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THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 

Beboteti to .ftgrfculture, horticulture, an* the ©ottseftolti girts. 



Agriculture is the nursing mother of the I Tillage and Pasturage are the two breasts 



A r ts . — Xc iwplbon . 



I 



of the State.— Sully. 



Vol. XI, 



RICHMOND, MARCH, 1851 



No. 3. 



R.B. GOOCH, Editor. 



P. D. BERNARD, Proprietor. 



TERMS. 

One Dollar and Twenty-five Cents p3r 
annum, which may be discharged by the pay- 
ment of One Dollar only, within six months 
from the date of subscription. Six copies for 
Five Dollars; thirteen copies fot Ten Dol- 
lars, to be paid invariably in advance. 

§rj=- Office on South Twelfth Street. 



PETITION. 



To the General Assembly of ike 

Commonwealth of Virginia-: 

The petition of the undersigned, committee 
of the State Agricultural Club, respectfully 
sjhoweth: 

That the undersigned have been directed by 
the aforesaid association to ask of your hon- 
orable body the enactment of some proper 
measures in aid of agricultural instruction and 
improvement. To this end, we beg leave to 
report (marked A) 



general education in nearly all its various 
branches. For this purpose, about the sum of 
$100,000 is now annually paid oul of the treas- 
ury, or otherwise diverted from its income. 
Other large amounts of funds, as clearly drawn 
from the public wealth, though in a different 
manner, (as in the cases of William and Ma- 
ry and Washington Colleges,) would correctly 
extend the statement of the annual cost to the 
treasury, in aid of education, to the amount, of 
$ . The items which make up this gross 

sum are the income of some fixed endowments 
to institutions of learning, the annuities to the 
Primary Schools, the University, the Military 
Institute, and in the suspended interest of no- 
minal loans, but real gifts, to the Medical 
College of Richmond, and some other colleges. 
Thus, the government pays to aid education 
and instruction in the lowest elementary learn- 
ing — in the dead, and also living foreign lan- 
guages- in all the sciences usually taught in 
colleges — in military tactics— and also in law 
and medicine; but nor a dollar of all this ex- 
penditure is directed to instruction in agricul- 
ture, or for aid to agriculture in any way. -It 
is far from our design to object to the amount 
of State expenditure for education, so far as 



exhibit the accompanym 

of a previously acting committee of the State j it is properly directed, or to even double the 
Agricultural Club, prepared by the general in- j amount, with the same condition of proper di- 
stinction, and which was favorably received j rection— but this we will say, that any portion 
by that association. But neither in the con- of the said expenditure, whether one-tenth or 



tents of this paper, nor in the additional re- 
marks which the undersigned may here offer, 
is it presumed to be urged upon your honora- 
ble body the adoption of any specific or pre- 
cise manner of action for attaining the great 
and important object sought. Other plans may 
be more efiicienf than any we can recommend 
at this time; and all friends to the great cause 
of agricultural improvement will be content 
to leave the plan and its details to to be ar- 
ranged as may seem be'st to the General As- 
sembly, provided they are chosen by the wis- 
dom and discretion of that body, with the de- 
sign to further the great' cause and objects to 
be so promoted. But as the whole subject of 
aid and instruction to agriculture unfortunately 
is unknown to the legislative action and go- 
' vernmental policy of this commonwealth, the 
undersigned beg leave to offer some of the 



one-half, would be not less beneficially and 
profitably bestowed in judiciously aiding agri- 
cultural instruction and improvement. The 
direct and earliest effect of such promotion of 
agricultural knowledge would he to increase 
the profits and wealth of every farmer so in- 
stiucted,and to that extent the general wealth 
of the whole community. But this would not 
be all. The increase of means, so produced 
to numerous individuals, would permit and in- 
duce a large addition to their previous expen- 
ditures for the scholastic education of their 
children. And thus it might well be, that the 
parents would return to the use of scholastic 
education itself, much more than any amount 
which they had before received from 'the tie; s- 
ury as aid for agricultural instruction. Some 
facts in support of this assertion probably a?e 
known to, and can be adduced as proofs or ex- 



many grounds of just claim for such action amples by every person who is acquainted 



and aid 

It has long been the established policy of 
the government of this commonwealth to aid 
:« Vol. XL— 3. 



with any locality where recent and great agri- 
cultural improvement has been produced. 
W r hen by such improvement of soils and crops, 



.„» ^fJ-?L^**~<r <*?»*7^.7 '"^ ^? 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



farmers' gross products have been doubled, ' 
their neti products and surplus or disposable 
funds, (that is, the excess over all required for j 
absolute necessaries,) will have been much 
more increased, and may be even tenfold 
greater than before. It is out of this surplus 
or disposable fund only that the expense of j 
education is usually defrayed. Hence, a far- j 
mer with a small income, who might find it 
difficult to spare $50 yearly for the education { 
of his children, could now easily afford, and j 
would as readily pay $300, in consequence of 
his land being so improved as to yield merely 
a doubled gross product. And in general, such i 
largely increased expenditures for scholastic ; 
education will as surely result from increased ' 
agricultural production, as will any other new j 
investments or expenditures. Of the thousands 
of facts and individual cases which exist, and j 
might be adduced as illustrations and proofs i 
of this position, it is very true that the increase j 
of agricultural knowledge which led to the in- 
crease of agricultural improvement and profit, ' 
and thence of scholastic education, was not in 
the slightest degree induced by governmental 
aid, but was gained slowly, laboriously, and at I 
great cost, by each farmer working ignorantly 
and imperfectly in his isolated position. But 
this lamentable truth does not affect our pro- 
position. The beneficial results of agricultu- 
ral improvement on scholastic education would 
be alike, and proportional in degree to the im- ! 
provement, whether obtained with or without 
the fostering care and aid of government. The j 
difference would be only in the amount of ef- 1 
feet. For whatever of the light of instruction [ 
and consequent profit of inprovement have ■ 
been gained for agriculture in Virginia by iso- j 
lated individual efforts, could be increased ten- 
fold by the concentration of effort and diffu- 1 
sion of light, which the judicious bounty and ! 
aid of government would certainly produce. 
According then to these views, besides the in- 
crease of individual and general wealth to be | 
derived from improvement of agriculture, and 
the obvious attendant benefits, there would be 
produced by the aid of government, so di- 
rected, very far more aid to scholastic educa- j 
tion itself, than all that the State can possibly 
do for that object directly, by its most liberal 
bounty. Further, the amount of pecuniary aid 
which might be given by the government, at ' 
first for agricultural instruction and improve- 
ment, would be fully reimbursed to the trea- j 
sury, in the subsequent larger receipt of taxa- 
tion derived from the new capital thus brought 
into existence. These inferences are indeed | 
but supposition, though founded on unques- 
tionable facts; but with every just allowance 
for the uncertainly of the extent of the opera- 
tion, there can be no doubt, that any judicious 
outlay of public money, given in proper di- j 
rection to promote agricultural improvement, 
would return pecuniary profit to the common- 
wealth, and more than reimburse every indi- 
vidual contributor to the bounty in greater be- \ 
nefits derived from the improved productions 



of agriculture, and the consequent increase of 
general prosperity and wealth. 

The great and universally operating evil by 
which agriculture is oppressed and impeded 
in this country, is the want of knowledge. To 
supply this want should be the single object of 
government, (however diversified the means,) 
if designing to best promote agricultural im- 
provement and agricultural interests. 

As a science, agriculture requires much 
study and research; and as an art, much skill 
in numerous and various operations. In both 
these respects, few other pursuits require 
knowledge or skill in so many different things, 
or so much need instruction, as agriculture. 
Yet it is almost the only profession or pursuit 
which is without any regular or ordinary 
means for instruction, and in which almost 
every learner is without a teacher. If, in any 
other great and complicated business, it was 
the general course of captalists to commence 
as undertakers without any knowledge of the 
theory or principles, and to employ operatives 
and superintendents who were as ignorant of 
the practice, and that for all to acquire the 
knowledge wanting, reliance was placpd solely 
on their subsequent untaught operations — in 
all such cases, every voice would pronounce 
that the business must inevitably end in bank- 
ruptcy. Yet this is the usual coursi of proceed- 
ure, nearly to the letter, in almost every agri- 
cultural business, whether on a large or a 
small farm. The usual course of the heir and 
expectant future cultivator of a large landed 
property, is, that he is educated in a town, and 
far from his future property, and is instructed 
almost exclusively in dead languages, and af- 
terwards in sciences, few of which can have 
any practical application to hisfuture pursuits. 
All these studies are thrown aside when the 
student arrives at manhood and undertakes the 
before designed business of farming, with 
which he is necessarily and entirely unac- 
quainted. Still, a remarkable aptitude for the 
pursuit may in some cases enable a new pro- 
prietor to overcome all the disadvantages of 
his own ignorance and that of his agents; and 
finally to succeed well, notwithstanding such 
enormous obstacles. But, because some few 
such cases occur, it is a great mistake to sup- 
pose this kind of training sufficient to instruct 
farmers. 

But, great as are the disadvantages of the 
wealthy young farmer, they are as nothing 
compared to the far more numerous class of 
men of small possessions and of more limited 
education. The farmer has leisure and vari- 
ous facilities to gather information from others. 
Travel, reading, frequent and varied inter- 
course with his fellows who have become bet- 
ter informed, (or who, even if as ignorant, are 
all striving to learn,) all serve to forward the 
instruction of the farmer who can command 
these resources. But the small or poor farmer, 
who is confined to his daily toil, has no snch 
means, and can rarely derive knowledge from 
other persons, if surrounded only by neighbors 



fc 



o<»— » 




THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



67 



in similar circumstances and under like disad- 
vantages. 

Such are the inauspicious circumstances of 
the whole class of farmers of Virginia. The 
actual results and effects of this universal 
want of proper training and instruction are 
such as might be expected in advance, from 
merely knowing the causes. 

Agriculture is not only untaught, and with- 
out any proper means for being taught, but it 
is the only art or science which is in that des- 
titute condition. For every other pursuit re- 
quiring physical or mental power, every be- 
ginner receives early instruction from some 
person supposed to be well informed, and 
competent to instruct in the business. This 
practice is universal, and deemed indispensa- 
ble, from the most simple mechanical labor to 
the most abstruse scientific study. Faimers 
alone are expected to understand their art 
without instruction — and, indeed, almost with- 
out any available and proper means for ob- 
taining information. 

As the great disadvantage under which 
agriculture suffers is the want of knowledge, 
it' it is designed to furnish a remedy, it must 
be to collect, embody, increase and diffuse in- 
formation. Every measure devised for relief, 
which will serve thus to spread instruction in 
useful truths, must do more or less of good 
service to agriculture. And every act of go- 
vernment or of any voluntary association de- 
signed for or professing to aid agriculture, 
which does not increase or extend useful 
knowledge, and is not of practical and profi- 
table application, is of doubtful value, if not 
certainly worthless, or of actual injurious 
tendency. 

Agriculture is an experimental science. All 
its known truths were originally derived from 
experiments, whether made by design or by 
accident; and the best existing systems of 
practice have been established entirely on ex- 
perience and observation of facts brought to 
light by earlier experiments. Agricultural 
books and other publications, which so greatly 
aid and guide every intelligent farmer, so far 
as they are trustworthy, are but the recorded 
evidence and digests of truths founded on 
foregone experiments. Yet this only sure 
guide to knowledge and truth — investigation 
by accurate experiment — is very generally 
neglected as means for agricultural instruc- 
tion and improvement. It is admitted, that as 
the life of every farmer is necessarily spent 
in agricultural operations, he can scarcely 
avoid making and observing some experi- 
ments, though without design, and with but 
little regard to accuracy. Some of these 
chance-produced results are correctly under- 
stood by the observers, and so become, for the 
future, useful parts of their practice founded 
on experience. A small portion of such use- 
ful results will slowly and imperfectly be 
made known beyond the neighborhoods of the 
iirst observers; and still fewer of the most no- 
ted may possibly be reported in printed publi- 



cations, and so may serve to instruct many 
other and remote learners. But generally few 
experiments are attempted; and of these, the 
much greater number are conducted and ob- 
served with so little regard to strict accuracy, 
that the results can rarely be relied on, even if 
made known to the public, which end is even 
more rare than the making of useful and reli- 
able experiments. Still, it is to the few such 
chance-made experiments, imperfectly con- 
ducted and observed, and insufficiently re- 
ported, that we owe nearly all the truths of 
agricultural science and art, and all the ad- 
vances that have been made in improving the 
practices of agriculture. But with all this slow 
and feeble aid so derived from such experi- 
mental investigation as has been made, and 
is continued to be made, the teachers of agri- 
culture still proceed as did the early teach- 
ers of natural philosophy and chemistry, by 
merely theorizing and opposing by plausi- 
ble reasoning one theoretical doctrine to 
another, both being very insufficiently sus- 
tained by the only sure tests of truth— actual 
and correct experiments. Hence, agricultu- 
rists only, of all the investigators of science 
or art, in modern times, continue to grope their 
way through the obscurities of untested theo- 
retical doctrines and opinions resting upon 
supposition, or, at best, on partially understood 
facts and observations. Some one starts a 
new doctrine or system in reference to tilling 
or improving the soil— every speculative far- 
mer or writer becomes either an advocate or 
opposer of the new opinion. Volumes may be 
published on the controverted points, and per- 
haps after fifty years of discussion and of con- 
flicting farming practices tinder the opposing 
opinions, it will still remain undecided to 
what extent either of the opinions is true and 
useful, or false and pernicious. For it gene- 
rally happens in such cases, that neither opi- 
nion is altogether true or altogether false; and 
that both the opposite practices may be either 
right or wrong, according to differences of ex- 
isting circumstances. The comparative merits 
of sowing wheat broadcast or in drills— of 
naked fallow or fallow- crops to prepare for 
wheat— of using barn-yard manure in a rotted 
or unrotted state — of ploughing deep or shal- 
low — and of many other ordinary and oppo- 
site practices, have been warmly'disputed in 
Britain and in this country for many years, 
without being yet decided. In every such 
question, (and of such questions and discus- 
sions almost all agricultural teaching has 
mainly consisted,) twenty or a hundred pro- 
perly conducted experiments, made under 
every known difference of circumstances, 
would probably have established the disputed 
truth, or, at least, would have approached the 
truth more nearly than all the arguments that 
could have been presented in fifty volumes, or 
in fifty years, and with as long agricultural 
practice of both the opposing parties, if with- 
out the aid of investigation by correct experi- 
menting. 



<* • <+* «rv 



68 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



The different branches ot natural philosophy, 
in comparatively modern times only, have been 
studied and investigated by the guidance of full 
and rigid experimenting. Previously, know- 
ledge in these sciences was vainly sought, as 
now and always in agriculture, by setting forth j 
hypotheses, and by arguing in their support. — l 
And the rate of advance of these sciences, 
since their having been correctly aided by ex- ! 
perimental proofs, has been greater for each 
year than for each century previously. Agri- 
cultural science is as much capable of being 
investigated by experiment as the other more 
strict physical sciences, though not so easily, 
or at such small cost. But with the greater 
cost required, the results of agricultural expe- 
riments would be not less certain than those 
employed to establish philosophical or chemi- 
cal truths. And while of ihe latter results, 
perhaps not one in fifty of the truths ascertained 
are of practical and profitable application, not 
one established agricultural truth could be 
otherwise than extensively useful. Hence it 
may be inferred how rapid would be the new 
movement of agricultural knowledge and im- 
provement — how powerful the new impulse to 
advancement that would certainly be produced 
by employing the aid of general and ri?id ex- 
perimenting as a guide. And this great and 
invaluable agent, to attain the greatest public 
benefit through agriculture, never can be used 
to much extent by individual efforts — nor in 
Virginia, by any other means than that com- 
bination of effort which legislative aid and di- 
rection only can put in operation. 

To plan and conduct an agricultural expe- 
riment correctly, so that the results may be 
relied upon, requires much care, judgment, 
habits of accurate observation, and also long 
time and often expensive means. Unlike the 
chemist and natural philosopher, the agricul- 
turist cannot prescribe all the materials and 
direct precisely the working of his experi- 
ments. The variations of soil, climate, season, 
&c. introduce different and often unsuspected 
elements into almost every agricultural expe- 
riment, so that repetitions under various cir- 
cumstances, and for many years, may be neces- 
sary to confirm the results. Hence, complete 
and decisive experiments in agriculture can rarely 
be executed by any one private and unaided 
individual, and are almost never attempted, 
because of the required cost in time, laborand 
expense. Nevertheless, despite of loss, dis- 
couragement, and ridicule, there are always 
operating (very imperfectly) many experiment- 
ing farmers, whose individual losses are gene- 
rally in full proportion to these operations. — 
Yet to their labors, howeverdetrimental to their 
own interests, agriculture and the public weal 
are indebted for nearly all the advances made 
in improvement. 

We have endeavored to set forth the actual 
deficiency and want of knowledge and instruc- 
tion in both the science and art of agriculture, 
and also i he great benefits which would accrue 
to the general interests of the commonwealth, 



by the affording aid to agricultural improve- 
ment. The public weal being so promoted, 
and to a much greater amount than the cot t of 
the instruction bestowed, would constitute a 
valid ground to ask the government's bounty 
for even a minor interest; but in addition to 
this just ground of claim, the agricultural is 
beyond all comparison the major interest of 
Virginia. So far does it exceed in amount 
and value any one, and indeed all other inte- 
rests, that each and all others are intimately 
connected with, and greatly dependent on, the 
great agricultural interest — each one of the 
minor interests flourishing or declining accord- 
ing to the prosperity or the decay of agricul- 
ture and its amount of profits. The agricultu- 
ral interest of Virginia is identical with the 
general interest of Viiginia — and the former 
cannot possibly be improved without propor- 
tional benefit to the whole commonwealth. — 
Again, the agricultural interest, directly or 
indirectly, pays nearly all the revenue of the 
commonwealth, and fs bound to pay all its 
obligations. Yet agriculture alone, of all the 
interests of even slight importance in Virginia, 
has received not the smallest aid from the trea- 
sury for its improvement, nor even any facility 
(which can only be efficiently afforded by the 
Legislature,) to direct any portion of its own 
vast means for its own benefit. And when 
any claims for this object have been presented 
to the Legislature, they have not only been 
treated with neglect and denial, but with ridi- 
cule and contempt. Indeed, the very fact that 
agriculture alone pays all the revenue of the 
commonwealth, has been used as an argument i\ 
to withhold all return of aid. It has been 
asked, by shallow reasoners, "Why tax agri- 
culture, or divert any amount of tax necessa- 
rily drawn from agriculture, to give bark the 
same amount as a bounty or aid to agriculture V 
There might be some weight in this and kin- 
dred objections, if the Legislature of Virginia 
were not the actual and only representatives of 
the agricultural interest, or if the numerous 
and widely-dispersed members of this great 
I interest had any other bond of connexion, or 
'. any other possible means for united effort, than 
what is or may be furnished in the Legislature 
itself. Properly considered, your honorable 
body is, or ought to be, truly and entirely the 
representatives of the agricultural interest; 
and whatever you may do to benefit agricul- 
ture, is but the agricultural interest acting for 
itself through its only organ. If you withhold 
all such aid and action, then it is utterly im- 
I possible, in any other way, to prod uce combined 
action in so numerous and widespread a mul- 
titude as belong to the agricultural interest. 
Not even any partial yet efficient joint action 
could be so effected, though the probable gen- 
eral benefit from the measure might exceed the 
cost a hundred fold. To expect any such 
combined effort and action of the agricultural 
interest, without the facility for combination 
which the Legislature only affords, would be 
as vain, as it would have been to expect the 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



69 



Central Railroad, or the James River Canal 
to be consiructed without charters of incorpo- 
ration, and legal allowance of tolls, and the 
still more potent and essential aid of the public 
funds. 

