greenwood, Jackson Co., Fla., March, 1859. “ AGRICUETURAE STATESMANSHIP.” Editors Southern Cultivator — May I express a thought which suggested itself on reading the article in your March number entitled “ Agricultural Statesman ship T’ May the day be very distant when agriculture shall sell her right to protest against all class legislation, for any mess of pottage which this Government can cook ! For, Government is, at best, a necessary evil. It never does &.x\y ihxTig well ; Therefore, the less it does the better. 2ndly. Gover7iment has nothing of its ow7i. Therefore, it can only give to Peter by taking from Paul ; And therefore, it is better occupied in protecting all alike, in the peaceful prosecution of whatever business their hands may find to do, and in regulating its own conduct by the requirements of the Constitution and the Ten Comandments. A from Government, quotha 'I Let our Petitition assume the shape of a command. “Let us Alone,” and Agricultural Statesmanship will have “graduaUd.” But until some successful Guy Fawkes shall have blown up the Patent Office (and parts adjacent) ; or some true Statesman shall perform a like office for the “Tariff,” and we have that good time, so long coming, of Free- trade and direct taxation, it is altogether likely that it will suit the convenience of many people to talk about partial legislation as Statesmanship. As you want a name, I can’t think of a better in this connection than “Randolph.” March, 1859. RE-APPEARANCE OF THE EOCUSTS, Dr. Gideon B. Smith, of Baltimore, writes to National Intelligencer that the locusts will appear the approaching spring in seven districts of the country, viz : 1st. In the whole valley of Virginia, from near the top cf the Blue Ridge mountains on the east, the Potomac river on the north, to the Tennessee and North Carolina lines on the south, and several counties on the west. 1 hey will probably occuoy a considerable portion of North Carolina and Tennessee, overleaping other districts. 3d. In North Carolina, from Raleigh to Petersburg, Virginia, and adjacent counties in both States. 3rd. In St. Mary’s county, Maryland, the southern part of the county, occupying about one- half ot the county. 4th. In North Carolina, Rowan, Davis, Carbarras, Ire- dell, and adjacent counties. N. B. The above are all of the northern tribe, or seven- teen years’ locusts, and will commence emerging from about the 5th to 15th of May. 5th In Georgia, Gwinnet, DeKalb, Newton and adja- cent counties. 6th. In Tennessee, in the northern ihiddle part. 7th. In Mississippi, in all the eastern portion of the the State, from the ridge or “backbone” that runs north and south about forty-five miles from the Mississippi river to the eastern boundary of the State, and probably extend- ing into the States on the east. The three last districts belong to the northern tribe, or thirteen years’ locusts. They will begin to emerge about the 20th of April, in the extreme southern district in Mis- sissippi, to the 5th of May in Georgia. A “ Rice Gun.” — The Savannah Republican oio.rtc^'Cii date, says: We have witnessed, at the Rice Mills of Messrs. R. Haber- sham & Co , the performance of a new invention for clean- ing rice, which, from its similarity to a cannon, has been named the “Rice Gun.” The inventor has been at work on it for several years, and has now brought it, he thinks, to perfection. The machine is somewhat remarkable. One cast iron cylinder within another, both revolving in opposite directions, and an air pump throwing a stream of air through the centre, keeping the rice cool, is the sum total of the invention The machine is very simple, and, to our inexperienced judgment, seems to be just the thing desired by planters. The owner of the patent claims that it will clean from thirty-five to forty bushels of rice per hour and never break a grain ; its performance in our presence bore out his assertion. It is calculated that a saving often per cent , will be effected in the whole crop by the use of this invention It has been a few days since we mentioned that such a machine as this is claimed to be was one of the positive wants of our planters. In di- recting their attention to the Rice Gun, we are sure that it will undergo a thorough and practical examination, and if it meets approval will abundamly reward those who own the patent ; otherwise it will end, as many others have done, in a failure. Its claims are, in our opinion, worthy of attention. §^”Examine what undue passions reign most in thy soul, and take thy course of life clean contrary to them in thought, word and deed. — DeSales. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 159 THE SOUTHEEN SEASONS. AN INSTRUMENT FOR TAEEYING. The excessively wet winters for the past few years, and the corresponding small amount of rain during our sum- mer months, are well calculated to produce apprehensions, lest in the grand operations of nature, our seasons may assume the marked wet and dry seasons of the torrid zones. Such a result would certainly be productive of disastrous consequences to the agricultural interests of the country. It is nevertheless a result, which nature may be capable of bringing about. The universe is a grand succession of changes in all of its parts, and it is not im probable that tendencies in the seasons, different from those formerly observed, is ominous of a settled order of things materially dissimilar to that which has hitherto ex- isted. The who^e face of the country has been greatly changed in our agricultural operations, ptid while the diseases and other things incident to climate, change, may not the sea- sons of rain and drouth be also affected by the same or similar causes. We advise our planters to prepare their lands, this spring, by deep and thorough plowing — for if the large amount of rain in winter betokens, as many suppose, a diminished quantity in summer, we shall have a dry sea- son for the next crop. — Madhon Visctor. The foregoing suggestions are judieious and well-timed There is nothing lost, be the seasons wet or dry, by breaking up deeply and thoroughly the soil. Superficial culture is the bane of Southern Agriculture. It will, how- ever, contiune until the proprietors of the soil shall give an enlightened direction and supervision to the details of plantation management. — Journal cf* Messenger. AGRICUETURAIi SOCIETIES. A very interesting sketch is given in the Patent Office, just published, of the origin, number, condition, &c., of the various State and county organizations in existence throughout the United States, for the promotion of agri- culture. The first agricultural association incorporated in this country was the “Society for the Promotion of Agricul- ture,” established in South Carolina in 1785, In 1791, a “Society for the Advancement of Agriculture, Arts and Manufactures” was founded in the city of New York, but it ceased to exist in about ten years. Next in chronologi- cal order is the “Massachusetts Society for Promoting Ag- riculture,” which was incorporated in 1792, and contri buted largely to the advancement of its objects. Some of its mombers, residing in the county of Middlesex, after- wards organized the first county agricultural association formed in the United States. Several other societies of the same kind sprung into existence within a few years, and in August, 1810, Elkanah Watson, of Berkshire, Mass., was instrumental in getting up the first agricultural fair ever held in America. From that time, efforts in be- half of agriculture received a new impulse, and associa- tions were soon formed in most of the older States, The “American Institute of the City of New York” was incor- porated in 1828, and the N. Y. State Agricultural Society commenced its useful career. At the present time, socie- ties or boards of similar character have been incorporated in nearly all the most populous Stales, bes'des numerous county societies, all having the same objects in view, mak- ing an aggregate of about eight hundred distinct organi- zations.— N. Y. Jour, of Com. ^^The human heart revolts against oppression, and is soothed by gentleness, as the waves of the ocean rise in proportion to the violence of the winds and sink with the breeze into mildness and serenity. In looking over our Western exchanges a few days since we noticed an aecount of an invention which, it seems to us, must come into universal use. Indeed, it is singular that such an instrument was not made before this by a Yankee. It was devised for the tallying of lumber, but (as our Western contemporary, remarking upon it, says) “of course it will count anything that needs counting,” and will be most serviceable wherever it is wanted. He further adds : “It is contained in a rnetalic box, about the size of a snuff box, with a glass cover, and resembles a large sized pocket compass. There are three indicators, one over the other, pointing to three circles of figures — the first from 1 to fOO; tke second from 100 to 1000; and third from 1000, to an almost indefinite amount. A small lever, slightly projecting through a groove to the outside, oper- ates it, and lumber can be tallied with it, with the utmost rapidity and absolute certainty. “We have not, for a long time, seen an invention of more merit, or more likely to come into general use. It seems impossible to commit an error with it, unless by the greatest carelessness, and a cargo of lumber may be tallied by it, and the moment the last board is unloaded, the machine wdll show the precise amount of the cargo.” The inventor is John W. Arndt, of Green Bay, Wis- consin, a section noted for its lumber trade. The cost of making the invention, with the aid of proper machinery, will be but a trifle, though the cost of the one described was about S7. The Green Bay Advocate^ from which we Quote, hopes that “the invention will yield a handsome reward to the inventor, whose many fine qualities make him worthy of good fortune.” — Cornmercted Bidletin. FRAUDUEANT COTTON PACKING. Water-Packed Cotton.— Yhvee bales of water-packed cotton were discovered yesterday at the shed of Messrs. F Lane & Co., Union street. They were shipped to this city from LaGrange, by a cotton-buyer and hence the name of the guilty planter from whose hands they origin- ally c-ime has not yet transpired. As soon as known, however, we shall make it public, injustice to honest and respectable parties, who would otherwise rest under sus- picion, and also that the defrauded party may be known, and, if possible, brought to punishment. There are good and sufficient laws existing in Tennessee against this species of swindling, and the reputation of Memphis as a cotton market would seem imperatively to demand that they be put in execution against offenders without de- lay. The detection of frauds in packing are becoming al- together too frequent for the good credit of Memphis cot- ton bales abroad. — Avalanche. Alore Fraud in Pwhen thinning out corn, lazy negroes and a careless mas- ter, it has to be thinned again 1 — negroes shave off the stalk and the plant continues to grow. Put out 10, or 50 or 100 acres, and hedge it in with anything that will shade the earth at bottom, and I will guarantee that the Bermuda passes not under the hedge. I believe black- berries, or locusts, or anything that gives a low shade, will utterly destroy it in two or three years after the land is well shaded, and for this reason, I have in my yard two cedar trees planted when two feet high with Ber- muda, the Bermuda soon covered the land, cedars grew . on; now these are say 20 feet high, limbs cover, say 20 feet, and earth clean under them. I will try 10 acres of . oats this fall on a thice set Bermuda patch ; this day I saw a part turned over for cotton, with turf fully 10 in, width, and 20 to 30 inches long, pretty tight pull for two mules. In August or September I will sow among the cotton two bushels of oats per acre, land rich, and had I the Red Ripper or Tory Pea I would sow down three pecks of it at the same time, picking the cotton will cover oats and (peas, oats will be vegetating in fall rains and peas in the spring — have done it, again and again — no plowing, the , earth being clear all summer. The first time lever had 400 lbs. picked by a hand was on land as fully set in Bermuda as land gets to be, and I made 2000 lbs. per acre. In July, land well set in crab grass is more difficult to work than in Bermuda. Yours truly, M. W. Philips. Mdwards, Miss., April 22, 1859. TO DESTROY SASSAFRAS. Editor Southern Cultivator — In the April number of the Cultivator I saw an inquiry, how to destroy Sassa- fras sprouts. I only give my information in the case by experience, viz : Sprout them up thoroughly at the full moon, in August. The second time you have few to con- tend with. If you should not finally destroy them ut the second operation, try the third. I have never known it to fail. James Betts. Prairie-Mouthy Miss., April, 1859. PBOWS AND PBOWING-TEST OF DRAFT, dec. Editor Southern Cultivator — The plow I believe is generally admitted to be the most important among agri- cultural implements. Though first fashioned by nature’s primitive growth, it was immediately elevated to a high position among farming utensils, and has, up to the pre- sent time, been an object of deep study and frequent im- provement, until we have in use a great variety of plows, differing from each other in form and shape as widely as they all do from the crooked stick used by the ancients. That the inventive genius of man will ever adapt to this implement some form rendering it perfect is a question not easily solved in this age of improvement, and espe- cially when we consider that different soils require plows of different forms ; but that from among the great variety of plows in general use there is some of one them capable of rendering the most general satisfaction to practical culti- vators, I deem ascertainable by scientific investigations. These considerations induced several leading planters of this vicinity to institute a test by comparison, conse- quently the 3 1st of March was selected as the day of trial. The plows engaged in the trial were Brinly’s Sod, No. 2 ; Brinly’s Breaking-up, No. 2 ; Calhoun, No. 1 ; and Hall & Spere, No. 2. The plows were successively subjected to a test of a dynamometer (an instrument used for accurately ascertain- ing the amount of draft applied.) The following is the report of the committee appointed to superintend the trial which took place in the nurseries of Robinson & Felt, Crystal Springs, Miss. : Names of Plows. Draft by Dy- nomometer. Depth of Furrow. Width of Furrow. Section of Furrow. Remarks. Brinly’s Sod, No. 2 336in in. 9 in 58Hfl Furrow clean well laid over and soil pulverized. Brinly’s Breaking- up, No. 2 350“ 9 “ 10 “ 90 “ Furrow nearly as well laid, clean, and free from clods. Calhoun, No. 1 448 “ 6 “ 9 “ 54 “ Furrow not well cleaned, and soil left in clods Hall & Spere, No. 2 623 “ 7 “ 71 52E‘ * Furrow very peorly cleaned, not well laid up, and soil packed in clods. John Fatherbe, John M. Barnes, ) G. W. Gilmore, ^Committee. S. T. Moore, ] J. W. Felt, J The soil in which the above plows were tested con- sisted of a loam of about 4 1-2 inches, resting on a strata of stiff clay, probably never before penetrated by the plow. The land had not been broken up since last fall, was comparatively free from weeds or trash, and sufficiently moist to be in good plowing condition. In consequgnee of the incessant winter and spring rains, the soil was rather firm, though not stiff or adhesive, above the clay subsoil. The plows were in good order, having been sufficiently used to polish their mould-boards. The two Brinly plows were made of steel, Calhoun had a steel point, and Hall & Spere’s consisted of iron. By examining the above report it will be seen the Brinly Breaking-up plow performs almost double the work that the Hall & Spere does, and with nearly one- half the draft. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 16? This great saving of animal labor I deem sufficient to recommend it to all economical planters. There is how- ever, a much greater difference in the manner in which the Brinly and Hall & Spere perform the work : the one loosening and pulverizing the soil, leaving it as much broken up as though it had been harrowed, while the other leaves the soil in large and hard clods. I am of the opinion that plows requiring a great force to propel them generally leave more or less clods, admit- ting the land to be in good plowing condition and con- taining from 40 to 60 per cent, of clay. The nearer this implement approaches to the wedge shape, the less is the friction and the less is the draft re- quired. If the front part of the mould board is too perpendicu- lar, and the lower portion running too flat upon the bottom of the furrow, it does not lift and loosen or approach the soil as gradually as if it were more the form of a true cir- cle, consequently requires not only more draft to pro- pel it, but by forcing the particles of earth together, ex- pels the air and leaves the soil in clods. If we consider the importance of exposing as much as possible the sur- face of the earth to the oxydizing influence of the atmo- sphere, we will more readily see the importance of hav ing a plow which leaves the soil pulverized. As the Hall & Spere plow stands very high in the esti- mation of many planters, also to exhibit more fully the extent to which it is excelled by the Brinly plow, I will view this question in a little different light. If 350 lbs. draft will lift and turn over 90 square inches of soil with the Brinly plow, 117 lbs., or one- third of 350 lbs., will lift and turn over one third as much soil, or 30 inches. If this 117 lbs. draft is applied to the Calhoun plow it will lift and turn over only 14 9-10 square inches, and if it is applied to the Hall & Spere it will invert only 9 9-10 square inches of soil 1 Thus we see one plow invert- ing 30 and another 9 9-10 square inches of earth with the Same amount of draft ! By referring to the report of the committee, it will be seen the Brinly plow takes a furrow slice ten inches in width, while that of Hall & Spere is only seven and one- half inches in width. Let us consider the effect this opparantly small differ- ence of width in the furrow exerts upon the amount of labor requisite to plow an acre of land with the different implements. If a plow takes a furrow slice 7 12 inches in width, the distance travelled while plowing one acre of land is 13 1-2 miles, which, calculating that the team travels at the rate of 18 miles per day, will admit of one plow turning over 1 3-8th parts of an acre per day. If the furrow slice is ten inches in width, the team will have to travel only 9 9 10 miles while plowing an acre of land, and will admit of one plow turning over 1 4-5th acres per day at the above speed. Without passing any remarks upon the difference in the depth of furrow made by the difihrent plows, I will leave it for the reader to decide which is the cheapest, all things considered, a two-horse steel Brinly, or a two- horse iron Hall & Spere plow. Yours, very respectful y, J. W. Felt. “How blest the firmer’s simple life — How pure the joy it yields — Free Irom ihe world's tempestuous strife, Free ’mid the scented fields ” B^°Human virtue, like the dying dolphin, exhibits its most beautiful colors in distress. HOW TO CURE STAMMERING. Dear Doctor : — Will you or some of your experienced subscribers or correspondents inform the writer of some method by which children, who are subject to stammer- ing, may be relieved from this impediment. I have, in the school of which I have charge, a small girl of about ten years who is indeed in a most pitiable condition, and ^ whom I feel it my duty to try and relieve. Her difficulty is not so apparent in conversation as in recitations, andj on some days greater than others. She is a promising" little, girl, and I am inclined to think, if the proper means early used, she may be cured. C. W. Swartz.. Marlboro^ Ohio, Dec. 4. Stammering may be cured in all persons having perfect organs of speech, and who are of sound mind. The last is- indispensable, in order that they may understand the rule^ and have force of will to execute it on the rebellious or- gans. Success is more certain in adult persons than irs. children, for the season that it requires care, and close at- tention for a while to fully break up the habit. We have seen men and women cured instantly, but in most cases a little time is necessary. The plan we would recommend is a simple one, and may be thus presented: Take a phrase, or number of words, and utter them^ while keeping time with the index finger, bringing it down on the knee for each syllable, distinctly pronounc- ing the syllables the while with a full round voice. The mind is thus withdrawn from the action of the vocal or- gans, and placed on time keeping, and the nervous spasm of the organs is obviated. Take an example: Stnt-ter-ing and stam-mer-ing can be cur-ed. Now, at the moment the attempt is made to utter the first syllable— stut — let the finger come down with force; and then a “beat” accompanies each syllable in a word or sen- tence. It will not be necessary to continue this process longer to accustom the mind to it; but it should be con- tinued so long as the tongue falters at any word. This may, perhaps, serve to show our meaning. AS' we have intimated, children are not relieved so readily as grown up people, on account of the difficulty of securing and retaining their attention. Sometimes, too, the finger or hand of a child will take on the faltering and stammer- ing of the tongue, and it will be impossible to secure a regular “beat,” and finally it will only follow the utter- ance of a syllable, instead of being concurrent with it. When this occurs, no further attempt need be made to en- force the rule, as it would be useless. It is not easy to present successfully in words a lessor on this subject— the living teacher would be better— but as we are often written to in regard to it, we throw out the above for the use of such as may need the directions, it contains. — Pittsburg Advocate. The “Learned Professions.” — This itching of younrg men for the learned professions is a great evil in the land, and should be discouraged by all who have an influence to be felt in the creation of public opinion and direction of the economical systems of society. Let parents look closer to the welfare of their sons, and instead of qualify- ing them for professional loafers and drones in the indus- trial hive, place them in some one of the thousand active employments that will prove productive to themselves and useful to their country. The day has passed when the professions were considered alone respectable; and a- man’s position in society now depends rather upon his 'floral worth and intelligence, and the degree of excellence he has attained in his calling, than upon the name which the latter may happen to bear,” — Savannah Republican. 168 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. GRAVEL WALL, OR CONCRETE HOUSES. Mr. Francis Gillette, of Hartford, Conn., writing to the '■^Hom&leady' bears the following testimony to the economy and durability ol the Gravel Wall: Having been often asked my opinion of the concrete or gravel wall style of building, — whether it is equal or su- perior to other styles, and its relative cost, — I take this mode of answering the inquiry, for the information of all persons who may be interested in the subject. I am every way pleased with the gravel wall, and think it superior, in all respects, to any other. It is now nearly three years since I built a large square walled dwelling-house of tnis material, and I have found it to combine every quality desirable in the walls of such a structure. It is perma7ient^ not having settled or cracked. It is warm in winter, and cool in summer. It is entirely free from dampness^ even in the dampest dog-days, no •moisture having at any time been detected on the interior surface, though plastered directly upon the wall, without .furring out, as is customary in stone or brick walls. Jlaving formerly occupied a stone house, which was at times damp, though furred out and built with great care, the contrast in this respect is very noticeable. Being thus plastered directly upon the wall it affords 7io harbor race-course for vermin, to chase up and down, at all hours, day and night, more to their own amusement than to the entertainment of the hopeless occupants within. It holds the stucco perfectly, the surface being rough and admiiably suited to this style of finisih. It is cheap, costing in this vicinity, where gravel and filling stone are easily obtain- ed, about one third the price of brick. Indeed, with my present experience, I could build at even a less compara- tive cost, perhaps one quarter. All things considered, I am so well satisfied with the concrete or gravel wall, that should I build again, I should prefer it to any other material with which I am acquain- ted, even at the same cost. In conclusion I will volunteer one suggestion as to the manner of constructing the wall. I pursued the common mode and used “flisks,” or boxes in laying the wall. Were I to build again, I should cast the material before- hand, in rough boxes of the width of the wall and of any convenient length, and lay the blocks thus cast in mor- tar. This mode has many advantages. AH danger from rain while the walls are still green and liable to washing is thus obviated ; the walls can be made parfectly true and perpendicular without the constant trouble of moving and adjusting the flasks, which are very liable to be moved out of place; juts and angles can easily be ac- commodated to the shape of the wall, and the builder’s • taste can be gratified in this respect as readily as by any other material. Instead of the square or octagon form, best suited to the flask mode of construction, he can adopt the cottage, or any other style, however irregular and angular. I shall be pleased to communicate any information which my experience may have afforded me, in relation to the details of this mode of building, believing it to be . highly conducive in the promotion of domestic economy ._and comfort. Preserving Dried Fruit. — One day last week, while •.purchasing a lot of dried fruit, we discovered small ^pieces of sassafras bark mixed amongst it, and, upon inquiry, were informed that it was a preventive against the worms. It is said that dried fruit put away with a Uttle bark, (say a large handful to the bushel,) will save foryeaT®> unmolested by those troublesome little insects, which so often destroy hundreds of bushels in a single season. The remedy is cheap and simple, and we ven- ture to say a good one —Lexington (S'. C.) Flag. CHINESE AND SOUTHERN TEA. The Patent Office is in receipt of a communication, from Mr. W. W. Hazzard, St. Simon’s Island, in Glynn county, Georgia, in which the writer requests to be allowed to make some experiments with the Chinese tea plant seed, &c., recently imported. He encloses in his letter some cuttings of a plant found in his own neighborhood, which he calls the Georgia tea plant, and the inference to be drawn fro.m his remarks is that the plant is good as a sub- stitute for the Chinese tea. His object in forwarding the sprigs in question is to have them compared with the imported plant, under the supposition that they are either identical, or of a similar species. He says the plant is indigenous to his vicinity of the State and found in great abundance. He speaks of the climate as being very mild, and says that the date and banana produce fruit there, which matures in favorable seasons ; and he thinks, there- fore, that it is a locality peculiarly adapted to experiment- ing with the Chinese tea plant. [The plant forwarded to the Patent Office, by Mr. Haz- _ ZARD, was probably the Yopon {Ilex Vomitoria). It grows spontaneously along our Southern Atlantic coast, from Virginia to Florida, is sometimes called “ North Carolina Tea,” and is fully described in our 15th volume, (1856) page 140— also, in last year’s volume, (1858) page 29.— Ed ] CHINESE SUGAR CANE IN FRANCE. Wm. B. Hodgson, Esq , of Savannah, Ga., in a letter of Mr. Gardner, published in the Constitutionalist, of this city, says: “The immediate purpose of this letter, is to bring to your notice a new treatise on the culture of Chinese Su- gar Cane, (Holcus Saccharatus) by Monsieur Hippolyte Leplay, which I have just received from Paris. This plant. Sorghum, having rather fallen into disrepute among some of our planters, I therefore attach a greater interest to this work. “Mr. Leplay treats this plant, principally, in the light of its commercial value. It has been regarded by our- selves in the light of its economic value, or use for home consumption. The author treats of its properties for producing sugar and alcohol, or spirits. In common with my fellow planters, I have only sought to obtain from it syrup^ox plantation use, and forage for cattle. To this extent, I must speak well of its economic value ; and ray preparations, after some experience, are now made to obtain two thousand gallons of syrup. “The operations of Mr, Leplay have been conducted in Languedoc and Provence, whose climate approximates to our own, if it be not its isotherm. He established sugar mills at different points, to which the cane was brought and sold. The price which he paid was twenty francs (about three dollars and eighty cents) for the weight of one thousand kilogrammes, or about two thousand two hundred pounds, From one hundred and eighty proprie- tors he purchased two million eight hundred thousand pounds of cane, which were reduced to sugar and alco- hol. He estimates that the farmers cleared sixty dollars to the acre, by the sale of cane. A better cultivation, he thinks, would bring up the yield to one hundred dol- lars per acre. “In the manufacture of sugar, he made numerous ex- periments, on the relative saccharine value of the cane, at different stages of maturity. He traces this up, from a point of imperfect vegetation, where the saccharometer, or sugar guage, indicated zero, as the sugar property of the cane juice. Then he measured its saccharine proper- SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 169 ties at half and full maturity. At this last point of full ripeness, the result was, a yield in sugar of fifteen per cent, of its weight. During the formation and maturity of the grain, the saccharometer indicated that the juice had all the properties required for chyrstalization. “He attaches great importance to the drying or desic- ation of the cane, which is successfally practised, in pre- serving beet root, for the fabrication of sugar. The cane loses by this process seventy per cent, of its weight, but nothing of its sugar properties. It may thus be more readily transported, and manipulated at times of con- venience. “A comparison instituted by Mr. Leplay, of vine cul- ture and of the Sorghum, for the distillation of spirits, gives a result, in favor of the latter, three times greater than that of the vine. He values the production of Sor- ghum, on one hectare of land at two hundred and seventy dollars j and that of the vine at ninety dollars. A hectare is about two and a half acres. “This brief summary will show you what importance is attached to the Sorghum in France.” PLANTATION MANAGEMENT. TttE following “Hints and Observations,” by a Missis sippi Planter, are copied from DeBovj's Review for May : Manager : You have engaged me your entire services for the year, no portion of which are you justified in tak ing away by company, or absenting yourself, going to town or gatherings— for two important reasons : one, your time belongs to me; the other, your place is with the negroes. You then know what and how they are doing their work which you may think they could have done; by being with them, you may see the reason why they could not, or by a timely urging of them to their duty, avoid the necessity of punishment. By close at- tention to the interests of your employer, and the deter- mination, under no circumstances, to neglect the same, you may assuredly expect to raise yourself, not only in his estimation, but of all ihose needing the services of a good manager. TREATMENT OF NEGROES. You are not allowed to take hold of the negroes to whip them, nor to beat them with sticks or clubs, or in any other manner than the most usual, with the assistance of the driver and the other negroes. If he starts to run, and the other negroes will not stop him for you, let him go. I wish them well fed, and clothed suitable for all the seasons, and not unreasonably exposed to the weather, and moderately but steadily worked. My object being more for a fair crop than a large one ; in order to accom- plish this, it will be necessary for you to have, at all times, your work, for days ahead, carved out— not only for fair but for foul weather ; and above all, the best and most suitable tools in readiness, so there need not be one moment’s delay. And the better to arrange this, you must have a place for everything and keep everything in its place. One other thing I wish distinctly understood, my ne- groes are allowed to lay their complaints and grievances before me — of the justice and the remedy I will judge. To punish them for this, I will deem an insult to me, and you may consider your dismissal in preparation, and notice thereof will be given. QUARTER, Do you examine each cabin, to see if all are comforta- ble'? Aie the houses clean ; also the yards and under the cabins'? Do they keep their bedding and clothes clean, and have they mosquito bars 1 Have they n»en’y of wood, convenient to use in bad we.therl Ate the fireplaces and chimney-backs in good order '? Are all the cisterns full of water, and the pumps in good work- ing order 1 Be sure this is the case on the 15th day of March, then turn the gutters off, but so they will not be injured, but ready for use any moment. A full supply of pure water will go far to insure health, and under no circumstances should -what is called seapage water be used HOSPITAL. Are all your medicines fresh and suitable for all cases '? Do you keep them corked,, so they will not become worthless, and are all in their places'? Have you the house suitable for all seasons, both for men and the women 1 And do you visit the sick three limes a day in all cases, and in bad ones do you keep a special nurse, in addition to calling in a physician'? Prompt attention and good nursing will arrest many diseases that would otherwise prove fatal. CHILDREN. Their house must be comfortable; their nurse must be always with them; they must have plenty of suitable food in addition to meat, bread, vegetables, and broth, molasses and buttermilk, and at all times suitably clothed for the season. The mothers must not be overtasked, but allowed full time to give them proper care and attention, and, if possible, arrange their work near the quarter. This will save the risk of overheating in walking to and from work. STOCK. How many stock cattle have you '? How many cows and calves'? What attention do you give them, and what arrangements have your for their protection '? How many sheep have you, and where do they range, and have you any shelter for their protection'? How many stock hogs have you '? How many sows and pigs have you, and how do you take care of them'? Have you shelters to protect them from the rain and storms'? Do you give them corn once a day, and do you give hulled cotton seed regularly each day to all your hogs '? Good shelters for all your stock, kept clean and dry, will pro- tect them against the cold and sleet of winter, and enable them to make a vigorous growth in the spring. MULES. Do you crush your feed for them, corn and cob, and keep rock salt by them all the time '? How many curry- combs have you, and are they used I Have they free access to water, and how often do you feed them ] Do you ever put copperas or sulphur in their troughs '? Have they any pasture to run to when not at worki- Are they well protected from the weather, and have you good racks and troughs for their food '? A few acres in rye or winter oats, and the occasionally steaming their food, will go far to keep them in good order, and save your corn at least twenty- five per cent. WORK-SHOPS. Have you sufficient shelter and house room for all your tools, wagons, carts, &c., and do you keep them in their places I Have you plenty of well-seasoned timber, suitable for all your farm work during the next twelve months, to wit: plow-beams, plow-handles, harrows, wagon-bodies, - axle-trees, spokes, hounds,~fellies, and hubs'? Have you suitable iron, for all work, three months ahead, and have you the work under way for the season just ahead of you'? Do you know how many collars, hamrs, trace-chains and back bands you have, and are al! in their place, ready for use when called for 1 Have yon i.- ide out a list of all theTarm implements and tools you !ia\ e during the las three months, and do you know the tools, su h as axes, wedges, hoes. (Szc , ea< h negro Ivss, anfl how I.e lost or disposed of the i s: e.r.e.s he had ? .^re the boxes in any of your 170 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. wagons or carts loose '1 Are the tires loose on any of them 'I Do the hind wheels follow in the track of the front weels 1 The old adage, “a stitch in time,” fully ap- plies to the care of all farm implements and the economy of their use. FARM WORK. Have you examined all your ditches since the last rain, to see if they are opened all the way to the outlets '? If (there is any trash or drift in them, there is obstruction at some point, else they would keep themselves clean. Did you go immediately after the last rain to see if all your ditches were drawing, and did you notice any basins of water, from which a water furrow would lead off the water to a ditch 1 There is no use attempting to make, a crop on land partially covered with water for days. Vegetation cannot go on, and no prosperous growth can take place until the dry spell in the summer comes, which may be too late for maturity. Have you examined the machinery of your gin stands, and did you, at the close of last season, take out the brushes and hang them up where rats and mice could not reach, and so cover up the stand that it would not be filled with dust, and did you assure yourself, long before their being called into use, that all were in order I And, above all, were your baskets and sacks, and all other work, in readiness at the beginning of cotton-picking time I CONTRACT WITH OVERSEER. Whereas, the undersigned is about to enter into an ar- ffangement with A B for the management of his plantation in county; it is expressly agreed and understood, that the undersigned is to use his best exertions, and all his time and energy, not only in the making of the crop, but in the care and attention to the negroes, property and stock, in accordance with the in- structions now given in the foregoing suggestions, or that may be given from time to time, for and in consideration of the sum of dollars, for the period of time from the of to the or at the rate of dollars per month, if this agreement be dissolved sooner than the time specified, of which a notice of days must be given by each party. In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my narhe. MEASURING EAND. Mr. A. S. Franklin, of Monticello, Ga., writes to the Constitutionalist, of this city : “In your issue of April 13th, there is a rule given for measuring land, which is, in part, incorrect. Tne part referred to as incorrect, is “If yoa wish to lay off a square acre, measure thirteen rods on each side,’ . This lacks one rod of full measure. Now, a piece of land thirteen rods on each side, contains one hundred and sixty-nine square rods, which will be nine rods more than are in an acre. The exact length of one side of a square acre is indeter- minate, as the number of square rods in an acre is a secret .quantity, whose root cannot be precisely determined— suf- ficiently so, however, for all practical purposes. A piece of land, twelve rods, ten feet, seven and three-fourth inches (12 rods, 10 feet and 7 3-4 inches) on each side, contains one acre, wanting four-fifths of a square foot. Hence, to lay off a square acre, measure each side twelve rods, ten feet seven and three-fourth inches. “To find the number of acres in a rectangular field, (square field,) multiply the length by the breadth, in rods and divide by one hundred and sixty — in yards, divide by four thousand eight hundred and forty. A square acre is about sixty-nine and a half yards in length and breath.’’- A wise man will speak well of his neighbor, love iiis wife, and pay for his newspaper. THE BRINEEY PLOW — SOUTHERN AGRICUL- tural Implements. Editor Southern Cultivator — Letters reach me from South Carolina to Texas, enquiring of the value of the Brinley plow for clay lands; for prairie lands; and some have asked me to reply through the Southern Cultivator. I presume many do not know I am interested, pecuniarily, in the plow, and it is but just to them that they know; myself, son-in-law, and only brother, have Mr. Brinley in our employ. In justice to myself I must state, I never went into the manufacture as a speculation. I was govern- ed by a different motive. I cannot work for nothing everywhere, though I have by pen for over 25 years ; yet so far as I am individually concerned, I will be satisfied with interest, legal, paid in cash. It matters not to the public, whether he who supplies any article, makes money or loses money, provided he keeps up the supply, the article being good ® price. If Philips & Kells can supply as good a plow, and as cheap as it can be made and brought here and sold, that is all the public have to do with the matter. I want to succeed. I want to supply the South and the North too, if so vast an idea can be fathomed by myself or others; or know it is done by Southern men. I saw the thousands and thousands of plows brought South, desired to see the South less, depen- dent, corresponded with monied men, could get no one to venture ; at length prevailed upon the husband of ray only child and my only brother to go into the business, and we are at it; with, in all probability, the most extensive ma- chinery in the South ; machinery driven by steam and without black smiths room at all, we cover a space 155 by 40, main building a three stoiy brick house- To those interested, the question arises, am I so much interested, (or is it possible for man to be so unselfish . as to give the whole truth), as to be incompetent to give facts 1 My duty is plain — give my stand point as to the Brinley plow — and others can judge. I have been an in- terested spectator, as a planter, for 28 years, have been a disinterested contributor to the agricultural press since the 12th day of November, 1832. Have, no doubt, led men into error — never designedly — for, being deceived, I de- ceived others ; have, perhaps, done some good. I have tested by absolute trial more plows than, perhaps, any man South, and ordered, 5 years ago, I think, a Brinley plow to test; the more I used it the better pleased, until at length, when about to start the factory, I wanted to know of Mr. B. if I could leave his services and how. .He wrote me, and, as a liberal, generous soul, he said if he found he could not move South, 1 should have all his improvements and for nothing; besides, he would come down and give us a start. Offered him a partnership, equal. At length he came. The facts are now before the public. My interest as a planter, is precisely as of any improving man, and if I can find a better plow, I will have it. I honestly believe, on the lime lands that this plow wi’l turn better than the wooden mould board plow, which many think indispens- able. I believe the dynamometre will show a draft less by 20 per cent., over any plow I have ever seen used— except one — that one is almost unknown in the South. Never mind which that is— that is my secret. I believe the Brinley plow will do equally as good work in clay lands. A stranger friend, from York District, S. C., another, from Fairfield, wants to know as to the clay lands there, which I knew 28 to 30 years ago. 1 say, the clay here has generally less silex not as pure clay, as those of Little River in Fairfield, but fully equal to those 1 remember in York, and I have plowed 6 inches deep all day and for days with two ordinary' 14 1-2 to 15 hands mules, and have turned over sedge land 10 inches deep, clay land, though, only done for a little time to try. We can, at an expense of a dollar for a weed hook, turn un- SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 171 der any sedge here, and I have seen what many in Caro- lina and Georgia will not believe — pure sedge grass, broom sedge, full 6 feet high, I dare not say how much more. I do not know the inches of “Broomsedge,” and do not mean Mm. I have the Brinley plow now tunning the fourth or fifth year and worked on yearly by a very common negro smith. I will do this. If any inventor will send me a better plow and give me permission to make and sell, I will adopt his. I banter no man ; have not now any idea, at my time of life, to do what I never have done — bet, I prefer not being bantered, and yet desire to know of the fairest test. Brinley is a Kentuckian and, like myself, never ventures, from principle. We cannot afford to give plows to societies — would really prefer either B. or P. to be present at trials — as we cannot, not only for want of the needful, but other duties, but would ask Agricultural Societies to order and test. The Directors of the Fair under the Mississippi State Bureau have offered a premium of $50 for the best plow at the next Fair, supposing that would induce manufac- turers to come forward. If the several States, say Mis- sissippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, would each offer say $50 or $100 for the best plow, appoint a time when, even one week, if necessary, could be bestow- ed npon the trial, have the trial in some central point, say Mongomery, Ala , Atlanta, or Columbus, Ga., each State sending a committee of three gentlemen to conduct the plowing match, there might be a hope to draw out the full competition of plow-makers. The plow is the most important implement to the plan- ter, and I will contend for its being brought more to notice, even if called mad. The hog is the most important animal, because more money for negro is spent for meat by the South than for any other, and I have urged it, therefore, I am called a hog man, some more poIi:e call me a Berkshire man. I leave this, Messrs. Editors, with you to publish or not, and your readers to judge. I could have published in my own paper {Planter cf* Mechanic)^ but you ask me for “light,” that it may shine through the Cultivator ^ and your paper has a far larger circulation. My planting interest gives me and mine all the neces- saries and luxuries we want, unfoitunatoly, no little Philips’ or Kells’ to provide for, yet we must work and we intend to work ; have long since scratched out can, we do, or die trying. Yours sincerely, M. W. Philips. P. S.— Since writing the foregoing, but before sending to the post office, I have received an account of a trial of plows made in this State, between the Calhoun plow, Hall & Spears and the Brinley. I merely give the con- clusion. Calhoun plow, with a furrow slice 6 deep and 9 inches, 54 cubic inches required, or 448 lbs, — a London dyna- mometre. Hall & Spear, 7 deep, 7 1-2 wide 52 1-2 cubic inches, or 623 lbs. Brinley, 6 1-2 deep, 9 in width, 58 1-2 cubic inches, or 336 lbs. Brinley, 9 deep, 10 in width, 40 cubic inches, or 350 lbs. The gentleman who was bantered says, when the dynamometre was used on the first of Brinley plows, the first time seen or used by the judge, they think, upon second trial when they learned better “the hang” of the dynamometre that the power would not have been over 308 lbs , instead of 336. Another closed report stated that the 1 horse Brinley plow and 1 mule done deeper and better plowing than either of the others (1 and 2) with 2 mules. M. W. P. Edwards, Miss., April, 1859. THE JERUSAIiEUl ARTICHOKE. Editors Southern Cultivator— Among the numer- ous ai tides published in your valuable journal I have not, as yet, seen one on the Artichoke. I wish to know whether it is a nutritious food for hogs'? Will it fatten, &C.'? It is to be presumed that among your many subscribers and correspondents, some of them have sufficient practical experience in growing and consuming the above named product to be enabled to give your readers some infcMrma- tion on a subject which may prove one of interest to the planter. I have been taking the Cultivator only since the 1st of January last, but have read a number occasion- ally for the last year or two, and it has been rather a mat- ter of surprise to me that I have not seen this subject touched. Is it because it is less useful and less nutritious than' all other root crops'? or, has such publication escaped my.' notice '? My knowledge of the Artichoke is limited, but' from having seen a few hills growing about my yard and garden the last two or three years, I am of opinion that,, as to the yield per acre, it can scarcely be surpassed, if at all, by anything else. Will you, or some of your readers who have some knowledge of this plant, give the desired information'? Respectfully, A. C. M. Dresden, Navard Co., Texas, March, 1859. We have published articles on this subject in former volumes, but we take pleasure in giving the folio ving from the Boston Cultivator : “Twelve years ago I read of the Artichoke, but found it impossible, as I thought, to get seed. In the winter of 1857 I accidentally came across some which had been raised by some Germans, from tubers brought with them- from ‘Dutch Land.’ I dug my crop January l3th and 14th, 1858, it being fine weather. The yield was fifty-one bushels— at the rate of 708 bushels per acre. I did not consider this half a crop, for thejbllowing reasons : “1st. The land was much worn— upland sandy loam — and has received no manure for many years. “2d. They were not planted until the last week of April, which is too late— for, as it is a tropical plant, it should have the benefit of the entire season. “3d. Owing to scarcity of seed (half a peck) it was cut extremely small— the size of a three-cent piece— and had lain for several weeks, being much dried and shriveled when planted. “The Jerusalem Artichoke is, comparatively speaking, but little known. Schenck, in his Text Book, says ; ‘It is a small sun-fiower, bearing nutritious tubers, for which it is cultivated. It is a hardy perennial of Brazil and was first carried to England in 1617. * * * The stalks are large, frequently attaining the height of ten feet; the roots are produced in great quantity, the crop sometimes exceeding two thousand bushels per acre.’ ‘T will take him at one-half his estimate, and put the price at ten cents per bushel, and we have $100 worth of the best kind of green food for horses, cattle, sheep, or swine. My horses eat them with avidity ; yet they re- fuse potatoes and turnips. It is a crisp, sweet tuber, much more palatable in its raw state, to us, than a tur^>^ nip ; and one good quality it possesses as food for cows is, it does not impart any bad flavor to the afilk*.- The Farmer's Encijclopedia says : “ ‘The Artichoke will yield, with similar cuV^g^.3^pej cent, more than the potato; and if the l*"^bbrpoor, it will yield at least double the quantity Being hardy, they can be left during the ^vitaSwinfer in the ground, to be rooted up by hoy ^ numbers of which may be fattened at little expe» 172 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. “One of the chief objections urgei against their culture is, that, not being killed by winter, they will grow up amongst crops . which succeed them, and thus prove troublesome. Where I grew my crop in 1857, 1 raised tomatoes in 1858. I found no trouble. This objection becomes a valuable quality if planted in a waste piece of land ; as the crop will perpetuate itself. The Jerusalem Artichoke certainly deserves more attention from the farmers of the United States than it has yet received. “The agricultural press of our country recommend the cultivation of root crops for stock. I have tried, in years past, the mangel- wurtzel, and ruta-baga, and, owing to the great expense of culture — keeping out weeds when quite young— gave them up as unprofitable— much as I like to see dumb animals enjoy green provender during the dry season. But with the Artichoke we can well af- ford to feed. Another advantage they possess ouer root crops generally, is this: the.beets and ruta-bagas must have the best land, while the Artichoke can be put on a rough side-hill, and if just cleared, can be put in with a mattock. They do without cultivation. My crop noticed in this communication, was passed through once with a shovel plow only. My crop of 1858 1 shall not dig a*til March, as that is the time I most need them, and they keep in the ground as nicely as anywhere. Some of your readers wish to know if they can get the seed by mail. I answer, yes. 1 will exchange with any person having other valuable seed which I may want, or any person sending postage stamps sufficient to pay post- age and remuneration for trouble, shall have their orders fulfilled. Of course small tubers will be selected. A few ounces would produce enough for a large plantation the second year, W. W. Rathbone. Clifton Gardens and Nurseries^ ') Marietta, Ohio, Jan., 1859. j TURPENTINE AND ITS USES. There are several hundred stills for the manufacture of spirits of turpentine in the State of North Carolina alone, while the States bordering on the Mississippi are all more or less engaged in it. The uses of rosin and tur- pentine seem to increase with every development of in- ventive talent. In painting, in printing, in soap making, and especially in lighting, its use seems to be almost uni versal. It forms an important element in many chemical operations, and it is estimated, in a late communication to the London Society of Arts, that from two to three hun- dred thousand dollars worth is consumed annually in the American India-rubber manufactories. From seventeen thousand to twenty-two thousand tons have been import- ed into England annually for many years past, and almost exclusively from the United States. Spirits of turpentine is obtained by distilling with water the semi fluid sap or pilch which exudes from incisions made in the wood of various species of pine ; the product left after distillation isarosinous solid, which is properly termed resin or rosin- Camphene, which is extensively used in lamps, as a substitute for oil, is spirits of turpentine purified by repeated distillations. Burning fluid is a solution of rec- tified turpentine or camphene in alcohol, the tendency of the turpentine is smoke being diminished by the addition of alcohol, Camphene and burning fluid, although high- ly inflammable, are not of themselves explosive ; a mix- turi?, however, of the vapor of these liquids with atmos- pheric; air is highly explosive, and igniting at a distance at the approach of the slightest spark or flames, is apt to communicaJe fire to the liquids themselves. Burning fluid, being mur.h more volatile than camphene, is much more dangerous. Oil of turpentine is extensively used as a solvent for rosins in the manufacture of varnish, and in the preparation of paintst; also, to some extent, in medi- cine. THE HONEY QUESTION, ONCE MORE. Editor Southern Cultivator- I shall have very little to say in reply to the communication of Dr, Baker, which Appeared in your last number, indeed I believe I would have been quite willing to leave the whole matter in the position the Doctor has left it, had he not thought proper to submit to me a few direct questions. Respect for him demands that I should answer his queries, and in doing so I shall incidentally notice some other points in- troduced in his article. In the first place, I do not consider that the merits of the question at issue, are either impaired or benefitted by the Doctoi’s declaration, that his contribution to the Medi- cal Journal was not intended as a reply to a short one of mine, which appeared in the same paper. I did not say that it was — I said it was intended as a partial reply, and said so becausel thought the phraseology: “The chiefobject of this communication is to combat the jerroneous, yet al- most universal impression, that bees extract honey from flowers, &c,” warranted me in the use of the expression. So much, then, by way of apology. Dr. Baker says that “it is known that the subject in dispute,” (that is, whether bees depend wholly on honey dew for their supply of honey,) “is of little moment in a practical point of view.” I disagree with him, and boldly declare that I believe no question can be so trivial as not to merit the consideration of intelligent men, if, in so do- ing, light can be made to shine from darkness ; and may I not hope that the Doctor will lend his aid in removing some of the superstitions under which men are laboring, even those “who study nature, not from books, but as they find it, in God’s wide universe I” But to proceed. In support of the assertion that bees never starve when they can leave the hive, I give my own, supported by the experience of of others, with such information as may be obtained from other sources. I would here inform Dr. Baker that my hives are not surrounded by sugar hogsheads, &c., but are three miles off from these re- sources,.yet my city friends, who have any sweets about them, can attest that their neighbor’s bees are quite a nuis- ance to them during the summer season. Now, am I to understand the Doctor to mean that bees visit these places, not to get wherewith to store in their combs, but simply sustenance for themselves 1 He certainly must mean that, for he says, “the hunter would not have been afraid of his bees starving had they been provided with syrup, 300; when fifty years old, S18,150; when sixty years old, S48,700. How simple, then, is the plan by which a youth of the present day can pass his old age in comfort and luxury. He has only to regulate his expenses so as to save one hundred dollars each year from his income. If the amount saved be larger, then the sum total will be increased in the same proportion. Only think of it, that $500 saved annually and invested in ten per cent, stock will amount, in forty years, to $243,500. One million invested in the same way for ten years will amount to $2,593,600; in twenty years, to $6,826,800; in thirty years, to $16,384,628; in forty to $45,250,338. No wonder, then, that the Rothchilds have amassed such boundless wealth. — Baltimore Ameri- can, 188 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. Cotton Growing Abroad. — All efforts to raise our great staple in other countries have, thus far failed, and the South still retains her pre eminence. We learn from a Paris correspondent of the New Orleans Picayune, that the French Government has decided that hereafter the premiums paid for the cultivation of cotton in Algeria shall be abolished. Although the Moniteur boasts that while 1,014,000 pounds of cotton were grown in Algeria in 1854, and 1,560,000 pounds in 1857, and the crop in 1858 will be still larger, there seems to be little question the experiment has proved a costly failure, and the Go- vernment regards money spent on this crop as treasure thrown away. The decree hints the Government will soon cease to buy the cotton grown in that colony ; at present it is under obligations to buy all the cotton raised there. Therefore, in a year or two this experiment of the French will share the fate of their other costly experi- ments. Raise Fine Fruit.— A contemporary very truly says : “Fruits are no unimportant part of the living of a family. We wish every farmer would lay his plans in season and take time by the foretop, for improving in this branch of farm industry. If he lives near a market it is the most profitable ; and wherever he may be, there is a refining influence in fruit culture, which should not be overlooked. There is solid comfort in it. There is an innocent luxury. When the children are far away, and have built them other homes, they will remember the old homestead, but no place in it, except the place by the old fire-side, where a loving mother used to sit and mend their clothes and darn their stockings, and bear patiently with their child- ish pranks, and teach the young idea, will be remember- ed with more longings to return, than where their child- hood’s lips smacked the fruit of a favorite tree. Apples, early and late, for summer, autumn, winter, and spring, pears, grapes, peaches, quinces, plums, cherries, apricots, gooseberries, currants, and strawberries should be the de- light of every farm, unless peculiarity of climate would exclude some of these, and many others should be intro- duced if soil and climate favor.” Cultivate Corn Shallow. — A writer in the True Issue says : “After the corn joints, the surface should only be stirred without breaking the feeding radicles of the plant. “Finally, cultivate in- such a manner that the soil shall be as level as possible — by all means avoid putting a ‘bed to your corn.’ This leaves a water furrow to drain the land, and expose a large area of surface to the action of the sun and wind. If you have a piece of wet land, you bed it up to drain it, and act sensible; and if you bed your corn it certainly has the same effect upon the soil.” To Destroy Ants.— It so happened that a piece of camphor was laid in a drawer contaning sugar, which was infested by ants. On opening, it a few days a fter- wards the bottom of the drawer, was strewn with ants. The experiments was repeated with success. |^"Some malignant old men seem to grow humane as they grow childish. The softening of the brain is accom- panied by a softening of the heart. A Good Wife who Found “Good in Everything,” — A farmer was once blessed with a good-natured, content- ed wife ; but it not being in the nature of man to be satis- fied, he one day said to a neighbor, he really wished he could hear his wife scold once, for the novelty of the thing. Whereupon his sympathising neighbor advised him to go to the woods and get a load of crooked sticks, which would certainly make her as cross as he could de- sire. Accordingly the farmer collected a load of the most ill-shaped, crooked, crockety materials that were ever known under the name of fuel. This he deposited in its place, taking care that his spouse should have access to no other wood. Day after day passed without a com- plaint. At length the pile was consumed, “Well, wife,” said he farmer, “I am going after more wood; I’ll get another load just such as I got last time.” “Oh, yes, Jacob,” soe replied, “it will be so nice if you will ; for such crooked, crochety wood as you brought before, does lie around the pot so nicely.” Cotton in the Seed. — A “ Farmer” writes to the News that a new trade is about to be opened in Old Caney — the shipment of cotton, baled in the seed, and sent to Boston or other points for ginning and manufacturing purposes— the seed to pay for the operation and all ex- penses, in oil, cake, and in soap made from the oilcake, and paper made from the lint, obtained by re-ginning the seed. Mr. Jonah L. Grant, of Worcester, Mass., is now here making arrangements for this Boston company, and will pay for the cotton according to its quality, from Low Or- dinary to Middling and Fair— only deducting the weight of seed and transportation to Galveston, Say for 2000 lbs. seed rotton, he deducts 1400 lbs. of seed at Galveston in lieu of ginning and baling. — Christian Advocate. Compost FOR Light Lands. — When the soil is of a light, arenaceous character, with a free descent and a tendency to part easily with, its moisture, the best material that can be used for its amelioration and enrichment, is a compost of which the base is common clay. One cartload — thirty bushels — of this earth, with about the same quantity of muck, four bushels of unslacked, or caustic lime, two of gypsum, and one of salt, well mixed by frequent turnings, will be found one of the most efficient and valuable appli- cations that can be made to light lands. Farmer, [in Portland Transcripts Antidote for Rattlesnake Poison. — The Medical Journal says the following is an infallible cure for the poison of a rattlesnake bite ; Four grains of the Jodate of potash ; Two grains of corrosive sublimate ; Five drachms of bromine. Mix together, and kept the mixture in a glass-stopped vial, well secured. Ten drops of this mixture, diluted with a tablespoon- ful of brandy, constitute a dose; the quantity to be re- peated, if necessary, according to the exigencies of the case. Happy Combination, — There is nothing purer than honesty, nothing sweeter than charity, nothing warmer than love, nothing brighter than virtue, and nothing more steadfast than faith. These united in one mind, form the purest, the sweetest, the richest, the brightest, the holiest, and the most steadfast happiness. How quietly might many a one live if he could care as little for the affairs of others as he does for his own. