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THE

SOUTHEKN PLANTER,

A MONTHLY PERIODICAL,

DEVOTED TO

AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND THE HOUSEHOLD ARTS.

VOLUME XII.

FRANK: G. RUFFIN, EDITOR.

RICHMOND:

PRINTED A\D PUBLISHED BY P. D. BERNARD, SOUTH TWELFTH STREET.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER,

ffeboten to agriculture, i^ortfculture, au& the ffiowtholl! Bvts

Agriculture is the nursing mother of the

flArts.— Xenophon.

Tillage and Pasturage are the two breasts of the State.— Sully.

FRANK: G. RUFFIN, Editor.

P. D. BERNARD, Proprietor.

Vol. XII

RICHMOND, JANUARY, 1852.

No. 1.

For the Southern Planter. TOBACCO.

Mr. Editor,— By an order of the Hole and i Comer Club of Albemarle the undersigned were appointed to write an article for your paper upon "Tobacco—iis Culture and Management from the Plant Bed to the Warehouse, with an Exposition of the Comparative Profits of this Crop and other Staples."

The object of the Club being to get a full account of the management of this crop in the hands of the senior member of this committee, it is impossible so to condense what is to be said as to bring it within the limits of a single newspaper article. At your suggestion, therefore, we divide it into several numbers, and begin with the varieties of tobacco, plant beds, and the preparation of l/ie soil for the crop.

The varieties of tobacco are very numerous, a selection from which must d ;pend upon the 1 market proposed and the character of the soil upon which it is to be grown. On the rich V»pds within the range of the Club we culti-Ble no tobacco for manufacturing purposes, Mk only the heavier kinds, which are intended for foreign markets. The objects aimed at' are early maturity, weight of plant, ease of j culture and non-liability to accident. The 1 varieties most in favor amongst us are Ruffie, ! White Stem, Johnson, Shockoe, and the Priors I (yellow and blue.) Of these we give a most I decided preference to the Ruffle and White Stem—the former, perhaps, being the favorite i of the two. The Ruffle is a rich, heavy to-1 bacco, and owing to its peculiar growth (the ' leaves tucking up at the end.) can be primed o-ae leof lower than the White Stem, and is consequently, a v;eek earlier in ripening; while, on the other hand, the ruffle upon the stem (from which the variety takes its name,) affording a rlace of concealment for the horn-worm, renders it more troublesome to worm than the other kinds. The White Stem is more liable to fire than the Ruffle, and the two being about equal in weight and quality of staple, it is difficult to choose between them They are both easily injured by wind and in handling, as is the case, more or less, wiih all heavy tobacco, from brittleness of stem.

Of the Johnson we know personally but little It is highly esteemed by many of our planters particularly our friend and neighbor, Mr Wm' Vol. XII.-l.

W. Gilmer, whose opinions upon all subjects connected with this crop are worthy of high, confidence. He claims for it weight nonliability to serious injury from storm ana handling, and a great length of leaf which makes it yield a large proportion of strips. He admits, however, the necessity of high priming to keep it out of the dirt. It bears so close a resemblance to the White Stem that it is supposed by many to be the same.

The Shockoe we believe to be nothing but the Yellow Prior, with a reputation acquired by falling into the hands of a good manager We class ii with the two Priors, which find" no favor in our eyes. They are light and trashy, and have only their toughness to recommend them. They may suit other soils but we consider it a waste of labor to cultivate them where the other varieties mentioned will grow.

Saving Seed.—-Vie turn out a few of the earliest plants on rich land for seed, primin°-them at the usual time, and as the plant pro" gresses trimming off the tipper leaves and shoots, leaving three or fourof the top branches for seed. From these we take off all late bloom and imperfect bowls, which, if left on not only interfere with regular seeding but cause the plants to "Walloon" in the beds Seed plants are cultivated and suckercd as the rest of the crop, and after frost, must be cut and hung m a dry plaee, out of the reach of rats, until perfectly cured, when they are rub-red out, cleaned and bottled up for use.

Plant Beds.— Plants require a close rich soil. In selecting land therefor care should be taken to guard against excessive wet or very diy seasons, by burning some dry and some moist beds. There is danger in depending upon swamp beds, as plants require but little moisture, while an excess of wet is fatal to them. If such locations are selected the land should be thoroughly drained the summer before the bed is burnt. The surest chance for plants is a rich mountain hollow with a southern or eastern exposure. The indications in this neighborhood of good plant land are alder and maple on low grounds, dogwood and hickory on high land. Where land is not sufficiently rich it is good policy to pen sheep upon it the summer before you propose to burn; and this may be done without injury to the flock by selecting the heat of the dav in summer, at which time sheep do not graze

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

The best manures for plants are hen-house and chaff manure. This latter we make by littering our horse stalls with chaff and leed-ing on provender perfectly free from grass-seed When it becomes saturated with the liauids of the stable we apply it as a top-dressing in the latter part of February cover-in" the beds, say one-fourth of an inch thick. Hen-house manure should be chopped in at the time of burning. Our experiments with «M on plants have not been very extensive or accurate; they, however, lead us to fear that this manure cannot be depended upon. Any other strong well rolled manure, free from grass-seed, may be used. Plant beds should be burned as soon alter Christmas as the weather and condition of the land will admit, It is difficult to convey an idea of | what amount of burning is necessary. If it be done in the month of January it is almost impossible, the land being in proper condition, to burn too hard. We have, however known this to happen at a later period. So much depends upon the condition of the land and the character of wood used, that every planter must be his own judge as to the amount of burning necessary-of course it must be sufficient to destroy the grass-seed and roots which are near the surface of the bed. Our plan is to lay down skids of hickory or oak (green) about the size of a man's arm and pile thereon a laver of wood about four feet wide, set fire and burn until the skids are consumed; then move the fires to the next section (taking care to leave no belts of unburned land between the sections,) and so proceed until the entire bed has been covered. We prefer this to the mode sometimes adopted of covering and burning the entire bed at one time as we believe it can be done more regularly by moving

th As re soon as the bed cools off sufficiently chop it up with grubbing hoes until the soil is reduced to a fine tilth, removing all roots, &c and taking care not to chop below the mould or surface soil-then rake until you level the surface. If this be as early as January, sow one-half an even table-spoonful of seed to one hundred square yards, mixing it with plaster, ashes or sand to facilitate evenness of sowing, and tread in with the foot. Then about the last of February sow another half spoonful, and tread in as'before: or if it be as late as The 15th of February sow the whole spoonful of seed When the bed is sown as directed, it should be covered with fine, straight brush, w laid on as to protect against frost while it admits some sunshine to strike the bed. This brush may be left on dry beds until the plants are as large as a dollar, aud upon wet ones until they are half .hat size. If it be necessary to force Dlants, plaster may be used CM course it is indispensable that the bed should b° cleansed of srass, weeds, &c. whenever they appear. It is good policy to edge plant beds with mustard as a protection against fly. We know of no other remedy, and this is only

partial. Never burn two successive years m the same neighborhood, as the fly deposited about the old bed is almost sure to destroy the new one. It is well to destroy, by burning, all the foul growth around the bed, as this is oli< a harbor for fly during the winter. It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to say that ditches should be opened around plant beds to prevent any flow of water over them.

Preparation of Soil—The land selected for tobacco should depend somewhat upon the prospective price of the article. If we have reason to suppose it will command a high price, we pitch the crop upon our best lands, and either increase the number of hills, or at any rate, by applying the manure to rich land, increase the weight of tht plants. But if we i apprehend low prices we put H on poor land, 1 and find the enrichment o\ the land no inconsiderable part of the profits oi the crop. But of this we will have more to say hereafter. We like to break up tobacco land early, particularly red land, so as to let it be thoioughly pulverized by the action of the winter's frost. If possible, we would like to do this when the weather is just above the freezing point, m order to destroy the insect deposii in the soil, and with the same end in view, to harrow m the cold weather of February. We plough with a three-horse plough followed by a subsoil coulter. During March, April and May, haul out and scatter the manure intended for i ^e crop—sow one bushel plaster per acre, and plough in with a one or two-horse plough.— Such red land as has no sand in it, after the first ploughing, should not be ploughed the second time, except with a coulter or shove so as to break it to the proper depth, withe turning under the pulverized soil on the sur-1 face. For this purpose a coulter is to be pre-i ferred When the land is properly reduced by harrowing, lay off with a shovel plough 1 three feet four inches each way, and throw up a large hill. This hilling should, if possible, be done early, while there is season in the land, so as to be ready to receive the plant when the time for planting arrives.

This brings us to the end of the subject embraced in our first division, which we beg leave, with an apology for the imperfect manner in which it is gotten up, respectfully to submit.

Your friends,

William Garth, R. W. N. Nolano. Ivy Creek, Albemarle.

Presehving Wild Fowl.— Remove the intestines carefully, and wipe out all the blood with an old soft towel, until the flesh is quite drv then dust flour over the inside, and scatter two'or three drops of creosote upon a piece ot blotting paper, and put that in and tie the bird up light in another piece of similar paper, upon which put a few drops more creosote; then

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

hang up each carcass separate, in a cool, dry place, and it will keep sweet for a long time. Never remove the feathers from a bird you wish to preserve.— Germantown Telegraph.

For the Southern Planter.

HOLLOW HORN IN CATTLE.

Mr. Editor, —Confined to the house by a bad Cold, I am forcibly reminded of the promise I made to furnish you my notions of hollow horn in cattle.

It might have been better to consult Youatt, or Skinner, if either of them has written on the subject, but I failed to find their books, and I must leave it to you to judge whether I have only repeated what they teach, or have misapprehended what I profess to have observed, when my speculations come to be compared with those masters. I enumerate the facts of one case, as recorded at the time. 1839, Aug. 6. Lost a very fine cow of what was said to be hollow horn.

Had a calf seven weeks before, while very fat; gave great quantity of milk; wasobserved I after a few days to be feverish, indicated by hair turned back, looking rough, low of appetite, and speedy loss of cud. Held /lead straight out, tossing it up and duwn and from one side to the other, a symptom which increased in time, though it occurred quite early in the case. More or less discharge from the nuse, at first of only mucus; in process of time it was pus. Had sore bag, and very much distended, so that I thought the symptoms were L due to milk abscess, or inflammation of bag. The cow doctors consulted, laid it upon loss of cud, and at first were confident of restoring theeud and so curing the cow. All the remedies were resorted to: drenched with vinegar and salt; ball of corn meal with pepper, salt and vinegar; balls of raw beef, whole hetrings thrust down the throat. Frogs were alone * omitied, of all the remedies we knew. Coin-cidently 1 had the horns bored, and one sawed off. Nothing issued but a fluid like white of egg and some flakes of pus. The former I took to be incipient pus or coagulable lymph. Seemed to suffer much pain somewhere, but could not tell where. Gradually became excessively poor, and died in about five weeks from attack.

After death examined head. Crest between horns perfectly hollow; all the little divisions and offshoots of bone which usually are found in the cavity, were removed in greater or less degree, and there were only the white-of-egg-looking matter and pus. The homs also entirely hollow, one of them filled with nearly a pint of the lymphy and purulent matter. The cavity extended to the orbit of eye, thence communicating with the nostrils, especially on one side. The brain, which lies in very near contact with this cavity of the crest.

(which we had as well call the "frontal sinus,") was softened and fallen, in one hemisphere, into a thick mush; a small part only of this half was of healthy consistency, preserving its form or vessels entire. The other half (hemisphere) was not softened, but the vessels were very full of blood and the membranes exhibited signs of intense inflammation. No other region or organs examined.

Remark. —Some persons have supposed hollow horn to be a matter of fancy, and not really to exist. This case, as far as it goes, refutes the idea.

Hollow horn usually occurs in cattle while very poor, in the winter or in early spring, when just coming out of winter quarters.— This case shows it occurring in the summer, and in a very fat cow.

The cow lost her end. A very rude notion holds as to this fact. It is no more, I presume, than such an impairment of the health of the digestive function, as deprives the cow of the power to throw up from the stomach the food which requires a chewing over prior to its being sent on upon its route through the intestines. It may, therefore, arise from any disease which affects the appetite and digestion. If [he cause happen to reside in the stomach itself, or in the nervous influences controlling the regurgitating faculty, the stimulant boluses would seem somewhat calculated to restore the power. Why a herring or a frog alone can do it, is absolutely unintelligible, and as I have never seen the " cud restored" by any of these means, though I have witnessed their use very often, ] withhold, as yet, a belief in their efficacy.

The crest in the cow answers to the frontal sinus in the human, and its diseases probably resemble those of that cavity. A bad cold affects the lining membrane of the nose, or it may at once reach that of the frontal sinus, immediately connected with the nasal passages, producing, there, inflammation which may result in various degrees of mischief, from simple pain, to be relieved by remedies, to suppuration and death.

We may suppose lhat the disease is contracted in bad weather, and most often when the body is debilitated. "Cold," as it is called, is taken, and, as in men, symptoms of catarrh arise; running from the nostrils, and sometimes even cough; then signs of a local inflammation about the head, tossing it, holding j it straight out, first one side, then the other, i loss of appetiie, loss of cud, or, as it really is, se-i vere indigestion, with loss of regurgitating faculty. After a while pus is found to flow with the mucus from the nostrils; or, if the horns are bored, pus and coagulable lymph issue. Various washes being injected into the horn, and thence into the contiguous cavity where the inflammation started, cause the fluid pus to be discharged, and may, at a certain stage of j progress, help the diseased membrane to re-i gain health.

As the inflammation of the sinus advances the brain, by contiguous sympathy, becomes

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER,

involved, and then, probably, death seldom fails to ensue.

Cows certainly recover after pus has been discharged from the horn and nose. In such j case the inflammation may not have reached the brain, and simply conducting the matter | off", gives the usual impulse to the membrane of the cavity to heal. The brain does not ne-1 cessarily take on disease, though it is in such near vicinity to the seat of the inflammation.! When it does, I suppose it is usually mortal.!

Dm hollow horn is spoken of. 1 know nothing of its phenomena. Is it so called when, on boring the horn, no fluid issues, or when the horn, on being sawed off, is found hollow, yet holding no fluid"!

Treatment.— This I predicate more upon general principles than upon experience. It : will seem proper, if the explanation of its nature and seat be correct, to bleed freely, (best from the nostrils) unless the cow's low con- j dition forbid.

