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THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

For the Southern Planter.

THE SHANGHAI FOWLS.

Mr. Editor, —I don't know much, and never wrote a piece for your paper, but I just drop you a line to make some inquiries, and to know the reason why you consume so much space of your valuable journal with the .long legs of the Shanghai cock, and I want to know why you do not shoulder the responsibility like a man, and give your opinions instead of making an attack on the Shanghai family by publishing what the Knickerbocker says, &.C.1 Now, sir, I think that editors of agricultural journals should, of all men, keep clean hands, and should rather seek to build up than to pull down. I wish I were by you, sir, I would teach you the lesson about the boy and the bricks. An old man took his son with him to the brick-yard ; he placed twelve bricks on the ends in a row; he then knocked down the first brick; this fell against the second and knocked it down, and so on, until all fell. He then goes to the other end and raises up one brick to see if all would rise, but found that it could not help its fallen companions. Mr. Editor, don't knock down so fast; let the Shanghai race alone; if they are worthless, then they are beneath an editor's notice; if they are valuable, the time may come when, as a friend to the farmer, you may have to exalt that family, and cannot: " For if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought; but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." 1 will not discuss the question with you now, but am always ready to do so, but will say this: I have kept almost every variety of chickens. I have now the Brahma (I suppose you do not allow them a place in Henology—well I for one think that they are only a choice and improved variety of the Asiatic fowls,) and I find them to be truly valuable, laying twice as many and larger eggs than any other breed in the world; better setters and nurses, and more healthy and vigorous. We own a pullet, now ten months old, that has in a period of five months laid 50 eggs and raised 45 fine chickens.

And while I am writing I want to hit you about another thing. You have been trying to pull down and slander another very respectable and innocent family, the Cotswolds, and you want to exalt another family, known by their long horns, big head, all bones and no meat, all skin and no wool. Mr. Editor, tell the truth and shame the Devil; do you not own, and have you not for sale some of this family'? Don't you think if you were to catch an old gentleman of this family and straighten out his horns, wouldn't they be as long as the Shanghai's legs'? Well, I don't like this family; they must be kin to the Darkeys, and their meat stinks like a pole cat. I am of opinion the Cotswold is the sheep for us, who raise tobacco and wheat; they have the long, strong and abundant wool with which to clothe our sons and daughters and .servants, and afford us fat and juicy mutton. Working men are no epicures, and don't wear broadcloth no how. The time may come when Virginia wifl raise high priced wool for sale. Then the French gentry, clad in purple and black cloth, may come on, but at present this doctrine is about as big a humbug as silk raising was.

Mr. Editor, try and teach us how to make tobacco enough to pay our debts and educate our children; alter that how to improve our poor lands ajid make two blades of grass grow where one grew

before. Then tell us how to raise fat pigs, cows, fat mutton, and good strong wool and hea]»of it; and teach our wives and daughters how to use it all up; how to raise an abundance of fine fat fowls, no matter whether of Shanghais or of Lord Derby's family, and teach us all how to live easy and within ourselves; and when you do this I don't think that you will have room for the long legs of the Shanghai.

A Subscriber. Columbian Grove, Va.

For the Southern Planter.

Mr. Editor, —I send you the following report upon Mr. John Marshall's farm for publication in the Southern Planter at the unanimous request of the Wardsfork Agricultural Club, of which I am the Secretary.

Respectfully yours,

William T. Scott. Charlotte, July 12, 1854.

REPORT ON MR. JOHN MARSHALL'S FARM.

The committee appointed to examine and report upon Mr. John Marshall's farm, on the first Saturday in June, would remark, that the}* performed that duty with great pleasure, and hope with some profit to themselves, seeing much to approve of and admire, and but little to condemn.

Mr. Marshall's farm, containing about 1G00 acres, lies upon Wardsfork and its branches, broken and hilly, with a variety of soil, some soft and gray, mixed with red gravel and clay, as is generally the case with the lands upon this stream; originally of fine quality, but had been extremely exhausted by hard cultivation and injudicious management under the old system of excessive cropping and constant grazing so long pursued by the people of this pa*t of Virginia. This was the condition of the farm when it came into the possession of Mr. Marshall, about twelve or fifteen years ago, and from that time has been gradually improving to the present, under a better system of cultivation, deeper ploughing and the liberal application of manure. Especially has this been the case for the last four or five years, owing to the extensive use of guano and plaster and the growth of clover during that period, in addition to the ordinary resources of the farm for the production of manure. We suppose that no planter in this county has used guano to the same extent as Mr. Marshall, and perhaps none has derived so much benefit; using, upon an average, about twenty-five tons per annum on all his crops for the last four years, viz: since the year 1850, when he first commenced its application, and bestowed more of his personal attention to his farm, and from which time, also, we would date any very decided improvement* We have looked over his farm and crops for three years past, and have seen evident and manifest indications of improvement each succeeding year, and which was more striking at this examination than at any previous one. 11 is crop of wheat, occupying a large space, about 140 or 150 acres, looked remarkably well, a large portion very fine, and free from noxious weeds, cheat and cockle, and we suppose will yield, on an average, about fifteen bushels per acre. This land had been thoroughly ploughed and prepared and about two hundred pounds of guano applied to the acre upon all excepting the tobacco land, and the grcator part of the wheat put in with

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the drill, which your committee would observe has a decided advantage over sowing by hand, in the general evenness of the growth—very few under-grown stalks, and small imperfect heads.

The oat crop was principally upon high land, and looked tolerably well, but quite irregular in their growth, some high and some low, owing, we think, to want of care in the distribution and sowing of the guano. The oats upon the low grounds we thought would have been better if the ends of the furrows had been more effectually drained. His crop of corn was chiefly on high land, and looked very fine for the quality of the land, and your committee cannot speak too highly of Mr. Marshall's preparation and cultivation of this important crop. The field was thoroughly ploughed and subsoiled, containing from 120 to 130 acres, well manured with guano and checked each way, four feet distance, with two stalks to the hill, and cultivated both ways, altogether with light three-tooth harrows, which are run over the land as often as practicable during the season, leaving but little work to be done by the hoe. We saw nine harrows going at once, the horses and mules in fine condition and moving rapidly; and here it may be worthy of remark to notice Mr. Marshall's plan of working his horses and mules. He works them about eight or ten hours each day and allows them the balance of the time to eat, and rest in the middle of the day, the ploughmen working at the hoe during this time. They evidently showed the effects of superior management.

The tobacco crop was planted and appeared to be standing very well and the land to be well prepared and highly manured with two hundred pounds of Peruvian, two hundred pounds of Mexican guano and a large quantity of straw and stable manure per acre. All the land we saw, not cultivated, or that lying in fallow, appeared to be well set in clover, affording abundant pasturage for a fine stock of cattle, which we very much admired. His Durham heifer of pure blood, purchased at the last State Agricultural Fair, is worthy of particular notice, on account of her large size and symmetry of form. His Durham bull, also, we believe to be one of the largest and best formed animals we have ever seen, and have no doubt that his stock will be a great improvement upon the old breed. The rest of the cattle were in fine condition and ihowed that we could rear as good cattle in this part of the State as any where in the world, if we would only provide them a sufficient supply of grass. We would remark that Mr. Marshall's lands appeared to be but little w T ashed or gullied, even on the steeper parts, although he does not keep open water furrows, except when his fields are cultivated in small grain, and which good condition, we think is due to deep ploughing and subsoiling. His out houses, stables, barns, &c. seemed to be well built and in good repair, especially his negro houses, which are built of brick and covered with shingles. His fences also were strong, well made and in good order.

Your committee would particularly notice and call the attention of the Club to the manner in which Mr. Marshall prepares his lands for the reception of every kind of crop, his thorough ploughing and subsoiling, and in this department of agriculture, so essential to success, w r e think he is justly entitled to the highest praise. Altogether we think the farm exhibited abundant evidence of industry, skill and good management, and that the eye of the master was not wanting to any part, and we

hope, and believe, that Mr. Marshall's success will be commensurate with his well known zeal and devotion to the cause of agricultural improvement, the boldness of the views, and liberality of the plans, which he has marked out for his own operations.

William T. Scott, | •

T. E. Watkins,

THE PRICE OF WHEAT.

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The following table, which we find in Hunt's Merchant's Magazine, is from the minutes kept at the office of the Van Renssellaer Manor, at Albany, where large amounts of rent are payable in wheat, or a cash equivalent, on the first of January each year; and as two parties are deeply interested in the price, it is probably the most reliably correct of any record that can be obtained. There is quite a lesson in these figures—look at them:

Price of wheat per bushel, January 1st, at Albany sixty-one years, viz:

You will notice that only five times in all those years wheat %is been two dollars or upward per bushel, while it was seventeen times at one dollar or under—twice at seventy-five cents. Only once in thirty-seven years, that is since 1817, to wit: in 1837, has it reached two dollars. The average price for the whole period is one dollar and thirty-eight cents. For the last thirty years it is one dollar and twenty-five cents, and we give it as a prophecy, which we think may be relied upon, that that will be the price next January. Those who are interested may as well make a note of that. The crop of wheat is too good, too wide extended, and the demand for export to Europe or California too limited, and flour speculators too hard-up to maintain present prices.— New York Tribune.

TO DESTROY VERMIN.

One of the editors of the New Orleans Picayune, G. W. Kendall, in his letter from Paris to that journal, gives the subjoined recipe for destroying vermin on animals, plants and trees. The remedy is simple, easy of application, and worthy of at least a trial:

" The celebrated Raspial, well known as one of the best French chemists, has given an important

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recipe for destroying vermin on animals, and also on plants and trees—important at least, if true. The process he recommends is to make a solution of aloes—one gramme of that gum to a litre of water—French measure—and, by means of a large brush, to wash over the trunks and branches of trees with this solution. This simple process, says Raspial, will speedily destroy all the vermin on the trees, and will effectually prevent others from approaching. In order to clear sheep and animals with long hair, they must be bathed with the solution, or be well washed with it. * Raspial mentions several trials he has made with this mixture, all of which have been attended with the most complete success, and he recommends it very strongly to general use. I can only say that if a simple solution of aloes and water will kill or drive away ants from peach and other trees in Texas and other parts of the South, the discovery will be hailed with pleasure. At all events there is no harm in trying the experiment. A French litre is a little less than three of our pints—gramme is the five-hundredth part of a French pound. A little aloes, if useful at all, will thus go a great way. Were I troubled with ants or other vermin, in Texas, I should certainly try Raspial's solution."

From the Marlborough Gazette.

SUPER PHOSPHATE OF LIME.

Laboratory of State Chemist, No. 26, Exchange Building, Aug. 20,1854.

Dear Sir, —I regret to inform you that I have not been able to make any analyses of the artificial manures now offered for sale in our market; having net more time at my disposal than is necessary to analyze the soils, marls, &c, of the particular counties in which I have been engaged. The office of my assistant expired on the 10th of last March, and, according to the decision of the Comptroller of the Treasury the Appropriation Bill did not per se. continue his salary. The law was not enacted to continue to the State the services of this eminently skilful and industrious gentleman, though several of the largest counties in the State have yet to be examined. The information which I shall give you must, therefore, be derived from what these manures say for themselves by their interpreted analyses.

The only manure which has recently been brought prominently before the public is one called U C. B. DeBurg's Super Phosphate of Lime" This manure has been extensively advertised in the public papers, and also by means of printed sheets containing its analysis, and a recommendation by Dr. David Stewart, a chemist of this city. From an attentive examination of the report on this manure, one of two conclusions must be formed: first, either the analysis must be incorrect; or, that this manure is sold under a false name, it being no "super phosphate."

" Super phosphate of lime," as we know, and

as is particularly stated to us in the Baltimore Weekly " Sun" of May 20th, should be nothing else but bones (or other phosphates) dissolved in sulphuric acid; and theory shows the mixture of both to be: for every 100 lbs. of raw bones 29 lbs. of oil of vitriol. Such a mixture would then contain about 21 lbs. of real sulphuric acid, without water, and its composition would be pretty well represented by the following numbers:

Moisture i 10

Animal matter 27

Containing of nitrogen 1.25=?to ammonia 1.5. Hydrated sulphate of lime (piaster of Paris)... 39 Containing of real sulphuric acid, 18.

Bi-phosphate of lime- soluble 24

Containing of phosphoric acid 17.

T. Thomas Way, Consulting Chemist to the Royal Agricultural Society of England, remarks that no neutral or insoluble phosphate is mentioned, because it is supposed to be entirely converted into bi-phosphate (super-phosphate;) with it must be said, however, that it is practically impossible to do this. The manufacturer will either fall somewhat short of the entire decomposition of the phosphate, or he will go be3^ond it, setting phosphoric acid free; which, to the consumer, is by no means an objection. But it is certainly an object to exceed rather than fall short of the mark, so as to leave none of the insoluble phosphate unacted on.

The above statement gives us the composition for the best article of " super phosphate of lime," and though it cannot be practically made in such a perfect manner as it is represented by the above numbers, it will, nevertheless, be the surest and most natural standard by which the quality of all fertilizers belonging to this class should be estimated.

Let us now see w T hat Dr. Stewart says in his " Report of 'Analysis of a sample of C. B. DeBurg's Super Phosphate of Lime." The following is a true copy of the published analysis, with an annexed recapitulation as given by him:

Report of Analysis of a Sample of "C. B. DcBurg's Super Phosphate of Lime." — February, 1854.

proximate analysis.

Water 1G.40

Organic matter—

Containing ammonia 25.50

Ash *58.10

proximate analysis of above ash.

Phosphoric acid 18.63

Lime -1.33

Magnesia 02.79

Insoluble residue 09.80

Salt, potash and soda, sulphuric acid, &c. . . .05.55

*58.10 Total proportion of manure soluble in fresh cold

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water was found to be twenty-eight (28) per cent.— of this nearly two parts were phosphoric acid, viz: valuable elements soluble in water.

Phosphoric acid 1.81

Potash of soda 2.00

Volatile compounds, containing ammonia 16.15

Sulphuric acid, lime, magnesia and other

elements of less importance 08.04

28.00

RECAPITULATION.

Total proportion (per cent.) of valuable elements in this "chemical manure" —3.75 or nearly four per cent, of nitrogen, equal to 4.54 or nearly five per cent, of ammonia; 18.63 or nearly nineteen per cent, of phosphoric acid, equal to 38.40 per cent, of bone phosphate of lime, or nearly 39 per cent.; 1.81 or nearly 2 of this phosphoric acid is soluble in water, and is, therefore, equivalent in its effects of five times the bone phosphate of lime that it represents. See Patent Office Report, 1852-3, Agricultural, p. 391.

Making the most liberal allowance as above, and estimating bones to be worth $25 per 2000 lbs. (ton) we may say that in considertion of the soluble phosphoric acid, the phosphates in this compound are

worth, per ton $25 00

And the ammonia .' 10 00

Whereas, if we estimate the phosphates in Peruvian

guano at same rate the 500 lbs. of phosphates in

Peruvian guano would be $12 50

And the 320 lbs. of ammonia in a ton of

Peruvian guano would be 35 24

$47 74 In view of the above analysis, I do not hesitate to say that this manure is cheaper to many farmers at forty dollars per ton, than Peruvian guano at fifty, and believing as I do, that there is no species of manure for any crop, and much less for all soils, I still reiterate the opinion expressed several years since, that these combinations of Peruvian guano are more generally certain than the Guano alone, which fails on many farms to produce any good effect.

I have given its absolute value or money value— also my opinion of its price—and it is my intention to apply one ton to my corn field this year where its use is indicated, and where I am sure it will compare favorably with any other manure. Respectfully,

David Stewart, M. D. Baltimore, 79 North Eutaw Street.

We see at first sight that the above does not represent a super phosphate at all. Where is the necessary sulphuric acid ? This is a question which the analysis cannot answer.

We read in one place:

" Salts, potash and soda, sulphuric acid, &c. 5.55," and at another:

"Potash and soda."

Now if potash and soda make 2 per cent. Toy themselves, then, of course, salts of potash and soda must make at least 5 per cent. Deduct these 5 per cent, from the whole amount allowed for salts, potash and soda, sulphuric acid, &c, which is 5.55 as above mentioned, and we have half of one per cent, for sulphuric

acid, &c, and therefore in a favorable case one-fourth of one per cent, of " &c." and one-fourth of one per cent, of "sulphuric acid." This amount of sulphuric acid is so small as must be considered an incidental impurity, and not as the agent which had transformed common phosphate of lime into a soluble bi-phosphate or super phosphate.

The analysis mentions 1.8 per cent, of soluble phosphate acid: this cannot be attributed to the action of sulphuric acid on the original phosphates. Nobody need, however, be astonished at its presence who knows the action of ammoniacal salts on phosphates. Ammoniacal salts, especially sulphate of ammonia, dissolve pretty readily phosphate of lime and to this fact the great effect of Peruvian guano must, to some extent, be attributed. Peruvian guano, as we know, contains phosphate of lime besides ammonia; if this article is mixed with sulphate of lime (plaster of Paris,) or applied to soil which contains originally plaster of Paris, sulphate of ammonia is formed, which acts as a solvent to the phosphate of lime. We even know by experiments, made with mixtures of Peruvian guano and Mexican (pure phosphate of lime) that the sulphate of ammonia which is formed from 100 lbs. of Peruvian guano makes available not only the phosphate of lime which these 100 lbs. contain, but that it acts also on additional qualities of phosphate of lime, which the Mexican guano contained, and that for this reason the application of a mixture of Peruvian guano and Mexican is in all cases far more economical and rational than the application of Peruvian guano alone, provided that the soil is deficient in phosphoric acid.