We will not presume to indicate any precise 
sum which would be sufficient for any parti- 
cular scale of operation, in the event of go- 
vernment aid being offered to agricultural 
improvement. If limited to but a few, and 
these the most essential means to be employed 
for the purpose, the annual expenditure of 
$5000 or #6000 might do much good; and if 
$§0,000 were to be judiciously so appropriated, 
the benefits and profit to the commonwealth 
would not be less in proportion. In reference 
to the estimates of cost of various particular 
measures proposed in the annexed report, 
it may be observed thai the largest particular 
amount named is in aid of County Agricultu- 
ral Societies — $10,000, on the supposition that 
as many as 100 such societies might be esta- 
blished and require a share of the bounty — 
But probably the whole of this largest item of 
expense might be dispensed with, or the amount 
be directed to other subjects, provided there 
existed, independent of any pecuniary aid from 
the treasury, sufficient inducements for the es 
tablishment and useful operation of Agricul- 
tural Societies. It may be presumed, that 
weighty inducements would be found in the 
other aids which the plan offers to counties 
forming Agricultural Societies — and also in 
the public spirit, patriotism, and enlightened 
self-interest, which are possessed by thousands 
of individuals, and which motives will be, for 
the first time, permitted to operate, and may 
be fully brought into operation, by the con- 
structing and supporting by the government 
of a general plan for aiding agricultural in- 
struction and improvement. 

All which is respectfully submitted. 
Edmund Ruffin, 
Chairman Com. of Agricultural Club. 

REPORT. 

The committee directed by the Slate Agri- 
cultural Club to consider and arrange a plan 
for a State Agricultural Bureau, or depart- 
ment for aiding the improvement of agricul- 
ture by governmental action, beg leave to 
report: 

It would not be difficult to devise and ar- 
range in advance a good general plan and or- 
ganization for the improvement of agricultu- 
ral science and practice, provided the neces- 
sary means were at command; but the want 
of sufficient means and materials, or the fear 
of such want existing, must weigh upon every 
theoretical construction of a plan, and serve 
greatly to curtail its just proportions and its 
anticipated usefulness, even in the estimation 
of its constructors and most zealous advo- 
cates. If sufficient means and materials were 
available in Virginia, it might be best for the 
government to establish a general plan of ope- 



rations on the extensive scale adopted in Bri- 
tain, under direction of the board of agricul- 
ture, and which had such important, conti- 
nueo, and still increasing effects, in improving 
and perfecting British agriculture. Great a» 
was the cost of executing that plan of oj era- 
tions, no intelligent man in England now 
doubts that the outlay was doubly remunera- 
ted, even to the government and the treasury, 
in the greatly increased profits and returns of 
agriculture; and we do not question that any 
an ount of outlay by the government of Virgi- 
nia, if judiciously directed, would be not les* 
profitable to the agricultural and general inte- 
rests of this commonwealth, and even to its 
public revenue. Still no such opinion can a; 
present be expected to prevail in the legisla- 
ture; and if the establishment of any plan for 
governmental aid to agriculture can be hoped 
for here, the hope must be founded on scanty 
pecuniary means bestowed from the treasury, 
and (at first) but few zealous and able labo- 
rers to lead in the execution of the great work 
designed. In Britain, at the time referred to, 
amidst the general ignorance of agriculture, 
and the general imperfect and unprofitable exe- 
cution of its practice, there yet were many 
agriculturists, distinguished as successful im- 
provers, and whose patriotic zeal urged, and 
whose wealth permitted, them to give their ta- 
lents and time in aid of the great work. Of 
such men, serving gratuitously, the hoard of 
agriculture was composed— having Sir Jchn 
Sinclair as its President, and Arthur Young 
its Secretary; and these officers, so well fitted 
to direct, exercising a controlling influence on 
the action of the board. A capable and salaried 
agricultural surveyor was appointed for every 
couuty in Britain and Ireland, and for some of 
the larger counties, more than one surveyor. 
These functionaries investigated thoroughly 
the agricultural facts, improvements, defici- 
encies statistics, &c. of their respective allot- 
ted districts. Their reports filled as many 
large volumes as there were reporters. These 
county reports, when published, furnished an 
immense amount of valuable information for 
the use of every British farmer, and also for 
every British statesman. Every existing im- 
provement, or valuable process, before known 
only within narrow confines, was thus ex- 
tended to every inquiring mind in the king- 
dom. Every defect of practice, before scarcely 
recognised as a defect, was exposed, and profi- 
table substitutes offered. These operations re- 
quired years to be executed, even with the 
continued employment of the lime and talents 
of perhaps more than a hundred agricultural 
surveyors and reporters and other functiona- 
ries. But though this machinery and its di- 
rect working ceased with the completion of 
the great work of agricultural reports, the be- 
nefits have continued and increased to this 
day. In a great measure it is owing to the 
abiding influence of this wise operation of the 
Kiitish government, that the practical agri- 
culture of that country is now the most per- 



70 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



feet and productive in the world. Numerous I established at the present time, and with the 
farmers, (and who are still increasing in num- J probable available means. Should this or any 
ber,) aided only by the lights thus previously i other imperfect plan be put in operation, and 
afforded, and stimulated by the established be found as beneficial as we anticipate, it 
confidence in profitable results, now study and ! could subsequently be more and more extended 
practise agriculture as a science as well as an | and developed, according to the increase of 
art. Able chemists and geologists, though not facilities which would be so produced. The 
farmers, or pretending to any knowledge of , measures now proposed will be stated, with 
agriculture, have given the benefit of their j no more support by explanation or argument 
scientific knowledge in aid of agriculture, and than is deemed indispensable, 
to great effect. Competent lecturers on agri- As the expense of a paid and usefully di- 
culture, scientific and practical, are regularly j recting board of agriculture, under present 
addressing, and are eagerly listened to, by circumstances, would be much too great, and 
temporary assemblages of farmers, or perma- as no useful service could be expected of an 
nent agricultural associations. And as one of i unpaid and irresponsible board, it seems best 
the evidences of the benefit of these results, to vest the powers and proper action of such 
there are sundry agricultural journals of dif- 1 a body, for the beginning at, least, in a single 
ferent grade and design, all ably conducted j commissioner of agriculture, subjecting his 
and well supported, which furnish informa- ! general action and his direction and expendi- 
tion of every kind, from the most elaborate j ture of the funds to the general supervision 



scientific investigations and discussions, to 
the most humble (but still highly useful) de- 
tails of practice. Taught by such means, the 
best farmers of Britain have recently, and 
with undoubted success and profit, executed 



and control of a board composed of the go- 
vernor, treasurer, and first and second audi- 
tors of the commonwealth. The commission- 
er's general plan and proposed procedure be- 
ing submitted and approved, the execution of 



improvements and incurred expenses in tho- the details and the responsibility should be 
rough draining, in purchasing and transport- J left to him entirely. 

In the future maturity of the system, the 



ing manures, &c. &c. to an amount of which 
no conception could have been formed fifty 
vears ago. And though the the British farmer 
has to pay, in rent, tithes, poor rates and taxes, 
perhaps three-fourths of the product of his 
cultivation, and may thereby be left, after all, 
with but scanty nett profits, this does not in- 
validate the fact of the great improvements 
and results of agriculture actually produced, 
and actual clear profits of agriculture yielded, 
however the profits may be divided among the 
farmer and the various other larger receivers. 

In proposing a plan for governmental aid to 
agricultural improvement, there is more need 
to regard the paucity of means, and the now 
existing obstacles to the operation, than the 
proper measures for the greatest success and 
benefit to agriculture and to the common- 
wealth. But very scanty pecuniary aid from 
the treasury can be hoped for. We have but 
few if any Sinclairs and Youngs among our 
many excellent practical farmers. For intel- 
ligent, inquiring, and well educated, as many 
are, all such are devotedly and profitably en- 
gaged in the cultivation of their own estates, 
and have no time or zeal to spare for other 
and general interests. Many pretenders to 
chemistry and geology there are, and some 
few who are well versed theoretically in these 
sciences, so important to agriculture. But 
probably there is not one such man of science 
in Virginia, who has even sufficient know- 
ledge of agriculture to know how to apply to 
the latter any lights which his own particular 
science and studies might afford. 

Under such unfavorable circumstances and 
formidable obstacles, it would be useless to 
discuss and to propose what might be the best 
plan for action, and we shall merely propose 
such as seems the best which can possibly be 



commissioner might be required, by the in- 
crease of business, to remain generally at 
work in his office at the capitol, and to execute 
other duties by assistants; but at first he would 
act alone, and in itinerant service mostly, re- 
quiring much physical as well as mental labor. 
This officer should be a practical and well-in 
formed farmer, and be otherwise qualified for 
the duties to be here stated. 

It would be the first duty of this functionary 
to attempt to induce farmers to establish per- 
manent county agricultural societies, upon one 
general well-devised plan of organization and 
operation, and also to draw together more 
transient collections of farmers for conversa- 
tional discussions, and for eliciting and ex- 
changing practical information. All useful 
facts and improvements, so learned and not 
extensively known, should be noted by the 
commissioner, and embraced in his general 
report, and also such important deficiencies in 
practice as he shall observe in some localities, 
which might be supplied by information of 
proper practice in other localities. The com- 
missioner might preside at such transient meet- 
ings, and direct their inquiries and working, 
and occasionally deliver lectures on suitable 
agricultural subjects to these and at some of 
the annual meetings of the county agricultu- 
ral societies. The temporary meetings of far- 
mers, invited to discuss particular subjects, 
would be interesting and well attended. — 
Numerous useful facts could not fail to 
be thus brought out, which should all be 
noted, and in the same way made known to 
the public. Publishers of existing agricul- 
tural or other journals would probably find it 
interesting to their readers and conducive to 
their profits, to take notes of and publish the 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



71 



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more important mailers discussed in these 
meetings. Thus, without any expense to the 
commonwealth except the commissioner's sal- 
ary, much interest might thus be created, and 
much useful agricultural information be elicit- 
ed and widely diffused. 

But however useful and cheap this service, 
it would be the most humble and most easy of 
attainment. Higher and more important ac- 
tion will now be considered. One kind would 
be in inducing the permanent organization of 
county agricultural societies. Than these, 
with a subsequently instituted general agri- 
cultural society for the whole State, nothing 
would be more conducive to agricultural im- 
provement, with proper procedure of the so- 
cieties. Yet, because of useless or misdirected 
effort and procedure, nothing has been more 
useless in operation than nearly all the nume- 
rous agricultural societies which have had an 
existence in Virginia — indeed, in the general 
condemnation of uselessness might be included 
all the agricultural societies in the United 
States, with some temporary exceptions made 
by the peculiar zeal, energy and intelligence 
of some leading and active members of par- 
ticular societies. But the plans of operation 
have been so universally faulty, and the con- 
sequent inaction, or wrong action, so general, 
that the partial relief and contrast caused by 
individual intelligence and zeal, have been of 
little operation and value to agricultural im- 
provement. This occasion does not permit 
the stating in detail the generally prevailing 
errors and defects of agricultural societies, or 
the different procedure deemed proper. But 
auch general course of procedure as may be 
deemed best for useful results, should be re- 
quired of all agricultural societies connected 
with the government, and receiving its bounty 
in aid of their operations. With such proper 
requisitions, and a proper and uniform general 
plan, agricultural societies might render the 
most important services for the improvement 
of agriculture. In furtherance of their opera- 
tions, we propose the (possibly) heaviest ex- 
pense of the general plan. For every agri- 
cultural society established upon the plan re- 
quired as the condi.'ion, and which annually 
raised and paid out in premiums for suitable 
subjects, the sum of $200, the commissioner 
should have power to add thereto, for like pre- 
miums and subjects designated by himself,., 
S100 to be drawn from the treasury. Thus, if 
100 county or district agricultural societies 
were so established, and put into useful opera- 
tion, it would cost to the 'treasury $10,000 a 
year— and which, by individual subscriptions 
would be increased to $30,000 a year, all ex- 
pended usefully to elicit and diffuse agricultu- 
ral knowledge and promote improvement. 

It is probable that the offered co-operation 
of the State, and still more the appeal made to 
the public spirit and zeal of individual farmers, 
would soon induce the establishment of, and 
put into useful operation, many county agri- 
cultural societies. As a further inducement, 



it might be well for the commissioner to direct 
his other subsequent operations mainly or en- 
tirely to the counties in which such societies 
were established. This would not only be good 
policy in furtherance of the general object of 
agricultural improvement, but there would be 
no injustice to the omitted localities. For if 
the people of any county would not give enough 
of individual effort to establish a society, or to 
do anything of themselves for their benefit in 
this respect, it is not to be supposed that they 
would duly appreciate or profit by other means 
for instruction forced upon their notice. 

If deemed advisable that the valuable aid 
of operative chemistry shall be given lo agri- 
cultural investigation, the commissioner should 
be authorized lo employ such aid for analyzing 
soils and manures, &c. to a stated limit of ex- 
pense. There is no man in this country, (if 
there is in the world,) who combines the dif- 
ferent kinds of knowledge of both a good prac- 
tical and scientific farmer, and a good opera- 
tive chemist. Of course, to secure both these 
attainments in the commissioner, would be 
hopeless. The question then arises, whether 
the commissioner should be merely an agricul- 
turist, or merely an operative chemist. We 
entertain no question of the former alternative 
being far the best. An enlightened agriculturist, 
though but generally and slightly informed in 
chemistry, would know much better than any 
mere chemist to what subjects chemical inves- 
tigation would be required and important to 
agricultural knowledge. Good operative che- 
mists can be as well directed and as well em- 
ployed to make particular analyses and inves- 
tigations by an agricultural survey, as by a 
geological surveyor — and gentlemen who have 
conducted geological surveys at public ex- 
pense, have had their reported analyses either 
mostly or exclusively conducted by hired ope- 
rative chemists, whose names were not even 
mentioned in the report of the geological sur- 
veyor. There would be this difference in the 
two cases: The agricultural surveyor, in re- 
sorting to the chemical knowledge of another 
person, would, (whether so choosing or not,) 
of necessity acknowledge the aid, and would 
have to pay for it the whole amount allowed 
by law for the purpose; and it should be further 
required, that every chemical investigation 
and report should be ascribed to its author, by 
name, so that he should have all the credit due, 
and also incur the responsibility for error. For 
the proper selection of competent and faithful 
chemists, the commissioner would be properly 
responsible. A Professorship of Scientific 
Agriculture should be established at the Uni- 
versity of Virginia. The advantages of such 
an institution, for teaching the theory and prin- 
ciples of agriculture, need no illustration or 
argument. 

For teaching the practical process of agri- 
culture, it would be a valuable extension of 
this general scheme, to establish one or more 
experimental farms. We do not mean anything 
like what have been termed "model" or "ex- 



72 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



ample farms," on which it would be designed 
to exhibit examples of the best farming prac- 
tice. We have no faith in any good and pro- 
fitable farming being by possibility conducted 
upon state account, and it can rarely be done 
by agents for any distant individual proprietor. 
The object of a government experimental farm 
should be to try experiments, to decide disputed 
questions of agricultural practice, the value of 
new manures, new processes, machines, &c. 
All this would of course cause loss to the farm, 
though conferring great value, in correct in- 
formation, to the agricultural community. Of 
course the farm should be kept under regular 
and good culture, both to lessen its annual ex- 
penses, by the crops raised, and to employ the 
necessary laboring force at all times. On such 
a farm, every farming process, suitable to the 
locality, might be performed in the best man- 
ner; and young farmers might there learn to 
execute these labors, either by serving for a 
time as laborers, or by mere inspection. There 
would be no difficulty'in trying and using the 
best im plements, and in the best manner. And 
if by such examples a young farmer could 
there see and learn the best implements and 
processes by which to execute ploughing, sow- 
ing, reaping, thrashing out grain, manuring, 
burning and applying lime, draining, &c.^ it 
would be no lessening of the value of the in- 
struction so afforded, that the whole farming 
operations were of more expense than profit 
to the treasury. 

All the proposed measures, if carried into 
operation, would help to furnish much interest- 
ing matter for publication in agricultural jour- 
nals, and induce much more demand for such 
publications. We might expect, from this 
alon^, a great extension and improvement of 
this excellent means (and almost the only 
means heretofore existing) for diffusing agri- 
cultural knowledge. But still greater would 
be this gain, if a certain amount (say $2000) 
a year were authorized to be paid to one or 
more such journals for the publication of a 
certain amount of matter, to be furnished by 
the commissioner, which should be additional 
to the matter otherwise furnished by the pub- 
lication to its subscribers. In this way the 
publication of the reports of and to the com- 
missioner might be made most cheaply to the 
treasury, and most widely diffused to the read- 
ins: agricultural community. 

This occasion does not permit more than 
general reference to two other means for pro- 
moting agricultural improvement. One of 
these would have the merit of costing nothing 
to the public. It would be, in inviting and in- 
ducing, upon considerations of public good, 
some of the best farmers in Virginia, whose 
larms are truly examples of model culture and 
valuable improvement, to receive young men 
as pupils or apprentices. Such an invitation 
would be an honor to even the already distin- 
guished and best farmers, which might induce 
their compliance, so far as convenient. And 
any young men, so received and instructed in 



practical farming, though not paying a fair 
consideration to their instructor and hosr, 
would derive a very far greater balance of be- 
nefit. If by such a system fifty pupils were so 
instructed every year, and then settled on their 
farms in various' parts of the State, practical 
agricultural knowledge would be diffused in 
much the same manner as is now done for mili- 
tary and scholastic instruction by the opera- 
tions of the admirable State Institute. 