Then purge with Glauber salts, one or two pounds at a dose. Bore the horns with one- ■ quarter inch gimlet, in such dependent point that the contents will flow out. Bore it close j to the head (one and a half or two inches off,) so that, although when you do it, only blood may flow, the aperture will be ready to dis-charge the pus when it is formed. If the flow seenrts not to be free enough, the horn may be | sawed off. I know no other reason for doing this.

Apply a large poultice of mulkinlcavcs boiled and mashed up with bran, just over the crest, wrapping the whole top of the head. Change it three times a day, or oftener, having first sheared the hair close.

To Restore the Cud.— Boluses of one-half pint corn meal dough and an even table-spoonful cayenne pepper, thrust down the throat two or three times a day. Or one-half pound raw beef balled up with salt and pepper, to make it hot. Herrings, frogs, &c. are advised; those who will, can try them.

A drench of red-oak bark tea and wild cherry bark tea, and red pepper tea may do good; but doubtless the safest reliance will be upon trying to cure the disease of the head. The cud will come when health is restored. Chs. Minor.

Charlottesville, Nov. 19, 1851.

For the Southern Planter.

FARMING IN SURRY.

Mr. Editor—\n the October number of the Southern Planter there is a communication from the Hon. W. Newton on the Improvement of Worn Out Lands in Virginia by Guano and Lime, which seems to have attracted general attention. Mr. Newton informs us that the first crop of wheat sowed was a total failure, not worth threshing, and

was used as litter for stables, but the seventh and last crop, by the application of lime and guano, yielded over twenty bushels of wheat for one throughout the entire crop. This was certainly doing very well, and we are much indebted to Mr. Newton for his handsome communication setting forth the facts, as it will have a tendency to stimulate us to renewed exertions in improving our farms. My purpose now is to tell you, Mr. Editor, in as concise a manner as possible, what was done the last season in this county in raising wheat. But I confess I can't give altogether such cheering news as Mr. Newton has done, because, perhaps, we are not only less skilful as cultivators of the soil, but also less generous in the application of manures. Yet we are not entirely idle, and you will see that as we are on the right track, a little more perseverance and industry will enable us to almost equal Mr. Newton.

Two of my neighbors, Mr. W. Ruffin and Mr. J. W. Watkins, made this year, the former twelve bushels of wheat lor one and the latter fourteen for one through their entire crops. These farms before thev were marled would hardly have made more than three, certainly not more than four for one, and the above gratifying result was achieved almost solely by the agency of marl (fossil shells,) for no guano or other bought manure was used at all on either farm. Mr. Watkins cultivates his farm on the three shift, strictly non-grazing system. Mr. R. is just throwing his farm into five fields—grazes moderately. This is much the better wheal farm of the two.

Now, if our farms will yield twelve and fourteen bushels for one under the three shift system, what may we not expect when we have more enlarged views of agriculture adopt a more enlightened and scientific system of cultivation, namely, the five or six field rotation with all the advantages and benefits of clover and pea fallows'!

Surry, Nov. 15,1851. ,

For the Southern Planter. REPORT ON EPES' ISLAND;

A FARM ON THE LOWER JAMES RIVER, IN CHARLES CITY COUNTY, OPPOSITE THE MOUTH OF THE APPOMATTOX.

To the Hole and Corner Club, No. 1,

Prince George County:

The committee appointed to report on this farm, take great pleasure in performing the duty assigned them.

The Island is an alluvial formation, of course ancient in its character—being high and requiring little labor to drain it. Originally very fertile, it had shared the fate of all other lands before the spirit of improvement had dawned upon Virginia's sons. So low had this fine

1WIIIII— !!■■■

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estate become, that a few years ago, with a large force, scarcely enough corn was made to teed the laborers and teams engaged in tilling the farm, and a few hundred bushels of •wheat for sale, were all which could be made under the management then prevailing. NovV, under an improving system, with comparatively few hands, luxuriant crops of corn and wheat are made, and the fields present an unvaried appearance, teeming with vegetable life. Before improvement had taken place galls were seen on every knoll on the farm, level as it is. Now there are no naked places to mark the effects of the spoiler's hand; galls have been healed and nothing offensive is seen to mar the beauty of the aspect as the eye wanders over the landscape.

The Island contains about four hundred acres of arable land. Mulatto soil, sufficiently stiff, but clay preponderating; subsoil of the same character, differing only in being stiffer. The farm is laid off in five fields of eighty acres each, with a road from the landing, running north and south, dividing the fields and parts of each shift, the division of fields heing east and west; thus the crops are all convenient to the road, which passes through the farm-lot on which stand the buildings receiving the produce made on the farm.

There has been commenced a hedge of Osage orange to divide two adjacent fields, and now in the second year of its growth. So far this hedge is looking well, and it is intended to continue the planting of hedges, should the present experiment succeed, around each field until all the fields are protected by „1 line fence.

n Rotation of Crops. —First year, corn; second year, wheat; third, clover; fourth, clover, fallowed for fifth, wheat; to be followed by corn at the beginning of a second series of crops. The preparation and cultivation of the corn crop do not materially differ from the practice prevailingon mostfarms which are judiciously managed. The difference consists in fallowing the land intended for corn with a four-horse plough, and using double ploughs in the cultivation of the crop. The fifteen feet beds farmed for the previous wheat crop, with a plough drawn by four mules, are reversed with a plough of the same size; the land is harrowed at the proper time, and laid off in rows five feet apart. Planting is commenced by the 25th of March—sometimes earlier, but not later than the 10th of April. The seed is dropped at intervals of twelve to fifteen inches in the step, one stalk being left in the hill when thinned out. The earth is thrown from the plants witha two-horse mouldboard plough, the bar running next to the corn, and two furrows to the row. The hoes follow the first ploughing, cleansing the step of grass and weeds.

Immediately after the first ploughing is completed the mouldboard ploughs are again used throwing the earth to the corn and breaking up the entire row. Sometimes the double-

shovel plough is used previous to the second ploughing, tunning in the furrows made by the plough during the first working, and intended to loosen the eaith around and below the roots of the young plants. After these several ploughings are finished, harrows or cultivators are used to level down the beds, and hoes again follow to complete the operation and destroy any grass or weeds left by the ploughs or cultivators. This seems, judging from the clean condition of the field now in corn (about the first of August,) to be sufficient work to make as good a crop of corn as any other mode which could be adopted; the corn at that time looking well, although a rather dry season.

The fallow for wheat is commenced as soon as the last crop is threshed and delivered, (say 1st of August.) Here is seen one of the neatest operations on the farm. The clover and rank weeds are run over by a harrow drawn by four stout oxen, combing down the growth of clover, weeds and grass and rendering a chain before the plough unnecessary. A iour-horse plough is used for fallowing, which does the work in good style, followed by hoes to level down any accumulations of clover or weeds and fill up any holes left by the ploughs, should any part of the sod fail to fall over, then follows the roller to ptess down the earth and close up the furrows. The corn land intended for wheat, is likewise ploughed with four-horse ploughs, three corn rows forming the bed for wheat. Of course, all land intended (or wheat is harrowed before sowing and the seed harrowed in—the harrows running over the land until the surface is made smooth and put into good condition. One and a half bushels of seed are sown peracre, generally Purple Straw, but this fall it is intended to sow mostly the Blue Stem—a variety of white wheat which yielded nearly forty bushels per acre on the "Island'' this year.

No fodder is gathered from the corn on this farm, but tops are cut, which, with clover hay, furnish ample long food for the teams. Owing to this cause, sowing wheat is begun and finished sooner here than on farms where this practice prevails. Cloverseed are sown on land seeded down in wheat as early in February as practicable. As no fodder is pulled, clover is cut and made into hay, for the use of the teams. This, on a five field rotation, is not objectionable: in fact, it is doubted by some good farmers if any injury is sustained by so doing under the lour field system.

Be this as it may, here the Club will see the practical fact of land yearly improving and clover cut, being an additional crop taken from the land under this system.

Present Amount of Crops. —It has been stated that some few years ago, under an injudicious and exhausting system, very little corn and a few hundred bushels of wheat were made. The present year there have been sold and retained for seed about 3,200 bushels of wheat from 169 acres of land, or nearly 20 bushels

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per acre. The usual amount of corn will reach forty bushels peracre,being3,200 bushels from eighty acres. Your committee believe that amount will be the minimum of the present crop of corn.

Meansof Improvement. —Marl from the "Hundreds" farm has been applied at the rate of two hundred and fifty bushels per acre. Half j that quantity is now being applied as a second dressing, and your body saw the evident improvement resulting from the second application, as evinced by the more luxuriant and greener appearance of the vegetable growth where thus applied. Putrescent manures are largely applied to the land. These are obtained by moving large quantities of straw, corn-stalks, &c. with dung obtained from the stables and such additions as are made by other stock when put on the farm lot. In addition to which may be enumerated land improved by summer stock-pens, all the offal of the wheat crop, husks and refused clover-hay. Some of all these materials are passed through the farm-lot, and more or less trod by mules and cattle, undergoing some fermentation before being carried out and applied as top-dressing to clover. Such is the situation of this farm, that no extraneous matter can be used for litter; neither is it wanted, for manual labor cannot be spared from the ordinary operations of the farm to collect material for manure, even could it be hauled in, when so much has to be carried out; first, from the lot in a state of decomposition; and in the next place, from the stack, where the straw has been kept sound until the time of its application.

Slock. —This farm has little stock on it, owing partly to the fact, that many cattle have died from disease. What stock passed in review before your committee were in fine condition. The oxen then under the yoke were fat enough to suit the palate of an English alderman! may-hap, the Lord Mayor of London himself!! Your committee saw about ten oxen and twelve or fifteen milch cows and smaller cattle. These are of the common breed of the country, crossed by an improved bull. Your committee were much pleased with a flock of sheep, consisting of some forty or fifty, in fine condition and of large size. These consist of Bakewell ewes crossed by a Reybold ram. Hogs are now being raised, and a good many were seen of different size— among them several very fine sows and a large boar. They were fat, and bid fair to give a good yield of flesh at the proper time for killing. All the stocks are under the control of a small boy or two, who keep them in proper bounds. They are grazed during the spring, summer and fall, and kept up during the winter months. The keep consists of the offal of the farm during cold weather, and suffered to graze at pleasure when a good bite of clover and grass can be had at other seasons of the year. Good and sufficient shelter is provided them when needed.

Horses and Mules. —The work is done on

this farm by eight mules. One horse is kept for the use of the overseer. These were all fat—an unusual thing on most farms during this season of the year. There are fifteen field hands, eight mules and one horse, an^

oxen, which comprise the whole force on

the farm.

The usual agricultural tools now to be had, of the best kinds, are used on the farm. Your committee noticed an improved M'Cormick's plough, obtained of Mr. Robert B. Boiling of Petersburg, who has had them in use on his Sandy Point estate for some time. The improvement consists of a block of wood resting on the top of the mouldboard, between it and the beam, fitted to each and curved at bottom so as to correspond with the curved mould-board, by which the beam of the plough is raised to prevent clogging. This plough was doing good work during the visit of the Club, and the extended use of it would facilitate the great labor of a summer fallow. Smith's Chain-Band Horse-Power and Parker's Drum are used for threshing wheat.

Your committee do not think it necessary to go more into detail, and will merely remark, that when the Club reflects upon the greatly improved condition of this farm—the total absence of any attempt at display—the combination of every thing useful, yet economy manifested in every department of labor; the neat appearance of the farm and servants' dwellings; the improved health of the laborers and comfort derived from improved houses; the fine condition of the stock of every kind— all these things, combined with the manifest care in having every thing well done and at the proper time, show, on the part of Dr. Epe?' friend, Col. James S. Gilliam, a well balance,./ and discriminating mind, so necessary in a profession requiring forethought to conceive and energy and determination to successfully carry out the many operations of agriculture.

The report here presented may be applicable to "Hundreds" farm also; but having seen this farm during a hasty visit, your committee will only say, as far as seen, it showed conclusive evidence of good management and great improvement—the style of management well agreeing with that of the "Island."

They will conclude this report by the expression of a hope, that when he returns, the owner of these farms, now in Europe, will devote his time and atlention to them in such manner as to complete the good work—a work which his own interest, as well as the cause, alike demands of him.

Respectfully submitted,

Coriolands Russell, Josiah M. Jordan,

Com.

A potato gathering machine is in operation in New Hampshire. It is attached to a wagon. The wagon is placed at one end of the potato field, with oxen or horses attached, and as it

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passes down the rows, digs the potatoes, separates them from the dirt, and loads them into the wagon.— Exchange paper.

For the Southern Planter.

EXPERIMENTS OF THE ALBEMARLE HOLE AND CORNER CLUB.

The undersigned were appointed a committee at a recent meeting of the "Albemarle Hole and Corner Club, No. 1," to prepare for publication in the "Southern Planter" an Essay on "the experiments which have been tried by the Club since its commencement, giving the substance of the most interesting of tliem." In executing this duty, the committee are at a loss in making the selection contemplated by the order of the Club, and deem it best to exercise no discretion in discriminating between the several experiments. They deem it more expedient to refer it to the practised judgment of the Editor of the Planter, to make such selections from the report of the committee as his more varied experience and observation of the condition and wants of the Agricultural community within the range of its circulation may suggest as valuable.

With respect to the manner in which the undersigned have discharged the duty assigned them, some of the experiments are easily and with advantage susceptible of the synoptical Tesumd contemplated by the Club in prescrib--JQg the duties of the committee; while others, yft is obvious, derive their chief value from the minute accuracy of the details which have attended their progress. The committee have, accordingly, treated the experiments with reference to these considerations, and submit the results, respectfully, to the Editor of the Planter.

Frank Carr, F. E. G. C

ARR, }

Carr, J

Committee.

Experiment on Wheat—On the Results of Cutting Wheat in the Milk Slate; in the Dough Slate; and when Fully Ripe. Tried by Dan'l F. Carr, Dr. Frank Carr, William W. Minor, Richmond Terrell and Hugh Minor. All the experiments seem to have been made with the most precise accuracy. Three parcels of wheat were cut in every case: one when milk could be pressed out in small quantities, and when the straw under the head was still green; one in the dough state, when the grain was compressible between the finger and thumb, and the straw yellow; and one when the grain was hard and fully ripe, and the straw dry. The samples not ripe were all cured in the shade. In testing the results in each case, the same measure was filled with wheat in the several stages of ripeness, the gtains counted and accurately weighed. The

various experiments, allowance being made for different degrees of ripeness, which may fairly be presumed to have existed in the several samples, evince a remarkable similarity in the results. It may be worthy of remark, that in every experiment the ripe grain was the most bulky. Taking the ripe wheat as the standard, the experiments show that the loss by weight, of cutting wheat in the dough state is between five and eight per cent, and that by cutting wheat in the milk state, between forty and fifty per cent.