Dr. Stewart shows ammoniacal salts to be present in C. B. DeBurg's Super Phosphate of Lime, and the presence of 1.8 per cent, of soluble phosphoric acid must, therefore, be the, consequence of the action of these ammoniacal'. salts on phosphates; the absence of sulphuric^ acid or any other stronger acid than phosphoric excludes every other reason for its- presenee. But if this is the case (and no other case is possible from the analysis) we will at once perceive a great mistake as to the valuation of the article. The value of the ammoniacal salts contained in the article is first estimated, then the value of its phosphates,, and finally the value of the soluble phosphoric acid, which estimated to be equivalent to five times the proportion of bone phosphate of lime that it represents. By these means the analyst estimates first the agents which are ammoniacal salts and phosphates, and secondly their reciprocal effect which produced soluble phosphoric

>

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acid. Such a valuation is, however, totally wrong, 'and liable to mislead farmers and purchasers of this article. A hotel-keeper, who would charge for the beef and for roasting it, and finally for the resulting roast beef, would act on the same principle as that by which the money value of this article is estimated.

If I make "the most liberal allowance," as Dr. S. did, in estimating the money value of this "fertilizer," allowing $25 for 2000 lbs. of raw bones and $50 for 2240 lbs. of Peruvian guano, I come to the following result:

If 2000 lbs. of raw bones, containing 23.61 per cent, of phosphoric acid are worth $25, then 1 lb. of phosphoric acid is worth 5.3 cents.

Peruvian guano containing 14 per cent, of phosphate acid and 16^ per cent, of ammonia is therefore worth,

For its phosphate acid, - - $16 62

And for its ammonia, - - 33 38

- $50 00 lb. of ammonia is worth

Total,

And, therefore, $9 31 cents.

The above super phosphate of lime contains in 2000 lbs., as per Dr. Stewart's analysis, 373 lbs. of phosphoric acid, which at 5.3 cents, are

worth, $19 76

And 90 lbs. of ammonia, at 9.31 cts. 8 38

Total value, - - 28 14 This is the real money value of the article as calculated from Dr. S.'s analysis, and if we estimate Peruvian guano at fifty dollars the short ton, (its present price,) then at most the article is not worth more than thirty-one or thirty-two dollars per ton, a price very far below that at which it is sold. You can buy the materials of this manure and apply them to your soil at a far less sum than the price for which this manure is sold here.

The value of all this class of manures should be reckoned by this rule: Estimate the value of the several constituents in the manure, and then the cost of the labor of mixing them, (if mixing is necessaay before using them) the sum is the real value of the manure. This rule holds good in all manufactured articles, and why not in manure ? I do not deny but that this manure may produce under any certain conditions good crops, but that is no reason why you should pay a sum for it far above its intrinsic value. Thirty pounds of Peruvian guano and seventy of bones or of good quality Mexican guano would make one hundred pounds of manure superior to " C. B. DeBurg's Super Phosphate," and you can distribute these over an acre much better by sowing them separately' than if they are mixed before being used.

When you can purchase the elements of this manure then for about thirty-one or thirty-two dollars, and have a more thorough mixture by sowing them separately on your fields, why buy this or any other similar artificial manure? The valuation put on this manure by Dr. Stewart is entirely too high and is not warranted by the analysis made by him. In relation to the supply of Peruvian guano, I can confidently inform you that the supply on hand is probably sufficient foHjie demand this fall, and it is arriving in large quantities every week. There need be not the slightest fear of a scarcity this season; and the dealers will be anxious to sell now as the consumers were to buy last fall. You can, therefore, suit your own convenience as to the time when you will purchase. This advice is different from that given by those who sell guano. They are anxious to sell as quickly as possible, by which they will realize their money or obtain their commissions; and, therefore, they advise consumers to purchase immediately.

I am well aware, for the statements which I have made above, that, as heretofore, many manure dealers and their adherents will strive to discredit my statements and do me all the injury in their power whenever an opportunity offers. Their efforts heretofore have resulted in doing me no harm. The sufferers have been those for whom I am appointed to labor. It was a duty not less due to you for your disinterested services to the cause of scientific and practical agriculture, that I should give you the above information, than it was to the agricultural community that I should publsh it. If any injustice has been done to any one by the above communication, I will, with great pleasure, make all suitable amends when made sensible of my errors.

James Higgins, State Agricultural Chemist.

To G. P. Coad, Great Mills, St. Mary's Co., Md.

From the Southern Cultivator.

WEEVIL IN GRAIN—HOW TO DESTROY.

Messrs. Editors, —I read an article in one of your numbers which spoke of keeping the shuck on corn in order to prevent the weevil. Keeping the shuck on the corn is the best mode of preserving the corn sweet and clean, and it also prevents the weevil; but wheat and other grain cannot be conveniently preserved in the shuck. I will give a method by which the weevil may be prevented from doing damage to wheat or other grain. It is cutting the young (or growth of the same year) of the sassafras, and placing a few branches in the wheat. It will be preserved for three or four years entirely clear of weevil.

J. M. S.

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From the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture.

FARINACEOUS ALIMENT OBTAINED FROM STRAW.

The attention of agriculturists in France has been recently directed to the discovery of a method of converting straw into a kind of bran, or farina, for the feeding of domestic animals. This discovery has been^ claimed by two individuals. The first is a miller near Dijon, of whose name we are not informed, who, it is said on trying the millstone of a new mill, discovered the possibility of converting straw into nourishing food. The second, M. Jos. Maitre, founder of the fine agricultural establishment of Vilotte, near Chatillon. This distinguished agriculturist, known for the purity and perfection of his breeds of sheep, conceived the idea of converting into farina, not only the straw of wheat, and other grains, but of hay, trefoil, lucern, sainfoin, &c. His efforts are said to have been perfectly successful, and his discovery arrived at—not by chance, but by long experiment and research. The aliment which he has produced is said to be a complete substitute for bran. It is given to sheep and lambs, who consume it with avidity, and may be given to all other graminivorous animals, as a grateful and substantial food.

M. Martin, with the view of bringing the process to perfection, has ordered a mill for its manufacture, to be erected in the midst of his large farms, and he is preparing to communicate a report to the Royal Society of Agriculture on the advantages in rural and domestic economy to be derived from this preparation. We are not at the present moment informed of the nature of this process. If it be a simple grinding of the straw or fodder, and a separation of some of its fibrous matter we can easily imagine the advantages that may result from it. We know in this country that the mere chopping of straw adds greatly to its powers, by facilitating mastication and digestion. We may believe that a more perfect comminution of its parts will produce a corresponding effect, and extend very widely the uses of straw and other fodder, as a means of feeding our clo-mestic animals.

starvation, regarded his preservation as a miracle. He was transmuted into a saint. Such are the facts relating to coffee. There aromow supposed to be 3000 coffee rooms in Constantinople.

DISCOVERY OF COFFEE.

About the year 1258, a dervis named Hadji Omer, was driven out of the community of Mocha. Hunger induced him to roast the Kahlva berries which grew near his hiding place. He roasted and ate them as his only means of sustaining life. Steeping them in the water which quenched his thirst, he discovered very agreeable qualities, and also that this infusion was nearly equal to solid food. His persecutors, who had intended him to die of

SOME WORDS ABOUT MULES.

In the " Republican Banner," of Nashville, Tennessee, we find a long and interesting letter written by Mark R. Cockrill, one of the most distinguished farmers and eminent stock-growers of that State, from which we take these concluding remarks about mules:

" Whilst upon the subject of live stock, I will be excused whilst I make a few suggestions upon the mule. In these opinions I may not be sustained by the majority; but I throw them out for consideration, as they are now presented for the action of the Society.

" The mule is the great field laborer in the commanding staples of the South, cotton, sugar and rice, as he is one of the annual export of Tennessee, and as he will continue to be so, he is destined to hold even a higher position than heretofore among the live stock of the State. The large, heavy boned mule produced from overgrown jacks of excessive heavy bone, or improper pampering, are generally lazy, or soon become so by labor, and become very slow; their driver may force them on, but in a few steps they take their slow, natural gate again. Such mules are therefore almost worthless, and should not be bred if it can be avoided. The most perfect mules are not to be expected from the excessively large, coarse-boned jacks, or excessive high feeding, but from the laws of nature carried out to the greatest perfection by skilful breeding and feeding.

"An error has existed for many years, and still exists, concerning the size of mules. Size has been made a measure of value in the mule, almost regardless of form and spirit, and so it has been in their sire, the jack.

" I have been employing a mule team for twenty-five years in the cultivation of cotton in Mississippi, and my team now numbers one hundred. In this time I have used every variety of mule, (except the most inferior kind,) that has ever been grown.

"At the commencement of my planting operations I adopted the prevalent error, that size was the measure of value, and pursued it for many years, much to my prejudice. By long trial, and by comparing the relative performances and lastingness of the large team which I have used, aided by observation and reflection, I am fully satisfied that the medium sized mule, full of spirit and action, with a neat firm leg and a round body, with his levers set right

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for easy motion, his head and ears up, ready to move at the word, is the animal of most value of this kind.

" The laws of nature cannot be violated with impunity. The jack, when grown within the scope of these laws, is a small animal. The mule a medium between the jack and the horse. Both the jack and mule, by a hot-bed growth, may be forced to be large animals. But in this forcing process, now more extensively pursued by Kentucky than any other State, what has been gained, and what has been lost?

" They have gained large bone, coarse animals of large size, and at an early age full of defects, and soon ready to decay, because subject to disease, and large consumers of food.

" They have' lost symmetry, spirit, action, lasting endurance and permanent value.

" The farmers of Kentucky seem not to have taken a proper distinction between animals intended for active labor and those intended for the slaughter pen.

" The mule must be large enough to master his draught, and a medium size is large enough for all the labor of the South, which is and will continue to be the great market for mule growers.

" The error that I especially aim at, is the abandonment of almost every thing else for size. The best combination of the requisite qualities in the mule is not found in the production of a hot-bed policy, which, by constant feeding with every thing that will hasten growth, brings out a large, coarse, forced, overgrown, awkward animal, who decays as rapidly as he has been grown. If he were intended for the slaughter pen, this method of growing is correct; but when he is designed for the valleys of the Southern rivers, where his service is active and his rations not very select, he wants more game, more spirit and action, more symmetry, and not too much size. Hence, our Tennessee mules, the produce of spirited jacks, are really more valuable to the Southern planters than the produce of Kentucky, under her present system.

" This, no doubt, to some extent, is the fault of the purchasers South, who have not generally discovered their error. They demand large sizes, and pay in proportion to size; and this, in part, explains the policy of Kentucky. My opinion is, that size in a mule is nothing-after they reach fifteen hands high, and that many under that height come up to the standard value, fitted for cotton plantations.

"When compared to the blood horse, the mule is unfit for the saddle, pleasure carriage, or any harness requiring rapid motion. His sire is an animal of slothful tendencies, of slow

motion generally, and hence the necessity of improving this quality in the jack. Give him spirit and action and stamina, rather than great height. One conforms to the laws of nature, and the other violates them.

" The Spanish and Maltese jacks have spirit generally, and for that reason are valuable as a cross; but they come to us without stamina, and with a contracted chest. These faults must be remedied by proper crossing, before they will produce the mule best fitted for the malaria districts of the Southern rivers.

" It is our policy to grow the mule that will prove to be the most valuable to the cultivators of the South, and rely upon their following their interest when explained to them, and proven upon trial to be true.

" What I have learned upon this subject is not from hearsay. I have purchased and grown all the mules which I have driven for twenty-five years in Mississippi. I have had that opportunity of knowing what they have done, and these opinions are the results of experience. This knowledge would have been of service to me in the commencement of my business, and I communicate it for the benefit of those who may adopt my opinions hereafter."

From the Virginia Sentinel.

THE MODE OF USING GUANO.

A few days ago we received a letter from an agricultural friend of the Piedmont region, desiring to know the opinion of our learned and practical fellow-citizen, Professor Benjamin Hallowell, as to the propriety of using ashes in connection with guano. As this is the season when farmers are about to apply their guano, we requested Professor H. to give us his views in a form that would enable all our readers to share the benefit. This he has very kindly done in the letter which we publish below:

Alexandria Boarding School, 9 mo. 19th, 1854.

Esteemed Friend,—In reply to thy inquiry respecting the propriety of mixing ashes with guano previous to sowing, I may state, that it is entirely opposed to chemical principles, to mix live-ashes, or quick-lime, with any animal manure. Ammonia, the chief valuable characteristic ingredient of animal manures, is usually found in these manures in combination with some organic acids, and these acids, owing to the generally stronger afiinity, unite with potash and lime when they are present, and liberate the ammonia, thus rendering the manure of much less value.

But this is not the only injury. The liberated ammonia unites with the acids in the soil,

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as the humic, crenic and apo-crenic acids which are almost insoluble, and forms compounds, readily dissolved and washed from the soil by the rains, greatly depriving it of those constituents upon which its fertility chiefly depends.

It is the deteriorating effect arising from the escape of the ammonia, and the soluble compounds it forms with the organic acids in the soil, that indicate the propriety of mixing plaster with guano to "fix" the ammonia, previous to sowing it on the land. The first crop may be none the better thereby, and, in some rare instances, possibly not quite so good; but the land will always be in a state more favorable to the growth of subsequent crops.

I will take this occasion to repeat, that I regard the discovery of guano, and its introduction into our country, as a great Messing, by increasing the fertility of our soils, and affording the means of improving many lands, otherwise in a state of hopeless sterility. But, we must not depend upon the use of this, as the settled policy of farming, to the 7ieglect of our home 'manures. It is opposed to every principle of political economy, to send as far as half the circuit of our globe for guano, and neglect equally, or even more valuable manures, on our very premises, and in our neighboring cities. What an amount of money, now sent abroad for guano, might be retained in the country, and the farmers be quite as well supplied with fertilizing materials, were only a proper system adopted, which is entirely practicable, of returning the ivaste animal and vegetable matter to the soil; and how great a benefactor will he be, who succeeds in adequately awakening public attention to the subject. I tried to do this in my address to the citizens of Loudoun, at Leesburg, two years ago; but my voice was not strong enough. Cannot the " Sentinel" speak louder, and make himself effectually heard ?

Thy sincere friend,

Benj. Hallowell.

IMPROVED HARNESS BUCKLE.

Much peril as well as painful annoyance has resulted from the old-fashioned harness buckles by reason of their liability to break or draw out during accidents, which their own defects not unfrequently cause, and also from the difficulty of release to falling horses, occasioned by the tightening force of the animal's weight. Christian and Lewis B. Oyster, of Chambersburg, Pa., have jointly claimed an improvement in buckles, which will completely revolutionize the principle of their action, if found applicable as designed by the inventors. It is proposed to dispense entirely with the tongue holes in traces and other straps, and to rivet the tongue to leather instead of the buckle. The bar of the buckle is furnished with a number of rachet-shaped teeth

or stops, and corresponding cavities are cut in the tongue, but having reversed catches. The desired length of the trace is adjusted by bringing these teeth together at a given point, and securing them with a set screw. The screw puts the unhitching of the horse under the instantaneous control of the driver in case of falls or other perilous entanglements.— Exchange.

From the Germantown Telegraph. UNDER-DRAINING.

Mr. Editor, —Under-draining has never, I believe, been practised, to any great extent, in this country. Having a piece of low ground, of an oblong form, and rather narrow, through which it was necessary to run a drain lengthwise, and perceiving that an open drain would seriously interfere with its cultivation on account of its narrowness, I determined to put in an under-drain, which I accomplished in the following manner: a trench three feet wide, and eighteen inches deep, was opened, and the excavated soil deposited on one side. Commencing at one extremity of this trench, another eighteen inches wide and one foot deep, was opened along the centre of the first. The land being nearly level, and the soil and subsoil a very hard and compact clay, so that I anticipated little injury from the wearing ac-tion of the water, I concluded no lining on the sides or bottom would be necessary, and determined to cover in without supplying any. This I did by placing flag stones compactly over the narrow drain, and shovelling upon them the dirt thrown out. This gave a rounded surface, and prevented the percolation of the surface water from the first, so that no injury did, or possibly could, result to the work from that source. The drain has now stood upwards of a year, and answers the purpose for which it was intended, admirably, and as completely, and I may say perfectly, as any work of the kind, however expensive, possibly could do. I have ploughed over it, passed and repassed it with loaded carts, and, indeed, performed all the details of the most complicated cultivation on the meadow, without any detriment or injury to it whatever.

It will be recollected, however, that I enjoyed peculiar facilities in this, ensuing from the characteristics of the soil, and the almost perfect flatness of it. Had the soil been looser and of a lighter texture, or had its surface been sloping instead of level, a more expensive work would have been required; there would, under either of the conditions mentioned, have been a liability to wash, from the increased current of the water; but as it was, any protection against such a contingency, seemed, in

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the nature of the circumstances, to be wholly unnecessary and uncalled for. It remains for time to test the efficiency of the work; but thus far it has fully met my most sanguine expectations.