The other measure would cost money to the 
State, but might return more, and also produce 
other benefits of much greater value than 
either the cost or profit in money. This is, to 
publish in very large impressions, and thereby 
at very low cost, the books for primary and 
other English schools; and, so far as suitable, 
to make the reading books vehicles of agricul- 
tural instruction. In this manner might be 
superseded (by being undersold,) the Northern 
publications which are used in all our Southern 
schools, and which, for the matter contained, 
are not always merely useless and worthless. 
Some of these books for young children have 
been artfully directed by northern abolitionists 
against our institution of slavery, and have 
even been introduced into schools as well as 
made subjects for recreation. Some portions 
of books proceeding from this source contain 
articles absolutely infamous for falsehood and 
indecency, and which, though perhaps not 
made school books, are purchased by or made 
presents of to children by unsuspecting parents 
and friends. 

If the State would contract for large editions 
of any desired printed matter for school books, 
they can be furnished at least as low as the 
prices for which the religious tracts of the 
northern tract societies are sold. And why 
the societies publishing these tracts should not 
make clear profit by the sales, instead of re- 
quiring the vast amounts subscribed by pious 
and benevolent persons to aid the good work, 
cannot be explained, except by reference to 
the bad management of all joint-stock opera- 
tions, and also the fat salaries given lo the 
numerous agents of all such societies. 

In submitting this plan, it might be deemed 
much wanting in completeness, if not embrac- 
ing an estimate of the total cost. 

The agricultural commissioner, who, in dis- 
charge of his duties, would necessarily be 
generally travelling, 'or otherwise from home, 
and at various places, for short limes, suppose 
a salary of $2500 and his necessaiy expendi- 
ture in travelling, or for all, $3,300 
Payments to 100 Agricultural Socie- 
ties, (if established,) - - - 10,000 
Payment for chemical services, (the 
operator not being required to be 
from home or his laboratory,) sup- 
pose, - - - - 1,500 
Payment to agricultural journals for 
publishing extra matter. - - 2.000 

$1 6,800 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



73 



If to these were added the further mea- 
sures of a Professorship of agricul- 
ture, ------ 2,000 

Two experimental farms, suppose in- 
terest on capital and annual loss on 
operations of each $2,000, - - 4,000 

$22,800 



The two latter subjects are not essential 
parts of the general plan. Of the other parts 
deemed essential, much the larger amount, 
$10,000, would be expended for the one subject 
of Agricultural Societies. That expenditure 
would necessarily obtain $20,000 more from in- 
dividual contributions. It can scarcely admit 
of a doubt, that ihe whole $30,000 so expended 
(in premiums for useful objects) would produce 
of general value to the commonwealth much 
more than the whole cost. Then the govern- 
ment will gain of benefit to the commonwealth 
more than the value of $30,000 for the expendi- 
ture of $10 000. The other subjects of charge 
would be scarcely less productive of benefit 
in proportion to the expense. Altogether, upon 
this or any other judicious plan for govern- 
mental aid to agriculture properly executed, 
there can scarcely be otherwise than a pecu- 
niarvgain to the commonwealth, and that gain 
may be even tenfold greater than the cost to 
the treasury. 

Edmund Ruffin, 
Chairman of the Committee. 

Read before the State Agricultural Club, 
and unanimously adopted, January 30, 1851. 



From the Lexington (Va.) Gazette. 

GItASS SEEDS. 

The red cl wer justly stands at the head 
of the list. It was in use in the State of 
Pennsylvania, it is said, pi ior to the Revo- 
lution, and was probably introduced into 
this portion of the valley, by the descen- 
dants of the Scotch Irish who came hither 
from Pennsylvania. Its use has become 
general throughout the Northern and Mid- 
dle States. It is but little cultivated in the 
more Southern States, inasmuch as it is a 
grass that does not stand the burnintr sun 
of the South well. In some parts of East- 
ern Virginia, it does not grow readily, but, 
it is no longer the great desideratum with 
the farmers of that section of the State, that 
it has hitherto been, as a fertilizer, because 
they get that most powerful of all fertilizers, 
guano, with so much facility. Apart, how- 
however, from the fertilizing properties of 
clover, it has enough to commend it to the 
use of even farmer in thisregion. Itscwr- 
rent benefits in the shape of luxurious pas- 



ture and capital hay, are in themselves 
enough to induce its general use; yet, 
strange to tell, there are many in our own 
portion of the Valley who do not sow clover. 
Every one in this part oi" our country, ought 
to cultivate it, and mainly as a fertilizer. 
If he does, and steadily adheres to his pur- 
pose, he will be very apt to have the de- 
lightful collateral benefits just enumerated. 
But, it is not intended to enter into details 
upon this topic. Let us say a word as to 
the quantity of seed to be sown per acre, 
the time and the manner of sowing. An 
altnost universal error, is the sowing all 
i seeds too lightly. In former days, one 
I bushel of clover seed was put upon ten 
acres; more recently, one bushel to eight 
acres. This last quantity dees tolerably 
well in favorable seasons, but, in order to 
! make more sure work of it, and get its full 
! benefits, the sowing ought to be one bushel 
| to six acres. When a man sets apart a 
! portion of his farm to remain in clover for 
j two or three years, is it not manifest that 
I he should guard against contingencies as 
1 far as possible, by sowing with a heavy 
hand, and thus have his land completely 
covered? There is a prevalent error upon 
this point. It ought to be corrected. Lay 
it on — lay it on, and you will be the better 
pleased with results. The last of Febru- 
ary or first of March is an approved time 
for sowing. Until within the last few years, 
I was in Ihe habit of sowing in the early 
part of April, postponing it thus late in 
order to avoid frosts upon the young clover, 
but it was an error. It suffers more fre- 
quently from droughts in summer than from 
frosts in the spring, and when sown as late 
as April, it is too feeble to resist success- 
fully severe droughts. 

When sown upon wheat, as is mostly 
the case in Rockbridge, if the soil is loose 
and open by the action of frost, or if such 
be its natural condition, the roller ought 
immediately to follow the sowing of the 
clover seed. Three years ago, I had wheat 
upon such a field. I did not use the roller 
then. The clover was heavily sown, but 
proved a total failure, except upon a line 
across the field, where I had been under 
the necessity of running the wagon repeat- 
edly. Upon lhat comparatively beaten 
track, the clover was good. If wheat is 
sowed upon corn ground, and clover then 
sowed upon that wheat, it will not be ne- 
cessary to sow clover again, provided ihe 
land is not pastured closely, and this course 
adhered to as a system. It is a most ex- 
cellent system of rotation. 



74 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



A very successful farmer of Rockbridge 
is in the habit of sowing his clover seed 
upon bis corn-field, putting on the seed just 
as soon as the last ploughing of the corn 
is finished. 

As to orchard grass. It is not equal in 
qualify to some of the other grasses as 
pasture, nor is it as desirable for hay, as 
timothy or clover — but stock eat it very 
well when cut early, and, especially if salted 
when put up. As a pasture, it is more du- 
rable than any other — hence, it is desirable 
to have some of it, particularly as winter 
grazing for sheep. Two bushels of the 
seed should be sowed upon an acre — two 
and a half is a better quantity. The senti- 
ment that prevails extensively, respecting 
orchard grass, does not do justice to it. — 
The seed that we buy is not freed from its 
chaff. In a bushel measure, we really have 
but little, if any more than a peck of seed. 
When putting down two or two and a half 
bushels per acre, at one dollar per bushel, 
a man is very apt to think he cannot do 
more, for, even at that rate, it is about three 
times the cost of clover seed. There is, 
therefore, in most cases, really but little 
seed put upon an acre. It comes up in de- 
tached tufts, with coarseness of fibre, and 
requires, then, a long time to spread itself 
over the entire surface. No wonder that 
there should be some degrees of dissatis- 
faction under such circumstances. When 
sowing the seed put it down heavily. Un- 
less we are certain we have the seed itself, 
divested of its chaff, belter sow three than 
two bushels to the acre — the grass and hay 
will both be more abundant and of better 
quality. It is probably the most permanent 
of the grasses, and furnishes a more dura- 
ble pasture than any other. Every farmer 
ought to have some of it. It seeds abun- 
dantly, and, if it is to be cut for the pur- 
pose of seed, the stalk should be cut with 
the cradle and high up. That portion 
which is below the cradle may then be cut 
and cured for cows. 

Timothy is with most of us an old ac- 
quaintance, as it is the common meadow 
grass of the country. It will also grow 
upon most uplands, but it is not to compare 
with orchard grass, as an upland pasture. 
It yields but little pasture when sowed 
alone upon upland, and is soon supplanted 
by other grasses. Clover and timothy 
sowed together, are said to furnish a most 
valuable pasture. The best time for sow- 
ing timothy seed is last of August or first 
of September, and, the surest chance is to 
sow it without grain, harrowing or brush- 



ing it in. The old rule was 1o put one 
bushel of seed to every six acres. It ought 
to be one to every three or four. If farmers 
would regularly sow plaster upon their 
timothy meadows, they would be well re- 
paid for it. 

The green sward is a beautiful grass {'or 
a yard, and fine for grazing also. The 

I common blue grass is one upon which ani- 
mals fatten readily, but it is not desirable 
for other purposes. 

I The Kentucky blue grass made some 
noise in this part of the world for awhile. 
I have not tried it, but, from what I hear 
my neighbors say who have tried it, I do 
not think I ever shall. 

"Hampton." 



FARMERS' STATE CLUB. 

At a meeting held in the Senate chamber 
I on the 20ih Febiuary, Gen. Corbin Braxton, 
President, in the chair: 

Subject for discussion, Cultivation of Wheat. 

Upon questions propounded by the Presi- 
dent, Col. Wright, of Loudoun, said that in 
his county the time to commence sowing is 
from the 20th to 25th of September; clover 
ley is preferred to a naked fallow; do not re- 
fallow; commence harvesting so soon as the j 1 
grain is in the tough or dough state and before 
it becomes hard. 

By J. R. Edmunds. Esq. of Halifax. Do 
you tie up in bundles'? large or small shocks'? 

Col. W. It is tied up in sheaves and about 
fourteen to a shock, which yields about a 
bushel. It is usually hauled to the barn to be 
threshed. 

Col Tomlin, of King William. The size 
of our shocks is such as to average about 
three and a half bushels each. 

The President. Do you use the reaper? 

Col. W. Some farmers do; six horses are 
generally employed, three at a time, so as to 
change ; their gait a fast walk. Average work 
about eight acres per day. 

Col. Tomlin. How many hands required? 

Col. W. A driver, one to let it off the plat- 
form, five to bind, two boys and one man to 
shock. These will not be sufficient in rank 
wheat; more than five hands required where 
the crop is fifteen bushels to the acre, or more. 

The President. Does it cut wheat clean? 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



75 



Col. W. Generally it does-, but not if the 
straw be damp. 

President. Does the blue grass interfere 
with your tallowing'? 

Col. W. There is a blue grass which is a 
serious obstacle to fallowing; do not think it 
would answer to drill in wheat where such 
grass exists. But this is entirely different from 
the Kentucky blue grass, which is valuable. 

Col. Tornlin. Have you any wire grass 1 

Mr. Carter, of Loudoun. There is no such 
thing amongst us. 

Col. Wright. Sheep sorrel is the worst thing 
we have to contend with; injures the corn 
crop by growing around the corn hill. 

Col. Tornlin. Do you hoe corn? 

Col. Wright. No; never. 

Mr. Carter thought it not advisable to dis- 
pense with the use of the hoe; hoe labor is 
paid for according to his experience of Lou- 
doun farming. 

Mr. Edmunds had never seen but one man 
who did not hoe corn; regarded it as an indis- 
pensable operation in the tillage. 

Col. Tornlin. How far apart do you plant 
corn - ? 

Col. W. Three and a half feet, and two 
stalks to the. hill. It does not "fire" thus 
planted. Usually cultivated on a level. 

The five field system is more generally prac- 
tised in Loudoun, taking off' one crop of corn 
and two of wheat. Average crop of wheat 
ten to twelve bushels per acre. Mode of put- 
ting in is first to plough, then harrow, then 
sow and cross harrow. Have sowed broad- 
cast, and have drilled; see no difference in 
the yield. 

Col. Tornlin. Do you broadcast or plough 
your land in beds'? 

Col. W. Broadcast; no necessity for beds 
with us. 

The President. Does the drill facilitate 
your operations'? 

Col. W. Yes. One hand and two horses 
will sow eight acres a. day; a saving in the 
quantity of seed and one horse and seedman. 

Col. Tornlin would regard five acres as a 
good day's work. How long does it take one 
hand and two horses to prepare an acre for 
seeding'? 

Col. W. About a day. The harrow used 
is large and heavy. 

Mr, Carter. There is a material difference 



between harrowing after the plough and har- 
rowing in the grain, which should be taken 
into the estimate. 

Col. T. Do you lap in seeding 1 ? 

Col. W. We do not where we cross harrow. 

The President inquired as to the difference 
in the time of seeding different varieties of 
wheat. 

Col. W. The 20th to 25th of September is 
the usual lime for commencing; with the Me- 
diterranean and earlier vaiieties, some com- 
mence as early as the 8th. We commence 
{"allowing from 25lh July to 20th August— im- 
mediately after securing our hay. Use the 
large three-horse coulter-plough; some use the 
left handed plough. 

Mr. Edmunds. On which side of the furrow 
do the two horses walkl 

Col. W. On the land not ploughed. 

Col. Tornlin. Width of your furrow % 

Mr. Carter. About ten inches. 

Mr. Boulware, of King & Queen. I never 
saw a left hand plough. Ours are alt right 
hand. 

Col. W. A farmer once came to my re- 
gion of country who had never seen a left 
hand plough, and was persuaded to take one. 
He now refuses to use any other. 

The President. I presume you have no sin- 
gle-horse left hand ploughs. 

Col. W. None single. 

President. What time do you thresh'? 

Col. W. Immediately after we have finished 
seeding— in October usually. We are not in- 
terfered with by the weevil. 

President. Weight of your wheatl 

Col. W. Ranges from fifty-two to sixty-four 
pounds. 

Mr. Carter. Fifty-eight is merchantable. 

President. The same here. 

Col. W. When the wheat is dry, with six 
to nine horses we thresh two hundred to two 
hundred and fifty bushels per day; general 
average two hundred ; fourteen hands required 
to serve the machine; this includes the first 
fanning. 

Col. Tornlin. Do you put away chaff and 
stack your straw 1 

Col. W. Yes. The straw is carried off 
from the drum by a wire sieve about four and 
a half feet wide. It is composed of three lea- 
ther thongs connected by a number of wires. 
The wires are placed three-quarters of an inch 



73 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



to one inch apart. By the revolution of this 
sieve the straw is carried out of the way of 
the drum. The spiked machine, not long since 
introduced, we consider a great improvement. 

Mr. Edmunds. We do not use it; the beater 
is, however, very much used. 

President. Do you salt your straw ? 

Mr. Edmunds. Some do. It saves the trou- 
ble of salting stock. 

Col. Tomlin. Do you plough your land dry, 
Mr. Carter'? 

Mr. C. I never saw land too dry to plough 
for wheat. It is hard work, but beneficiak 
There are many varieties of wheat sown with 
ns. The white blue stem is much appreciated, 
but the red purple straw holds its own in op- 
position to all others. 

Mr. Edmunds. Much spelt in if? 

Mr. C. I have noi seen it. (Here a con- 
versation ensued about darnel, cockle, spelt, 
&c.) I have lost more by heavy, beating 
rains than by cheat, spelt and all other causes 
combined. Harvest time is about the first of 
July. In 1845, a very remarkable year, it was 
over before t l at time. Twelve bushels is 
about the average produce per acre. I do not 
mind the quantity of straw, so I have a good 
season. 

Col. Tomlin. Difference between corn and 
fallow land? 

Mr. C. Eight bushels from corn land, and 
fifteen from fallow. Loudoun is deeply in- 
debted to clover and plaster. In 1800 her 
lands were valued at one dollar and fifty cents 
per acre; in 1850 at twenty-seven dollars and 
fifty cents. 

Mr. Edmunds. When did the use of plaster 
eommencel 

Mr. C. About the year 1810. We apply 
in the spring one bushel to the acre. 

Col Tomlin. Do you cut your clover? 

Mr. Carter. Rarely. We haul out little 
manure, except upon our meadows. 

President. What do you do wiih your im- 
mense heaps of manure? 

Mr. C. Since stock grazing has become 
profitable, we find it advantageous to apply it 
to our meadows. 

Col. Tomlin. Use lime? 

Mr. C. No; cannot get it; would cost in 
small quantities eighteen or twenty cents per 
bushel. (Related anecdoie of a widow on the 
subject. ) Our favorite lands are red— not 



what are called the red lands of Albemarle — 
but more of a chocolate color than those 
lands. 

Mr. Edmunds. Is it a close soil? underlaid 
with rock? does water sink in it? 

Mr. C. There is no base rock. Water does 
not interfere with our cultivation. Never been 
analyzed that I know of. 

Mr. E. What is your market? 

Mr. C. Alexandria, except as to those near 
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Cost is 
seventy-five cents a barrel for flour; fourteen 
to sixteen per bushel for wheat. Some haul 
to market themselves. I ihink nothingis saved 
by it. 

Mr. Edmunds said that in Halifax, tobacco 
was the chief crop. Not a large crop of wheat 
made, though it had increased of late. The 
custom is to thresh early— July and August — 
from shocks or dozens. Cost of gelling it to 
market twenty-two cents per bushel— one dol- 
lar per barrel for flour. Manure not applied 
to any extent to wheat, but mostly to tobacco. 
Lime has not been much used except by Mr. 
Bruce. Our wheat liable to lodge; tried all 
varieties; red May, once the favorite, but the 
"Ward" white bearded is at this time pre- 
ferred; early purple straw is beginning to be 
introduced; the Mediterranean lodges and is 
liable to be killed by spring frosts, 

President. What is the product in your 
couniy? 

Mr Edmunds. Eight to ten bushels on the 
large farms; cannot say as to the county gen- 
erally. Some of us use plaster. 

Col. Tomlin. When do you sow wheat? 

Mr. E. Whenever we get ready. We ob- 
serve no particular rotation of crops. 

President. What is your best soil? 

Mr. E. The chocolate, or mulatto soil, is 
preferred. 

Mr. Boulware, of King and Queen, called 
on. After apologies, 

Col. Tomlin asked what had been his ex- 
pense in the use of the drill. 

Mr. Boulware said he had been much dis- 
appointed in it; had felt much interested and 
gave much attention to it; after experience, 
had found that the points would accumulate 
little masses of grass as they passed along the 
prepared ground. The result was that the 
wheat came up in bunches. This evil was 
partially removed by elevating the tines, so as 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



77 



to prevent them from penetrating so deep.— 
The shallower they went into the ground, the 
less was the quantity of grass aceumulated. 
But this did not remove the evil. The drill 
was made by Sinclair, of Baltimore. 

Mr. Edmunds. How deep do you fallow 1 

Mr. B. Should say about eight inches; 
sometimes with the chain in front. 