Experiment — Corn. — In reference to its Distribution in Planting, as to Distance and Arrangement. Referred to Dr. John Minor, William W. Minor and George Clive. The experiment by Dr. Minor was conducted in the following manner: Two rows, one stalk in the hill and one foot distance in the hill; two rows, two stalks in the hill and two feet distance in the hill; two rows, three stalks in the hill and three feet distance in the hill—all the rows at equal distances from each other.

The experiment by Mr. Clive was as follows: One stalk in the hill, one and a half feet apart; two stalks in the hill, three feet apart; three stalks in the hill, four and a half feet apart— rows at equal distances.

The experiment made by Mr. William W. Minor was conducted as follows: He planted four rows, distance of each from the other, rive feet. They were on a hillside—No. 1, lowest down the hill, he left one stalk in the hill, two feet apart. The row next above, No. 2, two stalks in the hill, four feet apart. The next row above, No. 3, three stalks in a hill, six feet apart. In No. 4, the highest on the hillside, the same conditions in all respects prevailed as in No. 1, the lowest on the hillside. The results of all these experiments were in favorof the fewer stalks in the hill and shortest distances. The rows were all adjacent.

Experiment on Top-Dressing Wheat. Conducted by Dr. William G. Carr. He top-dressed with equal quantities of stable manure, six lots of wheat, in the first week of October, November, December, January, February and March, respectively. The land manured was thin grey highland, with a considerable admixture of sand. That without manure might have brought from three to five bushels of wheat to the acre. The manure was spread very thin, at the rate of not more than ten ox-cart loads to the acre. From the time the wheat came up until harvest, that top-dressed at the time of seeding in October, had the advantage of all the other lots. It came up more vigorously, grew faster, filled better, and ripened some days earlier than the other lots. In spite of a thick growth of blue grass, this lot yielded at least fifteen bushels to the acre, whilst that adjoining, of the same character, though not manured, did not yield

_.

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three. He was unable to discover any difference in the other lots. The top-dressing had a decidedly good effect on all, in hastening its maturity and improving the quantity and quality of the product, over the unmanured land adjoining; the crop being fully doubled on all. The fact that cold, freezing weather continued till April, and was succeeded by moist, warm weather, may account for the good effects resulting from the late manuring. Wheat, dressed with a very thin covering of straw in February, was not benefited by it, but the clover was very much improved.

Experiment to Ascertain the Difference in the Result of Cutting Wheat when it first begins to Rust, and suffered to Stand till Thoroughly Ripe. Conducted by Dr. William G. Carr. On the 3d day of July he cut from different spots in the field two parcels of wheat just beginning to rust, the straw and blades green, the heads turning white, and the grain in the dough state, very soft, some of the heads being in the milk state. On the 19th of the same month, he cut from the same spots, the wheat which had been left to ripen. A struck measure of the rusted wheat, thoroughly ripe, weighed 85 grains —the number of grains 232. The same measure of the wheat, just beginning to rust, weighed 89 grains —number of grains 247. Of the wheat taken from another spot, a struck measure of the ripe rusted wheat, weighed 85J grains— number of grains 2l3.— The same measure of wheat, just beginning to rust, weighed 95 grains —number of grains 216. The greater difference in favor of the wheat just beginning to rust, in the second experiment, must be attributed to its being rather more matured when gathered, than the first. The straw of the unripe wheat, is, to all appearance, very superior to that of the ripe wheat, and the flouring properties of the grain are, no doubt, superior.

Experiment on the Effect on the Product of Corn, of Pulling Fodder and Culling Tops. Conducted by Mr. George Clive. The average weight of several- parcels, the fodder not being pulled nor tops cut, was 11 § pounds; where fodder was pulled and tops not cut, 11J pounds; and when the fodder was pulled and tops cut, 11 pounds. If these several parcels and weights are multiplied by G, the fractional parts will be got rid of, and the results of the experiment more readily compared. We will then have 120 ears, weighing 70 pounds, when the corn was lei't untouched, 120 ears, weighing 69 pounds, when the stalks were stripped of the fodder, but tops not cut, and 120 ears, weighing 66 pounds, when the fodder was pulled and tops cut. Now, assuming 70 pounds as the weight that all ought to have reached, there is a loss of one-seventieth by pulling fodder; and a loss of four-seventieths sustained, by both operations of pulling fodder and cutting tops.

Experiment on Fattening Hogs in a Close Pen. Conducted by Dr. Frank Carr. On the 29th of April seven shoats, which, had been littered on the 20th of the preceding February, were put up in a close pen. They were, when put up, in tolerably good order. They were slaughtered on the 14th of Decem-

j ber following, and weighed nett 1,150 pounds, giving an average of 164J pounds. They consumed, in bringing them to the knife, of merchantable material, 12 barrels and 1 bushel of

i corn and 30 bushels of bran. The corn was

; given to them sometimes in meal and sometimes in the grain; when in latter form, it was soaked to softness in a boiler, in which other materials for food, bran, meal, apples, pumpkins, cymlins, &c. were mixed and fermenting. The pumpkins were sometimes boiled— the cymlins always. Besides the articles of food already enumerated, the chaps about the house were made to pull for the hogs clover, grass and such weeds as hogs will eat. Two large white-oaks in the yard, which bore well, also furnished a good supply of acorns. These articles, together with peaches, with which

■ the trees were burdened and broken, slops from the kitchen, spare milk, &c. constituted the food on which the hogs were fed. The labor required in attending them hardly deserves to be estimated. In order to give precision to the experiment and to ensure accuracy in the results, I gave them much of my personal attention, being rarely away from them more than two days at a time, and seldom that.— The children about the yard and an infirm old man, who had been many years off the tax list, gathered the fallen fruit, grass, &c. The, latter, under my supervision, attended to thev preparation of the food and feeding. About half a gallon of salt and three pounds of copperas were consumed in the process, and the pen was frequently supplied with charcoal.

Price of pork at time of killing was five dollars —then we have 1,150 lbs. pork at $5, - - - $57 50

Per Contra. 12 bbls. 1 bushel corn at $2, $24 40 30 bushels bran at 10 cents, 3 00 Salt and copperas, say 30

Total expenses,

$27 70 27 70

Gross profit,

Deduct value of 7 shoats when put up, at 50 cents,

Nett profit, -

$29 80

3 50

$26 30

Experiment on Raising Tobacco Plants in Hot Beds. Conducted by Win. W. Minor, Esq. On the 21st of April, 1843,1 made a hot bed containing about twenty-five square yards— sowed the next day with tobacco seed beginning to sprout. No glass was put on it, but had plank laid over it to retain the heat and moisture. The plants began to come up in

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three days from sowing, and when most of them were up the plank was removed. While covered with the plank the bed needed no watering. The bed was then watered twice a day, on an average, though it was neglected, as regards water. The plants were not thick enough in the bed, nor were they regular— there being many vacant spots in it, owing to the circumstance that I had to guess at the quantity of seed, they being in a sprouted state, and, therefore, more difficult to sow with regularity. There were a few plants in this bed. large enough for new-ground planting in one month after sowing. They did not, however, grow as fast after three or four weeks as did the plants in beds prepared in the usual way, though they had decidedly better roots. I think, also, that the hot bed plants grew off and lived better than those drawn from beds prepared in the usual way. This bed yielded 9,200 plants, counted as they were drawn, and would have yielded two thousand more had they not been literally burned up from neglect of watering for the space of a week. The cost of this bed I estimate as follows: the labor of two men, three women, a cart and steers, say one day, at three dollars. The manure, worth, perhaps, four dollars—a cart | load of mould from the woods, which was put i on the top; twice weeding, the watering, and | one and a half bushels of poudrette, value one I dollar, cover the entire cost. The bed was about fifteen inches in depth when sown, and it has sunk about one-fourth, and the manute I is now worth about three dollars. The nett , cost of this bed, then, is about five dollars— the yield 9,200 plants, and I think I hazard J nothing in saying that it would have yielded 20,000 had they been distributed with tolerable i regularity.

In connexion with this subject, I will remark that the action of poudrette on tobacco plants was very decided and beneficial, both on my hot bed and on other beds; on the hot bed, especially, I made an accurate experiment with it, and never saw a greater effect produced by plaster (which I have known to j be very great in some cases) than was pro- . duced by this poudrette on tobacco plants.

The cost of plant beds prepared in the old way by burning, is estimated to be eight shil- i lings per one hundred square yards, or two | shillings per twenty-five square yards, without j estimating the wood consumed, or manure applied, or treading, covering, weeding, &c. If, now, it requires four cords of wood at fifty I cents per cord, to burn one hundred square | yards, this would cost two dollars ; then treading, covering, weeding, &c. the same would cost one dollar or one dollar and fifty cents; then a load of suitable manure would cost fifty cents more, and all these items would make the cost about five dollars per one hundred square yards; and ten thousand plants being the usual estimated yield to the one hundred square yards of plant land, the cost of producing the ten thousand plants by the

hot bed (as it resulted with me) and in the old mode, is about the same; though I have no doubt that plants may be raised at less cost in the hot bed, than by the old fashioned mode, after further experience with them shall have pointed out the improvements of which this plan is susceptible.

William W. Minor. September 23, 1843.

For the Southern Planter. WHEAT, SOIL, AND PREPARATION.

Mr. Editor, —As the time of seeding wheat is over, and each farmer will be anxiously looking to the result of his crop, it might not be amiss to lay down a few rules for reflection, as a careful review of the past will enable us to improve in the future. It is hardly reasonable to expect a crop of wheat from all kinds of soils, and hence the many failures in the raising of crops. Soil, climate and markets should always be kept in view, and if each farmer would raise such crops or products as is best adapted to his soil, I have no doubt there would be more profit derived by the operation. From close observation for fifteen years I am satisfied that heavier crops of wheat can be raised from stiff clays than any other; and all light sandy soils are much more adapted to the growth of corn and roots. The best preparation for wheat, doubtless, is fallow, and that with as clean a surface as possible, unless it is some substance that will decay rapidly. I think I am safe in saying there can be more wheat made in single rows than any other way, and especially if the land is poor.

I am aware that I am at variance in this opinion with many distinguished farmers— however, great men sometimes commit great errors, and there is knowledge to be gained, even in farming, from a fool. Solomon says so, at any rate. But to return. There is more surface in wheat in single rows than in a level surface. Suppose you draw a siraight line across an acre of land, you have seventy-two yards. Suppose you throw the land in five feet beds, elevated at the crown six inches, then measure each bed from alley to alley, and you would gain several rows—more than enough to make up for a clear water furrow in each row. The soil is also more condensed, being thrown together. And this is only a small portion of the advantages of single rows. There is at least one-third saved in ploughing the next time the land is to be cultivated, by lapping down in the alleys, and thereby deepening the soil, and the land ploughs much belter. Another great advantage derived from single rows is in the seeding o! wheat. There are no furrows to be marked off as guides, and I avouch that no man can seed wheat with half the ease on a flat surface, although

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it may have been previously raked. I speak from experience. I seed all my wheat, and when I have an alley to walk in, the labor is light; but when the surface is level I can scarcely hold out. The best way I have tried is to have a bucket slung, with a broad strap, round the neck, and one throw of the hand is much easier than two.

Another important item in wheat raising is the ploughing. And here again I am at variance wiih many gentlemen of great note and practical experience,—experience, however, being my entire guide. Never having had an overseer, I may be entitled, at least, to some experience in the matter. I hold the opinion that land should be not only ploughed shallow, but exceedingly shallow, for several reasons: the surface soil has more tenacity than the subsoil, and is less liable to heave or dry to powder in high winds and freezes, and be blown away. Again, by deep ploughing the land is capable of receiving a greater quantity of water. Then by lowering the temperature of the land and encouraging acids which are poisonous to the roots of the wheat, there is too much moisture for wheat twenty times where there is too much drought once.— Clean fallow, shallow ploughing, with a quantity of surface drains to take off all superabundant water, I hold to be the best way to insure a good crop of wheat.

I have said, Mr. Editor, what I intended for the present in regard to wheat. If you think it will be of any service to your readers of the Planter you are at liberty to insert it. Hoping you and your Planter may exert an influence over the farming community of the Old Dominion that will not easily be forgotten, suffer me to subscribe myself one of your readers,

C. C. S.

Northumberland, Nov. 20, 1851.

For the Southern Planter.

TOBACCO PLANTS.

Mr. Editor, —I will here state an experiment which I tried this year in raising tobacco plants, which you may publish if you think proper. On the 13th of May I threw on some brush on one end of a bed that I previously sowed, but the plants had been destroyed by the bugs. After burning slightly I raked it well, and then put on about forty pounds of guano to twenty-five square yards; oral least, I put it on a quarter of an inch thick. I then sowed the seed and covered them with fine stable manure a quarter of an inch, and .hen trampled it all over. Then 1 put on leached ashes enough to keep the manure from getting too dry; and they were up in eight days, and in fony-two days from the day I sowed the seed 1 planted eighteen hundred plants, nearly overgrown, and continued to draw twice and

three times a week until I finished planting my crop. After sowing the guano, as above stated, I raked it and hoed it in well before I sowed the seed, and then put on the other I dressing.

I remain yours, &c.

James M. Campbell. Rock Hill, Louisa, Nov. 23, 1851.

For the Southern Planter.

COMPARATIVE EXPENSE OF THE HORSE AND MULE TO THE FARMER.

Mr. Editor, —For the last four or five years I have devoted my time mostly to farming, and during that time have paid a good deal of attention to the feeding of my horses, and, therefore, have learned pretty well the expense of keeping that animal on the farm. I have long since come to the conclusion that the mule would be much cheaper as a working animal on the farm than the horse, and have, therefore, determined, as soon as I can dispose of my horses, without too much sacrifice in price, to procure a full team of them, and use them in all my farming operations. When I take into consideration the very great saving to the farmer by the use of the mule instead of the horse, it is a matter of great surprise to me that our improving and intelligent agriculturists should have delayed a thing of such importance as this to this time. I can only account for it in this way: that until within a few years past, there has been no accessible^'-rnarket for our surplus corn, and, therefore, it' was not considered expensive to feed it away lavishly to horses; and thus having become accustomed to the horse and this wasteful mode of feeding him, our farmers have come to regard it as all right and proper. But we are now placed under very different circumstances. Canals, plank roads and railroads now offer facilities to various markets for our surplus grain of all kinds, and to continue now the old, extravagant and wasteful habits of feeding it away to horses, when a ready maiket and remunerating prices are offered us, is, to say the least, very bad management— management decidedly behind the times.