An Old Subscriber. Worcester, Montgomery Co., Pa.

From the Alexandria Gazette.

LIBERALITY OP RICHMOND TO THE VIRGINIA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY—REPLY TO THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

An article appeared in the Gazette of Aug. 29th, which, as I consider it calculated to injure the Virginia State Agricultural Society, in which I feel a deep interest, and to which I look for much good to the agriculture of the State, I hope you will pardon me for thus noticing. It is said, "the Executive Committee of the Virginia State Agricultural Society is entirely too local in its character," and it is complained that while Henrico and Richmond City have three members in that body, and Hanover two, Alexandria has no representative. Now, independent of the claims of Richmond City, and the counties above named, to the honors of the Society, by virtue of the number of members they furnish and the large contributions they have made to the Society's funds, there is this consideration which did not probably occur at the time of writing the article referred to. The Executive Committee, to transact the business of the Society, are compelled to meet in Richmond some ten or twelve times a year; and it is, therefore, desirable that a majority of the Committee should reside at points convenient to the place of meeting, both to ensure punctual attendance, and to avoid the expense which would fall heavily upon members living remote from Richmond. These patriotic gentlemen pay their own travelling and hotel expenses, and I very much doubt if in your city you can find many who, for the small honor of a seat in that body, would be willing to incur the expense attendant upon a proper discharge of the duties of the office. As at present organized, the meetings are not very fully attended, the more distant members being rarely able to attend, and much less so would they be if the members thereof were scattered over the State as you propose. There is, I understand, a scheme in contemplation to district the State, and to give to each district a representation according to the number of members and the contributions to the funds of the Society. Although I cannot approve of this scheme, I must confess it has one recommendation—the silencing of complaints

such as the one I am now considering. Unde r this new arrangement, can you tell me, Mr-Editor, what fractional part of a representative your city will have ? Again, you speak of Alexandria as one of " the most important points for the operations of the Society," and on a former occasion you spoke of pledges having been made, to the effect that your city should be one of the points at which the Fairs were to be held. Now, I know not by whom such a "pledge" could have been made, as no agent or friend of the Society was authorized to make it. The time and place of exhibition are fixed at each meeting of the Society, and I do not think it has ever been seriously contemplated to seek better accommodations than we find in Richmond. As the capital of the State, Richmond appears to me to be the most suitable place for holding the meetings of a State Society; but independent of this consideration, the unparalleled munificence of Richmond and her citizens, entitles her to whatever of honor or profit may accrue from the meetings of the Society. In order to exhibit the full force of these claims in this regard, I have obtained from the Secretary of the Agricultural Society and the Chamberlain of the City of Richmond, the following facts:

The City of Richmond in its corporate capacity has expended up*on the Society the sum of thirty-four thousand five hundred and sixty-five dollars and forty-five cents, ($34,565 45,) and is now building offices for the Society at an expense of ten thousand dollars more. Of her citizens, we have eight hundred and fifty-nine members, (forty of whom are life members,) whose initiation fees, with donations to the Society, increase the sum above mentioned six thousand seven hundred and seventy-three dollars.

Now let us compare with this the "material aid" furnished by Alexandria, the city which you say " contributed liberally to the establishment of the Society." Alexandria, city and county, has ninety-one members, (of whom two are life members) who have paid into the Society's treasury one hundred and seventy-five dollars, and there has been no donation from either the city or county! I might mention half a dozen country towns which have contributed double that amount, and yet you grumble because the Society does not hold its Fairs in your city. I fear you Alexandrians are rather greedy. When the prodigal son returned, he was satisfied to have one " fatted calf" killed for him, but Alexandria, Virginia's prodigal daughter, dressed in the "best robe," is not content with the fatted calf but clamors loudly for all the live stock of the State!

Let me, in conclusion, ask you if you think

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you can raise fifty thousand dollars in your city for such a purpose as the one under consideration ? Will your citizens pay this amount for the pleasure of entertaining the farmers of the State once a year? When they feel so disposed, just let us hear from you; but until then, let Richmond wear in peace the honors she has so gloriously won.

N.

Albemarle County, Sept. 24, 1851,

From the New England Farmer.

ANALYSES OF SOILS.

From no branch of scientific agriculture, perhaps, is more expected than from that which teaches the analysis of soils. If the farmer, by subjecting a few handfuls of earth from his various fields, could ascertain exactly what was necessary to promote its fertility, he might proceed intelligibly—would know exactly what to do." He might then laugh at the plodding experience of his fathers, and, following the sure teaching of positive knowledge, be certain of the most happy results. But is it safe to encourage such expectations ? Do men who are learned in these matters profess to be able by an analysis of the soil, to aitswer the questions which an intelligent farm-hand might propose ? For one, I have little confidence in the analyses of soils in the present state of the science. My skepticism on this point I ascribe to my agricultural reading, and to the cautions and confessions of chemists themselves; as well as to the unsettled and contradictory theories which have been based upon the results of attempts to analyze soils. The lamented Prof. Norton, in one of his letters to the Albany Cultivator, makes the following acknowledgment : " The laboratory alone is pretty sure to go wrong when it attempts to pi-escribe rules for practice." Speaking of the change of Prof. Liebig, from the ammonia to the mineral theory, Mr. Norton uses the following language:

"The principal supporter, and indeed the originator of this theory, (the mineral manure theory,) is Prof. Liebig. This distinguished chemist, distinguished no less by his clear, lucid style, than by his high scientific reputation, was for a time devoted to " the ammonia theory," excluding those mineral manures to which he now attaches so much importance. A few years since, however, he saw cause to change his ground, and has since held, that if we furnish mineral manures in abundance, plants will, without doubt, always obtain their ammonia, or rather their nitrogen, from the atmosphere or the soil. In pursuance of this idea, he went so far as to compound, after careful study

of ash analyses, specific mineral manures for wheat, rye, oats, turnips, &c, which were to take effect upon all soils in a proper physical condition. The failure of these specific manures, which were patented in England, was, as many of your readers doubtless are aware, very decisive."

The chemist to the Ohio Board of Agriculture, Mr. David A. Wells, devoted the summer of 1851 to "examining, analyzing and reporting upon the nature and composition of the soils of that State." He gives the following as the result of his analysis of some of the richest soil of the celebrated Scioto valley— soil that has been cultivated fifty years, and now, says he, " with the most ordinary culture, yields on an average, one year with another, eighty bushels of corn to the acre."

ANALYSIS OF SCIOTO VALLEY SOIL.

Whole amount of insoluble matter,

silicious sand and clay 83.00 per cent.

Lime 0.40 "

Phosphoric acid 0.04 "

Alkalies 0.16 "

Organic matter G.OO /

He compares this with analyses of Massachusetts soils, as given in the Geological Report of the State, by President Hitchcock. The following is the result of the analysis of soil from Palmer, Hampden County, Mass.:

Insoluble silicates 88.00

Phosphates 0.60

Lime 2.00

Organic matter 8.00

On this comparison of analyses, Mr. Wells remarks: "We find but little difference in the amount and value of the mineral constituents of the Ohio and Hampden county soils; if any thing, the advantage is on the side of Massachusetts soils."

Having witnessed the growth of corn in both States, I must here confess my surprise at these results; and will acknowledge they have done much to shake my faith in the value of all chemical analyses of soils. Is it possible, that by careful analyses of soils from sterile Massachusetts, and of those from the Scioto valley, famous for its wonderful fertility, no clue to the vast difference between the two can be detected!

The Editor of the Ohio Cultivator, after admitting that, in common with other agricultural writers, he has urged the importance of analyses of soils, for some ten years past, now says:

" We confess, however, that we are disappointed in regard to the practical advantages that have resulted thus far from the analyses of soils in Ohio and elsewhere; and we do not at present see what benefit is likely to be soon realized from such analyses."

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President Hitchcock, in a letter to a friend and pupil, who had been appointed State Geologist, by the Executive of Vermont, writes as follows:

" I should not think it strange if some should be disappointed, as they have been in other States, by anticipating too much from the mere analyses of soils. The impression is very strong, through the community, that the chemist, by such an analysis, can determine what is wanting to render a soil fertile, or what renders it barren. Now even admitting that he could do this, an analysis of the soil from almost every farm in the State, nay, from almost every field, would be necessary to make it of much value; and it is not generally known that every such analysis, accurate enough for this purpose, could not consume less than two or three weeks. But I do not believe that agricultural chemistry is yet advanced enough to enable the chemist to say in many cases what ingredient added will be sure to render a barren soil prolific."

I have written this article Mr. Editor, not for the purpose of throwing doubt or suspicion upon the just claims of science; but simply to bring before your readers the question whether the popular mind is not demanding and hoping more from her than she has ever promised to do—more than she can perform; and consequently whether there is not danger of fostering expectations, the certain disappointment of which will strengthen prejudice against all scientific teachings. And I will close with a few reflections. The experience of the practical farmer may be undervalued, in the advocacy of scientific knowledge. The impotence and fallibility of what is called science, rather than the stupidity of farmers, a reason for the slow advance of "scientific agriculture." Instead of the application of science to agriculture, the creation or perfection of science for agriculture, is needed. " The first thing to be done is, [not] to prepare the mind [of farmers] for a better system," but to prepare the "better system." "The preparation of competent teachers will necessarily precede the instruction of pupils."

S. F.

Winchester, January, 1854.

Prom the Boston Cultivator.

BUTTER MAKING.

Messrs. Editors, —I find in a French work on butter making the following remark: " To procure butter of an excellent flavor and extreme delicacy, it must be washed finally with new milk; the cream of this new milk is incorporated with the butter, and communicates to it its sweetness and delicacy." Now, have any of our Cultivator butter making

friends tested the value of this discovery 1 The idea is new to me, and as I am not in the way of practising for myself, will those who could put the question to issue please do so and report the result through the Cultivator, and receive the thanks of

Many.

The following essay is a substitute for another, withdrawn by Dr. Pendleton, from the Virginia State Agricultural Society, to whom it was submitted and ordered to be printed b}* the Executive Committee.— Editor Southern Planter.

LIME—ITS ACTION, &c.

There is no mineral, perhaps, the application of which is more beneficial to a generality of soils than lime, yet none about which practical farmers have at all times so widely differed. Some regard it a sovereign panacea for all the ills the soil is heir to, while others contend as the result of repeated experiment, that on thin soils, at least, it is utterly worthless. Now, while it is borne in mind that this mineral, in one form or another, is constantly present in every plant the farmer grows, and is, in the aggregate, far more abundant in the vegetable kingdom, than any other—that in barren soils, it is always in small, and in those of known productiveness, always in large proportion, it would appear strange that its application should not, in all cases, prove highly beneficial; yet certain it is, that it does not always exhibit its peculiar, good effects, even on those soils, which Mr. Iiuffin, of this State, would call " acid" and to which, according to his theory, it would be most beneficial. The writer of this proposes briefly to examine Mr. R.'s views on the subject of lime, not, however, with any intention of disparaging his theory, farther than may be necessary to arrive at correct conclusions; for if there is any man who deserves the everlasting gratitude of his countrymen every where, and especially in "Tide Water Virginia,' 7 because of his many invaluable labors in the cause of agriculture, it is the modest author of the "Essay on Calcareous Manures."

Mr. R.'s theory I understand to be this: A growth of such acid plants as the " shcrp sorrel" — "broom grass" and " old field pine," is indicative, he infers, of acid soil. The soil he supposes to be poisoned by an acid, and until this poisonous acid is neutralized by the antacid, lime— acid plants only Mill flourish on it, and such a soil, he assures us, " cannot be durably and profitably improved by putrescent manures, without previously mating it calcareous." But by liming, or calxing as he prefers to call it, all this supposed free acid in the soil is neutralized, and all its acid vegetation, for want of the proper food, is thereby exterminated.

Now this test (diagnosis, as a medical man would say) of the disease is certainly very simple, and the treatment equally so. But unfortunately for a large section of "middle' Virginia, at least, where these acid plants flourish in their greatest luxuriance and perfection—owing to the cost of lime and its transportation, calxing, to the extent he proposes, can never, in all probability, be practised; therefore, according to his doctrine, such soils can never be "durably and profitably improved," and for this reason the sooner their owners abandon them to their fates the belter. But being myself unwilling to admit the correctness of his premises, I must be

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excused for not admitting his conclusions. Mr. R., if I mistake not, reasons rather from inferences, than facts. If he sees acid plants growing on a soil he immediately concludes the soil itself is acid. Why 1 Because he has ascertained, by chemical tests, that the peculiar acid of the plant is in the soill No; he does not stop to examine the soil, though, indeed, analysis would detect the acid, if it was really present; hut he infers its presence from the fad that the plant is acid. Again, he examines a soil Avhich he supposes to he acid and he finds no trace of " carbonate of lime" in it, he infers, therefore, from the entire absence of this salt, (though there may be an abundance of the alkali, (lime,) which is a better antacid than the carbonate of lime,) that the acid is certainly in excess in the soil, and it needs carbonate of lime to neutralize it. Now it is manifestly very unsafe to reason from such premises. Every body knows that a sour, sweet and bitter plant will often grow equally well, on the same soil, and side hy side, yet few would believe, in the absence of any fact to prove it, that all these three ingredients existed in the soil at the same time. Corn at a certain stage of its growth contains in the stalk a large amount of grape sugar. Does any one believe that the soil actually contained all this sugar and that it was abstracted by the roots of the corn from the soil 1 Or is it sup-posable that all the citric acid of the lemon was taken directly from the soil! If so, the soil itself must have had a decidedly sour taste! It will not do to infer any thing as to the composition of a soil from either the presence or absence of any of those vegetable acids we meet with every day in plants— for that every living plant has a perfect, respiration, circulation, digestion and nutrition peculiar to its own organism, and can by its own vital energies manufacture, so to speak, from the various binary compounds present in most soils and from the carbonic acid ever present in the atmosphere, any ter-* nary compound natural to it, such as grape sugar, oxalic acid, &c. is just as demonstrable a proposition in vegetable, as any in animal physiology. Mr. Ruffin, with characteristic candor, admits that the " wood sorrel" (which is of the same family with the " sheep sorrel" irumex) and contains precisely the same acid) " prefers a rich and calcareous soil, and will even grow on one calcareous to excess" and further, that "it would seem the 'wood sorrcV gets its acid from the atmosphere" and yet strange to say, he is unwilling to admit that the sheep sorrel gets its acid in the same way.

Professor Johnston gives a very plausible explanation of the matter. It is in substance this: The leaves of all plants (as all admit) are constantly in the day time absorbing from the atmosphere a certain gas, called " carbonic acid" which differs from " oxalic acid" only in this, that it contains a little more oxygen than the latter. Well, when this carbonic acid gets into the leaf it undergoes a decomposition (as all admit) and in most plants the carbon and oxygen which had been in combination in the form of " carbonic acid" are set free—the oxygen as to the most part is expired or breathed out by the plant—while the carbon mixes with the sap which has come from the roots up to the leaf and thence circulates over the whole plant—to deposit and form its woody fibre. Now, if when this " carbonic acid" first reaches the leaf of the sorrel, it is lade to part with a certain portion only of its oxy-;n, oxalic acid is formed—unites with the sap then disseminates itself through the whole it. This, by way of explanation.

But that there is not often a particle of "oxalic acid" present in the soil where the sheep sorrel grows, admits of but little doubt, and that its growth is in no way favored by the presence of that acid has been demonstrated times and again. If kept clear of other more hardy plants it will grow quite as well, if not better, on a calcareous soil, than on any other. Indeed, a friend of mine, who is a sort of " amateur farmer," assures me that after liming a piece of land, the sorrel came up thick, where it had never been seen before, and though he does not believe the lime brought it on the land, as many honestly do, that guano brought the "joint worm," he knows the lime did not in the least prevent it. I have myself repeatedly seen luxuriant sorrel after liming, and have even seen a flourishing crop on an ash pile where certainly there were antacids enough to correct any reasonable amount of acidity. Still it is not to be doubted that liming does, after so long a time, cause the sorrel to disappear, and white clover to take its place, and so if ashes be spread on a yard infested with ribwort it will cause that plant to disappear and greensward to come in its place. But let it not be inferred from this that the soil in either case was acid, but rather that it was not of the proper composition to grow clover and grass; as soon, however, as it was made so, by lime and ashes, the sorrel and ribwort being less hardy plants than the other two, were crowded out.

Neither can I believe, for a moment, that an acid or any other poisonous substance, has any thing to do with the growth of the old field pine, for it is not until the soil has been completely exhausted of all that can generate an acid,* and can no longer sustain any other vegetation that this beautiful evergreen makes its appearance: and in this beneficent arrangement do w r e see strikingly manifested the wisdom of the Divine Architect, who mercifully deposited and ever preserves in these soils the germ of their own renovation, so that when from sheer exhaustion, they can no longer yield to the diligent husbandman their fruit in due season, and are altogether too poor to sustain any of the artificial grasses, they may cover, as it were, the shame of their nakedness with their own perennial pine— nature's perpetual green manure—and thus unaided and without any labor or expense, on the part of the farmer, speedily and thoroughly accomplish the work of self-renovation.