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 189 THE MAN OF ENERGY. “ Honesty and energy are the handmaids of success.” Energy may be said to be one of the most important elements of character. In some sense, it influences, con- trols and rules the world. No great undertaking can be achieved, no mighty work can be consummated, no vast enterprise can be carried into successful effect without its aid and agency. In matters of love as well as in matters of war, it is equally potent. The faint-hearted are rarely energetic, and hence they are sure to lag behind, and be out-distanced by their competitors and rivals. The indi- vidual who is listless, inanimate and indifferent, apathetic, who does nothing, yet is constantly expecting something to turn up, something that will redound to his advantage and open the pathway to independence, is doomed to many a bitter disappointment. It is wisely ordered by Providence that, however we may be gifted in person, or mind — however we may have been favored by a patri mony, however bright our hopes and expectations, as we enter upon the arena of the busy world, we are sure to fail by the wayside, be tripped up and prostrated, unless we exercise the faculties that have been given to us— re sist the machinations of the crafty, the designing and the unprincipled— in brief, manifest a due degree of firmness, determination and energy. Ever and anon we are amused by the promulgation, on the part of the visionary, of some plausible and tempting scheme. It may have all the elements of probability, abound with fascination, and hold out buoyant and encouraging inducements to the active, the pushing and the persevering. And yet, without ener- gy— constant, untiring and indomitable — it will amount to a mere bubble. If we are asked for the true secret of the motive power, the active principle of success, in this life, and were con- fined, for our answer, to a single word, that word would be “energy.” Men of vivid imaginations, and poetic fancies, dreamers, enthusiasts and fanatics, are constantly starting schemes and undertakings which, at the first glance, are calculated to captivate. But how rarely do they enter into such movements in a truly practical spirit and bring to their aid that degree of energy which is so essential to success ! Thousands of our fellow-creatures are self- deceived. They do not look sufficiently before they leap. They do not examine the entire ground, and calculate all the chances, before they risk their judgment, their means, their reputation and their time. Nay, they do not look all the difficulties calmly in the face, and de- termine at the onset to wrestle with and overcome them. On the contrary, they struggle on for a few days or for a few weeks, and because they cannot realize all that they fancied, they become disspirited, intimidated and abandon what they are then disposed to consider a delusion, for some other scheme. In brief, they either lack forethought at the outset, and thus commit a mistake in the beginning, or they are deficient in energy, and thus are sure to fail. The struggles of the commercial and business world are full of anxiety and care. A thousand temptations beset us, and a thousand difficulties lie in our way. This is the fate of man. He is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. But a first disappointment, either of the head or the heart, the falsehood of a woman, the treachery of a friend, or the failure of an enterprise, should never induce us to despair. Adversity is sometimes only a blessing in disguise, for it tests, tries, and fortifies us for future strug- gles and vicissitudes. When, however, convinced that we are treading the path that sooner or later must lead to fame and fortune, or that we are seeking a conquesi which can be achieved only by the patient work of years, energy, untiring, unswerving and unfaltering energy, is the great essential. Look around, gentle reader, and you will find this illus- trated nearly every day you live. The cool, the cautious, the resolute and energetic are constantly achieving tri- umphs. All that they touch seems to turn to gold. They may be down to-day, but they will be up to- morrow. No reverse, no misfortune can depress them. They have the will, the courage and the perseverance, and thus they are bound to succeed. Occasional disasters will of course come, reverses will -overtake, and disappointments will attend them. But these they anticipate as part and par- cel of the great chapter of life, as not only incidental but as inevitable, and they therefore rouse themselves for a fresh struggle, determined again. Energy, assisted by purity of motive, integrity of character, and firmness of purpose, is like the lever of Archimedes ; for we repeat, properly applied, it will move the world. — Pennsylvania Inquirer. SHEEP IN TEXAS. The Texas State Gazettee says : — It is doubtless true that the great sheep raising country of the United States is by nature, in Western Texas. A writer in the News speaks of the high, e’evated lands, back from the Rio Grande, in Webb, Maverick and Kinney counties extend- ing over towards the Nueces, as having an abundance of the richest grass in winter— the only drawback is water, which is being procured by Artesian wells. The writer adds : “A dry climate always for sheep. The most fastidious cannot complain as to the character of the country under consideration. It is a little too dry for some things I could name, but I am now speaking of sheep, and so I have just the country I was looking for, and having found it, let me say to you that clear, pure streams of water, gurg- ling springs, and rivulets from the hills, never flowed with more beauty nor regularity than along the foot of what are called the Mountains here, but nothing more than the first spurs which point down towards the level country, and extend from the Cross Timbers towards the RioGrattde; but for the present let me call your atten- tion to the Medina, the Frio, the Uvalde, the Leona, and a thousand lesser branches which flow into the Rio Grande, are the San Felipe, San Pedro, the Las Moras, Zoquate, Dolores, and innumerable others, which, al- though flowing through an arid country, are nevertheless supplied from a deeper fountain which can never fail, and which, when penetrated by the wisdom and energy of the State, will develop new sources of inexhaustible wealth, now hidden from the eye, but which will be brought to light as sure as our freedom exists and our liberties are maintained. Can it be possible that such a body of land was created for nought, with evidence surrounding it of inexhaustible power I I believe not. And I expect to see the day when those hills will be dotted over with the cottages of the husbandman, and the flocks and herds, which will give a currency to the woollen manufactories of the old world, as well as of our own country.” Cooked Food for Swine. — Samuel H. Clay, of Kerj- tucky, has been experimenting in feeding several lots uf hogs, changing them from raw to cooked, and from ground to unground food, with the following results : One bushel of dry corn made 5 lbs. and 10 oz. of live pork; 1 bushel of boiled corn made 14 lbs. and 7 oz. of pork ; 1 bushel of ground corn, boiled, made, in one instance, IG lbs. 7 oz,, and in another, nearly 18 pounds of pork. Esti- mating corn at 90 cts. a bushel, and pork at 8 cents a pound, we have, as the result of 1 bushel of dry corn, 45 cents worth of pork; of 1 bushel of boiled corn, 110 cents worth of pork; and of 1 bushel of ground corn, 1.36 cents worth of pork. 190 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. DECORATING THE GRAVE. There is a kind of pathos touching tenderness of ex- pression in these sweet and fragrant emblems of affection, which is calculated to perpetuate a kind of soothing sympathy between the living and the dead. They speak of cords of life too strong for even the grave to break assunder. The practice, no doubt, gave rise to the an- cient custom which prevailed in the East of burying in .gardens, and is one which conduces to the gratification of the best feelings of our nature. It prevailed generally in and about the Holy City, and also among the Medes, Persians, Greeks and Romans. The Persians adopted it from the Medes, the Grecians from the Persians. In Rome, persons of distinction were buried in gardens or fields near the public roads. Their monuments were de- corated with chaplets and palms, and garlands of flowers. The tomb of Archilles was decorated with amaranth ; the urn ofPhilopcea was covered with chaplets ; the grave of Sophoeels with roses and ivy; — that of Anacreon with ivy and flowerets. Baskets of lilies, vi flets and roses, were placed in the graves of husbands and wives — white roses on unmarried females. In Java the inhabitants scatter flowers over the bodies of the friends; in China, the custom ot planting flowers on the graves of their friends is of very ancient date, and still prevails. In Tripoli, the tombs are decorated with garlands of roses, of Arabia jasmine, any orange and myrtle flowers. In Schwytz, a village in Switzerland, there is a beautiful little church in which almost every grave is covered with pinks. In the elegant church yard in Wirfin, in the val- ley of Salza in Germany, the graves are covered with ob- long boxes, which are planted with perrennial shrubs, or renewed with annual flowers and others are so dressed on Jete days. Suspended from the ornaments of recent graves are little vases filled with water, in which the flowers are preserved fresh. Children are often seen dressing the .graves of their mothers, and mothers wreathing garlands for their ehildren. . A late traveller, on going, early in the morning, into one of the grave-yards in the village of Wirfin, saw six or seven persons decorating the graves of their friends, and on some who had been buried twenty years. This custom also prevails in Scotland and North and South Wales. An epitaph there says : “The village maidens to her grave shall bring The fragrant garland, each returning spring ; Selected sweets ! in emblem of the maid. Who underneath this hallowed turf is laid.” In Wales, children have snow-drops, primroses, violets, hazel-bloom, and willow blossoms on their graves. Per- sons of mature years have tansy, box, ivy and rue. In South Wales, no flowers or evergreens are permitted to be planted on graves but those which are sweet scented. Pinks, polyanthus, sweet-williams, gilly flowers, carna- tions, mignonette, thyme, hyssop, cammomile and rose- mary are used. In Capul, burying-grounds are held in veneration, and were called cities of the silent. The Jews called them houses of the dead. The Egyptians visited the graves of their friends twice a week, and strewed sweet basil on them and do so to this day. While the custom of decorating graves and grave- yards with flowers and ornamental trees and shrubs has prevail ^d so long and extensively among ancient and civilized nations, some of the American aboriginies will not per- mit a weed or blade of grass, nor any other vegetable, to .grow upon the grave of their friends. A fool in a high situation is like a man on top of a monument — everybody appears small to him, and he ap- pears small to everybody. EIGHTNING — CHEAP CONDUCTING RODS, &c. A CORRESPONDENT of “ The Country Gentlemanf says : “Numerous experiments have been made, that fully prove our earth’s atmosphere to be filled with electricity. Kites, vertical metalic rods, and other appliances, are used to conduct the fluid silently and harmlessly to the ground, when found in a normal and quiet condition. It is only when disturbed by currents and counter- currents of wind and rain, that it becomes alarming or dangerous. When the fluid is forced into collections of greater or less ca- pacity, by the wind, and surrounded by dense clouds saturated with water, which is a powerful conducting medium, we see some of the most brilliant, beautiful and marvelous phenomena to be met with in the whole study of the physical sciences. The sudden transit of the vivid flash from cloud to cloud, and the reverberating echo of the rolling thunder when at a distance, ottly inspire us with admiration and wonder, without exciting our fears. But when the sweeping storm approaches our dwellings, agitating and tossing the electricity of the air into a fear- ful state of excitement, and lighting up the whole heavens with electric fires, and the close proximity of the crash of appalling thunder warns man to seek a place of safety, he shows his total ignorance of the facts and laws of elec- tricity, who betakes himself to the very place where danger is most impending. If taught in our elementary schools, and made familiar by articles and discussions in our family newspapers — no person would, in case of a thunder storm, take shelter under a high tree, or sit near the fire-place, or an open door or window, or in contact with the bell wire ; but would seat himself in the middle of the room, as far from the chimney as possible, and at a point the greatest distance from the highest point of the building. “ If a rain cloud, surcharged with electricity, is forced down low enough to come in contact with any obstacle, as a tree, a house, or a bam, the whole volume of electric fluid is let loose, and its gigantic and terrific fury is seen upon everything in its path to the earth. Therefore, in order to protect eur houses perfectly, there should be no high point left without a conductor. It is a mistake to consider a house with two or more chimneys, safely pro- tected with one rod. Each chimney, observatory, or high point of any building should have a conductor extending up, an invitation to any surplus accumulation to pass silently down, or when at times the whole mass is stirred up to madness by the raging tempest, to be ready to catch the death dealing bolt and conduct it safely to the ground. Persons feeling unable to purchase as many conductors as they need at five or ten dollars a piece, can supply themselves at from fifty cents to one dollar each, that will be fully equal if not better than those hawked about the country by peddlers, who are making fortunes at the ex- pense of farmers and others, who are not aware of the fiict that soft iron wire m one continuous length, is a much safer conductor than even a larger rod put together in dif- ferent lengths by links or screews. The cheapest and perfectly safe conductors, are made from 1-4 inch wire, that costs less than half a cent per foot. Sharpen one end with a file, and allow it to project three feet above the chimney or highest point of the building, and fasten it securely with staples around glass cr bone insulators. Let the lower end terminate in the well or cess-pool if possible ; if neither are convenient, dig down until it will always rest in damp earth, pointing out from the building. The cheapest and strongest insulators are made by saw- ing off, at proper lengths, the leg bone of a sheep, or other animal of suitable size.” SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 191 LARGE COTTON PLANTERS. Some time since, a paragraph was published, giving some account of the cotton crop of the late Col. Bond of Georgia, which amounted last year to 2,100 bales, and was the largest sent to market by any planter in that State. A Vidalia correspondent of the Free Trader (Natchez) contrasts the planters of Mississippi and Louisi- ana with our Georgia planter, as follows: There are half a dozen planters in Concordia parish, Louisiana, as also many more in Mississippi, that make a far higher mark than this. Not to make a thing in- vidious, the names of A. V. Davis, Esq , of Concordia parish, who makes all his cotton there, chalks up several hundred bales above the Georgia planter ; so does L. R, Marshall, Esq., in the State of Louisiana, raising in that State alone more than three thousand five hundred bales ; so of John Routh, Esq., of Hard Times, full as much if not more; so did Frederick Stanton, Esq., but a few weeks deceased, raise twenty-eight hundred bales the present year — all in Concordia parish— and even more than this figure in 1855— all in Louisiana ; and there are numerous others that come up, or nearly so, to the Geor- gia highest notch. For instance, L. R. Marshall, resi- dence Natchez, a planter in three States, Louisiana, Mis- sissippi and Arkansas, is more than a four thousand bale producer ; so is Dr. Stephen Duncan more than a three thousand bale grower, in the State of Mississippi, besides being an opulent planter of Louisiana — more than four thousand bales in all. The great estates of the two princely planters of this region, the late Samuel Davis and Francis Surget, Esqrs., always produced from three to five thousand bales each until their deaths divided the estate among the heirs. — N. O. Picayune. How TO TEST THE QUALITY OF WooL. — A Very experi- enced raiser of wool, gives the following certain test of fine wool. The wavy folds of wool have been noticeed be every one. Take a lock of wool from the sheep’s bacK and place it upon an inch rule. If you can count from thirty to thirty-three of the spirals or folds in the space of an inch, it equals in quality the finest electoral or Saxony wool grown. Of course, when the number of spirals to the inch di- diminishes, the quality of the wool becomes relatively in- ferior. Many tests have been tried, but this is considered the simplest and best. Cotswold wool and some other inferior wools do not measure nine spirals to the inch. With this test, every farmer has in his possession a knowledge which will enable him to form a correct judg ment of the quality of all kinds of wool. There are some coarse wools, which experienced wool growers do not rank as wool, but as hair, on account of the hardness and straightness of the fibre. — Texas ‘‘State Gazetted^ Rain. — Every inch of rain falling in the course of a year, is equal to a weight of rather more than 100 tons of water per each imperial acre. The mean annual quantity of rain in Detroit is 28,300 inches ; equal to nearly 2900 tons of water falling annually on each acre of land. At Dearbornville Arsenal, Mich., the mean annual rain is only 21,610, the smallest quantity, or the dryest place, given in the Army Meteorological Register, for the whole United States. The highest mean, or wettest place is West Point, N. Y., where 64,670 inches of rain is the an- nual mean quantity, equal to 6467 tons water on each acre — U. S. Jour. THE BEST MODE OF PREPARING FOOD FOR Cattle. The custom is very general to fee^grain in an unpre- pared state. The economy of this practice is more than doubtful. For a long time, the advantage of ground over unground has been conceded. Of late, numerous experi- ments have been made of cooking it for horses, hogs and cattle, and all with very encouraging results. Mr. Samuel Hale, of Millet Creek, Ohio, who feeds about one thousand bushels of corn annually, gives the result of his experience in a recent number of the Ohio Farmer. For several years his practice was to feed in the ear, but the results were very unsatisfactory. He procured a “Little Giant Stock Mill,” and com- menced grinding his corn in the ear, and found he never wintered his stock so cheap and so well before. The third winter of his experimenting he not only ground the cob, but cooked it in an “agricultural steamer.” This was fed in the form of mush to his horses, hogs, cows, and fattening cattle. To the latter he fed about seven lbs. a head per day, of corn and cob meal. “The result,” says he, “fully satisfied me that one-half the com fed in this way would put more flesh upon horn- ed-cattle, hogs, or horses, than double the quantity fed in the ear.” This is about the kind of testimony given by all who have tried cooking food for animals. Such being the case it is well worthy the consideration of farmers whether it will not pay to cook their food, and thereby make the product of one acre go as far as the product of two, fed in the ordinary way. Feeding and Watering Horses— Digestion. — We have always believed that absolute rest and quiet right most favorable to the digestion of food in animals; but the closing sentence of the following paragraph conflicts with that opinion. We require stronger evidence, still, to convince us that active exercise immediately after feeding, is conducive to healthy digestion and assimila- tion of food : “Some curious experiments have been made at the Veterinary school at Alfort (just outside Paris) by order of the Minister of War, to ascertain the endurance of horses, as in a beseiged town, for example. It appears a horse will liye on water alone five and twenty days ; seventeen days without eating or drinking; only five days if fed but unwatered; ten days if fed and insuffi- ciently watered. A horse kept without water for three days drank 104 pounds of water in three minutes. It was found, that a horse taken immidiately after ‘feed’ and kept in the active exercise of the 'squadron school,’ completely digested its ‘feed’ in three hours; in the same lime in the ‘conscript school,’ its food was two thirds di- gested ; and if kept perfectly quiet in the stable, its diges- tion was scarcely commenced in three hours.” Stock Destroyed. — There has been a much greater de- truction of stock by the high water this spring than is usually supposed. At the first rising of the water, though nearly every one anticipated an overflow, yet a great many left their stock in the bottoms with the design of trusting to chances, or of seeing to it after a while^ and thus the large destruction. We had supposed that the suffer- ing from last spring’s flood had taught our people a lesson of warning that never would be forgotu n, but thus it is with human nature, it never urges to effectual action un- til the danger is upon us with its goading sting. — Madi- son (^Ark.) Journal, Sid April. SOIJTIIKIIN OIJI/riVATOIt. Sflineftic ®coiioiiin null EccijieB. 'I’lii': followinf!; nrliclo fi'orn n lutij tiinnhrr of llalJ'^ Jnurntd df Hiudlk, will lo; round vuluiiJ)l(5 for rcforcnco. Sorno of iIk; iloniB linvc. nlroiuly ii|)j)(!ar(;d in our coIumuH; frultw and Ixirriaa, bli^hldy acid, will rcunovc I, Ik; ordinary diurrlu/M^H of early Huinrncr. Ooinrnon ric.i!, fauidicd l)r()wn like colfcc, and ihcn lioilod and cal.cn in I, lie ordinary way, witliout any oilier food ia, with perfect, (pieilude of hody, one of the moat ef- fective rernedicH for troiildeaoine looNcnesa ofhowcla. Some of the Hcverest forma of that diatrcHainjij ailment cjilled dyaentery that ia, when the howcla paaa hlood, with (umatant ilcbire, yet vain cfTorlH to atool — are aonie- tlrnea entirely e.urcd hy tlie [lalient catirif^ u hea[)ing table apoonful, at a time, of raw beef, cut u[) very fine, and repeated at intervala of four houra, until cured, eating and drinking nothin;^ elae in the meantime. Ifa person awallowa any jioiaon whatever, or has full cn into convulsiona from overloading the stotnaeh,an in- Hlanlarieoua remedy, more ellie.ient and applicable Ir. a lar^e number of caaea than any halfa-doy-en medicin(;a we can now think of, ia a heapitiji' teu-apoonful of com- mon Halt and as rnucli f;round mustard, stirred rapidly in a teac.up of water, warm or cold, wwallowcd inatantly. It is acarc.ely down before it heyina to come Uji, brin|:;inf!; with it the rcmainiiif^ contents of the stomach ; and lest there be any remnant of poison, however small, let the white of an o.gfj;, or a lcacu)»ful of stronj^ cofreo, be swal- loweil aa aeon as the stomach is ([uiet, because these very common articles nullify a larger number of virulent jioiaons than any medic.inea in the ahops. In e.aae of scalding or burninf; the liody, immerain^ in cold water f;ives entire n lief, aa inafantaneous aa the lifi;ht- nin^j. Meanwhile, fi;ct some common dry flour, and ap jily it an inch or two thick on the injured [lart; the mo- ment it cmcrf,;()s from the water, and keep ajirinklirift; on the (lour throuf'Ji anything like a jiepper box cover, so as to put it on evenly. Do nothing (d.se, drink nothing but water, eat nothing until im[)rovcment eommcncca, cxce[)t Home dry bread softened in aorno very weak tea of aomc. kind, (hires of fiightful burninga have been performed in this way, as wonderful aa they are painless. ICryaipelaa, a disease oficn coming without premo- nition, and ending fatally in three or four days, is some tirnea promptly cured by applying a poultice of raw cran- berries pounde.d,and placed on the parts over night. Jnsect bites, and even those of a rattlesnake, have pass- ed harmlcHS, by stirring enough of common Halt in the yolk of a good egg to make it aullicienily thin fcir p'astcr, to be kept on the bitten parts. (h)stive bowels have an agrci'able remedy in the free use of tomatoes at meals, their seeds acting in the way of the seeds of white mustard or figs, by stimulating the coata of the bowels over which they pass, in their whole state, to increased action, A remedy of cijual ellicicnc.y, in I he same direction, is cracked wheat that ia, c.ommon white wheat grains, broken into two or three pieces, and then lioiled until it is as soft as ric.e, and eaten mainly at two meals of the day, with butter or molaasea. (Common sweet cider, boiled down to onc-half, makes a most exc.ellent ayruji for coughs and colds for children, is jdeaaant to the taste and will kce}) throughout the year in a cool c.ellar. In rcc.ovc.ring from an illneas, the system has a craving for Home pleasant acid drink. 'I'hia is found in cider which is jilac.cd on the fire as soon as made, and allowed to come to a boil, then cooled, put in casks and kept in a c.oo.' cellar, 'Treated thus, it remains for many months aa good a.s the day it was made. Wo once saved the life of an infant which had been inadvertantly drugged with lautlanurn, and was fust sink- ing into the sleep which knows no awaking, by giving it strong coffee, cleared with the white of an egg, u teaspoon- ful every five minutes, until it ceased lobe drowsy, I loo SijNO - 1 low 'I’o ('ooK. — Our friend, LaTastk, says, in a late number of his “I’usineas Director;” “'This vegetable, whic.h is cultivated in all respects like the lettuce, has a more dc.licious flavor than the asparagus of which it is a substitute. It is to be eaten when young and lender, any when about two feet high. The stern, must be strifiped of its leaves, cut up into lengths of four or five inches, tied in little packages, to keep them to- gether, while cooking, and then dropped into boiling water, and allowed to boll for a few minutes, when it will be done. 'I’o serve on the table, make a sauce of a little butler and flour, seasoned to taste with juipper, salt and vinegar, 'This reeijie will answer just us well for aspara- gus.” (Ujuk i’oii Cataiiuii. — The following simple remedy has been used with great success by one long and severe- ly troubled with this annoying complaint : 'Take, say, one jiart pulverized loaf-sugar to two parts pulverized camphor, and mix them thoroughly together, and use as often as the patient wishes in the form of snuff. 'Thia simple remedy, followed a few months, has effected a cure in the case above referred to, entirely beyond expec- tation. Should the cuinjihor be too powerful or not enough so, reduce or add a small quantity, us the case may rcipiire, as it is desirable that the camphor should be the principal agent, Dki.ujious DauHHiNO ^’(m Roast Fowl, a. — Spread jiieces of stale but tender wh(;alen bread liberally with butter, and season rather highly with salt and j)cp[>cr, working them into the butter a little; then dip the bread in wine, and use it in as large pieces as is convenient to stuff the bird, 'The delicious flavor which the wine gives is very penetrating, and it gives the fowl a rich, gurney character which ia very pleasant, J’aiNT with SlNdUl.All TiiKHKUVATI VK (^UAMTIKS. — By Hubjecting eight parts, by weight, of linseed oil, and one part of sulphur, to a temperature of two hundred and ninety-eight degrees, in an iron vefcsci, a sjiecies of paint possessing singular pre.servalive (puditics is [iroduced. Applied to the suiface of a building, with a brush, it ef- fectually keeps out air and moisture, prevents deposits of aool and dirt, and presc.rves the beauty of the stone, wood, or brick to whicli it i.s ajtplied, (biiOA I* Si'oNUK (^AKi;, — 'J’wo eggs, one cup of llour, one cup of sugar, one sfioonful of sweet milk, half a spoon- ful of Koda, one teaspoonful of cream of tartar, and a little Halt ; grate in some rind of lemon and add a part of tho juice and a teaspoonful of Imller. Bake fifteen minutes. S'l'Aiiuii Tomsii. — 'Take one ounce of sjierniaceli, and one ounce of white wax; melt and run it into a thin cake on a plate. A pie(;e the size of a (pun ier dollar, added to a quart of ju'cpared starch, gives a beautiful lustre to the clolhc.H, and prevents the iron from sticking. 'To I'aavKNT Moin,i) in Books. — A few drops of oil of lavender will save a library from mould. n 'sm ceiHj DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE. VOL. XVII. A(i(;iJS'rA, (;a JIJI.V, 1850. INO. 7. H. .IHNFM, l*iilillNliei'. 1). iteillUONI), JCilliur. 03^ kSee Terms on Dover. C(;ononiIc.al plant<;rs. which we have, ofie.n i W»; oiler Ihe following substitute, |•t.(;olnmend<^(l heretofore ; ■‘IMaiitiitioii (Bcoiioiiu; aiili ^^lisceliainj. HINTS FOK TIIF IMONTII. Till’. I’l.AN'i'.v'i'ioN. Tlio (UlU.ini, c.roji musi, Ik; Hlciulily worked, to (;iieoiiru;'(! the dcveloptnem uiul reUuitioii of forms and bolls. Slmllow, hurrnc.e culture, witli li;^lit sweeps, followed by the hoe, will be fouti'l the best melliod In all cases. Do not allow the {j;rusH or weeds to u foothold cither in the row or middles — wajp; a steady war- fare u])on them during this month, after whii.h lh(;y will not give yon much trouble. Whew; (/orn is not “laid by,” it will be well to give it a constant surface’working, until prevented by the spread- ing of the blades across the row.s. Allow no weed to ap- pear in your corn field- weeds and corn c.unnot tlourish on tlic same ground. I )o not use the turning plow among yourcorn after tlio first two workings. It breaks and tears up the young rootlets, and docs far more injury than good. At the la.it working, sow (b>w I’eus broad- cast, and cover with u swce[), <’,ultivator or harrow, IMant l*umpkins, in every second or third hill, and wlum well up, tliin to one plant in a liill, and work carefully. Cow I’eas should now be sown broadcast for hry, at the rate of a bushel or six pecks to tiie acre. Scatter over the surface evenly, and cover lightly witli a turning plow; or, first jilow your ground deejdy, sow your seed, and drag in with a harrow. Cow Peas intended for seed may be sown in drills, three feet ujiart. Pumpkins may be jilunted as u separate crop, IVefiarc the ground us for Watermelons ; hills 10 feet apart. When well up, thin to one or two strong plants In a hill, give these a sprinkling of l^lastcr or Cyp-sum (a small handful to each hill) when the dew is on ; loosen the earth, care fully breaking the crust, without disturbing the plant, and then let them run. The after- work consists In shal low surface culture, and the destruction of weeds, until the vines cover the ground. Pulling Fodder, we have often cond« rnned, heretofore, and consider it in all respects a non-paying and jioor busi- ness, ft should be discontinued by all ( nlightene/ /;, /''ij(h/rr. \U('n\{ up, v< ry deeply, a jiiece, of rich land, harrow il lirudy, mid, willi a broud hliovel |)low,lay it oil in drills three feet apart. In Ihese drills scalte.r corn at llu! rale ofdO or .bO gpaiiia to Ihc loot, and cover with a hoi‘, rake, boarr them, we will cheerfully forward '.hem again. 210 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. White or Red Clover, &c, — Editor Southern Culti- vator— I wish to know which is best adapted to this Dis- trict, the White or the Red Clover, and where I can get pure seed, and what they cost per bushel. I also wish to know the time of sowing, and the best way to prepare the land. I hope you, or some of your able correspondents, will please inform me what will prevent a horse from slobber- ing or frothing at the mouth. I have seen the remedy in your valuable journal, but I cannot find it again. Yours, with respect, Addison Clinkscales. AbbeviUe District^ S. C., June 6, 1859. [Inquiries like the above we prefer leaving to be an- swered by other correspondents, as we wish to draw out as much as possible of the varied experience of our readers. — Ed,] Crops, &c., on the Seaboard. — An experienced plan- ter, near Beaufort, S. C., writes.us, June 4 : “I am planting Short Cotton as my principal crop this year, the Long staple proving too poor a business to be continued any longer than unavoidable. I have planted thirty acres of Mastadon, which 1 think the finest short staple that I have ever seen, although I thought that I had some uncommonly fine before. “The fruit crop is only moderate. Madelaine Pears al gathered, and almost gone. Cotton is unusually back-1 ward, (both Long and Short) and Corn crops rather ir- regular. Rice very promising. I have just received one of Share’s Hiller, Scraper, «&c., &c., which I hope to see tried next week. It looks promising, but I have learned not to trust to looks, I am also expecting one of Sayre’s Coulter Harrows, which I hope to find a useful implement. Yours respectfully, R. Salty Land — Editor Southern Cultivator — Some of our rich bottom lands that have been in cultivation for fif- teen or twenty years, have for the last few years been very much injured by salt rising to the surface in many spots. We did not pay much attention to it at first, but it is be- coming much worse, and literally destroying the produc- tion of some of our best lands. We have, to some ex- tent, tried ditching and other experiments, all of which have failed to reclaim those salt spots. Now, Mr. Editor, can you, or any of your numerous correspondents, inform ua through the columns of the Cultivator by what pro- cess we can reclaim this land 'i Let us hear from you on this important subject. S. F. R. Black Jacki La., June, 1859. [If deep under-drains will not carry off the excess of salt, we know not what will. Will some of our corres- pondents, who have had experience, give us a remedy 'i —Ed,] Corn, Cob, and Meal Mills. — Editor Southern CuU tivator — Can you tell me where a good, cheap, and serviceable Meal, and Corn and Cob Mill can be pur- chased, one furnisning its own horse power I How does “Rowe’s Prize Crusher” answer; does it fur- nish its own horse power 1 An early reply is respectful- ly solicted. Yours, very truly, C. C. S. P. Smith’s Point, Texas, Jane, 1859. [We do not think Rowe’s Crusher can be made to produce good meal for table use. Will not Mr. Rowe himself reply to these and similar queries? — Ed,[ Books on Sheep, &c. — Editor Southern Cultivator — As I design to go into sheep raising soon, on a small scale, I ask through your journal, the Cultivator, where I can obtain a work on the raising of sheep, their treat- ment, diseases, &c., who the author, its price, &c. Respectfully, your subscriber, E. R. M. Moscow, Texas, May, 1859. [See list of agricultural books in May number, (1859) page 153. — Ed.] Marketing Fruit, &c, — Editor Southern Cultivator — I have a fair crop of Peaches, mostly early varieties, and I desire some information as to the best mode of packing, shipping to New York, &c. Also, the name of a respon- sible dealer to whom I can consign them. I am a little over one hundred miles from Charleston, and about two miles from the railroad. Yours respectfully, H. C. South Carolina, June 8, 1859. Reply. — We do not how we can better subserve the interests of “H. C.”, and perhaps many other subscri- bers, than by publishing the circular of Messrs. Drew & French, No. 6 Erie Buildings, New York city. These gentlemen we believe to be honorable, upright and enter- prising dealers, and the directions which follow are, in the main, correct : “Peaches. — ^The growers of fine Peaches, either near by or at a distance, who can sucpeed in placing their fruit in this market in good order, may expect remunerative prices, but they cannot reasonably look for the extrava- gant rates of the last two years. All things considered, the crate or slatted box is no doubt the best style of package for Peaches shipped to this market from South of the Delaware, especially where facilities exist for making them very cheaply. From much experience and observation, we suggest for the Southern Peach trade slatted boxes of the follow- ing inside dimensions: One bushel each — length 23 inches; width, 11 1-2 inches; depth, 10 1-2 inches; with a partition of one-half to three-quarters of an inch thick, equi-distant from each end. Two bushels each — length, 29 inches; depth, 14 inches; breadth 14 inches ; with a partition one inch thick, equi- distant from each end. The bottoms, tops, and ends to be made tight — the sides of jopen slats. The compartments thus made will contain, respectively, half a bushel in the former, and a bushel in the latter ; and being nearly in the form of a cube, the same depth and pressure of fruit will be maintained in all positions of the package. This is important, because boat-men and cart-men are sure to carry packages of this delicate fruit with great roughness, and in any shape that best suits their con- venience. Peaches, as well as Apples and other fruits, will stand long carriage much better if well but not roughly shaken down, and filled so full that the lid or cover of the package will press down tightly upon the fruit, thus keeping it from shifting or bruising by the motion of the carriage or rail car. For this purpose, tight instead of slatted covers are necessary. Carriages and cars with well-adjusted springs should always be used for Peaches. At the commencement of the season, and for very choice fruit, smaller packages would be desirable, holding say half a bushel ; and it would pay well to wrap the fruit in paper clippings, or wrap it in soft white paper, as is customary with oranges. Our experience indicates that if Peaches could be thoroughly cooled before packing, and then packed in very tight boxes, they would reach their destination in much better order than by the ordinary mode. Where there is opportunity to cool them properly, the experi- ment of light packing is worth a trial. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 211 The picking for a distant market requires much skill and good judgment. If picked too green, the fruit will be nearly or quite worthless, and if too ripe, it will decay before reaching the consumer. [See directions on this subject, in “Hints for the Month.”— Ed. So. Cult.] To attain the right point, a careful and prompt corres- pondence is requisite between consignor and consignee, touching the time of picking, the state of the fruit when picked, its condition on arrival at market, state of the weather, incidents of the passage, &c. A few years ago the idea of transporting fresh peaches from the interior of Georgia to this metropolis for a mar- ket would have been deemed utterly visionary. Steam communication has, however, in a great measure revo- lutionised the fruit and vegetable trade of our city. The period of supply of each vaiiety is on the average doubled, thus extending to our citizens nearly through the year, luxuries formerly enjoyed but for a brief period. The first arrival of peaches last summer was on the •29th June — thirteen boxes of one bushel each, from Charleston, which sold atS8 to Si 2 per box, and seven- ty-five baskets of half bushel each, from Savannah, sold at S3 to S4: per basket. The receipts of the succeeding week were about four hundred and fifty bushels, and sold at S3 to S6 per bush- el, In the height of the season the arrivals were from two thousand to four thousand bushels per steamer ; one trip running as high as six thousand bushels. Prices ranged from 50c, to S4 per bushel, according to quality and condition. The springing up of this important trade developes new features, and involves commercial transactions of a higher order than the ordinary loose methods of transfer- inf fruits and vegetables from the producers of the adja- cent localities to the city consumers, and we think, from our large experience with this fruit, and our ample busi- ness arrangements, that we can satisfy those who may favor us with their consignments,” Bermuda Grass— Pine Straw, &c. — Editor Southern Cultivator — Dr. Philips’ numerous articles in favor of Ber- muda Grass have influenced me to want to try it, seeing the great necessity for something of that kind. And as I am unacquainted with the Bermuda Grass, I will be thank- ful to you or some of your numerous correspondents for further information. I have been under the impression that Bermuda Grass did not seed, but have been led to a different conclusion from one remark by Dr. Philips in the last number of your journal. If it does seed, where can I get the seed, and at what price ? and if it does seed, (although Dr. Philips says it will not pass under a hedge) will it not pass down the rivulets and into the creek bot- toms'! 2nd. When is the proper time to plant, and how 1 3rd. Will pine straw alone, manure a light sandy soil “I And if it will, which is the proper way to apply it, and how long until it will decompose so that the land will do to cultivate 1 Subscriber Jurior. [Dr. Philips will, doubtless, take pleasure in answer- ing the Bermuda inquiries through our pages. Respect- ing pine straw— we prefer using it as bedding in our stables, and afterwards composting it before applying it ai manure. In this way, it absorbs much urine and other fertilizing matter ; but if applied dry it is a long time in decomposing, and of comparatively little value. — Ed.] Hungarian Grabs Seed. — Can you inform me where and how I can get the Hungarian Grass Seed '? I would like very much to get the seed if it is only a small pack- age by mail. Yours, «&c., R, E. C. Shelby ville, Texas, May, 1859. [The seed may be ordered from V, LaTaste or Plumb & Leitner, of this city. — Ed.] Rats, Mange, Lice, &c. — Ask some of your correspon- dents for an infallible Rat exterminator. Also, a remedy for mange and lice on hogs, J. M, H. Haralson, Ga., May, 1859. OUR BOOK TABLE. Hints to Horse- Keepers; a Complete Manual for Horse- men, By the late Henry William Herbert, (“Frank Forester.”) Beautifully illustrated. New York : A. 0. Moore &Co,, 140 Fulton St, 1859. This last work of poor Herbert, (left unfinished at his death, but completed by a competent hand) is in many respects, the most practical and useful that fell from his very forcible and prolific pen. It tells How to Breed a Horse— How to Buy a Horse — How to Break a Horse — How to Use a Horse — How to Feed a Horse— How to Physic a Horse (Allopathy and Homcepathy) — How to Groom a Horse — How to Drive a Horse — How to Ride a Horse, with chapters on Mules and Ponies, and an ex- cellent treatise on Female Equestrianism, written by a Lady. With additions, including “Rarey’s Method of Horse-Taming,” and “Baucher’s System of Horseman- ship,” Also, directions for the selection and care of Car- riages and Harness of every description, and a brief, but satisfactory Memoir of the author. The whole printed in the best style and very handsomely illustrated. All Horse-Keepers should have this excellent book, and may do so by sending the small sum of $1.25 to A. 0, Moore & Co., 140 Fulton St,, New York. Farm Drainage, By Henry F. French, of New Hamp- shire. Profusely illustrated. Published by A. 0. Moore & Co., 140 Fulton Street, New York. 1859. This the first really complete American work on the very important subject of which it treats. It embraces the principles, processes and effects of Draining Land, with stones, wood, plows and open ditches, and especial- ly with tiles; including tables of rain-fall, evaporation, filtration, excavation, capacity of pipes ; cost and num- ber to the acre, of tiles, &c., &c., giving to the farmers and planters of the country enough of scientific principles to satisfy intelligent inquiry, and plain and full directions for executing work in the fields, according to the best known rules. If it is true that nearly all lands may be benefitted by drainage, and that the richest and best por- tions of our country yet lie idle for the want of it, the value of such a thorough and practical guide as this book furnishes cannot be easily estimated. Every farmer and planter should possess it and practice its teachings. Price Sl.25 Address the publishers, as above. Hints Toward Physical Perfection; or. The Philoso- phy of Human Beauty ; showing How to Acquire and Retain Bodily Symmetry, Health and Vigor ; Secure Long Life, and Avoid the Infirmities and Deformities of Age. By D. H. Jacques. New York : Fowler and Wells, Publishers, 308 Broadway. Price $1, per mail. This is a work which is destined to attract much atten- tention, and awaken a deeper interest in the physical im- provement of the race than has yet been manifested ; as i* 212 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. shows how certain and easy this improvement may be made by the use of the perfectly legitimate means therein pointed out. Its revelations of the laws of human con- figuration, on which symmetry and beauty depend, are not less interesting and important than they are novel and surprising. It will be found deeply interesting to both sexes (but especially to women) and to all ages; and we commend it to all for whom health, strength and beauty have any at- trctions ; to parents, as a guide to the right performance of their all-important functions and duties ; to teachers, who may learn from it how to develop the minds and bodies of their pupils harmoniously together; to young women, who will not look in vain to its pages for the secrets of that womanly beauty and personal attraction which they very naturally desire to possess ; and to young men, who will find it a manual of rules for the development of those high qualities of physical vigor and manliness which will command the admiration of their own sex no less than the love of the other. Illustrated with twenty plates and a large number of cuts, executed in the best style. Ad- dress the publishers, as above. Sugar Making from Sorghum. — Messrs. Hedges, Free, & Co., of No. 6 Main street, Cincinnati, publish an in- teresting pamphlet of nearly 200 pages, containing “Experiments with the Sorghum Sugar Cane, Sugar Making,” &c., with descriptive catalogue of Sugar making apparatus and agricultural implements. Copies of this Catalogue will be mailed to any address on receipt of three letter stamps, by Hedges, Free & Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio Prairie Farming in America, with Notes by the Way in Canada and the United States. By Jas Caird, M. P., author of “English Agriculture,” “Lettern on the Corn Crops,” “High Farming,” &c., &c. 1859. This is a little book of travel and observation by an English gentleman, who seems to have a pecuniary interest in some of the prairie lands cf the West, There is considerable information scattered through it, and it is, upon the whole, quite readable and pleasmt. It is pub- lished by D, Appleton & Co., New York. Suggestions on Landscape Gardening. By Charles Follen, Architect and Landscape Gardener. Thorough Drainage. By J. Herbert Shedd, Civil En- gineer. Both the above papers are comprised in a small pamph- let, from the press of Phillips, Sampson & Co , Boston; and though the authors are,of necessity, obliged to condense their remarks into a very small space, they contrive to give us some very sensible hints and suggestions. Grapes: Cultivation of the Hardy ^.merican Grape Vine, with hints on How to Purchase, and What Varieties of Vines to Plant, &c. By Josiah Salter, a Practical Grape Grower of Twenty Years experience. This is a very excellent little treatise on Grape Culture as it should be practiced in the Northern and Middle States, and many of its lessons might be studied by our readers with profit. It may be had per mail for 15 cents in Post Office stamps. Address Josiah Salter, Rochester, New York. “Discourses on a Shameful Life,” and “A Dis- course ON the Evils of Gaming,” are two Sermons by the Rev. E. H. Chapin, D. D., of New York. The subjects under discussion are treated in the peculiarly forcible and eloquent manner of the author, and both Discourses are intended and well calculated to do good. Price 10 cents each. Published by Thatcher &• Hut- inson, 523 Broadway, New York, The “ Southern Field and Fireside ;” a Weekly Liter- ary and Agricultural Journal, W. W, Majw, Literary Editor, Dr, D. Lee, Agricultural Editor. Wm. N. White, Horticultural Editor. Jas. Gardner, Publisher. S2 per year. Augusta, Ga. This new journal is a very handsome Weekly of 8 pages, of the size and form of the New York Ledger. The first four numbers give abundant evidence of taste and ability in the different departments to which it is devoted, and we doubt not its interest and value as a Southern Family Paper will be well sustained. It starts under very fair and promising auspices, and we trust it will prove a suc- cess. Address the publisher, as above. The Microscopist’s Companion ; a Popular Manual of Practical Microscopy. Designed for those engaged in Microscopic Investigation, Schools, Seminaries, Col- 'eges, etc., and comprising Selections from the best writers on the Microscope, relative to its Use, Mode of Management, Preservation of Objects, etc., to whiefi is added a Glossary of the Principal Terms used in Micro- scopic Science, By John King, M. D. Illustrated with one hundred and fourteen Cuts, Cincinnati; Robert Clarke & Co. 1859. The above is the title merely of a very useful and enter- taining work now in press, a fuller notice of which will be g'ven as soon as it is published. The Gardener’s Monthly improves with every num- ber, and will soon be indispensable to all cultivators who pretend to “keep up with the times.” It is published monthly at ^1 per annum. Address the editor, Thomas Meghan, Philadelphia, Pa., or the Agent, V. LaTaste, of this city. The Horticulturist has been so often praised in these columns that we need now only say that it is as “good as ever,” and that no fruit grower or florist can afford to do without it, $2 per annum. Address C, M. Saxton, 25 Park Row, New York. Camels in Mobile. — The steamer Fashion brought to Mobile on her last trip twenty-one camels. The TYibune says ; They are natives of the Canaries. Eight of them are to be taken to Dallas, by Mr. B. M. Woolsey, of that coun- ty. The rest are for sale here. There can hardly be a doubt that these animals will be found very serviceable for certain kinds of work. For ex- ample, one of them can easily cary two bales of cotton on its back attherate of 25 mile? a day over a road which would be impassable to an empty wagon drawn by a pair of mules. The cost of keeping them is very little, and in en- durance, under labor or privation, no animal can excel them. They are as gentle, too, as a dog. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 213 VINEYARDS NEAR MACON, GA. The Macon Journal tf* Messenger gives us the follow- ing sketch of Vineyards in that vicinity. We will per- form a similar duty for Augusta in a future number. See, also, the Report of the Aiken Committee, on another page: ‘•We are gratified to see that some of our neighbors are making preparations to go into the cultivation of the vine on an extensive scale, for wine- making purposes. “Mr. O. F. Adams, of East Macon, has now about three thousand vines, most of which are three and two years old, and bearing a considerable quantity of grapes. His grounds are in fine order, and he contemplates mak- ing a considerable addition to them next year. “R. R. Hutchins has several hundred, and is making arrangements to increase his vineyard next year. His vines are mostly in their third year, and producing abun- dantly for their age. He has about fifty vines of the Scup- pernong. “John M. Fields has also a vineyard of about five thou- sand vines of two and three years old. Also several thausand cuttings now rooted, to be added next year. A majority of the vines spoken of, are the Catawba. The others, generally, Warrenton, Devereaux, Bland Maderia, a few Isabella, and some of varieties unknown to us. “From these small vineyards, the product next year must be many thousand gallons of wine. All these vine- yards are well located and cultivated, and vines in a flour- ishing condition.” Japan Wax Tree. — We are indebted to the Commis- sioner of Patents for seed of this tree, which we have care- fully planted ; and we find the following allusion to a na- tive plant of similar character, in the Clareyiden C ) Banner : “It seems not to be generally known that we have a wax tree in America. The early settlers, we think, called it the ‘candle-berry tree.’ The substance manufactured from it strongly resembles wax. As the botanical name of the tree of Japan is not given, we cannot decide wheth- er not it is the same as our American tree. There stood, a few years ago, a venerable wax tree, or candle-berry bush, quite near Brewing Church. It was some twelve feet in height, and bore a profusion of berries, from whicfi a substance very similar to wax, was made in the mode indicated in Gen. Campbell’s letter, as being employed by the Japanese.” Elder Tree. — The Herkimer (N.Y.) Journal say^: — “It is not known to many persons that the common elder bush of our country is a great safeguard against the de- vastations of insects. If any one will notice it will be found that insects never touch the elder. This fact was the initial point of the experiments of an Englishman in 1694, and he communicated the result of his experiments to a London magazine. Accident exhumed his old work, and a Kentucky correspondent last year communicated to the Dollar Newspaper a copy of ihe practical results as ascertained by the English experimenter. That the leaves of the elder, scattered ove» cabbages, cucumbers, squashs, and other plants subject to the ravages ofinsects efifeclually shields them. The plum, and other fruits sub- ject to the ravages of the insects, may be saved by plac- ing on the branches and through the treebianches of elder leaves.” BarticultEial Stpailinrat. MAGNOLIA [GRANDIFLORA] GLORIOSA— NEW and line Roses, <&c« Editor Southern Cultivator — Among the newly in- troduced Evergreens there is one which is entitled to the pre-eminence among those of its class. I allude to the Magnolia Grandijlora Gloriosa, which originate! at Angers, France, in the grounds of Mr. Lebreton. We have one plant three feet high which has produced this season three flowers, which surpassed in size the largest of the common Grandijlora. The number of petals is as high as fourteen and of immense size ; the foliage is re- markably glossy and large, with the back of the leaves exceedingly ferruginous. Its quality of blooming at the age of two years is by itself a remarkable one and the plant must soon find its way into all flower gardens, and will be one of their brightest gems. Among the new varieties of Roses which we imported from France during the past winter, there are some which may be called perfection, and are as much superior to most of the old leading vrieties as the Shockley Apple is to the Wild Crab. Among the newest I will mention: hybrid ferpetuals. Bacchus. — Flower medium, very full, fiery crimson shaded with darker velvety spots. Superb. Comte de Morny. — Flower large, full, in form of cups, rosy carminate. Ereque de Nismes. — Very large, finely formed, full, red purple, showy, highly mottled with very dark crimson. Gloire de Lyon. — Medium flower, full, dark red, purple, velvety, passing almost to black violet. Superb. Lcelia. — Very large, full, rosy carminate. Lord Palmerston. — Medium, full, lively scarlet, fine bloomer. Louis Chaix. — Large, full, perfect form, fiery red, shad- ed with crimson. Louise d' Autriche. — Very large, full, violet, seedling of LaReine. Madame de Besse. — Large, full, in form of cups, rosy, lilac centre, lighter on circumference.. Mademoselle Faugel. Medium, full, flat, fine rosy, centre darker. Maximilien //, or King of Bavaria. — Medium, full, dark purple shaded. Superb. Monsieur de Montigny. — Very large, full, flat, fine rosy carminate. Souvenir de Beranger. — Medium, full, fine brilliant rose. Thomas Rivers. — Medium, full, globulous, fine pink, very brilliant. Triomphe des Beam Arts. — Large, nearly full, velvety, crimson. Triomphe de Montrouge. — Middle full, scarlet. Virginie Ballet. — Medium, flowering in panicles, fine, rosy. bourbon roses. Caroline Riguet. — Medium, full, perfect, pure white. General B I a'^ chard. — Medium, full, transparent, rosy, fine bloomer. Josephine Clermont.— Medium, full, fine pink with darker centre. Madame Comlesse. — Medium, full, fine pink, very per- fect form. Madame Eliza de Chenier^ — Medium, full, flowering in corymbs, lively pink, fine bloomer and fine grower. Monsieur Jard. — Large, full, imbricated, cherry redj superb. MOSS PERPETUALS. It has been long doubted by most horticulturists of the 214 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. possibility of producing Everblooming Moss Roses. The floral world is indebted to the ofiorts of M, Vibert for the introduction of this new class which will soon supersede all others, as they corribine all the beauty of the old Moss Roses with that o^he\x\^ everblooming. Of this class we now possess a flne variety, and will mention among the best : Alfred de D almas. — Medium, full, pink cent"e, with some petals of a lighter tinge. Madame Edouard Ory. — Large, very full, perfect form, light rosy. Marie de Bourgogne. — Very full, light red, fine bloom- er. Ma Ponctuee. — Medium, full, cherry red, spotted with white. These I consider as worthy of a place in the best col- lection, although the list of varieties is now quite exten- sive. I cannot close this list without mentioning some other Roses, although having been introduced a year or two sooner, are still very little disseminated. The following are remarkable by their showy colors and perfect forms : HYBRID PERPETUALS. Empereur Bonaparte. — Large, very full, dark, velvety, crimson, shaded with darker brown ; magnificent. Eord Raglan. — Much analogy with the above, but more globulous and somewhat lighter. General Jacqueminot. — Very large, nearly full, cherry red, very showy. Prince Leon Kostchoubay. — Very large full, fiery red ; superb. Dembrovrsky. — Large, nearly full, deep violet crimson. Paul Dupuy. — Large full, dark crimson, changing to violet. To contrast with these the following are as much worthy of notice-, although their colors are less brilliant : Rosine Margottin^ Marie Aviat, Dr. Henon, Madame de 'ProtteTf Abbe Fetel and many others, whose aggregate number is endless, .and makes it a difficult matter to de- cide which to discard, as almost all of them have some peculiar merit to claim their admittance among the rest. We have a number of other new Roses, but, as yet, have not seen their flowets enough to report on them. Yours respectfully, P. J. BfRCKMAlfS. Fruitland, Augusta^ Ga., May 27, 1859. ORCHARDS AND VINEYARDS NEAR AIKEN, South Carolina* The Committee appointed by the “Aiken Vine Grow- ing and Horticultural Association” to visit and examine Orchards and Vineyards in the neighborhood of Aiken, submit the following REPORT : Shortly after their appointment, the Committee met on three several days and visited and examined fourteen dif- ferent places on which there are orchards and vineyards. From the owners of other places which they were unable, personally, to visit at the time, they procured authentic information of the number of their trees and the condition of the same. Their examination embraces the following results, which will give some idea of the amount of Fruit Culture in the vicinity of Aiken : 130 acres of Grape : 40,000 Peach Trees ; 4,500 Pears, Apples, Plums, &c. It must be understood that the number of peach and other trees only refers to those larger orchards which have been planted expressly for market, and does not include the smaller orchards which are planted for private use, of which there are some on every farm and almost every lot in Aiken. Peach. — Of this number (40,000 peach trees) a large portion are still quite young and have furnished, as yet, nothing for market ; some 20,000 of them or more having been set out in the last two years. We have ascertained that, during the summer of 1858, there were sent to market from Aiken and the vicinity about 7,500 bushels of peaches. We may thus form some estimate of the value of the crop when all our trees come into bearing. With regard to condition, the Committee would report altogether favorably; but in this culture, as in all others, they observed that care and attention were duly rewarded — those which had received most thorough cultivation of the ground and proper pruning exhibiting a decided su- periority. There is, perhaps, no kind of product which repays more for good culture and selection of first-rate varieties than that of the peach, on account of the enor- mous prices paid for early and superior fruit in rhe North- ern markets. The principal enemy to the Peach here is the Borer, which enters the trunk near the root, and feeds on the inner bark. Unless kept in check they destroy an orchard in a few years. Various plans have been tried to prevent their entrance into the tree, but the only effectual mode as yet known is, to search over the trees, two or three times during the year and destroy the worms. Most of trees planted here for market are from the Northern Nurseries, though we would prefer Southern raised trees. We would strongly recommend the raising of seedlings from the early Southern varieties, with a view of obtaining a yet earlier Peach. Pear. — This fruit has not been cultivated hitherto with us to any great extent. We find a number of persons now trying tee Dwarf Pear (grafted on quince). There are, however, some successful cultivators of the Pear in the neighborhood, as our exhibitions of last summer proved, and as your Committee had an opportunity of verifying on their rides. The most encouraging experi- ment with Pear Culture may be seen at Mr. John D. Legare’s farm. This gentleman was the first who com- menced the cultivation of fruit for market on a large scale in this neighborhood. About 15 years ago he set out an orchard of Peaches, with some Nectarines, Apples and Pears— rihese last were Dwarf Pears, imported from France. As Pear Culture here had always been con- sidered very uncertain, little attention was paid to them. They were neglected in the pruning and cultivation, as Mr. Legare himself informed us, and yet they are now bearing fine crops. Last summer they were so loaded with fruit that a great number of pr«ps were necessary to sustain the limbs and prevent their breaking down. The cultivation of the Dwarf Pear is becoming very general in other quarters. The most suitable soil is said to be a clayey loam, as the quince stock on which it grows prefers such soil. It would, therefore, be unsuited to those situations where our grapes and peaches may best grow; but, in the variable soils of this region, clay grounds may be found on almost every farm, adapted to this culture. We would strongly recommend a trial of the Pear on Haw stock. The common Haw tree of this region {Cratcegus cestivalis) flourishes well on light sandy soils and would probably be well adapted for grafting upon. We have the assurance of one of the most success- ful Pear cultivators in our Association that he has found the Pear, grafted on the Haw, to do well, and in further confirmation, one of your Committee will state that he grafted two pear scions on seedling Haws, one year old, in the winter of 1858, both of which grew last summer be- tween 5 and 6 feet high. This is, perhaps, more than would SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 215 have been done on the quince, and is highly encouraging for further trial. Apples. — But little attention has been paid hitherto to the better varieties of this fruit. As long as we depend on propagating the well-known Northern winter and fall varieties, nothing but failure may be expected. Our Southern Nurseries are now well furnished with Southern seedlings of the best quality, which are believed to be even superior to the best Northern fruit. We are giving them a trial, and hope to report favorably in a year or two more. Apricots and PZw7»5.--Both these fruits are too uncertain and precarious for this locality. The improved varieties of plum, originating in more Northern latitudes are un- suited to our climate and do not come to perfection. They are more liable to the attacks of the Curculio than other stone fruit. The Apricot flowers so early in the season that it rarely escapes our late frosts. Grapes. — Your Committee took account of J30 acres in Grapes, nearly all of which they visited and examined. The Grape Culture has received an impetus in the last few years at the South from the increasing conviction that our soil and climate, in the high rolling lands above the falls of the rivers, (and more especially in the light ridges of the Sand Hill region) arc highly congenial to its growth. This conviction among us has, in a great measure, grown out of the success which has attended the efforts of two of our members, to whom we wish to award all praise. Dr. McDonald and Mr. DeCaradeuc, the largest vintners and wine makers of this immediate section, have extensive vineyards— the former 75, and thelatter 20 acres, from which they have annually, for many years past, made several thousand gallons, and sold at highly remunerating prices. Except these two vineyards, all the others are young — of one, two or three years growth. There is a deterfni- nation to extend this culture on the part of those who have commenced vineyards, and there will probably be many more acres added to the above in the course of the present year. The Committee, in conclusion, would repeat that they were highly pleased with the result of their examination, in the healthy and flourishing state of orchards and vine- yards which they visited, and in the kind hospitality and good cheer they received on all sides in their rides through the country. * Jas. Purvis, ) A. M. D. Robertson, > Committee. H. W. Ravenel, ) Aiken, S. C., May, 1859. TREE PEDDLERS FROM THE NORTH — CAU- tion ! ! ! ! Editor Southern Cultivator— I deem it my duty to inform you, and through you, the agricultural public, of a gross fraud which a party,of Fruit Tree Peddlers from the North are attempting (and I fear but too successfully) to practice upon our people. The whole country has been carefully districted off and then closely canvassed by these gentry, whose style of operations is something like this : They prepare strong glass jars or cans, filled with the best specimens of Northern fruit, preserved in alcohol, and exhibit these to the ignorant and unsuspecting, as samples of what may be produced here, from trees which they will furnish. These fruits (seen through such a medium) are greatly magnified in size, and well calculated to deceive and humbug people. Now I will lay down a few propositions which you, in common with all experienced Southern horticulturists, know to be correct ; and then if our people nre foolish enough to invest their money in worthless stuff, let them suffer the consequences : 1st. None of the leading varieties of Northern fall or winter Apples are worth planting anywhere South of Virginia. Our seasons are so long and warm that they ripen prematurely in July or August, and tall off the tree, rotten and worthless. 2d. The only late keeping Apples of any value what- ever for the South, are Southern Seedlings, raised here. Of these, our Southern Nurserymen have now at least 50 varieties — that cannot be obtained from the North, and the best ot which are superior to any grown there. I in- clude in this list, the Mangum (or Carter), the Shockley, Equinetely, Stephenson, Oconee Greening, Ralph, Nicka- jack. Green Crank, Limbertwig, and many oihers — all of Southern origin, and better, in every respect, than the Newtown Pippins, Spys, Swaars and Spitzenbergs of the North. A few of the early Northern Apples do very well here; but, in procuring these, always get trees grown in the South. 3rd. Our Southern Seedling Peaches, in their , seoson, are also better adapted to our climate and superior in other respects to the Northern and European varieties. This is the proper climate of the Peach, and our trees are far more vigorous and healthy than those of the North. Therefore, do not purchase any Peach trees from the North. If you want the Northern varieties, get those tliat have been grafted or budded on Southern stocks. 4th. The same caution will hold good in regard to all other varieties of fruit trees, such as Pear, Plum, Apricot, Nectarine, Quince, &c., «fcc. And in planting a vine- yard, get Southern grown Grape cuttings and roots when- ever it is possible. 5th. Do not be fooled out of your money by fancy- colored pictures of Currants, Gooseberries, &c. These fruits are not adapted to our climate — they have been tried a thousand times, and always failed. We have a better Currant than any cultivated at the North, viz : the Ame- lanchier, or “Currant Tree,” [Amelanchier Canadensis, or Botryapiurn] sometimes called “Shad Flower” or “May Cherry.” This delicious fruit can be raised on any soil and bears profusely. It may be propagated readily from suckers, and I hope our Southern Nurserymen will, here- after, keep a larger stock of plants on hand. 6th Southern Nurserymen are now fully prepared to supply all desirable varieties of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Vines, Roses, tf-c. — grown with especial reference to our own climate ; and the Southerner who sends or gives his orders to Northern Nurseries or the peddlers (while he is, perhaps, politically advocating disunion and non-intercourse!) can hardly be considered a consistent man or a true patriot. 7th. The cause of Southern Horticulture and Pomology has been sadly dimaged by our failures with Northern fruits ; so much so that many of our people are afraid to plant trees at all; not knowing the difference between those which are and which are not adapted to our climate. This retarding of the natural progress of our country in fruit culture has already cost us thousands if not millions of dollars, and still we are sending our money to the North for trash not worth half the cost of freight ! Was there ever such “moon-struck” folly and inconsistency 1 8th. To succeed in growing Fruit in the South, get from Southern Nurseries, trees of Southern varieties, which are known by experience to suit our climate, and let the intinerating venders of Northern trees plant their “scions” in “free soil.” What say you, Mr. Editor I Malic Acid. Home Place, Ga., June, 1859. Reply. — We say that our correspondent is altogether ricrH. Thpre is neither any sppsp nr ripceesify in send- 216 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. ing to a distance for that which can be better obtained at home, and the particular evil of which he complains is really getting to be serious. We would rather have one Southern raised tree than two Northern trees of the same age and variety ; and the remarks of “Malic Acid” re- specting the superiority of our Southern Winter Apples, &c., are literally true. In a private note, our correspon- dent disclaims any illiberal or sectional prejudice, and we are sure he does not cherish any such feeling. He is, in all such matters, liKe ourselves: only actuated by a desire that the truth should be known, and that our people may be awakened to their own interests. We feel it to be our duty to publish his timely and vigorous caution, and could add much more on the subject, ourselves, were it necessary, — Eu, PRUNING FRUIT TREES. Editor Southern Cultivator — In reply to the in- quiries of Mr. Keon, we will give our own method of pro- ceeding with young fruit trees. We prefer in the first place, a young, thrifty, straight shoot or graft in prtference to one that has thrown out branches in the Nursery row, for the reason that we can get a good foundation in its straight trunk for a symetrical, well-formed tree if proper- ly managed. ^ After we have planted our tree, we head it down to about 3 feet in height, and should it throw out more shoots than we wish to retain to form a top to our liking, we rub or pull them off from time to time, and only retain such as are necessary to form the top. This is our plan of proceeding with apple and standard pear trees. As regards the heads of Peach trees becoming too thick or filled with spray from pursuing the shortening in sys- tem, we can assure all that this is the very thing in our hot Southern climate we wish and aim to accomplish ; instead of letting in the sun and air, our aim and efforts should be to exclude it — shade is what our fruits want. As the Peach only bears one crop on its wood and the growth of this year forms the fruit bearing wood for next year, and so on from year to year, it will at once be per- ceived that by the shortening-in method we force the tree to throw out shoots in the interior instead of at the ends of the limbs alone, as is the case when left to its own way We have never seen an instance where a Peach tree needed its branches thinned out, but when Apple and Pear trees have been transplanted from three to four years the smaller spray in the interior should be cut away, but never any large limbs, unless through previous neglect some should have grown so as to prove injurious or un- sightly. J. 7an Buren. ■ Clarkesville, Georgia, 1859. Old Wines. — At a recent auction sale of the wines of a deceased Lord Justice in Scotland, eleven hundred doz en bottles of the choicest brands were disposed of at high rates. The best Port of the vintage of I82L sold for about S50 a dozen, the best Sherry sold for $62 a dozen. The highest price given was for Johannisbnrg of 1834 and 1842. noted as “ Prince Metternich’s,” which lot brought $84 a dozen. Most of the' old Madeira wine for sale in this coun- try formerly belonged to families in Boston. The “ Judge Story” brands are $4 a bottle, Isaac D. Davis’s Eclipse” is $8 a bottle, ‘ Gov. Phillips, 1820” and “Edward Tuckerman, 1820, are $10 a bottle, “ Frances Amory” Madeira bottled in 1800 is sold at $12 a bottle ! [And a bottle of Axt’s Georgia Wine of 1856, (costing $1,) is probably better and purer than any of these- — Ed.] GRAPE CULTURE — WIRE TRELLISES, &c. An exchange paper says : — “The wire trellis is a kind of support that is growing in favor with vine dressers. A limited number of posts should be planted along the rows in the spring of the second year ; to these a single wire is attached by means of staples, or by sawing a notch into the edge of the post ; or it may be passed through holes bored through the post and secured at each end, where the post is also braced firmly. This first wire may be placed about a foot or eighteen inches from the ground ; the others may be put up at spaces of about a foot, or they may be omitted until the succeeding year. Some appliances have been invented for stretching the wires; but the simple arrangement of Mr. Charles Carpenter, (a very succcsTul vine dresser of Kelley’s Island, in Lake Erie,) is perhaps the best. He advises commencing two feet outside of the first vine in the row, and setting posts of any good, durable timber fifty feet apart. Those at the ends of the row should be set deeply and firmly. At twenty, forty and sixty inches from the ground, bore half- inch holes, and pass through them good annealed wire, about No. 8 or 9. When you have gone through a row, or as far as the wire will reach, make^it fast at an end post by driving into the hole from the outside a pin of hard wood, and leaving out several inches of wire to wind around the pin close to the post. It will never pull through, but it should be drawn tight at the opposite end, and secured in the same way. If at any time intermedi- ate supports are wanted, a stake three inches thick should be msed, having small notches cut obliquely downward with a hand saw to receive the wire, which may be fasten- ed with a single nail. This can be built for less than a wooden trellis, and is more durable and convenient ; and it may be stated that thorough annealing is a better pre- ventive of rust than paint or ordinary, galvanized wire. At the winter pruning, the shoots may be passed to the right and left of the stalk, at an angle of 30° or 40°, to wires of suitable height for their length; and the vine may be obliquely bent round the wire, and tied at the ends. It then never gets down, even though the ties should break ; for the fruit hangs on both sides of the wire. The new shoots should then be trained perpen- dicularly, and the whole plants thus freely exposed to the sun and air.” Zante Currants. — The Patent office is in receipt of a lengthy and interesting communication from Samuel B. Parsons, an experienced nurseryman, of Flushing New York, who is now traveling in Europe, concerning the Zante Currants. During his- tour, he visited the Ionian Islands, and acquaintad himself with the mode of cultiva- tion, climatic necessities, and the methpd of drying and packing this fruit; as well as the diseases incidental to the plants, and profits arising from its cultivation ; of all which he informs the Patent Office in detail. He also urges the importance of attempting the introduction of the fruit into this country. The agricultural department of the Patent Office did, how ever, introduce a great quantity of the vines last year, which were widely distributed in the Southern States and in California, and from which the happiest results are anticipated. — Star. [We have several vines of these Currants, or rather Grapes, growing ihrifcly at ‘^Vineland,’' and hope to gather fruit from them next year.— Ed. So. Cult.] SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 217 RENOVATION OF OED TREES — THE PEAR on Quince Stock, «fcc. Editor Southern Cultivator — A subscriber to the Southern Cultivator proposed, in a former number of your paper (1858), the question; “How can old Pear Trees be restored to health &c.T’ As I have not seen that question answered, will you allow me to give you my views on the subject '? I waited till some more able and practical man should have replied to the query, but not finding it answered at all, I venture a few remarks, the result of over thirty years experience, which, I trust, will open the debate for more ^nd better information. I have seen in my days many an old trej mutilated and grafted with better sorts of fruit, and the uniform re- sult of my observations is, that in no case have I seen it succeed well. It is true. Pears or Apples have grown for 2 or 4 years upon n.ew grafts, but there was no lasting re- sult in any case that I have witnessed. The reason of such partial or entire failure lies in the root of Nature’s laws. If it be true to assert that “oli trees do not like to be transplanted,” it is also true that they do not like to be mutilated. Any one who has studied the co-relation be- tween the roots and the upper structure of a tree is aware of the necessity of maintaining a just equilibrium between the feeders and the wasters (supposing, or considering leaves, fruits and blossoms to be waste, as, in part they are). A comparatively old or rather mature tree can bet- ter stand the process of a judicious r?utilation of roots and limbs to be transplanted in another and better condition than that same tree will stand the removal of almost all of its limbs and no corresponding suppression of roots tak- ing place. Before the wounds made by the cutting off of a large limb (say from 4 to 6 inches in diameter) can be healed, decay sets in, especially in such climates as this, where life is more active and destruction, also, in the same ratio. That wound cannot be healed afterwards, and makes a permanent sore by which the limb suffers, after the first or second year of the operation, and afterwards perishes. The structure of a tree is, like all the products of Nature, a most harmonious, ensemble of all the constituents required to make a unit, a creation by itself. Liber, bark, lignum, sap vessels, limbs, leaves and roots are all in due propor- tion to make that creation perfect according to its natural laws and destination. If lightning or storms, or any other cause disturb these laws by breaking or tearing part of the upper structure ; or of grubs or moisture or natural obstacles and destructive agents disturb part of the roots, every one can witness the general check in the growth, and almost the principle of decay setting in. So with a tree submitted to artificial mutilation. The due proportion between roots, limbs, sap and leaves is broken and altered, the sap not finding its former chanels throws out sickly shoots in places where they should not be, or it is checked, thrown back upon the roots where it causes repletion, and abnormal extension ; or we find it checked, strangled in some vessels and causing partial death or atrophia by want of proper outlets in proportion to its abundance supplied by the roots, and sent on the old errand, for it is a strange fact that trees seem to be things of habit and are almost always taken by surprise by our interference. A remarkable instance of this dis- position is to be found in the trees imported from the North. The first spring (whon they are planted during the winter or fall) they send out blossoms and leaves at the first gentle breese and sunshine which so often makes our Southern winters so delightful in January or February — the result is that they are sometimes nipped by the frost in March or April while the old customers keep their dor. mant buds composedly, and I suppose must laugh at the greeyi ones, which are displaying their inexperience to the soft breeses and the unwonted blue and warm sky. The next season or spring following, their education will be complete — Trees raised in the South are never found guilty of su:h foolish tricks and behave as aborigenes according to the laws of their land. Excuse, Mr. Editor, this digression and let us return to our sub- ject. Any horticulturist familiar with the laws governing plants and trees, will see the impossibility of a restoration of old decaying trees by any process of grafting or severe pruning. If a tree, old as it is, retains still a healthy frame, sound vessels, good roots and limbs, such a tree can be restored to a better health by digging at a distance around, or draining; or irrigation (whatever the particular case and locality might require) and in all casses by the application of new good soil, mould, lime, phosphate or any other constituent. If the tree should be grafted at all being in a favorite locality or an old friend not easily to be parted with I should select the soundest among the middle sized limbs put on these grafts of a hardy, robust variety shorten and mutilate the balance of the remaining limbs in due pro- portion, and when the grafts have fairly taken watch and nip and reduce the shoots of the old limbs so as to bring more sap, to the grafts without suddenly disturbing the whole economy of the tree. Two years afterwards, having promoted the growth of new shoots upon the old limbs, I should graft upon those and carefully suppress the remainder of the old limbs ; by that time the first grafts will have acquired strength enough to carry away and use up the abundant sap and the new grafts will safe- ly start on new wood. It would be a good policy to dig around the tree and disturb some of the roots to prevent the exuberant sap to run to the old channels— by the ad- dition of fertilizers as above hinted new roots will be formed in due course of the growth of the new wood, and in due proportion also with the development of the grafts. But my conclusion shall ever be that it is better to re- move an old tree altogether ; renew or change the soil, plant another species of fruit or forest tree in the place where you take up the old one ; unless you restore the soil and fit it for the same kind of tree by a good supply new or field soil. An old tree requires much attention ; it is a sorrowful sight, a forlorn hope ; while a young, thrifty tree is full of life and promise, and will be in full bearing by the time you shall be compelled to cut down the thing to which nature “has numbered the days of its life.” I have heard some complaint and inquiries also about the worm destroying the quince budded pear trees. That never happens when the pear bud or graft starts fairly upon the quince and when the stock is covered— but when the variety does not suit the quince stock, sickness is the result and, in Southern climates, where life is so ac- tive, destruction keeps pace with it, and worms set in. This is a natural law all over the world. The more na- ture promotes the growth of a plant by an appropriated soil, genial climate, absence of drawbacks (as frosts, &c.) the more she is in haste to do away with all sickly things. As in social life where the battle is only won by the strong in body or mind, so in nature’s broad fields and forests there is only room for the robust and vigorous products. Under such conditions we must, of course, pay more attention than we have to do in the middle States, and certainly more than in Great Britain and under moderate temperatures to the congeniality between the stocks and the grafts ; to the hardiness of certain varieties, or in other words, to their adaptation to this more marked climate. 