But a change in this respect has commenced. Some of our practical and sagacious farmers have commenced the work of reform; have dispensed with the horse and supplied themselves with mules. Some of these have assured me that they were much pleased with the exchange; so much so, that they would advise their friends to give away their horses, if they could not sell, and purchase mules.

I propose now, Mr. Editor, to give you a calculation in figures of the saving to the farmer by the use of mules instead of horses, and, for that purpose, I will take a team of ten for a period of twenty years; will suppose the horses and mules to cost at their purchase

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!he same price,' and will estimate the difference, saved in the feeding of the mule, of Indian corn, at six barrels each per annum, or that the horse will consume twelve and the pjiule six barrels each per annum to keep them each in good working order.

Upon that data I make this exhibit: 10 horses will consume each 12 bbls. corn per annum, say for 20 years, which is equal to 2,400 bbls. worth on an average, $2 50 per barrel, $6,000 Shoeing 10 horses will cost $30 per annum (®3 each, or more, which we have to pay,) say for 20 years, 600

Cost of feeding on corn, and shoeing 10 horses for 20 years, $6,600

10 mules will consume each 6 bbls. corn per annum, say for 20 years, which is equal to 1,200 bbls. worth, on an average, $2 50 per barrel, no expense of shoeing, $3,000

Amount saved in 20 years by mules, $3,600

According to this estimate we have the surprising sum of $3,600 in twenty years, or about two hundred dollars per annum, gained or saved by having mules instead of horses; but large as this sum is, it can be fairly augmented to upwards of four thousand dollars, by taking into the calculation the greater longevity and exemption from diseases of the mule, which items are not set down in the above statement. At the end of the twenty years, how will the matter standi In all probability the horses will all, or nearly all, be dead, while the mules, xwe may reasonably suppose, unless very badly treated, will all, or nearly all, be living and be good for service for some five or ten years longer.

I am, therefore, Mr. Editor, the warm advocate of the mule, and, as I before said, my determination is to give up the horse as speedily as practicable, and supply his place with the mule. Mules have been scarce and high for several years, and I have thought it a good plan to get some large mares and raise from a large jaek. They can be raised at a very trifling expense, and are ready for work at an early age. I have already commenced raising, and have two now for a beginning.

If my estimate approximate to reality on this subject, and I feel great confidence it does, then it is a matter of grave importance to the whole agricultural community that they should bestow some attention to a matter which so largely concerns them.

That the mule can do as much and as efficient work as the horse, I think there is no doubt, especially if the mule have size and weight, which should be the case. Three good mules will draw a three-horse plough, and do as good work as three horses, and in the heat of summer fallow, which is fatal to so many horses, you never hear of any injury to the mule.

I have been for several years, Mr. Editor, an attentive reader of your very valuable journal, and have derived much pleasure and profit from it, but I have never seen an article in your paper on this subject. I should like to see it discussed and examined. I would be pleased to have the views and opinions of others, who have more experience, and if my ideas upon the subject are wrong I would like to have them corrected.

P. P. N.

Greenville, Culpepcr, Va. Nov. 1851.

For the Southern Planter. A REMEDY FOR COLIC IN HORSES.

Mr. Rvffin,— l have intended for some time to request the re-publication of "A Remedy lor Colie in Horses" which appeared in the Southern Planter, Vol. III. page 47.'

1 have used the medicine with entire success for seven years and in several of the severest cases I ever saw. I had lost two of the best horses I owned previous to this publication. But since I have practised this way I have never, so far, had a horse to remain sick thirty minutes after giving the drench.

By the way, I would advise every man who has a sick horse to give this medicine, although he may be told by others that his horse has "the grubs," for the symptoms in both cases are alike. I said the symptoms in both cases are alike, but I must make a reserve, for I believe in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred that are said to be grubs, the horses die by colic—and grubs being found in them the eases are then decided to be grubs.

Here is the recipe:

"Take two quarts of cold water in a hand basin, add with your fire shovel, say, a pint of hot wood ashes or embers, and stir. Cut off an inch and a half from a common handful of tobacco and shred in the mixture. Stir all up and let it stand fifteen minutes and settle.— Pour off a common black bottle full of the fluid, and drench your horse. In half an hour he will be well.

" Rationale: The gas which bloats the horse is probably carbonic acid gas and light car-buretted hydrogen, the product of the vegetable decomposition which is going on in the intestines; at any rate, it is a gas which is immediately absorbed by its combination with an alkali.

"The tobacco is a powerful anti-spasmodic and cathartic; it, therefore, prostrates the nervous sensibility, checks the inflammation and increases the action of the lower intestines. In a critical or extreme case it will be well to give an enema of a strong decoction of tobacco with a common syringe. Out of more than one hundred instances in which I have seen this remedy used, I have yet to witness the first failure. It also has an advantage over

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very many remedies, viz: it cannot injure a horse in perfect health. Feed light lor a day or two.

"Causes of Colic. —The main cause consists in the presence of a greater amount of food than the intestines can elaborate into nourishment, or of a kind of food difficult of digestion, producing spasm, obstruction, vegetable decomposition and consequent inflammation. Hard driving on a full stomach will produce j colic, because the effort weakens the tone of the digestive powers and they cannot elaborate the food—which then produces irritation and i inflammation. Coldwalerwk.cn the horse is heated, because it is a powerful stimulus and will produce spasm or obstruction, or by the re-action produce weakness of the digestive organs.— < It also gives too much fluidity to the food— | fluids are more difficult of digestion than solids. It also increases the fermentation. Hearty I feeding after hard driving, because the stomach and intestines sympathize with the general fatigue of the system and are easily overloaded, | and the appetite will induce the horse to eat more than he can digest.

"Colic is first flatulent, then inflammatory. In the flatulent stage, or in what is called bellyache, aromatic remedies, or half a gill of spi-1 rits of turpentine, or a pint of whiskey and | black pepper may be given. All these stimulate the system and may assist it in overcoming the difficulty. But in the latter and inflammatory stage, which rapidly succeeds the former, these same remedies would produce speedy death by increasing the inflammation. In nine cases out of ten this disease is not observed by the ordinary driver until it has assumed the inflammatory form—in which stage the remedy at the head of this article should be given with as little delay as possible; although it should not be omitted, even if the horse be supposed to be in the article of death itself, for I have seen them recover when every by-stander had dismissed all hope.

T. N. Welles. "French Creek, Peoria Co. Nov. 25,1842. : '

Here follows a postscript which, as it is lengthy and not altogether so important, I shall omit lest I should be excluded from your columns.

Thus, sir, I have performed, as well as I was able, what I consider my duty to the community at large, and I do wish I could make it have a lasting impression upon every owner of that useful animal, the horse. I believe if it were universally attended to but few, if any, horses would be lost by that commonly fatal disease.

I am, sir, yours, most respectfully,

James T. Jones.

Spring Hills, Fluvanna, Dec. 4,1851.

We have tried a patt of the above remedy, viz: the lye, making it by boiling the ashes, when we had no lye ready made, and always

with perfect success. For ten years we had ten work horses, and lost only one, which would be equal to a loss of one horse in one hundred for one year, or one per cent. ait. that horse we did not see at all until she was dead. Our rule is, if there be a horse taken sick, to have him brought straight to us, and if it be colic, as it will be in ninety-nine cases in a hundred, we drench with lye, repeating the dose if the first have not given relief, and giving from one to five table-spoonfuls of laudanum, according to the violence of the attack. Its mode of action is stated above. To this cause, in part, we attribute the health of our teams, which is somewhat remarkable on a farm where the work is as hard as it is on a farm in the South-West Mountains. But it is also due in very considerable degree to another fact. We make it a rule to keep too many horses. And there is great economy in it both as regards saving feed and the wear and tear of the teams.

Sometimes we have drenched with lye so strong as to salivate the horse as badly as clover is said to do, making his mouth so raw that he would not eat. For the first twelve hours we disregard this. After that, if it has not ceased, we give a moderate drench of alum in strong solution, careless if it be swal-lowed; and this operates a speedy cure.-i (&uere. Would it cure salivation resulting from summer grazing!)

ONIONS AND PEAS.

Our friend in Augusta, who asked us sometime last fall to publish a good article on Onion Culture, may see a good one here. We commend it to his attention because we know the author, and he writes "according to knowledge."

For the Southern Planter.

Mr. Editor,— When you were at my house, a short time since, I think I promised to give you, for your paper, some account of my mode of raising certain garden vegetables. If the following is, in your opinion, worthy the notice of your readers they are heartily welcome to it. To begin I will first notice

THE ONION.

This we have found always most easily raised of good size, and an abundant yield to

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the land. We raise what I take to be the Dutch or Flanders onion. We pursue this plan to obtain the seed. Set out the seed onions early in March, and cultivate only

though to keep the weeds and grass under \,fltil the buttons are pretty well developed. Then permit the weeds and grass to grow at their will, so as to protect the bulb from the cold of winter. In the spring weed them well, and top-dress with hen-house manure, and cultivate as above. In this way, it will hardly ever be necessary to set out seed onions again. At least we have gathered buttons this season, large and fine, from onions set out seven years ago. Here it may be as well to say how we I prepare our hen-house manure. The house J is well littered, say six inches deep, once in two weeks during the winter, with straw.— Then a liberal sprinkle of marl is applied, and frequently ashes. In two weeks it will be found to be well trampled and befouled, when it is scraped up, thus mixing the ingredients which are then deposited in the garden in a heap ready for use in the spring. Pure hen dung should be applied cautiously, like guano; it is domestic guano.

The onion being a gross feeder, you should, when growing the bulb, manure the land well with good stable manure, spaded in well, and chopped in fiDe, using no rake on stiff land, such as ours is. Lay ofF the rows fourteen inches apart, and plant the buttons five inches from each other in the row. Let the rows be very shallow and cover them very lightly.— Deep covering is very injurious. Work thoroughly the first time, and top-dress around each button, but not too near, with the hen

l^nanure. Then cultivate as may be necessary, to keep the weeds and grass under, and also to keep the ground well stirred. But let the cultivation be as superficial as possible. We plant the last of February or first of March, though the best and finest onions we ever raised were planted the last of September. We have tried this experiment but once. We raise the White, or Silver onion, pretty much in the same way for pickles. I will now notice

THE GARDEN PEA.

In the first place, select a good bearer. We have a hybrid, which in several years, I have, I thiok, nearly perfected, by planting an early and late kind in alternate rows, thus producing a pea of medium maturity, which grows tall, and bears at bottom while it blooms and ma-tares at top. It may be called a succession pea. I will here remark when once you have a good pea, plant no other, but plant the good pea at different times, and thus procure successive crops of it without the risk of admixture. (I regret I did not give you some of my peas when you were down.) [Ditto, Tebbs.— Editor]

Remember, what I am going to say further is for clay land with tenacious clay bottom.

You know the soil. [Yes, very well; and tenacious and stiff enough it is, for a lower country soil, and suffering from wet too.— Ed.]

We manure our square some time beiore Christmas with coarse, strong, stable manure. The coarser the better for me, because it acts mechanically to open my stiff soil. Spade this manure in the full depth of Ames' spade, (the only spade worth a cent)—let it remain till the first good spell in January, which gen-nerally occurs between the first and middle of the month. Then dress well and plentifully broadcast with the hen-house manure. Chop it in well with a hilling hoe; (no other sort of hoe ought to be used in a garden of stiff soil at any time)—sprinkle well with unleached ashes, and chop it in lightly with the hoe again— use no rake on this kind of soil. Lay the rows off four feet apart; stretch a line, and mark with the hoe helve each side of the line as close as possible. Plant the peas almost touching, and cover lightly with the hand, being careful to remove all clods, &c. This havirjg been properly done, lay pieces of timber, four by three inches, (we use common fence rails,) as close to the peas as possible— fill the space between the rails level, at least, with well rotted stable manure, and cover with the pea-sticks, to prevent the depredations of fowls. When they are well out of the ground, stick them. My peas require sticks fully six feet high.

Let the rails remain during the season, as they retain the moisture, and if drought should ensue wet the manure between the rails thoroughly once or twice a week, and you will have strong, green, vigorous vines, while your neighbors', planted in the usual way, will be parched up.

Planted in this way, peas will not come up so quickly, but they will come, and more than all, will grow apace. One advantage of planting in this way is that you need never work them from the time they are planted till they are gathered, except to keep under the weeds and grass between the rows. Sometimes you may have to pull up a few weeds that spring up amidst the vines.

After you are done gathering your peas, plant the square in turnips, which will pay most amply for the extra manuring. [We always plant cabbages.— Ed.] You will thus have two crops in the year from the same land.

Most truly, your well-wisher,

Virginius.

"Does anybody want some first rate fresh eggs for three cents a dozen 1" inquired a wag one morning. There was at once a general re^pon^e of "I do,," "And I too," "I'll take a lot," &c. from a dozen eager voices. "Well," said the wag, "I'm going to market to purchase some eggs, and if I find any for sale at that price, I will call and let you know."

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

RICHMOND, JANUARY, 1852.

TERMS.

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!3rNo paper will be discontinued, until all arrearages are paid, except at the option of the Publisher.

gj" Office on Twelfth, between Main and Cary Streets.

|3* Communications for the Southern Planter, upon other than business matters, may be addressed to the Editor, Frank: G. Rdffin, Esq. at Skadwell, Albemarle Co., Va., which will insure their being more speedily attended to.

Business letters will be directed as heretofore to "The Southern Planter," Richmond, Va.

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TIMELY WARNING.

All subscribers who do not order a discontinuance before the commencement of the new year or volume, will be considered as desiring a continuance of their papers, and charged accordingly.

POSTAGE ON THE PLANTER.

The following are the rates of postage on the Planter, per quarter, for the distances annexed—to be paid quarterly in advance:

Not over 50 miles, 1| cents.

Over 50 and not over 300 miles, 2£ cents.

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Over 2000 and not over 40(

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A NEW YEAR'S SALUTATION—AND SOMETHING MORE.

It is customary at the beginning of the year for Editors of papers to salute their reader* and offer their congratulations.

We think the time not unfit for some other things which we shall briefly notice. For ourselves, we have not much to say, being unable, or rather unauthorized, as far as we now see, to promise any great improvement in the Southern Planter.

