THE 



SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



A MONTHLY PERIODICAL, 



DEVOTED TO 



AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND THE HOUSEHOLD ARTS. 




VOLUME XIV. 

FRANK: G. RUFFIN, EDITOR. 




RICHMOND: 



PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY P. D. BERNARD, SOUTH TWELFTH STREET. 

1854» 




I 
v. 1*4 



». 




THE 



SOUTHERN PLANTER. 

3Debotefc to glsrfctUturc, Sortfcultttrc, autr the JgouseholU ^rts. 

Agriculture is the nursing mother of the Arts. — I Tillage and Pasturage are the two breasts of the 
Xenophon. I State.-^Sw%. 

P. D. BERNARD, Publisher. 



FRANK: G. RUFFIN, Editor. 



Vol. XIV. 



RICHMOND, JANUARY, 1854. 



No. 1. 



VIRGINIA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

Abstracts of Reports of the Committees of the Virginia 
State Agricultural Society, being in continuation of 
the Proceedings as published in the last number of the 
Planter. 

Branch I. 

EXPERIMENTS. 

The Judges on Branch 1 report that they 
have selected for premium those experiments 
which they considered best on the subjects to 
which they relate; and these experiments are 
now submitted to the farmers of Virginia, to be 
judged of by the merit which each may intrin- 
sically possess. 

Specification 1. — Experiment by Edmund 
Ruffin, Jr., of Prince George, "on the Mode cf 
Saving Corn Fodder, &c." a premium of $20. 

Specification 3. — Experiment by Com. Thos. 
Ap Catesby Jones of Fairfax, "on the Action 
or Non-Action of Lime as Manure, &c." a pre- 
mium of $3(». 

Specification 6. — Experiment by Com. Thos. 
Ap Catesby Jones of Fairfax, "on the Tillage 
of Corn, &c." a premium of $20. 

Specification 8. — Experiment by Thos. Jones, 
Jr., of Richmond county, "on the Benefits and 
Products of Guano, compared to costs, &c." a 
premium of $20. 

Specification 10. — Experiment by J. R. Bryan 
of Gloucester, "on Tide Marsh Mud, or Swamp 
Muck, &c. as Manure," a premium of $20. 

Specification 12. — Experiment by Dr. Rob't 
R. Barton of Rockbridge, "on the Value of Sul- 
phate of Barytes as Manure, especially for Clo- 
ver," a premium of $20. 

All of which is respectfully submitted to the 
Executive Committee of the Virginia State 
Agricultural Society. 

William B. Harrison, 
J. Ravenscroft Jones, 
B. J. Worsham, 
Edwin W. Friend. 

Richmond, Nov. 3, 1853. 

Branch II. 

ESSAYS OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS. 

The committee to whom were referred essays 
on the subjects embraced in Branch 2 of the 
Society's Schedule of Premiums, respectfully 
Vol. XIV-1. 



report, that they have examined eight articles 
"on Improving and Enriching Poor Land" — 
several of them essays possessing high merit, 
which it is hoped by the* committee, will be laid 
before the farmers of Virginia in such mode as 
shall be deemed best by the Executive power 
of the Society. Among them are two essays, 
so valuable, in the estimation of your committee, 
that if they did not deem it their duty to decide 
to which, in their opinion, the premium should 
be awarded, they would unhesitatingly recom- 
mend that a premium be awarded both to Mr. 
Edmund Ruffin, Sr., of Hanover, and to Com- 
modore Thomas Ap C. Jones of Fairfax; but 
feeling compelled to decide, they recommend 
that the premium be awarded to the first named 
gentleman. They trust that they will not be 
regarded as transcending the discretion allowed 
them, by also recommending that a like pre- 
mium be awarded to Commodore Jones. 

On the subject of "Rotation of Crops," they 
recommend that the premium be awarded to 
Mr. Edmund Ruffin. Sr., of Hanover. 

In the exercise of a discretion which they 
understand belongs to them under the rules of 
the Society, they forbear to recommend a pre- 
mium to either of two essays "on the accumu- 
lation, preparation and application of stock-yard 
and stable manure." This subject is treated so 
much more fully and satisfactorily in the essays 
upon the improvement of land, that they deem 
it right to withhold this premium, although the 
essays referred to are not without merit, bul are 
superseded by others which embrace this sub- 
ject within their range. 

"On the 'green sand' or 'gypseou*s earth' tff 
lower Virginia," they recommend a premium to 
Major Gilham for his elaborate essay — the only 
one submitted to the committee. 

"On the properties and value of the Southern 
Pea," a highly useful essay was submitted by 
Mr. P. M. Edmondston of N- Carolina, whom 
they gladly recommend as entitled to the pre- 
mium offered on this subject. 