218 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. I never found a sound, well taken budded pear tree upon the quince stock injured by any worms. A few failed and they were sickly when planted. It was natural that the worms should prey upon wood not intended by nature to live. But all other quince budded trees have now, after one year’s planting and growing, such dumps of roots as I never saw before in three years growth in the North. I must suppose that the result will be lasting, for I can see no check in the growth, on the contrary, they are more firmly established than any of my standards, and if there is any difference, therefore, in the growth it is all to the atlvantage of the former, or dwarf trees. L. E. Berckmans. Pearmontf near Augusta^ Ga., May, 1859. ‘‘MADE WINE” — THE STUFF WE OFTEN Drink! Many of us, in this country, seem to think it a difficult process to make good wine even from the ripe and blush- ing Grapes of our sunny Southern hillsides ; but here we have an account of a community of people in France, who make “all sorts” of Wine without the aid of any grapes at all. Is it not time that we should discontinue the use of these abominable and poisonous mixtures I And shall we not, at once, set about making an abundance of our own, pure, native Wines, thereby saving our health, and the annual expenditure of millions of dollars to enrich foreign imposters 1 “ At the northwestern corner of the Mediter- ranean, where the blue waves of the Gulf of Lyons beat upon the sunny shore of Languedoc, stands the smiling and prosperous little town of Cette. Its harbor is convenient, and usually crowded with shipping, dis- playing the flags of many nations. A stranger is often, at first sight puzzled, to determine what may be the par- ticular branch of trade to which the inhabitants are in- debted for their wealth. The warehouses are numerous, the stores are commodious ; there are no beggars, and there is no appearance in any part of indigence or idle- ness, Among the craftsmen, perhaps, a preponderance of coopers is observable ; vast indeed is the consumption of staves and hoops. Logwood here is also used largely, cider extensively, sugar not a little; Cheropiga and Beni- carlo are imported in great quantities, but never leave Cette under the original names. To be brief, within the limits of this little Mediterranean seaport, and from the crude materials above enumerated are produced in enor- mous quantities imitations of every known vintage : Claret, Hocheimer, Johannisberg, Burgundy, Cham- pagne, Moselle, (sparkling or still,) Madeira, Lachrymse, Christi, Constantia, humble Port, or Imperial Tokay. It matters not how rare nor how choice the original semp’e may I e, so accurate is the palate, so nice the skill of this little colony of thrifty wine merchants, that they can, with more than Chinese precision, imitate the flavor and copy the color of the required fluid : nay, even the very fcrm of the bottle in which the genuine wine is ordinarily met with ; so that^an experienced judge is not unfrequent- ly imposed upon. A bad vintage, or even a succession of bad seasons is regarded there as rather a blessing than a misfortune. The price of wine naturally rises, but the cost of ingredients used by the manufacturer of Cette re- maining pretty nearly the same, he is enabled to supply his customers with increased advantage to himself. Lit- tle, therefore, does he pray for an abundance of grapes or a genial September sun. Let but the cider crop be copi- ous, and the Bay of Campeche yield liberally its useful stores, and he will take care that the cellars of England shall not went replenishment with the finest Port ! is said that, some time since, this industrious city was reduced to the greatest straits by the wreck of a long expected vessel with heavy consignment of bois de Bresil. But for a happy thought, there would probably have been a fearful advantage in the price of Port here. Lucki- ly, however, the beet, that summer, had been unusually prolific, and madder was obtainable at easy rates. The loss of the ill-fated ship soon ceased to be bewailed, the honor of Cette was saved, and her profits even exceeded the average of former years.” GARDEN FLOWERS. At the meeting of the Farmers’ Club of the American Institute, in response to a request, Mr. Pardee handed in the following as a select list of 25 species of flowers, which he had prepared for a lady at her request. It was not intimated that the list was complete, but it was said this list, or even a part of it, well cultivated, will be far preferable to a larger number cultivated in the ordinary way, to wit : Best Verbenas. Best Petunias. Best Pansies. Best French Asters. Peona flora and Chrysanthema flora Aster. Phlox Drumraondi alba. Criterion and Victoria. Portulaccas, best varieties. Best Double Balsams. China Pjnk, new marbled. Cypress vine. Canary bird flower. Climbing Cobea. Amaranths, tri- colored, &c. Best double Sweet Williams. Best perennial Lupins. Best Digitalis, or Fox Gloves. Best Delphinium or Larkspur. Best double Hollyhocks. Phlox perennial, Roi Leopold. Dielytra Spectabilis. Dwarf Chrysanthemums. Peonies. Yucca Filamentosa— [Bear Grass !] Roses. With the exception of the last named six species and perhaps the Climbing Cobea, it was recommended to raise the plants from seeds, sparing no pains to get the best kinds of seeds, and, if possible, save them yourselves. If a lady can only be induced to learn enough about the superior cultivation of flowers to excel in one variety, she will be likely to acquire a taste that will enable her to excel in many other kinds, and then she will ever after be sure to have an abundance of fine flowers, with little care or trouble. — Mass. Ploughman. Strawberries. — Last year’s report of the New York Strawberry Convention, states that some of the Long Isl- and gardens yield from 150 to 200 bushels per acre. Those who know it, say that it is an easy matter to get fifty quarts of the best kinds from a bed 20 feet square. A correspondent of the Manchester American writes that he has for several years raised thirty boxes of the straw- berry (30 quarts) on a single square rod, and a lady in Merrimac last year raised forty-three boxes. But be that would succeed in the cultivation of this best of garden luxuries, should inform himself as to the proper modes of culture. The fruit has small rewards for the ignorant and careless. — Maine Farmer. Blaze-Proof. — The delicate gauzy material used for dresses by females on the stage, is rendered proof aginst blaze. It may be consumed without blazing. The fabric is prepared by soaking it in a weak solution of chloride of zinc. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 219 C. M. Hqvet, one of the most intelligent and suc- cessful Pear growers in America, thus gives in his experi- ence on Dwarf Pears : THE CULTURE OF DWARF PEARS. The culture of Dwarf Pears, or Pears Tipon the Quince, has rapidly increased during the last ten years, so that, at the p esent moment, there are but few cultivators who at- tempt to raise this delicious fruit who have not more or less Dwarf Pears in their gareens. Indeed, we think we may safely state that the number of Dwarf Pears planted in the above-named period is at least quadruple, if not ten times as large, as the number set out upon the pear stock. This has resulted from various causes, but principally from the following reasons : 1st, Dwarf Pears are more easily raised than standards, and therefore can be purchased cheaper from the nurser- ies, 2nd. They transplant with much greater facility, and with the utmost certainty of living, 3rd. They come into bearing immediately, and continue to produce annual crops, 4th. They may be cultivated in small gardens, either as dwarfs, pyramids or bushes, occupying but little space, where standards would be highly objectionable on ac- count of their size and shade. 5th, The facility of thinning and gathering the fruit, and the less danger of its being blown from the tree by our high autumnal winds, 6th. The ease with which the trees may be pruned and managed, without the aid of long ladders. 7th, Their very great productiveness. 8th. Their ornamental character when planted on the borders of avenues, or in squares by themselves. These would seem to be abundant reasons why dwarf Pears should be extensively planted by all who love this delicious fruit, and expect to eat it within a reasonable length of time. We have already remarked that nearly if not quite all that has been written against dwarf pear culture, in this country, is mere speculation— mere talk — an attempt of the writers to figure as experienced cultivators, while they have never understood, or, if they did understand, never aftempted their growth in a skillful and proper manner. They admit this. Having been unsuccessful themselves, they would deny success everywhere, were it not that they are compelled by the facts themselves, which cannot be gainsayed, to admit that dwarf pears really “do flour- ish in certain localities,” as if the pear, capricious as all know it to be, was so harlequin in its character as not to succeed under proper treatment throughout the greater portion of the temperate zone, or wherever any of the hardy fruits yield a crop. This is certainly a great argu- ment for writers who have attempted to enlighten the public on Pear Culture to adopt. It might do for some, but not for those who have been so forward to give their opinions. If Mr. Allen were to tell us anything about stock, we should all know what value to place upon the information ; but when he undertakes to talk to us about pear culture, especially dwarf pears, he is oirt of his ele- ment, and his advice has no more practical value than that of other inexperienced but well-meaning cultivators, who have accidentally discovered — what hundreds of practical men have .devoted their whole lives to learn — the complete process of cultivation. We had supposed intelligent pomologists, conversant with the cultivation of the pear for more than two hun- dred years through the writings of eminent practical men in France, where the quince has so long been used as a stock for the pear, gave little heed to all that has been written against dwarf trees, knowing that mere assertion is one thing, and facts, as adduced from history and con- firmed after long years of practical experienced, another. So much have we believed this, that we have not thought it necessary to assert, again and again, what we have already stated. To the practical man there is no need of this, but with the young and inexperienced, who form the greater part of the cultivators of this country, this is not the case. They do not see through the sophistry of the arguments of the opponents of dwarf pear culture, and not knowing how well able theese writers are to maintain their opinions by actual experience, they obtain ideas which would be of inconceivable injury, and perhaps prevent the realization of much of the enjoyment which pear culture affords to those who begin aright, and are willing to learn from those who have the knowledge to teach. Butforthiswe should be willing to let all that has been said against dw.arf pear culture pass as unworthy the attention of practical men. But the phases of the question under discussion are so varied from time to time that it it is difficult to meet them. We are willing to acknowledge that the great chamption of the iDpposition invited our cultivators to consider the simple question, “Can Pears be profitable grown for mar- ket V’ Simple enough, truly, and one should like to see answered; but what was the argument I Why, this, that a distinguished cultivator in Western New York planted out, ten years ago, five hundred dwarf pear trees, and they “had entirely failed,” and “twenty or thirty neighbors,” as well as “scores of pear growers” in that section, had no better success. This was the argument to show "ihat pears could not be profitably grown for market. And now we would ask, has the time yet come when we can ask and expect to receive a satisfactory answer to the question, “Can pears be profitably grown for the market I” We think not. Oar readers all know that we entirely disagree with many writers who have maintain- ed that they could be cultivated “with the expectation of a large income.” We have only to refer to our article in our last volume (XXIV, p 441) in proof of this. The profit of pear culture is one thing — the successful cultiva- tion of dwarf pears another. Let us keep|them distinct. Both pine apples and grapes are grown in greater perfec- tion under artificial culture than they can be found any- where without it. This fact no one doubts. The profits of the attempts to accomplish it is another question. So of pears. There are plenty of excellent varieties which may be grown to as great a profit as any other fruit ; but when these writers talk about contracts to ftirnish half a dozen barrels of Easter Beurres, they only expose their ignorance the more fully, for such pears don’t grow, either on pear or quince, without cultivation, and that of the highest kind. Let us look a moment to the condition of pear culture in France and England, standards being the rule in the latter country and the exception in the former. Accord- ing to accurate tables, ascertained by authority by M. Husson, and published in the Revue Horiicole in 1856, the consumption of pears in Paris, in 1853, was one hun- dred and ninety-pounds (190 lbs.) per head; while in London, as ascertained upon the authority of Brathwaite Poole, the consumption was only eight pounds (8 lbs.) per head, showing that every man, woman and child in Paris comsumed nearly twenty-five times as many pears as those in London. Now we know that the climate of France is more favorable to the pear than that of England ; yet, according to good authority, there are many varieties which flourish perfectly in England and produce abun- dantly. This, therefore, cannot make so great a differ- ence. We must look elsewhere for the cause. It may be said the Londoners do not love pears so well as the Parisians. Perhaps it is so. But we think if the supply was offered to the former they would soon become con- 220 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. sumers. We can only think increased consumption in Paris is supplied from the millions of dwarf pears which are planted in the neighborhood for the supply of the markets, coming into bearing at once, and affording a supply which could not be obtained in twenty years upon the pear stock. In fact, it is well known that all the fine Beurre gris, Easter Beurre and such fine old pears, which be seen in the Parisian markets, are gathered from (i-ees on- walls, trellises or pyramids, worked on the quince. And how has it been thus far in our own country, where we are but just beginning to know many of the fine pears — where, 25 years ago, not twenty varieties were known out of a few extensive collections, and dur- ing which time ne rly one hundred native varieties have been brought to notice. We know something about the supply of pears in the Boston market, which is very large. Yet we venture to say, that of the great quantity of Louise Bonne, Duchess, Easter Beurre, Beurre Diel, Urbaniste, and many others, which are annually offered for sale, not one tenth of them are gathered from standard trees ; and more, if we had to get them from this source, it would be difficult to find a dozen pears were they are offered now by the barrel. In fact, we know standard trees that were planted out immediately after the intro- duction of some of these varieties into the country, which have not yet borne enough fruit to pay for the trees. Shall we, therefore, deny ourselves the luxury of these fine fruits, because some inexperienced and careless cul- tivator tells us he has entirely failed, and “scores” of in- dividuals have failed also to make the dwarf pear succeed I No ; it were better to offer a little wholesome advice in return, and try first to learn yourself before you attempt to teach others. We have little to add to what we have already stated in previous articles in our several volumes. Our own ex- perience and the experience our of neighbors is ample proof of the advantages of dwarf pear culture. Let those who denounce dwarf pears look at the thousands of trees in the collections around Boston, planted from twenty to thirty years, and then ask, “Can pears be grown profit- ably for market I” Let them visit our exhibition and see where the finest pears are obtained. If they still prefer to have standards exclusively, let them do so; but in this preference let them not condemn what they know nothing about. By planting dwarf trees we are enabled to pos- sess all the really fine varieties in a very small garden. We know the excellence of the latest addition in a very brief period, and prove its claim to our farther attention. We make what would be a task a pleasure, for the prun- ing pinching of the branches and the thinning and gather- ing of the crop are in reality a source of great delight to all who appreciate a beautiful tree and relish delicious fruit. — Magazine of Horticulture. nantehal.ee apple, &c. Editor Southern Cultivator. — As we had the-hon- or of naming the Apple with the above name, it may not be amiss in us to give our reasons for the selection. In the first place, the specimen of fruit kindly sent us by Dr. Baldwin of Montgomery, was very beautiful, being of a translucent waxy yellow color with a very faint blush on one cheek, hence we deemed the name an appropriate one, Nantehalee, being, when rendered in our vernacu- lar, Maiden’s Bosom. 2d. As a large portion of our seedling fruits have been derived from the various tribes .of Indians who in times past inhabited the country we now occupy, we have thought’ it but right to attach either the names of places where they originated, the names of the^originators when known, or such words or terms used by them as appeared appropriate, not only ourselves, but uraed the same upon others who have been engaged in bringing to light our Southern fruits, and amongst all, none have made larger or more valuable accessions than our worthy friend'^S. McDowell, of North Carolina. It may not be amiss in us, as we are on the subject of Indian nam.es, to give the history of another of our re- nowned Apples as related to us by Mr. McDowell. Juna- luskee ; “ The original tree of this variety was owned by a Cherokee Chief of the above name, residing in Macon or Cherokee County, N. C., we do not now recollect which ; when the State purchased the right of the In- dians to this portion of the territory, Junaluskee refused to part with bis lot on which grew this favorite tree ; and to induce him to part with it th.^ Commissioners or those having the matter in charge, agreed to allow him fifty dol- lars for his Apple tree.” Nantehalee, is also the name of a beautiful valley and tributary stream of the Tennessee river which rises in Macon .^ounty, N. C. A more wild, romantic and picturesque spot cannot be found within the United States ; that is, if mountains, rocks, gorgeous flowers, and brawling and sparkling waterfalls, thrown together in the most amiable confusion can form one. J. Van Buren. Clarkesville, Gcoigia, 1859. CRAB APPLES AND THEIR USES. Editor Southern Cultivator — Will you or some of your intelligent correspondents be so kind as to furnish me with a recipe, or some instructions by which I can make the greatest profit from, or use of, the common “Crab Apple!” I live in a section of country where it flourishes abundantly. They are a natural, or, rather, a spontaneous product of the soil of some parts of this Parish. It bears profusely, ripens well and, in some cases, is not very bad to eat. We make them into preserves. &c., but it requires a great quantity of sugar. What I wish most to be instructed about is the possibil- ity of working them into cider, wine, vinegar, or some- thing useful and palatable. By obliging me in this instance, you will more than recompense me for my subscription to your useful and in- structive work, the Cultivator, which we all read with more pleasure than you are aware of. I would not be without it for thrice its cost. T. W. W. St. Landry, Western Dis. Washington, La., April, ’59. Reply, — Aside from the preserves to which our corres- pondent alludes, we do not think that the wild Crab Apple {Malus Coronaria) can be applied to any other economical use than the making of cider or vinegar; and the small quantity of sugar which the juice naturally con- tains, detracts from its value even for these purposes. If made into cider, the use of Krauser’s Cider Mill for grinding and pressing the fruit, will greatly facilitate operations. But we Suggest the planting of our improved varieties of the Apple in a country which seems so well adapted to the gr®wth of this fine fruit, as the section of our correspondent. See remarks on Southern Winter Apples, in May number, page 177. — Ed. Hydrophobia. — A writer in the Pr’ovidence Journal furnishes the following prescription for Hydrophobia. Eat the green shoots of asparagus raw ; sleep and per- spiration will be induced, and the disease can thus be cured in any stage of canine madness. A man in Athens, Greece, was cured by this remedy after the paroxysms had commenced. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 221 One of our Southern exchanges has the following sensible article : SOUTHERN WATERING PEACES. It has always been a matter of astonishment and mor- tification to us that the citizens of the South should resort in such large numbers every summer to Saratoga and other northern springs, when they have watering places here, within a few days travel from their residences, every way preferable to those at the North. Most of the Virginia springs, it is now generally admitted, we be- lieve, are superior in health restoring properties to those of New York, and as places of resort for purposes of amusement and gaiety, they possess quite equal advan- tages, and in point of accommodation and good living decidedly better. It is only in the gaudy and expensive show of what is termed fashion, and too often in the folly of dissipation, that the Northern springs outvie those of the South, and long may they continue with- out a rival among us in these respects. They ape, at the North, ^ the aristocratic manners and style and dress of the fashionable European watering places, where the visitors, instead of regaining health and strength, are too often led into habits of dissipation and indulgence of every kind, which inevitably, sooner or later, break down the constitution ; or they become recklessly extravagant and thus ruin their fortunes. It should be at once our aim and our pride to retain in our style of living the re- publican simplicity of our ancestors, and this simplicity, banished from the great cities and places of public resort at the North, finds a congenial habitation in the South and South-west. But why go so far north as the Virginia Springs for the purposes of health and recreation, when we have water- ing places here, in Mississippi and Alabama, which pos- sess quite as many advantages as can be found anywhere, and to the Southern invalid perhaps even more. Among the watering places down south of us, we may mention that of Point Clear on Mobile Bay, which is a most de- lightful and health-giving place of resort during the sum- mer months, and, indeed, during the whole year. The breezes from the bay are always delicious — cooling and invigorating. The fare and the accomodations of every kind are of the first order, aud scarcely any place can be found, where there are more means of innocent recreation and amusement. Point Clear has already become a popu- lar place of resort, not only to the citizens of Mobile, but of many of the adjoining and even of the distant counties of Alabama and Mississippi. The place is noted for its pleasantness. Nothing like the cholera, or the yellow fever or the small pox has ever appeared there ; such dis- eases cannot prevail at a point where the atmosphere is so pure and the sea breezes are so refreshing. We may also mention Cooper’s Well and Lauderdale Springs in this State and Bailey’s Springs in Alabama. All of which have acquired a high reputation for the health- restoring qualities of their waters and the fine ac- commodations prepared for visitors by the proprietors. To Clean Moss from Fruit Trees. — The inquiry is often made. “ How may I rid my fruit trees of the mess with which it are infested T’ The following will be found an effectual method ; Save all the soap-suds after washing, and when cold, apply to your tress with a half- worn white-wash brush. The moss will soon become soaked, and after a little perseverance with the brush, will cleave off, and leave the bark of the tree clean and glossy. ^^“If a man, as the Scriptures say, “cannot live by bread alone,” is it not wise in him to take a help-w^a#. THE POTATO, (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM ) The extent and value of this crop will justify us, at this season, in speaking somewhat at length of its propagation, varying value as food, cultivation, soil, manure, preserva- tion, for late use, &c. The potatoes propagated from the seed, and in no other way. It is true, the existence of a potato plant may be prolonged indefinitely by the tuber ; still the progeny of one seed is but one plant. As certain mosses, which pro- duce heat, are constantly dying at the bottom but growing at the top, and thus continuing on one plant; or, as some tuberous roots running under the ground, but parallel with its surface, prolong their existence by growing at one extremityj while they are dying at the other ; most of this year’s growth perishes in autumn, but the tuber, which is a part of the plant, (of the stem not of the root,) lives and grows on next year, and so each year, the tuber forms th-e connecting link between the part of the plant that is dead and that which is yet to live ; so that when you put a tuber into the ground you get no new plant, but only continue the growth of an old one, which may be done thirty, fifty, possibly a hundred years, and perhaps ever more. To preserve potatoes for use, with a view to their hold- ing their autumnal qualities as a long as possible, do not expose them to the sun when dug ; put them in a cool place as soon after being taken from the ground as may be ; and if some moist earth adheres to them all the better. The nearer they are to the same condition as in the ground the better will they keep. The tendency of the potato is to turn its starch into a kind of gum, and then to change this gum into sugar. It is a singular fact that starch, gum and sugar are composed of the same elements and in the same proportion. A slight change in the arrangement of the elements turns starch into dextrine and then into sugar. — Farmers^ Magazine. 1 ^ — • Premium for a Steam Plow. — There being already at the discretion of the American Agricultural Society of Illinois a premium of ^3000 for the best practical and ac- ceptable steam plow, the Executive Committee of the Illinois Central Railroad have added ^1500 more, as fol- lows : Resolved, That the Illinois Central Railroad Company offer Si 500 as a premium for the best steam engine for plowing and other farm work; the simplicity and econo- my of its construction, and its practicability of application to farm uses shall be such that it can successfully com- pete with horse power for farm purposes ; the award to be made by the Executive Committee of the State Agri- cultural Society, in connection with three scientific ma- chinists to be selected by that body. Before any party shall claim the payment of said award, he shall exhibit the practical working of said engine at three points on the line of the Illinois Central Railroad, to be designated by the Vice-President of the Company ; the said Com- pany agreeing to transport said engine to or from such points free of expense to said party. Borax For Washing. — Powdered borax, at the rate of a large handful to ten gallons of water, is used in Belgium by nearly all the washerwomen, and by large laundries, who prefer it to soda, as less injurious to the fabrics. In fact, it is said that borax, being a neutral salt, does not injure the texture of linen in the slightest degree; yet it has the effect of softening the hardest water, so that not more than half the soap is required. In washing laces and fine linens, such as are proverbially very white in Holland and Belgium, the women are said to use borax in much larger quantity than above indicated. 222 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. A MODE TO MEASURE CORN— PERFECTET Correct and Applicable to all Circumstances —Simple— Easily done and not hard to Remember. Get a box of any convenient size and guage it accu- rately, so as to get tne number of cubic feet it contains — fill it with Corn— shucked or unshucked, and shell and measure it correctly. Measure crib also in the same way — then apply the Rule of Three and you have con- tents of your crib, if you have made your measurements and calculations correctly. } To illustrate : Suppose your box is 3 by 4 ft. and 2 ft. 1 inch deep — 25 cubic feet. We will suppose thht it holds 5 bushels of shelled Corn\— no matter whether schucked or unshucked. Of course, the Corn measured, comes from the bulk you wish to guage. Your crib or bulk of Corn, wc will suppose to be ICTby 20 ft. and 10 feet deep— 2,000 ft. Now, here is the statement : FEET. BDSHELS. FEET, 25: 5: : 2000 5 25) 10000 (400 bushels. 100 00 This is reliable — will do to buy by, or sell by— any kind of Corn. If in the shuck or any portion is unsound, as is usually the case— assort the Corn in the box when you shuck it and measure the sound and unsound seper- ately — the quantity of each gives you the basis for ascer- taining the exact quantity of each in the bulk to be mea- sured, if the boxful which you have measured, is a fair specimen of the whole. I prefer the above rule to any- thing I have seen on the subject, because of its accuracy and universal applicability. H Sparta, Ga., 1859. DEADENING SWEET GUMS, &c. Editor Southern Cultivator — In the June number of the Cultivator, “C. L.,” a new beginner, inquires for the best mode of deadening Sweet Gum timber. I answer, belt them during the month of August, by simply taking out a chip all around; they will put out the next spring in a weak state, gradually decline that summer and die. That is my experience and observation, and is the best plan, all things considered, known in our parts. If we are so situated as to thus belt them the August be- fore planting the land, we would not have a green gum on our land ; and, in addition, the roots would give way measurably the first year we cultivate. I will also inform everybody interested how they may effectually kill Willow Trees, root, top and branch. Any time that the bark will peel, spring or summer, chop the bark through, 4 or 5 feet above the ground ; strip it loose, in strips, down to the ground, (not pulling it off) ; let it lie there; and, my word for it, it will never bud again, nor ever put up a single sprout from the stump or roots. If you wish, you can cut them down the ensuing winter, for the work of killing is accomplished. Thos. F. McGehee. Meriwether Co., Ga., June, 1859. How to be Respectable. — In an article upon Free Blacks and their duty to make money, if they would be considered respectable, the Christian Examiner says : “ No race in this country will be despised which makes money. If we had in Boston or New York ten ourang outangs v/ith a million of dollars each, they would visit in the best society ; we should leave our cards at their doors, and give them snug little dinner parties.” PASTURAGE — CORN CROPS, &c. Editor Southern Cultivator— Next to the able and judicious manner in which your journal is conducted, the most admirable feature in the Cultivator is the cor- respondence from practical farmers. Farmers generally reflect too little upon the various ways and means of farm economy ; but I am encouraged to hope, from indi- cations, that a better day is coming. I believe that farm- ers are beginning to appreciate the dignity and importance of their position, and it will be a glad day for our country when they do take heed of their course, and endeavor to redeem their past history ; for I think that the history of farming in the South is the most disgraceful that any people had ever to reproach themselves with; for they have in a short period of time exhausted and, to a great extent, ruined the whole country east of the Mississippi, They have allowed Bermuda and Coco Grass to ruin a great many plantations in the Mississippi Valley— they have cleaned out none of their rivers, and have built very few railroads, and paid for still fewer (by the bye, the city and town people must have most of the credit for what Railroads are built), they have paid little or no at- tention to sheep raising or the improvement of stock, in fact, most of them not raising meat enough for home con- sumption, but depending upon a distant country— little or no attention has been given to fruit culture or horticul- ture, or the embellishing of their residences. They have paid no attention to preserving or improving their lands, but have directed all their energies to opening and destroying fresh land “to make more cotton to buy more negroes,” All the clear money that has been made by farmers in the South has been laid out in introducing ad- ditional negroes, while the course has been to lessen the value of their labor by destroying the productiveness of the soil. e In this connection, I am happy to see that you and your correspondents are devoting so much attention to Grass Culture, It is a mystery to me why the pasturing of land has been so long overlooked by our people. I do hope that the grass-pasturing of land will be quickly and generally adopted ; both for the preservation of our poor ill-used land from the plow ; and its renovation, and for the feeding of stock, as there are but few localties where is good “range.” We have been accustomed to depend on crops of Indian Corn, which is the meanest, most trouble- some and uncertain crop we raise, besides yielding the poorest return for the amount of labor. For you know that it requires deep, rich soil, almost constant work — plowing, hoeing, suckering, &c. And then it must have rain too, or our labor is, in a great degree, lost ; and if we could sustain our stock on pasturage of grasses (as we undoubtedly could do) we would not have to plant more than one-half of an acre in corn to each per- son on a place, and then we could work that small quan- tity like a garden, and manure it until it was a perfect Lobos. And there is hardly any soil but would produce some one, or more, of the grasses well enough to raise stock, on and that, too, in any sort of a season. I re- member, a few years ago, (1855 I believe) there were serious fears of a famine in South Alabama in conse- quence of the drouth. Corn got up to ^1.50 and to S^.OO per bushel in the canebrake, the greatest corn country in the South, I know planters who had a large surplus to refuse to sell at ^1.50 per bushel, but after rain did come, several advertised over 1000 bushels of old corn for sale. This, too, in fifteen miles of Isaac Croom, from whom these people should have learned the wiser policy of a variety crops. This shows how much corn crops depend on rain. Is it not unwise to depend entirely for life on such a crop. Yours truly, Ozan. Washington, Ark., May, 1859, SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 223 IRON CLASPS VS. ROPES, FOR COTTON Bales. The New Orleans Picayune reports ; The burning of the cotton bales came off at the Metai- rie Race Course on Saturday evening, in presence of quiteannmber of people. The object, as our readers doubtless know in advance, was to test the superiority of the iron tie over the ordinary hemp tie, for the securi- ty ©f Cotton bales -against destruction by fire. The re- sult was a triumphant vindication of the superior merit of the iron t'e. The expense of the experiment, which was a very interesting one, was borne by Mr. Passman, inventor and owner of the iron tie. Four bales of cotton were subjected to the test, to wit: one bale of ordinary packing, from a country press, bound in rope; a similar bale bound in. iron; one small com- pressed bale bound in rope, and a similar bale bound in iron. All were placed on properly erected piles of pitch- pine sticks, filled in with chips and shavings, in order that the fire when started, might be fierce and rapid. At half-past 5 o’clock, the fire was fairly and equally applied to the windward side of the bales. In fifteen min- utes, most of the ropes of the two rope-bound bales had parted, allowing the cotton to break out and burn rapidly in many parts. By this time, the bagging of the two iron bound bales was pretty well burnt off; but the iron bands remaining firm, no impression had been made upon the cotton but an outside churring, of no depth to speak of. At 6 o’clock, the rope-bound bales had fallen down or spead out, in loose masses, with the fiames burning freely in many places. At this time, the iron-bound bales re- sembled bales of black moss more than anything else, the bagging being all burnt off, and the outer, cotton charred. They remained firm on their supports, the air circulating freely on all sides of them. Only where the fire was hot- test and longest applied, did there appear to be distension or material injury to the cotton. At a quarter-past six, the outer fire having all burnt away, the iron-bound bales showed very little damage, whilst the loose and out-spread masses of cotton which had been rope-bound bales continued burning rapidly, with the appearance of soon being entirely destroyed. The result of this experiment, we think, commends Mr. Fassman’s iron tie to the serious consideration of all in- terested in the cotton trade. , [See, also, the letter of our esteemed correspondent. Dr. Philips, in present number.] PRESERVING WHEAT IN THE SOUTH. Mr. Editor: — 1 ‘have been concerned in a Wheat Mill for the last twenty years, and to the best of my judg- ment one-fourth of the entire crop of wheat is lost every year by bad management, and one-half of the balance more or less injured from the same cause. I will give you my practice on the preservation of wheat. Wheat should not be cut too green, neither should it be too ripe — if so, there will be considerable loss by gathering and shatter- ing out. Wheat should be bound up when cut in small bundles and well shocked in small stocks to dry. At the expiration of eight or ten days at most haul it in and thrash it out and expose it to the sun till dry. Wheat packed in houses to lay any time before thrashing is lia- ble to get abused by rats and white weevils. Wheat when well sunned should be put up in barrels or boxes not too much in a place. If put up in large quantities it is subject to heat and the black weevil. I am told to spread it on the floor does very well. Never put covers over wheat thinking to keep out rats for you can’t doit — they are certain to cut in and abuse your wheat. The best and cheapest plan to prevent injury by rats, is to leave the boxes containing the wheat entirely open ; and keep a good supply of Cats about the premises and allow them free access to the granaries. Wheat injured by rats, weevils or heating, spoils the flavor of the flour, and is a great loss to all concerned, by which the consu- mer suffers the most. Every six weeks at most, I run my wheat through the smutter to give it air and cleanse it of the insects that accumulate in it, A good fan will answer the same purpose if the slatting bottom is lined with screen wire to convey the wheat from the fan, the insects will fall through and of course will be separated from the wheat. In 1852 at the time my Mills were de- stroyed by high water, I followed this practice and had as good flour from wheat three years old as the day it was cut. Amos W. Osborne, [in Chester (S. C.) Standard. COTTON SEED CRUSHER — MANNER OF Ap- plying Seed as manure. Editor Southern Cultivator — I see in the June num- ber of the Cultivator^ inquiry made respecting Cotton Seed Crushers, by “M. H. B ,” of Cedar Town, Ga, I will say to him, to you, and all other persons that use cot- ton seed as manure, that every person that has land and cotton seed to apply as manure, has a natural and effec- tive seed crusher, the best that was ever invented, viz : Mother Earth. I will state what has been my practice and experience for the last ten years. I keep my seed well housed, dry and sound, until about one month before I wish to plant my corn; I then haul them out in the farm ; put them in coRvenient piles, 20 bushels per acre, lap off for drilled corn, rows 5 1-2 feet apart, with a long rooter plow, fal- low in that with a common shovel plow, so as to open a good furrow ; sow the seed regularly all along in the furrow or row; then throw two furrows on each side of that with as good a one-horse turning plow as I can com- mand, which makes a nice bed of fonr furrows on the seed, in one month’s time, they are effectually crushed, or spoiled, so they will not come up, if you should, in plant- ing your corn, stir a few of them up near enough to the surface. When the time comes to plant, I open the bed with a short rooter plow, so as not to stir up, if any, but little of the seed. When the ground[is in good order, &c., I cover with a board of good length well hollowed out, otherwise I cover by running one rooter furrow so as to fill up the one in which the corn is deposited. My ex- perience is, that- my corn thus manured fires less during drouth than corn having no manure at all, and I always get an ear in proportion to the stalk ; whereas, under the old plan of rotting or heating the seed before they were applied, I usually made a good stalk, but rarely ever get ears in proportion, for the reason that the strength of the seed were measurably gone before they were applied, and consequently their strength was exhausted before it could mature the ear. The result of my whole experience is, that I have real- ized at least fifty per cent, more in the production under the plan of putting them in as above, than under the old, or rotting plan. The above process will do as well for cotton as corn, but as the cotton rows are much narrower, the quantity should be increased in proportion. My experience is, that it is much more profitable to apply seed to corn- and other manures to cotton, for the reason (if no other) that the young cotton plants die out, usually, very bad where it is manured with the seed. Thomas F. McGehee. Meriwether County, Ga., June, 1859. 224 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. $iiine0tic iE'tonmuij miJi %u\\\vx SUMltlER BRINKS. A Cheap and G>od Drink for Simmer.— Careful house wives will cut out the following receipe for mak- ing a pleasant, palatable and wholesome beer, and paste it in their recipe book : It is made of honey. First press and strain your comb so as to obtain the clear honey. Then soak the re- maining wax and honey in hot water, and press it again. Boil and skim the sap so obtained. To every twelve quarts add one pound of dried apples and half a pound of hops. Boil again. Skim and strain the mass through a cloth. Then take a small portion out; add to this a little yeast, and keep it m a waam place until it works. Then pour it back into the main liquor, and let the whole work three or four days. Then draw it off into a clean tub; let it stand twenty-four hours; draw it off in bot- tles, and place these, well corked down, in the cellar. A few corks may fly, but the remainder will pay for the trouble. Domestic Ginger Beer. — Two gallons of ginger beer may be made as follows : Put two gallons of cold -water into a pot upon the fire : add to it two ounces of good ginger, and two pounds of white or brown sugar. Let all this come to a boil, and continue boiling half an hour. Then skim the liquor, and pour it into a jar or tub, along with one sliced lemon, and half an ounce of cream of tartar. When near- ly cold, put in a teacupful of yeast, to cause the liquor to work. The beer is now made ; and after it has worked for two days, strain and bottle it for use. Tie the corks down firmly. Vermin on Horses and Fowls. — A correspondent says — “ There is in my barn some kind of a louse that is very troublesome to horses and fowls. I wish to ob- tain a remedy.” If the horses are very much troubled, sprinkle snuff on the parts where the. vermin are most numerous. But they will get rid of most of the lice when they go out to grass and shed their old coats. As to the fowls, provide dry sand, 'with which some sulphur is mixed, for them to dust themselves in. Sulphur may also be put in the water they drink. Wash all places in the building where the vermin appear, with tobacco wa- ter, applied with a white-wash brush. — Boston Cultiva- tor. Vermin Riddance. — Half an ounce of soap boiled in a pint of water, and put on with a brush while boiling hot, infallably destroys the bugs and their eggs. Flies are driven out of a room by hanging up a bunch of the plan- tain or fleawort plant after it has been dipped in milk. Rats and mice speedily disppear by mixing equal quantities of strong cheese and powdered squills. They devour this mixture will greediness, while it is innocent to man. When it is remembered how many persons have lost their lives by swallowing mixtures of strychnine, &c., it be- comes a matter of humanity to publish these items. — Hall's Medical Journal. Stucco, or White Wash. — To make a brilliant Stucco white-wash for all buildings, inside and out, take a bushel clean lumps of well-burnt lime, slacked ; add one-fourth pound of whiting or burnt alum pulverised, one pound of loaf sugar, three quarts of rye flour, made into a thin and well boiled paste, and one pound of the cleanest glue, dissolved as cabinet-makers do. This may be put on cold within doors, but hot outside. GALLS ON HORSES, &c. One of the best means to prevent galls on horses is to wash the parts most liable to injury with whiskey satura- ted with alum. We find in one of our exchanges the fol- lowing recipe for an ointment for wounds and sores of all kinds, and for horses when galled by the saddle or collar, and also for broken chilblains: “Take of honey twelve ounces, yellow beeswax four ounces, compound galbanum plaster six ounces, sweet oil half a pint. Put the honey into ajar by the fire, then melt the other ingredients and mix them together, spread very thin on linen, and change twice every day.” INDIAN PUDDING. The Florida Sentinel tells us how to make this dish : — “ Add to 1 pint of cold milk, 1 pint of meal, 1 teaspoon- ful of salt, 2 tablespoonsful flour, 1 teaspoonful of the es- sence of lemon, one teacup full of sugar or syrup; and stir all to a batter, then add two quarts of boiling milk, stirring until well mixed, and bake three hours in an oven heated so as to boil. Serve hot with butter. The above is cheap, healthful, and one of the best of puddings. The essence or oil may vary according to taste.” For Fistula. — Salt, one tablespoonful ; soft soap, one ' tablespoonful ; whiskey, one tablespoonful ; turpentine, one tablespoonful. Mix in a tin cup, place on the horse’s nose a twitch, to prevent his moving ; have your mixture 1 placed on a little fire and as soon as it boils up, pour im- j mediately upon the diseased part ; repeat the operation I every ten or twelve days, till applied three or four times, if necessary. It will not take off the hair or leave any scar. I procured the above from an old experienced farmer, tried it in one instance, and it proved successful. I took it early, though. Fragrant Oil. — Collect a quantity of the leaves of any flowers that have an agreeable fragrance ; card thin layers of cotton, and dip into tke finest sweet oil; sprinkle a small quantity of fine salt on the flowers, and lay first a layer of cotton and then a layer of flowers, until an earth- enware vessel, or a wide-mouthed glass bottle, is full. Tie the top well over with a bladder, then place the ves- sel in a southern aspect, so that it may have the heat of the sun ; and in fifteen days, when uncovered, a fragrant oil may be squeezed away from the whole mass. Grub in Sheep. — I send you this recipe, which will be found to effect a perfect cure for grubs in the head of sheep; Take one quart of whisky and two ounces of yellow snuff, mix and warm to blood heat. Let one man hold the sheep and another take a small syringe and discharge about a teaspoonful of the mixture into each nostril. It is a certain cure. My father met with quite a loss in his flock; he tried this remedy; found it satisfactory, and never lost another sheep. — Michigan Farmer. For Heaves in Horses. — Take smart weed, steep it in boiling water till the strength is all out; give one quart every day for eight or ten days. Or mix it with bran or shorts. Give him green or cut up feed, wet up with water, during the operation — and it will cure. Lice on Cattle— Remedy. — Take white oak bark, boil it in water— making a strong decociion ; wash the animals on the back and on the sides. In twenty-four hours the lice will be completely tanned. Tanner’s oil is also first rate. DEVOTED S*:XCLUSIVBLY TO TBtE IMPROVEMENT OP SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE. VOL. XVII. AUGUSTA, GA., AUGUST, 1859. NO. 8. WIIililAM S. JONES, Publisher. D. REDMOND and C. W. HOWARD, Editors. [n="See Terms on Cover. ^lantatifltt ©(atimiHj anit HINTS FOR THE MONTH. The Plantation. — The weeds must be entirely kept under during the present month, and to that end, keep your plows and cultivators and sweeps constantly moving in the Cotton field. This regular stirring and pulveriza- tion of the soil will also have the effect of encouraging a larger growth, and preventing the falling of the forms. Let your culture, however, not be so deep as to interfere with or injure the roots in any way, or you will do more harm than good. Toward the latter part of the month, begin your preparations for picking, and as soon as the bolls begin to open freely, set the hands at work gathering. Have all seed cotton hauled in wagons from distant fields to the gin-house, and do not require your negroes to waste their time and strength in carrying heavy baskets. If you wish to weigh the picking of each hand, it can be done by the overseer, before it is put into the wagons, or each one can mark his basket and have it weighed at noon and night, in the gin-house. Corn. — All early planted corn is already laid by, in most sections ; but very late fields may yet receive anoth- er careful surface working, laying it by level, mellow, and free from weeds. Cutting up Corn Stalks for Fodder. — In our last num- ber we offered some objections to the very common practice of pulling fodder, and advised the substitution of drilled corn, or Chinese Sugar Cane, which we have long found to be an excellent and economical article, both for “soiling” (or feeding green) and winter hay. We will offer another hint for the consideration of our readers. It is, to cut up their corn stalks at the ground, as soon as the ears begin to glaze, or get hard; set up in shocks every twenty or thirty hills thus cut, and when the whole is perfectly dry, haul under cover or carefully stack up; shuck or strip off the ears at your leisure, and save all the stalks, blades and shucks for the winter feeding of stock. This hint is especially intended for small planters— those who aim only to raise sufficient corn for their owm use. and who desire to make the most of it, and to save all thaS is worth saving. Our objections against fodder pulling, (as before stated,) are that it is a slow and laborious pro- cess, and that the yield and weight of the grain is lessen- ed by prematurely depriving the plant of its leaves. If fodder is pulled before the grain becomes glazed, you cer- tainly injure the grain ; and if you do not pull until the ears are fully ripe, the fodder is nearly worthless. The proper plan is cut up corn as directed, just when the grain is passing from the doughy state to the hard kernel. At this period of its growth, the plant has elaborated suf- ficient sap to mature the grain perfectly after it is cut, and the surplus starch, gum and saccharine matter which it contains will be preserved in the stalk and leaves, in- stead of being changed to hard and worthless woody fibre, as when the plant is allowed to become perfectly dead ripe. Another advantage in thus cutting up corn is, that as soon as it is hauled off, the ground is ready for the plow, and after it has received a good manuring, you can proceed immediately with thesowdngof your winter oafs, rye, barley, clover, etc. Let those who have scanty crops try it, even on a small scale, and they will, we doubt not, be well pleased. Feeding Corn Stalk Fodder. — In order to use coth with proper economy, every farmer and planter should have the “Little Giant,” “Young America,” or a similar mill for grinding both corn and cob. To this should be added a Feed Cutter, suitable for cutting hay, sheaf oats, corn shucks, &c., &c. (The “Universal Cutter,” costing S12 in New -Y’ork, is a good implement.) With this lattet implement, the corn stalk fodder, shucks, oats, hay, and other rough feed, may be finely cut up, and when mixed with a proper portion of corn and cob meal, slightly mois- tened, (with an occasional sprinkle of salt,) you have an excellent and cheap provender for all kinds of farm stock. Roots, such as Turnips, Sweet Potatoes, &c., when plenty, may be added to the foregoing from time to time, and they will be found to give increased relish and improved health to your animals Turnips.— 'Knid. Baga, Red Top, Early Flat Dutch, Yellow Aberdeen, Norfolk and Globe, and other Turnips, .should be sown from the 1st to the 25th of this month The ground should be repeatedly plowed very deep, and. 226 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. pulverized as fine as possible. A deep, rather light and fertile sandy loam is best for this crop, and such soil ought to be plowed at least ten or filteen inches, and thoroughly harrowed. Sow in drills from two to three feet apart, plants standing in the drill from six to twelve inches. Stable manure, (ten or fifteen loads to the acre,) woods- mould, ashes, and bone dust, equal parts, (six or eight loads to the acre) or three hundred pounds of guano, scat tercd broadcast and plowed in, will give you a good crop Should you wish to manure in the drill, open a wide and deep furrow with a long shovel plow, scatter your ma- nure thickly along this drill, throw a flat, broad bed on the manure with a turning plow, and after raking the sur- face smooth and even, drill in the seed as above directed. From one to one and a half pounds of seed, mixed with sand, carefully sown, will be sufficient for an acre. fA friend recommends the sowing of the seed late in the after- noon, leaving the drill open and the seed exposed to the action of the dew until daybreak, next morning, when they must be covered, and the ground rolled or pressed down firmly on them. This plan seems well worthy of a trial in dry weather ] If you have plenty of leached ashes, you may top-dress the ground with ten or fifteen bushels per acre, after sowing. It will be well, also, to dust the plants wffien they first con>e up, with a mixture of ashes, soot, plaster and salt, (a bushel to the acre,) to prevent the attacks of the fly. Continue this until they get into the rough leaf, when they may be considered out of danger. When the plants are well up, clear out all grass and weeds carefully with the hoe, and thin them to a stand of from six to twelve inches apart, according to the size of the variety. After thinning, work them out from time to time, until the tops shade the ground, when )mu may lay them by. Sweet Potatoes. — Keep the earth fresh and loose around the plants, and the rows entirely free from weeds, until the vines take complete possession of the patch. Lose no time now in cutting and setting out vines for the pro- duction of next year’s seed. Hay and Fodder. — Cut and carefully save drilled corn f odder (as directed in July number, page 295): also, make all the hay you possibly can from Crab (or Crop) Grass, Crowfoot, Pea Vines, tops of Ground Peas, Ber- muda Grass, Chinese Sugar Cane blades. Millet, etc. Ditchings Hauling Muck, Woodland Pastures, Straw- berry Beds, etc. — The dry weather of this month will be f ound favorable to the ditching and draining of low,. wet lands, clearing up of swamps, cutting underbrush, digging and embanking fish-ponds, preparing Strawberry patches, clearing the undergrowth of forests for woods pastures, hauling of muck to the compost heap, destruction, by compost fermenting or burning, of noxious weeds, etc. The Kitchen Garden. — All plants of the Cauliflower, Brocoli, or Cabbage family, may be set out the latter part of this month, for fall and winter use. This month may be considered the second spring, in the South. All|work done in the spring should now be repeated, and will, in most cases, furnish us with excellent vegetables until frost. Continue to transplant Celery. Full crops of the different kinds of Turnips should be sown during the month, as directed above. Sow seeds of Beets, Salsify, Carrot, etc., for winter use— shading the ground, by a slight, “brush arbor,” from the sun. Radishes, Spinach, Lettuce, &c , may be sown, and Snap Beans and English Peas may be planted, and the drills, as soon as filled up, covered with pretty heavy mulching, at least two inches thick ; saw-dust or well rotted leaves are very good for it ; the young plants will easily come up through the mulching. Plant, also. Melons and Cucumbers for man- goes and pickles. Keep down all weeds — use the hoe, and water freely. Plant a second or full crop of Irish Po- tatoes and Peas, mulching both heavily with leaves. The Purple Egg Plant, Tomatoes, and Lima Bean, may be planted fora late crop, and will come yet, with favorable “seasons.” Keep your Strawbery beds clean, open and mellow, now, if you desire to increase your plants, and encourage the growth of runners by an occasional water- ing. If you do not want runners, cut them off and turn them under, to give back their substance to the bearing plants Give these occasionally a light top-dressing of leached ashes just before a shower, or water them with a very weak solution of potash. Gather all your ripe gar- den seeds. It is a mistaken notion that we cannot save our own garden Seeds ; we can and ought to do it. The Orchard and Nursery.— Gather up all fallen and defective fruit, and feed to the hogs. Saves stones of the Peach to produce new varieties and for seedling stocks. Let the Peaches from which you obtain seeds for planting be fully ripe, if you are endeavoring to re-produce them or originate new varieties. Bury the Peach stones at once, or plant, them immediately, in drills, where you want them to grow. This is the best way. They will come to up next April. Try a few hundred or thousands yearly, and you will, from time to time, be rewarded with valuable Southern seedlings, especially suited to our own soil and climate. Budding of all stone fruits may still be continued by those who liave the proper stocks. Insert the bud on the north side of the stock, early in the morn- ing or just before night fall, ceasing operations in the heat of the day. Now is, also, the time to make cuttings of Evergreens. The Flower Garden. — Collect seeds of all Annuals, and preserve them carefully. Bud Oranges and Lemons. Propagate Aloes and the Cacti, (or Cactus) by slips. Sow bulbous-rooted flower seeds to obtain new varieties. Stake your Dahlias and thin out your flowers^ if too pro- fuse. Clip Box edgings in moist weather. Cut and roll Grass plots and lawns. Clean up walks, put on fresh gravel, and roll smoothly. Water your potted Annuals and other plants daily, in hot weather. Sow Tulip and other bulb seeds. Gather all valuable seeds as soon as ripe, and save for future use. Use water frequently, as heretofore directed. OUGHT OUR LEGISLATURES TO AID AGRI- cultare ? Certainly, if Agriculture needs aid from the Legisla- ture. Why ? Because the great bulk of the people of the South are engaged in agricultural pursuits, and they have the best right to say what they will do with their own. Let us look into this matter closely. For the sake of distinctness, in this argument, our remarks will be confined chiefly to one State — Georgia. The po- sitions taken will, however, be of general interest and ap- plication to the Plantation States. According to the Census of 1850 there were in Georgia 123,243 white males over 15 years of age. Of that num- ber, 20,000 were engaged in commerce, trade, manufac- tures, mechanic arts and mining ; 11,505 in labor not ag- ricultural; in the army 18; in sea and river navigation 282 ; in law, medicine and divinity, 2,815 ; other pur- suits requiring education, 3,942; civil service, 416; do- mestic servants, 15; other occupations, 173; in agricul- ture, 82,362. More than two-thirds of the whole white population engaged in agriculture, and the whole of the black population, with the exceptional cases of black mechanics and servants. Was there ever a people more purely agricultural ? Our whole military list 18 strong, and our civil list o SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 227 governmental employees 416, and of sea faring men 282. This proportion occurs in an area of nearly 60,000 square miles and in a population of perhaps, one million. On this extent of surface and in this amount of population, we have not a single town numbering 30,000 inhabitants. The census returns of Georgia would bewilder a European statesman. To an American, they but illustrate the transcendant excellence of the governmental system which works perfectly with an army of 18 and a commercial marine of 282 men. The contrast between our condition as to the employ- ment of our population, and that of some of the other States of the Confederacy is very striking. In Massachusetts about one-fifth of the males are employed in agriculture; Connecticut about one-third; Pennsylvania on e- third ; New York a little more than one-third. Yet each one of these States have felt bound to sustain the industry of the third of its population by Legislative aid. In Georgia, where two- thirds ot the whites and nearly all the blacks, representing the great bulk of the property of the State, are engaged in agrirulture, we might naturally expect that our Legislature would foster, in every conceivable way, the employment of the great mass of its citizens. What are the facts in the case 1 We have before us a very bad- ly executed volume of the Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia in 1858. Those Acts are 223 in number. Of these 223 acts, 20 relate to the creation of new counties and changes of county lines; to Banks, 3; to Railroads and joint stock companies, 9 ; to the ju- diciary, 30 ; to cities and towns, 22 ; to local and private subjects, 44. The above subjects cover more than one-half the Acts of the last Legislature. What was done by it for Agricul- ture '? The volume of Statutes commences thus : “PARTI. PUBLIC LAWS. TITLE 1. AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE. No. 1. AN ACT to repeal an Act entitled an Act to prohibit non-residents from hunting, ducking and fishing with- in the limits of the State of Georgia, and assented to the 23d day of December, 1857. Section 1st.. Be it enacted, that said Act referred to be and is hereby repealed. Provided, That the counties of Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn and Camden shalll be exempt from the operations of this Act, and that aforesaid Act of 1857 shall be and remain in force and virtue in the counties above named and no others.” This important measure, whether of Agriculture or Commerce, or both conjointly, we are unable to say, re- ceived the signature of His Excellency, the Governor, on the* 9th of December, 1858. The Agricultural energies of the Legislature exhausted themselves in the passage of the above important statute, which announces to the world that people of all kindred and climes may shoot ducks or catch fish anywhere in this free and magnanimous State of Georgia, except in the counties above mentioned Tkere is nothing more in the volume of Statutes under the head of Agriculture. This fish and duck Act stands soli- tary and alone in all its grandeur, in the legislation of a body, nine-tenths of whose constituents are directly or in- directly connected with the cultivation of the soil. We are surprised at this result, inasmuch as Commit- tees were raised last autumn, by the State Agricultural Society, the Cass County and Hancock Societies, each to present memorials to the Legislature on the subject of the establishment of an Agricultural School and Experi- mental Farm. Did these Committees present their me- morials I If they did, the papers gave no account of the presentation. Did they undertake a grave duty and slight it I We hope the Societies mentioned will each require the Report of their Committees this fall. We were some time in Milledgeville during the session. We never heard the claims of Agriculture presented. Such was the tem- per of that body, it is our firm belief, that if the parties to whom this subject was entrusted had done their duty, liberal legislation might have been obtained in favor of any judicious plans for the advancement of the Agricul- tural interest. We have said that the Legislature ought to aid Agricul- ture, if it needs aid, and the reason given is, because the great mass of the people of Georgia are engaged in Agri- culture. But does it need Legislative aid'? Why cannot Agri- culture take care of itself I It can take care of itself. It has improved. It will continue to improve. It is impos- sible, however blind we may be to our own interest, how- ever parsimonious or unequal in our disbursements of the State funds, that we should be otherwise than favorably affected by the wise legislation which has occurred in other States, and whose every change in opinion or prac- tice we instantly feel, and in which, during the last thirty years, the agricultural advancement has been mar- velous. It is impossible that the influence of the Agri- cultural Press, and chiefly that of the Southern CvUi- vator, can have failed to create, in many minds, a desire for an improved agricultural practice. It is impossible that the example of a few distinguished agriculturists in our State can have been witnessed without salutary re- sults. It is impossible that our State and County Agri- cultural Societies can, for so long a time, have held their annual and almost festive meetings without good results to the agriculture of the State. We are improving. But it is slowly. We crawl when we should walk, we walk when we might run. We need assistance to bring us at once to a point at which we shall otherwise indeed arrive, but after the expiration of a long period of time, after much ill-directcd private effort, after great waste of money earnestly but ignorantly expended, and after ala'-ge por- tion of our soil has been scourged so severely that recov- ery has become hopeless. There are obstacles to rapid and extended improvement in agriculture which do not exist in many others of the most important pursuits of men. Commercial and me- chanical enterprise seeks the city. Organizations are easily effected. Intelligence is rapidly communicatnd. Ideas are freely and readily interchanged. Competition at once stimulates enterprise and directs its energies to wise ends. ^28 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. On the contrary, the efforts of agricultural enterprise are, to a degree, desultory. Farmers live apart from each other. They cannot daily meet upon “ ’Change.” Asso- ciation is effected with more or less difficulty. Co-oper- ation is attended with inconvenience. The habits of agri- cultural life induce reluctance to change, either in opinion or practice. Hence, left to itself. Agriculture ad- v.ances, by comparison, slowly. It needs direction, in- citement, concentration. Notwithstanding the superior facilities of other pursuits (Over agriculture, in the control of capital and in power of concentrated effort for their own advancement, to many of ihese pursuits the State has freely given its aid. It has aided internal improvement. It has appropriated money Sti-open our rivers. It has built a great Railroad. It has assisted other Railroad companies. It has aided General Education. It has given largely to Mechanic and Col- legiate instruction. It has contributed to medical science. It sustains a military school. All these ends are worthy ihe assistance of the State. All of them would ultimately j'have been reached without governmental aid. But tedious years of private effort have been superceed by the power- fiul. impulse which the common wealth has afforded. impregnable precedent thus sustains our demand fof aid to Agriculture. The State cannot prefer the effect the cause— the less to the greater. Having aided eompgsties of her citizens in constucting roads for the ifansportation of crops, it cannot ignore the soil which j^oduces these crops. How can the State aid Agriculture 1 1st. By means of her Railroad. It is a universally ad- mitted truth, that the use of Lime is the basis of improved agsiculture. The private Railroad companies in Georgia exhibit the most commendable liberality in the transporta- tion, of this and other manures. The State Road, in a naeasare, shuts out the State from the use of Lime for ma- uaure. The authorities of the Road are not to be blamed for this restriction. It has always been understood that tbs Superintendent, who makes the greatest annual money return to the coffers of the State, apart from other considerations, best answers the end of his appointment. Let there be a special enactment, by which the Superin- (3Qnt of the State Road is required to transport manures at a nominal rate. This is not the place to speak of the irast increase of our cotton crop by the free use of Lime, ox ths amount of taxable property through the appreciation in the value of land restored by liming. Throughout the North, wherever agricultural improvement has com- menced, and as it has advanced towards the South as far as Virginia and Maryland, in all cases everywhere the the prectirsor of the improvement. 