[Some conversation about the advantages 
of covering wheat deep and shallow.] 

Mr. Edmunds. I sow the same amount, 
whether i plough in or harrow in. 

Mr Boulware. In using the drill, I consi- 
dered uniformity as its greatest advantage, 
although I did not succeed. 

Mr. E. What advantage have you derived 
from the use of plaster! 

Mr B. None whatever. Iknowofnoman 
in King & Queen who has gained anything 
by the use of plaster— not even after liming. 
I am not on tide water, but not far above the 
head of tide water. 

Mr. Edmunds suggested that the sea breezes 
might have some effect favorable to its use. 

The Ptesident confirmed this suggestion. — 
He knew that on the Eastern Shore of Mary- 
land, plaster did operate beneficially ;«*hree 
crops of clover had been cut in one season, 
where it was used in that locality. 

Mr. Boulware said he had seen a statement, 
by a British writer, to the effect that it would 
not act where there was salt water, but did 
not believe it. 

Dr. Maupin, of the Richmond Medical Col- 
lege, was requested to make an explanation of 
his views, which he did briefly. The action 
of piaster in promoting vegetation was attri- 
butable to its affinity for ammonia. By at- 
tracting the ammonia of the atmosphere, thai 
was carried to the roots of plants and their 
growth promoted. 

[Conversation between Messrs. Maupin, 
Boulware and others.] 

President. What would be the effects, Dr. 
Maupin, of a combination of the carbonate 
with the sulphate of limel 

Dr. M. The carbonate of lime would have 
no effect on the sulphate of lime. But it might 
have effect upon the other constituents of the 
soil. It would hnve considerable effect upon 
the vegetable matter of the soil. 

Mr. John Seddon, of Fredericksburg in- 



quired of Mr. Boulware, how long, after he 
first limed, was it before he saw good results'? 

Mr. B. said he had limed for ten years. It 
was five before he experienced its benefits. 

Subsequently, Mr. B. stated that there had 
been two opinions as to the relative value of 
oyster shell and stone lime. Once, the pre- 
ference had been given to stone lime; now 
oyster shell is preferred as the more valuable. 

Mr. Gooch. Mr. Carter, of Shirley, says 
he has not been able to perceive any difference 
in their effect on the land. Their relative va- 
lue to the farmerconsists in the relative cheap- 
ness and convenience with which he can pro- 
cure them. 

Mr. Seddon said he had seen sorrel grow 
on limed land. 

After conversation between several mem- 
bers — 

Mr. B. referred to what Col. Wright had 
said about there being an abundant growth of 
sorrel in Loudoun where plaster had been 
used freely, and lime to some extent. 

Some gentleman here remarked that it would 
often grow for a year or two after the applica- 
tion of lime, and then disappear from the land. 

Mr. Edmunds. We have not much sorrel 
in Halifax. 

Mr. Seddon. You have broomstraw, which 
is a sort of acid. 

Mr. E. Yes, limestone is everywhere. 

Mr. Warner Taliaferro. It is Gn the best 
lands in Gloucester. 

Col. Wright. We have very little in Lou- 
doun. 

Mr. Carter. We have, in Loudoun, sorrel 
to a great excess occasionally, and then it dis- 
appears for years. It is preceded generally 
by a dry season. ■ 

Mr. Taliaferro gave some interesting state- 
ments as to the use of lime in Gloucester. — 
Plaster is rejected, as its effects are regarded 
as preearious. Experiments had, however, to 
be made wiih that which was old, since there 
were no mills for grinding it. Mr. James Roy 
always mentioned its efficacy, and wasenabled 
to apply it fresh by making his plantation force 
beat it up, on rainy days. Both clover and 
plaster are used only on small lots— nothing 
being sown with the small grain crops. 

Col. Wright (in answer to a question pre- 
viously asked) said he had no particular lime 



_ 



78 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



for sowing clover. The months of January, 
February, March and April were Ihe season. 
He preferred to sow in January; had tried fall 
seeding, and failed; does not harrow in the 
seed; sows on corn-land which has been put 
in wheat; does not sow orchard grass; sows 
timothy for grazing, and we graze heavily. 

Mr. Edmunds. Has any one tried harrow- 
ing wheat in the spring? 

President. I have. It has no effect except 
on the clover. Half a sralfon of clover seed, 
dragged in, is better than a gallon not. 

Mr. Seddon recommended the rolling of 
clover seeded on corn-land wheat, in prefer- 
ence to harrowing. 

The President stated his practice of grazing 
his sheep upon his wheat in the spring; found 
it beneficial. 

Mr. Edmunds. Will grazing with sheep in 
the fall be a preventive against fly? 

President. Cannot say. Some of my neigh- 
bors do it, and think it has that effect. 

A subjeet for next' meeting was selected, 
one of the members appointed to commence 
ihe discussion, and the Club adjourned. 



Prom the German town Telegraph. 

SETTING POSTS. 

Posts in fences should never be cased. 
The durability of timber depends exclu- 
sively, either upon the free, unrestricted 
circulation of the air, or upon its entire ex- 
elusion. It is not unfrequently the case 
that to induce a more finished and elegant 
appearance, the post of ornamental fences, 
in the .immediate contiguity with houses, 
offices, &c. are " cased;" a practice which 
results in the unavoidable deterioration of 
the posts unless, indeed, the operation be 
remarkably well performed, and the exte- 
rior carefully protected by paint, or some 
impervious coating, capable o^ resisting 
the action of the atmosphere, and exclud- 
ing, utterly, the wet In this way, tho- 
roughly seasoned wood will endure a long 
time, while wood that is wholly green, or 
but partially or imperfectly seasoned, will, 
by the deleterious action of confined air 
which cannot escape in consequence of the 
insolating casing, decay more speedily than 
if openly exposed. Charring posts, adds 
greatly to their durability. 



For the Southern Planter. 

WHEAT AND CORN. 

Mr. Editor,— As I do not like to be idle nor 
behindhand, and the new year has made its 
appearance, I take this opportunity to inform 
you that I have been greatly gratified in read- 
ing the Planter the past year; there is a magic 
in the Planter; it always puts me in a good 
humor, if I am not in one when I receive it, 
and I would advise all who are in the habit of 
being out of humor, to take the Planter. And 
as I have been so well compensated for my 
dollar, I enclose your dollar for the present 
year in order that you may have the use of it 
as I use the paper. 

By your permission I will suggest a few 
thoughts on the culture of wheat and corn and 
their comparative value to the grower, and I 
do this because it is often said that wheat is 
our dependence and corn is an unprofitable 
crop. It is not so with me; I always do best 
when I raise the most corn. Land that will 
make ten bushels of wheat will make twenty 
bushels of corn. Well, we will commence the 
statement. 

One acre for wheat, 1 bushel of seed, 
Preparation of land, seeding, harrow- 
ing, &c. 
Cutting, raking, hauling, threshing, 
fanning, &c. 20 cents per bushel, 



Yiel^per acre 10 bushels, ai 



One acre in corn yield 20 bushels, 

at 50 cents per bushel, 
Cultivation, per acre, $3 00 

Seed com, 12 



, SI 00 


1 50 


2 00 


$4 50 
10 00 


S5 50 



$10 00 



3 12 



$6 88 
The fodder and shucks will amply pay for 
saving corn and fodder, and according to the 
above statement we have in favor of corn one 
dollar and thirty-eight cents. For fear of not 
being fully understood, I will give the gross 
proceeds of one acre of corn, say yield 20 
bushels, at 50 cents per bushel, $10 00 

At 10 hills to the bundle of fodder we 

have 500 bundles, worth 2 50 

Tops and shucks, worth 1 00 



Now allow S'3 50 for work and S3 50 
for saving, and we have 



813 50 



00 



$G 50 
But we all know that it will not take seven 
hundred dollars per acre to cultivate and save 
one hundred acres in corn, and I am, therefore, 
brought to the conclusion that corn is more 
profitable than wheat. 

C. C, Snow. 
Promised Landman. 3, 1851. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



79 



FRUIT. 

In no way can delicions and yet luxuri- 
ous food be eo abundantly, cheaply, and 
universally obtained as in ihe cultivation 
of fruit. However billy, rugged and rocky 
the land, although it refuse the plough and 
the scythe, there is scarcely an acre in our 
country which will not produce good fruit 
of some kind. The marsh which bids de 
fiance to cultivation without expensive 
drainage, yields whortleberries and cran- 
berries, each highly valuable in its way. — 
The glen and mountain side may easily be 
made prolific in the cherry, pear, peach 
and apple; and on the more favored por- 
tions of the soil, where wheat, corn, and 
grass are easily and abundantly produced, 
will fruit repay the room and labor in a 
rich reward. It is believed that a good I 
fruit tree will yield more real market and < 
nutritive value than any other crop that I 
can be procured from the soil. No labor 
Of the farmer, and no use of the soil pay j 
more abundantly than when applied to the 
culture of good fruit. As a tree of choice 
fruit covers no more land than a poor one, ! 
it is of the first importance to make the 
best selections, and render the most faithful 
attentions to its full development. Man 
does not use one half the quantity of fruit 
that he should do as an article of food. — i 
Thousands of farmers live mainly on salt 
beef, pork, and fish, who might have the 
luscious luxury of fruit, at every meal, every I 
month in the year. Besides, man is adapted 
in his nature to subsist principally on a ve- ! 
getable and fruit diet, and would be far : 
more healthy, happy and long lived for so ! 
doing. As an article of general food, fruit 
in its vast varieties is without a parallel. — 
Our friends, at a distance from cities, will : 
find it a source of profit, as railroads now 
bring them so near the market as to enable 
them to compete with farmers in the sub- i 
urbs of cities. We have felt keen regret 
in travelling in different portions of the 
country to see so little attention paid to the 
subject of good fruit — and have been still 
more pained to see orchards forests of miser 
rable sour, rusty apples, only fit for vine- j 
gar. Let fire- wood be made of such mise- 1 
rable trees. 

The Spaniards have a maxim, that a 
man is ungrateful to the past generation 
that planted the tree from which he eats — 
and deals unjustly with the next generation 
unless he plants the seed of that fruit, that 
it may furnish food for those who come after 
him- Thus when a son of Spain eats a 



peach or pear by the road side, wherever 
he is he digs a hole with his foot in the 
Ground, and covers the pit or the core. — 
Consequently, all over Spain by the road 
side, and elsewhere fruit in great abun- 
dance tempts the taste and is ever free. — 
This is an easily wrought charity, and an 
evidence of a noble soul. Let this prac- 
tice be imitated in our own country, and 
the weary wanderer will be blest, and bless 

j the hand and liberal charity that ministered 
to his comfort and joy. We are bound to 

! leave the world as good or better than we 

j found it, and he is a selfish churl who basks 
under the shadow, and eats the fruit of 

I trees which other hands have planted, if 
he will not also plant trees which shall yield 

1 fruit to coming generations. No young man 
should vote or marry until he has planted 

[ at least one tree as an evidence of good 

J citizenship. Who planted the elms of 
Boston Common, and of New Haven, so 

justly celebrated? Surely not the present 

J generation. Let fruit trees in like manner 
be bequeathed, that unborn generations 

Vnay be grateful to this. — Phrenological 

1 Journal,. 



From the Genesee Farmer. 

VIRGINIA LANDS AND FARMING. 

Every one who aspires to be an intelli- 
gent cultivator of the soil, should know 
something of the climate and agricultural 
capabilities of all the great farming Sates 
of the Union. Among these — from its 
central position, its noble rivers, fine har- 
bors, and being on the Atlantic — Virginia, 
which has been the mother of so many 
States, has peculiar claims to the study of 
every American. It contains 6 1,352 square 
miles, or within a fraction of 40,000,000 
acres. Vessels drawing fifteen feet of wa- 
ter, come up the Potomac to Washington 
and Georgetown. Vessels of considerable 
tonnage are seen at the Cities of Richmond 
and Petersburg. The canals up the James 
and Potomac rivers are already completed 
far into the interior, and are still being ex- 
tended. From steamboat navigation on 
the Ohio to Norfolk, through (he James 
river canal, will bo about 500 miles. Every 
body knows that Virginia lies in the valley 
of the Ohio, as well as on the Atlantic 
ocean. A loaded canal boat at Portsmouth, 
which is the southern terminus of the Ohio 
canal, is over 1000 miles from the City of 
New York, via Cleveland, Buffalo and the 



80 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



Erie canal; and its cargo must be re-ship- 
ped twice in crossing Lake Erie. By as- 
cending thd Kanawha and descending the 
James rivers, in Virginia, the ocean is 
reached in half the distance, and without 
breaking bulk. This canal is not yet com- 
pleted. The canal from Cumberland to 
Alexandria, in the District of Columbia, 
will be in operation all the way by the first 
of August. 

There are several important lines of rail- 
way now being constructed in Virginia, to 
facilitate travel and the transportation of 
agricultural produce to tidewater; but we 
need not stop to name them. It may not 
be amiss, however, to. remark that Norfolk 
has one of the finest harbors in the world; 
and that the Potomac, up to Washington 
City, is more of a haij or arm of the Che- 
sapeake than a river. Tide rises and falls 
some four feet, and the river above the 
bridge is two miles wide. On the Virgi- 
nia side of the Potomac is the farm of 
George Washington Parke Custis, the 
step-son and adopted child of the illustrious 
Pater Patrije. This farm contains 1100 
acres. We shall take another occasion to 
describe this fine estate and its farming 
operations. Its extensive meadows yiekl 
two tons of hay to the acre, an article which 
sells in Washington at from $15 to $20. — 
Think of land within a few miles of the 
metropolis of the United States, (which is 
growing rapidly and must soon contain 
100,000 inhabitants,) selling at from $7 tu 
$12 an acre I Every acre of this land, with 
northern husbandry, will yield $30 worth 
of hay a year. The question may be asked 
why farming lands are so low in the "An- 
cient Dominion." This we will answer 
without fear or favor, according to our own 
views of the subject. 

Forty years ago slaveholders in the 
State of New York had learned that ne- 
groes were worth more to grow tobacco 
in Virginia and Maryland, than to raise 
grain in the now Empire State. Obeying 
the laws of trade, thousands of slaves were 
carried south, and slaveholding ceased in 
New York and New Jersey. Now, two- 
thirds of the slaveholders of Virginia have 
learned that negroes are worth more to 
grow cotto.i, rice, and sugar at the south, 
than tobacco and grain further north. — 
Obeying still the law of demand and sup- 
ply, thousands of sluves are annually leav- 
ing Virginia and migrating south to grow 
cotton, sugar, and rice, for the civilized 
world. Constantly hearingof the fortunes 
made in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, 



Louisiana, Florida, and Texas, the most 
enterprising planters of Virginia are leav- 
ing their partially exhausted estates for the 
El Dorado of a warmer climate, where 
slave labor is worth two prices. Can it be 
otherwise than that (he millions of deserted 
acres in the Old Domini >n should be offered 
to the enterprise of free labor ai mere 
nominal prices? 

If all the won. en in the world insist on 
having twice as many yards in each calico 
dressas formerly, and twice as many dresses 
in the course of a year, who, pray, hut 
Virginia slaves, are to raise cotton enough 
to supply the incalculable demand? The 
cotton mills of England alone exported 
over thirteen hundred million yards of cot- 
ton cloth last year, and one hundred and 
fifty million pounds of cotton yarn. Let 
the men of fifty who read this article, caU 
to mind how sparingly sugar was used 
when they were boys, and ihen reflect a 
moment on the way in which poor people, 
as wtll as rich, now consume this product 
of slave labor. So rapid has been the ex- 
tension of commerce, and so great the im- 
provements in the machinery for ginning 
and the manufacture of cotton, that the 
world wants, or affects to want a world of 
cotton fabrics In short, the day is near 
at hand when all the slaves in the Republic 
will either cease to be bondmen, or be em- 
ployed in the culture of the three great 
southern staples, cotton, sugar, and rice. — 
Who, then, are to cultivate the northern* 
slaveholding States? Who plant thou- 
sands of wealth-giving orchards? Who 
grow wool and hemp, mules and horses, 
cattle and hogs, and make butter anct 
cheese, wheat and corn, in the best elimate 
in America? It will be Ireemen, happily 
exempt from all the peculiar cares and un- 
told vexations incident to, and inseparable 
from, the relation of master and slave. 

It is a great mistake to suppose that a 
farmer is thought the less of at the south, 
in any State, if perchance he tills his fields 
with his own hands. Mr. Toombs, a mem- 
ber of Congress, from Georgia, and him- 
self a worthy planter, says that one-fourth 
of all the cotton grown in that State is 
planted, hoed, picked, ginned, and put up 
for market, by free, white laborers. It is a 
law of Providence, and one not easily 
evaded anywhere, that man, whether bond 
or free, "shall eat bread in ihe sweat of 
his face." Citizens that care not to own 
slaves, but seek to realize an independent 
living by their own industry, or by hiring 
help, may do so in Virginia quite as we.!ii 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



81 



as in New York. As a general thing, the 
soil in the former State is not rich, but it 
is susceptible of easy improvement. It 
lacks lime more than any other element of 
crops. There are, however, extensive dis- 
tricts offair wheat lands, and corn is grown 
inall parts of* the State. Rotation of crops 
and the art of making money by the dairy 
business and wool growing, are little 
thought of, and less practised. The cli- 
mate and the almost spontaneous growth 
of the best grasses, favor sheep-husbandry 
and stock-growing of all kinds. Thefinest 
sheep that we have ever seen are brought 
into Washington from Virginia. Colonel 
Ware, of Clarke county, has left with the 
writer, in the Patent Office, samples of 
wool from an imported ram, which clips 
18 lbs. of wool a year, and weighs 420 lbs. 
His fat wethers sell readily from $25 to 
$35 a head. Being a gentleman of for- 
tune, he buys, regardless of price, the prize 
rams and ewes at the Royal Agricultural 
Fair in England, nearly every year; and 
seeks mutton sheep and long, combing 
wool. 

The demand for good roadsters, not race- 
horses, is most encouraging to the breed- 
ers of this noble animal. 

To the man of small means, fruit cul- 
ture promises the largest and surest profit. 
From the Potomac to the Rio Grande, the 
consumption of good apples will be limited 
only by the supply. Pears, peaches, grapes, 
quinces, plums, cherries, and berries of all 
kinds, are scarce and high. 

The annual expenditure of several mil- 
lions in this District, (Columbia) by the 
General Government, and the drawing to 
a focus of so many gentlemen of wealth, 
and their families, from so vast an empire, 
operate, greatly in favor of skilful farmers 
and gardeners in this neighborhood. Both 
land and manure are cheap and abundant. 
It is said, (we know not with what truth,) 
that the one hundred square miles, or ten 
miles square, do not contain over one thou- 
sand slaves, and these are nearly all house 
servants. 