There were no essays submitted to the com- 
mittee upon the 2d, 7th and 8th subjects em- 
braced in this branch. 

Your committee feel much diffidence in allud- 
ing to the labors necessarily incurred in the dis- 
charge of the duties entrusted to them; but 



4IB2* 



A 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



justice to those who may succeed them demands 
that they recommend to the Executive Commit- 
tee, if like duties shall be imposed at future Fairs, 
arrangement be made for allowing them ample 
time to discharge the onerous and delicate task 
devolved upon them. The necessity of a hasty 
decision upon matters demanding the exercise 
of a calm judgment, and opportunities of deli- 
t berate review, may lead to unjust and crude 

decisions, from which, in the present instance, 
and with fewer essays than will probably be 
submitted at future annual meetings, your com- 
mittee even now claim no exemption. They 
would respectfully suggest, that such committee 
shall have at their disposal at least one week 
• before the meeting. of the Society for the consi- 
deration of matters referred to them, and that 
no essays shall be considered by them which 
are not in their possession on the day appointed 
for the meeting of su^h committee. 

Respectfully submitted, 

E. T. Tayloe, 
W. S. Morton, 
J. R. Bryan. 
[Note by the Secretary. — The essay of 
Mr. Ruffin u on the improvement of po'or land," 
referred to in the above report, has been already 
published by the Executive Committee, (to be 
found in this volume of the Transactions of the 
Society and in the November number of the 
Southern Planter for 1852.) The essay of 
Commodore T. Ap C. Jones, on the same sub- 
ject, is now published as a Premium Essay, the 
committee having failed to award a premium 
on it only from misapprehension, supposing 
themselves to be limited in their award to a 
single essay, whereas the Schedule provides 
for an equal premium to each of the best Jive 
essays upon any one of the specifications under 
that branch. 

Mr. Ruin's essay on '"'rotation of crops" and 
Major Gilham's, on "green sand or gypseous 
earth," both of which are subjects of award in 
the foregoing report, have likewise been pub- 
lished by the Executive Committee in the pre- 
vious pages of this volume, and in the Southern 
Planter; the former in the October number for 

1852, and the latter in the April number for 

1853. Mr. Bailey's essay on the "management 
of milch cows" was not received in time to be 
embraced in the foregoing report, but on the 
recommendation of the committee the premium 
on that specification was awarded to him by the 
Executive Committee.] 

Branch III. 

BEST FARMING IN VIRGINIA. 

The committee on Branch 3d — "the best 
farming in Virginia" — recommend honorary 
testimonials for the following twelve farms: 

1. The farm of Gen. Peter Steinberger of 
Mason county. 

2. The farm of Richard Sampson of Gooch- 
land county. 

3. The farm of George H. Burwell of Clarke 
county. 



4. The farm of Willia^n B. Harrison of Prince 
George county. 

5. The farm of William Sayre of Norfolk 
county. 

6. The farm of William Garth of Albemarle 
county. 

7. The farm of James R. Kent of Montgo- 
mery county. 

8. The farm of Hill Carter of Charles City 
county. 

9. The farm of George B. Bell of Jefferson 
county. 

10. The farm of John A. Selden of Charles 
City county. 

11. The farm of Robert M. Taylor of Hen- 
rico county. 

The committee beg leave to report, that the 
most of the honorary testimonials have been 
awarded without written statements of the evi- 
dence upon which the committee decided. They 
have no doubt of the fact that there are many 
farms of equal claims, if not superior, but the 
evidence was not laid before the committee up- 
on which to award. 

John R. Edmunds, Chairman. 
We, the undersigned members of the above 
committee, unanimously agree that the farm of 
our Chairman, John R. Edmunds of Halifax, 
ought to be added to the 
an honorary testimonial. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Braxton Davenport, 
John Harvy, 
E. Ruffin, Jr. 

Branch IV. 

BEST AVERAGE PRODUCT PER ACRE. 

Your committee, appointed to judge and de- 
cide on the best average product to the acre of 
the crops embraced in Branch 4, beg leave to 
report, that they have awarded to Major John 
Marshall M'Cue of the county of Augusta, a 
premium of $20 for the best aveifege product 
to the acre of Indian corn for an emire shift of 
the farm according to its usual or designed 
rotation, consisting of 40 acres of high upland, 
the yield of which to the acre is 82^ bushels of 
shelled corn. We also award to Mr. M'Cue a 
premium of $20 for the best average product 
of clover hay for an entire shift of the farm, the 
yield being 2 tons per acre, and the area of the 
field 42 acres of high upland. We further 
award to Mr. M c Cue a premium of $10 for 
the largest yield of clover hay on a single acre 
of high upland, the said yield being two tons 
per acre. 