Amongst the best soils in "middle Virginia" originally, and some of the finest tobacco soils in the State now are many of those at this time heavily timbered with the old field pine. These lands, which were cleared by our industrious ancestors half a century ago, perhaps, and worked by them till worn out, and worthless, are now after a lapse of, probably, no more than thirty years, quite as good as they ever were. These pines in their early growth required but little nutriment other than moisture and carbonic acid, the one to supply sap and the other carbon. The former being plentifully present in

* It is an admitted fact that the circumstances, which most favor the generation of acids in a soil, are an abundance of vegetable matter saturated with water, by which a slow decomposition may take place. Now it is manifest that in a sandy soil, long subjected to hard cropping and grazing, there can be present but little vegetable matter, and consequently but little acid can be formed; yet it is on just such, worn-out old field, and on the highest, dryest and poorest parts of it, that the thickest set of pines is seen, while on the low, swampy places, where acids, if any where, are to be found, the pine is never to be seen, except as a sickhy, stunted growth.

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the soil, and the latter in the atmosphere, and the soil having been left in an open, friable condition by previous and recent tillage, their growth consequently was rapid, and their appropriating and improving powers increased, pari passu, with their growth.

It is highly probable that most of the soils of middle Virginia would be benefited by lime, which is, doubtless, greatly to be preferred for most of them, to ordinary marls, and could it be got tolerably free from magnesia and silica, and at a reasonable cost, say eight or ten cents per bushel, many would be induced to venture an outlay. But at its present cost, of twenty to twenty-five cents, its use even in composts, is of doubtful propriety. Most of our soils having much black sand, contain a good deal of lime in the form of an insoluble u silicate of lime," which slowly decomposes in the soil under atmospheric influences. And the writer has never examined any soil, however poor, that did not contain at least a trace of soluble lime. Quicklime on all these lands, however, would doubtless be very beneficial, as they have not at any time a sufficiency of available lime to produce the necessary decomposition in the soil. Probably the most important offices performed in the soil.by lime are its decomposition of inert vegetable and mineral matters, and its conversion of insoluble humus into soluble humates by first forming " humic acid," which in turn unites with the various alkalies present in the soil, and forms soluble salts, such as the "humates" of lime, ammonia, potassa, fyc.

Under all the circumstances it would be vain to expect to improve, in any short time, many of these lands. Ours is strictly a tobacco region, and we naturally look more to profit than improvement; still, under a proper system of cultivation and rotation, and by a judicious management and application of manures, much may be accomplished in the end, and our farming account in the long run be made to foot up quite as well as the average of those in far more highly favored sections. Let every farmer in middle Virginia make all the manure he can and take care not to apply it too coarse, and at the same time let him see that it is not allowed to get too hot by heaping. Let every negro quarter have a close pen at hand in which to collect all the wood ashes of the farm, every bushel of which is more than equivalent to an equal measure of caustic lime —plough his land deeply and thoroughly—encourage grass by sowing a plenty of seed, and be certain to roll well close after sowing—graze moderately with few cattle and those the best, and rest assured he will have the satisfaction of seeing, in a few years, his farm both " durably and profitably improved."

P. B. Pendleton.

Louisa County, Va.

Cabbage Worms. —The Charleston Mercury tells us that John Farrar, one of the most practical farmers in the State, says these destructive insects may be destroyed in the following easy and simple ■way: "Break off a large leaf from the bottom of the cabbage, and place it on top, upper side down. Do this in the evening, and in the morning you will find near or quite all the worms on each cabbage have taken up their quarters on this leaf. Take off the leaf and kill them, or feed them to the chickens and place the leaf back if there be any to catch."

From the Ohio Cultivator. PURE JUICE OF THE GRAPE.

We hardly need to inform our readers that we are advocates of total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks, including even Ohio native wines when fermented, as they thereby become intoxicating. But we take pleasure in announcing that a process has been discovered by which the pure juice of the Catawba grape can be bottled and preserved without fermentation, and consequently, containing no alcohol, while the delicious aroma and flavor of the grape are finely preserved, rendering the wine a most refreshing beverage, such as every philanthropist might feel pleasure in seeing introduced as the common drink of the people.

The only manufacturer of this unfermented Catawba wine, that we know of as yet, is Charles J. Schumann, Esq., one of the most extensive grape culturists and wine makers of Cincinnati. Mr. S. sent some of this kind of wine to the London Exhibition in 1851, where it was highly complimented by amateurs, and obtained a prize medal. It is also becoming highly popular in Cincinnati, and some of the eastern cities, especially for the use of invalids and ladies, and for churches; and if our own opinion is wanted, we can say that we only wish that it could be made so cheaply that we and all our readers who pleased, could afford to drink a glass or two at dinner every day during the hot weather. We have resolved to plant a small vineyard on Maclura Farm next season, in the hope that by the time the vines come into bearing we shall learn the secret of making this unfermented wine, for the use of our family and friends.

The principal agents for the sale of Mr. Schumann's wine in Cincinnati, are H. H. Southgate, J. D. Park and Allison Owen. Mr. S. resides at his /'arm and vineyards, about eight miles below the city, on the Ohio river and St. Louis Rail Road.

The following certificate is appended to the label of the Sweet Catawba wine bottles:

This is to certify that we have chemically examined Mr. C. A. Schumann's Sweet Catwba wine, and found the same to be the pure unfermented juice of the grape, free from any alcohol, the saccharine matter of the juice preserved in its natural state b} r arresting the fermentation.

WB. Chapman, ) c/; E. S. Wayne, )

Cincinnati, Nov. 3,1853.

DISINFECTING OF PUTRID, NOXIOUS GASES.

The following is from the Courier & Enquirer, by E. Merriam, and will be found very efficacious for the purposes specified:

A simple, cheap and easy way of disinfecting putrid, noxious, faetid and mephtic gases, and putrid animal matter, may be accomplished by the free use of soda ash and quick lime. Dissolve 25 lbs. of soda ash in five buckets of boiling hot water, and while hot slake 25 lbs. of quick lime, and as soon as slaked, (which, if the lime is good, will not exceed five minutes,) mix the fresh slaked lime while hot with the solution of the soda ash, stirring it thoroughly for five minutes, by which time thr lime will have taken up the carbonic acid of tl soda ash; then pour the hot mixture into the pri vault, and it will in a few hours convert the imjj and faetid gases into ammonia, and entirely 0

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the premises of any unpleasant effluvia, and render the atmosphere perfectly salubrious and healthy. Soda ash of eighty per cent, free alkali is sold at the soap houses at three dollars per hundred pounds, and Athens lime can be bought by the barrel at seventy-five cents a cask.

Every practical chemist knows that putrid animal matter can be converted into ammonia by the mixture (in a heated state) with caustic alkali. Such is the process, and such the result in this case.

Iu large vaults a greater quantity than twenty-five pounds is required; the quantity should be increased in proportion to the size of the vault.

The use of one hundred pounds of soda ash, per annum, in a vault prepared and used as directed above, will prevent accumulation, and render the services of a scavenger unnecessary.

Bilge-water may be purified by the same process.

This preparation is more economical than chloride of lime, is fifty times more efficacious, and one thousand times more healthful.

I have used this preparation for more than twenty years, with the most complete success.

.^^t^SS?

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

RICHMOND, OCTOBER, 1854.

TERMS.

One Dollar and Twenty-five Cents per annum, which may be discharged by the payment of One Dollar only, if paid in office or sent free of postage within six months from the date of subscription. Six copies for Five Dollars; thirteen copies for Ten Dollars, to be paid invariably in advance.

&W No subscription received for a less time than one year.

i^p*" Subscriptions may begin with any number.

H^T No paper will be discontinued until all arrearages are paid, except at the option of the Publisher.

p§F" Office on Twelfth between Main and Cary steets.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

A limited number will be inserted at the following rates: For each square of ten lines, first insertion, One Dollar; each continuance, Seventy-five Cents. Advertisements out of the City must be accompanied with the money, to insure their insertion.

fpgf 3 ^ is indispensably necessary that subscribers ordering a change should say from what to what post office they wish the alteration made. It will save time to us and lose none to them.

NOTICE.

I3P If subscribers do not order a discontinuance of the Planter before the commencement of a new year, or volume, it will be considered as a renewal of their subscriptions, and they will be charged accordingly.

113^° Postage on the Southern Planter, (when paid in advance,) to any part of the United States one cent and a half per quarter, or six cents per annum.

THE STATE FAIR

To be held on the 81st of October and the 1st, 2d and

3d of November.

The preparations for this, the second exhibition of the Society, are in active progress and will he completed in time for the exhibition.

At this early day it is impossible to say what will be the relative character of the exhibition, and we are not the man to attempt to make a Fair by puffing and run the risk of having the consequences of a failure or of broken promises visited on our head. We can only say that the entries of all sorts are more numerous than they were this time last year, and everything seems to promise even a better show of stock, implements and miscellaneous articles than we had before. We had apprehended that the disastrous drought of the past summer, which has parched and withered nearly the whole Union, and seared the pastures of Virginia as never before, would thin the numbers of stock of all sorts, but we have just seen that the Fair in Baltimore, which is closing whilst we write this hasty article, "in its great feature—the number and variety of cattle exhibited—is largely in advance of former years, whilst in other departments a gratifying increase of attractions is visible, showing that our agriculturists are imbued with the improving spirit of the age, and fully estimate the importance of maintaining a generous spirit of emulation in the pursuit of their calling." We cannot suppose, then, that we shall do less than Maryland, whose Society, except in the energy and ability of her Executive Committee, is less richly endowed than ours, and whose arrangements are represented to be much less complete and imposing. The rail roads in all quarters, except only the Virginia and Tennessee Rail Road, have come forward and agreed to carry passengers to and from the Fair at half price, provided they exhibit evidences of membership, (which means, in nine cases out of ten, provided they have paid their dues for the current year,) and to carry subjects of exhibition, whether stock or implements, on terms which cannot be objected to, that is to say, to charge full freight on all things down, and to refund the amount when the same article or animal is sent back by the same owner—a rule which protects both themselves and the Society from the imposition of all those persons, if there be any such, who would take advantage of the free transportation on the road and the free provender at the exhibition to get their animals cheaply to market, and which does not hurt even them; for if they sell they can afford to pay, and if they do not, they get back Avhat they brought free of charge.

The city of Richmond has done her part so far, and no doubt in hospitality and kindness to the many strangers she is prepared to receive will do the balance at the proper time. The opening of a

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

large hotel since the last fair, and the prospect that another will be ready, and the experience of Richmond, in last year's influx, will insure ample room and accommodations, considering the squeeze, for all comers. Will the people of the country do their part ? The State Society is now a fixed institution; counting the fifty-six thousand dollars which Richmond has already contributed, (see an article from one of our friends in this number of the Planter,) and about fifty thousand dollars in cash or good debts to the Society, it will be seen that it is a corporation with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, nearly half in fixtures, and more than half in cash. What shall be done to render this capital available for useful purposes, is a question which concerns, more or less, nearly every farmer in the State. We cannot believe that the intelligent portion of them will take a different view, and we, therefore, confidently expect to see them assemble on the 31st of October next in greater strength than on the 1st of November last.

THE AGRICULTURAL FAIRS OF VIRGINIA.

These institutions have multiplied so rapidly that it is a difficult matter to keep up with them, and to herald their opening, or chronicle their events is alike impossible in the limits to which we are confined in the Planter. Several hare already been held. That at Abingdon, the land of stalwart men and stately cattle, and seemly horses, the land of fatness, flowing with milk too good to need any admixture of honey, is just over; that at Lewis-burg, famed for its pastures, was held a month ago, and as a first effort in a thinly settled country at a small town, passed off well; that at Wheeling, of still earlier date, succeeded as was to be expected from the experience they have had in the last three years. Charlestown is getting ready for her usual exhibition of the fine products of the rich region which converges to her; and her neighbor, Lees-burg, proud of old Loudoun's abundance, will not be far behind either in time or credit.

Coming down to tide, we find that ancient Fredericksburg is smoothing her wrinkles to greet the farmers of the fertile and beautiful valley of the Rappahannock at her festival, and getting ready like an aged but genial matron, to dispense to them her old fashioned and true hearted hospitality, whilst Norfolk, that " fairy city of the heart," which should be queen of the Ches-a-pe-a-ke—why not spell and pronounce the beautiful word as the Indians did?—is preparing to open her doors and her arms and her heart and her oysters to all who shall visit her; and Petersburg, the cockade of Virginia, is straining every nerve and spending every dollar that public spirit and liberality and emulation can command to bear herself as high as the highest.

We doubt not all of them will do well, and need no word of encouragement from the Planter to enlist in each section a hearty cooperation from the farmers and a full attendance at the feasts to which they have such cordial bidding.

ENTRIES FOR THE STATE FAIR.

We again call the attention of exhibiters to the importance of making their entries early. They may be well assured that it will save all parties a deal of trouble. A good many entries have been made already, but nothing like half of what we hope to have. Exhibiters will also please remember, that the mere naming an animal or implement is not sufficient. Unless we know, in the case of a horse, for instance, what is his or her age and color, and whether entered in the class of thoroughbred, quick draught or saddle horses, or heavy draught horses, we might as well have no entry at all, since, so far from guiding us, the Marshal or the Judges, it will only perplex or confuse. The same is true of cattle, whose kind, sex, age and color, should be minutely stated.

PLAN OF THE FAIR GROUNDS OF THE VIRGINIA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Along with this number of the Planter we senc to each subscriber a plan of the Fair Grounds o. the Agricultural Society at Richmond. We cannoi give a better idea of the grounds than by this plan which wifl be a great assistance to each visitor whcj may have one in directing him to different depart ments of the exhibition.

Many, if not all, of the plats here apparently vai cant will be filled up with machinery and various articles of exhibition. They are not appropriate*: < on the plan, because until it was known what the} would be, it could not be decided where they shouk be placed. But it is evident at a glance that then will be room for every thing.

The beautiful oval, or more properly elliptical! horse track will be observed as a new and attractive feature in the exhibition this year; and there, w<l predict, will be the great attraction of the Fair; fo j there will be exhibited all the horses and all tW horsemanship and all the driving. By-the-by. w< have a special interest in the matter of sadcflJ horses, and hope to see that department well reprsl sented, for we claim to have simply the finest sad I die horse in Virginia, and that is saying a goo<| deal. But we are in dead earnest, and challengj the field. On that track, too, will be exhibited (ol should be) all the cattle, that the judges may havl a good view of them; and, lastly, at that point till ladies, always admirers of beautiful animals, whc ther cattle or horses, and of " noble horsemanship,

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will be sure to congregate. Let every gallant, then, come upon his steed and show his paces, in the full assurance that he shall not be without his reward, in a look at the ladies if not in a smile from, them. We cannot omit to call attention—as this plan enables us to do more precisely than we otherwise could—to the part Richmond has contributed to the Virginia State Agricultural Society. The noble grounds she has appropriated to the Society, " as long," in the words of her liberal tender, "as it shall be its pleasure to use them," were laid off by two of her most accomplished citizens with a beauty that is nowhere excelled in any similar work of the Union, and will long remain a monument of her generosity and their taste.

PAYMENTS TO THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

We hope that all subscribers to the Planter, who are coming to the Fair, will bring the amount of their subscriptions with them, and that those who are not coming will send the same by some friend that is. We know the publisher pretty well, and and though he was a fat, fine looking man, of most amiable temper, we assure our readers that he is dwindling in his proportions and daily losing a portion of his suavity. We can ascribe this to no other thing than to the fact that he cannot live on air, a diet to which the list of monthly payments in this number of the Planter will show he is fast coming to.

We shall endeavor to get him to have an office at the Fair grounds, where gentlemen can see him and get the Planter thrown into the bargain at one dollar, paid in advance, or at the price of their present indebtedness to the paper. He is a plain man, but well worth looking at, when this inducement is considered.

THE TWO MR. RUFFINS.

We are so often supposed to be the son or nephew of Mr. Edmund Ruffin that we take this occasion, though for the second time, to state that we are so distantly related that we cannot trace the exact degree.

The identity of name, the intimacy that exists between us, and the fact that we have each edited an agricultural paper, has created this impression.

We do not think he would be altogether ashamed of us, and we should not deny him if he was our father or uncle; in fact, as a mode of settling the difficulty, we once thought of adopting him as our father, but when we came to look at the thing we found that he had a very large family, some twenty odd, we think, counting children and grandchildren, and as the distributive share of his estate cannot be very large, we forbore to burthen him with such

an unruly colt as we should have been. And it was the more unnecessary as we had all the credit of being his son without the responsibility.

We have now made all we expect in that way, and beg for the future to decline the honor.

Those gentlemen, therefore, who visit the sins of either upon both, as some are inclined to do, are hereby notified that though one in sentiment upon a good many subjects, which we are very happy at, and though upon the very best terms, which we hope may long con.inuc, we are yet very remotely related, and feel, each of us, very well able to shoulder the responsibility of most things we do, or at all events disposed to stand up to it.

We happen, accidentally, so far as the name is concerned, to be associates in the Executive Committee, of which Mr. Edmund Ruffin is a most valuable member. But we do not " hunt in couples" even there.