Instead of migrating- to the far off out- 
skirts of the Republic, her enterprising 
eons had better come and settle down near 
her pulsating heart, and reap all the ad 
vantages of the best markets on the con- 
tinent. A thousand dairies cannot sup 
ply butter and cheese to the cities of Bal- 
timore, Washington, Alexandria George- 
town, and to the planters engaged in grow- 
ing tobacco and other crops. Why bring 
butter five hundred miles south, when it 



can be better made within an hour's drive 
of the consumer? We have seen better 
butter sold in Ohio at six cents a pound, 
than sells for thirty-one cents in Washing- 
ton. On the 4th of July potatoes sell at a 
dollar and a half a bushel. In this climate 
they should be abundant at a third of the 
money, at this season of the year. Garden 
vegetables are abundant and generally 
good ; but the supply does not hist as skill 
in the keeping of them would effect, pro- 
vided skill was possessed by the growers 
of these perishable commodities. How to 
keep potatoes, cabbage, beets, carrots, tur- 
nips, onions, apj les and other fruits, is a 
science of great importance to all house- 
keepers. The warmer the climate, the 
greater the difficulty, and the larger the 
profit to those that study and master the 
art. It is knowledge, more than land, that 
we all lack ; although we are apt to crave 
many acres, while we begrudge the appro- 
priation of a few dollars to purchase the 
most useful books. 

In Virginia, agricultural skill and rural 
science may command a liberal reward, 
because the field is large and the laborers 
few. Prejudice alone keeps honest, enter- 
prising farmers of small means, from grow- 
ing hay at fifteen dollars a ton on land 
worth from five to ten dollars an acre, which 
is now vacant. Potatoes and butler sell 
at three prices, because it is too small bu- 
siness for planters to produce them. Such 
defective tillage and husbandry can not 
long endure, and those that make judicious 
selections of land in Virginia now, may do 
better than the best did in New York forty 
years ago. Negroes are going where their 
labor is most profitable. 



For the Southern Planter. 

GRAZING WHEAT. 

Mr. Editor,— Those who wish toguard against 
injury from fly in their wheat and wish to 
«row three heads where they would only have 
two, and wish to make a field of wheat head 
out evenly and ripen all about the same lime, 
can do so by putting a large flock of sheep on 
their field the 15th of February, or between 
that time and the 25ih of March or 1st of 
April, lei ting the lateness of the spring govern 
as to time of taking off. The closer the wheat 
is eaten off, and the qnk-ker it is done, the 
better. It is a good plan to put on sheep at 
night when the ground is frozen, or partially 
so, and keep them off in the day when the 
ground is soft. This may be done at any time 



_ 



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82 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



during the winter. Whenever wheat looks 
badly no matter whether it is from the effects 
of fly or worm, it maiters not, grazing will 
be found to improve the crop. But it must be 
done with proper judgment on the part of the 
farmer. If you graze too late in the spring 
you will injure your crop. Two or three trials, 
with close observation, will satisfy any one. 

I. I. HlT£. 

Buffalo Springs, Virginia. 



For the Southern Planter. 
AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT. 

Mr. Editor, — My two former communica- 
tions occupied as much space as I am entitled 
to for some time, and I should regard it as only 
justice to others if this should be excluded or 
postponed to make room for their productions. 
You were very fortunate in deciphering my 
chirography as well as you did, though its ille- 
gibility caused some of the sentences to read 
awkwardly and rather unintelligibly. 

My object has been to excite amongst the 
agricultural community increased interest and 
communication, being satisfied that the desti- 
nies of our proud old Commonwealth impe- 
riously require it. Some of the topics were 
touched so slightly as to require further illus- 
tration and explanation. I am thoroughly con- 
vinced, by observation and consultation with 
the most judicious and enlightened indivi- 
duals, that it is almost impossible to perfect 
any general and extensive system of improve- 
ment, without a greater approximation to the 
farming, in contradistinction to the planting 
system. I stated in a former part of these ar- 
ticles that a temporary residence in a portion 
of country which had passed through this 
change, and consultation with the most en- 
lightened citizens, had enabled me to collect 
materials and form conclusions more valuable 
than my own; and my frequent allusion to 
others is for the purpose of imparting more 
importance to my remarks, and if 1 should 
unintentionally err I shall deem it fortunate if 
it has the effect of eliciting a correction. I 
was struck forcibly with the remark of Mr. 
B. W. Harrison, the former sensible delegate 
from Loudoun, who, in an extensive law cir- 
cuit had enjoyed an opportunity of ocular ob- 
servation of the effects of a transmutation 
from the planting to a farming system. He 
stated that the mere fact of the change caused 
a rise in the price of lands in consequence of 
the increased profit and income from the labor 
employed. An individual will tell you that 
he cannot reduce his surface for corn because 
he does not make enough with it. And the 
reason why he does not, is that the number of 
ploughings, and increased cultivation other- 
wise, is such as to require so much labor of 
horses and hands that one crop is necessary 
to make another— not to speak of the liability 



of the land to wash and deteriorate. The 
first thing which excited my astonishment in 
travelling through the farming region (Fau- 
; quier, Loudoun, Clarke, Frederick, Jefferson, 
| &c.) was the small number of hands employed 
| on the farms. 1 think, Mr. Robert E. Scott 
\ told me there was scarcely a farm in Fauquier 
with more than ten hands on it. This is ac- 
\ counted for, in part, that it is, to some extent, 
I a grazing or stock country. But this is not 
j the chief reason. I was told by some that the 
hands performed more labor than in other sec- 
tions. This I did not believe. I was told by 
others that it was the relinquishment of to- 
bacco; and this at first did not fully satisfy 
1 me. Notwithstanding the paucity of laborers, 
! the fences were in better condition; branches 
I better cleaned up and ditched; every thing, in 
fact, indicated greater amount of labor be- 
stowed on such matters; and I could not ac- 
1 count for it, or see where it came from, or why 
our large number of hands could not exhibit 
! even more beneficial results I became satis- 
fied that it was the immense amount of labor 
J required by the tobacco crop chiefly, and the 
! sustenance required to sustain it, that was the 
; true solution. I confess that, though born and 
laised on a tobacco plantation and accustomed 
to it every year of my agricultural experience, 
I had not formed any accurate idea of the 
amount of labor expended on a tobacco crop. 
; It is a fact, almost incredible on its first an- 
nunciation, that from the time you first com- 
mence the preparation of the land to the cut- 
\ ting of the plant, the hands pass over the 
\ ground not less than fifty times, in the various 
| operations of preparing the land, planting, '■ 
working, topping, priming, worming, sucker- 
ing, &c. &c. One of my most judicious and 
attentive neighbors told me he counted fifty 
times, and remarked that no person who would 
do it, would ever make another plant. An- 
other gentleman said he went over his fifty 
times and ought to have gone over ten times 
more. I heard several gentlemen, who at first 
\ were incredulous as to the number, count over 
upwards of forty times hastily, and the remark 
was made by one of the most sensible, judi- 
, cious and successful, that the labor after cut- 
tins: was as great as before. This review is 
sufficient to establish the great amount of labor 
< required and which is withdrawn from other 
i operations, and also the quantity of provisions 
essential to its support. Now, if a man in- 
tends to keep the same number of hands on a 
! farm, they might as well be employed unpro- 
' fitably as to be idle. The first thing to be 
! done in giving up the tobacco crop, is to re- 
duce the number of hands in a corresponding 
decree, or which is the same thing, enlarge 
the surface of cultivation, particularly for 
grain, or such as requires no cultivation from 
seeding to reaping (wheat, oats, rye, various 
grasses, &c.) To illustrate, I will suppose 
fifteen hands to be engaged on a tobacco plan- 
tation, and there is frequently double this num- 
| ber. Relinquish the tobacco crop, and nine 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



83 



hands, or perhaps less, can cultivate the por- 
tions usually allotted to grain, and aho fallow 
and sow in wheat the surface generally re- 
served for tohacco. They can do more than 
this. The question occuis, will not the hire 
and expense of these six hands fully compen- 
sate for the loss of the tohacco crop under or- 
dinary circumstances? Then you have the 
wheat on the land usually reserved for tobacco, 
additional forage, less consumption of corn, 
additional pasturage, improvement of land, 
&c. relief of most unpleasant operaiions, such 
as burning plant-beds, cutting and firing to- 
bacco, frequently requiring night work, &c. 
Notwithstanding all these considerations I am 
not, by precept or example, urging its aban- 
donment, particularly while the high prices 
continue, but I deem it of vast importance to 
discuss the subject now, preparatory to future 
action. I will again revert to the fact that I 
have never yet seen an estimate of a large 
per cent, on capital invested wherein tobacco 
was an ingredient. I regard the lands in the 
tobacco-growing region as originally the most 
fertile in the State, and if they had been cul- 
tivated on the improving system, would have 
been the most valuable and high priced; still 
they can be bought at from five to ten dollais 
per acre, while inferior lands in other sections 
sell for five times the amount, corroborating 
the remark of Mr. Harrison, previously al- 
luded to. I am aware that many will ascribe 
the difference to the peculiar adaptation of 
other sections to the system I advocate; but it 
is a well known fact, that the whole tobacco 
region is peculiarly adapted to clover and mea- 
dows, properly managed, grain, &c. When 
the different improvements are completed for 
the transportation of grain and introduction 
of manures, some change of system will be 
imperiously demanded, and it is not now too 
soon to discuss the subject. 

I will, in this connexion, again refer to the 
obstacle growing out of the exposure to cheat 
on the fallow system without the intervention 
of a hoe crop. Since hearing of a calamity 
similar to my own, (I mean wheat turning to 
cheat,) sustained by Mr. Lewis E. Harvie, of 
Amelia, I am satisfied such occurrences may 
happen under the most judicious system of 
preparation and management. My ground was 
well fallowed, the wheat then turned in with 
a single turning plough, and the surface then 
well harrowed; the seed wheat clear of cheat; 
indeed, it w 7 as procured from the limestone 
country, on account of its peculiar excellency 
as seed wheat. It is with much reluctance 
that I touch the controverted question, as to 
the transmutation of wheat into cheat. But 
it may be a subject peculiarly important to 
the accomplishment of my object to find a 
corrective. 1 am aware that the most scientific 
farmers contend, with ingenious, theoretical 
arguments, against the change. But it is one 
of those subjects in which an ounce of fact 
and observation is worth ten founds of argu- 
ment. I will first relate what has occurred on 



my own plantation under my own particular 
inspection. The year after wheat was reaped 
from a field the volunteer wheat came up so 
thickly that it was carefully guarded, with the 
expectation of securing a fair crop of wheat, 
but when it headed eveiy spire produced cheat. 
Again: while hauling up my wheat a bundle 
"fell by the wayside. ' : The grains shattering 
out on a hard surface there was a growth of 
vegetation resembling wheat in all respects, 
except that the entire product was cheat. The 
band was still visible on the decayed straw. 
Precisely this occurrence was communicated 
some years ago by Mr. Richard K. Meade, Sr. 
then of Brunswick. I will also refer to a 
communication of this fact: that a hillside was 
sown in wheat, and soon after a washing rain 
carried portions of earth and wheat on the un- 
broken surface below, which produced cheat, 
while that above was wheat. Again: a writer 
states that he deposited twelve grains of wheat 
in his garden; that after it was several inches 
high his riding horse bit it down, and that 
there were eleven spires of cheat and one of 
wheat. My scientific friends must excuse me 
for my incorrigibility on this subject. I only 
discuss it as a means of ascertaining a correc- 
tive so important to the system I regard so 
essential to the permanent improvement of the 
country. Mr. Harvie, whose opinion as to 
the transmutation accords with my own, (and 
with whom alone I could make a confident 
stand,) recommends, 1 believe, hard grazing 
preceding the fallow. One effect of this, I 
suppose, i* to make the land closer and more 
compact, and a better protection to the wheat 
from freezing, &c. As I remarked in a former 
communication, a crop of oats or peas imme- 
diately preceding will accomplish the same 
object. It is essestial first to ascertain the 
cause as the best avenue to a remedy. 1 think 
where wheat succeeds wheat some shattered 
grains may remain in an imperfect state, or 
the cavities in the fallow may injure the roots. 
Indeed any thing which impairs the strength 
of the root or stem may produce the result. 
My friend, Mr. Boiling, has promised to watch 
that portion of the Sandy Point estate owned 
by the son of Mr. William B. Harrison, on 
which there was a fallow for wheat immedi- 
ately after harvest, not from choice or judg- 
ment, (for I do not suppose he has ever had 
an opportunity of learning any but good farm- 
ing,) but because the whole open land pur- 
chased by him had just been in wheat. If no 
cheat comes there I shall ascribe it to the su- 
perior manner in which it was sown, and 
agree that in that instance my theory fails of 
an argument to support it. 

The next material for agricultural improve- 
ment which I shall notice and enforce' is the 
formation of agricultural clubs, fairs, &c. It 
would be impossible to devise a greater stimu- 
lus for owner, overseer and negroes, than the 
knowledge that their crop is to be examined 
by a number of judicious farmers who are to 
criticise the management of it in all respects, 



84 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



its condition, &c. They are said to infuse 
new spirit into every ramification and depart- 
ment, fully compensating for any trouble or 
expense they may occasion. 'I here may be 
some who may dislike any criticism on their j 
management, and prefer a concunence ii: all | 
their notions and practices As for myself, 
while a concurrence may imparl more confi- 
dence in my own impressions and practices, 
I still do not feel that 1 gain really anything 
by it. It is only when my management is ob- 
jected to, and substantial and convincing rea- j 
sons uiged for a change, that I feel ready bene- j 
fited; and it is by this intercourse and inter- 
change of views amongst farmers that each 
one has the benefit of the experience and ob- j 
servations of all. There seems to be at this 
time some enthusiasm on the subject of a lair, j 
in Petersburg or Richmond, during the present 
year, and it will he very discouraging if it is 
permitted to subside. It is not only a proper 
occasion for the assemblage of farmers in dis- 
cussion of the various subjects of their avo- 
cations; but the best opportunity which can 
be afforded of examining the best collection 
of agricultural implements and exhibition of 
various descriptions of imptoved stock, &c. 
Having procured some of the full bred Ox- 
fordshire or Cots Wold sheep, I have no hesita- 
tion in uniting in the general current of re- 
commendation, judging from appearance, as I 
have not had them long enough to afford any 
other evidences. I have for many years had 
no other kind than the "Frederick'' sheep, 
said to have been formed by judicious cross- 
ing by the late R. K. Meade, of Frederick, and 
superior to any one breed. I have regarded 
them as very far superior to the ordinary thin 
wooled sheep, as it is reasonable that a thick 
fleece is a better protection from the inclement 
weather, and I do not think I have ever known 
one to lose the wool and become naked, as is 
usual with some. The different kinds of cat- 
tle have been so extensively tried as to need 
but little remark. 1 have preferred a cross of 
the Durham, both for working and lacteal 
qualities. The largest collection of highly 
improved Durhams in this region I suppose 
may be found on the highly improved faim of 
Mr. Corbin Warwick. It is impossible to 
view them in the same pasture and precisely 
under the same treatment with other catile, 
without being convinced of their vast supe- : 
riority. Indeed, he has succeeded, in a re- I 
markable degree, in the improvement of all j 
kinds of stock, as well as every thing else he i 
has undertaken; and if a premium is ever of- 
fered for the highest product per acre on fertile 
lowgrounds combined with hillsides recently 
galled and gullied, 1 would be glad of the pri 
vilege of entering Beaver Dam against ihe 
field, or fields Upon the subject of stock, I 
feel great hesitation and doubt concerning 
hogs. I have tried different improved breeds; 
nearly all, however, require grasses, slops, Ac. 
and to be kept near the house, which is incom- 
patible with raising fowls. When turned off 



to "root or die," the result frequently changes 
the form of the expression to "root pig and 
die." It cannot be doubted that a lean hog, 
fed in the ordinary way, will consume eight 
bushels of corn after being put up to fatten; 
and considering what is previously requited, 
the operation is a source of loss as well as 
trouble; siill it will not do for faimers to buy 
all their bacon. It is, however, a subject whicli 
should engage the serious consideration of all 
farmers, and some plan should be devised to 
afford a supply at a less ruinous sacrifice. — 
Mr. David G. Williams, whose unsurpassed 
judgment and success in all such matter^ are 
acknowledged, is in the habit of fattening his 
hogs altogether on meal made into a kind of 
mush in trough*, and, no doubt, derives much 
advantage from the grinding process, and I 
have no doubt that the crushing operation, 
formerly described, would be highly advan- 
tageous. Col. George W. Townes, ;he late 
estimable representative from Pittsylvania, 
once described to me vei bally (and I hope will 
publish it,) a system which he said would en- 
sure an abundance of pork on favorable terms. 
I think the general outline was to devote the 
labor of one inferior hand exclusively to the 
cultivation of vegetables and attention to that 
especial object. I have no doubt that the 
practice of sowing oats or rye for them will be 
found highly advantageous. I know no sub- 
ject more in need of the consideration and 
discussion of farmers than this, and I refer to 
it with the hope that it will command them 
from persons qualified to do it justice. From 
what I understand, Mr. John B Harvie, of 
Powhatan, would give valuable information 
on the subject of raising and fattening hogs, 
as well as other depaitments of judicious agri- 
cultural operations. 

I desire to invite attention to the most highly 
approved agricultural implements as a subject 
meriting much greaterimportance than it com- 
mands. There is scarcely any subject on 
which greater diversity may be expected, not 
on'y because there are so many possessing 
rare advantages, but because different soils 
require different implements It would be 
difficult in this region to command general 
use for any plough costing more than six 
dollars; and from my observation and expe- 
rience I shou'd not hesitate to give the pre- 
ference to Mayher's No. 19 or 20 for two horses. 
It is generally sold under the appellation of 
the ,c Premium Plough." I am strengthened 
in this preference by the concurrence and de- 
cided testimony of Mr. Old, of Powhatan, and 
the Messrs Irby, who think there is a difference 
in the amount and quality of work in six weeks, 
compared with other improved ploughs, to pay 
the cost, and who would not probably accept 
of anv other double plough, with the obligation 
to use it. Indeed, one of them remarked to 
me, a short time since, that the effect of run- 
ning them in the field with other ploughs was 
to break the gr^nd irregularly. My overseer 
undertook to point out the furrows made by 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



85 



this plough in connexion with others some 
time after the operation was performed. Al- 
though heavy, it turns well an unusual sur- 
face with ease to the ploughman ami horses, 
and is remarkable for durability. 1 have or- 
dered some castings for double and single 
ploughs, with what I regaid impiovcments, 
dispensing with rods wheie they are apt to 
break under heavy pressure, providing loops 
for handles, &c. I am satisfied that the sub- 
soil plough is entitled 10 much more attention 
than it commands. When following a turning 
plough it breaks the ground verv deep without 
burying the surf ice mould, ; nd is the most 
effectual remedy for drought — the most formi- 
dable antagonist of co>n. I was struck with 
an expression of Mr. R. B. Boiling, (who pre- 
pares all his land for corn in this way,) that 
he scarcely knew any thing about the effects 
of drought, It would require a very long dry 
spell to evaporate ihe moisture from a soil so 
deeply penetrated and pulverized. J have pre- 
viously alluded to its advantages in breaking 
up roads, cow-pens, and indeed, any hard 
ground Land is not so apt to wash when thus 
ploughed, and a much larger area is thus pro- 
vided for the sustenance of the crop; and I 
think we had belter be satisfied with less ex- 
tent of surface, thus prepared, than a greater, 
without it. I regard the folding harrow as'an 
important and useful improvement, as it ac- 
commodates itself to the concavity or con- 
vexity of the surface, and is peculiarly va- 
luable amongst stumps, as one half <an be 
raised to avoid a stump or rock while the 
ot''er is pei forming its purpose. If the Gauge, 
or Echelon plough, could be made lighter, I 
have no doubt it might be used advantageously. 
It resembles three small mouldboard ploughs, 
each succeeding filling up the furrow of the 
preceding; and in some soils would be very 
useful, horn its expedition in seeding wheat, 
cultivating corn, &c. 