Though we have added about a thousand names to the subscription list, thereby increasing its circulation about thirty per cent, its means are yet too small to justify an attempt at the improvement that we, or any other man just as well as we, could easily make. But its limits must, for a while longer, remain too narrow for that increase of reading matter, and that sort of intellectual food which we could wish to provide for the farmers of Virginia, and which they require. So, for the present, we are restricted to the purely practical, but still useful routine, that has heretofore marked the progress of our "little book." As we have said before, to obtain subscribers is as much labor as we can undertake; and it is our first duty. That close view of self-interest which marks the Northern farmer and the, Yankee, and is sufficient to induce thirty thousand of them in New York alone, without the intervention of a paid agent, to subscribe to one of the several farm journals of that great State, has not yet animated our people. But it will animate them, sooner or later, and then we or some other editor, can work with brighter hopes and better fortune. "We believe in" the intelligence and energy of Virginia farmers. They have done well; they will do still better; they will regain for Old Virginia the stand she has lost, not in character, thank Heaven, but in physical superiority.

But, before they can produce such consummation, there is much to be done /br them and by them. They are to be taught not only to increase their already considerable knowledge in the processes of their profession, but to take an enlarged view of its duties, to meditate its bearings, to contemplate its importance and its dignity, to know its wants, to understand the weakness of isolation and the strength of concert, and to learn upon what they should

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17

combine—in one word, to ascertain what is to be done for their country, as well as themselves, and to do it with patriotism and public

* spirit.

There are several such things that now loudly call upon us, and demand discussion. "What more vital subject, for instance, than State internal improvements? Virginia has | gone backwards in the track of commerce until she ranks behind a State she gave away. New York enterprise " has turned the commerce of the St. Lawrence down the Hudson, and placed the mouth of the Mississippi as much at Sandy Hook as it is at the Balize:" whilst our equal advantages are unimproved, our resources as yet but partially developed, our mineral treasures dormant in the earth, our richest lands butlittlebetterthan adesert— all because our means are wasted, our improvements conflicting and unproductive, and, in some cases, leading out of the State. How few of us understand these things: how few see the reports in which such things are set forth: and how many, when they do see them in the columns of a newspaper, pass them by

to read the election news! But two

monihs ago, majorities in two counties of wealth and respectabilily, one Whig and one Democratic county, both containing lands of

"}*■ great fertility, now unproductive for want of a market, threatened armed resistance against a slight railroad impost, and vowed to destroy the work! Scarce a man among us cried shame on their folly!

Great improvements are projected. It is demonstrated that they will benefit the whole State, every part of it, that they will bring commerce and enrichment from beyond our bounds, that their revenue will relieve us of taxes, and give the means for further improvement, and people our wastes. What next? Companies are chartered—the whole conduct \ of the matter is entrusted to them, the people shut their eyes, even stockholders become languid and vote by proxy—until we wake up to find that thousands and millions have been squandered upon the schemes of visionary presidents, and the theories of scientific engineers! What next? We shut our eyes again, and "let the Legislature work it out for us!"

We hold con ventions to produce direct trade. We make speeches and reports, we "resolve,

and re-resolve, then die the same." Why"? Because it takes produce to m;\ke trade, a back country to build up a commercial city. And we, the farmers of Virginia, more emphatically than at the North, the bone and sinew of the State, because we own so large a portion of its labor, we do not consider that fact, and rest satisfied that we have spent, or misspent, our money.

"It is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings."

It is our fault that New York City has outstripped our cities; and it is our duty to see how it has been done, and to take counsel how it shall be undone. What place, did the liberality of farmers justify it, more appropriate to discuss and mature plans for this purpose, than a paper devoted to their concerns; which not only seeks to improve their lands, but also to enlarge their sphere of action, and into which politics cannot enter to distract attention or to excite prejudice.— Closely connected with commerce, as showing the locality, extent and value of our mineral and other treasures, and the practicability of getting them to market, or rendering them available, and still more intimately related to agriculture, are the questions of geological and topographical, (i. e. minute geographical,) surveys. An accurate geological knowledge is the basis of an enlarged, or national, system of agriculture, because indispensable to a correct classification of soils. Information of the geological structure of particular districts would often enable plain farmers to detect the quackery of "consulting agricultural chemists," and to supply the necessary ingredients of their soils, or, that being, from any cause, impossible, to adapt the crop to the soil. The same sort of information, as to the State at large, is a great, if not necessary, aid to the scientific man in analyzing soils. Yet we have put the cart before the horse, and appointed a State Agricultural Chemist before we order a geological survey. True, we commenced one some years ago, which was pronounced complete and masterly as far as it went. Maps of particular districts, and other materials of great value were laboriously prepared by Professor Rogers which now slumber on his shelves, the members of the Legisla-

<

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER

ture, possibly from ignorance of its importance having become indifferent to the undertaking, or fearing to prosecute it lest their constituents should be offended—constituents who quietly blood by and saw many hundred times more dollars than would have finished the work, heedlessly wasted upon conflicting schemes of internal improvement— constituents, who, if their representatives had properly explained this thing, would have insisted on its completion at double cost, and who, apart from all idea of direct utility, would have gloried in presenting it to the world as alike the evidence of their science and the schedule of their pos-' sessions. Truly our Legislature, though it is not its own fault, altogether, has hardly earned the title of its old Saxon prototype— wiliena-ge mote, or the meeting of wise men.

Again. Take the laws of Virginia. What protection have farmers under her statutes'? ; Thousands of worthless dogs keep out hundreds of thousands of valuable sheep, by long odds the best stock for a slaveholding farmer. But the Legislature will not remedy the evil. Talk to the members, and they tell you that "policy," which means the success of themselves, or of their party, policy forbids. Yet, Ohio, the very hot bed of demagogues, can tax her dogs, and defy her vagrants. Why'? Because her wool-growers export eight millions of pounds of wool, and can command respect to their petitions.

With materials, in great part, of the most perishable nature, we are taxed to surround our lands with an enclosure five feet high, when four-fifths of that height, and one-half the materials would answer quite as well, and save an immense item in the aggregate expenditure. A breach, whether by accident or secret trespass, is made in the fence. The farmer, who has already given up ten per cent. I of his labor to the fence must submit to the loss of as much more of it as may be caused by the entrance of stock through the breach. With him "eternal vigilance is the price of" his harvest. Try to change this thing. It •will be found that the policy of our system, which, in all other cases, requires every man to take care of his own, and so to use it as to j hurt no other man's, is reversed in favor of j " the poor man's cow!"

We want an Agricultural Society liberally

endowed. The State is ready to give us aid. But we cannot agree upon the mode in which it shall be given—cannot arrange the details. We have never thought of the matter—never discussed it with one another—never digested it, and do not know what we want. No wonder. We have no paper which serves as a medium for discussion—no common newspaper ground to meet upon.

These examples prove our defects. We do not make our remarks upon them in censorious or repining spirit, but rather, hopefully. We make them because they are true: every man \ who reads them knows them to be true, feels them to be true; and if true, they ought to be spoken of by somebody with a view to re-form. Such defects, we know cannot remain. I Amendment will come in time—is coming now—only rather too much at its leisure: and we would with all our power, and ten times more, if we had it, urge our people to accelerated speed in the great race of advancement, that so the men of this day might share the merit of the achievement. Virginia is a great State; she will be a greater, but we want her to be the greatest. Our object should be not to keep in sight of, or along side of other States, but to outsiride them all in energy and enterprise, as we once did in power and renown. And when we look back to that "once," it should be only to gather strength from its glo-I ries, not to stop and boast of its greatness, re-! membering always that

"To have done is to hang Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail In monumental mockery."

This new year is the commencement of a new era. A more popular impulse has been infused into our government, and will increase its activity. Uncontrolled it may do mischief: and it behooves us to guide since we cannot stop it. On our action now depends whether Virginia shall rapidly ascend to the meridian, thence to diffuse a steady radiance that shall pale the brightness of other orbs in our constellation, or shall continue for a yet longer season divided in her projects and sluggish in her progress, losing, perhaps forever, her chance for pre-eminence, and forced to take position among "the lesser lights."

We commend these reflections to our read-

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

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ers. For the rest we wish them all a happy-new year. We wish them that sort of happiness which follows the successful issue of T* "well directed efforts and high aims and noble motives—that sort of happiness which will only come when men "act well their parts." We wish them improving lands, bursting granaries, fat herds, and healthy families. So far as this world is concerned, we can wish them nothing more.

GUANO ON TOBACCO PLANT BEDS.

We have successfully tried guano as a manure for plant beds. Last winter we applied it to one, chopping it in lightly at the rate of eighteen hundred pounds per acre. The effect was excellent—as good as we could have expected in any other way. It was used on another bed in solution late in the season, after the plants had come up well, and began to suffer for want of manure. The solution was made by mixing the guano in a hogshead of water at the rate of a pound to five gallons. It was permitted to stand one day—two would have been better—and sprinkled over the plants by hand from a bucket. The watering pot was tried, but the nose became choked by the ^4 sediment of the guano. It was applied from time to time as the plants seemed to require it, until the full quantity had been put on. The bed contained about three hundred square yards, had no other manure, and had been but half burned on purpose to test the guano.— The result was most satisfactory, the plants corning in early, and continuing to grow finely: and from that bed we planted very nearly our whole crop, sixty thousand hills. If we had had a favorable season we could easily have planted the whole of it from the bed.

The other bed manured with the dry guano did just as well; but being more distant, we never had occasion to use it, and gave it away.

The quantity may seem enormous, and we would not venture to slate our experiment if unconfirmed by others; but we know that Mr. William W. Minor of Gale Hill, Albemarle, from whom we got the hint, and Mr. Neil B. Gay of Fluvanna, from whom he got it, have both used the same quantity and with like success. Indeed one of Mr. Gay's guanoed beds was not burned at all, as we have under-

stood, and yet he had better plants from that bed, than from a precisely similar one, by its side, in fact, which had been both burned and manured. The trouble of weeding was greater in the guanoed bed, but he estimated that as less than the labor of burning.

On the other hand, it is fair to state, that Mr. John R. Edmunds of Halifax, told us last summer of a case, perhaps his own, in which the guano, thus applied had failed entirely. Whether this was owing to the inferior quality of the guano, or to the fact that it was applied to the bed before the ashes were leached, (we did not think to inquire about that at the time,) or whether it is that guano will not act on some plant soils, we cannot say. We strongly incline to think it was owing to the first or second of these causes, or to both combined.

We would, by all means, advise those who choose to try it, not to make the application until the ashes are thoroughly leached by rain or snow, as the guano will lose its virtue if they do. Unleached ashes are as destructive to ammonia as quicklime. They have just the same properties in regard to it.

OSAGE ORANGE.

In our last number we promised to give full directions for propagating and forming hedges of the Osage orange. As our own experience with it has been limited, and we had togropeour wayin making the badly grown and somewhat straggling hedge which now surrounds about two-thirds of our garden, we will take leave to draw on the more ample experience and more enlightened practice of Mr. Bateham of the Ohio Cultivator, who has grown it successfully in Columbus, where he has it now, in five years from the seed, four from its being planted, a beautiful and perfect hedge, forming a complete protection against every sort of trespasser, a part having been "submerged in water several weeks" during summer "without injury" and also much of the time during winter.

The Seed can be procured from any of the seedsmen in our cities at about one dollar a quart. Old seed, if sound, are said to be almost, if not quite, as good as new. If the kernel is white and sweet the seed is good, but if yellow or brown, or of a rancid taste, it is bad.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

Preparation.—The seed must be sowed about the time of planting corn, and will not come up until the corn does. About a week or ten days before that time, pour on the seed hot, but not boiling, water, and let them soak in a warm room, by the kitchen fire, for instance, changing the water two or three times. But if you find the seed beginning to sprout, sow them immediately.

The Soil for the seed bed must be of a mellow, light, kind—sandy loam is best. In a clay soil, such as will bake after a rain, they will be almost sure to fail. If the soil is not light and sandy, procure a cart load or two of such, and cover the seed with it after sowing in drills. This is all-important.

Sowing—A. piece of ground ten yards square is large enough for a quart of seed—and, if it j succeeds well, will give 3000 to 4000 plants. Work the ground up fine, as if to sow beets or onions. Drill with a line and hoe fifteen to eighteen inches apart, one and a half inches deep. Drop the seed half an inch to an inch apart and cover up an inch deep with well pulverized earth or the transported light and sandy soil. If dry weather succeeds, water the rows at evening every second or third day, till the plants appear, which will be in a week or two. Keep them clear of weeds until they are one year old.

Planting.— (Don't attempt to sow the seed where you want the hedge. It will not answer.) When the plants are a year old you may plant them. If the subsoil is poor and hard, throw it out with spade or plough too feet deep and three feet wide, and fill up the surface with earth of good quality mixed with a little rotted manure. But if the ground is such as would produce a good crop of corn without manure, nothing is necessary but to mellow it to the depth of ten or twelve inches. Make the surface fine and smooth. Stretch a line exactly where the plants are to stand, and with a spade, cut a trench ten inches deep, or less, according to the length of the roots, leaving a perpendicular side of the trench under the line, against which the plants are to stand in an upright position, one person hold-in" them in line while another shovels fine earth upon them. Before setting the plants cut off all the tops except an inch above the ground mark, and shorten the roots to nine or

ten inches long. The earth should be just level with the tops, which allows for settling without exposing the roots.

The distance of planting in the rows is commonly six or seven inches apart in a single line. But where a very close hedge, as for a garden, is desired, it is better to set the plants in two rows, one foot apart, and the plants in each row one foot distant in quincunx order, thus:

********

But the first plan is considered quite as good for ordinary farm fences.

Keep the plants clear of weeds during the first summer, and in the fall apply a dressing of half rotted chip manure from the wood pile three inches deep along the line of plants to keep them from heaving by frost, and to keep the ground free from weeds.

Trimming must commence one year after planting. If the plants have done well, they will have from three to four shoots each, three or four feet high. Take a sharp pruning knife and a stout pair of gloves, and cut off every shoot to within six inches of the ground. This will cause the plants to throw out lateral branches, and form a thick mass of thorny shoots close to the ground. If this is not done the first year the bottom of the hedge will never after become sufficiently close to keep out small animals. No further care will then be required until the next spring. Then comes The Second Trimming--If the soil is good the shoots will be found, this time, to be six or eight feet high. You will hate to cut them down, but you must do it; the main shoots to within eighteen inches of the ground, and the side shoots to within six inches of the main | stem-otherwise you will not have a perfect hedge.