LITHOGRAPHIC DRAWING OF THE FAIR GROUNDS OF THE VIRGINIA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

We are happy to be able to state that Mr. Dun-navant, of the firm of Ritchie & Dunnavant, has, determined to execute a beautiful colored lithographic drawing in perspective of the Fair Grounds. This drawing, of large size, some two feet square, Mr. Dunnavant will have for sale at the gate. It will be disposed of at a very moderate cost per copy, but little more than enough to pay cost and risk, his object being not so much to make a speculation, for which indeed there is but little room in the business, as to furnish persons with something which they can take home with them to those of their friends who cannot come to the Fair, and to show that in this branch of the arts Richmond is prepared to compete with the northern cities.

AN ADDITIONAL PREMIUM.

Best Single Harness Horse or Mare. —From some cause there is no premium offered by the Virginia State Agricultural Society on this class of horses, the most valuable, or certainly the most desired description of light draught animals in use in the country. But let the owners of such animals bring them forward. We know a gentleman who will pay twenty dollars for the best single harness horse or mare exhibited at the Fair. And we feel at liberty to state that it is hereby offered. The same judges that award the premiums on light draught and saddle horses will decide the excellence in this case.

He who would acquire fame must not show himself afraid of censure. The dread of censure is the death of genius.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

For the Southern Planter. ICE-HOUSE.

Mr. puffin, —As you requested I send the following specifications for an ice-house:

Select a site upon inclined ground, with face sufficient to carry off all surplus water from the building, and as near to the dwelling-house as will make it convenient of access. Upon the ground chosen, lay off a square plot 14 feet on a side, and excavate it to a depth of 6| feet, throwing out the earth in equal bulk upon each side of the pit. Then construct a frame of 4 locust posts 12 inches in diameter, and 13 feet in length, tenoned on the small ends to receive the wall plates; which plates are cut 12 feet in length, and hewn to 8 inches by 12 in thickness, and framed together upon the top of the posts. About one foot from the bottom of said posts, frame in (by mortise and tenon) 4 pieces of locust or white oak timber, 4 inches in diameter, hewn to a face on the inner side. Midway between these pieces and the wall plates insert, in like manner, other four pieces of timber of the same dimensions. The frame work is then set into the pit and the wall plates laid on and pinned together. The inside of the frame is boarded up with oak plank one inch thick and 10 inches wide, placed vertically and fastened with ten penny nails. The space between the planking and earth wall of the pit is now filled with spent tanbark (slightly rammed) to the wall plates. The earth embankment packed around, neatly trimmed and sodded, with steps cut in the approach to the door. The roof is put on in the usual method, with a pitch about one-third of the span, the cover projecting 18 inches over the wall plate—gabler boarded vertically with inch pine plank 10 inches in width, the joints battened. A door is hung in one end, and a small opening for ventilation in the end opposite. Place on the bottom of the pit a grillage of timber, consisting of two courses, crossing at right angles, and about one foot in thickness. When filling with ice line the bottom and sides with straw. The size given will contain about 500 bushels.

If no shade trees are contiguous to the locality, transplant some of rapid growth, and ornamental. Yours, &c. S. F. C.

P. S.—Dry straw, dust, or pulverized charcoal will be as suitable as spent tanbark.

From the Rural New Yorker. EXPERIMENTS IN BUTTER MAKING.

Five experiments in making butter from milk and cream under different conditions, were tried, some years since, by Professor Traill, of Scotland. A condensed account of the same will not be without value to our readers.

The milk in each experiment was that obtained from four cows, and three quarts of the same, set in each of the five earthen vessels, for 39 hours. No. 1 was the cream from one of these portions, still sweet, which, with the addition of half a pint of cold water, was churned for 27 minutes, raising the temperature from 62 to 70 degrees, and producing 1386 grains of good colored, well flavored but-

ter. No. 2 sweet milk and its cream, at the same time, were churned together for three hours, with occasional additions of cold water, but no butter was produced. No. 3, was skimmed and the cream kept two days longer, and then with the same addition of cold water as No. 1, churned for twenty minutes, raising the temperature from 54 to 63 degrees, and producing of well washed butter, 1756| grains of good taste and color. No. 4, sour milk and its cream—at the same time with No. 3, and with the same addition of cold water, was churned one hour fifty minutes, producing 1968 grains of butter, paler than the last but of good flavor. No. 5 was prepared as follows: after standing with the rest thirty-nine hours, the vessel was placed in another containing warm water, and heated until the temperature of the milk rose to 156 degrees. The cream was then taken off and on the following day churned, and produced 1968 grains.of rich, yellow, agreeable flavored butter. The milk remaining was very poor, and no butter could be churned from it.

The general result of these experiments, confirmed by many similar trials, show that most butter is produced from the scalded or Devonshire cream; the next in quantity from churning the milk and cream together, when they have become slightly acid; the third quantity is given by cream kept until it is slightly sour; and the least is obtained from the sweet cream. The experimenter was unable to obtain butter from sweet milk and cream churned together. The quality of keeping fresh when exposed to the air was found by trial to be in inverse proportion as to quantity—No. 1 keeping the longest, and No. 5 the shortest time. The casein or curdy matter of each sample followed the same rule. Over churning added largely to the quantity of butter, but detracted more from the quality. The addition of hot water had a similar, though less perceptible, effect.

The principal conclusions derived from the full course of experiments were, 1st. That the additition of some cold water while churning, facilitates the process, especially in cold weather or when the cream is very thick. 2d. That cream alone is more easily churned than cream and milk together. 3d. That butter produced from fresh cream has the finest flavor when fresh, and will keep longest without becoming rancid. 4th. That scalding the cream, yields the largest quantity of butter, which, ii intended for immediate use, is agreeable to the palate and readily saleable, but by keeping is most liable to acquire a rancid flavor. 5th. That the keeping qualities of butter appear tc depend on its being obtained as free from un-

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Jcornbined albumen, or caseine and water, as it Jjcan be by washing and working the butter when [lit is taken from the churn.

The experience of our best butter makers coincides with these results, proving that it does not depend altogether upon the churning and working, but also upon the state of the milk and cream from which the butter is produced.

PROPERTIES OF CHARCOAL.

The following is from an interesting article, by J. Stenhouse, P. R. S., in the Journal of the Society of Arts, London:

" My attention was particularly drawn to the importance of charcoal as a disinfecting agent, by my friend, John Turnbull, Esq., of Glasgow, Scotland, the well-known extensive chemical manufacturer. Mr. Turnbull, about nine months ago, placed the bodies of two dogs in a wooden box, on a layer of charcoal powder a few inches in depth, and covered them over with a quantity of the same material. Though the box was quite open and kept in his laboratory, no effluvium was ever perceptible; and on examining the bodies of the animals, at the end of six months, scarcely anything remained of them except the bones. Mr. Turnbull sent me a portion of the charcoal powder which had been most closely in contact with the bodies of the dogs. I submitted it for examination to one of my pupils, Mr. Turner, who found it contained comparatively little ammonia, not a trace of sulphurated hydrogen, but very appreciable quantities of nitric sulphuric acids, with acid phosphate of lime.

"Mr. Turner subsequently, about 3 months

such, for instance, as the last edition of Turner's ' Elements,' charcoal is described as possessing antiseptic properties, while the very reverse is the fact. Common salt, nitre, corrosive sublimate, arsenious acid, alcohol, camphor, creosote, and most essential oils, are certainly antiseptic substances, and therefore retard the decay of animal and vegetable matters. Charcoal, on the contrary, as we have just seen, greatly facilitates the oxidation, and consequently the decomposition, of any organic substances with which it is in contact. It is, therefore, the very opposite of an antiseptic."

ago.

buried two rats in about two inches of

charcoal powder, and a few days afterward the body of a full grown cat was similarly treated. Though the bodies of these animals are now in a highly putrid state, not the slightest odor is perceptible in the laboratory.

"From this short statement of facts, the utility of charcoal powder as a means of preventing noxious effluvia from churchyards and from dead bodies in other situations, such as on board a ship, is sufficiently evident. Covering a churchyard to the depth of from two to three inches, with coarsely powdered charcoal, would prevent any putrid exhalations ever finding their way into the atmosphere. Charcoal powder, also, greatly favors the rapid decomposition of the dead bodies with which it is in contact, so that in the course of six or eight months, little is left except the bones.

"In all the modern systems of chemistry,

From the Mark Lane Express.

SEED WHEAT AND ITS PREPARATIONS.

This is an important subject, and deserves the most careful attention of every farmer. The choice of wheat for seed, has long been considered of great moment in promoting the farmer's prosperity. A wrong selection of seed will yield no rent; while a judicious choice will yield both rent and profit. This is often proved. Upon whatever variety the farmer's choice may fall, he ought to select the best sample of it that he can meet with. I would as soon use an inferior ram to my flock, or an inferior bull to my herd, as sow an inferior grain, be it from whatever well known stock. " Like is said to produce like." Be this as it may; with respect to grain, the probability is much in favor of the good grain producing good grain, and good crops of it too. The varieties of wheat are now so very numerous, that much difficulty arises in making a proper choice. Varieties suited to every soil and climate, are now generally grown throughout the kingdom; and the facilities of railway transit are so great, that every farmer may with ordinary care, suitably supply himself, provided he is acquainted with the nature and habits of the precise variety he wishes to obtain; the soil and climate he can readily ascertain, but not so the grain—the same varieties being sold under different names in their respective districts. To obviate this, he ought to make periodical exchanges with farmers who are well known to him, and occupying other soils and other climates, (for climates differ according to elevation and other circumstances,) of those varieties he finds it to his interest most to cultivate; he can thus keep to his profitable variety. As a general rule, the exchange should be from a cold to a more genial climate—from a chalky soil to a loamy soil—from a peaty soil to all or any other soils—from clay to sand, and vice versa. In the majority of cases, a change is good on every soil, and under every

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

variation of climate. I have derived benefit from changes of seed brought from a considerable distance on every side, to the extent of hundreds of miles, but it was from seed on which I could depend. My favorite change is from a cold, chalky district to a mild, loamy soil.

The principal consideration with every farmer should be fully to ascertain the adaptation of his farm to grow the two fundamental varieties of wheat—red wheat and white wheat— for which it is best adapted—or, if it will advantageously produce both under a judicious rotation. Most wheat farms will alternately grow good crops of fine quality of both varieties; but on the other hand, very few farms will produce good and profitable crops of white wheat in long succession; its liability to degenerate and mildew, is much greater than in the red variety. The red wheat is in every respect more hardy, and much more to be depended upon, on the average of soils; hence its more extended cultivation. It will be generally found advantageous on most farms, to deviate occasionally from any practice, however well it may appear to answer. No one knows when he has reached the utmost bounds of production; hence white wheat will occasionally produce a first rate crop on lands unsuited to its growth, and as it varies somewhat in its character from red, it forms a desirable change in the rotation. In my own practice, I usually grow the most prolific varieties of red wheat as having proved them more profitable; but I find a change, such as I now name, to be both good for my own profit and the soil it grows upon. I think if the soils are suitable, white wheat should be grown in the proportion of two crops of red to one of white.

Another consideration should be, to suit the variety to be sown, to the condition and fertility of the soil. A rich soil should be sown with a short-strawed variety—a poor soil with a free-growing long-strawed sort. The season for sowing, should again decide as to the variety. White wheat should not be sown late in the season, or on very rich soils. The red wheat is better adapted for late seasons and rich soils. The straw of the red wheat takes up more silica or flinty nature than the white variety; hence that brightness on the straw of red wheat. This, of itself, is the great cause of its comparative safety from that destructive parasite mildew—that black fungus plant so frequently found growing upon the stalks of the wheat plant, and preventing its further progress by taking all the juices designed for the support of the wheat, to promote its own development.

Having thus shortly given some general outlines, with a view of directing to a proper choice

of wheat for seed, I will now offer a remark or two upon its preparation for sowing. It has become a settled conviction in my own mind, that smut in wheat is mainly derivable from the smutty particles sown along with the grain, and by which it becomes tainted or impregnated. It is also derived from or propagated by smut deposited in the soil from any previous crop, such as blocks in oats, &c. I have proof of this taint causing smut in more cases than one. The great thing, then, is to destroy the power or influence of this smutty dust. If this can be done without injury to the grain, all the better. Much loss has often ensued from the incautious use of arsenic (" white mercury") and sulphate of copper, ("blue vitriol.") The more simple the remedy, if effectual, the more desirable, and the greater the necessity for its adoption. Frequent washing in clear running streams of water is effectual; strong dressing with hot lime is effectual. These are simple appliances. Swimming in a brine made of salt and water has the twofold effect and advantage, of destroying the smut and floating off all impurities, seeds of weeds, &c.

There are innumerable specifics put forth for dressing seed wheat, many of which, no doubt, are good and proper; and where any one of them has been adopted and practised with decided success, it would be bad policy to discontinue its use. My own practice is very simple, safe and easily effected. In the evening prior to the next day's drilling as much wheat as is required, is shot into a heap and well damped with water; it is left for a few minutes to imbibe the water, and then freely and profusely dusted over with quicklime—such dusting continued as it is repeatedly turned over. The heap is then rounded up, and left till morning; when it is put in sacks ready for drilling. Should the day prove unfavorable, the heap is spread thinly over the floor and in this state it will keep for any indefinite period. I presume it is quite superfluous to intimate that all seed corn should be free from weeds; a good and cleanly farmer would most thoroughly repudiate the idea of sowing seeds of weeds* I, however, beg more attention to this point. Never make use of seed wheat containing other seeds. It is said that weeds prevalent in one district will not grow in another; don't try it. I know that the pernicious weed called " Gold-ings," or "Gules," has been thus introduced into a district where, till lately, it was unknown. Weeds will become habituated to any soil; therefore, avoid them as you would a pestilence. If, by some unforeseen or accidental cause, a farmer bo induced to make choice of a sample of wheat containing seeds, he should use every

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means to clean it. This may be pretty nearly effected by winnowing or rceing, or by the use of a flannel screen, or, finally, by swimming in strong briny mixture.

From the Massachusetts Ploughman. NORTH DEVON CATTLE FOR BUTTER.

It is now generally admitted by all who have any extensive acquaintance with stock that the North Devons make the best oxen. Their compact form, with small bones and straight limbs, render the oxen of this breed most acceptable to the teamster—while their docility in the yoke, and their aptness to fatten on ordinary food, make them popular as farm stock, particularly in New England and New York.

But it is as generally hinted that with all these fine qualities the Devons are not great milkers, and therefore are not so suitable for dairymen as cattle that yield large messes of milk.

It ought to be understood, however, that the remarks on their milking qualities are founded chiefly on the trial of the lot imported into Boston a few years ago, by the Massachusetts Agricultural Society, for our readers have seen within a few weeks most handsome accounts in the Southern papers of the dairy qualities of this breed of cattle.

The fact is that the Baltimore importation of North Devons differs as much from the Boston importation of cattle of the same name as any individual animals of our native herds differ from each other. It will be remembered that the Baltimore stock was a present from Jerome Bonaparte to Mr. Patterson, whose daughter he married.

Now the North Devons which we have long been recommending come from Baltimore. We have had a number of these on our farm for several years, and now we have been testing their dairy qualities, as we promised to do when we could have leisure.

One pound of butter from less than four quarts of milk. We have four heifers on our farm at Framingham of the Baltimore importation. They were three years old last summer—one, Blanche, had a calf April 22d. The other, Dora, calved June 22d. Last week these two heifers were milked at six P. M., and again at six A. M., and their milk was set in a dairy by itself. The quantity from both heifers was less than twelve quarts.

On Saturday evening last the cream from these two milkings was churned into butter. That is, the cream was stirred with a spoon in a large bowl. It soon became butter—not six minutes time was spent in the operation. The

weight of this butter, after working out the milk, was three full pounds. The butter was then salted with three ounces of fine salt and set away in the cellar. On the next morning the butter was again worked over, and was again weighed. It still weighed as much as before, three pounds —for the amount of milk now worked out balanced the three ounces of salt.

Thus on the 22d of October these two heifers yielded three pounds of butter from one day's milk—less than twelve quarts of milk— and they had no feed whatever but grass, in a lot, too, which had been fed down pretty close some weeks before the trial.

The butter is now hard, yellow, and of as fine quality as any that we have ever made. Seven days would give twenty-one pounds— ten and a half pounds to each heifer for one week in the latter part of October—six months after calving. This milk proves to be as rich as any that is told of from the Alderney cows. Less than four quarts of milk yielding a pound of butter. The usual estimate is ten quarts of milk for a pound.

Be this right or wrong, it is no common occurrence to find four quarts yielding a pound of butter. And if heifers of three years old— four and six months respectively after calving— will each yield ten pounds and a half of butter per week on grass feed alone, in the latter part of October, what may be expected of them at seven or eight years old in midsummer ?

These heifers may be seen any day on the farm of the Editor of the Ploughman, in Framingham, where he has numerous other full bloods as promising as these. The butter and the heifers and all the stock may be examined by any one who chooses.

More trials will be made of other animals of the same herd, and a particular account may be expected of them in a future number.

A CHEAP BAROMETER.