'fnd. The State can aid Agriculture by a Geological Survey of her territory. There are, doubtless, beds of marl existing of which the cotton planter is ignorant, and which, if made known to him, would be worth, to him, more than a mine of gold. There may be “green sand,” which has already given an almost fabulous value to the mce sterile plains of New Jersey. There may be apatite « natural phosphateof lime, than which, a more valuable manure does not exist There may be plasterer gypsum. There may be salt, of which strong indications are given in one part of the State. Every increase of consuming and non-producing population benefits the former. Mines and mechanical pursuits require large bodies of men. Our mineral wealth is yet unknown. Apart from the precious metals the sources of industrial occupation in our State are varied. Beyond those generally known, we have alum enough to supply this country. We have the material for the manufacture of sulphuric acid far beyond our com- mercial or agricultural wants. We have the material of copperas in equal abundance. This enumeration might de carried farther, but it is needlesss. All these sources of wealth will, in time, be discovered and used. A com- petent Geological survey would at once bring them in o notice. Capital would come in to use them, and in the increase of population agriculture would thrive, and the whole State derive that benefit which invariably fol- lows the adoption of a mixed husbandry, 3rd. The State can aid agriculture by the establishment of an Agricultural School and Experimental Farm, with which an Agricultural and Economic Museum might be connected, an Agricultural and Scientific Library founded, and at which place the State Society might hold its an- nual meetings and dispense its annual premiums to ag- ricultural skill. We need an Experimental Farm. It is, perhaps, at this time the greatest need of Southern Agriculture. It is no experiment to go into the woods, cut down the timber and clear and wear out the land. But it is a matter of experi- ment, as to that which is the cheapest, most rapid and most permanent method of making the land good again. We are either to be informed as to this method or aban- don our homes. In regard to this subject we have almost everything to learn. And in no way can our Legislature so effectually do the greatest good to the greatest number of Georgians, as by teaching us this lesson in the shortest practicable time. We state a fact which we conceive to be of great im- portance to the land holders of the South. Their atten- tion is earnestly called to it. The fact is this : There is not a country in Christendom in which the artificial grasses are not cultivated in which land bears a high price. There is not a country in Christendom in which these grasses are extensively cultivated in which land does not bear a high price. Take, for instance, Spain in which land is low in value— it rises in France — it still ascends in Belgium — it is highest in Holland, which is almost an uninterrupted meadow. There are more than 200 of these grasses cultivated. Several of the foreign grasses have been tried unsuccessfully at the South. But the trial of one or one hundred of these grasses is by no means final. The other hundred remains to be tried. The subject is of sufficient importance to jusdfy the most pertinacious inquiry. In the present posture of our Agriculture it is in fact the great subject before the agricultural mind. The Flemish maxim, is inexorably true : “without grass, no cattle, without cattle no manure, without manure no The vTaole subject of the native grasses and crops. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR, 229 and herbage plants of the South is yet to be studied. This study requires time, money and science. Where shall we find men in whom these three requirements co- exist, whose inclination will lead them in this direction. We have no Young, no Sinclair, noLawes. The country is too youug to produce them. 1 he State should furnish these experiments to the people. What is the best breed of cattle'? The advocates of the Durham, Devon Ayrshire, Alderney and Brahmin, will eaeh tell you that his breed is the best. Who shall decide this question '? We need some point at which each of these breeds shall be assembled, their comparative merits tried and determined for the benefit of the people. Ignor- ance will regard this subject as unimportant. There are about a million and a half of cattle in Georgia. A breed of cattle, that will give an increase of 20 lbs. of meat an- nually, with the same food over our present stock, will give a total increase of 30,000,000 lbs. of beef, which, at 4 cents per pound, will give an annual increase of $1,200,- 000— more than three times the increase of the State Rail- road, at “$1,000 a day.” We present the strange position of a people holding cheap land, much of it waste or forest, yet owning more cattle than sheep. There are, perhaps, one million sheep in Georgia. An increase of two pounds of wool to each sheep would give a total increase of 2,000,000 pounds of wool— at 30 cents per pound this annual increase would amount to $600,000— still more than the annual income of the State Road at “^1,000 a day.” There certainly is not one of the improved breeds •of sheep which will not give fully this increase. Will any one of these breeds thrive with us. on a large scale '? It requires capital to try it. But capital is timid and prefers the beaten path. The burden of trial rests upon the State. The production of cheap wine is intimately connected not only with our commercial prosperity, but with the ad- vance of good morals. We have everything to learn in connection with this important industry. Where and how shall we be taught, for we must teach ourselves. Ex- perience demands high pay — perhaps too high for private fortunes. We know enough of fruit-culture to be assured that the finest fruits thrive well with us. But which are the best, under what culture, in what soils and in what exposure '? We cultivate an almost endless variety of corn. Which is best'? To determine this would require labor, space and money. Yet the decision of this question would greatly affect the grain product of the State. The corn crop of Georgia is somewhat over 30,000,000 bushels. In- crease the w’eight of the corn by two pounds to the bushel and it gives an increase of more than 1,000,000 bushels. We cultivate many kinds of wheat, each of which is liable, to a greater or less degree, to the attacks of enemies. Which is most certain, most productive and most secure against its enemies '? Science has suggested defences. Are these defences real or imaginary'? Again, labor, space, money and especially time are necessary to give assurance. Insects prey upon our cotton and other crops. Ento- mology is a life-time study. New York, with commend- able liberality, employs an Entomologist. The entire re- lation of this class of enemi'^s to our crops at the South is yet to be ascertained. The first word of unequal legis- lation at Washington injuriously affecting the price of our staples is met by a simultaneous outburst of indignation from the whole South. Yet we let a worm ravage our crops, and sit still and look on in stolid ignorance. We defy men, v/e succumb to an insect. Ii would too far prolong this article to attempt to pass through the entire area of subjects, illustrating the im- portance of a model and experimental farm. We close our remarks upon this point with one consideration. The mass of men read but little. And of those who read, but a small proportion make their own the thoughts which they find in books and periodicals. That which they see they remember. It in a central position in the State, easy of access, the State had such a farm as has been suggested , at which her Agricultural School was established, at which one or more fairs were annually held, at which her Agricultural Museum was placed and at which a perfect culture was practiced and everything which promises well for Agriculture in the way of stock, fruits, grains and grasses was frirly tried, it would be a great centre of attraction to this strictly agricultural State. It would be constantly visited by our people. Impressions would be received which it wouid be difficult to efface. An impulse would be given to our Agriculture perhaps attainable in no other way. Such an establishment would cost a great deal of money. Much of it would be unwisely expended ; but experiment always presupposes hazard of loss. Yet experiment is our great teacher. Advance in knowledge cannot occur without it. In this country of limited fortunes, this haz- ard must be encountered by the State, to equalize the loss and to render it insensible by diffusion among a great number. We had designed to dwell upon the importance of an. Agricultural School endowed by the State, chiefly with regard to the education of young men to become common school teachers and overseers ; but the consideration of of this subject must be deferred to another opportunity. The measures suggested will require time for their com- pletion. An immediate impulse can be given to Agricul- ture by an appropriation of $10,000 to be expended annu- ally by the State Agricultural Society in Premiums, Massachusetts is now offering a Premium of $1,000 for the best ten acres of forest trees, planted by hand and suitable for ship building. Our sea coast abounds in land exhausted by bad tillage, yet in which the live oak grows with vigor. Fifty years from this time, five hundred acres of our poorest sea coast land now planted in Live Oaks would be a fortune to its possessor. A large belt of such plantations would be a source of commercial pros- perity to the State, Yet they will not be made without the application of a stimulus. It would be a source of gratification to every friend to Agriculture in the State to see our Society placed in a position to offer such re- wards to agricultural skill and enterprise as will stimulate it to the most, active exertions. It is our firm conviction that our legislators will do whatever is proper when they understand that the people so desire it. Do the mass of our people desire that the Legislature should aid Agriculture '? If they do not, it is because they are uninformed. Will the intelligent friends of improved Agriculture take this matter in hand "? Will they make it a subject of conversation among their neigh- bors '? Will they form Agricultural Clubs where they do not exist "? Will they take some measures to obtain an expression of opinion from the people, as to the propriety of the Legislature making appropriations for the benefit of Agriculture'? Fortified by such an expression, the timid legislator will not be afraid to act. Will not our Agricultural Societies send representatives to Milledge- ville, not members of the Legislature, who, actiag in con- cert, may filly and truly represent the wants of Agricul- ture, and secure wise legislation in reference to it. The)^ would represent not a company or a corporation, or speculation, or a party, but the people of the State, and in reference to their most important earthly interest. 230 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR It is time that the planters .of the South were up and doing. There is no necessity that we should exceed the Scriptural injunction. We need not love our neighbor better than ourselves. We have, perhaps, bestowed suf- ficient attention upon the aifairs of our sister States and Territories of this Confederacy. While we have been fiercely contesting in regard to territory, which we never saw and never expect to see, either we or our posterity, the territory of our farms has been stealing away down the branches, creeks and rivers to the great deep. It has been the curse of that gallant old State, South Carolina, that she has been taking care of the Nation, to the neg- lect of her own soil. It has placed her in the rear when she ought to have been in the advance. Words are inade- quate to express the wicked folly of the Abolitionists, Yet they have done us less harm than our own defective Agriculture. We have millions of acres to reclaim. Under an improved system of cultivation, we have the cheapest and best labor and enough of it to accomplish this pur- pose. With lands constantly improving and with crops constantly increasing, we may smile at the idle efforts of these fanatics. When our lands are reclaimed and we want more, we or our children will carry our negro popu- lation wherever they will be profitable in spite of all the abolitionists under the sun. Let us increase our strength by increasing our Agri- cultural wealth. Let us appeal to our Legislatures. 1 he cost of the idle debates of one session would, if expended in agricultural premiums, give an impulse to agriculture which might be felt favorably by remote generations. In Georgia, there is to be a Convention of the friends of Internal Improvement, to devise the means of securing the aid of the State to Internal Improvements— meaning Rail- roads. Why should not another branch of internal im- provement—agriculture— be represented 'I Why should not the advocates of State Aid, be made to understand that the assistance of the planters to their views can be rendered only on condition that aid to Agriculture is in- corporated into them The planters and farmers can ob- tain the necessary assistance if they will it. If we do not obtain it, the failure will be owing to our ignorance, or want of concert or supine inactivity. H. LOW PRICE OF SOUTHERN LANDS-REMEDY, Etc. Editors Southern Cultivator — I am not farming to much extent and it may, therefore, be thought presump- tion in me to give my views on the following subject ; but after carefully and anxiously reading the article com- menced in the May number and concluded in the June number of your valuable journal on “the Cheapness of Lands at the South, its Causes and Remedies,” I have de- termined to trouble you with my thoughts on that subject. If this article has but the effect to excite the minds of those capable of unfolding the subject, I have effected my object. With this spirit I send you this, which, should you think it worthy, give a place in the Cultivator. 1 ad- mit, with that article, the evils exist, and would gladly see them remedied, but differ as to the causes and reme- dies. There are four causes of exhaustion to our soils, and, consequently, of lessening their value, viz: 1st. Our long hot summers. 2nd. Our heavy washing rains of winter. 3rd. The things cultivated. 4th, The mode of cultivation. The first and second are peculiar to the South, They are the dark side of the picture of our snowy fields and sunny skies. They cannot be removed, but may be greatly warded off. With tliem the North has little or no trouble. Any one who will carefully observe the effects of one of our long summer drouths on the soil, will, un- hesitatingly, say that it injures the soil more than any crop raised by us. By it, nearly every liquid and vola- tile particle is evaporated. So great is this heat that in places it cracks the earth to the depth of twenty feet. In parts of Texas, well-diggers have seen traces of these cracks even deeper than that. 2. The Washing Rains of winter. — The v/hole South is subject to tropical changes. The rainy season coming in winter. When it sets in, the rain falls in torrents. The earth is never frozen during our winters, but completely softened by these rains. In Texas, when rain sets in it fills these deep cracks with the top soil, leaving gravelly ridges between, resembling huge potato ridges. When these do not exist, owing to the unfrozen state of the ground, softened by the rains and our method of cultiva- tion, the remaining portions of the soil are mostly washed away. In the North their summers are short and warming — not burning ; and in the winter the earth is mostly frozen, the rain by freezing and the snow, instead of washing, forms a mantle of protection. 3. The things Cultivaled. — The principal objects are cotton and corn raised from year to year on the same ground without change, unless it be from cotton to corn and from corn to cotton. Annually extracting from the soil the ingredients which compose the food of those plants until the soil is exhausted of them, however plenty in other ingredients, and then thrown away. The author of that article says that “cotton, of all our crops, is the least exhausting,” &c. Cotton, as it has but few lateral roots and is sustained principally by one large tap root, may, of itself, take least from our soil; but its clean culture and continued turning of the fresher soil to the burning sun makes it the most exhausting of all crops. Its clean culture and few lateral roots leaves the soil without any- thing to hold it togethe^i and in the worst condition pos- sible for our heavy winter rains. In the North, the principal objects of cultivation are grasses and the cereal grains, the stalks of which shade the ground in summer, and their root- lets form a complete tie to the soil against their thaws of spring. The stubble and stalks which they turn under in the fall, after the injurious heat of summer is over, forms a coat of manure which, by rotting, keeps the soil warm and mel- low. 4. Our System of Cultivation. — As the author of the article truly remarks, “lands in the South are bought with the calculation of being worn out and deserted.” The clearing is about one-fourth done. For the first two years no crop is raised from shade and unbroken soil. As soon as the trees die and the rootlets rot, the soil, for want of something to hold it together, from scratching instead of plowing and that up and down hill, washes in a most frightful manner, Deep and horizontal plowing and hill- ^ side ditching are ridiculed. Manuring is almost wholly neglected except a handful of cotton seed in the hill. A very light and temporary affair. Our plowing averages from two to six inches deep. In the North, notwithstanding they have none of our winter washing rains, they horizontalize their plowing and efficiently hill side ditch their lands. Their plowing averages from 5 to 15 inches deep. In addition, they harrow and roll their lands after plowing until the soil is completely pulverized, and smoothed as near as may be. They manure without stint. remedies. That author recommends stock and their raising as a remedy, by furnishing manure, &c. Although I am a strong advocate for stock-raising, the idea that^stock en- riches the soil seems to me merely speculative. True, stock are great collectors of manure, but do not create a particle. The richness scattered over a great extent of SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 231 •country they bring home to their resting places at night, but what they bring there they have taken from their feed- ing quarter, so that while they enrich their pen they im- poverish their pasture. Add to this, more than half their food passes off in insensible perspiration. Of that which remains a great deal passes into bone, blood and flesh, while no inconsiderable amount is consumed in keeping up the wear and tear of the animal system. Of all they eat and drink there remains for manure but the indigest- ible parts, and the decayed portions of the animal which pass off in the farm of dung and urine— perhaps not a tenth. It seems to me the reason of the thing suggest the fol- lowing remedies: 1st. Deep horizontal plowing and ditching. This will keep what you have and what you add. 2nd. Turning everything into manure which will make it, husbanding it as you do your gold, and scatter it over your field with a liberal hand. 3rd. Shade the soil. This cannot be done to better ad- vantage than by sowing, in abundance, grasses, clover and small grain, peas, planting potatoes and fruits of every kind. These will shade the earth in summer and their rootlets act as ties to the soil in winter. Shade induces gentle showers. These grasses, grains, <&;c., will extract food and richness from the atmosphere — from the soft showers and pearly dews — and their roots from the decomposing subsoil which deep plowing will enable them to reach. All the parts of the earth unshaded and exposed to the direct and continued rays of the sun have and would become sandy deserts. Let us learn from and imitate Nature. After raising grasses and small grain, stock-raising be- comes of value to a farmer. They change these into pork, milk, butter, cheese and beef, wool and mutton. In a word, they are machines by which he can extract from the bulky and raw material, the prepared and valuable por- tion ; leaving the insoluable parts in the form of manure — bring everything into use at once. 5th. Since we must raise cotton, let it be done amidst a rotation of crops, and as much as can be, on land too level to wash when thrown up in ridges and deprived of root- lets. 6th. Let our farmers raise everything at home neces- sary for home consumption, which the soil will, either di- rectly or indirectly, produce, and there are few things which it will not. This will give farmers an opportunity to rotate their crops; enrich, instead of wearing out their soil, and save the freight and carriage of the articles back and forth which they buy for home use. They will have less cotton for sale, it is true, but what they do have will be clear cash — not spent in expenses and buying the next year’s support. It seems our farmers are in a whirl, “making more cotton to buy more negroes to make more cotton to buy more negroes,” &c. They should make land (not negroes) the standard of value; ornament and cherish home as a patriotic and Christian virtue ; live there — not stay, as at a tavern — and cease this everlast- ing moving “Westward, ho !” Publius. Reclusa, Ark.^ June, 1859. [We commend the above article (with those previously published on the same subject,) to the especial attention of our readers ; and, in this connection, cannot refrain from giving the private note which our friend, “Publius,” sends us with his very excellent article. It is as fol- lows : June 1st, 1859. Dear Sir : — Enclosed I send you an article, suggested by reading the article commenced in your May and concluded in your June number, on “The Cheapness of Lands at the South— its Causes and the Remedies.” A subject fraught with the dearest interest of the South, and one, in my view, which cannot be too much agitated. Should you think the article worthy, give it a place in your valuable journal. It is longer than I should wish, but, owing to the extent of the subject and the many causes and reme- dies connected with it, I could not express my views in a less space. I am not farming as a primary pursuit, but was raised on a farm in the South and love it better now than the strife and chicanery of Court, lou will see by your list that I am a subscriber to the Cultivator and have been for some two years. Everything contained in it, even to the ad- vertisements, is carefully read by not only myself, but by my wife also. No visitor is more welcome. Very respectfully, H. HONEY BEES — WARTS ON FOWLS, «fec. Editors Southern Cultivator — As the Honey Bee question has been agitated in your journal for the last number or two, I would like to ask a question or so, if found suitable for the Cultivator. I see, by reading in the Agricultural Report of the Patent Office for 1857, D. J. Browne says that the oldest queen bee leaves the old hive with the young swarm every time. If so, does a bee’s wing grow out after being cut off I fori have cut off several wings in my life, and they have swarmed after- wards and always seem to do fine. More, the queen may be caught very often, if you see them commence, by standing at the old gum and watching the hole as they come out; for she is about the last. If not found, go to the place where they commence settling; for she will frequently light some distance from them and crawl along to the bunch, and as the workers find her out they will hold tight, with head down, to the thing they are on and fan with their wings— easily noticed by any one. If scissors in hand, you can very soon have the hive, what I call, safe. One more item. A neighbor has lost a good many chickens by warts. Several instances where an old hen would take warts on her bill and eyes and then on her legs, and soon the whole brood of chickens would be in the same condition, and death always followed. He lost a great many in this way. They were fed and watered better than the common run. Both Shanghais and com- mon chickens all fared alike. A cause and remedy, from some of your correspondents, would oblige one and perhaps many more of your readers. H. S. H. Gaudaloupe Co , Texas, June, 1859. SWEET GUM — TO DESTROY. Editors Southern Cultivator— Though but three years a subscriber to your journal, I find myself, like the country lass with the gloves, “I do not know how folks do to get along” without it, and, as a matter of course, con- sider myself under obligations to contribute my mite ofin- formation when I can. You will please inform your in- quirer of how to kill Sweet Gum trees, that if he will belt them about the 20ih to the 25th of August he will not be bothered with many of them long. Occasionally one will survive until the second year, or even sometimes to the third season, but they will be few and far between. I am, yours truly, JoNiH. Cheney ville. La., June, 1859. A great many farmers trim up a little pet of a tree until it is nothing but a broom handle, and then complain that it does not do well. 232 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. SAND IN HORSES’ INTESTINES. Editors Southern Cultivator — Can you or some kind subscriber propose, through the columns of your journal, a certain remedy for horses aiFected with sand in their intestines'? We often lose horses thus affected. Various remedies have been recommended, but I cannot say that apiorse has, as yet, been saved by them. After death I have examined several, and generally found in them the sand so compact that it was difficult to crumble it— in one instance after the death of a horse (poney) I saw a cake of sand 10 by 16 inches in diameter and almost as hard as a brick. I have saved two horses by drenching with salts and oil, but believe the sand in them was not compact. The symptoms that I have observed are as follows : The horse at first, few days, a loss of appetite and dullness, after- wards frequent attempts to evacuate, with little or no success, before a final change; he frequently and sud- denly drops down on his bended legs and belly, groans, rolls, and apparently relieved if he can remain lying on his back, then follows considerable swelling of the legs and nostrils. A horse thus affected is often considered as being troubled with bots ; but horses seldom die here with bots. Very respectfully, St. Johns. St. Augustine^ Fla.^ June, 1859. PRIVY ARRANGEMENTS — “NIGHT SOIE.” Near most human habitations a nuisance is tolerated, because it is deemed necessary, which, however, with a little pains, and at a trifling expense, might be avoided. As this is not an attractive subject, I will state, as brief- ly as possible, my own method, and commend it to those who have not adopted a better one. The building is, of course, located in the back yard ; the rear standing Jlush with the fence that encloses the garden. Instead of digging and stoning up a pit or vault, raise the frame and a wall, a foot or eighteen inches from ground; or cneaper still, place it on square blocks at the corners, so as to side down to the ground on the three sides next to your yard, and if more space is desired un- der the floor, dig away the earth a few inches before plac- ng the building on the foundation. Next, construct of plank, a box of the depth of a foot or more, the corners halved and spiked together with large nails, or otherwise strongly made, and of dimensions to occupy the space beneath the floor. This box is mounted on four cast iron wheels or castors, two or three inches in diameter, which, with the proper fastenings, you will pro- cure at a few shillings cost at the hardware store. For this to run on, lay down a couple of planks, extending out a few feet in the rear of the building, on which nail a strip of board outside the wheels to keep them from run- ning off the track. The car furnished in this manner is easily drawn out, and pushed back to its place as occasion requires. From some neighboring marsh or pond hole, when dry and light, draw a few loads of muck, or, for lack of this, any other earth, and pile in a heap near where the box is to be drawn out. Cover the bottom of t he box with dry muck or earth, and your arrangement is complete, more convenient than a deep pit, and at less expense. As often as necessary draw out the dirt car, shove the contents on an Irish dirt barrow, wheel it off to a con- venient place for a compost heap, dump it down ; always using sufficient earth, lime, plaster, or something of the kind to keep everything covered that would be offensive to sight or smell. This, by the bye, should be one of the chores to be attended to, and not neglected, and if not un- reasonably neglected, can be done by man or boy in five minutes time. By this simple method a nuisance, often intolerable, is not only got rid of, but turned to valuable account. M., [in Country Gentleman. FISH — THEIR CUETIVATION, &c. “Law sakes alive,” says some Mrs. Partington, “here’s a man that’s going to tell us how to plant and raise fish in our gardens ^snike other truck.” No, good woman, I shall jiot tell you all this, yet I will tell hundreds and thousands of you how to raise your own fish. Cultivation means something more than plowing, harrowing and hoe- ing, and may well be applied to the raising of fish, and, perhaps, I cannot better instruct you in this art, than by describing what I lately saw right here in South Caro- lina. During my late visit to Sumter, I was shown all over the plantation of my friend Freeman Koyt, Esq., and here I met with a perfect model of a domestic fish-pond. Mr. Hoyt told me that the little stream of water running through his place, was the main thing that sold him the land. The branch ran through a low place of such a form, as to enable him, by a dam of some fifty yards long, to construct a pond of 700 feet in length, by 150 in width, with a depth varying from the shores, to 12 or 15 feet in the centre. This gives him a pond of over 2 1-2 acres where he could raise nothing else. One year ago, in the spring, he deposited in this pond eight good sized trout, and near three hundred thousand eggs, with a large amount of smaller sized fish, for the trout to feed upon, and he now has the water literally swarming with the finny tribe. His trout are now one year old, and I caught one while there that was over seven inches. Mr. Hoyt will not catch his trout until next year, and then I think he will almost be able to supply the town of Sumter- ville with fish. The water running from his dam passes through a sieve so that the fish cannot escape from the pond. A little below the dam is built a small two- story house, the lower story for bathing, while in the upper one is kept all the apparatus necessary for cultivating, feeding and taking the fish. All this convenience has been gotten up with a trifling expense, and will be, in the future, a large source of pleasure and profit to Mr. Hoyt and his family, and a perfect blessing to his neighborhood. We all eat too much flesh in this country, and should en- deavor to substitute, for some of it, more fish and fowl. There are hundreds of places in this State where just as good a pond as the one I have told of, could be built, and the owners not only well supplied with good fish right from the water, but they could derive a good revenue from their neighbors by selling them the proceeds of their pond. A learned doctor of England once said, “that a long life in this world merely learned a man how to live.” I wonder how many lives it would take in South Carolina, to learn the people to live up to the privileges, that nature has be- stowed upon them. Everything must succumb to cotton, if we eat nothing but hog and hominy. Will no other money pass but what is made by cotton, and must the country be thus sacrificed % Those that have the means and facilities must answer. H * * *, [in Lawrenceville (S. C.) Herald. Texas Wool. — A traveller from Texas publishes a let- ter in the Mobile {Ala.') Mercury, in which he says that the steamer in which he took passage down Red river had 94 bales of wool, weighing 300 pounds each, and that the wool from the clip of one sheep farmer for the past year sold for S16,000. He says that the town of Jefferson, on Caddo Lake, sold, last year, between 4,000 and 5,000 bales of wool, and expects, this year, to sell more. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 233 FOWL MANURE. No manure obtained by the farrfters is as valuable as the manure from the poultry house. Of this there is no question, and yet we can hardly answer the question “in what way is it best to use iti” The manure is made only in small quantities, and it may be that, as a general thing, much of it is wasted. It may be thrown with other manure, muck and refuse on the compost heap, but our plan is to save it for special purposes, and we generally use it in the vegetable garden, where it is not only valu- able, but exceedingly convenient. When dry, it may be sown with onion or other seeds in the drills, at planting time, and four or five quarts put into a barrel of rain water makes a most superb liquid manure for any beds of young plants that need stimulating. In this form we use it for our melons and cucumbers, as soon as they appear above ground, to put them out of the way of the “bugs,” and on the beds of cabbage, cauliflower plants, &c,, for the same purpose. Celery plants, after being set out in the trenches may be hurried up amazingly by being watered two or three times a week with this liquid food. If magnificent sweet corn is wanted, half a pint of the dry hen dung, finely scattered in each hill will give it, and no mistake. If you have been able to grow only hard, hot, wormy radishes, next spring sow the seed in very shal- low drills, (not too early) in a warm, sheltered place, then cover the bed with a thin dressing of coal ashes, and water with the liquid hen manure each alternate night, and if the season is as favorable as ordinary, you will have no cause to repent the trial. A little charcoal dust is better than coal ashes. — Rural New Yorker, Judge Taney on Slavery.— In the case of the slave Amy, decided a few days since. Chief Justice Taney has furnished a written decision, in which he asserts the fol- lowing great legal principles touching the institution of slavery in the United States : 1. That slaves are recognised by the Constitution of the United States in the character of persons. 2. That slaves are represented in Congress, as persons. 3. That, as persons, they are, in many instances at least, subject to certain liabilities, and invested with the rights corresponding to those liabilities, in the same way that other persons are. 4. That among these liabilities are those which render them amenable to trial and punishment for crimes and misdemeanors ; and among these rights is the right of legal protection against personal injury. 5. That the Constitution of the United States also recognises slaves as property. 6. “As property, the rights of ownersare entitled to the protection of the law,” i, e., the laws of the United States, enacted by Congress. |^“There are seven reasons why farmers are healthi- er than professional men, viz : 1. They work more and develop all the leading muscles of the body. 2. They take their exercise in the open air, and breathe a greater amount of oxygen. 3. Their food and drinks are commonly less adulterated and far more simple. 4. They do not overwork their brain as much as in- dustrious professional men. 5. They take their sleep commonly during the hours of darkness, and do not try to turn day into night. 6. They are not so ambitious and do not wear them- selves out sora[pple 1 Didn’t he plant the seed! Didn’t he rear the tree 1 Hasn’t he eaten of the fruit thereofi Wasn’t it as big as his head I as yal- ler as a pumpkin I as “meller” as a turnip ; and didn’t it keep like a brick bat ? 246 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. I confess, in younger days, before Hope and Faith part- ed company, having made various pedestrian pilgrimages of a devout character to a number of vegetable wonders, of which the above might figure as a mild average ; and I have a recollection running through a period of years of the figure of an Apple Tree, something like the follow- ing; The roots tortured by the aphis, and torn by wild horses (and plows) ; the trunk barked by rabbits, bored by borers, pecked by wood -peckers, blistered to mortification by the sun, and plastered to suffocation by the scale in- sect. The forks, the home of caterpillars, and the leaves their sustenance; the limbs moss-covered; and the fruit — never failing, and never, by any possible complication of accidents, allowed to mature. Then, coming down, we get an inventory of its personal property. One tin coffee pot ; one earthen tea do ; various specimens of domestic crockery, some, too, to particularize : 3 pair brogans; specimens, each, of plow, hoe, broom and skillet handles ; skeleton remains of ox, principally ossa femoris and pel- vic bones ; do. of horse; do. of cat, entire ; one “battling stick;” sundry bits of paling; articles of wearing ap- parel ; clubs in quantity, from a walking-stick to a martin- pole ! Yet, the most astounding part of the revelation quoted at the head of this writing is — its truth ! The Apple is the most certain Fruit-crop in Middle Georgia, and like “A true Cosmopolite That loves its native country best,'' has amply demonstrated that its failure, as a Fruit, has not been, in any particular, its own fault. Principally used for green soiling our little negroes, we have been satisfied with its certainty, while it lived ; and not much aggrieved by its loss, when it died. Circumstances, however, are conspiring to render this point of mere certainty of production an exceedingly valuable one from which to contemplate the Future of the Apple in Middle Georgia A field so wide and so fruit- ful that I must reserve its consideration for another letter. T. 'Torch Hill, Go,., Jane, 1859. P. S. — Will your readers, who may be interested in this subject, communicate the mea-^urement of such Apple trees of their acquaintance as are remarkable for size 1 NORTHERN TREES, VINES, &c. A well-known Nurseryman of Western New York — who is justly noted fur his integrity and fair-dealing — in a late private letter to one qf the editors, thus endorses the position of “Malic Acid,” in regard to Northern fruit trees, &c : “We notice, upon page 215 of ihe July number of your journal, an article by “Malic Acid,” which any sensible man must know to be eminently true as regards Apples, aod partially so as regards some other trees. Even the sorts of Apples which are eminently valuable in New England are poor here and valueless in Ohio, without any change of latitude How much more so when transplant- ed 10*^ or 15® further south ? “The Grape, however, will bear change of climate, of altitude, of latitude, of longitude and of humidity or of dryness better than any other plant or vine, and better than any tree. “We know that the Diana, Child’s Superb, Anna, Dela- ware, West and Union Village will grow finely 8® south of us, and we '■guess' they will 10® south of us.’' Remarks. — We thank our friend for hisfrank and man- ly admission in regard to the unsuitableness of Northern Apples and other fruits for the South. If all Northern tree dealers were as fair and candid as he is, the animadver- sions of “Malic Acid” would not be so much needed. We fully admit the cosmopolitan character of the Grape. It is at home almost everywhere, and adapts itself readily to all soils and localities in the temperate latitudes of both hemispheres. It now begins to be understood and admit- ted, however, that in America its true clime is between Texas and Virginia ; and therefore, (until we can raise them for ourselves,) we will thankfully purchase a few of the new “fancy” sorts of Grape from gcwi/cwcTi like our Western New York correspondent. — Eds. CATAWBA GRAPE — ITS ORIGIN, &c. We take pleasure in publishing the following letter from that indefatigable Pomologist, Silas McDowell, Esq., of North Carolina, to Col. Wm. Murray, of Catoosa Springs, Ga. We hope our friend, Mr. McDowell, will often make the Cultivator the medium of his valuable communications to the public : Col. William Murray— Dear S'ir I suppose you are aware that to you is accorded the honor of finding and introducing to cultivation the very best native Grape in the United States, viz : the '^Catawba," said to have been sent by you to Mayor Adlum, of the District of Columbia. I have been called on by some scientific gentlemen to fur- nish them with the full and true history of that Grape, and particularly to state the precise locality in which you found the original vine growing, and also your reason for naming it “Catawba.” I have just returned from a visit to the place of your former residence, in Buncombe county, N. C., and on strict inquiry in regard to where you found this splendid native Grape, I was informed that you found it on your own grounds, on the plantation you since sold to Mr. Daniel Blake, on Cain Creek A circumstance which rendered this statement, to my mind, the more probable was, that in the year 1827, on the lands of the Rev, Wm. Kinsey, at the junction of Mud Creek with the French Broad, some young ladies led me to a native vine, in its wild state, in a direction north east of the dwelling, which, for excellence of quality, was, in my opinion, a full head and shoulders above your far-famed “Catawba Grape.” As regards size, your grape was its equal ; but as re- lates to every other attribute of a first class wine or table grape, that of Mud Creek was fir its superior, being of rich juicy, sweet, and highly aromatic pulp, and remark- ably thin, tender skin This locality cannot be more than four or five miles from the ground where you found the “Catawba,” and, in all probabiliiy, they are but varieties ot the same family. It is the wish of gentlemen with whom I am in correspondence that the credit of your very important discovery should be given where it is due, and that to “Cesar should be rendered the things which are Cesar’s,” Be so kind as to furnish me with a concise history of your Grape at your first leisure, so that I may send it on for publication in the Cincinnatus, Agricultural journal. For the last two years there has been an increased im- pulse given to Grape Culture — particularly native varieties — and Horticulturists ore upon the qui vive for new and fine varieties, and it has been remarked by men whose opinions are of much weight, that the individual who may succeed in finding and inti oducing into cultivation a better Grape than Murray's "Cataw'ba” will have confer- red a greater benefit on his country chan if he were to pay off its National debt. I wish yon, dear sir, a [eogthoro-d and peaceful oU age, SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 247 and that you may long enjoy the honor of introducing to the notice of the world what now stands at the head of all American Native Grapes — Murray’s “Catawba.” Your friend truly, Silas McDowell. Pranklin, Macon Co.^ N. C., Jane 16, 1859. GRAPES NEAR THE GROUND RIPEN EAR- liest. At a late meeting of the Cincinnati Horticultural Soci- ety, the following letter ofiMons. J. Fournier, the dirtctor or chief of Mr. Longworth’s wine cellars, was received. We extract from the Society’s Minutes: The following highly important and interesting com- munication from Mr. J. Fournier to Mr. R. Buchanan, was read and ordered to be engrossed with the minutes of the day : CiNCiNNATTi, April 30, 1859. R. Buchanan — Dear Sir : — I send you a translation from the Courrier de la Ckampagne, about vineyards and wine : “Every person knows that all the grapes growing near- est the ground are reaped the first. 1 made, this year, an experiment for my own satisfaction. I kept some grapes twenty-five millimetres above the ground, and the others at three feet. The most of the first gave ten degrees of Barometer, the second, nine and a half degrees. I have repeated this experiment several times. There was no difference in the result. You can see by the den- sity of this must, that an elevation of seventy-five centi- metres from the ground reduced the saccharine matter one- twentieth. This experiment proves how deficient the wine is, produced by the vines elevated on trees. I have remarked that the Riresaltes Muscat wine had a taste very similar to dry grapes ; though this wine has been made with grapes not very ripe. This is the rea- son : It is a usage at Riresaltes to let one branch of every stalk of vine spread along on the ground. Ihe grapes of these branches are reaped first and dried, communicating to the Muscat the particular and celebrated taste that distinguishes it from every other wine.” I should like to see some intelligent vine-dresser of this country make this same experiment. With my best regard, believe me, gentlemen. Your very humble servant, J. Fournier, WINE MAKING IN TRE SOUTH. Editors Southern Cultivator — As the subject of Wine Making is, at this time, one of much interest to your readers, I send you the following extract from a let- ter on the subject. It is from a gentleman of much ex- perience : “To make Catawba or Scuppernong Wine, the first requisite is good ripe grapes. Gather on a fair day after the dew is off. Mash all you gather in the day and put the mashed grapes, pumace, or marc, in a stand as you would peaches eifter beating (I have them mashed with the hand in a tub) let the whole stand until a slight de- gree of fermentation commences— say 10 to 24 hours ac- cording to the heat of the weather. Then draw off the must or juice, and subject the pumace to the action of a press, until all the must -is separated from it. The next peint is to decide when to put the pumace to tne press. Take it too soon and you lose part of your must. Let it work too much and your wine will have a roughness imparted to it from the foot-stalks and hulls. 1 should have added, before you mash, pick off all rot- ten and green berries and cut off the foot-stalks close to the grapes. When I begin to mash I ascertain the weight of the must by the hydrometer. (When good and the grape ripe, it will mark 10'^ on Baume’s hydro.meter.) I then take a gallon of the must and weigh and add loaf of crushed sugar till it marks 16 1-2 or even 17° by the in- strument. After this is measured, the sugar is added, and all turned into a clean, and sweet cask. I never fumigate with sulphur, with fresh must. It requires 1 1-2 1 3-4 lbs. sugar to the gallon. Reserve 6 to 8 per cent, of the tempered must to fill up with Place your barrel high enough to decant the next spring into a fresh barrel with- out moving it. For the first week fill up every day, leav- ing the bung open for tw’o or three days, or until a white foam begins to work out — then drop in your bung and fill up every other or every third day. When the fermen- tation subsides to a fret, tighten the bung, but place a small gimlet hole by its side with a plug dropped loosely in it. Finally, when all fermentation is over, drive all tight. On the following March decant into a fresh barrel, fu- migated with a sulplxir match. On the third year and after the second decanting, the wine will be potable. The Scuppernong must is treated by adding one pound loaf sugar and one quart good brandy to each gallon of must, and then treat it as the other. Last year I varied by process with the Catawba juice, I added one quart brandy and one pound sugar to each gallon of must, as with the Scuppernong. It will make a good wine one year sooner; but the cost of the brandy is an object now— next fall it may be lower.” Yours, H. B . Far the Southern Cultivator. TO THE VINES OF “VINELAND.” FROM THE “tea” OF TORCH HILL. Respectfully tendered from '•'■One^'' side of the State to the “ Other /” 1. New “Vinelands” for another Rhine ! New Banks for Blue Moselle ! New lands of Promise! and new Wine To treat New-Comers well ! No Etna- crags ! no lava rills! No black Vesuvian cliffs! Now stake one Vine on Georgia’s Hills, To ten on Teneriffe’s! Now down with all the old-field pines ! Now death to yellow sedge ! Ye blood-red gullies! blush with wines. Celestial to the edge ! For what doth make a land appear The loveliest of lands; So soft through Exile’s parting tear, So warm in welcome hands'! HI. The Vine ! The Vine! In the lands Beneath its light and bloom. Most golden of the “ Missal bands ” That bind the “Book” of Home ! New Vinelands for another Rhine ! New Banks for Blue Moselle ! New Lands of Promise and — “New Vines That also promise well !” 248 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. A BEAUTIFUL GRAPERY ! Odr native American Grapes are now generally admit- ted to be one of the surest and most profitable fruit crops that can be raised ; and, accordingly, we find that among the enterprising and zealous horticulturists of the North, great attention has been devoted to their culture and propaga- tion, within the past four or five years. We know ama- teurs who have now over 100 native varieties on trial, and several gentlemen who are regularly in the business, cultivate 50 or 60 native sorts for sale. The writer has nearly 100 varieties (mostly native) growing at “Vine- land,” (near Augusta) and hopes next season, to begin to test their comparative merits for the table, for wine, adap tation to the climate productive quality, &c., &c. Any of our friends or subscribers who may have new seedling Grapes of Southern origin, or fine, rark sorts, of especial merit, that are generally prodociive and free from disease, will confer an especial favor by send ng us descriptions and cuttings, or roots, the coming November or Decem- ber. Of course, this request does not include any of the well-known leading varieties, sui-h as Catawba, Isabella, Warren, Pauline, Lenior, Scuppernong, Deveieux, Cape, &c., &c.,all of which we now have, with many more that “promise well.” The Genesee Farvier, of Rochester, N Y., in noticing the beautiful Grapery pictured above, says: “One of the be.Nt and most substantial propagating- houses we have ever seen has recently been erected in this city by Messrs C. P. BissCl & Salter, of the E vst Avenue Nurseries It is 105 feet long, 24 feet wide, and is fitted up in most superior style, with a complete set of flues, hot-water pipes, and propagating tanks; the whole costing about S'3, 000. It is now principally devoted to the propagation of hardy native grape vines, embracing all the new and most valuable varieties ; their collection numbering upwards of fifty sorts. “We have great pleasure in presenting our readers tviih an excellent engraving of this model propagating- house. It is well worthy of a visit. Messrs B. & S. are I experienced fruit growers, and well deserve the patron- age they enjoy. They take great pains to test every new variety of grape, and recommend none that will not be found worthy of culivation. They are gentlemen of great skill, intelligence, and reliability; and we cannot but rejoice in this new evidence of their prosperity.” Messrs. Bissell & Salter, in their Catalogue, remark: “ In these houses we have, during the past winter, (1858-9) grown with great snccess those most celebrated new and rare foreign varieties of vines, the Bowood Mus- cat, the Golden Hamburg, and the Muscat Hamburg. The notices which we have received from those editors and others, to whom we have sent the fruit, have been most highly complimentary.” For the benefit of our (Southern) readers, we would re- mark that many of the fine foreign sorts that are neces- sarily grown under glass at the North, can be successful- ly raised in the open air at the South, especially if grafted upon hardy native roots, and that in this highly favored clime we have every possible encouragement to prosecute the culture of the Grape wiMi unflagging zeal and perse- verance. We had the fileasure, notj long since, of visiting the splendid Vineyard of Senator Hammond, of South Caro- lina (at “Redcliffe ’) and were dtligh'ed with its luxuriant growth and fine appearance. In addition to the leading native varieties. Senator Hammond has, undoubtedly, the finest and most comph te collection (between four and five hundred varieties) of foreign Grapes, in the South, or the Union. These were collected in France by Prof. Ham- mond, and are all growing vigorously. We see little dif- ference, thus far, between those ^rafted on native stocks and others on their own roofs, but the former will, un- questionably, bear our climate better and prove longer lived. Upon this especial subject of graf'ing Foreign Grapes upon Native roots, we will, in onr ne,xt, publish the very remarkable statements of Hon A G Semmes, of Florida, from Allen’s work on Grape Culture, D. R. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 249 NORTHERN FRUIT TREES, «fcc. Editors Southern Cultivator— I was pleased to read the article of your coirespondent “Malic Acid,” in the July number of the Southern Cultivator, and hope that warning voice will be duly heeded. That “cows afar off have long horns,” may be true; but that Northern fruit trees are as well adapted to our wants as those raised in our own climate, I shall never believe. The positions of “Malic Acid” are incontrovertible! If you want to raise healthy trees and fine fruits, get Southern raised trees, and if possible, of Southern varieties. I am utterly astounded at the ignorance and infatuation of our people upon this subject ; for, notwithstanding the Cultivator has labored long and faithfully to instil proper views into the public mind on Agricultural and Horticul- tural subjects, there are, apparently, as many “dark cor- ners” as ever. What would our “smart” and enterprising Northern friends think of a Southern man who should go up into their country as an agent for the sale of cotton seed 1 Clearly, they would set him down as either a knave or a fool — perhaps both ; and the tree peddlers who come here to sell us Northern winter Apples, (that ripen, rot, and drop off the tree in August) "belong to the first class ; while the humbugged buyers of those trees, (who think a thing must necessarily be good because it comes from afar off,) will be apt to find themselves in the ranks of the second class in a few years. A neighbor of mine, (who in other respects is intelli- gent enough,) upon reading the article in your July num- ber, stated to me that he had engaged about 200 Northern trees from one of those itnerating agents ; but that he is now convinced that he has been deceived. He askes me if, under the circumstances, he is in honor bound to take the trees and pay for them. I answer, un- hesitatingly— No 1 These trees were sold under false pretences — they are not a fair equivalent for the money — they are not adapted to our wants and necessities — “in short” (as Mr. Micawber says) they are a humbug and a swindle, and every single contract should be repudiated on the part of our people. This will teach these impostors to stay at home, and in- duce our people to buy and plant Southern trees, keeping the money in our own country, and laying the foundation for her independence and success. Yours, pomologically and truly, H. A. L. Hill Side, Whitfield Co., Ga., June 24, 1859. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE— TEA CUE- ture— -Grapes— Rare Plants, &c. A friend, who recently visited the Agricultural Depart- ment of the Patent Office, writes us : Editors Southern Cultivator— The new propagat- ing Garden is operating to a charm, under the superin- tendence of the Hon. D. J. Browne. There are already growing in the green houses over 50,000 Tea plants, and more seeds and plants are on their way from China. There are, also, some 200,000 Grape Vines, either from cuttings or seeds, (principally of the latter) from the famous El Paso Grape, growing out of doors. The Grape seeds, sown in March, in the propagating house, hav3 produced vigorous plants, now over a foot in height. There are, also, in propagation, a great number of cut- tings of the seedless and Lady Finger Grape, from Egypt, in fine growing condition. Also, cuttings of the Seedless Pomegranate and Sycamore Fig, from the same country. 1 noticed, also, the Wax Free, {Rhus succedanewni) from Japan; the Camphor Tree,Loquat,Lechee,Oleo Fragrans, &c., &G., from China. It is the intention of the Office to place in the hands of a few of your prominent Southern horticulturists, enough Tea plants for each to plant an acre the com- ing fall. About 1000 plants will stock an acre, and the labor of cultivation will not exceed that of a peach orchard of the same size. The third year about 400 lbs, of prepared Tea may be obtained to the acre, and this Tea would probably be worth from $1 to ^1-50 per pound. From, the third to the twelfth year, the product of Tea will be increased. Several ingenious men have expressed the opinion that there will be no difficulty ir> inventing machinery to perform the rolling or manipu- lation of the Tea leaves, even by steam power, if neces- sary, which would economise labor a thousand fold. Hence, the chief expense would be the culture and picking the leaves by hand from the shrubs. It has been very gratifying, indeed, to me to visit this most interesting department, and I take great pleasure in acknowledging the courtesy and kindness of Hon. D. J. Browne, the polite attention of Mr. Smith, of the Botanic Garden, and other gentlemen connected with the Agricul- tural Bureau. S. D. Washington, D. C., June 14, 1859. DISEASED AND SPOTTED PEAR TREES. Editors Southern Cultivator— May I ask of the Cul- tivator his knowledge of a pair of derelect Pear trees I to wit : D' Aremberg and Van Mans Le Clerc. Are these generally well-behaved, or are mine \xnruly exceptions 1 They have broken out (like the Dutchman’s dog) all over “mit schpots” in small, exploded blisters; and are grow- ing neither in stature or grace ; but, “contrariwise, quite the perverse,” as Peter forcibly intimates. Is this canker, and what to do I Respectfully, (?) Reply. — The two varieties above-named are subject to that scaling or cracking of the bark (the latter is the worst) ; it is not canker, but a constitutional disease in- herent to the varieties, as scrofula in human constitutions, but not so easily subdued or mitigated. As to the what to do I it is easily answered : Drop those varieties, and take others in their place. The Van Mons has been given up in dispair (although a truly un- rivalled fruit,) by all our amateurs. It is not so in Europe (its native country) although very weak, also; and only cultivated en espalier — in this climate no mode of cultiva- tion or pruning will prevent the disease coming out the third or fourth year after grafting. The D’ Aremberg is not as bad, but will not last. We have some varieties of the same character as : — Deux Sceurs, Bonne d'Ezee ; su- perb fruits, but subject (though in a much lesser degree,) to the same cracking. The Cultivator earnestly recommends giving the pre- ference to hardy, vigorous varieties, of which ample se- lection can be made in the catalogue. It is more than time to do away with old rubbish. — Eds. |^“The San Francisco Herald states that the present stock of California vines now under cultivation will yield S50,000,000 of wines and brandies in twenty years from the present day. All subscriptions to the Southern Cultivator com- mence with the January number. J^^My books speak to my mind, my friends to my heart, heaven to my soul, and all the rest to my ears. 250 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. The above figure is from a painting by Marsden of “Miss Miller,” the first-prize two-year-old heifer of the Ayr- shire Agricultural Association, 1858. She was bred by John Kilgour, near Ayr, and was purchased by Mr. Howard for H. H. Peters, of Southborough, Mass., by whom she is now owned. The figure was taken soon after she was imported, and, of course, shows the trim- ness of a heifer, rather than ' the development which be- longs to a cow. She has lately produced .a fine heifer calf, and gives promise of being a superior milker. It may be well to add, in this connection, the points by which Ayrshire cows are judged, as adopted by the Ayr- shire Agricultural Association, 1853. They are as fol- lows : Head short, forehead wide, nose fine between the eyes, muzzle moderately large, eyes full and lively; horns widely set on, inclining upwards, and curving slightly inwards. Neck long and straight from the head to the top of the shoulder ; free from loose skin on the under side, fine at its junction with the head, and the muscles symmetrically enlarging to shoulders. I Shoulders thin at the top, brisket light, the whole fore- quarters thin in front, and gradually increasing in depth and width backwards. Back short and straight; spine well defined, especially at the shoulders; short ribs, arched, the body deep at the flanks, and the milk-veins well developed. Pelvis long, broad, and straight ; hook bones {ilium) wide apart, and not much overlaid with fat; thighs deep and broad ; tail long and slender, and set on a level with the back. Milk Vessel [udder] capacious, and extending well for- ward ; hinder part broad, and firmly attached to the body ; the sole or the under surface nearly level. The teats from two to two and a half inches in length, equal in thickness, and hanging perpendicularly ; their distance apart at the sides should be equal to about one-third of the length of the vessel ; and across to about one-half of the breadth. Legs short, the bones fine, and the joints firm. Skin soft and elastic, and covered with soft, close, woOly hair. The CoZars preferred are brown, or brown and white; the colors being distinctly defined. — Boston Cultivator. RUST IN OATS. Editors Southern Cultivator — I see the complaint of Rust in Oats and failure of crops from spring varieties is yet almost universal. One correspondent seems anxious that a remedy should be found out. Now, I have no remedy, except to sow the right kind of seed, which I have, and notified the planting public of the fact in the September number of your valuable paper last year. True my oats are a winter variety, but I have sowed them in the spring for two seasons past, and they not only es- caped the rust, but made better oats than any spring crops of good seasons. I feel free now to speak of these oats in praise without measure, not only because I have tested them thoroughly both in fall and spring sowing, for the past three seasons, but because I doubt not I can, by this time, array a multi- tude of witnesses in their favor throughout the Southern country. If they are a “humbug,” let those who pur- chased of me last fall speak out ! The heads of these Oats, from some cause to me un- known, this season are turning black ; but they are none the less productive, my crop this year being by far the best I ever raised— just as many as I want to trouble with, and fear I shall suffer severely in my Corn and Cotton crop by taking so much time to save them. The same bulk in the sheaf will yield half as many again seed as any other kind sowed about here. When sowed in full, poor land (as paradoxical as it may appear) is the best, from the fact that they grow so tall and head so heavy that they fall before thoroughly ripe when sowed on rich land. Now, Messrs. Editors, why complain of rusted Oats and failure of crops any longer when the remedy is so easy and ready of access'? I can supply in any reasonable quan- tity. Fellow planter, suffer not yourself to be humbugged any longer by the^ear of humbug when it w'ill cost you so little to test this real blessing to mankind. Respectfully, &c., P. W.- Hutcheson, Jr, { Watkinsville, Ga., July, 1859. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 251 “ burning WOODS” — REPLY TO “J.” Editors Southern Cultivator — In the June number “J.” says he wants the subject discussed, and 1 do too, if there be a danger of the practice again becoming preva- lent, It was once almost a universal eustom among farm- ers, but they have wisely consigned it to the class obso- lete. But there is a class of people that hold to old time customs with a tenacity that naught but death can sever. As soon as reason became enthroned upon my judgment, if enthroned at all, I became opposed to the practice, and have had no reason since to change my views. When our virgin soil is allowed to hold the reins of natural freedom, we find it gifted with an inherent princi- ple, or provision, rather, by an Allwise Providence, that enables it to provide a covering to screen its surface from the sun and scatter broad-cast the elements of future fer- tility. The Great Creator knew how to enrich the soil and thereby adapt it to the wants of man ; hence, large sections of country, once bare of timber and minus grain- producing power, can now boast their gigantic oaks and towering pines, shrubbery thick and valuable soil. Let nature alone and she will meet her own wants and yours too in due time. You may scorch a ridge over annually and it will be a ridge and nothing more, while endless ages roll their rounds — a bleak, dreary, unsightly, pover- ty-stricken ridge — without timber, without soil — a worth- less spot on God’s footstool— but give nature “a showing,” and soon the ridg.e is covered with a dense undergrowth which rapidly assumes the form of trees ; a thick covering of leaves is annually deposited upon the soil; these rapid- ly decay, forming a rich mould and keeping the soil mel- low— the dreary ridge is now converted into a dense for- est, and the soil becoming richer each year, gladdening the heart of its owner and demonstrating the wisdom of Deity. ^ Let me appeal directly to the experience of farmers. Are not your timbered lands the best 1 Are not the tim- bered and shrubbery spots in every field the best I Verbum sat sapienii — but how can a forest rise in grandeur and majesty from the bosom of the plain, if the undergrowth be consumed by annual fires I Woodland is becoming scarce, and if we pursue “J’s” plan, where shall we get our timber and the necessary ingredients for making ma- nure in a few years 7 But, says “ J.,” in substance, we must burn the woods or our cows will suffer. I say we had better do without beef and butter, than pay too dear for the whistle. In this we have grassy old fields inside and outside of the plan- tation, and enclosed cane pastures, that we find much bet- ter for milch cows than the natural woods, which are fast disappearing. So I cannot sympathize with “J.” upon this point. But, say he, the rough woods generate malaria that mounts on airy pinions, spreading diseases over all the land. Our farmers in this section who live in the woods are just as healthy as those who dwell upon the central hills of our broad plantations. So my sympathy would be lost on this point, also. Ditch, Ditch, Ditch. J*«ot satisfied with these arguments, “J.” raises a fire- storm, and imagines the lurid flames sweeping with the besom of destruction in one universal conflagration over rough woods, plantations and cities, while the people’s knees are smiting together like Belshazzar’s — a perfect Judgment-day in a nutshell ! But the great misfortune for his argument is, since the custom of burning woods annu- ally has nearly become obsolete, we hear of but few plan- tations being burned down by fire — the danger was in unchaining the tiger and turning him loose too often. But, says he, the ashes of burnt woods prove a valu- able fertizer— well is’at it simply nonsense to talk about ashes, when their source is destroyed by fire! If we keep the timber sparse, where are the ashes to come from 7 You might as well talk about showers without clouds as ashes without forests. Kill the ticks f is another one of his arguments. We often hear the remark, that Americans are degenerating, and there seems to be just cause for the charge — in the days of ’76 our chivalric forefathers would march , with unquailing nerve, up to the foe’s rampart, that was belch- ing fire and roaring thunder, scale the walls thereof and leap upon a hedge of bayonets ! But their frail descen- dants take flight at a.tick! I have read of an ancient Philosopher that based the earth on a turtle’s back, but never before of a logician’s basing an argument upon the back of such an insignificant insect as a wood tick ! I will close with this advice to “J.” “Let verdant forests wave around, To fertilize and shade the ground.” Hannibal. Cypress Bluff, Jefferson Co., Ga., June, 1859. WEEVILS IN GRAIN — REMEDY. — CURING Bacon. Editors Southern Cultivator — I see, in the June number of the Cultivator, a Subscriber, from Huntsville, Fla., calls loudly for a remedy against weevils They are a pest that have annoyed the people of Texas no little, until we found a remedy, and that remedy I can safely pronounce (from experience) as effectual, in every sense of the word ; and for the benefit of all who are unacquaint- ed with it I will give it, though, perhaps, too late for the July number : Before the grain is cribbed, the floor of the barn or crib should be covered over with green leaves and stems of the China tree, and then as the grain is put in the crib to the depth of a foot there should be another thin layer of leaves and stems, and at the depth of another foot another layer of leaves and stems, and so on, until the grain is all cribbed. I am' sure this is a remedy which requires no labor in comparison to its value ; and the China tree is a growth to be found in almost any Southern State. I have tried this remedy for a number of years, and never without success. It matters not if the weevil gets in the grain before it is cribbed, as this mode of cribbing will drive them out. The weevils get in the most of the Texas corn before it is gathered. I will give you another instance of the value of the China tree. Bacon, while curing, smoked with the dry leaves, stems and berries of this valuable tree, will prevent skippers. This looks almost absurd as well as incredible, but, nevertheless, it is a matter of fact, authenticated by personal experience, and not mere rumor. All that is necessary is, while smoking your meat after it is hung up, occasionally throw on the fire a handful of either the leaves, stem or berries, or a few of each, and keep this up for the ordinary length of time of smoking meat. I will further remark, that this mode of smoking gives the meat no unpleasant taste. X . Flowerdale, Texas, June, 1859. Noble Thoughts. — I never found vanity in a noble na- ture nor humility in an unworthy mind. Of all trees I ob- serve that God hath chosen the vine— a low plant that creeps upon the holyful wall ; of all beasts, the soft and patient lamb ; of all fowls, the soft and guileless dove. When God appeared to Moses it was not in the lofty cedar, nor the spreading palm, but a bush, an humble, ab- ject bush. As if he would, by these selections, check the conceited arrogance of man. Nothing produceth love like humility ; nothing hate, like pride. 