The Third Trimming must be done the third year in the spring, cutting down the upright shoots to within three or four feet of the ground, according to the strength and closeness of the growth; also clipping the side branches within narrow limits. The work of trimming may now be done better with a bill hook, which any good blacksmith can make. The blade is fourteen inches long and about three inches wide. The back is round towards the point and one-sixth of an inch thick, so as to give

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it weight for cutting, like a hatchet—the edge thin and sharp, and curved at the point—the

. handle seven inches long. .

Another implement is also quite useful, and every man who has a hedge ought to have one, especially to use after the third or fourth year. Its handle is three feet long, and slightly bent, so that it will balance well in the hand— the blade two feet long and slightly hooked, and made as long as comports with strength. Of course it should be of the best steel, and kept perfectly sharp. It is to be used with both hands, cutting upward at the sides, and horizontally at the top, of the hedge.

A common scythe blade, or brier blade, kept sharp and in dexterous hands, is also a very good implement; and after a little practice with this, or any of the other implements, any man will become a very expert hedger.

The fourth year after the hedge is planted it may be allowed a height of four or five feet and will then be fit for a fence. The sides and tops must be trimmed each spring, or too much room will be taken up. But after it gets seven or eight years old, the growth will become slower, and less trimming will be required. It draws or exhausts the soil about six feet on each side. Allow for that.

< This is the substance of what Mr. Bateham says about the Osage orange hedge, and we ask a careful consideration of it. We must confess that we have had no great luck with the plant ourselves, though we live in hopes of a hedge from it. But we pursued no such course as that here so plainly marked off for all who choose to experiment in live fences. If we had, chickens would not now be scratching the manure fiom our strawberry and asparagus beds, and prowlers stealing our choicest cabbage heads. We believe in the entire practicability of such a hedge. There are many in various parts of the Union; and thousands of plants are annually sold to those who farm the treeless prairies of the West. Near Philadelphia, too, we are told, by a gentleman who has seen them, of beautiful hedges twelve and fifteen years old, which, so far, answer every purpose that can be desired.— Our friend, Gen. William H. Richardson, too, near Richmond, has a fine thriving young hedge which he considers established, and which will, much more effectually than any

thing he has ever tried, resist the depredations of the boatmen and others, who burn all the fences and steal all the fruit and vegetables they can lay hands on.

Undoubtedly it takes labor and some trouble to get the hedge started, and lazy men, who do things half way had better not attempt it, but we presume that with all, except, perhaps, those who have locust and chestnut for posts and rails.it will be much the cheapest fence, both as to first cost and durability.— According to a statement in the Ohio Cultivator of the cost of fencing in that country, the construction and timber of the most durable fence, (locust posts and pine plank,) cost from seventy-five to eighty cents for the panel of sixteen feet; whereas, at the rate of five dollars per thousand for the plants of the Osage orange, and that is thought a high price, the whole cost was estimated by Mr. Bateham at twenty-five cents for the same length, the plants being two years old and their success established. This would make a saving of sixty-six per cent, in the item of fencing there, and it certainly would be much greater in many parts of Virginia, where the fences are made of the most perishable materials.

Besides, there is a beauty in it which our common dead fences never can pretend to; indeed, we have heard it as a proverb that such an one was "as ugly as three panels of fence." Its rich dark green leaves, which slock never eat, and its close compact growth will add much to the beauty ol a farm, whilst its peculiarly sharp spines will guard from every trespass whatever they enclose.

One other virtue it possesses—it grows perfectly well from the slip. We have seen it thus growing, so that one need not anticipate an annual bill for seed until the trees bear. We will speak more of this matter, however, in the next number. For the present we have said enough.

ERRATUM.

In our last, in reply to Mr. Turner's query, we inadvertently used the word "gallon" where we should have said "bushel." A bushel of cloverseed (or one gallon per acre) is the usual allowance for eight acres of land.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

ESSAYS BY THE HOLE AND CORNER CLUB.

Some short time since at a meeting, of the Hole and Corner Club, No. 1, of Albemarle, the President divided the Club in seven committees, each one of which was to contribute to the Southern Planter an essay upon some subject of practical agriculture.

Two of them have been handed in and are published in this number of our paper. The one by Messrs. F. and F. E. G. Carr, giving a I synopsis of some interesting experiments made by the Club at various times, will be found very interesting. The other, by Messrs. Garth and Noland. being the first of a series on the Cultivation of Tobacco, will command gen- [ eral attention. Mr. Garth is one of the best j farmers in the Slate, and his skill in tobacco is somewhat remarkable.

By-the-by, a friend in the lower country told us that some one had complained to him of our having too much about tobacco in the Planter. We were somewhat surprised at this, as we have up to this time had only two essays on the subject, Mr. Gilmer's, and this of Messrs. Garth and Noland; and boih so much above the average of general communications in interest and ability that we could not well have avoided publishing them, even if they had been supernumeraries, which they are not. We shall always be happy to publish as good essays on other subjects, ami hope we shall have an opportunity of proving it in the case of our objector.

A GOOD GARDENING BOOK.

We frequently hear ladies asking for a good gardening book. We have tried and can recommend to them Buist's Family Kitchen Gardener, as the best, all things considered, that we are acquainted with. As several, of the labors of the garden will commence the first open weather, we advise all who feel the want of such a book to procure it without delay. It may be had of Mr. J. W. Randolph and other booksellers in Richmond, and can be easily procured by other booksellers in the State.

When an implement is no longer wanted for the season, clean it and lay it carefully aside.

For the Southern Planter.

ON THE MANAGEMENT AND APPLICATION OF MANURES. i

Mr. Editor,—lu the last number of your most valuable Virginia paper, under this head and over the signature of " H. P. S." is an essay on a subject of vital interest to this inland part of country, relying as it is compelled to do mostly upon putrescent manures for renovating its worn-out soils. This piece, though well written, is not of that clearness and precision which characterized Mr. Shepperd's, else, perhaps, our mind would not be at so great a loss to comprehend it. It may be the subject itself is so dubious as not to admit of being "clearly demonstrated."

If I understand Mr. H. P. S. the two different practices of using manure are, first, that of heaping the litter to promote decomposition; and second, that of carrying it out in a more unrotted state. To mix up with these practices the different opinions upon which they are founded, is to discuss the different, and sometimes, mistaken views of farmers; which identical views, in different persons, lead to different practice, and which different views lead to the same identical practice in different persons. For instance, two farmers enleitain identically the same views as to the evaporation of manure; and one ploughs his cow-I pens; for, says he, in escaping it will thereby, 1 necessarily, leave the larger and more ferli-| lizing portion of its gases impregnated wi'h : the soil. The oiher leaves his cow-pens u i ploughed; for, says he, the practice of covt./ ! ing manure with the soil to prevent evapora-j tion and the loss of what is conceived to be fertilizing gases is the most effectual way to ! favor their escape. ,

Again; practical men have found it expedient to adopt different modes lo obiain the i same result under different circumstances.— 1 Let me again illustrate. Two of my neighbors, successful and practical farmers, Messrs. | Thornton and Hamlet, knowing thai farm-pen litter must necessarily decompose before it can act as a fertilizer, pursue quite opposite courses in attaining that end. Mr. Thornton takes his long manure from the pen as trodden all winter, spreads and ploughs it in on branch flats for'tobacco, and the moisture of his flats, the temperature of spring, and the access of atmospheric air, combine as three indispensable conditions of fermentation, producing decomposition at the most favorable lime for the crop. Mr. Hamlet finds it most expedient to heap his manure to facilitate decomposition before he spreads it upon his red, thirsty, high and dry lots; for a dry season will leave him without one of the three requisites for fermentation, set. moisture arresting decomposition at the'most fatal time for his crop.(« )

Now, it seems to me to be the more legitimate province of correspondenis of agricultural papers to reconcile these discrepancies

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with science and with each other. Not by introducing exploded schemes of wonld-bave-been scientifics; or the dogmas of bigoted theorists; but by comparing 'well authenti-P cated facts with fundamental long established science.

Will Mr. H. P. S. who is a scientific man, or yourself, or some of your numerous and clear-headed correspondents tell us, in plain words, if we must plough our summer cow-pens, or leave them to the summer's sun and winter's rain till next spring for a crop of tobacco %b). We think they ought to be ploughed before trodden, so as to more effectually imbibe the urine as well as the excrement; and reploughed when the cows are taken off.

Another question seems to be involved in this: Is manure a fertilizer only while it is decomposing? Again; do we understand you in your note, page 333, if manure is hauled out three or four weeks before you can use it, say, in seeding oats, it had better be spread and exposed to the weather than to remain in heaps? I apprehend the rank spots of oats pointed out by an experienced farmer, were rather the result of imperfectly spreading. That is, all the manure and part of the soil should have been spread, leaving the soaking alone on the spot.(c)

As to the two different mothers of plants, the earth and the atmosphere, and their respective provinces, I confess, if true, I am utterly unable to comprehend. Earth, I suppose, is the mother of tobacco and corn, hence the origin of " hilling up com." And vines are the legitimate offspring of the atmosphere; i hence, the paleness of young garden pea-vines • When covered with a rail to prevent the chickens from scratching them up. Each parent has different offices and distinct functions to perform, and man cannot, by any contrivance, cause the one to encroach upon the province of the other.

But how Mr H. P. S. arrives at the conclusion thatunfermented manure, instead of being covered in the earth should be spread upon the surface, I cannot see. For if, as he says, "the earth and the atmosphere, by their peculiar attractions, draw to themselves all the food of plants contained in manures, whether such manures be under the ground or above it, and the interference of man may injuriously retard, but cannot prevent it:" then, if manures be covered, why, it will make no difference, for ihe atmosphere can do her office still, and if left on the surface the earth can still draw her portion. All his caution against "reno-vaten and fertilizers," I think is entirely unnecessary. We have too few experimenters in the neighborhood of

Rough Creek.

November 20, 1851.

a We must confess that we see no discrepancy in the theory of Messrs. Thornton and Hamlin, but only a difference in practice,

owing to dissimilarity in the soils they respectively cultivate. Mr. Hamlin finds his land so porous that coarse, unfermented farm-pen manure ploughed in upon it actually prevents the absorption of moisture enough to decompose the manure. So by a partial, and, therefore, very injurious fermentation, he reduces it to a finer texture before he applies it. But with Mr. Thornton this is not necessary; his moisier and more fertile soil not suffering this inconvenience. So he applies long dung. Both the gentlemen, each with judgment, because each, according to the necessities of his case, cover up the manure to ferment it in time for the crop, say, of tobacco. Now it is very true that, unless the soil, or some of its constituents, clay, for instance, can appropriate to itself, and store up for future uses, the parts that are commonly thought to escape in the fermentative process, that each sustains a loss; but he sustains this loss, if at all, in order that the residue may afford an abundant supply of food for the tobacco. Whether the particular mode of application is best in these cases depends on certain economic as well as scientific and agricultural considerations, upon which we do not feel quite competent to decide. But it is our opinion that if clover well manured will produce tobacco on the lands in question, then long dung ought by all means to be applied as a top-dressing to that crop as the antecedent for tobacco. But if it will not, then they will make more money by pursuing the present plan, and money is the main point with every farmer. There is still another plan, deemed very objectionable by many farmers, to which we incline with some favor in preference to the laterspring application, partly in consequence of our own experiments, but mainly from weight of authority. We allude to the practice of "spreading upon the land fresh, strawy manure, and to leave it till the ploughings of spring commence." But we have not space here to enlarge upon it.

b Do not by any means plough up cow-pens, either before or after the cattle. Before, it is useless; after, it is injurious. Without going into the science of the matter, which might confuse us as well as our readers, we appeal to facts, and to high authority. When we first commenced farming, a very experienced and observant friend, to whose guidance in most things agricultural, we cheerfully sub-

'

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

mined, advised us against the plan of breaking up cow-pens. He had learnt by experience, years before—and now in Albemarle we cannot call to mind a farmer who ploughs up an abandoned fold. Indeed the longer it is left, the greater is the improvement. If you must cover up its surface, do it with leaves secured in their place by brush, or by straw, or mowed bushes, in a word, by shade. Our "high authority" is Von Thaer, who says, "Although this proceeding," burying the manure after folding, "is universally adopted, I have my doubts as to the eligibility of it, since I have learned of several experiments having been made by agricultural friends of mine who assert that they have seen the most beneficial effects resulting from folding when the manure

HOT BEDS.

The preparation of hot beds is a very important part of the market gardener's , system, for by them he is able, not only to bring several speciesof plants to perfection, even in winter and early spring, but he starts a great many plants that are to be perfected in the open air. In some cases a small space in a hot bed will be sufficient to start a large number of plants, the cost of starting which is a mere trifle compared with the price of the crop in the market. Therefore the gardener can well afford to incur the expense of this artificial mode of forwarding plants, and watch them with constant care, for weeks, and even for months, when necessary.

The mode pursued by the market gar-., dener will answer, on a small scale, for the was suffered to remain on the surface of the soil , farmer] Qr afiy Qne who wou]d gmw vege .

for a considerable period:'— Principles of Agri- | ta bl es for his own use. A friend has sug-culture, Skinner's Edition of 1846, p. 212.— gested that he can give a good method of This may be against science, as commonly making a farmer's hot bed, without glass taught, but it is a fact that science will have and with very little trouble. He will oblige to come around to: and the contrary practice us bysending it soon. The hot bed sys^

has been adopted because men prefer following a theory to taking the trouble to observe and reflect for themselves.

tern of forwarding plants, and of perfecting many in the cold season, is practised to a large extent in this vicinity. Some commence their hot beds as early as November,

c We do say. unequivocally, that manure and perfect plants which they have, started

ought not to remain on the field in small piles \ in the open air in the fall; and they keep

two days. In the first place, such manure hot beds in operation through the winter

, ,., , ■ , . ,u • a ! and spring. But we would not advise a

leaches hke a lye hopper, m he next the winds " J^f has nQ experience in prod ucing

carry off much of the volatile part, and lastly, ar(ificial heat f or p ] ants to commence early it may, and most likely will, begin to ferment J j n tne Beas0 n, but begin in the spring and without the ability, in consequence of its small g a j n experience before going into the bu-bulk, to finish the process, and half fermented | siness extensively,_and in a season of diffi

manure, like most half way things, is mean stuff, do what you will with it. We had forgotten when we touched this point before that the same strong witness, Von Thaer, was on our side. "And the places," says he, "where these heaps have been, will be marked by the rank growth of the crop, often for several years, whilst the surrounding parts present an impoverished appearance. It should, therefore, be made an invariable rule, that the manure should be spread as soon as deposited from the cart."—p. 212.— Editor.