1 think I have now committed a sufficient 
trespass in these numbers on your own pa- 
tience and that of your readers. I hope none 
will suspect me of the vanity of making any 
display of my own practices and designs. I 
have generally preferred to refer to individuals 
whose names imparted value to any of their 
operations; and when I have necessarily al 
luded to my own 1 have felt that it was a 
''step Irom the sublime to the ridiculous." It 
is certain that a more frequent interchange of 
sentiments amongst farmer.-, and communica- 
tion of their practices, right or wrong, would 
be advantageous, as the effect might be p ! o- 
duce«l of establishing the right and correcting 
the wrong; and I have been less reserved in 
the communication of my own views ,in con- 
sequence of the hope that they might elicit the 
crit cism and correction of others. 

Edwin G. Booth. 

Nottoway County, Virginia. 

We hope the gentleman referred to will re- 
spond to the call made upon them— Editor. 



For the Southern Planter. 

CASTRATION OF COLTS. 

Mr. Editor, — Enclosed you will receive my 
annual subscription to your excellent journal, 
which please give me credit lor. 

By-the-by, whilst I have pen in hand, let me 
say to the author of an article on the "Castra- 
tion of Colts from the twelfth to the twentieth 
I day/' which appeared in a number ot your 
I last year's volume, that by giving publicity to 
that article he has caused the death of some 
j six colis and mules. Experienced hands ope- 
j rated on five, and advised the owners to post- 
j pone the operation. I have been in the habit 
j of altering every species of stock on my farm 
Irom the time 1 commenced farming, and I 
never lost a colt or mule before last spring." 
J Seeing said article in your journal and placing 
! confidence in the author's opinion, based on 
I practice, I concluded lo alter the finest mule 
J ever saw of its age on the twelfth day after 
j it was foaled ; it ruptured in less than thirty 
; minutes, and every effort to save it failed — 
j Thus we buy our experience, placing confi 
I dence in the opinions of men we know nothing 
1 of. 

Yours, T. E. Blunt. 

Sussex, Feb. 11,1833. 

P. S. — One of the gentlemen who operated 

on the twelfth day on a young mule, last 

; spring, which died, hid previous to that lime 

operated on " seventy-six and had never lost the 

first colt or mule." T. E. B. 



For the Southern Planter. 

GREEN CROPS. 

Mr. Editor,— 1 find from a 7 l I have lately 

read in different books on agriculture it seems 

j to be the general opinion that the ploughing in 

of green crops is recommended as the proper 

i system for returning to the soil the exhausted 

j vegetable maiter which has been destroyed by 

cultivation Some lew, I believe, are of opi- 

j nion that the fully matured dry crop, such as 

I clover, &c. will more permanently benefit the 

! exhausted soil. I think this maiter by no 

I means settled. I wish it fully discussed. I 

j must confess that my opinion leans to the side 

of the dry crop fallow. Let us hear from the 

experienced. A. 



GINGERBREAD SNAPS. 

Take a pound and a half of flour, half a 
pound of butter, the same of sugar and mo- 
lasses, and an ounce of powdered ginger. IVIix 
well before the fire, add five table-spoonfuls of 
thick cream, work into a stiff paste, roll out 
thin, dip a wineglass into flour, cut out the 
snaps with it, and bake in a quick oven. 



86 



THE SOUTHERN PLATER 



DRYING COWS BEFORE CALVING. 

In England it is customary to milk cows 
till within a week of their calving, and a 
late writer says, that when the animals are 
well kept, no injury need be anticipated, as 
the cows almost invariably do well. It is 
said also, that its adoption prevents the in- 
tumescene and induration of the udder, 
and other serious and painful affections to 
which these useful animals are so liable at 
the time of calving. — Ger. Telegraph. 



For the Southern Planter. 

MEETING OF*THE VIRGINIA STATE 
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

At a general meeting of the Virginia State 
Agricultural Society, held by appointment at 
the Capitol in the City of Richmond on Tues- 
day, the 1 8th. day of February, 1851: 

The President took the chair and delivered 
the annual address. 

Mr. Richard B. Gooch presented a state- 
ment of his account of receipts and disburse- 
ments made for the Society by him, accompa- 
nied by vouchers. 

The Treasurer also presented a similar ac- 
count, showing a balance in his hand to the 
credit of the Society of $117. 

Both of which accounts were received and 
ordered to be filed. 

On motion of Mr. Boulware, of King & 
Glueen, the following resolution was adopted: 

Resolved, That a committee be appointed by 
the Chair, to report to an adjourned meeting 
to-morrow, a project of the best mode of ap- 
plying legislative aid to agriculture. 

And a committee was appointed, to wit: 
William Boulware, of King & Glueen; Gen. 
Corbin Braxton, of Kin? William; Josiah W. 
Ware, of Clarke; William P. Moselev, of 
Buckingham; Col. Robert L. Wright, of Lou- 
doun; Col. Thos. J. Randolph, of Albemarle; 
Allen T. Caperton, of Monroe; William P. 
Taylor, of Caroline; Charles Carter Lee, of 
Henrico, and Bernard Peyton, of the city of 
Richmond. 

Mr. William H. Macfarland offered to the 
meeting the following resolution: 

Resolved, That the thanks of this Society be 
presented to the President for his able and in- 
teresting address, and that he be requested to 
famish a copy for publication. 

And the question on the adoption of the said 
resolution being propounded by the mover, it ' 
■was unanimously agreed to. 

On motion of Col. Bondurant, it was 

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to 
naminate officers of the Society for the ensu 
ing year,— and a committee was appointed, to 
wit; Col. Bondurant, Mr. Macfarland, Mr. 



George Taylor, Mr. Richard S. Ellis, of Buck- 
ingham; Mr. Dabney P. Gooch, and Mr. Jas. 
T. Sutton. 

On motion, 

Ordered, That when this meeting adjourns, 
it will adjourn to meet in this Hall on to-mor- 
row evening, at half past seven o'clock. 

The meeting then adjourned. 

Wednesday Evening, Feb. 19, 1851. 

The Society met in the Hall of the House 
of Delegates, according to adjournment. 

On motion of Mr. C. B. Williams, it was 
proposed to amend the Constitution of the So- 
ciety, by striking out at the close of the second 
section, the words (, or election districts, and 
be equal in number to the House of Delegates," 
and insert instead thereof the following: "and 
shall consist of not less than three nor more 
than ten members in each." And further to 
amend by inserting after the word "President," 
in the third section, the words, "or Chairman 
of the Executive Committee." 

[The effect of the first of these amendments 
will be to change the form of the General Com- 
mittee. Instead of having it constituted ac- 
cording to the number and locality of the mem- 
bers of the House of Delegates, it will be 
formed of .separate committees in each county, 
consisting of not less than three nor more than 
ten members. The effect of the second will 
be to enable the Executive Committee to have 
a separate Chairman, instead of the President 
of the Society, as at first provided for.] 

And the question being put upon each of the 
said amendments, they were agreed to by the 
Society. 

Mr. Boulware, from the committee appointed 
to report a project of the best mode of applying 
for legislative aid to agriculture, made a report, 
in the form of a bill, for the adoption of the 
General Assembly, and recommended that it 
be presented to that body, and their favorable 
consideration invoked. 

Whereupon Mr. Macfarland moved, in sub- 
stitution of the said report, the adoption of the 
following: 

Resolved, That it is indispensable to any 
system of sound and successful agriculture in 
the State, that the Legislature should extend 
to it a liberal and enlightened care, and that 
among the means of effectually promoting it, 
are the incorporation of this Society, and the 
creation of an Agricultural Commission, con- 
sisting of a Commissioner and one or more 
Chemists. 

The question being put, the substitute was 
adopted. The resolution was then agreed to. 

On motion, it was 

Resolved, That the same committee be re- 
quested to present the subject of the last reso- 
lution to the notice of the Legislature, in such 
form as the committee, in their discretion, may 
judge proper, and that Mr. Macfarland be 
added to that committee. 

Col, Bondurant, on the part of the committee 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



87 



appointed to nominate Officers of the Society 
for the ensuing year, made a report, recom- 
mending the re-appointment of the present offi- 
cers, with the exception of the Corresponding- 
Secretary, who had declined to serve, and in 
whose place Mr. Charles Carter Lee was no- 
minated. 

And then, on motion, the said officers so re- 
commended, were unanimously elected, as 
follows: 

President — Andrew Stevenson of Albemarle. 
> Vice Presidents. 

1. William Old of Powhatan. 

2. William L. Goggin of Bedford. 

3. William P. Taylor of Caroline. 
4 Alexander Brown of Nelson. 

5. Robert E. Scott of Fauquier. 

6. Samuel Hansbarger of Augusta. 

7. E. B. Jacobs of Warren. 

8. William G. Brown of Preston. 

9. Edmund Ruffin, Jr. of Prince George. 

10. James C. Bruce of Halifax. 

11. Thomas M. Bondurant of Buckingham. 

12. Francis Mallory of Elizabeth City. 

13. John Willis of Orange. 

14. Josiah W. Ware of Clarke. 

15. Charles L. Crockett of Wythe. 

16. William G. Caperton of Monroe. 

17. William Campbell of Nottoway. 

18. George Townes of Pittsylvania. 

19. Hill Carter of Charles City. 

20. Willoughby Newton of Westmoreland. 

21. Robert Grattan of Rockingham. 

22. Charles James Faulkner of Berkeley. 

23. G. D. Camden of Harrison. 

24. John M. Preston of Abingdon. 

25. John C. Crnmp of Nansemond. 

26. E. P. Scott of Greensville. 

27. William Boulware of King & Gtueen. 

28. Richard Sampson of Goochland. 

29. Robert L. Wright, Wheatland, Loudoun. 

30. George R. Taylor, Big Lick, Roanoke. 

31. Hanson W. Chapline, Wheeling, Ohio. 

32. P. H. Steinbergen of Mason. 
Executive Committee. — William H. Richard- 
son, Chairman; Bernard Peyton, William F. 
Gaines, Joseph Sinton, James M. Morson, Jos. 
Corbin Burton, Charles B. Williams. 

Corresponding Secretary. — Chas. Carter Lee. 

Recording Secretary. — Anthony Robinson, Jr. 

Treasurer. — Lewis D. Crenshaw. 

On motion of Mr. Lee, the following reso- 
lutions were adopted: 

Resolved, That we deem it essential to the 
success of this Society to have annual exhibi- 
tions of agricultural products and implements, 
and to distribute prizes thereat for the best 
specimens of each sort— and that to procure 
the means of doing so, the members of this 
Society, and especially the officers thereof, be 
required to exert themselves to procure, as 
speedily as possible, the enlargement of its 
numbers, and that the Executive Committee 
be instructed to procure subscriptions from the 
citizens of Richmond, or such town as it may 



be resolved on to hold these exhibitions in, to 
aid in discharging the expenses thereof. 

R'solved, That the Executive Committee be 
authorized to hold an exhibition as early as 
next November, and to notify the Society of 
the precise day thereof— and to make use of 
any of the funds of the Society which may be 
in its treasury to defray the necessary expenses 
of such exhibition. 

On motion of Mr. Williams, it was 

Resolved, That copies of the proceedings of 
the Society be published under the direction 
of the Executive Committee in a supplement 
to the Southern Planter, at the expense of the 
Society, for general circulation. 

On motion, the Society then adjourned. 



STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

The State Society "to Improve the Condi- 
tion of Agriculture, Horticulture and the Me- 
chanic Arts," held its annual meeting in the 
Hall of the House of Delegates on Tuesday 
and Wednesday evenings, February 18th and 
19th. It was opened with a very interesting 
and impressive address from Mr. Stevenson, 
the President. A copy was requested for pub- 
lication, and if our readers do not see that, 
we shall endeavor to give them "some of the 
points." 

The meeting was better attended than any 
we remember to have seen in the capitol, and 
we are sure that the best feeling prevailed. A 
common desire to advance the agriculture of 
the State seemed to animate all who attended. 

It was the universal conviction, however, 
that the aid of the State Legislature is essen- 
tial to adequate success. Accordingly, mea- 
sures were taken to petition that body on the 
subject. 

A charter, with an annual appropriation, to 
be paid pari passu with the contributions of 
members, is absolutely needed, and further 
assistance, as presented in the projet of Mr. 
Ruffin, for the appointment of an Agricultural 
Commissioner, would repay the treasury and 
the tax payers tenfold on the outlay. The 
details of that and other plans were not dis- 
cussed in the general meeting. The truth is, 
a better arena for considering the minutiae of 
systems of husbandry and its improvement is to 
be found in the familiar Farmers' Club, where 
all may speak without restraint. It is for the 
General Society to recommend plans and to 
concentrate opinion upon the modes of culti- 



88 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



vation best adapted to different soils. It ought 
to be a nucleus around which fanners can 
rally, and which the public who are not far- 
mers may look up to with confidence. That 
our Society will become such, we feel satisfied. 
We invoke for it a helping hand from all of 
our community who are not contented at see- 
ing their means go to foster societies else- 
where—societies at the North, but too often 
made the medium for selling trash implements, 
or yet more trashy cattle. 



For the Southern Planter. 
APPLICATION OF PLASTER. 

Mr. Editor, — As the lime approaches forap- 
plying plaster upon clover, it seems to me ap- 
propriate for the agricuhural papers to inform 
those interested in the subject how plaster acts 
as a stimulant upon the grass. I have before 
me a number of the American Agriculturist, 
of New York, for February, 1851, on p.ige 44, 
the writer says that plaster acts beneficially 
upon clover, except in a small dist;ict near the 
sea: and then goes on to say that ammonia is 
brought to the earth by dews, rain and snow, 
aud the plaster acts as collector of this fertili- 
zing agent. The language of the Agriculturist 
.seems to ma too general. How does the plas- 
ter act as a collector of ammonia? and why 
should it not collect the ammonia as well in the 
neighborhood of the sea as at a distance from 
it? If the above queries can be answered, 
perhaps the farmer might proceed understand- 
ing^ to apply the plaster. I take it for granted, 
that the writer could not have meant that the 
plaster acts chemically by forming a new set 
of combinations, to wit: that the sulphuric 
acid of the plaster, leaving the lime free, unites 
with the ammonia, forming a sulphate of am- 
monia; if this be so, then the affinities of sul- 
phuric acid are mis-arranged, for ordinarily 
the works on chemistry give them in the fol- 
lowing order: 1st Baryta, 2d Srantia,3d Lime, 
4th Ammonia. Unless the above arrangement 
is wrong:, the sulphuric acid can never leave 
the lime in plaster to form suphate of ammonia. 
I have dwelt somewhat upon this matter, be- 
cause it is no unusual thing to see plaster re- 
commended as very proper to be used in sta- 
bles to arrest the ammonia evolved from stable 
dung. 

Now, according to the list of affinities above 
alluded to, the plaster must he inert in arrest- 
ing ammonia in stables. The reasonable de- 
duction seems to me to be, from the above 
stated facts, that some salt of sulphuric acid 
should be used, in which the acid has a weaker 
affinity for the metal w alkali, forming the base 
of the salt, than it has for ammonia, say for 
instance, sulphate of iron, (copperas,) the acid 



will readily yield up its iron lo form a new 
compound with ammonia. I am perfectly sa- 
tisfied that plaster is a most valuable applica- 
tion on clover,and this from actual experiment; 
but how it acts is unintelligible to me; will 
you or some of your correspondents give infor- 
mation on this subject. Again, says the agri- 
culturist, it (plaster) does not act beneficially 
near the sea the first question that naturally 
arises is, is it true that plaster does not act 
well on the sea coast? if this be a fact, per- 
haps it may furnish a hint as to how plaster^ 
acts upon clover I should suppose that there 
is as much ammonia in (he dews, rains, and 
snows upon the sea coast as in the interior— I 
see no reason for a contrary opinion The 
above is penned to draw out such information 
on the subject of applying plaster to clover, as 
any person may feel disposed to contribute. — 
In touching upon the subject of chemistry, I 
can but congratulate the agricultural commu- 
j nityupon the action of the Visatorial Board of 
William and Mary College, they announce 
that agricultural chemistry will constitute a 
portion of the collegiate course at that institu- 
tion, in mv humble judgment this is the most 
judicious move made by that body for some 
time past; at least the practical effect for such 
training, will be to send out scientific farmers to 
till the earth. I cannot but believe that the 
visiters will be sustained by the farming com- 
munity; their effort at least ought to meet the 
approbation of those who desire lo see the ag- 
ricultural interest of this State duly attended 
to. 

In conclusion, Mr. Editor, I would suggest 
that in some future number of your valuable 
paper, you would publish an analysis of the 
main agricultural products of this State; if 
your friends know what is in the crops raised 
by them they will understand what to put in 
the land to make them. Myself, I have been 
often at a loss what to apply to my crops not 
knowing what was in them. 

Another suggestion and I shall bring this 
communication to a close; it is this, when 
yon: subscription is due, adopt the plan pur- 
sued atone time by an Editor some time since, 
in this State just print over the top of the co- 
ver the following words, "you owe dollars 
to the Southern Planter." It will be an easy 
matter to fill up the blank with the proper sum. 
I do not know whether this plan u onld 1 e any 
violation of the post office law, of this nuttier 
perhaps you have better opportunities to know 
than the writer. 

The advantage of the above plan will be 
this: judging others by myself, we only wish 
to know or raiher to be reminded, of what we 
owe, and we are ready to pay it. And n- w I 
bring this communication to a close, wishing 
| you gieat success, which you, in my opinion, 
j most richly deserve. 

c. » * 

Gloucester C.H. Feb. 3, 1F51. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



89 



For the Southern Planter. 