252 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. TO AMERICAN WOLUEN- — THE PKOPERLA' Qualified Housewife. Miss Catharine M Sedgwick gives utteranee to the following sensible views upon the proper education of our daughters: Many parents expect their daughters to marry and thus be provided for; the daughters themselves expect it. But it may be well for both parent and child to con- sider the chances against the provision. Marriage may come, and a life of pecuniary adversity, or a widowhood of penury may follow ; or marriage may not come at all. As civilization (so called) goes on, multiplying wants, and converting luxuries into necessities, the number of single women fearfully increases, and is in greatest pro- portion where there is most refinement, whereby women are least qualified to take care of themselves. In the simple lives of our ancestors, men were not de- terred from marriage by the difficulty of meeting the ex- pense of their families. Their wives were helpmates. If they could not earn bread they could make it. If they could not comprehend the “ rights of women,” they prac- ticed her t'uties. If they did not study political econo- my and algebra, they knew the calculation by which the penny saved is the penny gained.” Instead of waiting to be served by costly and wasteful Milesians, they “ looked well to the ways of their household, and ate not the bread of idleness.” The puritan wife did not ask her husband to be decked in French gauds, but was truly, “ The gentle wife who decks his board, And makes the day to have no night.” In giving the reasons that restrain men from marrying at the present, and thereby diminish the chances of this absolute provision for women, we beg not to be misun- derstood. We would not restrict women to the humble offices of maternal existence. The best instructed and most thoroughly accomplished women we have ever known, have best understood and practised the saving arts of domestic life. If parents, from pride, or prejudice, or honest judg- ment, refuse to provide their daughters with a profession or trade, by which their independence may be secured ; if they persist in throwing them on one chance; if daugh- ters themselves persevere in trusting to this “ neck-or-^ nothing” fate, then let them be qualified in that act and craft in which their grandmothers, and which is now, more than any preceding time, the necessary and bound- en duty of every American wife, whatever be her condi- tion. Never by women in any civilization was this art so needed, for never, we believe, were there such obstruc- tions to prosperity and comfort as exist in our domestic service. And how are the young women of the luxu- rious classes prepared to meet them ? How are the wo- men of the middle classes fitted to overcome them? And how are the poorer class trained to rejoice in their ex- emption from them ? If a parent look forward to provision by marriage for his daughter, he should at least qualify her for that con- dition, and be ashamed to give her to her husband un- less she is able to manage her house, to educate her chil- dren, to nurse her sick, and to train her servants — the in- evitable destiny of American housewives. If she can. do all this well, she is a productive partner, and, as Ma- dame Bodichon says, does as much for the support of her household as her husband. It may, or may not be the duty of a mother to educate her children in a technical sense. But if her husband is straining every nerve to support his family, it would be both relief and help if she could save him the immense expense of our first-rate schools, or the cost of governess. If she is skilled in the art of nursing, she may stave off the fearful bill of the phy.Mcian. If she knew the cost and necessary consumption of provision, the keeping of accounts, and, in short, the whole art and mystery of domestic economy, she will not only preserve her husband from an immense amount of harassing care, but secure to him the safety, blessing, Tnd honor of living within his means. If she be a qualified houseioife^ the great burden, per- plexity, and misery of house-keeping, from the rising to the setting sun, from our Canadian frontier to far South of Mason & Dixon’s Line, will be — we will not say over- come, but most greatly diminished. FASHIONABEE WOMEN. Fashion kills more women than toil and sorrow. Obe- dience to fashion is a greater transgression of the laws of woman’s nature, a greater injury to her physical and mental constitution, than the hardships of poverty and neglect. The slavewoman at her tasks will live and grow old, and see two or three generations of her mis- tresses fade and pass away. The washerwoman with scarce a ray of hope to cheer her in her toils, will live to see all her fashionable sisters die around her. The kitch- enmaid is hearty and strong, while her lady has to be nursed like a sick baby. It is a sad truth that fashion- pampered women are almost worthless for all the great ends of human life. They have but little force of char- acter; they'haye still less power of moral will, and quite as little physical energy. They live for no great purpose in life; they accomplish no worthy ends. They are only doll-forms in the hands of milliners and servants, to be dressed and fed to order. They dress nobody, bless no- body, and save nobody. They write no books and set no examples of virtue and womanly life. If they rear children, servants and nurses do all, save to conceive and give them birth. And when reared, what are they 1 What do they amount to, but weaker scions of the stock ? Who ever heard of a fashionable woman’s child exhibit- ing any virtue or power of mind, for which it became eminent? Read the biographies of our great and good men and women. Not one of them had a fashionable mother. They nearly all sprang from strong minded women, who had about as little to do with fashion, as with the changing clouds, • Making Fence-Posts Durable. — All posts will rot, sooner or later, and no method will put off the period of decay very long, Yet something can be done. Charring the lower end before setting it, is not labor lost although it must be remembered that the charring process often cracks the timber, and so allows the moisture to pene- trate the post and thus induce decay. Boring small holes near the ground, and filling them with salt once a year, is sometimes recommended. Perhaps the salt thus intro- duced, and diffused through ihe wood, may retard decay, but we cannot, from theory or ooservation, vouch for such results. Coating the lower end and six inches above the ground with coal-gas tar answers a good pur- pose, and is, we think, the cheapest and most effectual. A correspondent suggests soaking the lower ends in a solution of blue vitriol, (sulphate of copper) — all that will dissolve in water — and says that this has been used with success on shingles, spouts, bean-poles, and wood in other forms exposed to the weather. We do not under- stand the chemical action of such a fluid, but it may be good for fence-posts for ought we know. — American Agri- culturist. |^“The. Boston Traveller says, with great truth, that “It is easier to get twenty good writers than one good edi- tor.” The fact is not, however, generally appreciated. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 253 “ SOILING.’’ This term is used to denote the practice of confining animals to stalls or yards, during summer, and feeding them with green food, cut daily, such as corn, millet, oats, sugar cane, clover, lucerne, turnips, etc. This mode of feeding is extensively practised in England, but though frequently recommended, has not met with much favor here. The advantages claimed are : that food is thus consumed with less waste ; that there is a great increase in the amount of good manure saved ; that the animals are less exposed to the heat of the sun, and to flies and other insects ; that a larger proportion of the food goes to the production of fat, muscles and milk, when the ani- mals are kept quiet ; that much less fencing is required ; and, as the greatest consideration, the same quantity of land will furnish food for two or three times as many ani- mals, when the quicker growin '■ and larger plants, like corn, etc , are raised, instead of the common pasture gras- ses. These considerations are sufficient to recommend a more general adoption of the practice in some parts of the country— as near the larger cities, where land is very val- uable. But under ordinary circumstances the additional cost of gathering the food daily, would exceed the rental of additional pasture land enough to keep the animals. The manure saved by soiling is not clear gain, for this is distributed over the land in grazing. The advantages of keeping animals quiet, are probably lost in vigor, for the exercise taken in grazing is hardly enough to waste much flesh, while it must promote good health. But every farmer should practice “ soiling” to a limited degree at one season of the year, viz : in mid- summer, when the usual grasses are parched and dried. Under the best eircumstances there are always a few weeks of comparatively poor pasturage in July or August, and just then every enterprising, thoughtful farmer will have a bountiful supply of some succulent crop ready to cut and feed out in daily rations, in the stable or fields. Not only will the better yield of milk, and the greater vigor of working animals amply repay the cost at once, but all kinds of stock thus provided for at the most trying sea- son, will go into fall pasturage in good condition, and be ready to lay in fat and flesh against the winter. In “fly time” it will be found advantageous to shut up cattle and horses in dark stalls, during that part of the day when insects are most troublesome, and let cut, green food take the place of pasturage. Corn or Chinese sugar cane planted in drills, and mil- let, oats, etc., sown broadcast, are among the best crops for soiling. If planted or sown in small plots at inter- vals of four to eight days, a longer succession of green food will be secured. — American Agriculturist. Satan’s Marks in the Swine.— A few days since, ongoing into my backyard where a freshly killed pig had just been hung up, a man who knew I was curious in such matters, said, “There, now, there’s the mark as Satan made in the herd of swine before they ran down the cliff into the sea,” pointing to five dark marks on the skin of the inside of each fore leg. On my questioning him, he assured me he had never seen a pig without them (I have since looked at five and they had the same;) and he said the tradition was that all swine had them ever since the casting oat of the devils which destroyed the herd in the sea. My queries are, does this mark always exist”? How do anatomists account for it 7 — Notes and Queries. Hog Cholera. — Make a strong solution of Blue Stone, soak the Corn in it-^say twelve hours; feeed your hogs with it — and all that will eat freely of it, will recover from the cholera. So says a Jefferson county farmer. — Som- dersi'ille Georgian, Texas — A Great Country. — The Reverend Bishop Pierce, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, gives the following picture of the state of TexRs : Texas is a curious country — a paradox. Everything is in the superlative, or contradictory, or marvelous. It is the richest and the poorest— has the best land and the meanest water; is the hardest country to live in, and has the most to live on ; the days are the hottest, and the nights the coolest; here are the most rivers, and the least waters ; the best roads and the slowest travel ; the finest building material, and the least use made of it; there are more clouds, and less rain ; more plains, and less timber : more ropes to tie horses, and yet more estrays ; a poor country for farming and yet the most productive ; the least wox*k and the largest yield ; the horses are small and the cattle big; the frogs have horns and the rabbits have ears like mules ; the people are intelligent without gene- ral education — inventive without being tricky— refined without mannerism — rich without money — hospitable without houses — bold, generous and brave. In fine, here is an empire in extent and resources, but in the slowest process of evolution, and yet destined to population, wealth and power. There is much to admire, but little to deplore; many things to enchant, but few to offend; and for the people and their institutions there is a splen- did future. The True Philosophy. — On a sultry, hot summer day, an honest old man was plowing his field, when sud- denly he beheld a godlike figure, slowly approaching him. The man started baek. ‘ I am Solomon,’ said the phan- tom, in a confiding voice. ‘ What art thou doing here, old man V — • If thou art Solomon,’ was the reply, ‘how cans’t thou ask me 7 When I was a youth thou didst send me to the ant ; I saw its method of living, and taught me to be diligent, industrious, and gather the superfluous for a stormy day. What I then learnt, I still continue to do.’ ‘ Thou hast studied thy lesson but half,’ replied the spirit ; ‘ go once more to the ant, and learn from it also how to find rest and quiet in the winter of thy years, and how to enjoy that which thou hast hoarded up.’ Bricks that will float used to be made years ago, but the art has been lost until recently. A Monsieur Fabroni has, it is said, discovered their composition, which is said to be fifty-five parts of siliceous earth, fif- teen of Magnesia, fouiteen of water, twelve of alumina, three of lime, and one of iron. They are infusible, and will float in water though one-twentieth part of common clay be added to them. They resist water, unite perfect- ly with lime and are subject to no change from heat or cold. They . are nearly as strong as common brick, though only about one-sixth as heavy or considerably lighter than water. They are such poor conductors of heat one end may be heated red hot while the other end is held in the hand. — Exchange paper. Pork — How much to a bushel op Corn. — J. B. Cross, of East Highgate, Vt., paid Sl;50 for a pig, one- fourth Suffolk to three-fourths native, of 7 pounds weight, April 10, 1858 ; fed on milk and slop and 13 1-2 bushels of corn meal, made into pudding, until December 8, and then killed, and weighed 326 pounds of pork. He says : “The question is not answered, from the fact that I fed some milk, but I have come to the conclusion I got about 22 pounds of pork for every bushel of corn fed. This I think is as much pork as a bushel of corn will make, unl^s there should be a difference in the breed of hogs. Some think there is, but I have been inclined to think the difference is more in feeding.” 254 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. BLIND DITCHES, OR UNDER GROUND Drains. Editors Southern Cultivator — No subject can be more important to the planter than the one under con- sideration, yet there is scarcely one that has received so little of his attention. It has been the common practice of planters to pursue that suicidal system of wearing out their lands without ever a thought of improving them, or bringing into cultivation the marsh and pond lands (the very best they have), but leaving them a harbor for frogs and reptiles as well as “eyesores” to every lover of order and neatness that passes that way. Now I wish to in- form my brother planters that those worse than waste lands can be made, by a small outlay of money or labor, the most productive on the plantation. Well, how is this to be accomplished 7 Simply by Blind Ditches, or Under ' Ground Drains, and as I have some experience in the matter, I will give your readers what I think the best plan for their construction: First. Cut a ditch 4 feet wide and 5 feet deep to take off the surface water and to receive that from your blind ditches, then cut the ditches you intend to blind 1 foot wide and 4 feet deep, emptying them into your main ditch. Those ditches should be from 70 to 100 feet apart. After your ditches are cut, place in the bottom 3 poles, leaving a space of two or three inches between them ; then place one on top of the other two to prevent the earth from filling up your space. You can then fill up to within 12 or 18 inches of the top with brush, finishing with earth ; or, if stones are more convenient, fill up with them instead of poles ; or, if you are convenient to a saw mill and it is most convenient to use slabs, your ditch should then be cut 1 foot wide and 3 1-2 deep; then cut a 6 inch trench in the centre of the bottom. You then have a shoulder 3 inches on each side to hold up your slabs ; place them in the ditch, letting them rest on the shoulders, and you then have a vent of 6 inches for your water ; fill up the ditch with earth and your work is done. Forty-five slabs 20 feet long will make 300 yards of di ch. This is the cheapest and most expeditious plan, as well as most durable (stone excepted.) The advantage of blind over open ditches is, that you cultivate over them, thus saving the time of turning round, cleaning out, &c ; besides, they drain your land as eflTec- tually. I will say, for the encouragement of any person who may wish to try this system of drainage, that, a year or two ago, I had some 10 or 15 acres of wet places in my field, and by making a few of those blind ditches, I have brought them into cultivation, and I have now growing on them as fine corn and cotton as you yould wish to see, and that without costing me one dollar in money, and the time I never missed, as this work was done .at such times as hands could not be profitably employed at anything else. Yours truly, M. South Side, June, 1859. [For general directions for Draining, with brush, tiles, &c., &c., see an excellent work, entitled “Farm Drain- age,” noticed in our July number, page 211. — Eds.] “AGRICUIiTURAIi STATESMANSHIP”-AGAIN. Editors Southern Cultivator — In behalf of “ Ran- dolph,” I present my cordial compliments to Dr. F. H. Gordon. I do not, and did not, doubt his disinterestedness in the matter which he advocates. We agree in deprecating the evils of class legislation. We differ here. We seem to regard the chief evil of class legislation as consisting in the fact that it has not held out its hand to Agriculture. I consider that in accepting the open palm of Govern- ment, Agriculture forfeits the only right that class legis- lation has left her — the right oiprotest. I just as sincerely, therefore, protest against a Con- gressman’s sending me a package of seeds (even though they do come up in as wild a form as “Marigolds,” and do not eventuate in May-Weed or Florida Coffee), as I protest against the Government of the United States pay- ing a man in Massachusetts a bounty on cod-fish. If Mr. Gordon believes this Government to be a “Be- nevolent Society,” I can only hope (without wishing him any harm) that he may go to Congress. If he believes that it is the delegated strength of the People to prevent great evils; and so largely impregnated with human evil itself that it requires no end of looking after — then he agrees with Randolph, and His friend in the Cultivator, F. 0. Ticknor. P. S. — I endorse Mr. Gordon’s statements as to the ex- cess of benefit conferred by Government on either occupa- tions over Agriculture. I go a great deal farther. I say that to fathom the loss to Southern Agriculture resulting from that very Legislation, his statement is a mile too short. But shall we endorse the Robbery by asking of the Rob- ber “a great thing”! Shall we not rather take a more imposing attitude, and say, with more emphasis than did Diogenes, “Get out of our sun-shine!” If Agriculture, with the wit and pith of sixty centuries in her brain and bones, cannot, when let alone, stand alone, there is no need, I submit, for governmental aid to emasculate the impotent.* T. Torch Hill, Ga , July 1, 1859. PIP IN CHICKENS — CURE. Editors Southern Cultivator— I give you below a remedy for the “Pip” in Chickens, which you can, if you see proper, publish for the benefit of “M. R. S.,” who made inquiry for a remedy in your May mumber. I have known the remedy applied often and almost always suc- cessfully. It is the tongue that becomes diseased ; hence when you discover the chicken has the pip, catch it and take from the under side of the tongue the white, hard covering which sometimes extends back half way the tongue (this can be done with a pin or knife) and then apply a little fine salt and black pepper to the part from which you took the hard covering or pip, and in most cases the chicken will be well in a very short time. A. B. C. Belmont, Ala., 1859. *It is quoted as an instance of the profound political in- sight of Artaxerxes, King of Persia, that he published the aphorism that taxation rests ultimately on Agricul- ture.” The wit of the discovery is less wonderful than the royal integrity that told of it ; and both are eclipsed by the singular inference that he draws from it ; that, there- fore, the taxer ought to “foster” the taxee ! Ought, in- deed, not exactly to keep his hands out of ye farmer’s pockets, but to leave him a little by way of nest-egg ; or even to “foster” him in a severe case, by paying him a little backi Which, I take it, is the sum and substance of Governmental aid to Agriculture. The “old man” must ride. If he rides easy and don’t spur, it is all we ask, and more than we expect. As for Agricultural Conventions, are they not in perma- nent session, all the yeai round, and all the world over! Have they not their organs, too! Speak for us. Cultiva- tor ! t^OUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 255 letter FR03I DAVID DICKSON— THE USE of Guano. A short time since we received from Dr, Jarrett, of Mars Bluff, S. C., a letter of inquiry as to some points in David Dickson’s mode of using manures. This letter of inquiry was immediately forwarded to Mr. Dickson, v/ho has promptly and satisfactorily replied to it. Mr. Dick- son’s letter was written prior to his having been informed of the uniting of the South Countryman the Southern Cultivator. We are greatly obliged for Mr. Dickson’s kind appreciation of our labors, and hope the interest ex- pressed by him in the South Countryman will find just cause for increase in the superior opportunities for use- fulness afforded in the more extended sphere of the Southern Cultivator. There is no good reason why the Southern Cultivator should not receive the patronage of which Mr. Dickson speaks. It would even then be much less than that of some other Agricultural journals. The Michigan Farmer has 10,000 subscribers in that young State alone. The Genesee Farmer issues between 30,000 and 40,000 copies. Perhaps there are others with a still larger circulation. We take this opportunity suggested by Mr. Dickson’s remark, to offer the request that the friends of the journals now united will make this union an occasion of a special effort to extend the circulation of the Southern Cultivator. We ought to have at the South an Agricultural journal of the higest character. At the very low rate at which these journals are charged, it is impossible that they can attain this character without a large subscription list. One or two names sent by each one of the present subscribers would go very far towards this result. A short ride to a neighbor’s dwelling, or a few moments conversation with some one to whom the subject has not been presented, may give one a place in a general movement which shall favorably and powerfully affect the Agriculture of the South. The large possibility is surely worth the small effort. H. Sparta, Ga., July 1st, 1859. Rev. C, W. Howard— Sir:— You wish me to answer the following points in your correspondent’s letter. He does not seem to understand what I meant by saying 1 had not used the same quantity of guano per acre any two years. I commenced using 75 lbs., and have gradu- ally increased the quantity each year up to the present time to 175 lbs. per acre for cotion; 75 to 100 lbs. per acre for corn ; 75 to 135 lbs. for wheat and oatsj 400 lbs. for turnips and potatoes. Mr. Jarret wishes to knpw how I get the 5 per cent, of potash in the land plaster. Mr. Samuel Sands, of Baltimore, Md., as I stated in a previous letter, is my agent, and whatever I wish in the way of fertilizers, I order from him. Mr. Sands will have any per cent, of potash added to land plaster that you wish. Mr. Jarrot wishes to know why I recommend us- ing guano free for cotton. It is because cotton is the best paying crop. Using guano for cotton the last of March and first of April ; commence selling cotton in September — in 6 to 9 months you will have the money invested in guano back with the profits. 2d, Cotton does not ex- haust land. There is very little inorganic matter sold an- nually from a cotton field— the principal loss in making cotton is the clean culture, the soil washing off and leach- ing by heavy rains. Guano is a partial remedy for that — it will lessen the season of plowing two to three weeks, by making the cotton that much more forward and producing double the quantity of litter to plow in for the next crop, in leaves, cotton stalks, seeds, &c., which will protect the land the second year somewhat. By using guano free you may curtail the number of acres cultivated. To get the full benefit of guano, land must be rested, to grow weeds and accumulate vegetable mould. Also use it on the pea crop for the same purpose. Peruvian guano, under a bad system, will exhaust land. The mixture I recommended, which was published in the Sonth Countryman, under a good sy stem will make land rich. The use of guano is objected to by some thinking it lessens the interest in home-made manure. It should be made the means of doubling the home-made manure, in- creasing the cotton seed one- third, doubling the wheat and oat straw, producing twice the quantity of weeds when land is at rest, and double the quantity of peas and vines, and the more of all such manures produced and saved, the better guano will pay. I am in favor of making the land produce double what it does now, instead of doub- ling the number of slaves by the importation of wild Afri- cans. Double the productiveness of the land, and it will be worth four times the present value. Double the num- ber of slaves and the price will depreciate one-half. You are laboring hard, and to the point, in the South Conntrymam. There is one more subject I would like for you to embrace. We want more manure, and the cities of Georgia can furnish part of it in Super- Phosphate of Lime and Poudrette and add greatly to the health of the places. Cannot you induce some persons to undertake it 1 The planters of the South ought to take at least 20,000 copies of your paper; and, rather than your enterprise should fail, you may set me down for ten numbers. Those who wish to be well posted upon the guano trade, should take S. Sands & Mills’ Rural Register, Baltimore, Md., — 24 numbers per year for one dollar. They will find'it a valuable paper. Yours very truly, David Dickson. PEACH TREE WORMS — CHINA BERRIES, &c. Editors Southern Cultivator — I forgot, a day or two past, when I wrote, to inquire of you what time of the year Mr. “V. S.,” of Charleston, puts in the China berries about his Peach trees to prevent borers. I feel much in- terested in it, as I have lost almost half of my trees after trying several, in fact, I think all of the remedies. The best I have tried is cutting them out, but it is hard to find them all. If we scald them with ley or put on strong white wash it is almost impossible to reach all. I have tried cutting out all I could find and filling the holes with with wet snuff, but tobacco has no effect on them, even if they are soaked in it. I will, this season, try a prepara- tion of tar or spirits of turpentine, as I have not heard of it being tried, I expect it will kill the tree, but I have some two or three seedlings that don’t get ripe, but are the thriftiest trees I have. You will please let us hear, if you can, about the right time of putting the China berries in. Last winter there was some gentlemen, near this place, purchased considerable quantities of Peach trees for plant- ing, the only difficulty was the dread of the borer. Yours truly, E. C. Holleman. Eufaula, Ala., July, 1859. [Will our friend “Val,,” reply to the above, at his ear- liest convenience 'IJ “ Agricultural Fair.” — A Farmer’s pretty daugh ters. 256 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. Mnmiit (Bcniinmij ml VALUABLE RECIPES. Editors Southern Cultivator— Having never seen the following recipes in print, I send them to the Cultiva- tor, and if yon see proper you can give them a place in your columns : FOR FOUL FOOT IN HORSES. Take one tablespoon ful of copperas ; one tablespoonful strong ley soap (soft) ; one tablespoonful of Urine. Mix so as to make a paste, and apply it about every three hours ; and in twenty-four hours your horse will be able to go to work. It should be done as scon as the disease is discovered. I have never known it to fail in a single case, and I have tried it in a dozen or more. BOTS, OR GRUBS IN HORSES. Make a strong tea of mullen, by boiling, and drench the animal with a quart of it. It will cure without fail. I give this for the benefit of God’s most noble animal — next to man. Respectfully, L. T. C. Union Parish, La., June, 1859. REMEDY FOR DISTEMPER IN DOGS. Editors Southern Cultivator — A teaspoonful of powdered Lobelia infused in half a teacupful of hot water. Let it stand until cool, and then give as a drench. I had a pup 6 months old taken with distemper, and gave him up to die. In a week or more two dogs — one of them a favorite pointer and the other a cross between a pointer and half blood hound, (an excellent cross) — commenced sneezing and running at the nose. As I did not wish to lose all my dogs, I thought I would try something. I commenced by giving the puppy (who was, by this time, bad off) the dose of Lobelia mentioned above. The next day he appeared more lively. Thinking that the Lobelia had become too weak from having been on hand a long time, I procured some that was fresh, and repeated the dose ; at the same time giving a similar drench to each of the other dogs. The dose was too strong for the puppy in his then reduced state, and he died— his death hastened, perhaps, by the over dose, as lobelia is powerful in its effects and leaves the patient very much prostrated. On the other dogs it acted like a charm. In two days every symptom of the disease disappeared in them-^they were cured and remained so. I do not say that the remedy is infallible. I have tried it in no other cases, nor have I heard of any other trying it — I give my experience merely; believing, however, from that little experience, that there is virtue in lobelia for distemper. Will not some others try it and publish the results of their trials '? C. E. D. PRESERVING DRIED FRUIT. A lady subscriber, of Camden, Ark., sends us the fol- lowing : Editors Southern Cultivator.- In your June num- ber I notice a preventive to worms in dried fruit, by mix- ing sassafras bark with it. For the benefit of your read- ers who may not be aware of it, I send a more convenient and effectual remedy. The eggs being deposited in the fruit during the process of drying may be destroyed by simply heating the fruit in an oven, just enough to destroy them. It should be im- mediately packed away. I have followed this plan for several years, and have had no fruit with worms in it. I have reference to sun- Med fruit which I think preferable to kiln-dried. A Housekeeper. DOMESTIC RECIPES. Mr. Editor — As I have received a number of valuable recipes from the household department of your paper, and have been very much profited by them, I have concluded to send a few that I have tried, and found to be good, and that I have not seen in your columns: Sponge Cake. — Take the yolks of five eggs, the white of one, half a pound of sugar, one teacupful of water ; beat sugar, eggs, and water together, until thick as pound cake, then add 6 oz. of flour. Delicate Cake. — The whites of four eggs, left from the sponge cake, half a cup of butter, one of sugar, half a cup of sweet milk, with half a teacupful of soda in one cup, and a half of flour, add one teaspoonful of cream of tartar, Potato Mvffins. — One pint of milk, six large potatoes mashed, one egg, a desert spoonful of butter, and one gill of good yeast. Yours respectfully, E. B., [in Germantov.'n Telegraph, Loimr- Mcrion, June, 1859. Tomatoes in a new fashion. — As the tomato season is here, the following method of preparing them for the table we are assured by one who has made the experiment, is superior to anything yet discovered for the preparation of that excellent article : — Take good ripe tomatoes, cut them in slices, and sprinkle over them finely pulverised white sugar, then add claret wine sufficient to cover them. Tomatoes are sometimes prepared in this way with diluted vinegar, but the claret wine imparts to them a more pleasant flavor, more nearly resembling the straw- berry than anything else. — Germantovm Telegraph. How TO Cook Vegetable Egg. — Take the egg off the vine when soft. Cut it in thin slices. Take three hen’s eggs, beat them well ; put on your pan with a spoonful of butter or lard; then poar about half your beaten egg over them; let them cook a little — turn them, and add the bal- ance of your beaten egg. Let them cook until soft, and they are then ready for the table. Send them to the table hot. — Germantown Telegraph. Fruit Pies. — The acid in fruit pies may be neutralized by adding to each as much carbonate of soda as will cover a twenty- five cent piece. This simple precaution, which does not affect the flavor of the fruit, will prevent much sickness, and save much sugar, otherwise needed to ren- der the sour sweet. — Scientific American. Blueing for Clothes. — Better and cheaper than Indi- go.— Take 1 oz. of soft Prussian blue, powder it and put it in a bottle with 1 quart of clear rain water, and add 1-4 ounce of oxalic acid. A tea -spoonful is sufficient for a large washing. Howto Make Good Yeast. — Make a decoction of hops by taking two handsful of hops and pouring on them three pints of boiling water; boil this down to a quart, and then strain. To the liquid add one tablespoonful of ground ginger, one of common salt, and two of molasses or brown sugar ; then stir in wheat flour enough to make it of the consistency of bread -rising. Let this stand until cool, then add a teacupful of yeast ; keep it in a warm place until it rises, then set in a cold place as a vault or cellar. •In the hottest weather of summer I have often kept yeast made as above, perfectly sweet for three weeks. Those who are bothered with sour yeast, or who make it every week, would save much time and trouble by trying the above. Do not forget the consistence, as the great fault with many is, they have it too thin and watery. — Gcrman- tov:n Telegraph. DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE. VOL. XVII. AUGUSTA, GA., SEPTEMBER, 1859. NO. 9. WILLIAM S. JONES, Publisher. D. REDMOND and C. W. HOWARD, Editors. cc^ See Terms on Cover. ^ktttatiEE 6cDEDni^ anii JEtBcellaitij. HINTS FOR THE MONTH. The Plantation. — As soon as Cotton begins to open freely, it must be gathered without delay. Avoid picking immediately after a shower, lest the lint should be foul. See that your Gin and Press are in complete order, and send no cotton to market that has not received the most careful handling throughout. Cow Peas should be gathered and put away during the brief intervals of leisure from cotton picking. The vines of late planted Peas may also be cut when the pod is just forming, and cured for hay, Carefully save seed of all valuable sorts. Corn may be cut up and saved, as directed in our last number, page 225. Winter Oats, Rye, Barley, Clover and Lucerne may be sown the latter part o fthis month. Turnips, for a fall crop, must now ce sown, without delay. Ruta Baga, Yellow Aberdeen, Norfolk, Early Flat Dutch, Globe, and Strap Leaf Re.d Top Turnips, are all valuable varieties — the two first being the best for stock and keeping. See directions for sowing Turnips, in our last. Hay. — In addition to the Corn-stalk and unpulled fod- der spoken of in our last, (page 225) Sweet Potato vines and tops of Pindars make a tolerable rough forage, if cut and cured before they begin to wither. All Crab (or Crop) Grass, Crowfoot and other grasses, must be cut when in blossom, and carefully cured, with as little ex- posure to the sun as possible, to be of any value for hay. The dried up and withered grass often pulled for hay, late in the season, is almost utterly valueless. Wet land may now be drained, woodlands prepared for pasturage, weeds and brush grubbed up, &c , &c., as di- rected heretofore. W inter Forage. — As a green crop, try Wheat, sown thick in three feet drills, on deeply plowed and rich land. It will give your animals green food nearly all winter, and bear repeated cuttings. The Garden. — Turnips, of all kinds, if not already sown, must be put in without delay. (See directions in August number in regard to this and other gardoning operations.) Strawberry Beds may be prepared and the plants set out any time during the fall. A cool moist soil, rich in vegetable matter suits this fruit best in our sultry climate. Spade or trench-plow the ground as deeply as possible, turning under a plentiful supply of swamp mucky decomposed leaves, wood ashes, pulverized charcoal, and a little well rotted stable manure. Harrow or rake the surface until it is perfectly fine and even, and set your plants in 3 foot rows, 1 foot to 18 inches in the row. When the plants are well rooted, cover the entire surface of the ground with partially decomposed forest leaves, only permitting the plants to be exposed. By this method with an occasion il watering next summer, in dry weather, (^nd the proper selection of varieties) .4his delicious and healthy fruit may be raised abundantly from 3 to Smooths in the year, for family use and for market. It can be safely transported 500 miles per railroad,* and has even been sent from Georgia to New York, in excellent con- dition. It is, in all respects, one of our most attractive and profitable fruit crops, and we hope it will receive in- creased attention hereafter. Some of the choicest varie- ties are Wilson’s Albany, Hovey’s Seedling, McAvoy’s Superior, Longworth’s Prolific, Walker’s Seedling, Pea- body’s Hautbois, Crimson Cone, Early Prolific, &c. McAvoy’s Extra Red, the Crescent Seedling, Black Prince, Iowa, Jenny Lind, Scott’s Seedling, Trollope’s Victoria, Boyden’s Seedling, Smythe’s, and other varieties maybe tried by amateurs. The Fruit Orchard. — New land, elevated and not too rich, is most suitable for Orchards, and to those who have neither the time or the means to grub up and entirely clear the ground before planting, we suggest the following plan for speedily replacing a forest with a productive Peach or Apple orchard : Cut off all wood and brush very clean, early in the fall, burning to ashes all the logs that you cannot remove, and leaving all stumps very low. Then *See articles, in present number, headed “Fruit— Transr- porting to market,” &c.— Eds. ‘■258 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. Stake off your land the proper distances, and dig holes siic feet across and two feet deep, throwing the surface moold on one side and the subsoil on the other. Rake Into the bottom of the hole a bushel or more of the siir- -rounding loose, top soil, leaves, &c.; fillup to the proper rkeight with the surface soil first thown out, and plant yo«r tree carefully, heaping up the subsoil slightly about fifce trunk and over the roots, to allow for the natural set- 4£in2 of the earth. Your tree being now planted and fur- -stisbed with a supply of food in the hole, immediately ■^ithinlts reach, the after culture may be as follows: The sffrst spring, early, plow and cross-plow the young orchard long rooters, keeping beyond the holes in which the isScees are planted, and carefully avoiding all injury to the ?'!r«nk or branches. Sow Cow Peas broadcast in the open space between the trees, and keep the earth loose and '^mellow about the roots with a pronged hoe. If mulching gasateria! can be obtained, apply it thickly after the first C^ioing, as far as the roots of the trees extend. This will «3bviate the necessity of any further working for the sea- .3CK1, When the Peas ripen, pick and save them, turning &ke vines under, and sow another crop, to be gathered in Che same manner. These repeated plowings and cros.s- plowitjgs, with the abundant supply of nutritive matter iffjarnished by the decomposing Pea vines, and an oocasion- 45.1 dressing of ashes, will insure the most' vigorous and isealthy growth of the trees, and force them into early and gicolific bearing. Other low crops, such as Sweet Potatoes fOLnff Pindars, may afterwards be grown profitably in the -^Kchard, and the vines returned to the soil as above re- ocKumended. We confidently recommend a trial of this ^ian to those who desire the quickest and most satisfac- fim:y return for their labor in fruit raising, and who have €50 old land elevated enough, or otherwise suitable. No- Dem-ber and December are the best months for planting Ccees. Particular directions for planting Trees, Grape ^ines, &c., in our next. AGRICUIiTURAIi COLIiEGES. Tast experience has taught us that the people of the .South will do their duty as to the education of their chil- iicoa, so far as they understand in what that duty cou- sins. It is not unusual to hear them spoken ofdisparag- irtgly in connection with this subject. They are some- times charged with indifference to the great cause of edu- sEJitioa, This is both an error and an injustice. In its re- LstlGn;te the poorer classes, the subject of general educa- tion is- environed with great difficulty. A thinly scattered isj^iiite population and a dense black population, are the relief causes of this difficulty. For the last 20 or 30 years grave and thoughtful attention on the part of our most distinguished men has been devoted to this important sub- I ectj'but, as yet, without satisfactory results. ,Xhe attention bestowed upon the establishment of s2chools of a high order for the instruction of youth of both apexes /has been extraordinary. Not so much in the amount of, patronage bestowed by our Legislatures as in i^ie ’liberlffty of private donations. It is customary to ;p>raiEe the attention given in New England to education. 'The praise is not undeserved. Yet we very much doubt af there be a State in New England, in which the private .soKtributions to the cause of education have been as liber- within the last 30 years as in the State of Georgia, In SL Lecture before the Historical Society, the venerable Presi- dent of our State University stated that within a very years upwards of ^GOO, 000 had been contributed by private persons in Georgia to the cause of education. This lecture was delivered prior to the establishment of any of the Female Colleges of the State, possibly with the ex- ception of the College at Macon. There are now 17 of these Female colleges in Georgia. With the additional institutions for the instruction of males, we cannot doubt that more than S600,000 have been contributed to this cause since the period to which we have referred, Per- hap.san equal attention has been given to the sUbject of education in the other Southern States — we have not the means of information as to what has been done in them. Sufficient regard has been paid to the creation of Semi- naries for collegiate and professional education. Possibly this attention may have been in excess — not as to the amount given, but as to the number of institutions estab- lished. If the friends of the different male colleges, es- pecially the religious bodies by which the most of them are controlled, will consider the amount of the invest- ment and the number of pupils and then count the cost to that body of each graduate, they will be surprised and may be lead to inquire if this large expenditure of pri- vate munificence may not be made to affect a greater num- ber of youth. As a means of preparation for professional life or elegant leisure our institutions are, perhaps, all that could be ex- pected. They are built on the old models and to ac- complish a purpose which remains unchanged in the flight of years. The great truths of Christianity are the same “yester- day, to-day and forever.” They are unchangeable as ' their author. The fundamental principles of law, which has been called the “Harmony of the Spheres” — of law, which governs the planets and the mote in the sunbeam, and which, in its elucidation, application and improve- "ment in the complicity of human affairs, has engrossed so large a share of human intellect, are also immutable. The human body in its essential features in all time has sub- mitted to but minor modifications. Ethical and mental science are subject ever to the same unchanging rules. The pages of Grecian and ' Roman eloquence are the un- altered embodiments of the intellectual strength of the great masters of antiquity. As the end in view in classi- cal and professional education is unchanged, the course of education remains unchanged But the business of the world is ever changing. New countries and new climates are being opened up to civil- ized man. New articles of commerce are brought into use and unaccustomed commercial relations established. V/ithin this century new sciences have been born and some of them matured. Extraordinary practical appli- cations of the useful arts have been made. Information is more indispensable to success in many of the most im- portant pursuits, the necessity for which thirty years since did not exist. As a consequence, the education which fits for literary or professionol life does not neces- sarily prepare for the stirring occupations of the present day. Yet, academic and collegiate education has not changed, Latin and Greek and Greek and Latin are still as prominent and are as industriously flogged into our sons now as they were flogged into our ancestors at Eton or Westminster 150 years ago. We do not wish to be regarded as an enemy to the SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR 25P classics. By no means. He is an ill-tempered devil, who, having himself drank from the Pierian spring, would debar others from slaking their thirst from the same crys- tal waters. But the classics, while they are indispens- able to professional life, are the accomplishments of gener- al education. They are the capital which gracefully crowns the attic column. They are the key which un- lock the portals, giving admission into the “High com- munion of scholars.” They are the polish which gives a beauteous lustre to improved mind. And as such, wher- ever time and means allow, they should be studied with a just reference to the future of the student. Avery small proportion of the youth passing through a course of academic or collegiate education permanently devote themselves to professional life. A few years of their earlier manhood may be occupied by a profession, i but finding the many of wealth or distinction pre- occu- pied by others, the profession is abandoned and another pursuit is adopted. A very large number of our students become planters or farmers. The planter’a son passes from the Rostrum to the cotton field. If he were destined for the ministry, he would study three years at a Theological Seminary. If he were designed for the bar, he would pursue his legal • studies either in the office of some distinguished lawyer or at a law school. If it were his intention to become a physician, he would attend the lectures, and if his means allowed he would walk the hospitals at Dublin or Paris But as he is to be a mere planier or farmer^ no novitiate is deemed necessary. His Latin and Greek, and Mathe- matics and Belles Lettres are sufficient preparation for the management of negroes, the composition of manures and the growth of stock, grain and cotton. The embarrassments of young men who inherit planting estates are sometimes painful from want of proper prepar- ation. K graduate of one of our collegiate institutions en- ters upon the management of his estate If he wishes to arrange the books of the estate, he must call in a book- keeper. If an unknown insect is destroying his crops, he must consult an Entomologist. If he wishes to learn the name and habits of a new plant, he must obtain the infor- mation from a Botanist. If he wishes to determine the name of a variety ol fruit new to him, he must enquire of a Pomologist. If he wishes to extend a cherished variety by grafting, he must send for a Nurseryman, If he wishes to ascertain the deficiency in an unfruitful part of his soil, he must submit a specimen to a Chemist, If he wishes to know the extent of a field, he must employ a surveyor. If he wishes to run a level for embankment or irrigation, he must employ an Engineer. He finds him- self at a loss in almost every part of the large interest he is called upon to manage and control. The education of every young man should be materially modified by the occupation for which he is designed. If he is to be a planter, his education should be directed chiefly to those studies a knowledge of which will fit him for his calling. It may be s5id that the Georgia University proposes to do this through the Terrell Agricultural Professorship, We fear that this valuable bequest, even though sustained by the acknowledged ability of the present Professor, will fail to answer the end proposed by the noble gentleman, whose memory will ever be cherished in Georgia, We very much doubt, if it be possible to unite at this day and \ at the same point a full course of classical and Agricul- tural education. And for this reason, our young men seem to have nut little idea of distinction, save through the power of oratory, or of eloquent composition. Their classic studies are, for the most part, the orations, and poems of antiquity. The Societies foster the general ten- dency of the institution. The natural sciences are fre- quently undervalued. In short, tlfh elements of study and character, which go to make a painstaking and successful planter, are generally considered tame, spiritless and*- ignoble. We conceive that the difficulty can be easily removedi* The original scheme of education in Georgia is most ad- mirable, We believe that the honor of its suggestion and elaboration is chiefly due to Gen. James Jackson. That original plan confines the University to no one particular place. The University includes the whole system of edu- cation, as patronized and supported by the State. In this ' plan, the University supplies to any practical and valu^ able scheme in its President, who is a Regent of Educa- ' lion, and to whose supervision the whole subject is com- mitted. With the Collegiate Institutions at Athens^ ai£- Agricultural and Industrial School might be established at another point, a Law School at another, and a Medical ' School at another — all under the general supervision cf the President and Trustees of the University. The limits of this paper will not allow a sketch of the course of study which might be pursued at the Agrieu-1- tural Department of the University, Should the subject ' prove to be one ofinterest, such a sketch, based upon the systems pursued in the best European schools, will be p?-s- - pared. If the State can be induced to establish an Experimental' Farm, worked by negroes, which would also be the siia: of its Agricultural Museum and Fair, this point should be"’ the location of one of the agricultural schools. The ex- pense of education here might be high, as it would involve- continued outlay. Planters would not hesitate to meet- this expense, for the advantages would be unusually great. In the absence of similar Institutions in our country v/e have been compelled to advise some of our 'ft:iends to send their sons to Grignon, in France, which advice has bees- followed. There is another form of Agricultural and Industrial school which is still more needed than one of the kind suggested. That is an Institution designed especially to supply us with a race of educated overseers and mecl^B- ics and common school teachers. Parts of the South suf- fer almost as much from absenteeism as Ireland. In the- absence of the proprietors, large gangs of negroes, immor- tal beings, are sometimes committed to the almost sole- management of ignorant men whose minds are not only dark, but whose moral sense has never felt the power of elevating Association, The interests of the planter sufiter — the cause of agriculture suffers. When the planter lives - on his plantation, the overseer is “a third estate” v/hich k is often very difficult to manage without detriment. The. proprietor fears to undertake an improvement, as he k practically ignorant, and it is often the case that an over- - seer, undervaluing it as an item of book farming, will as- suredly fail to carry it out, even if he have the necessary^, intelligence. Every planter will at once feel the advantage which it' would be to him if, when he wanted a young mari to manage his affairs, there were an Institution to whos& officers he might write, state the character needed, a»d find his necessities promptly supplied. The overseess of^- the country are a class. They form an important into- - est. They correspond to the bailiffs or land stewards of England — men thoroughly educated as to all that apper- tains to their business. If it were not for these mea- whiv" unite “Science with Practice,” the prodigious advance of English Agriculture would be at once arrested. It is to US at the South a measure of the highest interest in oar social economy to elevate this important class of persona We are compelled to deal hastily with this interesting:, topic. It is hoped that its suggestion will awaken attesiv- tion. We need superior facilities of education to be plac*^ within the reach of those poor young men who design io-' become mechanics. The time was, when we spoke of a. mechanic, that we thought only of a man who could shcxJi' 260 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. a horse, or lay a plow, or dress a piank, or frame a house. And it was supposed that education would be of little service to him. But how changed is now our estimate cf the position of a mechanic. “Science has put on the leather apron” and strikes with the hammer. Our steam- ships, railroads, mines, foundries and machine shops re- quire not only dexterity in the use of tools, but inventive, executive and financial ability. The person who can manage the affairs of one of the huge establishments to which these industries give rise, is qualified to manage affairs of State, let he must commence with his^ appren- ticeship, and an educated apprenticeship is indispensable to ulterior and extended success. iHs the possibility of these large operations requiring varied and cultivated nieut.-.l power, which has changed the aspect of mechani cal pursuits. We need, also, a provision for the education of poor young men as teachers of our common schools. If the State could build “the, brick school house” in every militia district, and if scholars waited at their doors for admission, we have not the teachers in sufficient numbers. Of those who offer as teachers, a great number are shame- fully disqualified. }f the subject were not too grave for ridicule, some of the richest scenes of comedy weuld be offie’red in a number of the examinations before the School Committees of the counties. There is a gap between the common school and a com- plete business education which the poor boy cannot fill. Our cities offer an exception — we are speaking of the country at large. When the poor boy has learned all that is taught in the country, he must stop in the- requi- sition of knowledge through an instructor. He cannot go to College — it is too expensive and there is no other op- portunity of a higher education besides that which the College affords. Whatever be his aspirations, he m.ust rest in his ignorance. If the State would endow an Institution, say in each Ju- dicial Circuit, each of which should be part of the Uni- versity— if each of these institutions were provided with a farm and v/orkshops — if no pupil were admitted under 16 years of age, so that his labor would be valuable — if no pupil were retained whose labor on the farm or in the shop were not equivalent at least for his board, leaving his tuition to be paid from the funds of the Institution, then education would be within the reach of multitudes of the poor who are now excluded from it. Within a very short time after the establishment of such institutions, their utmost limits would not contain the applicants for admission. Such schools would be chiefly agricultural, but also answer! g the other two purposes referred to. The topics of this article are so numerous that they have been barely touched. We offer it as suggestive. We ask comment on the views expressed. We invite discussion of the whole subject of agricultural and business education. Mr. Martin has made a handsome commencement of one of the forms of Farm School of which we have spoken. But no private individual can, without assistance, com- pletely carry out such an enterprise. We trust he will receive the powerful support which the merits of his In- stitution will justify. It is ho jed that our next Legislature will take up this svftijfect. In what way can the funds of the State be more usefully employed than by putting it in the power of poor young men to obtain an education, not as pensioners upon the charity of the State, but by means of their own labor! Such an education would be less a dependance upon public bounty than a course at West Point. Iowa now expends S15,000 per annum for agriculture ; Massachuseets, S12,000; New York, S8,000. This is apart from the amounts given to Agricultural Education. For one Institution Michigan has given, through her Legislature, nearly ®100,000. The sums given by several other States is large. What ^as Georgia done ! What has the South done by Legislative appropriations for agricultural education! 50 far as we are informed, nothing. Yet every one will grant, leaving out of consideration the planters themselves, if we had a body of overseers who, added to their present practical experience, were thoroughly informed in all that pertains to their.i calling, the wealth of the South would b? increased by millions of dollars. New York agreed to give an equal amount for an Agri- cultural School to that which might be privately contri- buted. The offer was met and the People’s College is the result. Two gentlemen in Georgia have offered to give 51 000 each, for the established of an Agricultural College, if one hundred men will do the same, If this hundred can be made up, the State will be ashamed not to equal the liberality of her private citizens The subject is one of absorbing interest, as it concerns not only the develop- ment of the resources of a country which God has favor- ed and man has scourged, but also the unlocking of the fetters which imprison the minds of indigent youth, and enabling them, whether from the mountains, the middle county or the seaboard, to go free to work out the great purposes of their destiny. We trust that no imperfection of phraseology on our part, will induce an opinion in the mind of any one that we are hostile to our existing Collegiate Institutions. They answer their end. There is still another end to be met growing out of the change which parts of our social structure have undergone during the last half century. This is a speciality not provided for in the old system of education. Let the people of the South see to it that this end is met by the exercise to the limit of prudence of private and legislative liberality. Since the completion of the above article on Agricul- tural Education, there has been sent us a catalogue of the students of the Oglethorpe University, including the course of study in that Institution, There is great simi- larity in the course of study in all of our colleges. From' one, we may then learn all. We ask the grave attention of gentlemen who wish their sons to be educated with a reference to Plantation Life. If they are destined for a profession this course is an excellent one. But if they are to be planters, miners, merchants, machinists or civil engineers, what portion of this course bears upon their future pursuits ! Observe the large share of attention be- stowed upon the sciences capable of practical application to agriculture. The classics are studied in every term of the four years’ course. Ancient and Modern History and the Modern Languages are wholly omitted. Mineralogy, Physiology, Book-Keeping, and Drawing are also omit- ted. Chemistry is studied during two t rms of the Senior year, Botany during one term of the Junior year. A young man who masters this course will be an elegant Belles Lettres scholar. He will have laid the foujfidations for literary success in either of the professions, or in any pursuit requiring the accomplished use of the pen or the tongue. But it will have taught him at the same time rather to undervalue than rightly to estimate those branches of knowledge which are most important to the country gentleman. The Catalogue before us affords a subject of profound study. It suggests questions of great interest. It establishes the position, that while our Col- legiate Institutions are worthy of patronage in their re- lation to professional and literary life, other Institutions, preparing our youth for the practice of Scientific Agricul- ture, are demanded by the most urgent necessity. It will be observed that out of the forty-four studies of the four years’ course, twenty are Le^in and Greek authors. The whole of the first two years are devoted to the Classics SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 261 HANCOCK COUNTY FAR31ING, AGAIN. and Mathematics, with the single exception of Antiqui- ties: COURSE OF STUDY. FRESHMAN CLASS. First Term. Greek Xeno'phon' s Anabasis. Latin Cicero de Amicitia and de Senectute. Mathematics Algerbra, (Davies^ Bov.rdon ) Second Term. •Greek . . .^ Xenophon's Cyropadia. Latin Cicero de Officiis. Mathematics Algebra, (completed ) Third Teryn. Greek Herodotus aud Thucydides, (Grarzea Alajora.') Latin . ; Horace’s Odes. Mathematics Geometry (^Davies’ Legendre.) SOPHOMORE CLASS. First Term. Greek Lysias and Isocrates, (Groeca Majora.) Latin Horace’s Satires. Mathematics Geometry, (completed.) Second Term. Greek Demosthenes’ Orations, (Grceca Majora.) Latin Horace's Epistles and Art of Poetry. Mathematics. Davies' Plane Trigonometry cf- Alensuration Third Term. 5 Greek Homer’s Odyssey. Latin Livy. Mathematics . . Davies' Spherical Trigon. Sur'ng, (begun) Boje?en’s Roman and Grecian Antiquities throughout the year. JUNIOR CLASS. First Term. Greek Plato’s Crito. Latin Cicero de Oratore. Mathematics . . i Surveying and Navigation, (completed.) ) Analytical Geometry, (begun.) Natural Philosophy . . .^. Olmsted. Rhetoric Blair. Second Term. Greek Xenophon's Memorabilia. Latin Cicero de Oratore. Mathematics Davies' Analytical Geometry. Natural Philosophy t Olmsted. Rhetoric Campbell. Logic Hedge. Third Term. Greek Loiiginus, Latin Cicero de Oratore. Mathematics . . Davies' Differential and Integral Calculus. Botany Gray. Evidences of Christianity Alexander. SENIOR'CLASS. First Term. Latin QvAntilian. Astronomy Olmsted. Chemistry. Moral Philosophy. Constitutional Law Sheppard, Second Term. Greek (Edipus Tyr annus. Astronomy Olmsted. Christianity. Geology. Mental Philosphy. Third Term. General Review. A beautiful form is better than a beautiful face ; a beautiful behavior is better than a beautiful form ; it gives a higher pleasure than statues or pictures, it is the finest of the five arts. Editors Southern Cultivator — In reply to my friend Robinson, of Oglethorpe, who rnnkes a very handsome appeal to certain Hancock farmers to let the balance of mankind know “their superior mode of cultivating corn and cotton,” I must, as the call is made upon me (with others) by name (though not of late much given to news- paper corresponding) say a word or two. I say it, and not boastfully, that my friend is right when he supposes that there is “light” down here, and he is wrong when he supposes that we keep it covered under a bushel. And, before I go one step further, I will tell him iiow we let it shine, and how he may fill within the blessed in- fluence of one or more of its genial rays. If he will lodk in the October number of DeBoiv's Review for 1858 he will find a copy of the Constitution of our Planter’s Club. Take a copy of it — call a meeting of your Planters — organize a Society upon its plan. Have at least annual meetings— appoint a delegation to visit and correspond with our Club and we will reciprocate the favor — come and mingle with us— see the spirit and determination amongst us to improve our homes and comforts — to ele- vate and enoble our calling — and if he does not imbibe some of that spirit and carry it home with him and im- part it to his associates, neighbors and friends— then he does not deserve the benefit of the light he seeks, and I may be set down for an unmitigated humbug, while truth compels me to say it is the opinion generally enter- tained of me and my farming by those best acquainted with both. There is one fact to which those from a distance, who make us agreeable annual visits at our fairs, will bear • willing testimony ; it is, that there is an absorbing and deep interest felt by owners of land and negroes here in the modus operandi, as my friend calls it — in the mode, means and expenses and implements of our tillage, that is rarely to be met with. All owners of land and ne- goes and especially the large owners who live apart from their plantations, feel an absorbing interest in the profits and net dividend of their investment, and what is to be much regretted, they feel an interest in dividends alone. It is not from such that you are to look for improvements in tillage — in manures, in implements. It is to men who live on their farms, and who, though they have overseers, personally witness and superintend the entire manage- ment of their farms that we are to look for improvements. It is a valuable element in our Hancock farming, that we have but few absentees — and the want of a Railroad has learnt the mass of them to make themselves comfortable at home during the summer— by the way, staying at home is one of their most profitable crops, and improves all the other crops. Property, too,* is about as equally disj:ributed among our people as, under our laws of inheri- tance, it can probably ever be. It is, then, readily perceived that we have the elements here, if anywhere, of achieving high culture and pro- fitable culture for slave labor if these elements can be combined and organized, and the proper spirit of improve- ment and progress imparted to the organization. I assert again, the fact that this interest in all improvement, this spirit of progress, is deeply felt here. It may be seen by the casual observer in the numberless country colleges, mansions, gardens and orchards, with all the unmistak- able signs of taste, comfort and plenty all around them. It is seen in the red Devons and the roan Durhams, which may be found everywhere in the place once occu- pied by the ring-streaked, spotted, dappled and bony. It is seen in the neat horizontal tillage instead of the rows that ten years ago went straight across the field up and down hill. It is seen in the drainage of our creek and branch lo"; lands. It is seen in our home-made plow.s 262 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. which have banished the Yankee Boston Blue Mason & Buggies from our farms. No ofte can mistake it — the spirit of progress is here, and if the problem, whether slave labor can be made profitable and the value and fer- tility of the land cultivated at the sarr e time sustained and preserved (not to say improved) is ever solved, it will be done here. That is what many of us, who have firmly planted our hearthstones in old Hancock, are working for. We would be glad to learn that Oglethorpe and every other county, especially of this charming Hill country of Middle Georgia, had formed a league for the same holy, noble purpose. But whence came this spirit of progress amongst usl I am perfectly willing that any man here and elsewhere sh^ll answer this question for himself. I speak only for myself when I say that it is attributable to that little Society that began its existence some fifteen years ago with a very few members and that has now grown so large that it holds its meetings out of doors. This society brought planters together, and, when together, they will talk of farming, if it is only to brag. It liberalized their views. It made them think, and, not unfrequently, the error of one would suggest to another the truth in a mat- ter. I cannot recount the innumerable benefits of it. In its early history it was much scorned and ridiculed ; its members encountered jeers, epithets — “humbugs,” “book farmers,” “Corn Buyer’s Association,” were among the gentler terms applied to them. But it has survived it all. Many of its founders have rested from their labors — Burwell Wynn, Wm. Terrell, Richard Sassnett, Mark Gonder and Joel Crawford, and many of their co-laborers have gone home— but to-day there remains many proud witnesses to the truth that “their works do follow them.” The Planter’s Club of Hancock has become a fixed fact. In its earlier years it had difficulties. They all grew out of the error of attempting to sustain such an institution by levying annual taxes or contributions upon the mem- bers only for funds to pay its premiums and contingent expenses. It was at first looked upon as beneath the character of any Society, especially a society of farmers, to levy ten or twenty cents at the door from each visitor to its exhibitions. One of the stormiest debates the Club ever had was on a motion to chaige every man, woman and child, ten cents for admission to the Fair. The mo- tion was lost. But of late years we have adopted that policy, and we readily raise money enough to cover all expenses. Thus has our Club become a permanent in- stitution. Not only that, it has become an essential insti- tution among us. It is the great annual festival day and thanksgiving of our whole people. The fourth of July in its best days and a whig barbecue in the Harrison campaign ain’t a circumstance by the side of it. Come down and see the thing next October. If you wish to see our crops and tillage in full glory, why just drop me a line any time in the month of August or September, when to meet you at Union Point. You can take break- fast there and dinner at Babywake and spend what time you please in looking at the farms of Bonner, Harris, Whitten, Ponce, the brag farms of Shoulderbone, {I would not have you mention it on any account— 1 can beat the whole of them. In a half a day from here I can put you down at Dixon’s, and the general opinion is that you will not— need not — desire to go any further. There you’ll see the elephant. I think it essential, for the accomplishment of your ob- jects, that you should visit us. If ever, with the most graceful and graphic pen, I should attempt what you re- quest, there would still be much of important details that I should forget or fail to convey in such exactness of ex- pression as to give you the true impression intended. If I were to attempt description a of our agricultural tools, I should fail, because you must see the tool itself or a very perfect diagram in order to appreciate it. If I were to ride with you up to one of Dixon’s fields where his teams were plowing you would think that the man had import- ed a ship load of camels, and that his cotton sweeps were the old fashioned cow-catchers of the engines of the Georgia Railroad ; and when you saw the “glory of” David, you would feel like the Queen of the South when she saw the glory of Solomon, and exclaim that the half had not been tofd you. There is another section of an entirely different and distinctive geological formation from those mentioned — the part of the county on the waters of Buffalo. Its farms are highly valued by the owners. They, perhaps, talk less and do more than all of us. They don’t dream of sell- ing out. In fact, they say, whether they mean it or not, that they are already in “California.” It is in this section that the improved residences — Lancaster (Judge Thomas), Glenmary (T. J. Smith’s), and Joe Gonder’s, and others are found — and Smith’s is the place which makes two and a half cents better cotton than any upland ever sold in Savannah. There is still another interesting section of the county well worth visiting; and, though I have not lately seen it, I feel safe in saying, upon the authority of my neighbor, James M. Harrison, that the farms there are well worthy of honorable mention — I allude to the section in which are found the farms of Dr. Alfriend and Tuttle H. Audas, Esq. I am sure you would be pleased with them ; for as well as I can understand, they are conducted very much upon my system — ihe purely scientific. I ought to allude to the portions of the county which lie upon the Oconee and Ogechee Rivers respectively. They farm it upon the “still hunting” policy. They stay much at home — work diligently — sometimes we don’t see or hear of them till the Fair, and then they come up and get their share of premiums. This is especially the case with the Ogeechee section. Unfortunately for those of their fellow-citizens whom they leave behind them I can- not speak S0 confidently as to Island Creek and the Oconee section, several of whose valaed residents have gone West, and many others, I hear, are preparing to leave, and still others desire to leave who have not made that needful preparation of selling out. The Western fever has been fatal, only in this section of our country. I cannot but pause to express the regret that the spirit of change should so invade one of the oldest, best, most moral and religious communities I ever knew. To one who, though not of them, has had many opportunities of partaking of the whole-souled hospitality of these people, it looks strange, indeed, that those who have, at any time lived within the high social influences that have pre- vailed there for half a century, and have inevitably formed the social attachments incident to such influences, can so readily consent to part asunder forever such blessed ties, and to execute, in advance, the inevitable decree that “the places which have known them shall know them no more forever;” I know it costs thein a struggle to bid adieu to that old altar at Island Creek, which has stood there long enough to have witnessed the conversion of the fathers as well as the children of the emigrants — and may all the blessings which good men deserve ever attend them. But I return from this unintended digression, only to repeat, that my friend, Mr. Robinson, must come to see me. If he will not and cannot, why, if he will make out and submit to me his “interrogatories,” with the names of the farmers upon whom he wishes them served, I will execute them— have them answered and returned to kim in quite a style— for, if he must know, I am considered, by my neighbors, quite as good a Lawyer as lam a farmer. I have thus, Messrs. Editors, attempted to relieve my- self from the very embarrassing position in which some of SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 263 niy friends thought I was placed by the communication of my friend from Oglethorpe. L, Babyioake, July 13, 1859. GUANO — REPLY TO J. 31. MERIWETHER. Editors Southern Cultivator — In the June number of the Cultivator, Mr. J. M. Meriwether writes an article on the subject of Guano as an exhauster of the land, in which he takes the negative side of that question, particu- larly in reference to potash, soda and magnesia. He seems to found this opinion in reference to potash par- ticularly, on the assumption that the most perfect barren sand, at the depth of six inches, contains thirty tons of potash per acre. This may be true of some soils, and pos- sibly is of the coast of Peru, where guano has produced such good results for so long a period ; but there are many soils in this and other countries, where, in 1000 parts only a trace of potash is found. In soils of this character, guano cannot supply all the demands of the soil for cer- tain crops, as wheat, for instance, because more potash is required for this crop than guano supplies to the soil. Prof. Johnston, the great agricultural chemist, of England, says that “the only ingredient in which guano is mani- festly defective is potash, of which it usually contains less than one per cent.” Other chemists, however, have found in may samples a deficiency in phosphoric acid, that in- gredient so essential to cotton as well as wheat. In either case the deficiency is fatal to the manure as an ameliorator of the soil, particularly in the rural districts of the South. In England, where the bones of all animals except man are.saved and ground in mills for agricultural pur- poses, the phosphoric acid can be easily supplied and their soils abound in potash, from the geological forma- tions of the country, as well as the fact that every particle of potash from wood a'l'hes and other sources, are saved and applied to their soils. Here many of our soils are very deficient in this salt, particularly those sandy lands in which the guano has been mostly applied. The plan- ter's who have used it for years in this section are begin- ning already to see the need of something above and be- yond the simple ammoniacal guanos of Peru. Hence, Mr. David Dickson recommends, in his letter to the South Countryraan, a combination of the phosphoric with the other guano, and an addition of gypsum mixed with potash to supply the deficiencies of the Peruvian guano. AVe have no objection to this mixture only its cost, which will run up to some seven or eight dollars per acre, used as Mr. Dickson recommends. He had bet- ter apply it, however, and make smaller profits than use commercial guano alone. Notwithstanding the assertion of your Arskansas cor- respondent, we find, from actual analysis, as well as practical experiments, that the great deficiency of our worn out soils in Middle Georgia is lime, potash and am- monia. Two of them is supplied by guano, the other is not. VVe do not pretend that this potash has been ex- hausted from the soil simply by the removal of crops, for much more has gone down into the depths beneath, by the leaching rains of this climate, particularly in sandy alluvial soils. But it is not there ; and the only means we have to reach it is by turning out these old fields to a rest of thirty or forty years, that the old field pine may send down its tap roots and bring up the potash in its leaves and drop them on the surface. Even after this friendly intervention of nature the potash oply lasts a few years when cultivated again before it is gone, either in crops or to the subsoil. But on all these lands a good supply of po ash in the shape of wood ashes, makes a manifest improvement for years. But even in soils where there may be thirty tons of pot- ash per acre, on a chemical analysis it may be barren, from the fact that it is insoluble, and, consequently, unfit for the food of plants. Any amount ot pulverised or dis- integrated felspar, which contains much potash, may be put on the soil deficient in potash, and not produce a par- ticle of effect, because it is insoluble; while the same amount in wood ashes would be very mainfest. It takes years for these inorganic compounds to be fit for the food of the higher forms of plants. They must first pass through the lichens, ferns and other lower order of plants before they can be appropriated by the higher. There is another principle in chemical physiology of which your correspondent seems forgetful, that so important a salt as potash, in order to perfect a soil, must not only be present, but ubiquitous in that soil ; so that every grain must contain a portion, however minute, in order that each little mouth of the feeders may have a portion to take up If not, an imperfect grain will be the result. Hence, a soil which, upon analysis, will be found to have potash in it, may be greatly improved by adding more, because it is not so abundant as to supply the wants of the grow- ing plants. And a manure, like guano, which makes a great draught upon the soil, and takes up more potash than it puts down, will, together with the leaching rains of this climate, gradually exhaust the soil of potash, without which no perfect grain can be produced in any soil. According to an analysis of Dr. Jackson, for every 1000 lbs. of cotton fibre received from a soil, 2.79 lbs., of pot- ash are extracted. For every 1000 lbs, of the seed, over 13 lbs. of potash are taken. The leaves and stalks yield about 16 lbs. to the 1000. Our guano farmers boast of making from 1500 to 2000 lbs. of cotton per acre in the seed. At the rate of 2000 lbs. there would be removed in lint about 11-2 lbs, of potash, and in cotton seed about 19 1-2 lbs., being 2 1 lbs. per acre — to' say nothing of the leaves and stalks eaten and carried off by cattle. Allow- ing that a portion of the seed is returned for manure — still saying nothing of that lost by leaching — we find a constant drain going on of this essential salt, which will, we fear, under the cotton culture, do for our lands what it has already done for some of the Middle States. Many planters in Maryland and ATrginia have ceased to buy it, because it has ceased to pay them in wheat as it former- ly did. If, however, the stalks, leaves and seed of cotton are returned to the soil, the abstraction of potash will be very little more than contained in the £uano, and might be rendered back, as suggested by Mr. Dickson, without adding a great deal to the cost. Mr. Meriwether makes Sl for-fetched argument from the ‘sterile sands along the coast of Peru, which, he says, has produced fine crops ofcorn for ages. Admitted, but they have to apply much larger quantities than we do, say from 3 to 4 cwt. per acre. It has been found that 1 cwt. will not produce remunerating crops; besides Indian corn does not make such a draught upon the soil as either cotton or wheat. But another fuct in reference to the climate of Peru, and other countries where it never rains, the salts of the soil are never lost by leaching, but on the contrary, especially in deep sandy soils, such as referred to, the drying effect of the climate, causing an evapor- ation of the water from many feet below the surface, which brings up the salts in such quantities at times, as to whiten the surface of the ground. One fact in our cli- I mate is worth a thousand at so great a distance. We I will give one as an offset to this. In the fall of 1857 we ! applied 185 lbs. of guano to an acre of poor soil, about i one-eighth of which was very much impoverished. The ■ crop of wheat averaged well on the other portions, but j on this, there was almost a perfect failure. The present ! year we put it in Indian corn and applied a mixture of guano and bone dust, but it is still barren^or nearly so; showing, in our humble opinion, a lack of potash or other salts, which the guano does not supply in sufficient quan- tities to make perfect grain. 