State Agricultural Society. —We call attention to the communication of "Arator" in a succeeding page, and second his proposition. Let us have a Yull and general meeting on Thurrday, 19th of February, determined to do something, and good must come of it.

cult management for the unexperienced.

Generally a location slanting to the south has been considered most eligible; but experience dictates that the slope should be rather to the south-east, to take the morning sun. A tolerably steep slope is best, but a level surface will answer for the location, and many are under the necessity of using such. A hill or mountain on the back side is an excellent natural barrier against cold winds, but for the want of these it is desirable to have a close wall or fence of good height.

No matter as to the soil of the situation chosen for hot beds, as a soil must be made and suitable kinds for the different plants. For instance, for radishes, sand or sandy loam; for lettuce, a rich soil with a good portion of well decomposed manure.

A good size for sash is six feet long, by three'feet wide. The length is from front

. -

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THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

25

to back, and a long continuous hot bed is made, and these sashes are laid by the side of each other to cover it. Each sash has four small bars running lengthwise, & which gives five rows of glass, six inches wide. There is no cross work, but the panes of glass are lapped, and as the sash slants considerably, the water runs off, as on a shingled roof.

The glass generally used is six by four inches. This is less liable to break than a large size. Some use a still narrower size, remarking that notwithstanding the increase of bars in such case, there is heat enough. But a narrower size would cost more both for sash and glass.

In making a hot bed, it is better to dig down so as to have it mostly below a level with the surface of the earth, as it will be less liable to be affected by the changes of weather. The frame of the hot bed should be made of planks or stout boards; and the front and back should be just far enough apart for the sash to cover them well. The front plank should be about six inches lower than the back. This will give a descent in the glass of one inch to°the foot. The pit in the frame should be about two and a half feet in depth. When the hot bed is made in winter there should be one and a half feet of clear manure placed in the bottom; and this manure should begin to ferment before put into the bed, and put in hot. As the weather grows milder, **one foot will be sufficient. On this should be placed a soil and manure adapted to the plants to be cultivated, as we have already named, and the depth depends on the kind of plants to be started. For lettuce, about six or eight inches of soil; and for radishes, eight to twelve inches.

A bed with twenty sashes? is long enough for convenience, on account of crossing over. The following rough sketch, made with the printer's materials, represent a bed with three sashes. The large lines represent the sash, the smaller ones the! small bars between the sash frames.

to cover hot beds with straw mats; and yet in the coldest weather the beds must be generally opened a little daily, to let off the foul air, and sometimes to allow the superfluous heat to escape. The greatest danger is from too much heat, especially when there is a hot sun and the beds fresh; with the heat from below and from above, the plants are liable to be killed suddenly for want of air.

In beds for winter use, it is necessary to put hot manure down on the outside of the frames of the hot bed, else it will become comparatively cool near the sides.

The digging of the pit and the filling in

of manure, and the soil on it, should be so

[ regulated that when the whole is com-

j pleted, the glass in front will be about four

inches above the soil; and the surface earth

l in the hot bed should have a gentle incli-

I nation to the front. If the glass is placed

higher, there will be less heat, and a defi-

; ciency in front, which is the cooler part.

| We are informed that Mr. Cephas

, Brackett, of Brighton, manufactures sashes

i for hot beds; or furnishes the sash elazed.

The usual price of sash, of the dimensions

we have given, is eighty cents each. The

[ cost of glass is from one dollar and fifty

cents to six dollars Tor one hundred square

feet, according to quality. Tolerably thin

glass answers well with care, and it is light

to handle.

From the Wool Grower.

AMERICAN VS. EUROPEAN SHEEP HUSBANDRY.

In severe cold weather, it is necessary

Sheep breeding must now be considered a leading branch of American husbandry I here maybe found at the present day high bred Merino flocks in New York Vermont and Pennsylvania, excelling by far the , Spanish mother herds originally imported ; from the sunny plains of Esfremadora and Valencia. Our monthly "Wool Grower's ! Register" bears ample witness of the superior management of some choice Saxonv ! flocks in Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee ■ The prairie States are rapidly filling UD * with improved stock from the East. The | South is waking up to its true interest I Colonel Randall's letters have produced a | wonderful change in public opinion, and j all lor the better in those regions. There is, perhaps no country in the world more favorable for the raising of grade sheep | than the highlands of Texas and New

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER,

Mexico. In fact, wool growing is on the ascent and will continue so lor years to come in spite of all the political or financial changes that may occur from time to time in the administrative policy of the country. It has been frequently proved through the columns of this periodical that the demand for wool exceeds the production not only in this country but in all parts of the civilized world. But we may stretch our point to a larger extent, when we contend lhat the United States are destined by nature, and finally must be the great, and principal wool producing country, for the Eastern and Western Continents. Various circumstances coincide to corroborate such an assumption. It is a well known fact that Germany, the largest wool growingcountry in Europe,producing hardly any other kinds of wool than the high and middle grades of Saxony and Merino, or Electoral and Infantado wool, is mainly dependent on English, French and Belgian manufactures, for the consumption of that product.

Now. there are several causes which tend to place it almost beyond any reasonable doubt, that fine wool growing in the middle parts of Europe, must meet with a repulsive and retrograding check ere long These causes are both of a physical and political nature. In regard to the first, we know that the breeding of fine sheep is mainly and entirely in the hands of the owners of the large landed estates, and that the small farmer is wholly excluded from any participation in that branch of husbandry. As the population of these countries is becoming more dense from year to year, natural pasture is growing scanty, as they are wanted for the necessary supply of breadstuff's. Artificial pasturing has to be resorted to, and for the last thirty or forty years has been the only support of these extensive flocks of fine sheep. But in spite of the rapid advancement agricultural science has made in recent times, the principal levers of this artificial system of feeding have proved to be entirely inadequate. Clover, which furnishes the main element of summer pasture, has become tired out in most places, and the potato rot, growing more pestiferous from year to year, is steadily depriving these sheep owners of the very power of maintaining the existence of their sheep during the winter.

It would lead us too far from our subject, to inquire into all the particulars of these well established facts. They are a matter

of bitter complaint and great anxiety for the future with many a wool grower in those countries. But hard to overcome as these difficulties may be, the science of revigorating worn out lands, and manu-* facturing bountiful crops, has attained such an eminence in later times that there is hope left to remedy these evils.

The political danyer awaiting the future destiny of fine wool growing in central Europe, is, however, of a far more dangerous character. No man, in the least acquainted with the present political state of Europe, will deny that they are deficient of every element of stability.

But this revolution, or rather this general overthrow of matters, existing for the time, will be a deadly strife against the present, distribution of real estate. That it will end in (he destruction of all the privileges of the large land owners, and in the division of these large tracts into smaller lots for the benefit of the masses, there cannot be the least doubt. This will be the death blow to fine wool growing in the middle parts of Europe. There is but one country which may escape this general destruction—Russia, a country which presents many advantages to sheep breeding on an extensive scale. But its vast population is consuming nearly all it produces of the finer grades of wool, and the coarser kinds, which are mainly raised in the South, and mostly exported from the port of Odessa, where they find their way to the United States, are only fit for the manufacture of the most inferior kinds of woollen goods, and will never do any injury to our own production.

The next future and long years to come, present, therefore, a most cheering aspect to the cause of fine wool growing in this country, and will undoubtedly tend to the development of renewed exertion, and useful enterprise in this important branch of national industry.

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER.

"Weldon, N. C. Dec. 19,1851.

" I have time to read very little in the Planter, but some single communication I think worth more than a year's subscription, so I am not going to give it up, read or not read. * * * *

"In conclusion, 1 would say that I should be greatly pleased for W. Timberlake, Esq. to continue his communications, even down to a hen-house, for a man of his clear head can give us a great deal of information really useful."

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER

27

For the Southern Planter.

STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

I was gratified to observe in the last South-• m Planter, the proposition of "An Old Subscriber," to renew the effort to rally the friends of agriculture, by a general meeting of all those who can be induced to take an interest in the subject, at some lime during the approaching session of the Legislature. I cordially second the proposition, and to give it a more definite shape. I propose Thursday, the 19ih of February next, at 1\ o'clock, in the Hall of the House of Delegates, as the time and place of meeting. Let us have a general meeting of the Virginia State Agricultural Society, and let the Executive Committee take measures, such as the occasion calls for, to give effect to the meeting, and who can tell but that all our past disappointments and discouragements may give place to hope and encouragement, and the agriculture of Virginia beat least elevated to the high position its great and paramount importance entitles it to occupy.

Arator.

From the New England Farmer.

THE POTATO—ITS PROCESS OF VEGETATION.

Mr. Editor, —When digging my potatoes, I have observed with special care, the manner in which the vines, roots and tubers tow from the parent potato. The planted PSrenf tuber I find has, in all cases, propagated vines, roots and tubers from only one end, that from which the first sprouts start in our cellars, at the return of spring; and it is the end or section of the tuber opposite that to which the original stem grew, connecting the tuber with its parent. The whole growth from a single potato I find also joined to it, sometimes only at one point, sometimes at two, and never at more than three, and these in close proximity. The whole propagation has proceeded from one, two, or three eyes, as they are usually called. The old tuber, in some hill3, is found wholly decomposed, except its pellicle, and in such instances the yield is greatest. Some old tubers are partially rotten, through natural decay, and others remain in their original shape and form, but light and watery. From one to three eyes only actually vegetate from the largest potatoes I have thus inspected, the others remaining inert. At these single points the parent tuber has expended its strength, and the substance of it has been exhausted^ and doubtless the whole tuber has had an

important office to perform in the product resulting. If the parent tuber has been decomposed and lost in the progress of vegetation through the season, I am convinced that it has not been useless, and therefore that the practice of cutting apart potatoes betore planting is un vviseand unphilosophi-cal. And the corky, or rotten, or watery, lifeless state of many parent tubers, indicates that they must have parted with important qualities in the yegetatipg process, necessary for the healthiest and fullest production of the new tubers.

There are two kinds of roots prppao-ated in the growth of the potato. The first is fibrous, and shoots downwards and laterally, and loves to find a deep, friendly subsoil, allowing them to penetrate beyond the reach of droughts. These are sustaining, absorbent roots, essential to the life and growth of both the vine-stalks and of newly formed tubers. The other kind of branching roots propagate tubers, and shoot out from the main root, near its junction with the parent tuber, and grow to different lengths, sometimes in good soil to the distance of twelve, and even eighteen inches, and always terminating in a tuber which they feed. Frequently, a young tuber sends out a root from its extremity, and this propagates one or more tubers' or else the root protrudes from the ground and forms a vine. This demonstrates that the tuber-producing roots are of exactly the same nature as the vines.

Last May, I planted a potato which had been dug in the fall of 1849, eighteen months before, and which had been under a box during the summer of 1850. In that position it had propagated several small branch-like vines, upon which were formed a large number of little tubers, of the size of small peas. It had been exposed to the air of the cellar, through the preceding winter, in that germinant state, and thus was planted the parent with its offshoots. The vines grew thriftily, and upon digging I found forty-two tubers had grown in the hill, all small, and yet differing in size proportionally to the size of the small lubers planted. They were evidently the same tubers that I planted, only expended by vegetation. Thus the suspension of growth did not prevent them from resuming the original process of vegetation when placed in the ground, and in a condition favorable to the vegetating tendency whichbesran to bedeveloped twelvemonths before the time of planting: I infer that the principle, that the rot of^potatoes arises

**

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER

from the decay of vegetable life in the parent tubers, is groundless. I also infer that the small growth of the tubers was occasioned by the exhaustion of the parent tuber in its vegetating efforts in the cellar, durino- the summer of 1850. It had become cork like and dry when I planted it. and therefore its offspring depended lor their aliment upon new fibrous absorbent roots, shooting into the soil from the tuber : roots. ■ i ,

My observations upon the depth to which j the absorbent roots of potatoes are inclined | to penetrate, convinces me that they demand a deep permeable rich soil for their greatest productiveness. The number of tubers is greatly aided by a soil beat suited to the extension of tuber roots, and by broad, mellow hills. One peach-blow potato's tuber root penetrated, in my garden, six or eight inches below the parent, and there formed the largest tuber of the whole crop Why? On inspection, I found a quantityof loose limestone sand just around and beneath it. A fact [ hope to remember for future experiment.

J. Lee.

Salisbury, Conn. Sept. 27, 1851.

weeds and useless herbage so much faster than upland, that in order to keep it clean, a greater amount of labor is necessary.— As in the process of cultivation the vegetable aliment is extracted, it is not so easily replaced in bottom as in upland.

In bottom lands, the alkalies become first exhausted, and our ordinary stable manure 1 does not replace them. The variety of 1 crops is greater on upland than lowland. I We all know the benefit of a change of crops. It is like a change of labor to the human body—it amounts to rest or to relief, and is still labor and profit.

Idleness also produces rest, but no profit; but if a man who has been working half the day, and is fatigued, sits down to his lapstone the other half, he becomes equally rested, and at the same time makes a pair of shoes. Soil is, in this respect, very much like man; it becomes rested by chano-e of crop, and yet loses no time. I It Ts, therefore, a great advantage to I have a soil that will produce the greatest variety of crops. Upland is also better lor I fruit. For grass, it is frequently as good as bottom land, only it requires more and better preparation— West. Agriculturist.

BOTTOM LANDS OVERRATED.

We think that the value of river bottoms, when compared with fair upland, has been and still is much overrated. B or the first few years of cultivation, the bottoms produce heavy crops, with less labor than the hill land. But this state of things is of short duration, unless the low land is within the reach of freshets, and thus receives, as it were, an annual coat of manure from the turbid waters of the stream.

An excess of vegetable matter in soil is of no more use than any other ingredient, and without a due proportion ol the mineral or alkaline constituents, it would not brine a crop to maturity. A light spongy rich piece of bottom, is more likely to suffer from drouth than a well composed loam. Thechangesfromwettodryaremoremark-ed in black mould than in loam, because the latter holds on to its moisture with more tenacity. To make good upland proof ao-ainst drouth, it is only necessary to stir itwell; and the subsoil plough produces in this respect a wonderful effect. It operates, by stirring the mass to a great depth, into which the surplus rain and moisture settles in a wet time, to be held in reserve for a dry one. Bottom land engenders

The Lungs.— On examination, the lungs-will be found full of innumerable little holes like a sponge. These holes are the cells into which, the air enters when we breathe. So great is their number, that they have been calculate-to amount to 170,000,000, forming a surfe^ thirty times greater than the human body.- -Every one of these cells is provided with a net-work of blood vessels, by which means the blood is brought into immediate contact with the air, every portion of the surface.— When this great amount is taken into consideration, we shall at once feel how necessary it is to supply pure air to the lungs with every breath we breathe.— Germantown Telegraph.