A correspondent of th« "Country Gentleman" writes as follows:

"For some years I have been in the habit of watching the* condition of the gum in my wife's camphor-bottle, which stands in our bed-room. And when not disturbed it makes a capital weather glass. It answers my purpose as well as a barometer that would cost me twenty-five or fifty dollars. When there is to be a change of weather from fair to windy or wet, the thin flakes of the gum will rise up, and sometimes when there was to be a great storm I have seen them at the top. When they settle down clearly at the bottom then we are sure of grand weather. Any farmer who will watch his wife's camphor-bottle for a season, will never have occasion to watch the birds or locusts or ants for indications of a change in the weather."

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

Fine Cattle. —The Abingdon Democrat was told some days since by a gentleman who has recently paid that neighborhood a visit, that Mr. Charles A. Smith, residing at Clifton, Russell county, has 320 head of cattle, Avhose average weight is one thousand pounds. Mr. S. has been offered $45 each for the whole lot, but declines selling for less than S50.

Rather Personal. —A New York editor, finding a cabbage seed in a letter received from a brother quill, wants to know if his correspondent has a habit of scratching his head while writing.

TO LAND OWNERS

In the counties of Henrico, Chesterfield, Goochland, Powhatan, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Buckingham, Albemarle, Augusta, Appomattox, Amherst, Bedford, Roanoke, Prince Edward, Charlotte, Halifax, Greensville, Montgomery, Amelia, Dinwiddie, Nottoway, Henry and Pittsylvania, in Virginia; or Guilford, Davidson, Rowan, Cabarras, Mecklenburg, Rockingham, Warren, Granville, Iredell, Catawba and Caswell, in North Carolina.

Mr. Joseph Borra, an Italian gentleman, who has for many years been engaged in the manufacturing of silk goods in his native land, desires to go into that business in any of these counties. He proposes to purchase at least one thousand acres of productive land on the following terms:

He will improve the premises by building on them comfortable houses for the accommodation of from fifty to one hundred families who have been accustomed to the raising of silk. He will] however, erect suitable houses for manufacturing silk cloths of various kinds, and will improve the land for the proper raising of grain as well as of the mulberry tree. He will expect to have the use of the premises thus improved, for a term of five years without interest, at the expiration of which period he will pay one-third of the purchase money; and the balance, with legal interest thereon, in two and four years thereafter—the seller, in the meantime withholding the title to the property, which, with the first payment and all the improvements, will be his in the event of any default in the two last payments. It is required that there shall be on the premises water power sufficient to drive the necessary machinery.

Mr. Borra is now in Richmond, Virginia, and will be pleased to treat with any person who has land of good quality to dispose of on the above terms.

We know that there are gentlemen in the above counties who own large bodies of lands, which is not cultivated, and which consequently brings them no interest. We do not see how they can turn such property to as good advantage as by embarking in the proposed scheme, which it seems to us, if it shall succeed, must greatly enhance not only the value of their other property but of all the property in the neighborhood. If, on the other hand, there shall be a failure of the enterprise of Mr. Borra, the seller will receive more than legal interest on the property sold, in the value of the buildings and other improvements which will have been put on the property.

Regarding this as an enterprise of great importance, not only to this immediate neighborhood but to the State at large, we trust that Mr. Borra will receive the encouragement which may be necessary to enable him to prosecute his scheme to success.

Mr. Joseph Borra is aware that the five years credit without interest is not usual or customary. Nor would he ask the land on such terms, did he not know that he will have to grant an acre of ground and a dwelling to each emigrant family, free of charge, during this same period, as an inducement to listen to his scheme and consent to enter into the enterprise.

After a personal examination of the soil and climate of these counties during the last four months, it is the opinion of Mr. Borra that the lands are better adapted for the culture of the vine than the State of Ohio, where the experiment has proved eminently successful. The land is not so rich as in Ohio, but it seems better for this kind of crop. As he has been engaged in this business, also, he desires to plant a vineyard in connection with the silk business. His address is Richmond, Virginia, where all letters of inquiry should be sent.

To such persons as seek information on this last subject we would refer them to the following extracts from the " Journal of Pharmacy," published by authority of Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, " On the production of Wine, Brandy and Tartar, in the Valley of the Ohio":

"During a recent visit to Cincinnati, we had several opportunities of inquiring into the progress of the grape culture in that neighborhood, and were gratified at the very considerable progress that has been made in that branch of industry. The hillsides around the city are thickly spotted with vineyards, and the culture of the vine is spreading from farm to farm; the excess of produce, beyond the demand of the table, finding a ready market at the wine presses of the large growers and wine makers. The difficulties and discouragements incident to all new enterprises are being gradually overcome, the kinds of grape best adapted to the soil and climate have been ascertained, and the wine growers now look forward to an annual increase of their crops. In 1846 there were 83 vineyards in the neighborhood of Cincinnati, containing 284 acres under cultivation, and 114 acres bearing, and 24,000 gallons of wine were made. In 1852, 1200 acres were in culture, and 750 bearing, and the yield w r as calculated to be 500,000 gallons, but a small portion of the grapes or wine called sparkling (or Champagne) Catawba, was worth S'1,000,000. A basket of grapes will yield from three to three and a half gallons of juice. Mr. Buchanan commenced planting his vineyard in 1843; in 1853 he obtained from five acres 423G gallons, or 847 gallons from an acre. In particular spots, there has been obtained 800 gallons from an acre, but 650 gallons is considered a lar°;e vield."

PAYMENTS TO THE SOUTHERN PLANTER,

To the 1st of October, 1854.

All persons who have made payments early enough 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 T. White to January 1855 $2 00

Joseph Blanton to April 1855 1 00

James Bowen to September 1854 1 00

Maj. James Paxton to May 1855 1 00

A. C. Morton to Januarv 1854 7 00

L. W. Allen to January ^1855 1 00

John Goodwin to September 1855 1 00

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

313

A. W. Talley to January 1855

0. H. P. Terrill to January 1855

Needham L. Stith to January 1855

Owen C. Fowler to January 1855

W. F. Hobbs to July 1855

W. H. Hughart to January 1855

William AValton to July 1855

Kev. D. M. Wharton to January 1835

F. W. Battaile to January 1855 Thomas A. Keith to July 1855 Thomas 0. Dearen to Jauuary 1855 E. W. Poinclexter to January 1855 Augustus A. Hancock to August 1854

G. M. Savage to March 1855 Lancelot Burruss to January 1856 T. Evans to October 1855

Thomas E. Coleman to January 1856 Robert 0. Grayson to July 1855 R. T. Pleasants to July 1855 E. J. Peebles to January 1854 Henry A. Wise to July 1856 Dr. W. L. Graham to January 1855 James S. Horner to xlugust 1855 P. Woolfolk to July 1855 Richard T. Green to January 1855 Mrs. F. T. Harvey to July 1855 Dr. P. H. Foster to January 1855 Thomas S. Martin to October 1855 Dr. Thomas Smith to January 1856 Dr. S. S. Griften to January 1855 Capt. P. 0. Lipscomb to January 1858 W. M. Bowie to January 1855 Dr. Thomas Nelson to July 1855 William C. Paxton to January 1856 Samuel A. Guy to September 1855 T. Woodson to October 1855 William 0. Chambiiss to April 1854 Capt. L. D. Hawkins to October 1855 Stephen Dodson to January 1855 Henry M. Kirby to January 1855 George R. Gibbons to July 1855 Jefferson Flippo to January 1855 William Johnston to January 1855 Jesse Jarratt to July 1855 Dr. Daniel Janney to July 1855 Yardley Taylor to July 1855 Rev. George Adie to July 1855 A. T. M. Rust to July 1855 L. W. Robinson to October 1854 James Paxton to January 1854 Col. Wm. A. Sheffield to January 1855 Samuel II. Hairston to January 1855 William 0. Fontaine to January 1855 Wellington Goddin to July 1854 P. W. Hairston to October 1855 Hugh McClure to January 1855 Wo >d Bouldin to January 1856 Ambrose White to January 1855 John H. Tabb to January 1855 Wm. E. Gannaway to September 1854 Joseph C. Haley to January 1855 A. B. Anderson to September 1855 Dr. W. H. Twyman to July 1854 George Stillman to September 1855 John V. Cawthorn to January 1857 Blair Burwell to January 1855 James B. Newman to September 1854 James Barbour to July 1854 John H. Wilkes to January 1855 Samuel Berger to January 1855 James Graves to January 1855 Dr. Miles George to January 1855 Joseph Woolling to September 1854

VALUABLE FARM AND WOOD LAND FOR SALE. The subscribers offer for sale a most valuable farm, called "Farmington," lying in the county of Charles City, about six miles below the Court House, within two miles of "Kennon's," one of the most public landings on James River, having also the advantage of a creek running up to the land, making it very convenient to receive lime and deliver grain and wood. Said tract contains about 1500 acres, 575 of which are in cultivation under the five field rotation, all of which has been limed once, about two-thirds twice, and a portion three times. It is now well set in clover and producing heavy crops of wheat, corn and oats. The balance of the land is heavily timbered, and well worthy the attention of persons engaged in the lumber and wood business. It is supposed by judges that from 8000 to 10,000 cords of wood might be cut off the land, (leaving a sufficiency of timber for the farm,) which commands readily, at the landing, $3 50 to $4 per cord. The buildings on the firm are all in good repair; the dwelling is a frame one, containing seven rooms, with an office in the yard and all necessary outhouses, barns, stables, &c. for carrying on farming on a large scale. For further information apply to RUFFIN & AUGUST, General Agents for the sale and purchase of Lands, octf No. 153 Main Street, Richmond, Va.

wUFPOLK PIGS from the stock of Prince Albert, which O gained the gold medal at Smithfield Club, England, also the first prize at the exhibition of the Norfolk Agricultural Society, Massachusetts, 1853, two to three months old, supplied with food delivered on board Express cars or vessel on receiving thirty dollars per pair. Or they will be sent to any part of the United States, upon receiving a certificate of deposit for forty dollars, from the Postmaster, that upon their reception, in good order, free of expense, he will pay. Address JAMES MORTON,

West Needham, Mass. Or GEORGE H. P. FLAGG,

Boston, Massachusetts. se3t*

j

T)OOKS ON AGRICULTURE, &c—J. W. Randolph, Jl » Publisher, Bookseller and Binder, Richmond, offers for sale a large stock of works on Farming, Gardening, Horses, Cattle, &c. Among the most valuable are the Plantation Book, Ruffin on Manures and Agricultural Education. Catalogues will be furnished to all who apply. Ruffin's Agricultural Elssays will be published soon, oc—2t

I>ROGUES!! BROGUES!! BROGUES!!!—6000 pair J Richmond made Brogues for sale on accommodating terms, by N. DEVEREUX, Leather Dealer,

132 Gary Street, oc2t between the Columbian Hotel and the Basin.

1 00

1 00 10 00

PURE GAME FOWLS.—The subscriber takes pleasure in the announcement to the public his stock of Game Fowls, which he keeps on hand and for sale. Thorough breeds from the best stock of Mexican, Kiimey, Butcher, Caroline, Creole and Earl of Derby Game. Prices ranging from two to ten dollars per pair, according to quality and age. Address J. McL. ANDERSON,

octf Ruther Glen P. O., Caroline County, Va.

ARTIFICIAL GUANO for sale in quantities to suit purchasers, at $25 per ton. Apply to oc3t RICHARD CAUTHORN, 15th Street.

/ tHOlCE FOWLS FOR SALE.—I he subscriber \y lias the following kinds of chickens, ducks and geese : Ebon Sumatra, Bengal, Java, Pheasant and Mallacca game chickens ; the Aylesbury and Java ducks, and Hong Kong geese: each breed warranted pure and distinct. He has also various crosses of the above named chickens, which in size, beauty and symmetry surpass the original stock. All of which he will sell on reasonable terms, securely cooped and delivered either in Richmond or on the Canal", (free of extra charge.) Address

DR. ERASMUS POWELL, oc3t* Powell's Tavern, Goochland Co., Va.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER

THE HORSE, THE HORSE,

1VT0BLEST OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS, and the

li one most frequently ill-treated, neglected and abused. We have just published a book so valuable to every man ■who owns a Horse, that no one should willingly be without it. It is entitled the modern horse doctor, and is from the pen of that celebrated English Veterinary Surgeon, Dr. George H. Dadd, well known for many years in this Country, as one of the most successful, scientific and popular writers and lecturers in this branch of medical and surgical science. The book which he now offers to the public, is the result of many years study and practiced experience which few have had. From the numerous and strong commendations, of distinguished men and the newspaper press, w r e select the following: Extract from a letter from Hon. John H. Clifford, Ex-Governor of Massachusetts.

New Bedford, May 11, 1854. Dr. Dadd, —Dear Sir:—I hope your new work on the noblest creature that man has ever been permitted to hold in subjection, (the Horse,) will meet with that success, which all your elforts in this direction so well deserve. Your obedient servant.

John H. Clifford.

From Hon. Marshall P. Wilder.

Boston, May 13, 1854. Dr. Dadd, —My Dear Sir :—I am greatly obliged to you for the valuable treatise, the results of your own investigations which you have recently issued, hoping that it may meet with the patronage of a discriminating community. I remain yours with great regard

Marshall P. Wilder.

The Modern Horse Doctor, by Dr. G. H. Dadd, is a manual of genuine science, and ought to be owned and studied on the score of humanity, as well as interest, by every man who owns a horse.— Boston Congregationalism

Dr. Dadd has had great experience in the cure of sick horses, and explains the secret of his success in this vol.— New York Tribune.

The author of this work is well known as a most skilful veterinary surgeon. His book is based on the soundest, common sense, and as a hand-book for practical use, we know of nothing to compare with it.— Yankee Blade.

We know Dr. Dadd well, and are satisfied that he possesses most important qualifications for preparing such a book as this.— New England Farmer.

Messrs. Jewett & Co. have just published a very valuable work by Dr. Dadd, a well known veterinary surgeon, on the causes, nature and treatment of disease, and lameness in horses.— Farmer's Cabinet.

This is one of the most valuable treatises on the subject, ever published; and no owner of that noblest of the animal race, the horse, should be without it. Especially should it be in the hands of every hotel and livery-stable keeper. To many a man would it be worth hundreds of dollars every year.— Ind. Democrat, Concord.

By far the most learned and copious work on the horse and his diseases we have ever seen.— N. Y. Evangelist.

One of the greatest and most commendable qualities of this work, is, it is practical and plain to the comprehension of those farmers and others for whom it is mainly designed. The course of treatment favors generally a more sanative and rational system of medication than that recommended in any previously existing woiks on farriery. No farmer or owner of a horse should be without this book. Stable keepers, stage proprietors and hackmen, we believe, would derive profit by having at least one copy hung up in their stables for use and reference by their stable men.— Daily Nei PS, Philadelphia.

There is more common sense in this book than any of the kind we have ever seen, and farmers and owners of horses would find it a matter of economy to possess them selves of it. It will be of more service than the counsel of a score of ordinary doctors.— Albany Courier.

We deem this decidedly the best and most reliable work on the "Cause, INature. and Treatment, of Disease and Lameness in Horses/' ever published.— Nantucket In quirer.

What we have read of this book induces us to regard it as a very sensible and valuable work; and we learn that those much more competent to judge of its value have given it their unqualified approval.— Ev. Traveller, Boston.

This book supplies a great desideratum, which Skinner's admirable treatise on the horse did not fiil. Every man may be his own veterinary surgeon, and with much greater safety to this noble animal, than by trusting him to the treatment of the empirical itinerants who infest the country. It is well illustrated, and should be purchased by every man who owns a horse.— Ev. Mirror, N. Y.

This is a book that should be forthwith put into the hands of all who own or drive horses whether for the dray or gig, for the plough, omnibus or road, for hard service or pleasure.— McMakirfs Courier, Philadelphia.

A good, clearly written book, which should be in the hands of every man who has a horse whose ills his affection or his purse make it worth while to cure.— Bangor Mercury.

This is a scientific, thorough and complete treatise upon the diseases to which one of the noblest of animals is subject, and the remedies which they severally require.— Ti oy Daily Budget.

It is a valuable book to those who have the care of Horses.— Hartford Herald.

He is not worthy to have a horse in his care, who will not use such a work to qualify himself for his duties to this animal.— Commonwealth, Boston.

Published by JOHN P. JEWETT & CO.,

Boston Jewett, Proctor & Worthington

Cleveland, Ohio.

se—3t fTJr For sale by all Booksellers.

I FARMERS' AND PLANTERS' DEPOT, N. E. corner of 7th and Market Street, Philadelphia.—The most varied assortment of Agricultural and Horticultural Implements, Seeds, Dairy Utensils, Fruit and Ornamental Trees, &c, in the United States may now be seen at our Warehouse, and to which we respectfully invite the attention of Farmers and Planters. It having been our earnest endeavor to secure custom, by keeping only the most improved and best made implements, we guarantee all articles sold by us fully equal to representations. Orders from a distance as punctually and faithfully filled, as if the purchaser-were present. We have but one price, to which we strictly adhere. Comprehensive, illustrated catalogues will be furnished gratis, on post paid application.

PASCHALL MORRIS & CO. Agricultural Warehouse, N. E. corner 7th and oc3t Market Street, Philadelphia.