264 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. It appears that the importation of guano into England has been falling off since 1845, which constituted the highest point, viz: for that year 283,300 tons; in 1851 it was 245,016, and in 1858 only 151,333 tons for England and the Continent. The average each year, for four years, ending with 1848, was 139,713; the four next years, 129,198 tons. We doubt not it has reached its point of culmination in this country, viz : 51,253 tons, unless, as we sincerely hope, it may prove a more profitable fertil- izer for cotton than anything else. E. M. Pendleton, Sparta, Ga., 1859. FISH PONDS IN GEORGIA. Editors Southern Cultivator — Much has been said, written and accomplished in Germany and France on the subject of Artificial Fish Culture; and, I am happy to say, that this truly interesting matter is beginning to receive in this country, that attention which its importance so justly merits. My pleasures of hope have been fully realized in this department of the economy of Plantation Life; and I can- not imagine anything connected with my rural home that has contributed more to my happiness than ray “Yel- low Lake, “Lake Como,” and “Loch Lomond.” The last named pond contains fiifteen splendid Trout, weighing each from one to four pounds, which were cap- tured by the aid of a seine. These Trout are beautifully striped, and present a handsome appearance, and are al- together different from the Brook Trout, so beautifully spoken of by Dr. Garlic, in his work on Fish Culture. The doctor is wild with delight, when speaking of his “Naiad Queen,” the nautical name given to a splendid specimen of the Brook Trout. Now, I have no objections to his praises; but, on the contrary, admire him for his romance ; but, at the same time, I must be allowed to feel that, though he has made his Queen so gentle as to be able to handle her at pleasure and carry her from place to place, I can (although it has been but three weeks since I obtained my pets) call them up within three feet of me, and they will follow me around the pond. A toad, lizzard, large tadpole or small fish will be instantly seized and swallowed, A Trout at two years old will produce 600 eggs, and at the age of three years old 800 eggs. My “Loch Lomond” contains Bi'eam, White Perch, Yellow Belly Perch, Bed Horse, Mullet and Suckers, none of which were put into that “Loch” more than 6 weeks ago; yet I can now show at least 10,000 small fish, many of which are supposed to be young Shad from the eggs of a Shad taken in the Oconee River, Gehin and Remy, two poor and illiterate fishermen of France, claim the origin of artifically producing fish, and their success induced the government of France to pay them S6000 per annum. The Legislature of the State of New York has passed a law compelling each fisherman in that State to deposit the spawn of six fish in the streams in which they are accustomed to catch fish, in the pres- ence of a Magistrate. Gehin and Remy obtained the spawn of the female fish by pressure on the belly, and in the same way the milt or semen of the male, both of which were caught in ves- sels of clean water, and from 3,200,000 eggs of the Trout they produced 1,682,000 living fish. They obtained from one of their ponds, for distribution in the rivers of France, 1200 Trout in one year of the two year-olds; and the same men placed in the Moretolle River 50,000 fish in one year. In my opinion, the Trout is the most splendid fish that swims in our waters ; and on account of the great esteem in which he is held by myself I shall devote more Trout of two years old has been known to swallow one of one year old, I remember to have seen, many years ago, a splendid specimen of the Trout caught in a seine below Augusta, which had swallowed a Shad and the tail of the latter was extending out of the mouth of the former. Yesterday, while standing on the banks of Loch Lomond feeding my Trout, I saw one often inches in length, or one year old, swallow a Stone-toater or Honeyhead, of four inches in length, whose tail extended from the mouth of the Trout. My Lake and Lochs are supplied by springs of pure and limpid water, within their banks, and the stream from one of them supplies the stock in the horse lot with clean running water. Fish work very hard to obtain gravel for their beds, and will convey them some distance and place them with care" in the bottoms of them. When on their beds fish are quite gentle and will allow persons to approach to within a foot of them. In fact, I have heard, from good authority, of a large Perch that would jump out of the pond at any one who might ven- ture to approach too near its domicil ; and I have found somewhere in the sea of my reading, this singular little incident : “A gentlemen in one of the German States v/ho possessed a fish pond, observed, in one of his rambles around his pond, a large Perch cutting up a great many antics while running before him, and finally spring out on the bank. This ! nduced the gentleman to take up the fish, on doing which, he found that a splinter of wood had entered the eye of the fish. On withdrawing the piece of of wood he placed the Perch in the water, and it ‘walked the water like a thing of life.’ ” My attentions are n v/ being bestowed upon a new pond of the following dimensions : 75 feet by 125 feet, with a depth of 6 feet. The name of this will be “Loch Leven,” in honor of “Mary Queen of Scots,” who was im- prisoned in the Castle of “Loch Leven,” and who, sur- rounded by her Maids of Honor, “the Catherines,” and who tried to soothe her captivity, whiled away their time in the same kind of needle work so fashionable at the present day. It has now been about 14 months since I built my first pond, and now I have three, with a fourth nearly com- plete. I estimate my fish by the million, many of which are, of course, very small yet. I expect to raise to the length of 10 inches, this year, ten thousand Trout. John C. Carmichael. Greemhoro ^ Jane \si^ 1859. » WINGER’S SCRAPER— “NO GO.” Editors Southern Cultivator — “In the midst of de- served wrath” Winger’s Scraper has “obtained mercy!” And if anybody don’t believe it, let them read your worthy correspondent’s recommendation of it, and then try it, and they will be convinced of the fact. I have tried Winger’s Scraper, and my opinion is simply this: th t it will do where there isnothing to do; but just use it “fore and aft” in the scraping of your cotton, and if you don’t throw it over the fence f shall always think you ought to have done it. It is a double scraper, as you have been informed, scraping both sides of the row at the same time, and if it comes in contact with any obstruction on either side of the cotton row, one or the other scraper is thrown into the cotton and cuts it up, of course. Don’t take my word for it — just try it. If you want the best Scraper on the top side of the globe get Yost's Plow and Scraper. Don’t take my word for it — ^just try it. Yours, &c , G. D. Harmon. Compromise Place, La., 1859. ^^”Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any ofan enemy ; believe not all you hear, and appear what, you are. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 265 GEN. WASHINGTON AND GOVERNHENTAE Aid to Apiculture. It is, by many persons, questioned if our General Government has the constitutional power to make appro- priations for the benefit of Agriculture.'^ Not raising the question of power, it is doubted by others if it be sound policy in our State Governments to appropriate a portion of the State Funds for the same purpose. We do not sup- pose that any of the readers of this journal are of the lat- ter class. The man who has sufficient intelligence to in- duce him to take an agricultural paper, needs not to be told that the interest which- underlies all other industrial interests should receive the fostering care of the Govern- ment of the State. Those whose minds are satisfied on this point should endeavors to j convince other, ^ur L^islatures should be reached through the expressed and concurrent sentiment of the people. In order to furnish our readers with a means of removing the scruples of others, we extract an article from the Quarterly Jjurnal of Agriculture, prepared by B. P. Poore, Esq , and giv- ing the position taken by the “Father of his country” upon this important subject : “ In the 'President’s Speech,’ delivered on the 7th of December, 1796, when Washington met the two Houses of Congress for the last time, he said: “ It will not be doubted that, with reference either to individual or national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as nations advance in popu- lation, and other circumstances of maturity, this truth be- comes more apparent, and renders the cultivation of the soil more and more an object of public patronage. Insti- tutions for promoting it grow up, supported by the pub- lic purse; and to what object can it be dedicated with greater propriety I Among the means which have been employed to this end, none have been attended with greater success than the establishments of Boards, com- posed of proper characters, charged with collecting and diffusing information, and enabled by premiums, and small pecuniary aids, to encourage and assist a spirit of discovery and improvement. This species of establish- ment contributes doubly to the increase of improvement, by stimulating to enterprise and experiment, and by drawing to a common centre the result everywhere of individual skill and observation, and spreading them thence over the whole nation. Experience accordingly has shown that they are very cheap instruments of im- mense national benefit.”* A few days afterwards, on the 10th of December, Gen. Washington acknowledged the receipt of the letter from Sir John Sinclair containing the suggestion quoted above, and stating that the rapidly closing scenes of his political life leu him but little time to devote to Agricultural mat- ters. “I did not however,” he wrote, “omit the occasion, at the opening of the session, to call the attention of that body to the importance of agriculture. What will be the result, I know not at present; but if it should be favor- able, the hints which you will have it in your power to give, cannot fail of being gratefully received by the mem- bers who may constitute that Board.” That General Washington took a deep interest in the adoption of his recommendation, and that he was anxious to enlist prominent agriculturists, as well as Congress in carrying out his plan, is shown by the following letter, addressed by him to Judge Peters, who had a fac simile of it appended to the second volume of the Transactions *Me3sag‘=s of the Presidents of the United States. of the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agricul- ture : “Dear Sir — Herewith you will not only receive the Outlines, &c., (asked for yesterday,) but the appendix thereto; and other productions from the same quarter; which, when you have done with, be so good as to re- turn. “These, or some of the Papers, may be of use to a com- mittee, if Congress should incline to take up the subject of Agriculture. “Your observations, with the return of the papers, will be very acceptable to Dr Sir, Yr. obdt. & Affec, “G. Washington. “ 10th Deer., 1796. — [Superscribed] Richard Peters, Esq,” The Senate, in an address in answer to the speech, drawn up by Senator Read, of South Carolina, and adopt- ed after having been discussed and amended, said : “The necessity of accelerating the establishment of certain use- ful manufactures, by the intervention of the Legislative aid and protection, and the encouragement due to agri- culture by the creation of Boards, (composed of intelli- gent individuals,) to patronize this primary pursuit of so- ciety, are subjects which will readily engage our most serious attention.” No action was, however, taken on the recommendation of the President by the Senate. The House of Representatives, on going into a Com- mittee of the Whole House on the President’s speech — ^'Resolved, That so much of the President’s speech as relates to the promotion of Agriculture, be referred to a select committee, and Mr. Swift, Mr. Gregg, and . Mr. Brent, were accordingly appointed.” Mr. Swift was an able lawyer from the rural town of Windham, Connecti- cut ; Mr. Gregg, an educated farmer from the interior of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Brent represented an agricultural district in Virginia, They doubtless had before them the papers referred to in General Washington’s letter to Judge Peters. On V/ednesday, January 11th, (as we learn from the “ Annals of Congress,”) “Mr. Swift, from the committee to whom was referred that part of the President’s speech relative to the promotion of Agriculture, made a report recommending the institution of a Society for that purp.ose under the patronage of government, which might act as a common centre to all other societies of a smiilar kind throughout the United States. No public provision is contemplated except for the salary for a Secretary, and for stationery; but if the state of the Treasury should make even this unavoidable, it is stated, it might be carried in- to effect without pecuniary aid. The report is accompan- ied by a plan, the principal articles of which are, that a Society shall be established at the Seat of Government ; that it shall comprehend the Legislature of the United States, the Judges, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, the Attorney General and such other persons as should choose to become mem- bers according to the rules prescribed; that an annual meeting should be held at the seat of Government, at which is to be chosen the President, Secretary, &c., and a Board, to consist of not more than thirty persons, which shall be called the ‘Board of Agriculture;’ that the Society shall be a body corporate; that a report shall be made an- nually, &c. The report concluded with a resolution in these words : Resolved, That a society for the promotion of agricul- ture ought to be established at the seat of Government of the United States. “The report was twice read, and ordered to be com- mitted to a Committee of the Whole on Monday next.” On Monday, the House went into a Committee of the Whole, on the report of the Committee of Ways and Means on the subject of further revenue, and during a prolonged debate as to the necessity for direct taxation, f SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 266 there was a conflict of opinion between the representa- tives of commercial and of agricultural constituencies, which perhaps made the friends of the resolution fearful that it would — if pressed to a vote — be defeated. Besides, it was associated with a recommendation for a Military Academy, which Mr. Jefferson had openly opposed, on the ground that “none of the specific powers given by the Constitution to Congress would authorize it.”* Three days after the termination of his Presidential career, the 6th of March, 1797, and when about fo return to rural life at Mount Vernon, the “haven of his hopes,” General Washington wrote to Sir John Sinclair: “lam sorry to add, that nothing j^?iann Congress, has been de- cided respecting the establishment of a National Board of Agriculture, recommended by me, at the opening of the session. But this did not, I believe, proceed from any disinclination to the measure, but from their limited sitting and a pressure of, what they conceived, more important business. I think it highly probable that next session will bring this matter to maturity.” These brief extracts show clearly the desire of the “Father of his Country” to see a Central Agricultural Organization established, under the fostering care of the Federal Government, and they call for a conspicuous re cord on the monument now being erected to his memory, that “the encouragement of Agricultural Improvement and Information, was among the favorite wishes of his heart.” If the recommendations of Gen. Washington had been adopted, we will venture to say that in 1859 France would have been sending wheat and flour to America, or England supplying us with wool to assist in clothing our people. Whatever deduction from the weight of Gen. Washington’s opinion may occur in the minds of some persons, from a difference in their construction of the Constitution, that opinion applies in its full majesty to our State governments. In them it is a question not of power, but of policy. It is not in the American heart to treat lightly a deliberately expressed opinion or cherished wish of the man whose calm wisdom in aflfairs equalled his distinguished skill in arms. When we ask from our Legislatures, that they should give material aid to agri- culture it is fortunate that the just demand may be forti- iied by the impressive opinion of Washington ; which we quote again and place by itself that it may posess its due weight: “It will not be doubted that with reference either to individual or national welfare, agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as nations ad- vance in population and other circumstances of maturity, this truth becomes more apparent and renders the cultiva- tion of the soil more and more an object of public patron- age, Institutions for promoting it grow np^ supported by the public purse ; and to what object can it be dedicated with greater propriety ?” *Col John Taylor, of Caroline, in one of his admirable essays signed “Arator,” censured Congress for their ac tion in recommending a society, which he called a “toy for its amusement,” and said : “This toy was found to be unconstitutional, because it would add but little to the power of the general government, and the infant was turned to graze in impoverished fields. The constitution was construed to exclude Congress from the power of fostering agriculture by patents or bounties, and to give it the power of fostering banks and manufactures by patents [ and bounties.” DEEP PEOWING — ITS OBJECT. Editors Southern Cultivator — My observation and experience have satisfied my mind that subsoil plowing is only beneficial under a certain set of circumstances. Subsoil plowing is not to be resorted to in order, ;??m- arily, to loosen the land, with any expectation that any beneficial result is thereby directly obtained. I admit, without any hesitation, that subsoiling is highly useful — indeed, in my judgment, its benefit cannot well be over- estimated. But what I wish especially to insist upon is that its benefit to the soil does not consist in making the soil more light or more porous. I» other words, I desire to maintain that the subsoil plow, of itself, cannot make the soil more productive. I am satisfied that the main — the chief — excellence de- rivable from subsoiling consists in the atmospheric changes which it occasions in’ the ground, Hence I sub- soil— not simply to subsoil, but in order, by that means, to admit the atmophere. Hence, to subsoil is not a prim- ary object with me. I subsoil for an end, which mere deep plowing of itself can never produce. I subsoil for an object aside from that operation. In other words, were it not for the wealth which the atmosphere holds and which it will lodge in the pores of the earth when these are made ready for it, at the proper season of the year, subsoiling, according to my notion, would be a waste of labor. In order to show that subsoiling, of itself, does not di- rectly tend to increased productiveness of the seed, let any man plow his land during the winter season however deeply he pleases and cultivate that land, he will find that its productiveness will be in proportion to the depth of the summer plowing. If the summer culture be shallow, the land will answer to it in diminished vegetation; if it be, on the other hand, deep and thorough, a better result will be obtained — a result corresponding to the summer til- lage. If subsoiling were the cause of increased crops, it would answer this end, whenever effected, which it notoriously does not. The cause of increased crops consequent upon deep plowing is, therefore, not deep plowing, but the gasses generated in the earth by the action of atmosphere in por- ous land, and taken as food by the plants. It is better to feed horses in troughs than on the ground — not that troughs cause the increased strength of the horses more than the ground, but that they are better means for the cause. So in regard to subsoiling. By sub- soiling rather than surface plowing we institute means for the cause of increased productiveness which is the action of air in porous ground. In other words, the atmosphere introduced to the roots of growing crops of the land causes those crops to grow, i. e.: is a prime agent in their growth,, or vitality. We plow deeply, therefore, as a means, hav- ing for our object the introduction of the gasses of the air to the roots of the plants — all life reposes on gasses. If this theory be sound, we are prepared to use the sub- soil plow scientifically— to use it, not with reference to the ground, but to the atmosphere. The ground plowed, may be compared to cups out of which very thirsty men are constrained to drink water. If the cups be small the men get but little w'ater So, if plowing be shallow, the plants get but small supplies of their peculiar nourishment ; if it be deep, the cups are larger, and, as a consequence, larger supplies are at hand. If men plow their lands in the winter very deeply and throw under a large crop of grass and weeds, they will thereby increase the summer results; but why I We, thin'c, because of the crop turned under, and not the plow-- ing. 1 hold winter plowing to be decidedly injurious. [ Nothing, therefore, can justify it in my estimation, but the ! addition of some fertilizer plowed in. When you, start SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 267 your plows have but two objects in view — the grass and the atmospher-e — plow to kill grass and plow to form feed- ing places for the food of the plants — for the gasses to be deposited are gasses that the air generates and which the roots take up. I have known experienced planters to cry down sub- soil plows and utterly dispense with them, and say that . they have tried them effectually and found them of no permanent avail. I have usually accounted for this upon the ground, that they subsoiled at the wrong season of the year. I take this position : — That the richer the land, the longer is the proportion of the nourishing gasses gener- ated in the ground, and vice versa. The air, therefore, will do a better part for rich than for poor land, and hence, with equal cu ture, the first will outproduce the latteff This being the fact, very high culture, or if you please scientific culture, may be dispensed with on rich land, with less comparative loss than in poor land. In otlier words, any sort of a planter can make good crops on rich, while it takes scientific farmers to succeed well on poor land. Now what have those to do who cultivate poor land 1 They have to force the earth to do for them — or, rather, they have to force the atmosphere to do for their poor lands — what it is quite willing to do for land kept natur- ally porous I y foreign ingredients — that is, for rich land. Originally all land is the same. If, therefore, one soil differs from another the distinction is attribut- able to facticious ingredients — ingredients that may be called fertilizers. But why so called 7 In other words, why is rich land, containing, as it does, fertilizing ingre- dients, that distinguishes it from poor land — more pro- ductive than poor lands I Now, very many persons would say it was due, primarily, to the ingredients in the land. Not so. Not so by any means. -So to think is a capital error. . It is due to the atmosphere as the prior agent. Fertility comes to, and not from the ground. A man having rich land can have fertility carried to his land without much service upon his part. But whyl Because his land is prepared to receive it. His least cul- ture, the efore, will give him large results. His least culture will give the cause of the earth’s productiveness full opportunity to work its results, which cause is whol- ly atmospherical, i. e.: external to the ground. Why do poor lands produce much larger crops— other things be- ing equal — during wet, rather than during very dry sea- sons! The reason is, assuredly, not that any ingredients of a fertilizing character, have been added to the land, but because the gasses of the air have been enabled to do their office better. Wet weather befriends the atmos- phere— the gasses go to the roots and the roots more abundantly supply the plants. Let these suggestions be pondered. W. S Grayson. Benton, Miss., 1859. P. S — If fertility is not in, but comes to the land, it may be enquired, why does cultivation impoverish it! If fertility comes externally — that is to say, if the growth of crops is traceable to the gasses generated in the soil by the atmosphere — why does the soil under culture seem to lose its fertility ! The answer is plain. The cause of fertility, in my opinion, is gaseous or aerial— is of the na- ture of air. Hence, you may rarify fertility. Hence, by successive washings and dryings, without culture, you may impoverish the richest soil. ^ Cultivation evaporates or rarifies the feft-tility of land, 'but it nbstacts none of the soil. Cultivation takes no ground from the land ; takes no(hiri£: that can be called soil; abstracts no earthy particles. It takes ingredients that belong to the aerial — that may be made gaseous — that may be evaporated. Land properly is insoluble and pulverable. The position fierein advocated may be easily tested. Select a piece of very poor land. Cover it so that the sun and rain cannot, while the atmosphere may, reach it, and then occasionally pulverize or make it porous. If, by this process, the land is fertilized, it follows that fer- tility is gaseous — silex, potash, lime, soda, magnesia, chlorine, &c., are partly insoluble and partly gaseous. It is the air in them that make them fertilizers. What is in- soluble is soil, but is not itself fertile. W. S. G. NIGHT soil.. Editors Southern Cultivator — Will you or any of your contributors give me information through your columns, how to preserve and use Night Soil! As to how it is to be obtained I want no information, and as I am seriously asking for and seeking advice, perhaps a few words of advice to the owners of slaves may be of service to them. ^ Put up quite enough of privies — let them be convenient — have proper constructed boxes to be removed at least once a week — have the house well cleansed once a week, and, my word for it, you will be amply repaid in cleanli- ness and in health. Do this and you will never have to threaten a servant for failure to regularly visit them — your servant children 3 years old will regularly visit them. , This article, as a manure, must be superior to the Peruvian Guano or any other article. But how to use it is my inquiry! lam seeking information and earnestly seeking it; and I will remark that I do not think the free use of lime or charcoal will profit ; each in different ways will destroy the ammonia, which is very great, I desire to call the attention of planters and learned men to this subject. It is little understood. Twenty years ago if we had been told that Peruvian Guano, at one teaspoonful to the hill of corn, was more efficacious than one pint of cotton seed, we should have scouted the idea, and yeti am of the opinin that Night Soil has more fertilizing qualities in it than Peruvian Guano, All who shall reduce this subject to a science will, in my opinion, be a public benefactor ; at least he shall be deemed so by Your friend and obedient servant, Jas. Thomas. Hancock County, Ga., 1859. ■ 9 m • AGRICULTURAL STATE FAIRS, FOR 1S59. Illinois, Freeport September 5, 9. United States, Chicago September 12, 17. Kentucky, Lexington September 13, 17. Vermont, Burlington September 13, 16. Western Virgina, Wheeling Island.. ..September 13, 19. New Jersey, Elizabeth September 13, 16. Maine, Augusta September 20, 23. California, Sacramento September 13, 22. Ohio, Zanesville September 20, 23. Nebraska, Nebraska City September 21, 23. Indiana, New Albany September 26, 30. St. Louis, (Mo.,) County Fair September 26, 30. Wisconsin, Milwaukee September 26, 30. Pennsylvania, Philadelphia September 27, 30. Iowa, Oskaloosa September 27,30. Canada West, Kingston September 27, 30. Michigan, Detroit October 4, 7. New York, Albany October 7. New Hampshire, Dover, October 5, 7. Tennessee, Nashville October 5, 7. Georgia, Atlanta October 24, 28. Maryland, Frederick City October 25, 28.- Alabama, Montgomery November 15, 18. To do good to our enemies is to resemble the in- cense whose aroma perfumes the fire by which it is con- sumed. 268 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. THE ItllCROSCOPE AND ITS REVELATIONS. From the introduction to a new work entitled '■'■The ?>Iicro$co'pi$Vs Companion,^' we make the following inter- esting extracts : “ The microscope opens to the observer a new and un- expected world, full of beauty, perfection, and magnifi cence ; in a single drop of the water it presents to the as- tonished vision, living creatures, of most beautiful and varied forms, entirely unlike all former conceptions of or- ganic existence, and so extremely minute that it would require from twenty-five thousand to eighty millions to fill the narrow space of one square inch. And yet, as small as they are, the nv oscope reveals to us their ex- istence, their spontaneo motion, and their external and internal structures ; it a makes known the fact that these minute living being i,re extremely reproductive, and “constitute the chief proportion of living bodies- upon the face of the earth.” They a"t found not only in the fresh, water ofponds, brooks, s, and lakes, but even in the salty waters of the great -^-ep, in some strong acids, in terraqueous matter, ana in vegetable and animal fluids: indeed, there is no p i of the world, either upon its ex- ternal surface, or intv tally, but in which these microsco- pic beings can be for d, either in a living or fossil state. The mortar of the builder, the chalky cliffs of Albion, ex- tensive tracts of country in various parts of the world, as well as chains of mountains, the coral foundation of the Polynesian Archipela oes, of the reefs and islets of the Indian Ocean, as vi :;ri as many other places, beside slate, flint, sandstone, limestc ne, rocks, &c , all contain, and are, in fact, chiefly cora'^'osed of the remains of once liv- ing, invisible animalcuics. Of the myriads upon my- riads of organized beings created to work out the grand designsof Providence, all calculation seems futile; as the results would be far beyond the grasp of human compre- hension, And the remains of these minute animals have added much more to the mass of materials which comprise the experior crust of the globe, than the bones of elephants, mammoths, hippoptami and whales, “But the microscope does not terminate its utility here ; it is equally necessary and useful to the geologist, the botanist, the mineralogist, the chemist and the physician. To the latter in particular, it has demonstrated the mi- nute structure of parts of the human system, which were previously altogether a mystery, and has assisted in af- fording a more perfect comprehension of the organic func- tions. The structure of the various parts- of the system has, within a few years past, been thoroughly and cor- rectly made known by the aid of this mighty instrument, so that no man can, at the present day, hold the title of a ‘respectable physician,’ who is not conversant with its revelations. Nor has its value ceased with a knowledge of the healthy structure ; it affords a certainty in the diag- nosis or detection of diseases, several of which cannot be correctly determined without it. “It is no less useful to the non-professional man, and to the community in general, who, by its employment, may frequently learn certain unhealthy conditions of the sys- tem, without having immediate recourse to a physician. Thus, the character of urine, as known by its uric acid, its urates, phosphates, exalate of lime, blood-corpuscles, &c.,^as seen under the microscope, may enable an indi- vidual to become aware of changes taking place in the system not consistent with health, at a very early period even before any appreciable symptoms have developed themselves, and thus afford him information which v.;^iil lead him to adopt a proper course of treatment long before the attack becomes serious or of a permanent nature. Pm- gravings of the most common appearances of the urinary deposits under the microscope, are given in the work to which the reader is referred. “The non-professional man may also ascertain that many diseases of the skin depend upon, or are accompan- ied with microscopic vegetable growth, of a fungous or algous character, as ring-worm of the scalp, dow-worm, some aphthous ulcerations of the throat, mouth, &c., and that other diseases again, are accompanied with micro- scopic animals, as the itch, acarus folliculorum, &c. The globules of blood seen under the microscope, appear as numerous ‘pale, and red, rough, bi-concave discs, having a tendency to turn upon their edges, and to arrange them- selves in rolls like rouleax of coins ; a very few white corpuscles, irregular in form, granular in surface, and rather larger than the red globules, will also be readily distinguished.’ To discover whether any stain consists of blood, it must be moistened with some white of egg, then scraped off the material holding the stain, and ex- amined under the microscope ; if the stain conisists of blood, blood-corpuscles, as above described, will be dis- tinctly visible. In this manner, in supposed cases of murder, may we distinguish between blood stains, and red spots resembling blood. “Beside the above named applications of the micro- scope, there are others of still more importance to the community as the detection of alulterations in food and dyrugs. A writer observes, ‘to such a pitch of refinement has the art of falsification of alimentary substances reached that the very articles used to adulterate are adulterated. And while one tradesman is picking the pockets of his customers, a still more cunning rogue is unknown to him- self, deep in his own ! “The manner in which food is adulterated is., not only- one of degree but of kind. T^e most simple of all sophis- tications, and that which is the most harmless, is the mix- ture of inferior qualities of the same substance. * * * Secondly, the mixture of cheaper articles ofianother kind ; thirdly, the surreptitious introduction of materials which, taken in large quantities are prejudicial to health ; and fourthly, the admixture of the most deadly poisons in order to improve the appearance of the article ‘doctored.’ “The microscope alone is capable of detecting at one operation the nature and extent of the more harmless but general of these fauds. It distinguishes with unerring nicety an admixture of the common Circuma arrow root with the finer Maranta ; it detects genuine ground coffee, from its adulteration with peas, beans, oats, dried bones, oak or mahogany, saw-dust, &c.; determines the presence of mildew in flour; of turmeric and flour in mus- tard ; of red lead in cayenne peper ; of water, chalk, calves brains, molasses, annato, flour, oxide of iron, &c., in milk, as well as the richness of milk ; it exposes fraudu- lent mixtures of lard with butter ; of Prussian blue, tur- meric, chalk, and copperas in green tea; of gum, black lead, Dutch pink, and leaves of other plants in black tea ; of roasted wheat, beans, carrots, parsnips, horsechesnuts, oxide of iron, baked horse’s liver, &c , in chicory ; and of wheat flour, hundreds of sugar insects, sand, and albumen of bullock’s blood in sugar. Impurities in butter, bread, cheese, molasses, spices, vinegar, and other necessaries of life may at once be detected by this powerful instru- ment, so that as a saving to the pocket as well as to the health, it should form a part of the domestic apparatus of every family. “The most useful and fascinating study, is that belong- ing to a microscopic observation, and it is much to be re- gretter that means have not been heretofore employed to introduce its charms and value into the homes of the people — to their firesides. A more valuable gift from fcU'her to son, from husband to wife, from friend to friend, than that of a microscope, cannot be made ; for, unlike any other instrument, it can bestow upon its possessor, amusements, profit, instruction, health, and happiness. Its astonishing and magnificent revelations are of so be- witching a nature, that the parent, the son, or the man of SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 269 common sense, wfeo has once become fairly acquainted with them, would rather pass his unoccupied hours at home, in the circle of his family, displaying to its mem- bers the powers and excellencies of his microscope, thus cultivating in their minds a taste for scientific pursuits, than to waste those hours away from home in the turmoil and strife of political excitements, in the mind and soul- destroying region of a porter-house, or, in any of those many dens of dissipation, debauchery, and vice, which throw out the most alluring temptations, to catch the in- dolent, the unwary, the careless and the ignorant; to rob wives of the affections of their husbands, to make sons rebel against and cause anguish to their parents, despoil wives and daughters of all self-respect, and render them among the vilest of the vile. “Unfortunately, some have conceived the microscop to be mysterious instrument, capable ofbeing managed o understood only by certain particular persons. This, however, is great error ; it is intended as an improvement upon our sense of sight. Objects which can be seen well by the natural eye, do not require its assistance ; but wit those which are too small to be thus seen, we aid the power of vision by employing the microscope, and which every individual possessed of sight can readily ise. Persons with imperfect sight use spect icles to impi rve this sensa ; and the microscope improves the magnify mg and defining powers of the eyes. “A great obstacle to the more common use of the com- pound achromatic microscope, heretofore, has been in its expensiveness, but instruments are now made by our best opticians, called ‘student’s microscopes,’ which w‘l) accomplish all that any person- need desire. The value of a microscope does not lie so much in the beauty m workmanship of its brass mountings and other mete tic accompaniments, as in the quality of its object-glasses and eye-glasses. An object-glass itself, however great may be its magnifying power, is useless unless it possesses penetrating and defining power also. It is from a want of these latter powers in their objectives, that the French microscopes imported into this country are inferior in quality, notwithstanding the excellence of their brass- work and their low prices. “In purchasing a microscope, the name of its manufac- turer ought always to be learned, from the fact that our best microscspe makers never permit poor glasses to leave their workshops.” IN-AND-IN BREEDING. Editors Southern Cultivator — A new spirit seems to have taken some of the farmers and stock breeders of the South, within the past year, by surprise, and not a few have carried this vexed question almost beyond a doubt, and they boldly assert that in-and-in breeding, and no other, will do for stock breeders in future, either in this country or any other. After the valuable dissertation on “Hereditary Blood in Man and other Mammalia,” which has appeared in the columns of the C^dLlvatar, many seem' to consider the mat- ter of in-and-in breeding as permanently fixed, and that they have at least found the great desideratum so long wanting to complete success in stock breeding. Dr. Lee took the matter up with a skillful hand, and none will say that he did not handle his subject in a masterly man- ner. He left no stone unturned which would help to throw some light upon the subject. But here a question arises among the mass of stock breeders, will in aiid in breeding always ensure success, and give the desired end at all times, and under all cir- cumstances'? or will the majority of the cases result bene- ficially 1 Let us see ! It took many years of close study and constant care to establish the foundation of the pre- sent Devon Stock. They were forrn#ly of small size and very inferior milkers— many unsuccessful attempts were made to improve them. I'he in and-in breeders dare not leave the Devon stock for improvement, and those who were more venturesome lacked the knowledge of the requisite qualities wanted to make the Devon a finer ani- mal. We undoubtedly owe the present improvement to Mr. Bloomfield, the manager of Lord Leicester’s estate at Holkham. He made a great improvement in the size and milking qualities of this valuable breed, without materi- ally improving the beauty and form of the animal. He really deserves the great credit and honor which he has received. But how did he accomplish this result? He took a finely formed, good sized, deep colored Durham bull and ingrafted him with some large and superior heifers (of the Devon breed) that their after progeny might partake of the bull which first served them, a case by no means uncommon with cattle, one very perceivable in horses, and to some extent among sheep and swine, and not an uncommon occurrence with the human family. ' will not stop here to note this subject, but it the reader will refer to ene of the back numbers of the Cultivator^ he will find an article to the effect, from myself. But. ki me get back again to my subject. Mr. Bloomfield, then, with the after progeny of these Devon heifers which had been served, he bred them to large and finely formed Devons which were little or no relation to each other. By this means he produced the finely formed Devons of the present, day ; and for us to keep this stock at its proper standard, it is necessary for stock breeders to breed in-and-in, but how close the relationship may exist and not deteriorate the herd is a question which remains to be proved, and only experience will do that. As with cattle, so with sheep. Let us take the Bake- well or Leicester, a breed of sheep which have been kept in a certain state of perfection for nearly a century. They were originally the produce of a full sized Romny-Marsh ewe and a Cheviot — the first a coarse, ungainly animal of slow growth and of very little real value; the other a finely formed but very small animal, quick to grow, ari < having medium quality wool, from four to seven inche s long. By breeding the progeny of these sheep to some of the finest sheep then found in England, Mr. Bakewell has produced the far-famed and justly celebrated animals so well known throughout England and this country at the present day. It is true that he must have practiced the in-and-in system — the parent upoh the progeny— for several successive generations, which had a tendency to impress effectually the desired characteristics of the race, and it is certain that even Mr. Bakewell carried the refin- ing system to such an extent as to partially destroy the procreative powers. And he was subsequently obliged to introduce new animals to re-invigorate and continue his flock, showing by his own experiments that by carrying the in-and-in system too far it would ultimately destroy the improvements he bad already made in his flock. But with this is there not another consideration? Did not his nice discrimination of the character and qualities of sheep, his choice selections, his pampered feeding and judicious management, all have their bearing upon bring- ing this breed to a state of perfection? We should em- phatically say. Yes ! The breeding from too close affinities, though it may have many advantages, to a certain extent, in the hands of skillful breeders; though it may be pursued until the excellent form and quality of a breed is developed and established, and was the source whence sprung the su- perior cattle and sheep of Mr. Bakewell, and, to some ex- tent, the Short Horns of Mr. Colling ; yet to it, also, must be traced the speedy degeneracy — the absolute disappear- ance ot the new Leicester cattle, and in the hands of many agriculturists, the impairment of the constitution of the new Leicester or Bakewell sheep. Mr n.a'rpwpll v.'as a master soirit in breeding, and, j -270 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. ^11 IIMW— -sannot be denied, produced a bi'eed of cattle worth the efforts of such a skilful agriculturist. The principle on which he seemed to act was novel, bold, and, for a time, a successful one. Some of his cattle were extraordinary illustrations of the harmlessness of such a system (in-and-in) ; but he had a large stock on which to work ; a veil of mystery was thrown over the most of his pro- ceedings, and no one knew his occasional deviations from tliis rule, nor his skilful interposition of remoter affini- ^^^es when he saw or apprehended danger. But what has now become of the new Leicester or Bakewell cattle 7 Where are they to be found 1 It was a bold and, successful experiment and seemed, for a while, ■ to ansv/er the most sanguine expectations of that skilful ^ad spirited breeder. In districts in which experiments were carried on, it - ‘^tablished a breed of cattle unequalled by few, and it en- abled the long horns to contend, and often successfully, with the heaviest and best of the middle horns. But no sooner had the master spirits of the day disappeared than the character of the breed began, imperceptibly, to decline. It had acquired a delicacy of constitution inconsistent with the common management and keep, and it began ■slowly and undeniably to deteriorate. Many of them had Been bred to a degree of refinement that the propagation . of the species was not always certain. The breed itself gradually diminished, in some places it almost disappeared. The reader may scarcely give credit to the assertion, but it is strictly true that, in 1833, there was not a single im- proved Leicester on the Dishly fam ; nor a dozen witnin a circuit of as many miles. It would seem as if some strange convulsion of nature, or some murderous pesti- teoee had suddenly swept away the whole of this valu- .-;«Lble breed. Thus we can see, that while this same man was emi- ■^aentiy successful on one hand, he was as certainly un- successful on the other. Mr. Bakewell’s breed of sheep has handed down tou^ in exactly the same degree of perfection as when he left .1:liem, and during the century since he left them. This ^racemust have been bred in-and-in, although the relation- ship existing between the dam and sire may have been tens of generations apart; and where such genealogy ex- ists between any two animals which . may be used for breeding purposes, can we, with strict propriety, call the results in-and-in breeding! I should say not. Although some of the most decided improvements have been made by following the system ofin and in breeding, it has only been done by the most judicious selections ■&nd *)he exercise of cautious judgment, while in the hands of the ordinary breeder it is sure to run out a stock, de- generating them rapidly, rendering the males impotent, m manv' .'.ascs, and the females of little value as nurses breed v ,“s, Experience seems to have proved that crosses of the .-same variety of animals, but of another family, have F^reade the best animals ; and such a course is to be prefer- tred to the breeding in-and-in. In some cases, where there Cs a -marked superiority in any race of animals which it is wished to retain, a cross with a race less perfect in «otne respects, perhaps, but more vigorous, making, what breeders call a strong cross, and then breeding directly back to the favorite blood, has been very successful. But when the progeny are designed for breeders, the practice r and the South Countryman This farm consists of 1,800 acres, and is valued at $10 per acre — $18,000. Of this 1,800 acres, 1,300 are woodland — $13,000 dead capital out of $18,000 — a portion of the remaining 500 acres was turned out to rest and recover. Judge Dobbins has promised this fall to thin out some of this woodland and sow it down with grasses suitable to winter pasture. If these 1300 acres of woods pasture yielded only one dollar per acre, it would be annually 10 per cent on their value, and besides the stock which they would support, would make the rest of the farm indefinitely rich. When plan- ters are urged fo perform extra work like this, their gene- ral reply is, we have not time, as cotton absorbs all the force of the plantation. , It does not seem to occur to them that there is such a thing as hiring extra force, or letting out a job by contract. There are but few positions in which sufficient labor cannot be obtained during the winter to perform this, extra work.. We submit to the judgment of planters whether it be not sound economy to make this outlay, which renders a part of our capital active which is now dead, and enables us to improve all the rest of our land I So far as we could learn, the average crops in the vicinity of Griffin are about as follows: — about 400 to 450 lbs. of cotton, 5 to 6 bushels of wheat, and 8 to 10 bushels of corn to the acre. If it were not for the increase of their negroes, planters could not sustain themselves and families with .'^ucli crops. The necessity of manure is urgent. Judge Dobbins made 1000 lbs. of cotton to the acre last year fiom poor land manured with guano. He thinks he can afford to use it at $80 per ton. Our friends in that portion of Georgia must adopt some method of improvement or their lands will be reduced to hopeless sterility. Clover will grow upon them. We warrant that, if it be pat in properCij and afterwards pro- perly treaded. If they will follow our counsels we will suggest a plan by which their lands will not only be re- stored to their original fertility, but be made more fertile than thpy ever w^ere previously. There would be vanity SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 27T in this remark if we pretended to any originality. This is not the case. We propose to accomplish our purpose by merely pointing out the methods which we have seen other persons adopt, with entire success, to answer the same end. As the restoration of the soil — its increase in value and fertility — is the great end now to be gained in Southern Agriculture, no opportunity will be lost to ren- der this journal a means of communicating information in regard to it. We take leave of our esteemed friends in the vicinity of Griffin by renainding them of the venerable and time-honored remark, that “God made the country and man made the town,” and by suggesting that i: is ir- religious to allow an inversion of this natural order. The citizen would not be permitted to outstrip the planter in the generous race of improvement. The increasing groups of youth, eager in pursuit of knowledge, the busy sounds of the saw and hammer, should be met by a cor- responding advance in the recovery of the soil from 'Ex- haustion and in its restoration to more than former pro- ductiveness. IttititttltEial lepttttmtiit. I^^The Hartford (Ct.) Homestead thus compliments our inimitable correspondent, the “Doctor,” of “Torch Hill,” anu seldom is a compliment so well deserved : “The following gem of pomological rhyme from th^. Horticulturist^ is exceedingly refined, musical, and full of racy wit. True, there might have been a pear in every line, but that would have been clogging — here are just enough. We certainly hope this pomological luminary of Torch Hill, may attain the distinction he covets — then long be the reign of short names for our fruits “ WHAT’S IN A NAME.” Shake s-pear . Beurre de Kuckingheim! Brown Beurre! ’Tis a wonderful jargon, yes sir-ree ! Fits to utter, and cramps to spell, Dutch, English and French in a Jargonelle! Doyenne d’Alencon d’Hiver gris! Van Vlons Leon le Clerc! dear me ! Bless the branches and save root. If all that “flourish should turn to fruit 1” Elect me king, and I’ll make a law. Entitled “an act for your under jaw;” Syllables two shall name a tree. And a pear~shall perish that carries three. Proudly then shall our pyramids g-row 1 Straight and taper and full of blow! Crack, nor canker, nor blot nor blight. Frost to hinder, nor bug to bite. Plump and juicy shall Duchess swe I, Coral crimson the F. 0. relle; Iced champagne shall our Jerseys bear, And every Seckle shall be a pear. Flemish Beauty shall spread apace. And good St. Michael’s grow in Grace; The very Diel shall his limbs untwist. And go to heaven like an Urbanisie ! Golden days for the orchard, sure ! Happy times for the amateuT ! When every “Title” shall mean a thing, And pears are plentv, and I am king I T. Torch Hill, Ga., 1659. ORCHARD RAMBLES — NO. 2. THE ^PPLE IN MIDDLE GEORGIA. The Applets the Surest Fruit Crop in Middle Ccorgia." — Southern Cultivator. {Continued from our Aitgust number, po.ge 246.] Editors Southern Cultivator — I have a friend who,, when he fails of his dessert, gets out his “Downing”, and goes over the description of the Duchesse D’Angouleme Pear. I can commend a similar course of treatment to a large number of my fellow countrymen,‘who are visited every evening, particularly.in the winter, at about 9 o’clock, by a strange, uncomfortable sense of “missing something.” By taking down a Nursery Catalogue, and looking steadily at the list of Southern Winter Apples, they wilh if they do not experience immediate relief, at least learn what ails them — which is a good way towards it. In fact, I consider the apple a great moral and physical necessity of our race; a thing to be stolen if it cannot otherwise be come by — for what Legislature hath ever done that violence to its own human instincts as to declare such a theft a larceny 1 To the Middle Georgian, the Apple is a vari-colored spheriod with which enterprising shop-keepers ornament their front windows during Christmas ; where it figures at the enormous financial disadvantage of “50 cents r. dozen !” But to the great heart of humanity 7 Suppose we take a man at random, only stipulating that he shall not be from Middle Georgia, and set him down in the middle of the desert of Sahara. Just at the instant, under the influence of the climate and scenery, he dries up, suppose we pass an apple under his nose ! Did ever a gleam of midnight lightning draw a brighter picture out of deeper darkness than follows that one flash of mellow fragrance. What song of summer birds ; what hum of honey-bees j what snow of falling blossoms ; what green of growing leaves ; what undulating leagues of verdure ; what babble of falling water ; what tinkle of twilight bells 7 What brighter things than these— “The eyes that mark Our coming, and look brighter when we come,” A flash without a crash, and with but one reverberation— “ Home !” I don’t believe that there was ever a poet born out of an Orchard country. In fact I gussed long before I saw it in her letters that Miss Bronte wasn’t^ raised under an A.pple tree. Bone and sinew are good in their place, but I could never realize any particular grace or goodness as involved in the complimentary phrase “aZZ bone and sinew.” I like an ounce or so of superfluous flesh ; and a modicum oired meat, with a little well adjusted cellular tissue, as well as properly lubricated synovial fixtures, would go farther to remind one of Eve and Eden and red Apples than all the bony angularity which stands for strength, while it should stand for a mere want of juice. It is certainly difficult to say how far a man’s physical surroundings may mould his character. Perhaps to some higher intelligence a Shakespeare is but the natural issue of an Avon ; a Holmes as readily to be predicated of a Housatonic, as a hay crop. To such an intelligence, what kind of human being would present himself as the intel- lectual offspring of a country where Apples are not; where sheep are not, and where the other domestic mam- malia are quoted as types of misery 7 A featherless biped without calves ; a bilious vibranti- cule between tobacco and whiskey, with not a half-way from his mother’s milk to strychnia; a wretched pervader of plum thickets; a restless dabbler in law, physic and 278 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. politics; a weary mover to the West! Wherein is he miser- able but in all things 1 Wherein happy but in f??te thing, the stamping of his own image and superscription all over the face of the earth, “Worn out! worn out ! worn out!” In short, the experiment of raising children without apples, and without the society of sheep, is sometimes so entirely original and new in nature, that like Friar Bacon when he first touched fire to gun-powder, we would do well to prepare ourselves not to expect too much nor — too liitle. For the cultivation of Fruit and that of the Christian Graces have been so linked together since their common origin, by a common language; they walk together so beautifully through the solemn aisles of our Holy Religion, through record and revelation, through parable and pro- verb, through gospel and epistle, through prayer and psalm, that it would be strange if the one should not share the benediction so graciously shed upon the other. Therefore, as an earnest of a glad future for Southern Pomology let us cultivate in children their innate love of the subject. Their “hunger and thirst” after fruit may be guided to their great and enduring advantage — let their pomological education begin then with the rosy apple that precedes the evening prayer. T. Torch HiUy Ga., June, 1859. GRAPE CULTURE IN FLORIDA I — GRAFTING Foreign Grapes on Native Roots I • In our last number, page 248, we promised our readers an account of the wonderful success of Hon. A. G. Semmes, of Florida, in cultivating the finer varieties of Foreign Grapes in the open air of that favored region, and we accordingly quote from pages 232—210 of J. K Fisk Allen’s “Practical Treatise on the Culture and Manage- ment of the Grape Vine,”&c., New York edition, 1855 : The Hon. A. G. Semmes, of Florida, has been experi- menting with Grapes in open culture in that section of the United States, and with marked success. The reader of the following remarks, (extracted from letters to the author of this book,) will see, that, tiotwithstanding his vineyard has been destroyed by a terrific gale, enough has been proved, to show that the vine in its richest varieties will repay the cultivator for his eOrorts. Apalachicola, June 29, 1850. “On receiving the cuttings of the .Tooling’s St. Albans, I enclosed in your letter, J found two of them alive, which I grafted on wild stocks; they took at once, and are now growing rapidly I will have a fine crop of fruit from them next year, for you will understand that a vine grows in this latitude in one year, what they do in your latitude in at least three years, The last season, 1 raised a fine crop from a graft of the Muscat of Alexandria (on wild stock) one year old, one bunch weightng eight and a hall pounds, and perfect in form and flavor.” “The birds are ilie only evil we have in this climate in raising Foreign Grapes. I hey never touch a white grape, probably waiting for them to turn blaci'’.” “Oui season has been quite backward this year, and my grapes have not matured as early by a month as last year. During this month I have had the Early Musca- dine and Malaga in abundaiv e. . The Black Hamburgh, Black St. Peters, and Muscat of Alexandria, are ripen- ing rapidly, and will be in perfection the following mohths, July and August. My native grapes, Isabella, Catawba, &c., ripen in August and September. The Isa- bella here is a very inferior grape, anti ripens very badly The Catawba is its superior in every respect. Bland is superior to either. But the greatest Southern Grape is the Scuppernong ; in this latitude far superior to North reputed noJnve place. A gentleman of high character and intelligence, who cultivates the Scupper- nong in Louisiana, says it is a Grecian grape, and that the Greeks make their finest wine from it. We never prune it, its yield is almost incredible; when perfectly ripe the fruit is a very deep bronze, very sweet and with but little pulp. “The foreign grapes, grafted on our native stocks, do far better than when growing on original stocks, are much more hardy, for mere luxuriant, and bear better and earlier. The Isabella stock will, in two years’ growth, exceed any foreign variety I Hfeve tried, in four or five years’ growth, but any foreign variety grafted will grow as rapidly as the native. I have foreign vines now, grafted last February, many with five and six branches, each branch or stem from fifteen to twenty-five feet, and they have until Dec. next to grow, when foreign varieties commence dropping their leaves. The native varieties drop their leaves some six or eight weeks earlier, except the Scuppernong, which continues to grow till sometime in December. ‘ 1 train my vines on a trellis from seven to eight feet high (of wire) but cannot follow the rigid system of pruning recommended in European culture, and practised at the North. Where the vines are allowed to grow with but little pruning, a trellis is far preferable to the arbor, for many reasons; but we have to so train our vines, that not a ray of sunshine ever touches the fruit; otherwise the fruit loses much of its fine flavor and is altogether robbed of its bloom, which, if it does not preserve its flavor, at least adds to its beauty. The grapes I raise*(as an ama- teur) are said by Northern gentlemen here, to be far su- perior to any they ever tasted from the hot houses at the North. There can be no climate in the world superior to this section (West Florida) for the foreign grape. I have tested the raising of the foreign varieties, at least for six years, and have no doubt as to the success of any one of ordinary intelligence undertaking the business. The only objection in this place and immediate neighborhood^is, the soil is too sandy. This we have to remedy, which we partially do. I manure altogether with bones (whole), shells, and palmetto roots, all deposited in the ground when the vine is planted; they will last, I believe, twenty to thiity years. The latter article contains a great deal of potash, and it affords a fine manure, though of course not so durable as the former. Animal matter I never use, unless decomposed, in which state it is very superior. There is no substance, however, rqual to bones, and the larger and fresher the better, as they afford, by their gradu- al decomposition, the very nchebt and most suitable ma- nure for the vine If, however, wine and not table fruit is the object, vegetable manures should be used to the ex- clusion of bones and other animal matter, and this for obvi- ous reasons. “Allow me to say ihat I have derived much satisfac- tion in reading your work on the Grape 1 he arrange- ment and your own remarks on the views of other wri- ters are most judicious ” “I have, I believe, all the publications on the subject extant, and thinking, as I do, tliut it is superior to any of them, have recommended it o many of my friends.” Quincy, Florida, Dec. 22, 1852. “Yours of the 5th instant has just been received, and I reply without delay. The severe gale of 1851 destroyed my vineyard in Apalachicola Being located some 150 yards from the bay, the waier swept away my dwelling, and killed many of my most Vulu ible vines. “The remnant I brought with me to this place, where I removed last January. 