PAYMENTS TO THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, From the 2blh of Nov. to the 1st of January, 1852.

All persons who have made payments early enou°h to be entered, and whose names do not appear in the following receipt list are requested to give immediate notice of the omission, in order that the correction may be made in the next issue:

James B. Jones, to Jan. 1853, $2 00

Samuel R. Wingfield, to Jan. 1853, 1 00

James Roane, to July, 1852, 1 OU

Dr. B. Fleet, to July, 1852, 1 00

i James H.King, to Jan. 1852 100

Dr. R. H. Tebbs. to Jan. 1852, 7 00

Thos. S. Jones, to Jan. 1852, ^ UU

Geo. W. Bassett, to Jan. 1847, 1 OO

TjHE SOUTHERN PLANTER,

29

H. D. Burruss, to Oct. 1852, in full, Maj. Wm. Hill, to Oct. 1852, Mr. Wood, to Jan. 1853, Col. C. C. Cocke, to Sept. 1852, ^ Robt. B. Hughes, to Jan. 1853, * Jos. S. Yarbrough, to July, 1851, P. P. Nalle, to Jan. 1851, S. Bassett French, to Jan. 1853, Richard Thornton, to January, 1853, B. W. Leigh, to January, 1853, Andrew L. Mills, to July, 1852, Elisha Chewning, to July, 1852, Wm. Anderson, Jr. to January, 1852, Robert Stringfellow, to January, 1851, W. R. Jennings, to January, 1852, W. B. Hudnall, to July, 1852, Stephen A. Norfleet, to January, 1853, Capt. Thos. Nelson, to January, 1853, Josiah Ely, to January, 1852, James Venable, to July, 1852, T. T. Trealway, to January, 1854, Richard Hill, Jr. to January, 1852, John M. Baker, to January, 1852, Milton Kirtley, to January, 1853, Dr. Thomas Withers, to January, 1853, Charles Trour. to January, 1853, Edward C. Turner, to January, 1853, R. C. L. Moncure, to January, 1853, Samuel L. Brooke, to January, 1853, John Schooler, to January, 1853, J. M. Conway, to January, 1853, P. D. G. Hedgman, to January, 1853, William Bagby, to Januar), 1852, John W. Palmer, to January, 1852, Maj. George Wilson, to January, 1853, Col. W. W. Newton, to September, 1852, F. M. Clack, to January, 1851, jN James P. Corbin, to January, 1855, ' S. M. Baker, to July, 1852, Jos. D. Jenkins, to January, 1854, C. D. Pettus, to January, 1853, Capt. W. E. Britton, to January, 1853, John Wickham, to September, 1852, Dr. John Butler, to July, 1852, Fr. Fitzgerald, to January, 1853, Dr. Geo. Fitzgerald, to January, 1853, Dr. Edwin P. Talley, to January, 1853, James Hart, to January, 1852, W. W. Michaux, to July, 1852, James T. Jones, to January, 1853, Robert Tinsley, to January, 1853. Z. D. Tinsley, to January, 1853, ' J. R. Fitchett, to January, 1852, John B. Whitehead, to January, 1852, Nich. duerenberry, to January, 1853, R. W. Brooks, to January, 1852, Wrn. P. Shepherd, to January, 1853, Benj. W. Wheeler, to January, 1853, Wm. B. Turner, to January, 1853, Henry G. Roberts, to January, 1853, John P. Roberts, to January, 1853, Henry H. Roberts, to January, 1853, Capt. C. Breckenridge, to Jan. 1853, R. T. Hubard, to January, 1853, John W. Belfield, to January, 1853, Richard Reynolds, to January, 1852, J. T. Hamner, to January, 1851,

|;0 75

1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00

1 00

2 00 1 00

oo:

00

1 00

1 00

00 00 00 00 00 00

1 00

00 00

1 00 1 00

1

Maj. Wm. Gilham, to January, 1853, Col. John H. Knight, to January, 1852, Dr. Thos. Johnson, to January, 1853, Capt. Hartwell Chandler, to Jan. 1853, Capt. John Huff, to August, 1852, Francis Gilkison, to August, 1852, 2 00 Joel Wright, to August, 1853, 00 Ro. W. Bragg, to January, 1852, J. B. Downman, to January, 1853, Geo. W. Cabell, to January, 1853, W. R. Coupland, to January, 1853, A. G. Binford, to January, 1853, Marcus Gilliam, to January, 1852, N. C. Crenshaw, to January, 1853, Rev. W. Timberlake, to January, 1853, Col. T. F. Wingfield, to January, 1852, G. H. Timberlake, to January, 1853

C. W. Allen, to January, 1852, James Young, to January, 1853, Dr. W. R. Nelson, to January, 1853,

D. E. Gardner, to January, 1853, Thomas J. Garden, to January, 1852, James B. Ford, to January, 1852, Dr. R. Shore, to January, 1853, William Goff, to January, 1853, John Lawton, to January, 1853' Benj. Hiner, to January, 1852, ' M. H. Harris, to January, 1852, W. M'Coy, to January, 1853, Wm. W. Woods, to July, 1852, Richard Gwathmey, to January, 1853 Mrs. M. J. Minor, to January, 1853, ' Dan'l Shackleford, to January, 1853, Thos. W. Graves, to January, 1853' Thos. Walker, to January, 1853, William A. Jones, to January, 1853,") James M. Gilliam, to January, 1853' G. S. Harper, to January, 1853, ' Jas. G. Woodson, lo January, 1853 Edward Sears, to January, 1853, ' Wm. Mathews, to January, 1853, Spencer Gilliam, to January, 1853, Wm. T. Ligon, to January, 1853 Samuel D. Hill, to January, 1853, James Calhoun, to January, 1853, Chas. J. Fore, to January, 1853, Benj. Morris, to January, 1853,' John H. Marshal), to January,'l853 J John Tarrant, to January, 1853, ' Wm. Appleberry, Jr. lo January, 1853, Rich'd P. Griffin, to January, 1853, Wm. A. Turner, to January, 1853, Gen. C. W. Clarke, to January, 1853,1 Major E. P. Miller, to January, 1853 J. C. Norwood, to January, 1853, S. P. Dula, to January, 1853, R. C. Miller, to January, 1853, Gen. S. F. Patterson, to Jan. 1853, J

i John W. Lester, to January, 1853 17 j Dr. Garland A. Garth, to July 1852 J Willis M. White, to September, 1852 I Dr. James. L. Jones, to January, 1853' W. W. Tompkins, to July, 1852 00 Dr. J. B. Garrett, to July, 1853 ' 00 I Joel W. Shiplett, to January, 1853 Wm. G. Wilkinson, to January, 1853

1 00

1

1 1 1

(10 01) (JO 00 1 00

1 00

2 00 James M. G

1 00

1 00

4 00 1 00 1 1 00

M0 oo

1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00

y b oo

1 00 1 00

1 00 ! Wilson Winfrey, to January, 1853,'

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER

PROSPECTUS

OF

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER

PUBLISHED AT

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

THE undersigned, the one as Editor, the otheras Proprietorand Publisherof "The Southern Planter," which is the only Agricultural paper published in Virginia, desire to make ii worthy of the support of the farmers of the whole State. In order to get the subscription necessary to enable them to do this, they have decided, ai the instance of a few friends, and as a means of giving general notice of their undertaking, to issue a short prospectus, or rather heading to a subscription list, which they will lake the liberty of forwarding to such as they think will aid them in obtaining subscribers.

This paper, though decidedly Southern in its sentiments, will be neutral in politics, and shall be devoted entirely to Agriculture and to topics bearing upon it. As it will look to the interests of the whole State, both East and West, it is hoped that in collecting the views of our most eminent farmers, as far as they can be induced to give them, it will tend greatly to introduce our people to each other, and to let them see, that however we may differ on local questions, we are still sons of the same mother, with the same general sympathies and sentiments. _ | The Editor is a farmer engrossed in Agricultural pursuits, and wholly dependent on his land for his living. This may be considered to some extent a guarantee of the practical I character of the work.

If adequately sustained, the 1 subscribers hope to give every man the full value of his subscription. And not seeking to dislodge other papers from any foothold they may have obtained, they only ask of their fellow-citizens a fair trial of their own.

TERMS. The Planter is published monthly at Richmond, Virginia, on fine paper, containing 32 super-royal octavo pages monthly, making a volume of 384 pages of Agricultural matter, per annum, for SI 25, which may be discharged by the payment of

ONE DOLLAR ONLY, If sent free of postage, at any time within six months from the date of subscription. Six copies for &5; thirteen copies for ©10; remitted at the time of subscription, free of postage. FRANK: G. RUFFIN, Editor. P. D. BERNARD, Publisher. srj^All business Letters must be addressed to P. D. BERNARD, Publisher and Proprietor Richmond, Virginia, Communications io FRANK: G. RUFFIN, Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia.

FRUIT AND ORNAMENTAL. TREES AND SHRUBS.

THE Subscriber offers for sale a select assortment of Fruit and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, a number of new Evergreens, and a good collection of Greenhouse Plants, especially of Camellias, Roses, Geraniums; also, Dahlia Roots, Pceonias, with Bulbous Roots, Garden and Flower Seeds, &c.

All orders thankfully received and promptly attended to. Prices moderate.

The subscriber is commencing a Nursery for the growth of Fruit and Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, in which the greatest care will be taken to grow only those fruits that are adapted to the climate; and all will be worked on seedling stocks. The subscriber has secured the services of an experienced Nurseryman, and thinks he will be able to supply those who may favor him with orders with good Plants at reasonable prices.

Catalogues will be published soon and can be had on application.

ja3t JOSEPH RENNIE.

COMMISSION HOUSE IN RICHMOND.

WITH the view of giving our friends and all others who mav favor us with their patronage, the advantages of both markets, we have established in the City of Richmond a house for transacting a General Commission Business, to be conducted by Tazewell S. Morton, under the style of Tazewell S. Morton & Co.

The business of Watkins & Morton, will be conducted in Petersburg by Samuel V. Watkins, assisted by John A. Morton, as heretofore. \

It is our purpose to adhere strictly to the Commission Business; giving our undivided attention to the sale of the staple products of the country, viz: Tobacco, Wheat, Corn, Flour, Cotton, &c.

We return our thanks for the liberal patronage that has been bestowed on our concern in Petersburg, and to the dealers in produce and merchandise in that city we feel under many obligations for the generous liberality and punctuality we have at all times met with in our transactions with them.

TAZEWELL S. MORTON & CO.

Richmond, Va. WATKINS & MORTON, j a 3t Petersburg, Va.

BOOKS, PIANOS, MUSIC, &c.

NASH & WOODHOUSE, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Bo>>ks, Piano Fortes, j Stationery, Music, &c. 139, Main St. Richmond, Virginia.

OSAGE ORANGE PLANTS FOR HEDGES.-A few thousand raised by myself, for sale.

WM. H. RICHARDSON. Richmond, Jan. 1,1852.—3t.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER,

31

TO AGRICULTURISTS.

MORRIS & BROTHER have received the following valuable Books, pertaining to 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;

j B Allen ; numerous plates. The 8th and 9th volumes of ihis most valuable work are received, also complete sets. Every farmer should have this work.

American Farm Book, on Soils, Manure* Dram.ngs, Irrigation, Grasses, Grain, Roots' iruit, Cotton, Tobacco, Sugarcane, Rice, and every staple product of the United States — I his is a perfect farmer's library, with upwards of 100 engravings; by R. L. Allen.

Farmer's Manual, with the most recent discoveries in Agricultural Chemistry; by F Faulkner. J ' '

A Muck Manual for Farmers; bv S L-Dana. J '

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

American Husbandry.—Series of Essays on Agriculture, with additions; oy Gaylord and i ucker.

Farmer's Encyclopedia; by Cuthbert W. Johnson.

♦"I Productive Farming, with the most recent discoveries of Liebig, Johnston, Davy and others. J '

European Agriculture, from personal observation; by Henry Coleman. This is a verv popular work. '

Johnson's Chemistry and Geology, with their application.

Johnson's Dictionary of Gardening; by David Landreth. " }

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

Squarey's Agricultural Chemistry, Boussin-gault, Rural Economy, Buist's Kitchen Gardener, Landscape Gardening, and Rural Architecture; by A. J. Downing.

Fessenden's American Gardener

u A Q m * r j c 3 n f™u Book, with full instructions; by b. Vv. Cole.

Downing on Fruit Trees.

Theory of Horticulture; by Lindley

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

Bridgman'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.

RichmoTid, March 12, J851.—ljr

T>LV

NEW STYLE MEDALLION DAGUERREOTYPES IN COLORS.

This splendid improvement must be seen to be appreciated. Ouririends are invited to call at the original Virginia Sky-

=$ ISPtesMSi L,GnTD ^UERREANGAL-

.= LERY.wheremaybefound JK ™$ all the latest improve

M me ° , !? T c I °" s, ' st, ' n & of the CELEROTYPE, by which infant children may be taken in one second;

TALBOTYPE, or Daguerreotype on Paper, and

HYALOTYPE or Daguerreotypes on Glass, which, with e'very other improvement, may now be obtained Z the^Gallery, No. 139 Main street, above Go-

TIONVK T Y he /rr N HT THERN COMBINA-i IUJN btLY LIGHT is now open in full od-

rat l %Z n \ s the )ar ^ esl in th « State. P

WM. A. PRATT & CO. Proprietors

COl5o D R A S LL W N K DAGUEREOTYP£ S IN sivle of nr baVe in spected the abovfi

siyle of Daguereotypes, lately and so successfully introduced here by Messrs. Pratt & Co 132 Main street. By this process, a relief aU most magical, and a variety high y ■ ££&£ >s obtained. In some cases, tfie pffi fo closely resembles an enamelled min ature n us ivory tone, as to deceive even an art,,'te in others from the midst of a dark back ground' appears the "human face divine » 2*all the vividness of life; then, by still another process the picture appears entirely upon a b nil fan I

e V rs Ile Iurwe , r SUl ; r0Unded b " deaths of flow' ers. But we feel our inability to do full ius me to these beautiful medalLn DaSfeffi types, and must, therefore, request the curious

first to introduce ^J&tfe* ft

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 Dru-s an* Medicines; also, Paints Oils Varnish" n Stuffs, Window Glass, Puny,' £" PoV^fe on Jhe most accommodatingterms p-Orders; from Country Merchants and

ja 1851—tf