COOPER'S PATENT LIME AND GUANO SPREADERS.—Cooper's Lime Spreader, Guano Spreader, and Lime and Guano Spreaders combined. Sole Agents, PASCHALL MORRIS & CO. Agricultural and Seed Warehouse, oc3t 269 Market Street, Philadelphia.

H

ALLADAY'S WIND ENGINE.—The best machine for raising water by wind-power, in use.

PASCHALL MORRIS & CO. Agricultural Warehouse, N. E. corner 7th

oc3t and Market Street, Philadelphia.

D BERING & DEDERICH'S HAY PRESSES—We are prepared to supply these excellent Presses at a short notice. They are warranted.

PASCHALL MORRIS & CO.

Agricultural Warehouse, oc3t 2G9 Market Street, Philadelphia.

QPAIN'S ATMOSPHERIC BARREL CHURN—We

O are now manufacturing these superior Churns of all sizes. They are warranted equal to any in use.

PASCHALL MORRIS & CO.

V Agricultural Warehouse, oc3t No. 269 Market Street, Philadelphia.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

315

FOR SALE! A BEAUTIFUL AND VALUABLE ESTATE.—Desirous to close my business in Frederick county, and remove to a central part of Virginia more convenient to a large landed estate I own in that quarter, J offer for sale, Springdale and Barlonsvillc, with various Mills, forming certainly one of the finest estates in the whole country. Springdale contains upwards of 800 acres of fertile land chiefly limestone, or of a kind, mixed soil, upon a clay basis, all admirably adapted to wheat, corn, timothy and clover. There are about 60 acres of creek bottom of surpassing fertility, which might be cultivated twenty years in succession with but little depreciation. Indeed, the enduring quality of the soil is a characteristic of the whole farm, justifying stubbling and repeated continuous crops. For example, I have a small field which for twelve years has been in wheat or corn, and in all that time never failed to yield a noble crop. Three or four successive crops of wheat from the same ground is a common practice with me, without injury to the land or of any abatement of quantity produced.

The improvements on this estate are those which taste and a free expenditure of money for fifty years could make. There are 6j miles of limestone fencing, 5 miles of paling and plank, and the balance of locust stake fencing. There are 26 enclosures from lots of 4 or 5 acres to fields of 50 acres. The wood land, 170 acres, consisting of open forests of black walnut, ash, hickory and oak, is divided in eight lots, all enclosed and yielding pasture for sheep and cattle. A fine stream flows a mile and a half through the farm, and never failing springs rise in many of the fields.

The dwelling-house is a well constructed building of two stories, covered with tin roof, having dining-room, parlor, library, six chambers, beside four cellar and three attic rooms. There is a large and handsome piazza in front and a portico in the rear. The building is 90 feet in length, including the wings, of substantial hew T n, square limestone, and having eight dormer-windows. A two story stone building, 50 feet in length, used as a negro quarter. An extensive barn, with stone underpinning and shedding; excellent stabling, stone and frame, sufficient for thirty head of horses; also, houses for hay and extensive shedding for cattle; two corn houses, one rat-proof, capable of containing 1000 barrels of corn, besides granaries for wheat, oats, &c; carriage house, ice house, admirable dairy, with a large limestone spring very convenient to the house; large stone smoke house, overseer's house, wagon and cart sheds, and other convenient out houses.

The Village consists of stone house with eight rooms, long used as a wagon stand, large stone blacksmith shop, wagon and cooper shop, several excellent buildings, occupied by mechanics, with stabling, stone smoke houses, gardens, &c.

There are two excellent and large orchards of selected summer and winter fruit, the proceeds of which I sold one year for $1200.

The Merchant Mill is a three story building partly of stone and partly frame, capable of grinding 20,000 bushels of wheat annually. It does also a large share of country grinding, and has a valuable plaster and saw mill attached; also, near it a miller's house, stabling, garden, &c.

This property is 5£ miles from Winchester, a flourishing town of near 5000 people, and the terminus of the rail road connecting with Baltimore. The Manassas Gap Rail Road, connecting with Alexandria, Washington and Richmond, is only 11 miles south. The projected rail road from the Manassas Gap to the Coal Field will pass only a mile from Springdale, while the Valley Rail Road from Winchester to Staunton, undoubtedly soon to be made, will touch upon the farm. The Great Valley Turnpike, extending from Winchester to Tennessee, passes nearly a mile and a quarter through the farm, over which several mail coaches are driven every morning and evening, directly in sight of the house. These, together with the large number of carriages and other vehicles, hourly passing through a densely settled country, give to the farm a most cheerful aspect. The morning papers from Washington and Baltimore are received every day soon after dinner. The celebrated Capon Springs are but 20 miles off—Jordan's Sulphur but 10. There are 20 churches of various denominations within a

circle of 6 miles. A mile and a half from the farm is the village of Newtown, containing nearly 1000 inhabitants, with churches, an academy, post office, several stores, and various mechanic shops, &c. The farm is surrounded by a refined society, and in forty minutes a gentleman can take his family to Winchester over a beautiful turnpike to church, or upon a visit to a very clever and genteel people.

Sincerely desirous to sell this estate, but to avoid all higgling and needless applications, I will state my price for the whole, including the mills described, is $72,000—one-half cash, the balance I am content to say two, four, six and eight years, the purchaser paying interest and securing all by a lien on the property. There are three farms united, with improvements on each, but I will not separate them in any sale. A good manager may always calculate on from 5000 to 6000 bushels of wheat each year, worth at the home market an average of .$6000. This is a clear net crop, for the corn, hay, stock, (fcc, will more than pay all expenses. The mills, houses and orchards, will rent for $1200 per annum—thus making an income of $7200 from about $80,000 invested, including stock on farm, &c, .or about 9 per cent. Such is the admirable tilth of this farm, its cleanness, condition of the fences, its level or gently rolling surface, &c, eight laborers can cultivate it. A healthier spot can hardly be found on earth. In a family of some 75 persons, including tenants, for 35 years, I have never known a case of bilious or intermittent fever.

To the wealthy merchant or professional man, who wishes to retire from business and enjoy health and ease, at a delightful residence, or the industrious farmer, looking to a profitable investment of his money, the extraordinary conveniences and resources of this farm present equal attractions. No one will purchase so valuable an estate without some personal acquaintance. To those at a distance disposed to inform themselves, I refer to a number of friends or neighbors who have visited this farm, many of whom are extensively acquainted with the facts set forth in this advertisement. In the event of a sale, the purchaser may have leave to sow wheat this fall, one hundred acres being already ploughed for the purpose, and I will give complete possession by the first of next October, if desired.

References. —Hon. James M. Mason, Senator; Hon. A. A. H. Stuart, Staunton, Virginia; Charles Barnard, Esq., Boston; Moncure Robinson, Benjamin Etting, Esqs., Philadelphia; A. P. Kennedy, S. K. Burkholder, Esqs., Baltimore; Capt. L. M. Powell, Capt. William McBlair, United States Navy, Washington; Ro. B. Boiling, Esq., Petersburg, Virginia; William H. Macfarland, R. B. Haxall, Samuel Marx, Esqs., Richmond, Virginia; Myer Myers, Esq., Norfolk, Virginia; James K. Marshall, Esq., Alexandria, Va.; John G. Meem. Esq., Lynchburg, Virginia; Dr. Rice, New Market, Virginia; Dr. R. T. Baldwin, T. A. Tidball, H. M. Brent, James Marshall, Joseph H. Sherrard, D. W. Barton, Esqs., Winchester, Virginia; John S. Magili, William S. Jones, Joseph Long, James Chipley, F. B. Jones, James Gilkeson, Esqs., Frederick county, Virginia.

R. W. BARTON.

Near Winchester, Va., July 10, 1854.—autf

WILLIAM P. LADD, Apothecary and Druggist, No. 319, head of Broad Street, Shockoe Hill, Richmond, Virginia, dealer in English, Mediterranean, India and all Foreign and Domestic Drugs and Medicines; also, Paints, Oils, Varnish, Dye-Stuffs, Window Glass, Putty, &c. For sale on the most accommodating terms.

jjfSIP Orders from Country Merchants and Physicians thankfully received and promptly attended to. ian '51—tf

AGENCY FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF IMPROVED STOCK.—Stock Cattle of all the different breeds, Sheep, Swine, Poultry, (fee. will be purchased to order, and carefully shipped to any part of the United States, for which a reasonable commission will be charged.

Apply to AARON CLEMENT, Philadelphia.

Refer to Gen. Wm. H. Richardson^ Richmond, Virginia.

N. B.—All letters, post-paid, will be promptly attended to.

ap '53—tf

\

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

A MORRIS, 97 Main Street, is constantly sup-• plied with all New and Standard Agricultural Works. The subscriber respectfully invites the attention of the public to his extensive assortment of Books on Agriculture, among which may be found—

The Chemical Field Lectures for Agriculturists, by Dr. J. A. Stockhardt; translated from the German: edited with notes by James E. Tesehemoeher.

The Field Book of Manures, or the American Muck Book; treating of the nature, properties, &c. of all the principal manures in common use, by D. J. Brown.

The American Farm Book, or Compend of American Agriculture, being a practical treatise on soils, manures, draining, &c. and every staple product of the United States, with the best methods of planting, cultivating and preparation for market, by R.L.Allen

Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology, by James F. W, Johnston, M. A.

The Monthly Journal ofAgriculture, containing the best current productions in promotion of agricultural improvement, including the choicest prize essays issued in Europe and America, with original contributions from eminent farmers and statesmen, 3 vols. 8vo., John S. Skinner, Editor.

The Principles of Agriculture, by Albert D. Thaer.

The Farmer's and Planter's Encyclopaedia of Rural Affairs, embracing all the most recent discoveries in agricultural chemistry, adapted to the comprehension of unscientific readers, by C. W. Johnson, Esq.

European Agriculture and Rural Economy, from personal observations, by Henry Colman.

Chemistry in its Application to Agriculture and Physiology, by Justus Liebig, M. D.

The Book of the Farm, detailing the labors of the farmer, ploughman, field worker, &c, by Henry Stephens.

Elements of Scientific Agriculture, or the Connection between Science and the Art of Practical Farming, by John P. Norton, M. A.

An Essay on Calcareous Manures, by Edmund Ruffin: 5th edition, amended and enlarged.

The Farmer's Barn-Book, by Clater, Youatt, Skinner and Mills.

Together with many other valuable works on farming, the treatment and management of cattle, &c. A. MORRIS,

Bookseller, Stationer, and Dealer in

feb—tf Piano Fortes, 97 Main street.

ALBEMARLE PIGS.

I AM prepared to receive orders for Albemarle Pigs-r-a breed made by crossing several varieties, which will grow to good size, and fatten easily at any age. This breed received some of the highest prizes at the Virginia State Fair. I have, also, four boar pigs, from my large Delaware Sow, (estimated to weigh, nett, near one thousand pounds,) which will be ready for delivery in a few weeks. Address, (postpaid,) JOHN R. WOODS,

ja—tf Woodville Depot, Albemarle, Va.

ANALYSIS OF SOILS, &c.

THE undersigned is prepared to execute the analyses of Soils, Guano, Marls, Plaster. &c. &c. at the Laboratory of the Virginia Military Institute. Packages may be forwarded through Webb, Bacon & Co. Richmond, or Echols & Pryor, Lynchburg. Persons desiring further information will please address WILLIAM GILHAM,

Prof. Chemistry and Agriculture, V. M. I. Feb. 1,1852. Lexington, Va.

STOVES AND FANCY IRON CASTINGS

Exhibited at the Virginia State Agricultural Fair, By Messrs. Bowers, Snyder & Carter.

THESE Gentlemen erected Works, about tw< years since, by which they have been exten sively supplying the State with articles for whicl we have heretofore depended entirely upon northen foundries.

Their Cooking Stoves have given entire satisfac tion to all Virginia housewives who have used them On the door of one of these we notice a representa tion of a sheaf of wheat, in which the heads anc even the distinct grains stand out in beautiful reliel They exhibit a specimen of parlor stove especially worthy of notice. Its style and finish are highlj ornamental. Its chief merit consists of a door de signed to increase the draught of the fire, which i: made to revolve vertically upon a pivot.

These manufacturers, in a modest, unpretending way, are rendering good service to the State, by de veloping her resources in this branch of domesth industry. E. B. Spence,

H. M. Smith, James P.ae, Committee on Household Implements,

I have sold principally, for the past two years the stoves manufactured by Messrs. Bowers, Snyde & Carter, at the Richmond Stove Works, and hav' found them to give my patrons entire satisfaction both in their operation and durability.

Charles D. Yale, 130, Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, Depot fo

Bolton & Yale's "Caloric Air Furnace."

jan 1854—ly

EAGLE FOUNDERY.

THE subscriber having removed to the larg Foundery, just erected by him and fitted ou with machinery of the latest and most approve style, is, in addition to the manufacture of Tobacc Flattening Mills, prepared to receive orders for StE tionary Steam Engines, Saw and Grist Mills, Agr. cultural Machines, Tobacco Presses of every de scription, and all kinds of Iron and Brass Casting: He pledges himself to execute faithfully, and wit dispatch, all work entrusted to him, and respectfull solictsacall from hisfriendsand the public generally The highest cash prices paid for old cast iroil brass and copper. PHILIP RAHM,

ja—ly Cary, between Pearl and loth st:

BOOKS, PIANOS, MUSIC, &c.

JAMES WOODHOUSE, Wholesale and R( tail Dealer in Books, Piano Fortes, Statio? ery, Music, &c. 139 Main St., Richmond, Virgini; Constantly on hand, a full supply of standar Agricultural Works. oc—tf

SINTON & SONS' NURSERY, N EA1 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

AS the season for planting has arrived, the sul scribers would respectfully call the attention their friends and the public generally, to their lars and extensive collection of Fruit Trees, embrai ing, perhaps, a selection that has not been surpasser for the climate of Virginia, and nearly all prop; gated from fruit-bearing trees in their own orchard

Catalogues, with directions for planting, may t had at William Palmer's Seed and Plough Stor< at Peyton Johnston & Brother's Apothecary Ston at C.J. Sinton & Co's. Hardware Store, and at L< gan Waller's Commission House, where any orde left will be punctually attended to, and letters a< dressed to the subscribers, Richmond, will receit prompt attention.

nov—tf JOSEPH SINTON & SONS.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

317

FARM, STOCK, CROPS, NEGROES, &C, FOR SALE.—The subscribers are authorized to sell a valuable farm in the county of Buckingham, 5£ miles from the Court House, containing upwards of 800 acres, having on it every necessary improvement, consisting of a handsome two story dwelling just completed, barn with threshing machine, stables, corn crib, carriage and ice houses, blacksmith's shop, &c, with a kitchen and meat house about to be erected. It has also a fine garden and an orchard of choice fruit, embracing almost every variety grown in Virginia. It will be sold with the growing crops, (175 bushels of wheat and 100 bushels of oats have been seeded) stock, tools and implements of every description, and 16 first rate farm and house servants, one of whom is a good blacksmith.

This farm is situated in a region proverbial for health and agreeable society, 15 farms and dwellings being in view from the dwelling.

The owner desiring to remove to the South, and being unwilling to break up the relations existing among his negroes, will dispose of the whole at a great bargain.

For terms, &c, apply to

MARTIN GOLDSBOROUGH, Baltimore, or RUFFIN & AUGUST, Richmond, Va.

j un —tf

SUPERIOR SWINE AND PREMIUM POULTRY.— I am prepared to engage pigs by my large Byefield and superior Suffolk boars, from matchless sows of the following breeds: Byefield, Suffolk, Skinner, Essex, Chester, Delaware, Cheshire and Russian—most of them of mammoth size.

The finest collection of ornamental and domestic Poultry in Virginia—receiving the premium as the finest collection and upon individual pairs. They consist of the following: Brahma Pootra, Imperial Chinese, Colatta, Dorking, Spangled Hamburg, Seabright and African Bantams, Sumatra Pheasant Game, Ablin Game, Mexican Game, Ebon Game Crested Turkey, Purple Turkey, Pure White Turkey, Bremen Geese, Hong Kong Geese, Wild Geese, Crested Bkick and White Ducks, Java Ducks, Penguin Ducks, Rouen Ducks, Aylesbury Ducks, Pure White Guinea Fowls, Italian Pea Fowl, Madagascar or Lopped Eared Rabbits—ears 22 inches long, 5 broad.

The above are bred in separate apartments, and can be obtained at moderate prices by addressing

JOHN G. TURPIN,

mar—tf Clover Dale, near Petersburg, Va.

IMPROVED SUPER PHOSPHATE OF LIME.—The subscriber is manufacturing the above at his Bone Mill, a short distance from the city, of the best and purest kind. Farmers are requested to examine his before purchasing elsewhere; the quality will speak for itself, and his price is the same as that manufactured out of the State.

may—tf R. R. DUVAL.

GREAT REDUCTION IN PRICES OF HATS AND BOOTS.—J. H. ANTHONY'S Fashionable Hat Store, Columbian Hotel Corner. The cheapest place in the city of Richmond to buy hats and boots is at the above store, where every article sold may be relied on as represented. By this means he has gained a good run of custom, and his customers feel satisfied. Below is a list of his prices, which will be strictly adhered to:

Best quality moleskin, $3 50

Second quality moleskin, 3 00

Best quality silk, 2 50

Second quality silk, 2 00

Fine Calfskin Sewed Boots only three dollars and fifty cents.