1 had some 000 vines, out of which I have saved 20 or 30. The cuttings you sent me were all growing finely, most of them having been grafted on native stocks. This year would have tested their quality and adaptation to this climate ; out, i regret to SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 279 say, I have lost them all, except one of the Josling’s St. Alban’s* So soon as I can make the necessary arrange- ments I shall again commence. After the most thorough trial, I am perfectly satisfied that the foreign grape can be cultivated in this climate with success. The climate is, in every respect, adapted to its cultivation, and the soil, which in this section is objectionable, t being a heavy clay,) is very easily remedied. The ground once proper- ly prepared, all that is necessary to ensure success, is a judicious system of pruning and training the vines. The one, in this climate, is as important as the other, and either neglected, must end in disappointment. The rot, which is the great evil complained of almost every one has undertaken the cultivation of the vine in the Southern States, particularly in this latitude, is to be attributed al- together to the fatal error they have adopted in both prun- ing and training. The preparation of the soil, of course, is essential to the health and vigorous growth of the vine, and without these we cannot have good fruit; but it is a great mistake made by many writers on the subject, that certain manures, upon which the vine feeds, and which the most of our soils are deficient in, will prevent the rot. The close pruning for out door culture, adopted in Europe, and the Eastern States particularly, will not answer for this climate. The reason is very obvious. The vine is too much exposed to the intense heat of our sun ; besides, on account of the heat and duration of our summers, a vine here, under proper culture, will, in twelve months, grow as much as a vine in England will in four years. And to adopt the rigid system recommended by Mr. Hoare, would ensure a loss of the fruit every year, and, in the end. the vine itself. After a vine has became es- tablished, say after the first year, (if healthy,) it should never be pruned back exceeding one-helf, and sometimes not more than one-third, of that year’s g.’owth, unless it be the smaller lateral shoots. This will secure a suf- ficient foliage to protect the fruit from the rays of the sun, ichich is the main cause of the rot. Unlike other fruit, it is all-important that the grape be entirely skoAed at every stage of its growth and maturity, otherwise if it escape the rot, it will be small, hard and insipid. I have knowm canvass, aud other artificial means, adopted to shade the vines in this climate. This will not answer ; for although it will secure the fruit from the rot, yet the rich flavor of the grape is impaired, if riot entirely destroyed. The natural shade and protection of the fruit is the foliage, and the more luxuriant this is, the greater certainty of fruit of large size, and rich flavor. After several years’ experience with some five hundred vines, I have never known an instance in which these suggestions did not prove true, both in regard to the native and -foreign varie- ties, especially the latter, on account of their thin skin and great delicacy. “In training the vine, I much prefer the trellis to the arbor. As to the kind of grape suited to this climate, I would stale, I know of no foreign variety which will not succeed in open culture, and I have cultivated many va- rieties which cannot be raised in England on account of their great delicacy. The true Malaga — on account of its exceedingly thin skin, the most difficult — I have cultivat- ed in great perfection, and it was pronounced by all who tried them, as far superior to the imported Portugal or Malaga, as a ripe peach is to a green one. Among the foreign varieties, 1 rank first the Muscat of Alexandria; no grape can equal it in point of flavor, and I have raised them weighing 81-2 lbs. to the bunch, and without an im- perfect grape. Next is the Black Hamburgh, and then *The cuttings referred to here were hybrid Seedlings, of my own growing, and new kinds mostly of recent intro- duction from Europe — Allen, the Malaga, These three I place at the head of the list of foreign grapes. “Among thg native varieties, the most valuable I con- sider the Scuppernong, which cannot be cultivated at the North. It is claimed to be a native North Carolina. This is a mistake. It is a Grecian grape known there as the AZanb, and from which the finest wines of Greece are made.f?] All things considered, it is unsurpassed as a table fruit, except by the three foreign varieties I have named. As a wine grape, it has not its equal. It will yield five gallons ofjuice to the bushel of grapes. The fruit in Carolina is far inferior to that raised in this cli- mate. In point of flavor, one would hardly recognize it as the same grape. This is to be attributed mainly ta our long season, the fruit blooming in May, and ripening in August and September. The bunches are small, vary- ing from three to ten berries each, and when properly cultivated, the grapes will average from? 1-2 to 3 inches in circumference. If manured with vegetable matter, they have but little, if any, pulp. If with bones, or other ani- mal manure, they are a richer table fruit, but with more pulp, and consequently less valuable as a wine grape. The vine is never pruned. It prun-es itself. The knife is fatal to it. And, unlike all other grape vines, it will not strike root from a cutting, being propagated exclusively by layers. The next bestgrape in this climate, of the natives,, is the Elsingburgh, and with this the chapter is complete, for I know of no other worth the trouble of raising. The Isabella is utterly worthless with us ; so is Hyde’s Eliza. The Catawba, and Warren grapes, are each better; but those who have eaten of either the Alaric or Elsingburgh, and especially any of the foreign varieties would never undertake the culture of the Isabella or Catawba. “I have eaten of the best of this fruit raised by Dr. Underhill at Croton Point, near New York, and have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to rid the Isabella of its pulp, and of that wild native flavor it origin- ally had * “I have been compelled necessarily to condense my re- marks, but allow me to say in conclusion I know of no work in this country or Europe in which more valuable suggestions upon the subject of Horticulture, and particu- ly of the cultivation of the grape vine, are to be found than in your publication. With my entire library, it has gone to sea, in the gale of 1851. I hope you will supply me with a copy of the new edition. Those who have a taste for such things, and wish to learn, will be repaid by the perusal. ‘•'Respectfully yours, (Signed) “A. G. Semmes.’^ [Some of the statements of the Hon. Mr. Semmes are almost “too good, &c., &c.,’’ and we are forced to differ with him in taste as to the superiority of the Bland over Calav:ha and some other matters. Does the experience of any other Florida Grape cultivator enable him fully to endorse and sustain the positions of “the Hon. gentlemanT’ We shall be pleased to hear of more Muscat bunches weighing “eight and a half pounds,’’ and will, ourselves, be glad to raise them of half that size ! — Eds.] Intellect is not the moral power ; conscience is. Honor, not talent, makes the gentleman *[This gentleman is not partial to the fox flavor of the native American Grape. Mariv can be found who are, however, and I think this number is increasing, as evi- denced by the great sale of this fruit annually, and the im- mense quantities now grown by amateurs for their own use.— Allen.] 280 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. For the Southern Cultivator. YE EITTEE TREE. BY YK ORCHARD RAMBLER.’ Take it up tenderly, Plant it with care ; It’s but a little tree, Nothing to spare ! Scant are the limbs on’t, Fibres but fev/, Take care, or it won’t Take care of yoM / Mangle the bark of it ! — Man with a soul ! Pestle the roots of it Into a hole ! Oh, for the shame of it. Better be dead, Fruit to the name of it ! Nary a Red ! Take it up tenderly, Man with a, soul L Oh ! but a little tree Likes a big hole ! Fair is the sight of it, Lordly and bold ! Fruit on the limbs of it Crimson and gold ! WkSi;\'ER i to Wm. H. Stevenson. j Editors Southern Cultivator — In the July number of the Mr. Stevenson, after entering his pro- test against fictitious signatures, makes some inquiries of me respecting the Chinese Sugar Cane. I have no doubt that Mr. S. is better prepared to give me instruction on the subject than I am to communicate information to him. He, at least, has one year’s advantage of me in raising the Sorgho. But as far ns my information ex- 1 tends lam willing to give it for the public benefit, I The first question, I think is answered in the article he i referred to. The fodder should not be allowed to speck and dry up. A second growth should especially be guarded against, as it destroys the saccharine matter in the cane. I have not observed the effect on the teeth, from the use of the syrup, of which he speaks. I do not think sugar could be profitable made for home consumption, though further experiment may remove some of the difficulties. To make sugar, either from the j Sorgho or the tropical cane, successfully, and cheaply, re- j quires costly apparatus. I mean good, dry sugar. The : principal difficulty with me was getting rid of molasses, j I will give my process of last year, which, as far as it: goes, is simple enough, and proves that the Sorghum j- Saccharatum is a cane sugar producing plant. | I cut the cane at the stage of ripeness described in the I article to which Mr. S. refers ; added lime to the cold j juice until it would no longer redden litmus paper, but ; was careful not to render it alkaline. The latter I guarded against by testing with turmeric paper. The object was . to have the juice neutral. I brought the juice to the boil- j ing point, slowly, skimming as the impurities arose to the j surface. After removing the first thick scum, I boiled fast «s possible until the syrup began to thicken; then slack- ened the fire, and evaporated slowly, until the syrup would barely run when cold. It was then put in vessels and set aside. In two or three days the mass was filled | with crystals. This wms all very easy, so far, but I found . the draining tedious. This I did by putting the mass in j a conical bag, made of thin domestic, such as is^ used for j quilt linings. After partially draining my sugar I used it j to sweeten coffee, and thought it excellent— perhaps, be- 1 cause it was made at home, i While 1 am on the subject I will describe my skimmer and boiler, Avhich, as far as I know, are original with me, in their application to syrup making. The skimmer is a saucer-shaped piece of tin, eight ' inches jn diameter, with a piece cut out of the botiom two j inches across, and a piece of perforated tin soldered over j the opening, through which the juice escapes, while the I scum is retained. j My boiler is constructed as follows : — The sides are of | plank 1 1-2 inch thick, 1 foot wide and 4 feet long. ! The bottom and sides are of a continuous piece of sheet | iron, 6 feet long by 2 feet wide; the ends of the iron i being turned up to form the ends of the boiler. The sheet iron is nailed on the wood with six-penny nails. It is ' necessary to punch the holes in the iron for the nails. I thus have an evaporator four feet long and two wide, j holding eight cubic feet, and presenting an evaporating' surface of eight square feet. I rest the edges of the boiler | on brick work, the fire passing lengthwise under the bot- tom. j I was so well pleased with this evaporator laat year that I have made two others for the present crop. Another : recommendation of this “homespun” boiler, is its cheap- ness, costing only about two dollars. I intend making some further experiments with the Sorgho this summer and shall report accordingly. Will ’ not Mr. Stevenson do the same I I have no doubt the ’ i Chinese Sugar Cane will yet become a very important agricultural product. Sylvanus, July, 1859. THE A3IERICAN PUMP. One of the newest and most useful inventions of the day is a Double Acting Force Pump, owned by Jas. M. Edney,- 147 Chambers st,, in this city. It is without packing, and without suction, is exceedingly simple in its construction, and, at the same time, possesses all the requirements of a good pump, and can be used either as a well, a cistern, or a ship’s pump. It is not liable to get out of order, and has but one barrel and one piston, being without guide rods, slides, chains, or pulleys. So easy can it be worked, that any girl or boy ten years old can manage it without the least trouble at 60 or 70’feet, and under 30 feet the wo; king power is scarcely perceptible. At the discharge pipe is a screw to which a hose pipe can be attached, and water can be thrown to a height of from 30 to 40 feet. It does not lose a drop of water, and has no extra appli- ances from 1 foot to 100 feet. A model and pump can be seen at the office, 147 Chambers street ; but those who would witness it in full operation and judge for themselves of its remarkable properties, should go to the factory, 432 East Tenth street, where a number of obliging attendants will take pleasure in showing and explaining its work- ings, and where the visitor can have an opportunity of handling and trying it at 20 and 65 feet. As a pump for attaching hose ip case of sudden fire, either on ship-board or in the house, it will be found an invaluable adjunct. It works by hand, wind, water, and steam. Drawings and prices sent free. — Xeio York Express. VIOLETS. I found a violet to-day I In the budding wild wood. Where I roamed in childhood, Where the velvet mosses spring. Where the robins build and sing, There the blue-eyed darlings lay. As I plucked them one by one, How their pure touch thrilled me ! How their sweet breath filled me With a vision of that time. In the summer’s golden prime, ^Vhen all things beneath the sun Seemed to speak the joy they know. Tuneful streams were flowing, Scented winds were blowing. In the fields wild roses blushed. To the meadows clover-flushed I could see the mowers go. < Surely, said I, soul of mine. Full of restless yearning. With thy fond hopes burning. If these simple flowers of spring Such a sweet fore-knowledge bring; Thou raayest dream thy dreams divine. Twenty-five Cents per Bushel. — W'e were present the other day — since the frost — when a farmer of this county engaged one thousand bushels of corn at tw^enty- five cents per bushel — the corn to be of this year’s crop and delivered next fall. This will do. — Gonzales In- quirer. Wisdom is the olive which springs from the heart, blooms on the tongue and bears fruit in the actions. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. :?88 Loafing. — There is no sight so repulsive as an habitual loafer, forever hanging around drinking saloons, and wearing away the golden hours of life in meaningless phantasy, without a thought for anything except the gratification of a beastly appetite. It is strange that men will thus sacrifice home, reputation, friends and all, for that which stultifies them and makes life only a dark and hideous dream. A Genial Heart. — There are flowers of the gayest hues and rarest beauty, which bloom under the eternal snows of the Alps, and there are some natures so genial, that they wreathe an atmosphere of love around them, in which they rejoice and flourish, unconscious that these vital influences are self-emanating. Arthur's Home Magazine,. ^^Home is the residence not merely of the body, but of the heart. It is a place for the affections to unfold and develop themselves ; for children to live and learn and play in j for husband and wife to toil smilingly together, and make life a blessing. The object of all ambition should be to be happy there ; we cannot be happy else- where. It is the best proof of the virtues of a family circle to see a happy fireside. !]^“When I think of my loved dead at night in the thick darkness, my thoughts dwell perforce on the gloom of the grave, where their bodies lie; but in the morning, there are sure to come to me, with the triumphant dawn, bright thoughts of that morning-land where their souls are dwelling. And so it happens that those whom I v^eej) for at night I rejoice with in the morning. An extensive Grape cultivator, near Cincinnati, says, the prospect of an abundant crop was never better. He promised a few of his friends, some years ago, to give them a ball whenever he made 5,000 gallons of wine from his vineyard, and he has given them notice to prepare their dancing shoes. Iflintstic (Bcanaimj Enit ^Rtdijw. To Clear a Room of Mosquitoes. — The following, it is said, “works like a charm — Take of gum camphor a piece about one-third the size of an egg, and evaporate it by placing it in a tin vessel and holding it over lamp or candle, taking care that it does not ignite. The smoke will scon fill the room and expel the mosquitoes, Hollow Tail! — A Remedy !— A friend writing us from Mason county, says that a stock raiser, residing in his neighborhood, observing several head of his cattle looking very badly, eut off about six inches of the tail of the sick animals and found it perfectly hollow. In a few days afterwards the cattle were restored to health. — Texas State Gazette. Sore Eyes — A gentleman of large experience and close observation assures us that the following is the best remedy he has ever seen tried for sore eyes : — Take 6 grains of white vitriol, and 18 grains of fine salt, dissolve in half a pint of rain or distilled water, filter through pa- per, and drop a small portion Ip the eyes several times a day. If too strong, dilute with same kind of water. — Nashville Uninv. Vine Bug. — I preserved my vines last year from the ravages of this little pest by placing little wads of cotton saturated with spirits of turpentine among the vines near the roots, using care to have them touch the vines. The turpentine should be renewed from time to time. — Gevesee Farmer. Solid Ink. — M Deonhardi, of Dresden, has invented an ink which he can form into cakes, for the conveyance of transport. The inventor takes forty-two parts of Allepo galls, and three parts of Dutch madder, and in- fuses them in a sufficient quantity of hot water. The solu- tion is filtered, and five and a half parts of sulphate of iron are dissolved in it, after which two parts of acetate of iron and one and one-fifth part of sulphate of indigo are added. The whole is then evaporated to dryness, and the residuum moulded into cakes. One part of the dry ink dissolved into six of hot water gives an ink of first- rate quality ; but one of good quality may be obtained by adding only fifteen parts of hot water. Fleas on Dogs. — The use of arsenic, mercurial oint- ment, &c., is effectual, but dangerous. A correspondent of i\it London Field fSdiys: “I have tried many experi- ments myself, and have found out one perfectly satisfac- tory—as my groom informs me to-day, on inquiry, there ha^ never been a flea on the dog since. It is yard dog, I allude to. I had a new wooden kennel made, and it thoroughly painted with gas-tar boiling hot and when well dried, placed the dog there without any bed ; the consequence was, the fleas all left. The dog is now clean and healthy. This took place early in the spring.” To Preserve Herbs.— All kinds of herbs should be gathered on a dry day, just before or while in blossom. Tie them in bundles, and suspend them in a dry, airy place, with the blossoms downwards. When perfectly dry, wrap the medicinal ones in -paper and keep them from the air. Pick off the leaves of those which are to be used in cooking, pound and sift them fine, and keep the powder in bottles, corked up tight. Dr. Page, of Wash- ington, D. C., says that herbs should be bruised or crush- ed while in the green state, and then dried. When so « treated, they retain their color for a great length of time. — Germantown Telegro^ph. Neutralizing Poison.— A “general reader” sends the following prescription to the Pittsburgh Gazette A. poison of any conceivable description and degree of po- tency, which has been intentionally or accidentally swal- lowed, may be rendered almost instantly harmless by simply swallowing two gills of sweet oil. An individual with a very strong constitution should take nearly twice the quantity. This oil will most positively neutralize every form of vegetable, animal, or mineral poison with which physicians and chemists are acquainted.” Fever and Ague. — This complaint is quite prevalent in the city at this time. The Mexicans claim tkat they have a certin cure for it. They take a small bag of salt and place it directly at the pit of the stomach. The salt, after a day or two, turns perfectly yellow, and the patient is cured. Several white persons have tried it, as they as- sure us, with the same effect. The remedy is certainly ly simple enough and cheap. — N. Y. Times. To Destroy Insects on Trees. — A solution of whale oil soap will destroy the numerous insects that infest trees and shrubbery at this season of the year. Dissolve the soap in warm water, making “suds” of medium strength, and sprinkle the leaves with a syringe. This specific is sure death to the caterpillar, miller, and the army of ravagers that destroy the foliage. Now is the time for its application — Neiu York Evening Post. |^*To take out pitch, tar, resin, paint, &c, pour a little alcohol on the place, and let it soak in about a half an h iur. Then rub it gently, and you will find the alco- hol has soaked out the glutinous quality, so that it will easily crumble out. ^^DBVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE. IVOL. XVIL AUGUSTA, GA., OCTOBER, 1859. NOTlO. WTL.L.IAM S. JONES, PublisJier. D. REDMOND and C. W. HOWARD, Editors. d:f=* See Terms on Cover. (EcnEDin^ anb HINTS FOR THE MONTH. The Plantation.— Cotton Picking will now require nearly the entire force of the plantation. Push it forward vigorously, and endeavor to get your crop ginned, packed and ready for market before the coming on of winter rains and bad roads. Let every operation connected with the putting up of Cotton be performed in the most careful manner, as the market value is often materially influenced by seeming slight defects in management. The skillful handling and proper putting up, even of inferior grades, will always be found to “pay” well. Com.— Gather your Corn and put away securely in airy, tight-roofed and well-locked cribs. Do not waste a grain, or fling it out carelessly to your stock, even if you have an abundance. Husband it carefully — feed gener- ously and plentifully, but not thoughtlessly or wastefully. In this connection, we cannot too strongly urge the econo- my of using machines like the “Little Giant,” “Young America,” and Rowe’s Mijl for cracking both corn and cob. Feed cutters for rough forage will also be found economical. Cow Peas.— Gather and store away all these as soon as possible. Sack your seed peas, and keep in a dry, airy place. Sweet Potatoes. — This crop may be dug the latter part of this month, or as soon as the vines are wilted by the first frost. A contemporary gives us the following indi- cation of the ripeness or maturity of the Sweet Potato: — ^‘Pull several potatoes from different parts of your patch, break them and give them time to dry, and if the fresh broken part dry over perfectly white, the potato is ripe and should be dug. But if of a darkish hue, the potato is not ripe and should be left to ripen. Ifdug when ripe they will .keep, if not they will rot.” Pul up your Potutoes in sm.jll ‘ banks” (”25 to 30 bushels) and reject all cut or bruised roots See, also, that they are perfectly dry before banking. Let the foundation of the banKs be 12 or 1*^ inches higher than the surrounding surface; on an cleva- i tion, where water will not settle or stand. [See a capital article on this subject, on another page of present num- ber.] Egyptian and other Winter Oats, Rye, Barley, Clover, Lucerne and other hardy grasses should be sown at once. Plow deep, pulverize finely and manure heavily for all these crops, if you desire proper remuneration for your labor. Hay. — Many varieties of native grasses may yet be worth gathering, to eke out winter supplies. But do not allow the grass to dry up and become worthless, before gathering. The proper time to cut is while it is in blos- som. Pindar and Sweet Potato Vines are good fodder, when properly cured and stowed away. They should be cut up before feeding out. Turni-ps.—li is late for field crops of Turnips ; but, if your early sowings have failed, try again now. We have known good crops made after the first of October. Bring your growing Turnips to a proper stand, and keep the ground clean and open. Pumpkins should be gathered as soon as ripe, and stored on well aired scaffolds or tiers of rails, one above the olher, so far apart that the layers of pumpkins cannot touch or rest upon each other. Put up in this way, with a slight covering or protection from the frost, they will keep nearly all winter. There should be a water-tight roof over the scaffolds, and straw may be used as a pro- tection from frost. Placed in a heap or pile, pumpkins soon decay and become worthless. Before feeding to your stock they should be boiled up, with a sprinkling of meal or bran. Hedges of the Osage Orange, Cherokee and Macartney Rose, Honey Locust. Evergreen Thorn {Cratcegus Pyra- caniha) Pyrus Japonica, &c., &c., may be set out the lat- ter part of this month, or as soon as the leaves of decidu- ous trees fall. The Garden. — Sow Cabbage, Turnips, Parsnips, Car- rots, Lettuce, Radishes, &c., &c. Prepare a bed in such a w Co,, Downing Hill Nursery, Atlanta, Ga. An excellent stock of Trees, &c., described and set forth in the best style. The above Catalogues will be sent to aWfree, upon ap- plication to the gentlemen who have issued them. Catalogues have also been received from Fleming & Nelson, Augusta, Ga.; Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y.; Thorp, Smith & Hanchett, Syracuse, N. Y.; Thos. Meehan, Germantown, Pa.; A. Frost & Co., Rochester, N, Y,; H. E. Hooker & Co., Rochester, N. Y., and several other similar establishments. See our adver- tising sheet, attached to cover. To Correspondents, — We are still obliged to defer many of the valued favors of our friends, and to ask the exercise of their patience. Ample as is our space, we could, with the material on hand, easily fill two or three such sheets every month. We will insert all accepted com- munications as soon as possible. Articles bearing the following signatures are still on file : H. F. G****— J. C. P.-J. Pender-S. C.-B. F. R.— F. 0 F.— Sibyl Grey — W, S Hatton— Georgia Snbscriber J. A. S.— B F. T.— J H.— L T. B — C. G. W.— G. W, G. — P. R.— B, S. B.— J. R. R.— A. 0 — T. B. F.— S. McD. -C. C, W.— G, D. Harmon— W. S., Jr.— Dr. M. W. Philips— John Adams— *—S. A. P.— Middle Georgia — W. H H — W. Tate— A Lover of Ham — A Sun Burnt Farmer — G. — One of the Party — A, J. Lane — H, — W. B, J., &c , &c. Reese’s Phospho-Peruvian Guano. — We have received from Mr. Reese, a well written and sensible pamphlet, developing the principles upon which he has proceeded in the manipulation of his Fertilizer. Theoretically, these principles are sound ; in fact, incontrovertible. — Practically, we are not familiar with the use of this mani- pulated Guano, and, therefore, cannot speak of our own knowledge. The advertisement of Mr. Reese, on the cover of this journal, (to which we invite the special at- tention of our readers) contains some very strong state- ments in regard to the value of this manure, from Cotton Planters of North Carolina. The cotton planter should read them carefully. Those wishing further information can obtain it by applying to Mr. Reese for a copy of his ffistructive pamphlet. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 305 CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. An experienced planter of Hancock county, Ga., says: “I have, this year, cultivated between 30 and 31 measured acres of corn and cotton to the hand and 52 l-7th acres to the plow. I have not, during the year, been three weeks at any one time getting over my entire crop. My land i? incapable of a better crop; for, besides corn and cotton, I plant largely of oats, potatoes and turnips.” [Our correspondent is neither a land-skinner nor a negro or mule killer, but an enlightened, progressive agri- culturist, who cultivates properly, keeps his hands and stock in the best order, and steadily improves his lands. His example is worthy of extensive imitation. — Eds.] Crops in Florida — From Marion county, Fla., a cor- respondent writes : — “Corn crops very bad in Florida, and the catterpillar has commenced in places on the cot- ton; grass is also eaten up the grass species of catterpillar.” A Non-“Performing” Jack ! — Editors Southern Culti- vator— I would esteem it a favor if you or some of your numerous readers of the Cultivator, will inform me of the most suitable treatment for a Jack. I procured one last winter at considerable trouble and expense ; but, to my disappointment, he failed to perform. There may be something in management or keep ; if so, please let me know through the Cultivator, and you will greatly oblige A Subscriber. Covington, Polk county. Ark., August 14, 1859. Worm in Wheat. — Editors Southern Cultivator — The Wheat crops of this section have been affected to an alarming extent, for the last two years, by a yellow worm which passes through the joints, causing the straw to fall before the grain is matured. As this is a subject of deep interest to the wheat growers of Cherokee, you or your correspondents would confer a great favor by shedding light upon this subject through the columns of the Culti- vator. Yours truly, D. Johnson. Calhoun, Ga,, August 8, 1859. Hedges in the South West, — Will you or some of your correspondents, who live in the South West, and who have satisfied themselves by experiment or otherwise, as to what will make the best hedge fence, be pleased to impart their information through the columns of the Cul- tivator ? What will best suit the climate 1 What is the quickest, most durable and most defensive'? Respectfully, W. H Denny. Crockett, Texas, August, 25, 1859, Black Tongue, &c. — “ J. T. P ,” in the Cultivator, wishes to know a cure for Black Tongue. A friend told me that a teaspoonful of gunpowder put on the tongue would cure. I have not tried it. Will you or any one of your subscribers inform me how to cure the Big Shoulder in Horses ? K. B. P. S Crops of Corn and Cotton are good. West Point, Ga , Sept. 8, 1859, Warts on Fowls. — Editors Southern Cultivator — 1 noticed in the August number of the Cultivator that one of your correspondents of Gaudaloupe, Texas, in- quires “what is the causeand remedy for Warts on Fowls, &c.?” I cannot exactly say what is the cause of the warts, but can give a quick and certain remedy for them. If the warts have a s ^ab on them, pick it off ; if not, scarify them and wash them two or three times (say once a day) with a strong solution of saleraetus water, and they will very suddenly disappear. Yours very truly, P. P, P. Birds 'U5. Grapes. — The mocking birds are very de- structive to the Grape here. Within the last three years there has been at least 3000 killed by us and, apparently, there are as many now as before. Can any of your kind subscribers propose a remedy to exterminate them, with- out powder and shot ? Respectfully, R. B. Canova. St, Augustine, Fla., July 16, 1859, [We deeply regret the destruction of such multitudes of sweet “feathered minstrels;” but grapes and birds cannot well be raised together. There is no other remedy we think than the “murderous gun.” — Eds.] Black Tongue and Catterpillars. — Editors Southern Cultivator— 8Qtmg a request from J. T. P., in your Sep- tember number, asking for a cure for Black Tongue in cattle, and a remedy for Catterpillars on apple trees, I herewith send a recipe for both : For Black Tongue. — Have a swab of soft cloth made and attached to a handle two feet long ; dip this in spirits of turpentine and wipe out the mouth of the animal so affected twice or three times, if necessary, and they will be over it in a few days. This I kno.w to be a fact, for I tried it on my cattle last year, and did not lose one, when others had been trying salt, coperas, and other things recommended, and lost a great many. For Caterpillars. — Put about among the branches powdered sulphur, and they will soon leave. If neces- sary, puncture small places in the bark of the trees and put in sulphur. Yery respectfully, P, C. Shultz. Summerville, S. C., Sept. 5, 1859. PATENT OFFICE REPORT— AGRICULTURE. The Report of the Commissioner of Patents for 1858, has just reached us, and is fully equal, in all respects, to the valuable documents which have preceded it from the same Bureau, Grape culture, and the culture of fruit generally, is treated of at great length ; as are, also, such subjects as the following: — Animals (domestic); Arrow Root, Bacon, Beef, Beer, Butter, Cheese, Clover, Cotton, Drainage, Flour and Meal, Forests, Gatdening, Guano, Hay, Hemp, Hogs, Honey, Horses, Insects, Irrigation, Land, Metals, Meteorology, Molasses, Oats, Oils, Pork, Potatoes, Rice, Rye, Schools (agricultural), Seeds (trees, shrubs,) Sheep, Silk, Sorghum, Sugar, Tea and Tea Plants, Tobacco, Wheat, Wine, Wool, &c., &c. We are indebted to Hon. D. J. Browne, the chief of the “Agricultural Division,” for several copies, which we have distributed. It may be obtained from that gentle- man, or from the members of Congress from your Dis- trict. “The Farmer & Gardener.” is a new monthly of 16 pages, just started in Philadelphia, Pa., by A. M. Spang- ler, 663 Market, at ^1 per year. It is very well edited, and neatly printed, and the publisher says he is deter- mined to render it a “permanent institution.” We cheer- fully place it on our exchange list, and wish it success. 1^“" Several notices of new agricultural books, &c., will appear in our next. I^^AII subscriptions to the Southern Cultivator com- mence with the January number. 306 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. NOBLE LIBERALITY. Col. P. St. Geo. Cooke, former President of the Vir- ginia State Agricultural Society, has given $20,000 to- wards the endowment of an Agricultural School in Vir- ginia. Some unknown friend to Agriculture has placed $10,000 at the disposal of the Hon. W. C. Rives for the same purpose. The American Farmer well remarks in regard to this judicious liberality : “Let all honer be done to the men who set such an example of munificence and execute their wise and liberal designs themselves. How much better than a post mortem gift.” Have we no gentlemen in Georgia, who, from their superabundant means, will imitate this noble example ? What pleasure so great, in the decline of life, as to see a portion of the results of our labor employed in giving knowledge to the ignorant’, a right direction to the erring passions of youth, and diffusing that practical knowledge so.indispensable to the prosperity of the State '1 We thus see, with our own eyes, how our “memory shall live after us.” Correction. — On page 259 of last number, (September) first line at head of the first column, will be found a singu- , lar error. Whether the '‘imp" that has been immemorial- ly supposed to infest printing offices desired merely to see his own name “in print,” or whether he produced this “typographical mutation” from an innate and Satanic love of mischief, we know not — but certain it is, that where we wrote “ill tempered churl" he made us say “ill tempered devil" much to our surprise and regret. Our intelligent readers, of course, readily correct for them selves the ordinary and unavoidable “errors of the press,” but one like this seems to require at least a passing ex- planation. Should a similar one occur in our pages, the reader may know that “Dr. Faustus” and his co-adjutor are again at work among the types, and that “we” are to be held guiltless ! Fine Grapes ! — We are under obligation to R Pe- ters, Esq,, of “Downing Hill Nursery,” Atlanta, Ga., for samples of the following Grapes : DevereauXy Charter Oak, Herbemont, (or Warren,) Saluda, Ohio, Cross Tim- bers, Whitlow, To Kalofi, Warren, Bland’s Madeira, Le7iior, Concord, Eisinboro, Diana, Norto^ds Virginia. Long. We have marked the best in italics, and would remind our readers that the Devereux, Ohio and Lenior, are nearly if not altogether, the samej as are, also, the Herbemont and Warren of most collections. With some, however, the “Guignard,” of So. Ca., is called Herbemont; and this (Guignard) Grape differs materially from the Warren, The nomenclature of our Grapes needs a re- viiion, as many single varieties are known under at least half a dozen names. Pruning the Grape, — The article on pruning the Grape (with illustrations) which we had prepared for this^ number, is necessarily deferred until our next. It will then be in ample time for the present year’s operations in the Vineyard;, and we trust, be of some service to those who are beginning the culture oi the Grape. “TRANSACTIONS” OF THE NEW YORK STATE Society. Hon. B. P. Johnson, Secretary of the New York State Agricultural Society, has placed us under additional obli- gations, by sending us the Transactions of the New York State Agricultural Society for 1858 — this being the 18th volume. These Transactions for 1858 make a hand- somely printed and well bound volume of upwards of eight hundred pages. This, with the previous volumes, forwarded from the same kind and valued source, afford a subject of rich agricultural study. We had supposed that the volumes we had already received could scarcely be improved, but this is perhaps more interesting and in- instructive than any of its predecessors. The people of New York have reason to be proud of what their Society is doing as exhibited in these sterling volumes. The patronage bestowed by the State upon this Society is an important member of a scries of thoughtful, wise and and liberal acts of Legislation, which justly entitle New York to her high place among her sister States of this confederacy. The contrast of Southern Legislation, or rather the want of it, is very painful and humiliating. The volume before us contains the admirable speech of Mr, Williams on Agricultural Education — an instruc- tive series of farm reports (from which we shall hereafter copiously extract) — a treatise on the fishes of the State, their habits, mode of rearing, &c, — an elaborate article on the whole subject of fencing — the fifth report of Dr. Fitch on Etomology — the valuable report of Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert, on Manures for permanent meadow, &c. Both the beauty and value of this report are increased by a number of handsome illustrations. Mr. David Dickson, of Hancock, has our thanks for a box of his cider and domestic wine in bottles. Some of the cider is marked four years old and the wine seven. This cider differs from any other cider that we have ever tasted, and is a most agreeable beverage. Mr. Dickson sent us his receipt for making it some time since, which was published in the South Countryman. The possibil- ity of making such an article of cider and by a process so simple, is an additional argument for paying attention to the growth of the apple. We have reserved Mr. Dick- son’s wine to be opened on some occasion on which there may be an assemblage of Georgia farmers, at which time the health of “ the grreat cotton planter,” shall be duly remembered. Choice Grapes, — Messrs. C. P. Bissell & Salter, of Rochester, N. Y., have placed us under obligations by sending us per mail, some sample clusters of Logan and Delaware Grapes. They arrived in good order, and were very fine, especially the Delaware. It will be recollected that we gave an illustration of the fine Grapery of Messrs. B, & S., in our August number, and we may remark that these gentlemen are very prompt and upright dealers, and thoroughly acquainted with their business ^^“We return thanks to the Hon. A R Wright, for a copy of vol. 8ih of the Reports on “The Pacific Rail Rocid Routes ” SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 307 HANCOCK COUNTY (GA.) FAIR. The Annual Fair of the Planter’s Club of Hancock County, Ga., will be held at Sparta, from the 19th to the 22d of October, 1859. The Opening Address will be delivered at 1 1 o’olock on Wednesday morning, the first day of the Fair. The Annual Address on Friday, by Hon. Robert Toombs, at 11 o’clock. The Concluding Address on Saturday. The usual rules and regulations as to appointment of Judges, and for the management of the Fair, as hereto- fore practiced by the State Society, will be adopted as far as practicable. Any article of merit entered for exhibition, for which premiums are not offered, will be considered by the Executive Committee, and suitable premiums awarded. All products presented for exhibition must be accom- panied by a certificate ihat they were raised, made or pre- pared by the Exhibitor. No article will be admitted for exhibition after Wednesday night. The premiums will be delivered in Silver Plate, and other articles of the value of the premiums offered for each article. Editors and their families are invited to attend the Fair. The Secretary’s Office will be opened on the Fair Gorund early on Wednesday morning, and Premium Lists may be obtained by addressing the Secretary, D. W. Lewis, Esq., Sparta, Ga. Agriculture in Jackson County, Ga, — A large num- ber of the citizens of Jackson county met in the Court House on Friday, the 26th of August, to make some ar- rangements about organizing an Agricultural Club in Jackson county, Thomas R. R Cobb, Esq., addressed the meeting in a short, but very appropriate, interesting and instructive speech ; after which John J. McCuIluch, Esq , was called to the chair and requested to act as President for the Club, and J. B. S. Davis requested to act as Secretary. A proposition was then made for the names of such as would become permanent members of the Club ; when the names of 38 were reported and enrolled. Warren Agricultural Society. — On the 9th of Au- gust, a meeting of the citizens of Warren county, Ga., was held in the Court House, for the purpose of organiz- ing an Agricultural Society. A Committee was appoint- ed to draft a Code of By-Laws and Constitution, and it was requested that a meeting be held ia the Court House, in Warrenton, on the first Tuesday in September to adopt the same. Atlanta Fair. — We have seen it stated that Hon. Edward Everett has accepted an invitation to deliver an Address at the Georgia State Fair, to be held in At- loMta, from the 24th to 28Lh of present month. 1^" There will be a Convention of Southern Planters, at Nashville, Term., during the Fair, on the 10th of th’s month. A general invitation is extended to all. EDITORIAL NOTES. Floyd County. — There is probably not a Railroad in this country which, in the same distance, passes through a finer body of land than that which is traversed by the Rome Railroad between Kingston and Rome. This road passes along the banks of the beautiful Etowah and through an almost unbroken succession of farms of the best quality of river land. We remember this region of coun- try, before the forests had been touched by the axe, save in the scattered Indian clearing. Twenty years of occu- pancy by the white man have made a terrible change in it. The fertility of all of the cleared land has been di- minished. The fiery trail of the cotton plant, the nude clay and gaping gully attest the presence of the same race of men and the practice of the same scourging agriculture which has desolated the South and rendered it but the ghost of its pristine magnificence. In this connection the bare and washed hill sides suggest a resemblance between the Southern planter and the scourge of ancient Rome, o^ whom it was said: "The grass will not grow where he has trod.” Notwithstanding the evils of a culture without manure, without rest and without grass, the products of the soil are still very great, attesting its extreme original fertility. In the ride from Kingston to Rome, we observed a few cattle of the common breed, a few hogs of the same de- scription, but so far as we recollect, not a single colt, either horse or mule, or a single sheep of any description, but always cotton and corn, with occasional fields of small grain. It is fortunate for the tourist and traveller that this complaisant road allows him leisurely to inspect the agricultural features of the country through which it passes. Marshall Soult complained bitterly when they carried him through from Liverpool to Manchester at the rate of 60 miles an hour, because he was "prevented from seeing the country.” A similar complaint cannot be urged with justice agemst the Rome Railroad — it allows full time for observation. As this Road is a part of our system of internal im- provements, and yet lies out of the route of extensive travel, some facts in regard to its business and prospects may be ef interest to a portion of our readers. The length of the Pioad is eighteen and a quarter miles. The whole cost S160,000. Its dividends for the last six years have averaged 8 per cent.— it is expected hereafter to yield a dividend of 10 per cent. The freight business of the road for the year ending July 1st v/as as follows : Bales of cotton, 23,294; bushels of wheat, 108,482; corn, 19,898; flour, 167,200 lbs.; bacon, 82,057 lbs.; tobacco, 27,620 ; dried fruit, 127,071 lbs.; pig iron, 343,413 lbs,; casting and machinery , 62,753 lbs,; rags, 55,802 lbs.; Lard, 3,237 lbs.; wool, 530. Gross receipts amount to $45,568. The number of stock holders in this road is eleven. It is expected that the business of this road will be greatly increased by contemplated extensions. The road from Pensacola to Montgomery will be completed in I860- There will be a gap in the connection, of fifty miles be- tween Rome and Jacksonville, Ala. This gap will be 308 southern cultivator. certainly filled. When this is the case, the comparative distances to the sea board from Rome will be as follows: To Charleston, 386 miles; to Savannah, 370 miles; to Pensacola, 330 miles, making the distance shorter by 56 miles to Pensacola than to Charleston and 40 less than to Savannah. When these connections are complete, materi- al modifications in trade in this section of country may be anticipated. Still greater changes may be expected from the opening of the Coosa River. That this will be done cannot be doubted. It would be questionable if this river passed through a region inhabited by Mexicans, Spaniards or Italians. But it is inhabited by Angle Saxons It is to their interest that this river should be opened— therefore, sooner or later it will be done. The sooner the better for the interests ofa considerable proportion of the three co- terminous States of Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. Some instructive particulars as to the comparative cost of railroad and steamboat transportation were communicated to us by the very courteous and intelligent Superintendant of the Rome Railroad, Col. W. S. Cothran. The cost of freight on sugar from New Orleans to Rome via Nashville is $1.25 per cwL — the freight from New Orleans to Nashville, 1400 miles, is 25 cents per cwt, — the rest of the cost accrues between Nashville and Rome. Rome is but 800 miles by water from Mobile. If the river were opened to Rome, the cost of freight should be less than to Nashville. There are about 1000 hhds. of sugar annually sold in Rome. The saving of a cent on the pound freight would make a difference of $10,000 in that article alone and about half as much in molasses. A large shipment of bacon from Cincinnati to Augusta^ via Baltimore and Savannah, cost 63 cents per cwt. At the same time a shipment of bacon from Cincinnati to Augusta direct through Nashville to Atlanta cost 85 cents per cwt. — a difference of 22 cents per cwt. in favor of tke circuitous route, including the navigation of the Ohio, the voyage from Baltimore, re shipment at Savannah and freight on the Savannah River, Such items of saving in the cost on freight of the necessaries of life, and also in creased facilities of transportation of articlss of produce, the railroad freights on which now amount to a pro- hibition, indicate to the people ®f the section of country referred to, that it is their interest to see to it that the navi- gation of the Coosa is opened. Important to all other business relations, it is of chief importance to agriculture. It may be of interest to some of our readers to know the estimate which is placed upon the different kinds of Floyd land by an intelligent man. Etowah lands are es- timated at $40 per acre ; Coosa land at $35 ; Van’s Val- ley land at $40; Oostanaula lands at $30 ; Texas Valley at $20; Armuchee lands of uncertain value, but rapidly rising. The average product of the county, per acre, in corn was estimated to me at 25 bushels, average worth, 60 cents; wheat 10 bushels, worth $1, Etowah and Coosa lands an average of 1000 lbs of cotton per acre. It is the superior cotton crop, which we presume gives these lands an increased value over the splendid bodies of land on Oostanaula river. The last are admirably ad- apted for meadow, and when th^ proper culture of the county comes to be understood, we do not believe that they will be exceeded in value by any lands in this country. It is gratifying to the State pride of every Georgian to observe the rapid advance of many of the interior towns of the State. Prominent among these is the growing town of Rome, Its position is one of unusual advantage. Its leading citizens seem disposed to avail themselves of this advantage. The pulpits of this place are filled by clergy- men of piety and decided ability, The schools are ofa high character and are well sustained. A Young Men’s Christian As ociation of more than 100 members (a large number in a population of 3000 persons) is exerting a salutary influence upon the morals of the town and its vicinity. In fact, when we consider the comparative recentness of the settlement of Rome, it is a subject of surprise to find buildings so costly and permanent, an in- dustry so varied, and a society so well ordered and re- fined. In our notice of the town of Griffin, in our last number, we expressed surprise at the extent to which the sale of carriages was carried on at that place. At Rome, we were equally surprised at 'the extent to which the manu- facture of elegant furniture is carried on at two establish- ments, Messrs Mills & Sumter and Mr. Ducker. These establishments employ between 40 or 50 men and do a business annually of about $50,000. This is as it should be. It is by an aggregation of these items of trade that we are to secure commercial independence. The articles of furniture, many of them very elegant and wholly of do- mestic manufacture, sold at these establishments, compare very favorably, as to quality and price, with those bought at establishments at the North. It is worthy of remark, that most of the recent brick buildings of Rome are covered with our own beautiful Georgia slate, from the B lance Quarries, in Polk county. The discovery of these quarries is an event in construc- tion to the whole of Upper Georgia within reach of the railroads, increasing not only the economy of building and adding to its permanence, but giving great security against fire. Prof. Shephard, than whom there is not higher authority, after analysis pronounces this slate to be equal if not superior to the best Welsh slate. We regretted not to be able to visit the promising nur- series of Mr. Lambert, near Rome. Mr. Lambert is an educated Belgian Pomologist, and is a graduate of the Belgian Agricultural School, the programme of study in which he has kindly communicated to us and which will be found on another page of this journal. We wish him a very great success. We should support our home Nurseries, The dose of “Malic Acid,” which has recently been administered to “tree peddlars,” will probab- ly have been found so distasteful, as to induce a whole- some dread of its repetition. It will be observed from ths Railroad returns that upwards of $10,000 worth of dried fruit were shipped from Rome during the last year. These statistical reports are often very instructive. The report SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. which we have given presents one curious feature. From the mart of a strict! y cigricultural region, it gives a return of export of 530 lbs. of wool and 55,802 lbs. of rags ! We hope our Floyd friends will take mildly a little salutary suggestion : They have no agricultural society — no Fair— no Farmers’ Clubs. We heard of no special at- tention to good stock, except on the part of one gentleman whose farm is, unfortunately, at a distance. Under these circumstances, we can hardly wonder that the rich bot- toms of the Coosa, Etowah and Oostanaula, should pro- duce annually more rags than wool. We do not know a county so favored by nature us Floyd — three large rivers and vallies unsurpassed in fertility — a charming climate— a railroad traversing it — a market for produce at home — it ought to be among the garden spots of the South. H Advertising ! — A New York correspondent of the Charleston Courier, speaking of I. M. Singer, the inven- tor of the Sewing Machine, and his progress in life from an extremely poor young man to a millionare, says : “The amount Singer has spent on newspapers is very large ; but large as it is, he once informed me that for every ten dollars he had paid to newspapers (as near as he could get at it,) he or his concern had received back one hundred dollars in profits, or an increased business.” • ^ t ■■ ■! . Steam Plows in E:«gland.— At the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society in Warwick England, July 12th, a prominent feature of the exhibition was the col- lection of steam plows and steam cultivators. Sixteen steam plows were entered for competition, and ten steam cultivators, the last named being intended for cutting and thoroughly pulverizing the soil to the depth of six to nine inches along a t»ack four and a half to five or six feet wide. The Manchester says that “the most peculiar and novel implement exhibited under this head is Ro- maine’s patent steam rotary cultivator, which professes to perform perfect spade husbandry, digging six acres a day at nine shillings (S2 16) per acre. The machine is very cumbersome and unwieldly, weighing ten tons, but it does not require any assistance from horses, as it is self pro- pelling. — - — ■ ♦- m Steam Plows. — The Executive committee of the Illinois State Agricultural Society have made arrangements for a trial of Steam Plows, to held in connection with the Annual Fair at Freeport. Prizes of S3, 000 for the best, and S2,b00 for the next best are offered. The Illinois Central Railroad Company offer additional Si, 500 for the best steam plow, to gain which the machine must be ex- hibited at three points on the line of road. The awards in both cases are to be made by the Executive Board of the Society in connection with three machinists selected by them. Messrs. Hedges of Cincinnati, Gates of Chicago, nnd Allen of St. Louis have been chosen to the office. ^^Create not imaginary difficulties ; sufficient are the real ones we have each to encounter in the course of our lives. 309 BnititEltEial SefflttmtEt. FRUIT TREES FROM THE NORTH. Editors Southern Cultivator — 1 see by the July number of your paper that one of your correspondents is afraid that the people of Georgia will purchase trees of Northern Nurserymen, to their own disadvantage, and you sympathize in that feeling and endorse the “Caution.” With your leave, I will reply to some of the propo- sitions of “Malic Acid;” and between us, may we not, hope that the truth will appear, and the community oe protected from humbug, while they derive what advantage there may be from trade. The statement that late keeping varieties of apples for the South, cannot be procured from the North is, in the main, correct, as those varieties are not much known out of the Southern States ; nor even there ; but our best nurserymen do procure scions and disseminate the trees among their Southern customers, and sometimes even in greater numbers than those sorts can be obtained South. Fine late keeping apples are still very scarce at the South and few nurserymen have any adequate supply of such varieties; the home demand in a single county should consume all the trees there are for sale. The list of best Early Apples found in our Northern Nurseries is nearly identical with the list of sorts recom- mended by the best Southern Horticulturists and Nursery- men, as their respective Catalogues show; and the same is true to a still greater extent in the case of Pears, Peaches, Apricots and Grapes — many of these being even better at the South than they are with us. There are, doubtless, seedling fruits, originating in Georgia, which have a special local value, and perhaps, upon trial, some of them would be found valuable for general dissemination ; these should le propagated and sedd by Southern Nur&eymen, and their merits brought before their Northern friends; but there are also many old varieties, the product of much care in selecting and trial for many years, which should not lightly be laid aside. It takes a long time to prove a new sort to be really better than the old favorites, and the collections which long years of patient gathering have now brought into the hands of the Nurserymen are the surest res®rt of planters for good sorts. The idea that a tree must be grown upon the soil in which it is to bear fruit, is a very erroneous one, as numer- ous facts show. Trees are so constituted as to bear a certain range of heat and cold, soil and climate, and no process of accli- mation will enable them to go beyond thisjrange — we can only put the individual trees in such a state of health as will but enable them to bear the changes which they are so constituted by the Creator to endure. A healthy specimen of Bartlett Pear, Early York Peach, a Red As- trachan Apple tree, grown in France, in Georgia, or in New York, will bear all the changes of the soil and cli- mate which it is possible to cause them to endure by rear- ing them upon the spat where they are to spend their lives. The simple fact is, a locality which has such a temper- ate climate and favorable soil, as will cause the young trees to thrive in the best manner during the first three or four years of their lives, is the best starting point for any tree or plant. Nurserymen are well aware of this fact, and endeacor to procure their young stock and specimen trees and plants from such localities, as the immense an- nual importati ns of trees from the foreign nurseries to this country shows very plainly. The experience of Horticulturists and fruit growers should certainly teach them to avoid all fruits and varie- ties of fruits which are known to be valueless, and to 310 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. order sparingly of those of which they are uncertain. It can never be truly for the interest of a Nurseryman to dis- seminate plants where they will be unprofitable to the planter. On this point the experience of planters is a sufficient check upon the operations of the nuseryrnan. Southern and Northern nurserymen are both sustained and benefitted by the general dissemination of good fruit, trees, vines, roses and shrubs. The demand for trees de- pends more upon placing in the hands of the public in general the desirable and beautiful articles now found in the collection of good nurserymen than upon anything else — it is necessary that people should buy and plant that they may see and enjoy, and if they wish to buy at home in preference to ordering from abroad, we have no quarrel to make with them for so doing — what we cannot supply to our mutual advantage, we do not wish to furnish. Northern, as v/ell as Southern people, have been made to suflfer for dealing with unscrupulous and irresponsible dealers in trees ; and the only protection there is against loss in this manner is, for every man to see to it that he is dealing with men who understand their business, and whose standing and reputation is some guaranty that they will not be deceived. Probably Messrs. B, or P, do not feel that they run any risk in importing a lot of trees from France or from Rochester, if they order of an honorable and experienced nurseryman — they expect the trees to grow as well and bear as good fruit as if raised in Georgia, Trees of various kinds are annually shipped from Rochester to the most Northern, as well as the most Southern limits in which they will flourish, and the in- creasing demand at this point shows that they are as suc- cessful as any trees that are planted. In fact, there is scarce a nurseryman in good standing, from Maine to Georgia, but procures more or less of his stock from this place. Yours lespectfully, H. E. Hooker. Rochester^ N. Y., September, 1859. PEAR CUIiTURE IN THE SOUTH. An Essay, mritten at the Request of the Aiken Vine Growing Association, of South Carolina, and read before that borly on Thursday, July 1th, 1859. By L E Berckmans, of Augusta, Ga. Mr. Chairman: — By resolution of the Society, com- municated to me, June 16th, you have appointed me to prepare an “Essay on the Culture of the Pear.” The duty conferred upon me by said resolution would be more thankfully accepted if I felt myself better quali- fied to carry out the viev/s of the Society. However, I hope to be able to throw some light upon the subject, by the result of over thirty years experience in fruit culture, on this and on the other side of the x^tlantic, and by my almost exclusive attention to Pear Cultivation in the South, during the past two years; The object of the Society in calling up the subject of Pear Culture, is undoubtedly to discuss thoroughly the advantages, inconveniences, profits and drawbacks of the cultivation of that class of fruit, in reference to its value as a marketable product, and as a reliable crop among the different fruit crops. In taking this view of the subject, our first duty must be to divest ourselves of all prejudice in discussing mat- ters of public interest; and as the production of such an important class of fruits as the Pear is at the eve of assuming large proportions, 1 cannot but highly approve the opportunity of putting the question before the public under the sanction of your authority, with a view to open the field to imp.artial discussions and informations. The culture of every comparatively new or not suffi- ciently tested fruit oi cereal, destined to occupy a promi- nent place in our markets, and to exercise a marked influence upon the general diet of the people, is well worth the earnest consideration of the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies of the Union. It is, in case of success, a benefit conferred upon the community, and, in case of failure, heavy losses of time and money saved ; for individual prejudices and hobbies, not to say anything about less worthy motives, are hard to be overcome ; and were it not for such unique and far-famed institutions as the American Agricultural and Pomological Societies, the now almost cleared field of pomology would be a wilder- ness of confused notions, inaccurate information, and, worse than all that, of bitter personalities and disputa- tions, where light and impartiality could hardly be ex- pected to find their way. Much as the Pomological Society has done for the se- lection and promotion of good fruits, we cannot expect to find among its documents sufficient information in regard to the South, v/here, indeed, the cultivation -of the Pear is still in its infancy. Even in the North it is, and will be for some time to come, a much controverted subject — the result of which has been a general uneasiness, mis- giving and doubt in regard to the probability of raising large crops of Pears ; and, considering so many would have to be discussed, so many objections to be overcome, our task becomes more difficult, and our wish to be brief and concise must yield to the necessity of conveying all possible information. To proceed in a regular and logical order, we have to indicate the principal points to be discussed in due suc- cession, and in regard to their respective importance. 1. The first question to be examined seems to be: Is the Pear Tree, as a standard or as a dwarf, suited to the South, as far as Florida and Louisiana I 2. The second is: Can it be cultivated with profit to a certain extent! 3. Third: Is it durable, and not more exposed to dis- eases than other products'? 4. Fourth : Can we expect to sell the crops with pros- pect of regular profits ”? Then, what varieties and seasons are to be selected for the market ! 5. What soils and aspects, local conditions, manures and treatment are the best to insure a successful cultiva- tion of the Pear"? If I am not mistaken, these must be the main points to be examined in making up an essay— not a treatise. — Around those main questions other remarks will occa- sionally find place. It must be well understood that the Pear Tree is, all things considered, of a more refined, and consequently of a more delicate and weak constitution than the Apple, Peach and the Cherry — the improved Pear Tree of our modern times is so far removed from th-5 original wild parent found in ti e forests of the old continent, as to be altogether a different thing, and hardly bearing any like- ness to that original wild type. Long since have I sup- posed that this may be the cause of its weaker and more refined habits; for, we ail know that the more we make plants or trees recede from their original type, the more they become delicate and subject to various diseases. This law of nature is universal, and in accordance with it, the more refined is the fruit, the flower, or the foliage, the more delicate will be the plant. This rule admits of but few exceptions. But let the cause be what it may, it is a generally ac- knowledged fact, that the Pear Tree is more fastidious, less hardy, and requires a better management than most other fruit trees. It succeeds, however, where almost any fruit tree of the temperate zone succeeds, and it seems rather to be suited to a more Southern latitude than to the Northern States. More Pear Trees are killed by the me- diate or immediate effects of the severe frosts of the North than by any other cause, acting farther South, The blight. SOUTHEHN CULTIVATOR. 311 almost the only fatal disease inherent to the Pear Tree, is not worse here than in any other part of the Union, whilst the ravages of intense cold winters are never wit- nessed here. That the Pear Tree seems to feel more at home this side of Mason & Dixon’s line, is proved to me by three facts which I have closely observed during the last three years. The first remark is, that weak and outworn varieties, only fitted for Ei^paliers, in their native climate, and but ill adapted to the severe winters of the North, are in fine condition here in Georgia. The other fact is, that some European varieties, al- though very new or of recent origin, will not do in the North, while they recover all their native strength and beauty here. The third remark applies to the size and quality of the fruit, which, in most all cases, is superior in the South to what I ever witnessed it to be in other parts. My seed- lings show their propensities or characters sooner; their maturity is promoted in less time; their foliage is often double the size of what I found it to be in the North; especially many of the inedited but most promising seed lings of Van Mons and Dr. Brinckle. In regard to the Southern limits to be assigned to the Pear, I have not heard of a climate where it did not grow. I had occasion to unpack and to plant Pear Trees sent to our worthy Pomologist, Dr. Brinckle, in Philadelphia, as varieties from Brazil, Peru and Mexico ; they were es- teemed there as fine fruits, but they only proved to be inferior varieties of the old catalogues when growing here. This is another conclusive fact in regard to the adaptedness of the Pear to the very lowest latitude, as the same result took place in that instance, to wit : the improvement of an inferior sort to a fruit of good quality. To quote a few facts, I will state that the Bartlett is de- cidedly better here than in New York or Pennsylvania; that the White Doyenne is more hardy, more certain, and rather too rich ; the Flemish Beauty, the Pratt, the Buf- fum, the Van Assche, are larger and better here than in the North. So with nearly all the Pears I had occasion to test in Georgia and South Carolina, with the exception of the old Winter Pears. Varieties of doubtful quality in the North, as the Par- ftim d’Aout, Fondante de Septembre, Bellissime D’Ete, Belle de Bruxelles, which I found to be uncertain or of second quality in Bofton, New York and New Jersey, are almost of first quality in my grounds in Georgia. So much for the influence of a Southern temperature upon the Pear. And, as for the so much dreaded action of the Southern sun upon the bark, let me remark that I found it not to be so prejudicial as it is commonly thought to be. 1 have planted all sorts of trees, and some with highly denuded bodies; I have not lound any of them to suffer from that cause, The only pernicious effects in such cases is owing to the rash process of suddenly re- moving the protecting limbs from a fruit tree, when the body has not been exposed and inured, from its early youth, to the southwestern rays of the sun. That the Pear Tree will and must succeed upon the quince stock, 1 have most satisfactory and convincing proofs— provided the quince stock be not exposed to the air and sun. As a tree or a bush, the quince tree is not 80 weak — it is then complete in its organism ; but check- ed and deprived of its organic structure, it becomes feeble and liable to diseases. When the quince stock, below the bud, is destroyed by worms, it is owing to one of the following causes : 1. Unfitness of the budded variety to grow well upon the quince stock. (We have many of these.) 2. Exposure of stock, or too deep planting. 3. Excess of moisture or want of proper food in the soil. 4. The vicinity or presence of old decayed wood, roots or sticks, carelessly dug in with the tree when planted. In all these cases it is sickness, either inherent or acci- dental. Once fairly started, there is no more danger for the dwarfed tree. And now we must examine the much controversed sub- ject: Can the Pear be grown with profit 1 This is rather a complicated question, and I do not know how to answer it as briefly as I wish to do. As far as my personal conviction is concerned, I have no hesi- tation in replying in the affirmative, provided we stick to the following rules : 1. The selection of proper soil. All soils are not suited to the Pear Tree. 2. A locality sufficiently free from excessive moisture, and rather rolling than too level and flat. 3. The judicious and careful selection of hardy, hand- some, productive and good varieties, selling not only as good, but also as fair and inviting fruit. 4. The selection of stock. Some Pears, if not all, growing upon the quince, are better upon that stock than upon the free or wild Pear stock. No Pears are, nor were ever, good upon the Hawthorne, Amelanchier, Mountain Ash, &c. We have tried that twenty years ago, and never succeeded in producing any good fruit, although we made trees grow finely for the first two or three years. 