HORTICULTURAL REMARKS FOR 
MARCH, 1851. « 



PREPARED BY A. D. ABERNETHY, FLORIST, GRACE 
STREET, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. 



Admit air freely to greenhouses, pits, &c. 
giving a larger supply of water to the plants, 
most of which will now be growing rapidly, 
and syringe the foliage frequently during dry 
weather. Roses, geraniums, verbenas, and 
other plants, which may be in vigorous growth, 
should have plenty of light and room given 
them, and tied neatly to stakes. Plants in 
bloom, such as camelias and azaleas, should 
have a conspicuous situation in the greenhouse 
to show them to advantage. Cactus, if they 
are showing flower buds, should be more plen- 
tifully watered to enable them todevelop their 
flowers. Tender roses, &c. may now be un- 
covered and trimmed. Flower beds and bor- 
ders, if not previously done, should be spaded 
and raked over. Trim and finish planting out 
evergreens and box edgings. Towatds the 
end of the month, sow annuals, plant out ver- 
benas, carnations, pinks, roses, &c. &c. lay 
gravel on walks, after all the ground opera- 
tions are finished. As a substitute for gravel, 
(where it can be obtained,) tan bark may be 
used. The walks in our gardens are laid with 
ii, and it is found preferable to gravel, inas- 
much as no weeds grow upon it, does not wash 
with heavy rains, is found more agreeable to 
walk upon, and lasts almost as long as gravel 
without requiring to be renewed, it would also 
answer well for private carriage ways where 
not much travelling is done. 

In the kitchen garden most vegetable seeds 
may now be sown except snaps, beans and the 
cucumber tribe, which should be delayed till 
the beginning of April. Plant out early york 
cabbage and lettuce from the hot bed. Clean 
off asparagus and strawberry beds, covering 
the latter with straw or pine beards, to keep 
the fruit clean. 



PROFESSOR JOHNSTON, OF DURHAM. 

The Durham gentleman who was in this 
country last year and lecturing (by invitation 
from various associations,) upon agricultural 
science, has returned to England, and, like 
some other tourists, has published his notes on 
American agriculture. Professor J.'s reputa- 
tion had preceded him. His work upon agri- 
cultural Chemistry was well known and highly 
appreciated. He commanded large audiences 
and much applause. We have not seen a copy 
of the "Notes;" but some of the press are 



handling the Doctor without gloves in connex- 
ion with them — some of the press who could 
find no adjective too complimentary whilst he 
was here. He has certainly fallen into some 
grievous errors in regard to our agricultural 
statistics, if these papers quote him correctly, 
and in nothing more than in his remarks upon 
the Southern States. We will not, however, 
prejudge, but wait for the book itself. 



FARM MANURES AND THEIR MANAGE- 
MENT. 

There is nothing connected with the agri- 
cultural interest of so much importance as the 
manufacture (if the expression be allowable,) 
of manures. This will be admitted by all far- 
mers; and yet, how many opportunities for the 
accumulation of manure are allowed to pass 
unnoticed, and how little care is taken in the 
best and most efficient use of those, which are 
thrust upon us. Good ploughing is most as- 
suredly of vast influence upon the fruitiulness 
of your fields; but good manuring is a sine qua 
nen. The human body requires food for its 
nourishment and health— so it is with mother 
earth. Over work and no food will as surely 
exhaust the one. as it will kill the other.— 
Again and again, have the readers of the 
Planter been advised and entreated to make 
use of all the means in their power to the pro- 
duction of larger quantities of rich manures, 
than they have hitherto been in the habit of 
making; yet, we greatly fear, that our efforts 
have resulted in exerting too little influence. 
None, no not one of the vast number of far- 
mers in the world, will be found to dispute the 
soundness of the position heading this article, 
and yet, (we will lay a wager on it.) there is 
not a farm of one hundred acres in Virginia, 
on which hundreds of cart loads of manure 
are not annually wasted and lost, for the waDt 
of a little energy and a little care. Is there a 
reader, who, at comparatively small expense, 
cannot double the quantity and quality of his 
manure'? If there be one who doubts, we 
would say to him try it— try it faithfully, ho- 
nestly, and if the result of his labor does not 
enable him to answer the question in the affir- 
mative, we will knock under and confess that 
we know nothing about the matter. 

In connexion with this subject, we most cor- 



90 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



dially recommend the following chapter on 
" Manures from Domestic Animals and their 
Preservation" taken from Professor Norton's 
work, entitled " Elements of Scientific Agricul- 
ture" and with the permission of our readers, 
we will continue the subject of manures in 
our next number. 

"The manure of various domestic ani- 
mals is, in this country, most commonly 
employed as a fertilizer, all other manures 
being used in comparatively small quanti- 
ties; and yet even these are seldom pre- 
served and applied so carefully as they 
might or ought to be. 

"The principal varieties are those of the 
ox, the cow, the hog, the horse, and the 
sheep. Of these, that of the horse is most 
valuable in its fresh state ; it contains much 
nitrogen, but is very liable to lose by fer- 
mentation. That of the hog comes next. 
That of the cow is placed at the bottom of 
the list. This is because the enriching 
substances of her food go principally to the 
formation of milk, the manure being there- 
by rendered poorer. 

"The manure of all these animals is far 
richer than the food given them, because 
it contains much more nitrogen. This is 
for the reason that a large part of the car- 
bon and oxygen of the food are consumed 
in the lungs and blood generally, for the 
purpose of keeping up the heat of the 
body. They are given off from the lungs, 
and also by perspiration and evaporation 
through the pores of the skin, in the form 
of carbon and water. 

u From animals led upon rich food, the 
manure is much more powerful than when 
it. is poor. In England, for instance, where 
they fatten cattle largely on oil-cake, it is 
calculated that the increased value of the 
manure repays all of the outlay. This is 
the reason why human ordure is better 
than manure from any of the animals men- 
tioned above, the food of man being rich 
and various. 

"All these kinds of manures should be 
carefully collected and preserved, both as 
to their liquid and solid parls. The liquid 
part, or urine, is particularly rich in the 
phosphates and in nitrogen. This part is, 
by very many farmers, permitted, in a 
great degree, to run away, or evaporate. 
Some farm-yards are contrived so as to 
throw the water off entirely; others con- 
vey it through a small ditch upon the near- 
est field. The liquid manure which might 
have fertilized several acres in the course 
of the season, is thus concentrated upon 



one small spot, and the consequence is a 

vegetation so rank as to be of very little 

use* Spots of this kind may be seen in 

(the neighborhood of many farm-yards, 

j where the grass grows up so heavy that it 

I falls down and rots at the bottom, and has 

to be cut some weeks before haying time, 

producing strong, coarse hay that cattle 

will scarcely touch. 

"The proper way to save this liquid is 
to have a tank or hole, into which all the 
drainings of the yard may be conducted. 
If left here loni/, this liquid begins to fer- 
ment, and to lose nitrogen in the form of 
ammonia, which, it will be remembered, 
is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. 
To remedy this, a little sulphuric acid, or 
a few pounds of plaster may occasionally 
be thrown in. The sulphuric acid will 
unite with the ammonia, which will remain 
unchanged, not being liable to evaporate. 
Others prefer to mix sufficient peat, ashes, 
sawdust or fine charcoal with the liquid in 
the tank, to soak it all up; others still 
pump it out, and pour it upon a compost 
heap. One point is to be noticed in the 
management of a tank. Only ihe water 
which naturally drains from the stables 
and yards should be allowed to enter it; 
all that falls from the eaves of the build- 
ings should be discharged elsewhere. Re- 
gulated in this way, the tank will seldom 
overflow, and the manure collected in it 
will be of the most valuable and powerful 
description. The tank may be made of 
stone, brick or wood, as is most convenient, 
and need cost but very little. 

"While the liquid manure is actually, in 
many cases, almost entirely lost, the solid 
part is often allowed to drain and bleach, 
until nearly every thing soluble has washed 
away, or is exposed in heaps to ferment 
without any covering. In such a case am- 
monia is always formed and given off, — it 
may often be perceived by the smell, parti- 
cularly in horse manure. The fact may 
also be shown, by dipping a feather in mu- 
riatic acid, and waving it over the heap. 
If ammonia, in any quantity, is escaping, 
white fumes will be visible about the 
feather, caused by the formation of muri- 
ate of ammonia. This escape of so valu- 
able a substance may be, in a great meas- 
ure, prevented, by shovelling earth over 
the surface of the heap, to a depth of two 
or three inches. If this does not arrest it 
entirely, sprinkle a few handfuls of plaster 
on the top; the sulphuric acid of the plas- 
ter will, as before, unite with the ammonia, 
and form sulphate of ammonia. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



91 



"Manures containing nitrogen in large 
quantities are so exceedingly valuable, be- 
cause this gas is required to form gluten, 
and bodies of that class, in the plant; this 
is particularly in the seed, and sometimes 
also in the fruit. Plants can easily obtain 
an abundance of carbon, oxygen and hy- 
drogen from the air, the soil and manures. 
Not so with nitrogen. They cannot get it 
from the air; there is little of it in most 
soils, and hence manures which contain 
much of it, produce such a marked effect. 
Not that it is more necessary than the 
other organic bodies, but more scarce; at 
least in a form available for plants. The 
same reasoning applies to phosphoric acid. 
It is not more necessary than the other in- 
organic ingredients, but still is more valu- 
able, because more uncommon in the soil, 
and in manures. 

"In all places where manure is protected 
from the sun, and from much washing by 
rain, its value is greatly increased. 

"Horse manures, particularly, should not 
be left exposed at all ; it begins to heat and 
to lose nitrogen, almost immediately, as 
may be perceived by the smell. It should 
be mixed with other manures, or covered 
by some absorbent earth as soon as possi- 
ble. Almost every one who enters a sta- 
ble in the morning, where there are many 
horses, must perceive the strong smell of 
ammonia that fills the place. I have seen, 
in some stables, little pans containing plas- 
ter of Paris or sulphuric acid, for the pur- 
pose of absorbing these fumes, and form- 
ing sulphate of ammonia. The liquid 
which runs from barn-yards and from ma- 
nure heaps, is shown, by analysis, to con- 
sist of the most fertilizing substances; and 
it is calculated that where this is allowed 
to wash away, as is the case in many in- 
stances, the manure is often reduced nearly 
one-half in its value. I have seen yards 
where it was almost worthless, owing to 
long exposure. 

" The farmers of this country need awak- 
ing up on the subject of carefully preserv- 
ing their common manure. In Flanders, 
every thing of the kind is saved with the 
greatest care, the liquid manure of a sin- 
gle cow for a year, is valued at ten dollars; 
here it is often allowed to escape entirely. 
Either they are very foolish, or we are 
very wasteful." 



Bean straw should not be wasted. It is 
good feed for sheep, and they are very fond of 
it. 



For the Southern Planter. 

POUDRETTE. 

Mr. Editor, — \ purchased two barrels of the 
Lodi Manufacturing Company of New York, 
last spring, and used it by the side of guano 
on corn. 1 found it to be a perfect take-in. I 
think it coniained a good portion of glass and 
ground shoesoles, of which we can be supplied 
without going to the North. One bushel of 
ashes is worth two of poudrette, judging from 
the experiment I made. 

1. I. Hite. 



TO CORRESPONDENTS, &c. 

The publication of the present number has 
been delayed by causes beyond our power im- 
mediately to remedy. With much regret, we 
have been compelled to lay over much valua- 
ble manuscript matter furnished by correspon- 
dents and to cut short our own remarks. The 
interesting proceedings of the Club meetings; 
the proceedings in the Legislature and Con- 
vention on agriculture, with staustics, &c. are 
omitted necessarily. 

Essay on Guano, by George W. Read, Esq. 
was received too late for the March, but shall 
appear in the April number. 

Joel Younger has also been received, and 
shall have a place in the April number. 



For the Southern Planter. 

REST TO LAND. 

Mr. Editor, — As there seems to be much in- 
terest at this time manifested throughout the 
world upon the subject of agriculture, and as 
no part of it, perhaps, needs it more than our 
good old State of Virginia, I have thought 
proper to say a few words upon the subject, 
taking into consideration an old saying that a 
"fool may ask questions which will require a 
wise man to answer." As my letter may, upon 
the whole, be considered rather a "point no 
point" communication, yet I wish to draw from 
some of your experienced and scientific cor- 
respondents something upon the subject of 
rest to land, or as I believe it may be called 
fallow, in the first signification of the term. I 
have for many years been a close observer of 
the progress of agriculture in some of the mid- 
dle counties of our Siate, or I might more 
properly have said, the downward progress. — 
Perhaps for more than a thousand years agri- 
culture was divided into its art and science. 
Thea?f of agriculture has not been much im- 
proved upon until very recently. The same 



92 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



may be said of the science. In the region of 
country alluded to all that was known (in fact 
but little more now) in relation to the improve- 
ment of the soil was rest and manure. The 
idea of rest was the same as ihat attached to 
a weary or broken down horse or ox; and no 
doubt the term arose from the supposed simili- 
tude. And however agricultural chemists de- 
nounce the simile, I cannot but believe our 
forefathers were not as ignorant upon the sub- 
ject as has been imagined. They surely were 
not silly enough to believe that rest entirely re- 
instated the exhausted land to its origin at state 
of fertility; for they saw evidently set forth 
before them a gradual and sometimes rapid 
decline of their best lands, notwithstanding 
the rest they were enabled to give them. That 
they saw after rest, or fallow the next succeed- 
ing crop better than the last preceding, we 
cannot doubt, nor can the agricultural chemist 
deny the fact upon tin' most scientific theory. 
Our worthy progenitors knew, from expe- 
rience, the ameliorating effecis of many ma- 
nures upon such exhausted lands. Yet they 
knew not the theory of their operation, nor 
knew they the theory of exhaustion better than 
that of the worn down horse. Leaving the 
land to rest, with nothing more than the sup- 
plies of nature, was discovered to improve its 
production; leaving the jaded animal to rest, 
with nothing more than the usual artificial 
supplies of food, &c. it was discovered that 
his weary limbs received strength and his next 
efforts would greatly surpass those preceding 
his rest. The simile did not stop here; it was, 
no doubt, observed that the fresh cleared or 
virgin soil, when first beginning lo give way, 
would, upon rest, much more evidently show 
its benefits than the long tilled and exhausted 
soils of the same original quality. So of the 
noble young steed; when first broke to the 
harness, if wearied by excessive and constant 
exertion, sooner recovered by rest than the 
same animal encumbered with years and toils 
of the most unremitting labors The compa- 
rison was carried a little farther; they both, 
after so long a time, even under the rest sys- 
tem, wer. 1 brought to the same denomination, 
"dead" The earth being exhaust d of every 
thing which could afford subsistence to man 
or beast, with the necessary labor and expense 
of cultivation, was turned out and considered 
dead to all the benefits of mankind; just so 
with the horse. Now comes the difference. 
The animal at first, for a time, might be con- 
sidered dead, in the same sense of the ex- 
hausted land, yet by rest and a suitable supply 
of nourishment was revived and restored to 
usefulness and profit. But from the nature of 
the animal this could not last always. The ani- 
mal dies not only to usefulness but becomes ex- 
tinct; then there is an end to the comparison. 
But the soil a Her being con^iderrd dead may not 
only be revived for a time, but, under proper ma- 
nagement, rendered profitable, and so coniinue 
to the end of time. Of this fact, too, our forefa- 
thers were not ignorant; they knew full well, 



from experience even with the limited amount 
of science connected with agriculture, that 
could they keep up on all their lands a suffi- 
cient degree of manuring with the materials 
known, they might k; ep them in good condi- 
tion ad infinitum with the rotation then prac- 
tised; at least they had no reason to doubt it. 
I Yet a crisis has come with the land as well as 
the horse. If the traveller on his wearisome 
I journey breaks down his aged horse, rests him 
! and feeds him, rubs him and nurses him, and 
1 at length after all his appliances, cannot keep 
him up, he dies! what must he dol Without 
the means of purchasing another, "he takes 
to his heds!" the journey must be completed. 
; Just so with the owner of our lands yeais aso; 
: he has gone on clearing and cultivating, wear- 
\ ing out and killing, until he finds, with a large 
1 company around him, his land is dead, that 
! his resting and manuring, (such as he has 
done,) will not enable him to support his fa- 
;mily; he takes to his heels, also; he leaves for 
the West. 

Now for the moral. If you will ride about 
I our countiy you will find a vast majority of 
our lands "dead;" our farmers are living upon 
I these lands by the application of such manures 
|as they raise upon their faring and they in 
| very small quantities. Large fields are culti- 
! vated, and but little made over a support; and 
! but for the tobacco patch, which exhausts 
most of the manure, and the hire of negroes 
on public works, their situation would be much 
wofse. A few, however, from reading agricul- 
tural papers and other agricultural works have 
began to think the "dead land" may be re- 
I vived, and that even the less evanescent prin- 
ciples of the "dead horse" may aid in resus- 
citation, and perhaps the very gases of his 
J body may be brought into requisition. 

But to return to "rest" for land in its worn 

out state for improvement. The writer once 

tried "rest" on an old farm, naturally poor, 

for eighteen years, and found but little benefit 

! from it. A worthy 4'armer of my acquaintace 

tried it as long, and in disgust, at last divided 

! his land into shifts, by fences, and grazed 

i closely as long as he lived, that he might in 

his latter days make some amends for the loss 

j of milk and butter for so long a period. 

Now, my fellow farmers, let us attend to the 
lights springing up from agricultural chemis- 
try; let us avail ourselves of them The first 
ray of light — true light, I mean, I ever saw, 
was " Ruifin's Essay on Calcareous Manures." 
I may say the next was "Edward Stabler^ 
Prize Essay on the Improvement of Worn Out 
Lands." 

I might say much more on matters and 
things in general, but lest I might show more 
of mv ignorance by trying to be thought wise, 
I will draw to a close', hoping, if my commu- 
nication does no oiher good, it will excite 
some one to criticise, pick to pieces, and ex- 
pose my blunders, and if light and knowledge 
be thereby increased, my end will be gained. 

Aricola. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



93 



TO PREVENT MOTHS GETTING UN- 
DER HIVES. 

Pound a handful of peach leaves and 
sail them well and strew them over the 
bench under the hive. In two or three 
days, repeat the operation. The flavor of 
peach leaves is offensive to the moth, but 
not to the bees. 

Another Remedy — Raise the hive about 
an inch upon four little pebbles. Take a 
piece of half-inch pine board from three to 
six inches wide and a foot long; cut. one 
side full of creases about a quarter of an ! 
inch deep; lay this creased side down un- 
der the hive and you will find all the mil- 
lers will use it to raise their broods undor; 
because it is a secure place from the bees, 
but not from the bee keeper. If he chooses 
to watch and kill, he will finally destroy 
the larvae and save his honey. — Am. Agri- 
culturist. 