Also, Caps, Shoes and Umbrellas.

J. H. Anthony has made an arrangement Avith one of the best makers in the city of Philadelphia to supply him with a handsome and substantial calfskin sewed Boot, which he will sell at the unprecedented low price of three dollars and fifty cents. The attention of gentlemen is respectfully solicited, as they are the best and cheapest boots that have ever been offered for sale in this city. He intends to keep but the one kind, and sell them at one price, mar '54—tf

GREAT PREMIUM FAN, patented December 20, 1853. Montgomery's Celebrated Double Screen Rockaway Wheat Fan, has, during the past year, been proved to be the best Fan ever offered in the Middle States, having taken premiums over all that have been offered to the public from every quarter of the United States. It took the first premium at the Maryland State Agricultural Society's Exhibition, in October last, where all the most celebrated Fans were in competition.

The first premium at the Virginia State Agricultural Society's Exhibition, in November last.

The Maryland Institute awarded silver medals to it at its Exhibitions in 1852 and 1853, as superior to all others on exhibition.

The first premium was awarded at the Talbot County (Maryland) Show, in 1852; and

The first premium at the Prince George's County (Maryland) Exhibition, in 1853, by the special vote of the Society, in consequence of its superiority and value, it being contrary to their standing rules to award premiums to articles made out of the county.

We annex the following certificate from a respectable farmer of St. Mary's county, and any number of others could be published if necessary, all tending to show the decided superiority of this Fan over any others that have ever been introduced in the Middle States—and as the manufacturers devote their whole attention to this one article, and rely for its continued success upon the faithfulness of its make, as well as the superiority of its principles of construction, farmers and others may rely on having their Fans made of the best materials and workmanship.

St. Geramers, St. Mary's Co., Md., Oct. 6, 1853.

This is to certify, that I have tried Messrs. J. Montgomery & Brother's Wheat Fan in some tailings I made in cleaning a part of my crop, which I did not think could be made worth anything; it extracted from a bushel and a half of filth about three pecks of pure wheat. I must say that I never saw a Fan that can even come in competition with J. Montgomery & Brother's Rockaway Wheat Fan, for screening wheat. Benjamin M'Kay.

REFERENCES. City of Baltimore: John S. Williams, foot of Commerce street; Messrs. Seth & Godwin, No. 4 Bowly's wharf; E.

B. Harris, No. 4 Bowly's wharf; Michael Dorsey, Light street; Thos. J. Hall, Light street; N. E. Berry, Lombard street, near Charles; R. D. Burns, foot of Bowly's wharf; Mr. Wilmer, No. 2 Bowly's wharf—all commission merchants.

Virginia references: Hon. William S. Archer, Virginia; Gen. B. Peyton, Virginia; Hill Carter, Virginia; Lewis G. Harvey, Virginia; Rowlett Hardy & Co., Petersburg; A.

C. Lane, Richmond; Robert Cole, Richmond, Virginia; M. Heartwall, D. T. Payner, James B. Lundy, J. Ravenscroft Jones, Geo. W. Field, Col. Isham Trotter, John Winbeiks, Wm. Towns, Jas. Hays, Sr., Dr. Wm. W. Oliver, Samuel F'. M'Gehee, AViiliam M. Watkins, William I. Scott.

We are prepared to sell State or County rights to those who wish to manufacture our Fan.

All orders addressed to the undersigned at the Baltimore City (Md.) Post Office, will be promptly attended to. J. MONTGOMERY & BRO. No. 155 N. High St., between Hillen and Gay streets, may—ly Baltimore.

GENERAL AGENCY FOR THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF LANDS.—FRANK : G. RUFFIN, Secretary of the Virginia State Agricultural Society, and N. AUGUST, Notary Public and Accountant, offer their services to the public as General Agents for the sale and purchase of lands in Virginia, and in the Southern and Western States. Those wishing our services, having lands for sale, are requested to furnish us with a full description of snch, property, and the terms, &c, upon which they are willing to sell; and those wishing to purchase are requested to inform us of the locality in which they wish to purchase, the price they are willing to pay, &c. Our charges will be moderate.

Office at the office of the Virginia State Agricultural Society.

jan—tf

IS

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER

WOOL DEPOT.

Richmond, June 22, 185-1.

Dear Sir, —Having been engaged for years past in the sale of Wool, we are fully aware of the difficulties that the Wool Growers of this State have labored under to obtain for their Wool its fair market value. For this there are two causes—one is, that in each lot of Wool, indeed in each bag of Wool, there are several grades, and each purchaser has to buy some Wool that does not answer his purposes; he could not, therefore, afford to pay the full value for an article that he did not want, and which he only bought because it was not assorted. All who are familiar with the sale of tobacco, are fully aware of the loss that the planter sustains who does not assort his tobacco. It is the same case with Wool, to a considerable extent.

Another reason is, that the receipts of Wool have been light, and so scattered that it was difficult to get together a sufficient quantity to attract the attention of purchasers. We have found this operate so strongly that we have not generally attempted to make sale of small parcels of Wool, but allowed our receipts to accumulate; and we have generally obtained from three to five cents per pound more for such large parcels than could be had for small lots. The Wool interest of Virginia is now rapidly increasing, and we think is destined, in a short time, to become an extensive trade. Already there is a sufficient quantity grown, if concentrated to one point and properly graded, to overcome, to some extent, the difficulties referred to above. We think this can be best accomplished by a well conducted Wool Depot. This city appears to be the most accessible point for a majority of the Wool Growers in Virginia.

Being already in this trade, and having an extensive acquaintance with the producers as well as the manufacturers and dealers in Wool, we have determined to open such a Depot in this city, in connection with our present business. In order to conduct it in the most satisfactory manner, we have engaged the services of Mr. John Waterhouse, who was long and favorably known as the efficient Agent of the late Woollen Factory in this city.

All the Fleece Wool sent to us and tub washed Wool, so far as it is practicable, will be graded, and each quality put together, unless the owner prefers that his Wool should be sold alone—in that event he will so direct us.

Our charges will be—

Commission for selling, 2£ per cent.

Storage, grading, fire insurance, advertising and labor, 1 cent per lb.

We shall always sell for cash, unless we find it to the interest of the owners to sell on time. In that event, we will charge 2£ per cent, guarantee. We will be prepared to cash all such sales as soon as made, deducting the interest.

We hope the establishment of such a Depot will meet with your approval, and that we may be favored with your consignments. Yours, most obedient, CRENSHAW & CO.,

Grocers and Commission Merchants, North Side of the Basin, Richmond, Va.

^3T° Liberal advances will be made on consignments of Wool, when required.

Genuine No. 1 Peruvian Guano always on hand, and for sale on the best terms. C. & CO.

autf

STEPHEN H. FISHER, Manufacturer of Boots and Shoes, No. 228, Broad Street, north side, between 3d and 4th streets, Richmond, Virginia, keeps constantly on hand a full assortment of ready made Boots and Shoes of his own manufacture, for Ladies' and Children's wear, which he will sell as low as can be purchased in this city. Boots and Shoes for Gentlemen and Boys on hand, or made to order at short notice. Servants' Shoes of all qualities always on hand. All work warranted.

K^IP Farmers are invited to give him a call. ocly

GENERAL AGENCY AND COMMISSION BUSINESS.—The subscriber tenders his thanks for the man)' calls heretofore received, and again offers his services on reasonable terms. Now for sale many Farms in Mary-ryland and Virginia, Stallions, Bulls, Bucks, Boars, of improved stock; improved Fowls of all kinds; Mares, Cows, Ewes, Sows; Ewes one-half and three-fourths Cotswold; Calves at three months old, one-half Alderney; South Down Ewes with their lambs. For particulars address (post paid) the subscriber, 9

MARTIN GOLDSBOROUGH, 38 Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland. P. S.—Answers to letters particularly desired. M. G. may—tf

ALBANY TILE WORKS, corner of Patroon and Knox streets, Albany, N. Y. Drain Tile of the following descriptions and prices suitable for land drainage, always on hand in large or small quantities of the first, quality, delivered at the docks and railroad depots free of cartage:

Horse-shoe Tile.

4| inch calibre, $18 per 1000 feet.

3$ do. 15 do.

2£ do. .- 12 tlo.

Sole Tile or Pipe.

3 inch calibre, $18 per 1000 feet.

2 do. 12 do.

Large Tile for drains about dwellings, yards, &c, of various sizes, $4 and $8 per 100 feet. Sole Tile, 4 inch calibre, for sink drains at $4 per 100 feet. Drain your land and save your crops. Orders from a distance will receive prompt attention. A. S. BABCOCK.

Albany, April 20, 1854. jun—tf

VALUABLE ALBEMARLE FARM FOR SALE—The subscriber offers for sale that valuable and well known : farm, the D. S., situated on the waters of Ivy Creek, 3| miles from the University of Virginia, 4| from Charlottesville, and immediately on the Staunton and Charlottesville Turnpike, and Virginia Central Rail Road, in one of the most beautiful sections of the State, and in a neighborhood long proverbial for its highly cultivated society, its fertile lands, its pure and abundant water and general healthful-ness; also possessing the greatest facilities to the best of markets. The D. S. contains 695 acres, about one hundred acres in timber, and the balance in a fine state of improvement. It has for man)' years been considered one of the most productive farms in the county, producing finely all the various crops of this section. There is an abundant supply of running water in every field, and large portions of the farm could be converted into watered meadow. The improvements are good and of every variety. Being anxious to sell, terms will be made very accommodating. Address GEO. B. STEPHENS, ap—tf Woodville Depot, Albemarle, Va.

COTSWOLD OR NEW OXFORDSHIRE SHEEP.— The subscriber has for sale a number of yearling Bucks of the Cotswold or New Oxfordshire breed, which he will sell at any time when called for. This ilock has been bred from some of the best ever imported, and are superior to all other breeds for large carcass, heavy fleece, early maturing of constitution, and defy all competition with other breeds for profit. The clips of the two Bucks which were imported last year weighed 17 lbs. of each, of washed wool. A lot of wethers slaughtered last March averaged, alive, 30S lbs., and when dressed for market, 206| lbs. Gentlemen are invited to call and see for themselves, or communicate by mail. Address WILLIAM REYBOLD,

au3t Marslnnount, near Delaware City, Del.

GUANO AND WHEAT DRILLS—We are now receiving orders for PEN NOCK'S celebrated Wheat Drill, with Nelson's Guano Attachment. By the use of the Attachment, at least two-thirds of the guano is saved to the farmer, and as fine a crop of wheat is insured. We warrant the Drill to work well. Persons wishing them will please send in their orders as soon as possible.

MEADE & EACHES, R S. Huck's Old Stand, Fairfax St., 4 doors from King.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER

319

CRYSTAL PALACE.—World's Fair, New York, United States of America—Association for the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations.

EXCELSIOR. The Association for the Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations awards to Elisha S. Snyder of Charlestown, Jefferson County, Virgina, the highest premium Bronze Medal, with special approbation, for the combirfatson he has effected, and the practical application he has gjf en the same, in his Labor Saving Machine for Threshing, Separating, Cleaning and Bagging Grain. Hon. Theodore Sedgwick, President of the Association; Hon. Henry Wager, Western New York, Chairman; Watson Newbold, Esq. Columbus, New Jersey; Col. John W. Proctor, Danvers, Massachusetts; Maj. Philip R. Preas, Germantown, Pennsylvania; Hon. Henry S. Babbit, Brooklyn, Long Island, acting Secretary in Class 9, Jury C.

My Patent Premium Threshing, Separating, Cleaning and Bagging Grain Machine, is for sale, which received the first premium at the Crystal Palace, New York, over all Threshing Separating, Cleaning and Bagging Grain Machines on exhibition, thus proving conclusively that simplicity in construction, cheapness in price and durability in

ly machine, is being fully appreciated, and the old and new costly inferior complicated Separating Machines, must yield their places to a superior Labor Saving Machine. The celebrated Machine for Threshing, Separating, Cleaning twice, Screening and Bagging Grain by one simple operation. The greatest labor saving Machine in the world for separating all pure and impurities. This Machine throws the straw to itself, the chaff to itself, the wheat in the bag, the screenings to itself, and the smut and cheat to itself. Every thing has a place, and everything is in its place to suit the conveniences of the farmer. For simplicity, durability, cheapness and capacity, it has no equal in the world. As for what has been stated in the different papers concern-"ng Mr. Zimmerman's Machine receiving the first premium at the Crystal Palace, New York, is false, and not true. It is also stated that Mr. Zimmerman received a number of

premiums at and other fairs. That I know nothing

about; perhaps he did; but it is very easy to win the race, as the boy said when he ran by himself. But, my honorable friends, this was not the case at the World's Fair, New York. Mr. Zimmerman had a number of other boys to run with besides himself, which made the race more difficult for him; so much so, that he, Mr. Zimmerman, was neither first nor second; so you may judge where he was.

These are facts that cannot be denied. The undersigned would inform the public that his Farmers' Labor Saving Machine for Threshing, Separating, Cleaning, Screening and Bagging all kinds of Grain, is for sale. Farmers wishing to buy the best Machine in use, will address Joseph Glaze, Frederick City, Maryland. Those wishing to purchase the Patent Right to manufacture the Machines, will ddress me at Charlestown, Jefferson County, Virginia. ELISHA S. SNYDER.

July 1, 1854—12t

1\1 OTICE.—DRAYTON G. MEADE, (late of the firm II of Addison & Meade,) and WILLIAM EACHES, having entered into a copartnership, under the name of MEADE & EACHES, for the sale of Agricultural Implements, Seeds, Manures, &c, having bought out the entire stock of R. S. Huck, and located at his old stand on Fairfax street, east side, between King and Prince, will continue to keep on hand a full and complete assortment of the various articles in their line of business, and will always be happy to see their friends, and all who may be pleased to give them their patronage. D. G. MEADE,

WM. EACHES.

(jpp^ The undersigned having sold his stock of Agricultural Implements, &c, to Messrs. Meade & Eaches, returns his thanks to his friends for their past patronage, and re-pectfully asks a continuance of the same to his successors.

Alexandria, Sept. 1—2t R. S. HUCK.

WM. A. BUTTERS, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER,

No. 157 Main Street, Richmond, Va.

THE CHINCHA ISLANDS.

AS many ships to our address are under charter to proceed to these Islands to'load Guano, we beg to submit some particulars relative to the detention of ships and the expenses of loading.

All vessels may expect to lay out the full number of their lay days before loading is completed. A bonus of $10 to $15 per day, for every day saved, is sometimes paid as a gratification to officials. Most ships are kept a month after arrival, before an order is given to ballast, after which it is decided whether they are to load by lighter or by "Mangu-era," or shoot, by which the Guano is run into the hold.

The "Manguera" discharges from 400 to 500 tons per day. All ships dry up very much, from being exposed to a-hot sun, and nearly all are obliged to caulk before leaving, unless they have been very recently caulked. Vessels should be provided with oakum and pitch, and English Caulkers can be obtained at $4 per day and board. American coin or Sovereigns are best for disbursements—the former passing at par, and the latter at $5 each. Captains of vessels, short of funds, can obtain money of resident Houses, if well accredited, at 6 per cent, premium upon sight bills, or draw upon their charters at 12 per cent, premium. The following were the Port Charges and disbursements for a ship of 700 tons: Callao. —Stamps, $5; Sailing License, $11 •• • $16 00

Tonnage Dues, 25c per ton 175 00

Clearance dues, Pisco 4 00

Com'n on Charter 150 00

At the Islands 345 00

Manguera Fees, mooring • • • $20 00

Pilot attending 24 00

Trimm'g Fees, 17c reg'r ton 119 00

— 163 00

Crew to load from Callao and back, 16 men three months each, at $20 per month•• • 960 00

Com'n shipping & boat hire,

$2 each 32 00

Market bill for beef and vegetables, 3 months 300 00

Water bill for the Islands • • • 50 00

Crew shipped to go home, 16 men, at $35 per month, 2 months in advance, $70 each, is 1,120 00

Com'n ship'g and boat hire,

$5 each 80 00

Water to go home 30 00

Captain's expenses at Callao

and Lima 25 00

Add for caulking ship

" " gratification to trimmers and pilots

2,597 00 200 00

30 00

$3,335 00 There is another charge for hire of water casks (2 cents per gallon,) to carry water from Callao to the Islands, which the charter says is to be delivered "free of expense." The water has to be bought, and if the ship has no spare casks, they have to be hired. There is also a chance of losing $50 on the boats or lighters used in ballasting or loading, vessels arriving purchasing of those leaving and when loaded, but not always obtaining as much as they expended, se—tf HUSSEY, BOND & HALE.

BROWN & SHOOK, General Commission and Forwarding Merchants, corner Union and Franklin streets, Richmond, Virginia. All business carefully and promptly executed. mar—ly

UNITED STATES HUTEl,

(formerly union,) Corner of Main and Nineteenth Streets, Richmond, J. E. NORRIS, Proprietor. martf Price of Board, per day, $1 50.