5. The proper attention and care bestowed upon the tree, which must be more than that given to the Apple, Peach or Plam. Next to the Grape, the Pear requires the greatest attention and skill. Everybody has not the pa- tience to raise handsome fruit and to Jorm trees which, in a season of abundance, will have their fruit so equally set and distributed all over the tree as not to split and break the limbs, as is so often the case. Let us remark that the greatest care is only needed when the tree is very young. After it is once well shaped and begins to bear, it sends out less rank wood and takes better form and habits. It would take more words than I can compress in an essay, to lay down the rules of judicious pruning, without which there is no future for the Pear Tree, at least in most cases, and among the most refined sorts. We must con- fine ourselves to a few remarks upon the profits and the choice of varieties suited to the market. In the vicinity of Boston, for instance, most handsome profits are real- ized from Pear crops. Although, judging from the quan- tity of Pears grown around that city, we should deem the market to be overstocked, still Pears sell in Boston from 50 cents to over S4 a doz-=*n. Some cities, as Philadelphia, have only a few inferior Pears in the market, and would pay any price if they could get these in some quantity. Two years ago the editor of the Horticulturist wrote me: “Much is written about Pears, but we can not buy any in our Philadelphia market — please let me have some, for love, for begging, or lor money!” In fact the Pear is considered such an aristocratic fruit, (if 1 may use that term,) that those who grow them keep them for their own family, friends and visitors, as one of the finest luxuries. I have seen as much as SO paid for a dozen of handseme Pears in Boston, (in December.) No party is fashionable among amateurs without at least one fine dish of Pears. Messrs. Hovey, Austin, and many others, sell Pears in large quantities with very handsome returns. From New Jersey, Western and North-western New York, large quantities are sent to New York city. Col. Jno. Hebron, in Mississippi, makes his Pear Trees pay, and over. And when we consider that Pears, to be good, must be picked a tew days bifjre ripe, it seems just the article for trans- portation to distant markets. I have no doubt I can pick fine full grown Buriletts, pack them in barrels, send them 312 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR, to New York, or Quebec, or Havana, and when they will be at the port of destination, and leisurely unpacked, they will just be in the very best condition to go to the market or to the table. In regard to the facility and security for, and the very improvement of the fruit by transportation, no other fruit can compare with the Pear, not even Oranges and Lemons — the Pear and some Apples being the only fruit which requires picking from six to eight days before maturing, to bring it up to its true quality. To make a Pear orchard pay, we need only the necessary skill and care, a well cultivated soil, and a climate where the bud is not exposed to be killed by 20 degrees below 0,, or by the uncertain spring frosts of the North, We have not to care about markets — for such fruit sells every- where, because it bears, and rather demands transporta- tion. Let those who have the means, time, skill and a little patience, try the experiment. They will find out that a well planted and well directed Pear Tree comes into bearing sooner than an Apple, and almost as soon as a Peach Tree — that in this climate the crops are most regu- lar and certain— that the Pear Tree can be considered as an annuel beater, while Apples are not, and Peaches are very uncertain. The season of blossoming for the hun- dreds of varieties of Pears is so protracted, that only a score out of a hundred will be in blossom when a spring frost sets in, and the others will either have set their fruit or be dormant, and consequently out of danger, with an ordinary slight spring frost. I have reasons to consider the blossoms of a Pear Tree more hardy than that of a Peach or Apricot. Few worms attack the Pear— the rot, the oidium and the curculio are strangers to it. But is a Pear Tree lasting I I have seen many . a Pear Tree over a century old, and with proper care and man- agement it will last as long as any other fruit tree. As I stated before,, the diseases are mostly confined to the blight, which affects some varieties more than others — the old varieties more than the new ones. We can, in the actual state of science, not even indicate a remedy, we cannot ascertain the origin and cause (or causes) which produce that troublesome disease. All I have been able to do is to direct my attention and studies to the wood, foliage and general characters which seem to ren- der a given variety peculiarly liable to the disease. — The class of Bartlett foliage and bark seems to be the most exposed, as I remark in the very seedlings bearing those characters. So is the Glout Mor^eau and the Vicar — notwithstanding that the bark and foliage are very dis- tinct in the three varieties. To prevent the disease in old trees is impossible; for young trees there is a better chance — close watching and pruning, the prompt removal of the diseased wood, longitudinal incisions when the appearance of the bark is not sound, a good supply of special wood-formivg manures, are the best means, if not to prevent the blight altogether, at least to stop its further progress, and in most cases the tree can be saved. We have, it is true, a diminutive borer, which sets in just above a bud or a spur, and working down a few inches, circles or girdles the wood from inside-out, and destroys part of a limb in growing, or the body in very small trees. But this insect is scarce, and only injures part of the wood or unsound trees. I found it most active in some shrubs, as the Spireas, Deutzias, Senngos, and chiefiy in the Lagerstrce nia. Among thousands of young Pear I'rees in my grounds, perhaps not fifty have suffered from that insect, and those were only partly injured. The blight will be found the worst in rich bottom soils, where the tree takes up too much ammonia instead of the proper constituents of the wood and organs of the tree — those are ashes, lime, phosphate, iron, silicates, plaster or gypsum. Those substances, with the carbon of the at- mosphere, form the proper basis and food of all trees. Ammonia and nitrogen, promoting a too luxuriant growth and porosity of the bark, seem also to promote the blight. I have been told by Mr. Downing that seasons have been witnessed at the North when at least every tenth Pear Tree was destroyed or injured by the blight. Still, Pear growers have not been discouraged ; and, indeed, it never has, proved a disease as fatal and destructive as the borers, the yellows, the black knot, and the ravages of the cur- culio, from which the Pear Tree is altogether free. Thou- sands of Apple, Peach and Plum Trees are destroyed by these evil causes, and their crops rendered very uncertain if not complete failures. This tells much in favor of the Pear Tree, The best season to bring Pears into the market would seem to be from the months of September to December, (Winter Pears being better suited for amateurs, as re- quiring too much watching and extra care;) then the Peach is scarce, the Plums and Figs are gone, and the Winter Apple has not yet taken its place in the market. This remark applies to our home markets. For the markets of the North the very earliest Pears are the best. I have partly answered the question of soils and locali- ties. I shall only add, that deep sandy loam soils, rather dark than light colored. Western, Eastern and Northern aspects, and rather elevated localities, seem to be best for the health of the tree and the setting of the blossom ; and that Southern latitudes agree better with the Pear than higher latitudes, where often winters from twenty to thirty degrees below zero prevent all reliance upon a fair crop of refined fruits, such as Pears, Peaches and Grapes. I shall not see the time when the South, from Virginia to Alabama, will be considered the fruit garden of Ame- rica, but I am fully convinced that such a time must and will come, and that thousands of acres, unfit for the cul- tivation of cotton and corn, will be converted into remu- nerating orchards. All we want is a little patience — a rare thing with a fast people. We must consider that fruit trees are differ- ent from sweet potatoes, although they do not require more, if as much care, and that the planting of rows of fruit trees in the field, at convenient distances, will not materially interfere with crops of potatoes, cow peas or vegetables, or any low growing crops that will not smo- ther the young trees. If, moreover, we will consider that soils exhausted for ordinary crops still retain a great deal of the constituents required for a tree, it will be evident that fruit can often be obtained where other products must fail. We have yet to find out what sorts of Pears are best suited to our Southern latitude. Every season, almost, brings us new Peaches, Grapes, Pears and Apples, supe- rior to the older varieties, which will slowly v/ork their way to the head of the list of prominent fruits. Among the native and foreign varieties, many have been found to be well adapted to our climate. We have a great deal more in expectation, and among my select seedhngs, col- lected from this and distant countries, many give fair promise of being ranked, at some future dav, among our best and certainly our most hardy and vigorous va- rieties. Permit me to conclude this already too long chapter on Pears with some remarks upon the mtrerent opinions about this fruit. The mistakes and deceptions which have so often oc- curred, and have discouraged many zealous amateurs, are mostly the result of unwise selections of old worn-out varieties, discard'd and given up in their native localities and sold here, not as refuse and unsaleable stock, but under high-sounding or false names, and which must have proven, as they did prove, indeed, '■^dead failvrcsP The newly obtained varieties are undoubtedly (with some few exceptions) the most vigorous, symmetrical and SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR, 313 hardy. Of all the Pears cultivated at present as leading varieties, a few only can be traced as far back as Duhamel or even Poiteau, (editions from 1785 to 1810 ) The Duchess, the Beurre Superfin, the Bcurre D’Anjou, the Belle Lucrative, the Clairgeau, and naany others of our best leading sorts, were not known twenty-five years ago, I have hundreds of seedlings, selected from among thou- sands, with which I would not part for any consideration, so sure do I feel that some day they must take the place of such varieties as I do not consider perfectly adapted to our latitude or to our wants. We must have hardy, beautiful, vigorous, productive trees, easily cultivated in all soils, and more easily kept in the right form and shape, with good or best and large fruit. What the last twenty or thirty years of experiments or good chances have done in that way, will be nothing compared to what is at pre- sent going on in our great Union. Seedlings are brought to notice every season from Maine to Alabama, It has been my good fortune to be connected with many influential and well informed gentlemen, and thus to have got a chance to test nearly all the novelties, here in the South at the same time that they are submitted to the judgment of amateurs in other parts of the Union. Let us not judge the Cultivation of the Pear by the worthless varieties which have induced people to say Pears will not do in (no matter what State;) it was the same in all States. When I first became acquainted in New Jer- sey, I was told ‘ Pears would not do well just there,” and now Professor Mapes, Dr. Ward, Wm. Ried, and many others, realise handsome profits, and have fine, almost certain crops every year. And why I Because they wisely discarded the old, sickly and run-out varieties of the old catalogues, when Pear culture was In its infancy, and took to the new sorts endowed with all the vigor, beauty and fertility of renovated products. I have thu* far spoken of the Pear Tree as a producer, in competition with the other fruit-producing trees of our latitude; but if we come from the orchard to the garden, we will find the Pear Tree the most indispensable, orna- mental and convenient tree to be placed around dwellings and among our flowers and shrubbery. What is equal i» beauty to a well managed and sound Bartlett, Superfin, Michael Archangel, Suflfum or Urbanistel But we must conclude, and we will do so with a wish that more effectual and persevering efforts may be di- rected to this branch of rural ecomomy. In a climate and with such a soil as ours, we must have the best Pears, as we have already the best Peaches and Grapes, to say nothing of our delicious Apples, We have the choice of localities, plenty of room, and the means to try experi- ments. We shall net remain behind, when all the North, much less favored by nature and climate, is fully alive to the importance of this question. PEAR ON THE HAW STOCK. Editors Southern Cultivator— In reply to your cor- respondent, Mr. J. H. Johnson, of Marshall county, Ala , I will state, that all haws having red berries will take the Pear and Apple readily. The brown and the black berry haw, I have never tried, but think it probable that these might take also, 1 graft the haw stock of medium size by scraping the ground so as to insert the graft just about, or a little below, the surface. Thorns of large size I saw off the stocK some three or four feet above the ground, and insert two grafts; these generally take readily and come sooner to maiunty. 1 have tried different varieties of Peur on the haw ar.d have never failed of sutxess. For further par ticulars I must refer your ^•,orres^Jon<^ent, Mr, J , to your corresiiondent of Torch Hill, Ga., “the King of Pears.” D. P. Mount Zion, Ga., Sept., 1850, THE SCUPPERNONH A TRUE NATIVE GRAPE, «fec. Editors Southern Cultivator — In your September number, page 278, under the caption of “Grape Culture in Florida,” you publish an extract from J. Fiske Allen’s “Practical Treatise on the Culture and Manag- ment of the Grape Vine,” containing extracts of two let- ters from “Plon. A. G. Semmes,” of Florida, to the author of that book. Some of the statements of the enormous growth of grafts of the foreign vine in the first season up to the end of June, and the size of clusters (8 1-2 pounds) on a graft 1 of Muscat, of Alexandia, seem almost incredible to us who, living further north, have never had experience of what a Florida sun can do. There is one statement, however, given with a good dear of positiveness, which we cannot suffer to pass un- noticed, as conveying error, and only serving to create more confusion and uncertainty, in the history and no- menclature of our American grapes. When such state- ments get into books written expressly for instruction, and by those who profess themselves competent to in- struct, they become fair subjects of criticism. “Among the native varieties, the most valuable, I con- sider the Scuppernong, which cannot be cultivated at the North. It is claimed to be a native of North Carolina. This is a mistake. It is a Grecian Grape, known there as the Alaric, and from which the finest wines of Greece are made.” This is the first and only time we have ever heard the parentage and nationality of the Scuppernong brought into question. Its history is so recent, and the fact of its having originated in North Carolina so universally ad- mitted, that it would have been superfluous to reiterate it, except for the sake of counteracting this erroneous state- men. Were its history entirely unknown, its Botanical character at once and forever settles the question of its origin. All the grapes of Europe and Asia are hermaphrodite in their inflorescence — this is, they bear perfect or fertile flowers, with stamens and pistils inclosed in the same corolla. All the American grapes are dicecio-polygam- ous— that is, some vines bear a staminate or barren flow- ers ; others perfect or fertile flowers. Those who have planted the Scuppernong know that the seedlings come under the decisive characteristic of American vines. Between the Scuppernong as now cultivated, and the wild Bullace, Bullet or Bull Grape of the woods, vitU vul- pina, Linn., ( V rotundifolia Af*.) there is no botanical difference, and any competent botanist in any part of the world, with specimens of the tw’o before him in all stages of their growth, flowering and maturing of the fruit, would, so pronounce. 1 he color and flavor of the berry, in which only it differs from these in the woods, are acciden- tal qualities, originating in some “sport of nature” and the vine having these qualities Ifes been propagated by grafts, cuttings and layers. If a seed of the Scuppernong is planted, it most generally bears a dark colored berry, showing its tendency to revert to the original form. It is by the same course of reasoning that we know the par- entage of the Isabella, Catawba and other native grapes. They pieserve their botanical characters, which enable us to identify them with species which grow wild in our woods, and whether the hitiory of their exact birth place IS lost or not, we have characters remaining to certify of their American origin. There are one or two minor errors against which wc must protest before closing these remarks. They are given in so positive a manner that there shou'd have b ea no d-'ubt of their correctness, before they were committed to paper. 314 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR, “The vine (Scuppernong) is never pruned. It prunes itself. The knife is fatal to it.” The Scuppernong is generally said not to need pruning but there can be no doubt that a judicious thinning out of the branches when they are much crowded, would im- prove the quality of the fruit as it does in all other fruit- bearing trees, shrubs, or vines. At any rate, we can deny that the “knife is fatal,'’ seeing that we used it last winter quite freely in thinning the branches of ours, and the eifect was an increased luxuriance in the remaining branches, and larger fruit. “And, unlike other grape vines, it will not strike root from a cutting, being propagated exclusively by layers.” So we had always heard and believed, until told by a neighbor of his having been successful. In January last, we planted out twenty cuttings of Scuppernong. Most of them commenced to push out their buds and looked as promising as other cuttings, when the frost of the early part of April, killed all but six, which are now alive and going finely with shoots from a few inches to a fpot or more in length. R. Aiken, S. C., Sept. 1, 1859. THE POMOEOGICAIi RESOURCES OF THE South. An Essay, read before the '^American Pomological So- ciety,” at its Seventh Session, held at Mozart Hall, in the city of New York, Sept. 14, 15 and 16, 1858. BY D. REDMOND, ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF THE “ SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR.” The Pomology of the South is, in many respects, quite peculiar and distinct ; and , as our section has heretofore scarcely been represented in your honorable and useful body, it may not be improper, at this time, to offer to the Society a brief statement of our experience with the dif- ferent kinds of cultivated fruits — some hints on the proper modes of culture for the South — notices of our Southern seedling varieties, &c., &c. APPLE. A great deal of error and misapprehension has hereto- fore existed in regard to the capacity of the South for the production of the Apple; and, even now, you will find thousands of intelligent persons. North and South, who fully believe that it is impossible to raise winter apples in the South, and that it is necessary to look to the North for a supply of winter” varieties. The labors of a few zealous promologists in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and other sections of the South, however, within the past eight or ten years, have brought to our notice a large number of native Southern apples : mostly, perhaps, chance “wildings,” but many known to have been carefully planted from the seed and fruited by the Indians and the early white settlers of the country. The best varieties of these seedlings have gen- erally been found in the mountainous and middle portions of the Carolinas and Georgia," though excellent late sorts have also been produced in Mississippi, Alabama, and the southern and lower portion of the States before mention- ed. Many of these native Southern Apples are superior in size, flavor and appearance, and fully equal in keeping properties, to the very best Apples of the North or of Eu- rope ; and it may, therefore, be taken for granted that the South can raise Apples in abundance and of the very best quality, if her people will only select their own native varieties, and cultivate them properly. Indeed, after many years experience in the South, with nearly every variety of fruit, we are prepared to rank the Apple as the surest and most reliable of all our fruits, except the Grape, and one which seems to adapt itself very readily to all soils and localities. "We have seen, the present season, thrifty and vigorous trees, loaded with fine fruit, from the low- lands of the seacoast, in the neighborhood of Savannah, to the mountain summits of Tennessee ; and no v/here in the South have we known the Apple to fail, when it has received anything like proper attention. It would, per- haps, be difficult to give a selection of varieties adapted to the entire South ; but we think the following can hard- ly fail to succeed in most sections. (We may here remark, that nearly or quite all the early summer varieties of the North do well with us; but that the Northern Fall and Winter sorts, especially the latter, are of no value what- ever in our climate, as the heat of our Spring months forces them into premature ripening, and causes them to fall from the tree and decay. The South must, therefore, look to her own native Seedlings for long-keeping varieties of the Apple, and a proper selection cf these cannot fail to be successful, as all experience has proved. The “ Shockley” apple, a Georgia seedling, has often been kept in perfection from November to June ; and the “Car- ter,” an Alabama seedling, will hang on the tree in that latitude (32°,) sound, crisp and firm, until Christmas, or even the first week of January.) SELECT LIST OF APPLES FOR THE SOUTH. Summer Varieties: Northern — Red Astrachan, Early Harvest, Sweet Bough, Early Joe, Red Margaret, Early Strawberry, etc. Southern— YqWo^ May, Julian, Caro- lina Red June, Family, Wonder, Aromatic, Defiance, Yellow Haas, Green Hass, [miscalled “Horse,”] Nan- tehalee, Summer Sweet, Farrar’s Summer, etc. Autumn Varieties : Northern — Rome Beauty, Smoke House, Talpahocking, etc. Southern — Batchelor, Caro- lina Greening, Disharoon, Taunton, World’s Wonder, Yopp’s Favorite, Black Warrior, Kennedy, Rhode’s Orange, Autumn Wine Apple, etc. Winter Varieties : all Southern— Ahx8i.m, Augustine, Blackshear, Buff, Bryar’s Red, Boatman’s, Battlefield, Buncombe, Carolina Russett, Cherokee Red, Cloud, Cook’s Red, Carter, Camak’s Sweet, Chestatee, Culla- whee, Cullasaga, Davis, Equinetely, Elgin, Kpting’s Winter, Epting’s Premium, Gully, Green Crank, Gordon’s Seedling, Golden Pippin, Greening (Southern,) Greening (Pomaria,) Hoover, Hall, Hammond, Hameter’s Late, Holly, Henley, Holladay’s Seedling, Junaluskee, King Tom, Kittageskee, Lexington, Lorick’s Cluster, Lever, Late Striped (Summer’s,) Limber Twig, Mill’s, Mead’s Keeper, Meadow Woods, McDowell’s Winter, Mangum, Myers’, Maverick’s Sweet, Moultrie’s Winter, Mattamus- keec, Nickajack, Neverfail, Nonpareil, Nix’s Green, Ne- quassa. Oblong Crab, Oconee Greening, Perkins, Pear- main (Clark’s,) Carolina Pippin, Pippin (Albemarle,) Abram’s Pippin, Brock’s Pippin, Peake’s Red, Peake’s Yellow, Price, Pound, Red Warrior, Rabun, Residence, Rhyne, Ralph, Salem, Shockley, Stevenson’s Winter, Santa, Strother, Selma, Santouchee, Tryon, Tenderskin, Thurmond, Wall, Wateree, Wilfong, Walker’s Yellow, Yellow Crank, Yahoola, Yates. From the foregoing list, embracing nearly one hundred varieties of native Southern Winter Apples, of superior excellence, it will be seen that our pomologists have not been wholly idle, and that we have, at least, inaugurated something like a momenclature and classification of Apples adapted to our section. At a late meeting of the Georgia Pomological Society, held at Athens, there were exhibited five hundred and sixty-eight lots of fruit, inclu- ding seventy-four varieties of apples, one hundred and forty-four of pears, ninety-nine of peaches, thirty-four of plums, eleven of grapes, and other fruits in proportion — all of which we cannot but regard as highly encouraging, when we consider the very brief existence of the Society, and the little interest heretofore manifested in the culture of the finer varieties of fruit. The Apple, so far as our observation extends, is liable SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 315 to no diseases of any consequence ; and may be consid- ered a safe and profitable tree for extensive planning, es- pecially if the native (Southern) Winter varieties ‘ are selected. The Summer varieties ripening at the same time with the strawberry and the peach, have the supe- rior flavor of these frnits to contend with, and are not, therefore, as desirable, or so much sought after. The same feeling of dependence upon other sections, and distrust of our own resources, which has heretofore prevented the extensive culture of the apple, has retarded the planting of the Pear i though wherever this delicious frit has been fairly tried, it has attained a size and flavor elsewhere seldom known. Indeed, we have much reason to believe, that in the South only is the Pear destined to ar- rive at its highest development and perfection ; and that it can there be grown with that certainty and profit which alone justify the care and attention which this somewhat fastidious and exacting tree demands. Most of thelead- infi varieties known and cultivated at the North, succeed well in the South, either as dwarfs or standards, the prin- ciple requisites being deep, mellow and careful culture, and the training of the top of the tree very low and spreading, for the purpose of shading the trunk of the tree and the earth over the roots, from the scorching and blistering rays of the sun. With this system, and a libe- ral enrichment of the soil by proper fertilizers, the Pear with us does not seem to be liable to any diseases of suf- ficient consequence to deserve mention. We have not, as yet, succeeded in producing many Southern seedling Pears of marked excellence, though we doubt not that we shall be as fortunate as we have been with the apple, when the attention of our pomologists is more fully di- rerected toward the production of fine new sorts from seeds. The example of our distinguished friend. Dr. L. E. Berckmans, and many others, in raising from seed and planting large Pear orchards of all the established varie- ties, in various parts parts of the South, will, we trust, give quite an impetus to the culture of this magnificent fruit. The South is the true home of the Peach ; and it attains with us, undoubtedly, its very highest degree of perfec- tion. It has long been, and is yet, the favorite fruit of the people, no less for its intrinsic excellence, than for the ease with which it may be propagated from seed, and the early period at which it comes into bearing. Thousands of the very finest seedling Peaches, unnamed and com- paratively unknown, are scattered throughout the South, along the roadsides, in the open fields, and in the remote corners of fences and hedges. The tree will sometimes bear fruit the second year from the seed, and always the third year; and when “worked,” succeeds well either grafted or budded. Our nurserymen have many very superior sorts, almost unknown at the North or else- where, a few of the best of which I will mention : Ame- lia, Early Columbia, Baldwin’s Late, Canary, Exquisite, Golden Ball, Lady Parham, Pocahonta, Elmira, Tecumseh, Julia, Bordeaux Cling, Eaton’s Gold,Flewellen, Mitchell’s Mammoth, Griswold, Henrietta, O’Gwynne, White Globe, and many others. But perhaps the most attractive and valuable of our late additions to the list of fine peaches, is the “Honey Peach,” of China, one of the most delicious of all fruits, which cannot fail to become popular wher- ever it is known, and will succeed. The Peach tree, however, even in our favored clime, has many enemies, and is liable to numerous disasters. Among the first is the borer {cegeria ezitiosa,') v/hich is generally very destructive. The use of boiling water, poured free- : ly into a basin-shaped cavity at the “collar” of the tree ! ^ to destroy grubs already formed,) and the planting of | clumps of the common tansy vulgar o') immediately around the trunk, as a preventive, have beSn found eflicacious in some cases. But the most practicable and easy plan of destroying the borer, where the Peach is largely cultivated, will be found to be the removal, in the fall, of the earth for the space of a foot, and the depth of from three to six inches, exposing the stem and “col- lar” of the tree to the action of the frosts of winter ; this cavity to be refilled in the spring with fresh earth, heap- ing it up into a conical mound, to the heighth of ten or twelve inches around the trunk, with a spadeful of sand, mixed with salt, lime and sulphur, and allowing it to re- main so until fall again. We have tested this method for some years past, and cordially recommend it to the public. Upon the first removal of the earth, if any borers are found in the tree they can be destroyed with the point of a sharp, slender knife-blade; and if the system above indicated is regularly kept up, it will seldom be necessary to resort to that somewhat dangerous tool afterwards. The berries of the “Pride of India” or “China Tree” {Melia Azedaradi) placed in the cavity around the bole or trunk of the tree, are also said to act as a preventive of the borer. When the Peach tree receives anything like proper culture or attention, in our climate, it is liable to few or no diseases ; and is far more thrifty and long-lived than in Northern latitudes. We have no “yellows,” nor simi- lar malady ; and all that is necessary to keep the tree in perfect health, is judicious pruning (“shortening in”) and frequent stirring of the surface soil around it. We generally find it no disadvantage to raise crops of field peas, melons or sweet potatoes in our Peach orchards, provided the refuse of the crop (stalk, leaves, &c.,) is left on the ground, and the growth of foul grasses and weeds prevented by constant culture. The greatest draw- back on Peach raising in the South, is the liability of the fruit to be cut off by the late Spring frosts. The warm weather of February and early March, generally forces our Peach trees into blossom ; and it too often happens that the succeeding frosts destroy the crop utterly, and blast the hopes of the cultivator. The fruit is seldom destroyed in the blossom, and never while the buds are dormant during the winter. The most trying and critical period, with us, is during the early part of April, after the blossom has dropped, and the fruit is about the size of a pea : though we have seerT the crop destroyed at a still later period. We are not aware that any economical and practicable plan of saving our Peach crop from Spring frosts has yet been discovered, though partial success has attended the building of smouldering fires in the orchard, the retarding of the time of blooming, by pruning (“short- ening in”) just as the buds begin to swell, covering the ground around the tree with a heavy mulch of leaves, straw, &c. We cannot consider the peach crop as gene- rally certain oftener than three years in five ; and yet, with this serious drawback, it has been found very profit- able, by those who have railroad and other easy access to our prominent seaports, to plant very largely for the New York market, which has been supplied to a conside- rable extent during the past four or five years, with early peaches from Georgia and South Carolina. We have in the South, for home consumption, an almost constant succession of Peaches (mostly native seedlings) from the middle of June to the first of November— from four to five months— and, were there sufficient demand, could readily ship this fruit to the North during the greater part of that time. [concluded in NOVEMBER NUMBER,] Men long inured to vice, and habituated to folly, afford rare instances of reformatio;; • youth is the proper season. 316 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. CRAPE CULTURE — LONG AND SHORT , Training. It will be seen from the following discussion at the August meeting of the Cincinnati Agricultural Society, that the weight of opinion there is decidedly in favor of giving our native Grape vine more room both above and below ground. Notice the remarks of Messrs. Addis, Wells and Dickinson, which we consider especially applicable to Grape Culture in the South. It must be remembered that our long season and hot sun are particu- larly favorable to the full development of the saccharine principle of the Grape, and that, in comparison with ours, the wines of the West are at best quite thin and sour : “At the request of the President, Mr. Buchanan stated that the Grape crop was now quite promising. The crop was better than any since 1853, but not quite so good as in that year. The wood was beginning to ripen, and there was nothing to fear but hail storms. He had found no difference on the trellis or in the vineyard — in long or in short pruning. He had cultivated some vines much, some not at all — no variation as to rot, but those which Viiere properly pruned according to general plan, and cultivated, were the best with him. The more wood the more grapes ; but how would they ripen most suitably for wine I He has as much rot on arbors as in the field. Mr. Petticolas observed that Grapes touching the wall, ne had found, would not rot — attributable to the absorp- tion of moisture and emis sion of heat from buildings, &c. Mr. Haseltine said that he had noticed Grapes on Dr. Smith’s old place, trained and growing in every way — long and short pruned— some covering trees, others trail- ing the ground— but those immediately against the house were the best. Some on trellises adjoining the house had rotted badly. Mr. Rentz said that he had a good crop, and endorsed what Mr. Buchanan had said. Mr. Mosher confirmed all that Mr. Buchanan had ex- perienced as relating to the Grape on his own place, Latonia Springs. He would merely add that he had half an acre which had been left late, and not tied up, or trim- med properly as he thought, and the Grapes there had rotted the worst. Mr. Addis said that at Cheviot, of those tied to stakes in the old way, one-half had rotted. With his own long pruned, and laterals not cut, but tied up, they were not so badly rotted. Mr. Whitmore’s, on the trellises, were exempt from rot. He considered that probably one of the best rnetucds for success would be to distribute viue^. on trellises, and long pruned and trimmed on long poles, or somewhat in that way, and he believed ten acres would produce as much as twenty-five would in the common vineyard fashion. But Grapes, particularly in this way, must be well fed. Witness the Hampton Court vine, in England, which produced two thousand clusters a year, and extended over a very large space, and its great bear- ing and size was attributable to its roots having run into a vault of great capabilities of affording to it nutrition. Mr. Wells had trained grapes for twelve years on trel- lises, as long as possible, and produced twice the amount of the vineyard method on the same space— sixty-five clusters on forty feet. They always ripened well. Mr. D. L. Dickenson observed that the trimming v/as generally too close. He knew a Connecticut vine yield fifteen to twenty-five bushels, covering two large porches and roof of a house. He thought the vineyard Grape should be grown twenty feet apart, and trailed along crosswise. They would produce greatly more and heal- thier fruit, freer from rot. Dr. IVfosher impressed upon the members that pruning would not produce fruit of sufficiently fine quality for wine. The juice would probably be ten degrees lighter, one vine should not produce more than ten or twelve good clusters for wine. For sale, for the table, of course would be different ; then prune long for quantity, but instead of wine you would probably have something more like vine- gar, and sugar is not admissible. Mr. Wells differed from Dr. Mosher; he never drank better wine, and so said his friends than from Grapes trained long. In this case, however, he was for giving the vines “high living.” Dr. Warder stated that Mr. J. Werk, a distinguished vine grower, had not found long pruning profitable for wine. NATIVE VINEYARDS AND CHEAP LANDS OF Arkansas. A very intelligent gentleman of Arkansas, in a private letter to one of the Editors of this journal, says : “The lands about which I wrote to you some time since are being taken up very rapidly by settlers, under the Graduation Law, at 25 cents per acre. This land all lies v/ell, and is susceptible of a very high state of improve- ment. Lands lying over G miles from Pine Blufif can be entered at 12 1-2 cents per acre. As only actual settlers can enter this land, and each person can only enter 320 acres, the land is worth from Sbto’SlOas soon as en- tered and secured. On some bodies of this land I can gather more grapes on eighty acres than can be gathered on any but the very largest vineyards in Georgia. These would be almost entirely of the Black Grape, which cor- respond very nearly to the Black July, described in your pamphlet on Grape Culture, but ripens in August. I re- peat my opinion that these hill lands of Arkansas are the very best lands for a vineyard in the United States. There would be no necessity for importing a single grape for the vineyard, as all could be procured on the ground, of the best native Grapes. The soil evidently suits the grape, as proved by the fact that the grapes do grow all over its surface, and bear profusely. These lands are eminently accessible, being within a few miles of the Arkansas River, and within a few hours of Little Rock and Pine Bluff, and a few days of New Orleans by steamboat. They are cheap, and can be entered at from 12 1-2, 25 to 75 cents per acre under the Graduation Act by actual settlers.” Rhubarb Champagne. — We are indebted to a friend in Cincinnati for an opportunity of tasting the celebrated J, iiic., uiuLuiwiCiUitd by Mi’, v* . Eshslby, of Cincinnati, from the ordinary Rhubarb or Pie Plant. In taste and flavor it closely resembles Sparkling Ca- tawba, except that it leaves a slightly bitter and astringent taste in the mouth, which prevents its being insipid. It is very clear and beautiful, and put up in precisely the same style as the best French Champagnes. We under- stand from our friend, who is entirely disinterested, that it commands a ready sale at nearly the same rates as the Sparkling Catawba. — Gardener'' s Monthly , of Philadel- phia. [The Rhubarb, or Pie Plant, grows well in the South, on low, moist, rich grounds, and is also very valuable for the making of pies and tarts, early in the spring, before any of our fruits are ripe. “Cahoon’s Mammoth,” “Lin- noeus,” “Downing’s Colossal” and “Victoria,” are all choice varieties. See White’s “Gardening for the South,” pp, 253-6, where full directions are given for its culture. — Eds.] SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 317 PEACHES FOR THE SOUTH. Tested and recommended, by R. Peters, Atlanta ^ Go,. The time of ripening, riiore especially of the earlier and later sorts, vanes greatly from year to year — influ- enced by soil, locality, age of the tree, weather, cultiva- tion, &c. Early Tillotson, for instance, in 1858, ripened in Mis- sissippi June 6; in Macon, Georgia, June 15; inGranite- ville, South Carolina, June 15; Atlanta, Georgia, June 23; and this season it ripened in Graniteville, South Carolina, July 4; and in Atlanta, Georgia, July 12. Peach Trees propagated at the South, are entirely ex- empt from that destructive disease, known as the “yel- lows,” to which Northern grown trees are so liable. The only enemy of the Peach Tree at the South, is the Peach Tree Borer, (jEgeria exiiiosa) and this insect, so destructive to our Southern orchards, can readily be ex- terminated in two or three seasons by banking the earth around each tree, during the month of May, to the depth of teri|or twelve inches, allowing it to remain until early in November, when it should be scraped from the tree, ex- posing the collar and the main roots to the frosts of winter. The Borer, in its moth or egg-laying stage, is, by the above process, forced to deposit its eggs on the dry hard bark of the tree, where a few worm.s that hatch and es- cape the frosts of winter, are readily reached by the knife of the orchardist. In Atlanta, Georgia, the first moths of the Borer make their appearance early in June, and from that on to October, each crop requiring about twelve months to pass through the several stages from the egg to the moth. No. 1. Early Tillotson — Ripe June 15th to 25th; size, medium; freestone; flesh white ; the best for market pur- poses of the very early varieties, and deservedly popular at the South for its productive properties, its fine flavor and handsome appearance. No. 2. Early York — Ripe June 21st to 30th ; size, me- dium; freestone; flesh white; a very delicious peach, but rather too delicate for marketing. No. 3. Cole's Early — Ripe June 23d to 1st July; size, medium; freestone; flesh white; a handsome showy peach of fine flavor. No. 4. Fay's Early Ann — Ripe June 25th to 1st July ; size medium ; freestone ; flesh white ; a very pretty peach, of superior flavor. No. 5. Troth's Eo,Tly — Ripe 28th of June to 5th July; size, medium ; freestone; flesh white and firm, v/ell adapt- ed tc niUriictirig. No. 6. Early -Ripe July 1st to 12th ; size, large; freestone; flesh white; one of the best of its sea- son, firm and of good quality. No. 7. Eliza — Ripe July 3d to 10th ; size, large ; free- stone; flesh yellow ; a very productive and desirable va- riety. No. 8. George /F— Ripe July 5th to 15th ; size, large; freestone ; flesh white ; one oi the best, most showy and delicious of peaches. No. 9. Grosse Mignonne—K\T^t July 5th to 15th ; size, large; freestone; flesh white; by many persons consid- ered the best peach in cultivation. No. 10. Chinese Cling — Ripe July 6th to 20th ; size, very large ; clingstone ; flesh white ; a new variety re- cently introduced from China, of good quality, valuable for marketing. No. 11. Crawford's Early — Ripe July Gth to 20th; size, very large; freestone; flesh yellow; a magnificent peach of good quality and deservedly popular as a market variety. No, 12. Early Newington— July 16 to 25; size, medium to large; semi-ding; flesh white; a truly deli- cious and beautiful peach, worthy of a place in every orchard. No. 13. Georgia Cling~R\)pt July 16 to 25; size, me- dium to large ; clingstone ; flesh white ; a Georgia seed- ling of great merit, possessing size, beauty and quality ; one of the earliest and best clings in cultivation. No. 14. Vanzo,ndt's Suyerh—Rix^t July 18 to 26; size, medium to large ; freestone ; flesh white ; a magnificent peach of the highest flavor, and in every respect a deci- ded acquisition. No. 15. Lemon Cling— July 18 to 28; size, large; clingstone; flesh yellow; a beautiful lemon-shaped va- riety, excellent for marketing and preserving. No. 16. Brevoort's Ripe July 20 to 25; size, large; freestone; flesh white; one of the highest flavored peaches in cultivation. No. 17. Old Mixon Cling — Ripe July 25 to August 5; size, medium to large; clingstone; flesh white; truly delicious, rich and melting ; should be in every collec- tion. No. 18. Susquehanna — Ripe July 25 to Aug. 5 ; size, very large; semi-clingstone; flesh yellow ; a seedling from Pennsylvania; a very attractive peach of good qual- ity ; capital for marketing. . No. 19. Flevrellen—Ript Augusts to 12; size medium; clingstone; flesh red; a seedling from middle Georgia, where it ranks as the best cling in cultivation. No. 20. Crawford,' s Late— Rx'^q August 2 to 10; size, large; freestone; flesh yellow ; a superb peach of fine flavor. No. 21. Buckner's Red — Ripe August 1 to 20; size, large to very large; semi-clingstone; flesh yellow; a seed- ling from middle Georgia, of great merit; a very showy, remarkable keeper, and, therefore, valuable as a market variety. No. 22. Camak's Newington — Ripe August 4 to 16; size, medium ; clingstone ; flesh white ; one of the best, if not the very best of the August clings ; a great bearer and valuable for all purposes. No. 23. Old Mixon Free — Ripe August 6 to 12 ; size, large; freestone; flesh white ; moderately productive and of good flavor. No. 24. Druid Hill — Ripe Aug. 8 to 18; size, large; freestone ; flesh white ; a truly luscious and attractive variety ; should be in every collection. No. 25. Brown's Free — Ripe August 11 to 20; size, very large ; freestone ; flesh white ; a showy peach ; val- uable for marked ng. No. 26. \Viiiie English — Ripe August 16 to 25 ; size, medium to large ; clingstone ; flesh white ; a seedling from upper Georgia ; very popular with the Ladies for pre- serving. No. 27. Abbott's Late—R\^Q August 16 to 26; size, large ; freestone ; flesh pink, firm and of fine flavor. No. 28. Po,ce — Ripe August 18 to 29 ; size large to very large ; freestone ; flesh yellow striped with red ; a well known Georgia seedling of the Indian Peach class, and by many persons highly valued. No. 29. Tinlcy's Superb — Ripe August 21 to 30 ; size, very large; freestone; flesh of a bright orange; a seed- ling from the Pace — a magnificent and luscious variety. No. 30. Ward's Late — Ripe August 25 to 30; size, medium to large ; freestone ; flesh white ; one of the best flavored of the August freestone peaches. No. 31. Clark's September — Ripe September 3d to 12th; size, large ; clingstone; flesh white; a very beautiful and high flavored seedling from DeKalb county, Georgia. No. 32. LaGrangc — Ripe September 5th to 18th; size, medium to large; freestone: flesh white; decidedly an acquisition. 318 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. No, 33. President Church— September 15th to 25th; size, medium ; freestone; flesh white; a seedling of Athens, Georgia, and there highly prized. No, 34. Alberge Cling — Ripe September 21st to 30th; size, large; clingstone; flesh yellow; of fine flavor and showy exterior. No. 35. Eliza Thomas — Ripe October 1st to 20th; size, very large; clingstone; flesh white; a seedling from the garden of Mr. T, L. Thomas of Atlanta, Georgia ; very productive, of fine quality ; decidedly valuable. No, 36, 'Nix^s Late — Ripe October 6th to 20th ; size, large ; clingstone ; flesh white ; a seedling from Newton county, Georgia ; valued for preserving and marketing. No, 37. Calloway Cling — Ripe October 10th to 25th; size, medium ; clingstone ; flesh white ; a peach of capi- tal flavor and handsome exterior. No. 38, Baldwin's Late — Ripe October 25th to Novem- ber 10th; size, medium; freestone; flesh white; a seed- ling from Alabama, variable in size and quality, but often handsome and of fine flavor; the premium peach of the Georgia State Fair, October, 1858. No, 39. Cowards Late — Ripe October 25th to Novem- ber 15th; size medium; clingstone; flesh white ; a seed- ling from lower Georgia ; one of the very best late clings; of a rich creamy color and good flavor; may be kept un- til December. No. 40. Cherry's November — Ripe November 1st to 15th, size, medium ; clingstone ; flesh white; a seedling from West Point, Georgia, often of excellent quality, but varia- ble, like all of the very late peaches. THE APPLE IN MIDDLE GEORGIA. Editors Southern Cultivator — Among the Fables that adorn our literature, I know of none whose moral op- portunities have been so signally perverted as that of which I am about to speak. An irate Orchardist, of mature years, finds a lad with horticultural proclivities, in the head of his Apple Tree, engaged in sampling the fruit. Without offering to aid in his education by giving him wider opportunity to compare specimens, he presents him, first, with a totally indifferent Botanical production ; and when “the young (green apple) sauce-box tells him plainly that he will not (come down) ; gets up a Geologi- cal demonstration of the most violent character, vsA fetches him down with a “rock.” When we remember that the youth of this Republic are trained to hold their faces during the above recital, exact- ly as though their sympathies were profoundly enlisted in behalf of the injured excellence under the tree, and as though combined “jorum” and “galoric” were a mild mix- ture for the boy in it ; and when we reflect that human sympathy, being of the nature of a wild asses* colt, shy and stubborn, can only be foreed at the hazard of hy- pocrisy, we may begin to tremble for the foundations of the social fabric On the oUier hand, had that Fable been so constructed as to illustrate the charming interest which old age should take in the pursuits of youth ; and the still more charming respect due from youth, who eats fruit, to old age, who raises it, we would have had by this time, a much larger number of intelligent Pomologists and ingenuous youth, than we are likely, within any reasonable period, to be blest with. To have model orchardists, v/e must adopt the rule which prevails as to the orchard ; that is, we must begin v/ith very young plants. We should be very careful to relieve the character of any fruit from imputations of sevile wrath and juvenile stone-bruises ; for these, being the “fun of the thing,” enter so largely into its flavor, as materially to impair the nice discrimination in matters of taste which it is our business to cultivate. Children of all ages have a singular propensity to injure fruit trees, especially in respect of knocking the bark off. True, they have herein not only the illustrious example of Washington, but the published precepts of certain more modern cultivators. As it is probable, however, that a tree is a little better off for its bar’k, especially in a rabbit country, a due regard should be had to this in the rearing of our young nursery-man. A child (of any age) that “chunks” a tree, should be taught, on the spot by a twigular application of “lex talionis” that the tree can hurt back. There is, however, very little difficulty in establishing a mutual good understanding between a child and a fruit tree. The foundations of it are laid deep in the nature of things, and they will not disappoint the generous care that judiciously builds thereon. Give the child a tree. Let it be a marvel of its kind for thrift, beauty and productiveness. Guard it like Argus ; let him perform every manual operation conducive to its welfare; and do you see that nothing is neglected that shall insure the earliest success — for early success is alife- long stimuloMt. Then, if you shall fail to see a develop- ment in the boy’s mental and physical nature, commen- surate v/ith the care and expense, you still have in re- serve the pop-gun and the poney, the plantation and hands, the idleness and isolation to which his nature con- demns and qualifies him. It sometimes seems as though there was no place for the moiety of the rising generation. The profession crowd- ed ad nauseam ; the governmental offices beyond an honest man’f hope, or a decent man’s desire ; and daily labor under our Southern sun, a condition to which no father would condemn his child, if he could help it; yet, if one were called upon to select an entirely new business, on which to predicate the future of his offspring, I don’t know of one to which he should more seriously incline than that which both the soil and climate as well as taste and temper concur to make the most delightful, and which the want, alone, of proper knowledge and early training fails to make the most profitable— I mean, of course, fruit raising. Isn’t it time to raise Fruit Raisers 7 T. Torch-Hill, 1859. GRAPES — A SUCCESSION. A very careful amateur, who cultivates the Grape near Atlanta, Ga., gives us the following list and time of ripen- ing there. With us, the same varieties are from one to three weeks earlier : “Leaving out Foreign Grapes, and with the lights be- fore me, I would adopt, for a succession of crops, the fol- lowing list. Remember that Black Hamburg has been truly splendid; so has Purple Hamburg and several others of that class : Lenoir, 25th of July to 10th of August, Concord, 1st of August to 15th, Diana, 5th of August to 20th. Delaware, 1st of August to 25th. Catawba, 10th of August to 15th of September. Elsinboro, 15th of August to 30th of September. Norton’s Seedling, 20th of August to 1st of October. Warren, 1st of September to 15.h of October.” Fair of the Cotton Planter’s Association. — Ar- rangements are now making to hold a Fair in this city, on the first week in December. We learn that the neces- sary funds far premiums, fixtures, &c., are mostly raised. V/e have not seen the general programme, and, therefore, cannot now give the particulars. Macon will, no doubt, do her best to sustain her former reputation in such mat- ters.— Macon Journal cf* Messenger, Aug 1“. SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 319 JOHANMSBERG WINE— ITS ORIGIN, &c. Translated from the '■^Courier des Etals Unisf by L. E B. In* the year 1716, the Domain of Johannisberg, now in the possession of the family Metternich, was left to the Abbott Princes Fuldes. One of those Princes who governed from afar this property, forgot, in 1724, to order I the vintage to take place. The grapes were rotting on the vines, when they concluded to pick them ; and, to the great surprise of all, the best wine came from those over- ripened grapes. Ever since, the grapes are picked as late as possible, and iht. dead-ripe berries kept separate from the others. I It is from those slightly rotten berries that the great wine ’ is made, called Potentate Winef because it is reserved for the cellars of kings and sovereigns. A bottle of that I wine is sold, on the spot, from 4 to 6 dollars, when it can be bought at all. [How would that do for some of our grapes '? How would it do to let the grapes wither upon a thin layer of straw, after picking, and then press the reduced and con- crete berry, as it is done with the Vinde Paille, of Saint Perray, which sells at 2 and 2 1-4 dollars in Burgundy, where it is made — a high price for that country I— Eds ] Grapes, &c., in Ohio. — Robt. Buchanan, Esq., of Cincinnati, Ohio, writes us under date of Aug. 12 : “The Grape crop in the Ohio Valley promises to be very large — the largest since 1853. The season for rot is now over, and we have nothing to dread but hail storms. Our vintage this season will be two weeks earli- er than usual. “The Apple crop is small, but one-fourth of an average. The Pear but little better, say one-third. The Peach about half a crop. Quince, abundant.” GERMAN AGRICUETURE. In the prosecution of our inquiries as to the relations of labor and land, we addressed some questions to a gentle- man in the town of Tritilar, near Cassel, in Electoral, Hesse, Germany. An extract from this letter, in answer to our questions, will be found below.- Southern Agricul- ture has, as yet, but one settled principle, and that is to icrest from the soil the greatest possible annual return. We have learned, from the waste of our capital in the ex- haustion of our soil, that this principle is ruinous. We have erred. What are our errors'? How shall we re- pair them '? These are questions of moment. It will aid us in their solution, thoroughly to inform ourselves of the practice of those who have brought their landed estate in- to such a condition that it bears a high price, gives a good annual return, and increases constantly in fertility. Hence the inquiries which we are earnestly presenting : Question 1st. What is the current price of land per acre"? 75 to 150 thalers. Question 2d, What is the yearly rent per acre I 3 to 5 thalers. Question 3d. What is the amount of wages per 100 acres 1 200 to 250 thalers. N, B. 1-4, or 25 acres of this considered as pasture and meadow land. Question 4th. How many horses, head of cattle, hogs and sheep are kept per 100 acres 1 2 horses, 2 yoke oxen, 6 to 8 neat cattle, 100 sheep. Question 5th. What is the average yield per acre in wheat, oats, rye, grasses, turnips, potatoes, dc.! Wheat, 2 stacks; oats, 3 stacks; rye, 2 1-2 stacks; turnips and potaioes, 50 to 75 sacks. Question 6th. How many cart loads of manure per acre'? 6 to 8 loads. Question 7th. What animals pay best 7 Horned cattle. Question 8th. What is the current price of wool per cwt'? 50 to 80 thalers. Question 9th, What is the current price of beef? 3 to 5 groschen per lb. Question 10th. What is the current price of pork ? 3 to 5 1-4 groschen per lb. Question 1 lih. What is the current price of mutton? 3 1-4 to 4 groschen per lb. Question T2th. What is the current price of hay? 15 groschen to 1 thaler per cwt. Question 13th. What is the current price of butter and cheese? 6 to 10 groschen per lb. The acre is one hundred and fifty rods. The stack is 50 bundles. The sack is 150 lbs. The cwt. is 100 lbs. The thaler isSGgroschens. The groschen is 2 1-2 cents. Let the Southern planter study the answers to the above questions. They are presumed to apply to Germany generally. The price of land, it will be seen, is materially lower than in England and Belgium, but still greatly higher than it is with us. Observe the proportion of live stock — contrast this proportion with the exhibits of our census returns. Land at about S125 per acre, and yet 2 horses, 4 oxen, 6 to 8 head of other cattle and 100 sheep to the 100 acres. Twenty-five out of the 100 acres in meadow and pasture — yet, hay, mutton and wool sell at a less price than with us. It is certain that land in Germany pays an interest, or it would fall in price. It is certain that a large propor- tion of their crops sell for no higher price than with us. It is equally certain— rating our lands at an average of 10 or 20 dollars per acre — that the same general principles with proper modifications will be attended with greater profit in Southern America than in Europe. And, final- ly, it is certain that land cultivated under the European system, which is cheap, as compared loith ours, becomes better the longer it is cultivated. H. Ventilated Bricks. — They are manufacturing a new kind of brick in the town of Danville, Conn, The brick are three or four times the size of the ordinary brick, and are made of sifted gravel and lime mixed to a certain con- sistency, and then pressed by a simple and powerful machine, and laid in the sun to cure. They have an opening or mortice through them from top to bottom, say five inches long and one and a quarter inches wide, so that when laid the air can circulate through the whole wall. Big Sugar Cane. — In our last number, we mentioned a sugar cane sent us by Mr, Verret, of Bois Mallet, measuring 6 feet high and 5 3-4 inches in circumference. We thought at the time that it was the cane par excellence, but on Monday, we saw, rushing into our office, the man thod never was beat, Dr. Geo, Hill, with a cane which, we must acknowledge, beat Mr. Verret’s easy. Honor be to these two gentlemen, for no finer cane can be produced at this season. — Oupclousas Courier, Aug'iist mh. 320 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. CUllING MEAT — NEW METHOD. It is said that a process has recently been discovered :and a patent secured by Messrs. Paddock and Marsh, of Cincinnati, by which meats of all kinds can be cured and rendered fit for any foreign market in ten minutes time. The process is simple and effective. As soon as the animal is killed, and before being skinned, salt is in- jected through the arteries, and almost immediately the whole animal is impregnated with it. Numerous experi- ments were tried before the object was fully accomplish- ed; but it is believed that now the process is fully per- fected, and the proprietors have entered largely into the packing business at Houston, Texas. Specimens of beef killed and cured within ten minutes, with the thermome- ter at 80 degrees, have been sent on and exhibited at Cincinnati, perfectly sweet, and equal to the best meat cured in the ordinary manner. We find the following interesting communication on this subject, in a late number of the Floridian and Jour- naZ, of Tallahassee: Tallahassee, Aug. 4, 1859. Messrs. Editors In X\iQ Charleston Courier^ of Au- gust 2d, is a notice of a “iVew Method'^ of curing meat, which a certain firm in Cincinnati have obtained a patent. However justly they may be entitled to the pe- cuniary benefits arising from their patent, a personal ad- vantage which in our latitude is not commonly taken by inventors — they cannot rightly claim the distinction of priority in its discovery or practice. It is within a few months of ten years since my friend Lewis LeConte, now deceased, consulted me upon the anatomical possibility of saturating the entire animal by injecting brine through the carotid artery, and after a decided affirmative from me, put into successful practice this now called “new method.” This he continued to do from the winter of 1849-50 to that of 1851-52 inclusive, three successive years. Nor did the idea originate with him ; for, as he i)ld me, he had read that at an Agricultural Pair some- where in Europe, there was exhibited a leg of mutton cured in this way, and the question was then asked,. «‘Why not cure bacon so ’ Intending to attend the Fair of the Southern Central Agricultural Society, held at Macon, Ga., in the fall of 1852, Mr, LeConte had laid by half a dozen of his choic- est hams for exhibition. He would also have made known and explained the process of curing. But, alas for his family and the community in which he lived— for he was one of the most useful and public spirited citizens of Liberty county— the week before the Fair, by a sad and terrible accident his life was suddenly terminated, and the world at large deprived oi this useful information, though in his county it was almost universally known. In April, 1851, I saw him salt three hogs by this pro- cess in about ten minutes, and immediately they were cut up and hung in the smoke-house, then heated with fire and smoke, and all were perfectly cured. I observed the thermometer the same day at 11 o’clock, A. M., and the mercury stood at 80° Fah. Thus the “method” proved successful under the severest test. To many of my friends the above will be but a repeti- tion of facts they have for several years past heard me relate, but to the public generally they may be interest- ing- I will add that the process is by no means difficult, as you will understand when Isay that Mr. LeConte’s negro did it all. Very respectfully, G. Troup Maxwell. [Will Mr. Maxwell behind enough to describe plainly the method of Mr. LeConte, and oblige us, and our readers'! — Eds. NORTH ALABAMA FAIR. The Fair of the North Alabama Agricultural and Me- chanical Association will be held in Decatur^ from the 19th to the 22d of October. The Journal says: “The Fair ground at this place has lately been undergo- ing some improvements, and is now in fine order for the coming exhibition. The location of the ground is a beau- tiful one, commanding an extensive view of the country on every side, and we indulge the belief that all who find it to their interest or pleasure to attend the Fair, will be pleased with the arrangements. “A great deal of interest appears to be manifested in regard to this Fair; and that it will be a most successful one, we have not a doubt. Let our farmers and mechan- ics go into it with a determination to make it an occasion for mutual improvement, and the result undoubtedly will prove a blessing to the entire country. North Alabama is rich in agricultural and mechanical products. On an occasion like this it is highly important that the entire resources of the country, together with the tact, energy and enterprise of her people, should be brought fully into notice. Let all, then, do their best, and we will have such a Fair as has never before been witnessed in this portion of the State, A.nd we will show our brethren of South Alabama, that although we may not be quite so fast in railroad matters, we are not a whit behind them in the cultivation of the soil, or in all the arts that pertain to the improvement of mankind in general.” [Good !] “Northern Tree Peddlers,” &c. — An amateur living on the sea coast of Georgia, writs us : It is a great disappointment to send for a soft June Peach, and after all the trouble of planting, watering, manuring, and trimming, to find the fruit a little, hard, worthless thing, as is the case this year with the trees I got from a certain Nursery at the North, which I do not now name. This has determined me never to be Yankeed again, or send to the North for a fruit tree. The meanest peach on the placeis better than some of those sent me from the above Nursery. Long sounding names as “Imperial Malakoff,” «&c., prove to be a little, hard, worthless peach, that would make a pig grunt if it didn’t squeal. Yours respectfully, W. H. H. Lime in Transplanting Trees.— An English publi- cation says that a large plantation of trees has been formed in that country, v/ithin a few years past, without the loss of a single tree, by putting a small quantity of lime IR the hole when planting the tree. Four bushels of lime are said to be sufficient for an acre. The lime is thor- ougly mixed with the soil, in order that it may be reached by the roots, with equal facility in every direction as its principal effect is to push forward the tree during the first precarious stages of its growth. [Is this true ?— who has tried it '!] Grinding Feed. — “If a machine was invented io grind hay,” says the London Farmer, “the ground article would approximate in value Xo unground oats in producing fat and muscle.” Chopping hay and stalks 's the process ihat comes nearest to grinding, and relieves the animal of iust so much lat)or as it takes to do it T weiity five pounds of dry hay a day is a good deal of work for the. muscles of one pair of jaws, if they have the whole louden <'f its re- duction to small bits and powder; this lalior afl't cts iIkj wturle system, reiardiriu the animal’s growth and tender- mg more food necessary to supply the waste of its tissue; — Country Gent. DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY- TO THE IMPROVEMEOT OF SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE, VOL. XVII. AUGUSTA, GA., , NOVEMBER, 1859. 1 1 1 i j ; i ■ i p WILEIA31 S. JONES, Publisher. i>. REBMOND aul C. W. HOWARD, Editors. o:r= See Terms om Coyer. ^lantotinn ^canninij anii jilisreikn^. HINTS FOR THE MONTH. The Plaxtatiox.— The picking, ginning and baling of the crop should be entirely finished by the mid- dle of this month; in order that the planter, his negroes and anin*ls, may have a little respite and “breathing space'’ before the laLors of the next crop come on. There is no branch of agriculture that requires so much unre- mitting and continuous h^rd work as the making of a good Cotton crop, and the wise and humane planter should avail himself of all the leisure he can obtain, between crops, for relaxation, and the carrying on of various ne- cessary plantation improvements, too ofcen entirely neg- lected. So long as Cotton is cultivated to the almost to- tal exclusion of everything else, we cannot hope for any high degree of rural improvement in the South; but sure- ly, with the advantages of climate and labor which we pos- sess, we can all do much more than we have yet done to improve our lands and beautify our horois. Let us at least make the efiort; and do everything that is possible for the advancement of our higVdy favored region. In the preparation of Cotton for inarket, it will be well to heed our previous suggestion in regard to careful gin- j ning and handling, as the price will depend as much j upon this as upon the natural quality, or length and fine- ‘ ness of the staple. ; SiceeL Potatoes— Cut off the vines as soon as the frost ■ nips them severely ; then dig, and carefully bank or house, i as soon as possible. (See directions in our last number, I page 297.) i Small Grain, such as Barley, Rye, Black, V> inter, and j Egyptian Oats, Wheat broadcast for a field crop, and f Wheat in the drill, for winter and early spring “'soiling” \ or feeding green — all these must now be sown as soon as ! possible. Hardy Winter Grasses, such as Clover, Lu- I cerne, “Stanford’s Wild,” the Tall Oat Grass, &c , &c., ; must, also, be put in the ground at once. Manure heavi- i ly, plow very deep, pulverize finely, and roll in your seed ' with a heavy roller, if you wish to be remunerated for your lime and labor. I Hedges of the Osage Orange, Honey Locust., Spanish I Bayonet, White Macartney and Cherokee Rose, Fortune’s I Yellow Rose, Pomegranate, Jujube Tree, Japan Quince, ; “Mock Orange,” Pyracantha, American Holly, Cedar, I Arbor Yitce, Euonymus Japonica. Privet, &c., &c.. for } defence and ornament, should be set out the present I month, and during the winter. They add greatly to the beauty and value of the homestead, and the Osage Orange, Honey Locust, &c., form the surest p’otection to eur gar- dens, orchards and pleasure grounds, The Orchard, Garden and Nursery- — Fruit Trees, of all the choicest varieties of Southern growth, should be planted now, as soon as the ground is well moistened by the early fail rains. If you delay until spring, you will be too much hurried with other work to give this import- ant matter the proper attention, and it may not be done at all. Prepare the soil for Vineyards, and plant your Grades: now is the best time to set them out. Remember! that all trees (except some Evergreens of the fir tribe) suc- ceed best in the South, when planted in fall or early win- ter—that by planting now, you gain a year in the bear- ing of your Fruit trees, and that, if you will take the pro- per pains at first, there is little to do afterwards. Plant more trees, they “will grow while you're sleeping !’’ Full directions for the transplanting and management of Fruit and Ornamental Trees were given in former num- bers, and may be found in the different Nursery Catalogues of Fruit and Ornamental Trees for the South. Sow Cabbages, Turnips, Parsnips, Carrots, Lettuce, Radishes, &c., &c. If you so-vved Cabbage seed last month, and now have p'ants with .''our or five leaves, lift them carefully and plant them out two inches apart on a bed; which you can cover daring severe frost. They will be the earliest and best for setting out early in the spring. Haul plenty of manure on your garden, have it well spaded, burying under all enriching animal or vese- table matter. Transplant Brocoli, Cabbages, Celery, “Coll.uds.” &c. Dress and manure you r Asparagus beds, not forgetting to give them a liberal top-dressing cf salt before spring — dig the manure in with a fork, which wi'i do less injury to the roots than a spade. Save ah old 322 SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. bones, soap suds, dead leaves, decaying vegetables, &c., and make up into compost heaps for future use. Plow and subsoil your ground for the planting of young orch- ards, and provide a supply of roots and stocks for the propagation of all new and desirable varieties of Fruit adapted to our Southern climate. Recollect, that all ma- nure should be worked in deeply, fresh stable manure in particular. Clean out all trash in the fence corners and other places ; put it in heaps, well mixed with stubbie ma- nure, and have the corniDost ready for spring use. All Flower bulbs, such as Hyacinths, Tulips, Amaryl- lis, Gladiolus, Peonias, and others, should now be planted. Th3 Strawberry Patch.— See remarks in October, number, on soil, planting, &c,, and after the plants have become well rooted, cover the whole ground w'ith partly decomposed leaves from the forest, or even chopped up pine or broom straw, leaving nothing exposed but the leaves and fruit-stalks of the plants. THE KELATION OF EAND TO EABOR. Ix a previous number of this journal %ve have present- ed some views on this subject, based chiefly upon the developments of the “Transactions of the New York Agri- cultural Society.” In the present condition of Southern Agriculture, we do not need so much an increase of labor, as a wise di- rection of that which we possess. For instance, if Mr Gentry, of Missouri, has under fence and causes to pay an annual return of eight dollars per acre, three thousand flve hundred acres of land, with 18 laborers, how much land could one of our large cotton planters use 1 And, if land in the same proportion to labor, that is, 200 acres to the band, were used throughout the South generally, how much of our dead capital would begin to pay an increased interest to the landholder and an increased tax to the State 1 We have no idea, pratically, at the South, how much land a small force can render valuable. Oar land is a drug. Our labor is expensive. It is our policy to use as much as possible of the former and as little as possible of the latter. Yet our system precisely inverts this order— we use much labor and little land. We use less land to the hand than where land is worth 200 to 500 dollars an acre. The State Agricultural Society of New York annually appoints a committee to examine and report upon the farms which are offered in contest for the premiums. Besides the report of the Committee, the statements of the proprie- tors are made under oath and with minuteness. We have previously made some extracts from former volumes of the Transactions, showing the amount of labor be- stowed upon the farms in competition, together with the gross re-sults of sales. "We propose to continue these extracts from the admir- ible and most instructive volume recently sent us. We defy vn intelligent planter to read them without finding some new and unaccustomed thoughts passing through his mind : CHEESE DAIRY FARMS J. S. Jackson’s farm. 165 acres — 40 acres woodland — 3 acres in roads. Gross sales, ^5, 567 58. Labor, S712. This includes the farmer’s own labor, his family labor and hired help with their board. The number of acres worked with the plow Is but fifteen. Among other items of product are 117 tons of hay at $9 per ton— Si, 053.00. This would be worth, any where in Georgia near a town on line of Railroad at S20 per ton — S2,390. Cheese 10,331 pounds at 7 1-2 cts — S774 82. This value would be doubled in Georgia — certainly in the interior of the State. Butter, 1112 pounds at 22 cents— S244 64. The stock kept upon this farm are 4 horses, 46 cattle, 27 sheep and 5 hogs. This farm took the first premium. Norman Gowdy’s Farm. Two hundred and fifty acres -*13 acres in woods. Gross sales, $5,055.69. Paid for labor with board, $838, Ffty two acres in plowed crops, as wheat, &c. — 70 acres in mowing land — 115 acres in pasture. Sheep, “none — near a village exposed to dogs.” Nine head of horses — seven hogs, average weight 250 lbs. Fifty-three head of cattle, ECTTER DAIRY FARMS, J. C. Collins’ farm. One hundred and fifty acres — 90 acres cleared — 60 acres in woods pasture. Gross re- sults, $5,988 60. Labor, including the farmer and his family with hired help and board, $626. Horses, 4— cattle, 48— sheep, 9— Hogs, 10. One hundred and fifty tons of hay at $7 per ton— $1,050— would be w^th, in Georgia, $3000. Four thousand five hundred pounds of butter at 21 1-2 cents — $967 50. GRAZING FARMS. L. D, Clift’s farm. One hundred and sixty acres. Of this farm the Committee say : “This farm is situated upon a tract originally exceedingly rugged. During the 44 years since Mr. Cleft came upon it, he has devoted him- selfentirely to its amelioration ; and has, at an immense ex- oenditure of labor (mostly that of his own hands) suc- ceeded, in a very commendable degree, in overcoming the obstacles with which he had to contend,” Twenty-eight acres are under the plow — eight in wood, and the remain, der in meadow and pasture. Gross results, $8,355.75. Paid for labor, $500. Two horses. Sold 68 head of fat catle. GRAIN FARMS UNDER FIFTY ACRES. Solomon Walrath’s farm. Thirty-five acres. Gross results, $1,032 38. Cost of farm labor not specified. Stock cattle, 15 — horses, 2. Sold 1,100 pounds of butter from seven cows. GRAIN FARMS OVFR FIFTY ACRES, Lewis Sherill’s farm. One hundred and eighty aorea of rolling land. Gross results, $3,921. Worked by the farmer himself. Five cows, 42 head of cattle, 12 hogs, 1250 pounds butter and 1000 pounds of cheese from 10 cows. Corn, 50 bushels per acre — wheat, 25— oats, 40 — barle)'-, 20 bushels. This farm was originally so infested with stones that it is entirely fenced with stone walls, taken from the land and divided into fields of from 8 to 18 acres. These statements are extraordinary. In view of