OHIO AND ITS PROGRESS— THE HAR- 
VEST—THE PEOPLE AND GROWTH. 



The present year is one of unprecedented I 
prosperity, in this State, taken as an entire 
community. The epidemic cholera has, in- | 
deed, prevailed at three or four points, but the 
great part of the people have remained in 
j health, and it is doubtful whether the ordinary 
mortality of the whole people has been at all 
increased. In the meanwhile, ihe harvest of 
this year has been most extraordinary. Not 
one of the various crops have failed, while the 
principal ones have been greatly above the 
average. The wheat harvest of Ohio has un- 
questionably exceeded thirty millions of bushels! 
Fifteen millions, or one-half the crop, is a most 
ample supply for the inhabitants of the State. 
Ohio, therefore, has fifteen millions of bushels 
of wheat, or three millions of barrels of flour 
for export. When the reader recollects that 
in the last commercial year, the emire export 
of flour, and wheat reduced to flour, from the 
United States, was but 2 500,0. barrels, he 
will realize the magnitude and importance of 
the wheat harvest of O.io. The export of 
grain and flour from Ohio alone will exceed 
half a million of barrels, the entire export of 
those articles from the United States! In 
other words, Ohio has furnished the entire ex- 
port of flour for the nation, tie entire consump- 
tion for herself, and half a million of barrels 
for other States! No other State can render 
such an account for any article of produce. — 
But, this is not all. The corn or maize crop 
is not less than fifty millions of bushels, which 
furnishes a surplus to fatten thousands of beef 
cattle for the Atlantic cities, and tens of thou- 
sands of swine to furnish pickled pork for the 



Commercial Marine, for the Southern Negroes, 
and for the epicurean appetite ol those who 
love good hams. 

Such is the agriculture of Ohio, specimens 
of whose splendid products we recently saw 
exhibited in this city; an agriculture which 
has grown up within half a century, amidst 
forests and prairies, ;ind which in that brief 
period has a comparative growth, unequalled 
by that of any State in this, or any oiher 
country. But the growth of Ohio, in the last 
year, great as it is, does not perhaps exceed 
the average growth of this State since 1800, 
just prior to the State organization. 

We have received details enough of the 
census, now being taken by the General Go- 
vernment, to feel assured that the population 
of Ohio will reach 2,200,000 people— pei haps 
exceed that. We had estimated it, when the 
census was commenced at 2,250,000, 50 per 
cent, on the last census. Assuming, however, 
the former number, let us glance at the growth 
of this state: 

In 1800 Ohio had 45,305 

1810 " 230,700 

1820 " 581,434 

J 830 " 937.903 

1840 " 1,519,257 

1850 " 2,200,000 

The ratios of increase have been as follows, 
viz: 

From 1800 to 1840 400 per cent. 

1810 to 1820 150 

1820 to 1830 61 1 " 

1830 to 1840 72 " 

1840 to 1850 45 " 

By a comparison with other States, it will 
be seen that the growth of Ohio from 1820 to 
1850 exceeds, by far, in its ratio of increase, 
that of any State in the American Union, 
where population was as great as at the start- 
ing point. And, we may add, that from the 
census returns, there is no probability that the 
growth of any of the new States will equal 
the ratio attained by Ohio, during the last 
twenty years, when they shall attain as large 
population as Ohio had twenty years ago.— 
New York has been the largest and most flou- 
rishing State; yet, in the last ten years, the 
increase of population in New York will not 
exceed much, if any, one-half the increase in 
Ohio; and with the rapidly decreasing ratio of 
growth in New York, Ohio must pass by New 
York within the next twenty years, and become 
the first State of the Union' 

There is an historical fact connected with 
the growth of Ohio, which should never be for- 
gotten. Ohio is eldest daughter of Virginia; 
being cutout of the Territory which she ceded 
to the Union. Virginia, however, yielded by 
that act, to the necessity of free institutions. 
At the end of half a century, we find Viiginia 
containing less than half the white population 
of Ohio, and to be presented in the first Con- 
gress, under the census of 1850, by half only 
of the representation of Ohio! Thus we find 



94 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



the mother of the Southern States, falling far 
behind her daughter, and passing into the rank 
of secondary communities. This fact is equal 
to a volume of philosophy. It is far more pow- 
erful than all the speeches made, or to be made 
on the difference of Institutions. 

We publish the foregoing from Cist's Ad- 
vertiser more to show the self-applauding spirit 
of the Buckeye and his ungracious reproach- 
ing of the ' Mother of States,' than because 
we admit the truth of the statements, or believe 
in the rationality of the predictions it contains. 
If the writer is to be credited, Ohio is to be- 
come a world of herself. The assertion that 
Virginia yielded to any necessity, or in other 
words was coerced, when she gave up her 
North Western Territory, will be news to some 
of her gray headed sons. 



NOTICES— PUBLICATIONS. 

Downing' 's Horticulturist.— We have received 
the January, February and March numbers of 
this elegant Magazine, and again call the at- 
tention of our readers to it. The present vol- 
ume is more beautifully printed and illustrated 
(if possible,) than any of its predecessors.— 
We will take pleasure in showing this work 
to those who wish to see it. 

Elements of Scientific Agriculture; by John P. 
Norton, A. M.—We have received from our 
friends, Messrs. Morris & Brother, a neatly 
printed copy of the above work, comprising 
208 pages. The attention of the reader is in- 
vited to an extract from its pages, "on the Ma- 
nures of Domestic Animals, and their Preserva- 
tion", in another column of this month's issue. 
The Farmers 1 Guide, by Stephen's, has 
reached its 15th number. That now before 
us contains much valuable information about 
the soiling of stock, shearing of sheep, and 
management of wool, hay-making, &c. Ac- 
Seven more numbers will complete the work, J 
which is for sale by Nash & Woodhouse, of 
this city. 

The Working Farmer has commenced its 3d 
volume. It continues to be conducted with 
conspicuous ability by Professor Mapes. A. 
Longet,25, Cliff street, New York, has recently 
become its publisher. 

The Stethoscope and Virginia Medical Gazette, 
edited by P. Claiborne Gooch, A. M. M. D. 



Secretary of the Medical Society of Virginia; 
$3 per annum, pp. 64. 

This is the title of a new Medical Journal 
just commenced in Richmond, and the first 
thing of the kind ever undertaken in Virginia. 
Three numbers have been issued, and they do 
great credit to the press of Ritchies & Dunna- 
vant. Our contemporaries everywhere speak 
well of the work, and commend it to the 
warm support of the Medical Faculty. 

HUSSEY'S REAPING MACHINE. 

FARMERS who are desirous of procuring 
Reapers to cut the coming harvest, are re- 
spectfully reminded of the advantages of send- 
ing their orders early. If the demand at har- 
vest time should be equal to what the high 
reputation of the machine appears to justify, 
it cannot be supplied. The subscriber will 
use every effort to accommodate every cus- 
tomer, but the earlier the orders are sent, the 
less chance there will be for disappointment. 
Orders must be sent to the subscriber, at 
Baltimore. 

OBED HUSSEV. 
Baltimore, March 8fh, 1851. — It 

AGRICULTURAL DEPOT 

OP 

KETTLEWELL & DAVISON, 

BALTIMORE, 

Manufacturers of Simple and Compound 

CHEMICAL MANURES FOR CROPS AND LAND," 

THE undersigned respectfully call the at- 
tention of the farmers and planters of 
Virginia to the successful results which have 
attended their enterpries. In the language of 
Mr. Irby, of Nottoway, they present no " hum- 
bug" to the agriculturist. They have outlived 
such suspicion, as is amply attested by the 
constantly increasing demand which each suc- 
ceeding season flows in upon them. 

Their Renovator or Chemical Salts, a com- 
pound of "Biphosphates," "Potash," "Ammo- 
nia," "Soda," "Sulphuric Acid," with various 
other residiums, they contend, has been de- 
monstrated by experience and practical results. 
to be the best manure for corn, oats, and grass, 
that now attracts public attention. They will 
in the March number of the "American Far- 
mer," challenge guano, to this test, under the 
auspices of the Agricultural Society of Mary- 
land, or its President, if they will agree to ap- 
point a suitable person to superintend the ex- 
periment. 

This article, independent of its prompt ac- 
tion, is composed of elements which gives to 
the soil a permanent and lasting benefit, subor- 
dinate only to lime. Let those who doubt, try 
the experiment, at least to such an extent, that 
even failure wont injure them! Price, $3 per 
barrel, or $20 per ton. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



95 



" Pure Biphotphatcs." — This article, to all who 
have taken the trouble to investigate, or acquire 
information, has entirely superseded the use 
j of bone dust. It is bone dust dissolved with 
Isulphuric acid, and mixed with a proper pro- 
portion of "ammonia." One bushel is com- 
puted to be equal to five bushels of bone dust; 
it is far more prompt, equally lasting, recom- 
mended by every distinguished chemist in Eu- 
rope or America, and lias been susiained by 
every experiment. f^r See experiment (which 
will appear in the Planter for April,) upon the 
land of the Hon. Reverdy Johnson, under the 
direction of Dr Wm. O. Wharton and Dr. 
D. Stewart, the former one of the best farmers 
in Maryland, and the latter perhaps inferior to 
no chemist in the Union. Mr. Johnson used 
150 Darrels of this article upon his land last 
fall. The price $4 per barrel, or $28 per ton. 
One to two barrels to the acre. 

To Tobacco Planters, they offer their 
"Generator," a chemical compound made ex- 
pressly for the growth of this plant; and they 
also call particular attention to their combi- 
nation of ground "plaster and potash," this 
latter element being almost necessary to the 
growth of tobacco. This compound has at- 
tended universal attraction, and is daily rising 
in popular favor. One to two barrels sown 
broadcast, is the proper mode of using it.— 
"Generator" $4 per barrel. "Plaster and pot- 
ash" S2,50. 

Ground Plaster. — This article appears to 
be at one universal price, and because of its 
cheapness the impression seems to be, that 
plaster is plaster, forgetful, or not informed, 
rthat in no article is there so great a variation 
5>f quality, and consequently of value. Its 
value to the crop being one element, and that 
varying from 30 to 90 degrees, the farmer 
who buys the former, pays at SI a barrel, just 
three times as much as the one who gets the 
latter; and yet neither is the wiser, with this 
exception, that one praises it as a manure, and 
jhe other condemns it. 

The attention we pay to this article is now 
generally known, and every barrel sold by us 
will be stincelled with our name. 

Every description of chemical residiums^p- 
plicnble to agricultural purposes, can be bought 
of us. 

To all who feel an interest upon so interest- 
ing a subject, we will, upon application by 
mail, forward one of our pamphlets, contain- 
ing explanations, mode of using, and certifi- 
cates from the most accomplished farmers 
of Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. — 
Among others, Col. Horace Capron, Dr. Ro- 
bert Dorsey, Joseph Crosby, Esq. F. P. Blair, 
Carville and John Stansbury, Gen. Stiles, Dr. 
Wm. Mosher, Isaac C. Anderson, Esq. and a 
score of others unnecessary to enumerate here. 
KETTLE WELL & DAVISON. 

f^- Office at the wholesale Drug Store of 
Ober & McConkey, corner of Lombard and 
Hanover streets. Factory, Federal Hill, Bal- 
timore, mh— It 



TO AGRICULTURISTS. 

MORKIS& BROTHER have received the 
following valuable Books, pertaining lo 
Agriculture: 

Elements of Scientific Agriculture, or the 
connexion between Science and the Art of 
Practical Farming. This was the prize essay 
of the New York State Agricultural Society; 
by J. P. Norton, M. A. 

Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and 
Geology ; by Jas. F. W. Johnston. 

American Agriculturist, for the Farmer, 
Planter, Stock Breeder, and Horticulturist; 
by A. B.Allen; numerous plates. The 8th 
and 9th volumes of this most valuable work are 
received, also complete sets. Every farmer 
should have this work. 

American Farm Book, on Soils, Manures, 
Drainings, Irrigation, Grasses, Grain, Roots, 
Fruit, Coiton, Tobacco, Sugarcane, Rice, and 
every staple product of the United States. — 
This is a perfect farmer's library, with upwards 
of 100 engravings; by R. L. Allen. 

Farmer's Manual, with the most recent dis- 
coveries in Agricultural Chemistry; by F. 
Faulkner. 

A Mi;ck Manual for Farmers; by S. L. 
Dana. 

Farmer's Land Measurer, with a set of use- 
ful Agricultural Tables; by Jas. Pedder. 

American Husbandry. — Series of Essays on 
Agriculture, with additions; by Gaylord and 
Tucker. 

Farmer's Encyclopaedia; by Cuthbert W. 
Johnson. 

Productive Farming, with the most recent 
discoveries of Liebig, Johnston, Davy, and 
others. 

European Agriculture, from personal obser- 
vation; by Henry Coleman. This is a very 
popular work. 

Johnson's Chemistry and Geology, with their 
application. 

Johnson's Dictionary of Gardening; by Da- 
vid Landreth. 

London's Gardening, for Ladies; by A. J. 
Downing. 

Squarey's Agricultural Chemistry, Boussin- 
gault, Rural Economy, Buist's Kitchen Gar- 
dener, Landscape Gardening, and Rural Ar- 
chitecture; by A. J. Downing. 

Fessenden's American Gardener. 

American Fruit Book, with full iustructions: 
by S. W. Cole. 

Downing on Fruit Trees. 

Theory of Horticulture; by Lindley. 

Florist's Manual; by H. Bourne; 80 colored 
engravings. 

Bridgtnan's Kitchen Gardener. 

In addition to which, Morris & Brother have 
all of the late Works on Agriculture, Horti- 
culiure, and Raising Stock, of any celebrity. 

Riclnnond, Ma rch 1 2, 1 85 1 .— 1 1 







96 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



CONTENTS OF NUMBER III. 



PAGE. 

Petition of the State Agricultural Society 

to the General Assembly of Virginia G5 

Grass Seeds 73 

Farmer^' State Club 74 

Setting Posts ,. 78 

Fruit 79 

Virginia Lands and Farming 79 

Grazing Wheat 81 

Agricultural Improvement 82 

Castration of Colts 85 

Green Crops .85 

Meeting of the Virginia State Agricultural 

Society . .86 

Application of Plaster 88 

Horticultural Remarks for March 89 

Professor Johnston, of Durham 89 

Farm Manures and their Management. . . .89 

Poudrette 91 

To Correspondents 91 

Rest to Land 91 

To Prevent Moths Getting Under Hives . .93 
Ohio and its Progress — The Harvest — The 

People and Growth 93 

Notices — Publications * . .94 



COMMERCIAL RECORD. 

WHOLESALE PRICES CURRENT, 

Reported for the Soutliern Planter by 
NANCE & G00CH, COMMISSION MERCHANTS. 

Tobacco— Market firm -no material change 
in prices during the last week — supply equal 
to the, demand. Our inspections, compared 
with the same period last year, show a falling 
off of about 800 hhds. in Richmond. We quote 
New Lugs $4 to $7. Middling Leaf $8 to $11. 
Fine $ll" 50 to $16 25 The crop received thus 
far, poor and in good order. We would advise 
planters to prize in bad keeping order, should 
the crop prove less than expected, prices will 
probably advance. Holders cannot avail them- 
selves of an advance unless they prize in keep- 
ing order. 

Flour— Dull Sales. Richmond Canal has 
been made on the bank at $4 3~£. Scottsville 
Si 5G to a limited extent. Holders are not 
disposed to take less than $4 50 for the former, 
and $4 G2£ for the latter. 

Wheat— Red 90 cents to $1. While $1 05 
to SI 10. 

Corn— 66 cents per bushel. 

Oats— 45 to 50 cents per bushel. 

Bacon— City cured is worth 10 cents. Bal- 
timore sides (new) 9 cents; shoulders 7i cents. 

Lard— In barrels 9\ cents— in kegs 9| cents. 

Guano— Peruvian $50 per ton of 2000 lbs. 
Pa t agon i an $40. 

Clover Sekd— $5 to $5 50, and wanted. 

Flax Seed— Sales $1 25 to $1 35. 

Bees Wax— 23 cents per lb. — in demand. 

Feathers— 35 cents per lb. 

Lime— $ I 37£ from store. 
Richmond, March 2Uh, 1851. 




NEW STYLE MEDALLION DA- 
GUERREOTYPES IN COLORS. 

This splendid improve- j 

ment must be seen to bej 

appreciated. Ourlriends. 

are invited to call at thej 

original Virginia Sky-; 

I Light Daguerrean Gal- 

By| lery, wheremay be found 

Jl Kr 1 all the latest "lmprove-i 

ments, consisting of thel 

CELEROTYPE, 
by which infant children 
may be taken in one se-l 
cond; 

TALBOTYPE, 
or Daguerreotype on Pa- 
per, and 

HYALOTYPE, 
or Daguerreotypes on Glass, which, with every 
o her improvement, may now be obtained at 
the Gallery, No. 139 Main street, above Go- 
vernor. 

N. B.— Their NORTHERN COMBINA- 
TION SKY LIGHT is now open in full op- 
eration— it is the largest in the State. 

WM. A. PRATT & CO. Proprietors. 
MEDALLION DAGUEREOTYPES IN 
COLORS.— We have inspected the a; ove 
style of Daguereotypes, lately and so success- 
fully introduced here by Messrs Pratt & Co., 
132 Main street. By this process, a relief al- 
most magical, and a variety highly pleasing, 
is obtained. In some cases, the picture so 
closely resembles an enamelled miniature, in 
its ivory tone, as to deceive even an artiste; 
in others from the midst of a dark back ground, 
appears the "human face divine," in all the 
vividness of life; then, by still another process, 
the picture appears entirely upon a brilliant 
white ground, surrounded by wreaths of flow- 
ers. But, we feel our inability to do full jus- 
tice to these beautiful medallion Daguereo-^ 
types, and must, therefore, request the curious 
in such matters, to call and judge for them- 
selves. Messrs. Pratt & Co. claim to be the 
first to introduce the sky-light system into the 
State, and appear to be constantly inventing 
something for the improvement of "the art. Re- 
pair to their gallery and "secure the shadow 
ere the substance fades."— Richmond Times. 



WILLIAM P. LADD, 

APOTHECARY AND DRUGGIST, 

No. 319, head of Broad Street, Shockoe Hill, 

Richmond, Virginia. 

DEALER in English, Mediterranean, India 
and all Foreign and Domestic Drugs and 
Medicines; also, Paints, Oils, Varnish, Dye 
Stuffs, Window Glass, Putty, &c. For sale 
on the most accommodating terms. 

O* Orders from Country Merchants and 
Physicians thankfully received and promptly 
attended to. 
ja 1851— tf