Mr. William E. Crenshaw of Orange county, 
has offered before this committee satisfactory 
evidence of a product of 19 barrels and 4 bush- 
els of Indian corn for one acre, and whilst this 
committee is not authorized, according to the 
rules of the Executive Committee, (the yield be- 
ing too small by one-fifth of a barrel) to award 
him a premium, we yet deem it proper to refer 
to the fact and bring it to the favorable notice 
of the Society. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



We award to Capt. John D. Richardson of 
the county of Charlotte, a premium of $5 for 
the best variety of Indian corn, the number of 
grains upon one of the ears amounting to 1287, 
■ the length of one of the ears being 13 inches. 
Many other varieties were presented by Dr. 
John R. Woods of Albemarle, Mr. Edmund 
Ruffin, Jr. of Prince George, Mr. Geo. W. Bas- 
eett of Hanover, Mr. T. M. B. Roy of Henrico, 
Mr. P. Bracy of Mecklenburg, Mr. Thomas 
Jones of Richmond county, Mr. James W. Lo- 
gan of Goochland, and an exceedingly fine spe- 
cimen of yellow corn by Mr. Charles Morriss 
of Buckingham. 

We award a premium of $5 to Dr. John R. 
Woods of the county of Albemarle, for the finest 
variety of wheat, called Gale's Golden White 
Flint, said by Dr. Woods to ripen one week 
earlier than the White Purple Straw, and to 
resist the ravages of the joint worm. 

We beg leave here to make favorable refer- 
ence to samples of fine white wheat presented 
by Mr. Edmund Ruffin, Sr., by Commodore 
Jones of a white wheat called the Sole or New 
York Club Wheat; by Titus C. Rice of Hen- 
rico, of another fine specimen. Mr. N. Golds- 
borough of Talbot county, Maryland, offered 
another fine variety, and Messrs. Thomas Wil- 
son of Rockbridge, and J. H. Davis of Cum- 
berland, each presented fine samples of white 
wheat. 

We award a premium of $20 to Thos. Jones, 
Jr. of Richmond county, for the best average 
product of wheat per acre for an entire shift of 
the farm — the yield being 27 7-9 bushels per 
acre of good wheat. 

We award a premium of $5 to Mr. P. Bracy 
of Mecklenburg, for the best variety of manu- 
facturing tobacco, which we consider exceed- 
ingly fine, both for quality and amount of pro- 
duct. We also beg leave to state that there 
were many other fine samples exhibited, but no 
names were attached to them and no person 
was present claiming them. 

We award a premium of $10 to Mr. Ed. 
Ruffin, Jr. for the largest yield of cornfield peas 
for an entire field of 48 acres, the variety being 
a large early black, and the yield per acre 27^ 
bushels. 

We award a premium of $5 to Mr. Edmund 
Ruffin. Sr. for the best variety of cornfield peas, 
a large early black. 

We award to Mr. William D. Mansfield of 
Louisa, a premium of $10 for the largest yield 
per acre of sweet potatoes — variety, Nanse- 
mond — the yield at the rate of 450 bushels per 
acre. In this connection your committee would 
state, that many very fine specimens of Irish 
potatoes were exhibited by George W. Bassettf 
and Messrs J. and F. Clendining, but, accord- 
ing to the rules and regulations of the Execu- 
tive Committee, we have no authority to award 
premiums for this article. 

We award to Mr. George W. Bassett a pre- 
mium of $5 for the best variety of turnips, called 
the Hybrid, being a mixture of the Ruta Baga 
and White Flat. 



We award to Mr. J. Fulcher of Henrico, a 
premium of $5 for the best specimen of pump- 
kins, the largest weighing 72 pounds, next 67, 
next 52£. 

We award to Mr. Thos. Hartley a premium 
of $5 each, for the best specimens of carrots 
and parsnips. 

Your committee take this occasion»to bring 
to the notice of the Society a very fine sample 
of clover hay cured by Mr. Edmund Ruffin, Sr. 

Before closing their report your committee 
deem it proper to state, and due to cme of their 
members, Mr. M'Cue, that the premiums award- 
ed to him were, upon the unanimous votes of 
the other members of the committee, in which 
Mr. M'Cue took no part. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 
J. R. Garnett, 
Wm. L. Booker, 
T. Carrington, 
J. Marshall M'Cue. 

Branch V. 

i 

LIVE STOCK EXHIBITED. 

Horses — Thoroughbred. 

The Committee on "Throroughbred Horses" 
exhibited at the Virginia State Agricultural 
Fair, November, 1853, submit the following 
report: 

The committeJfenet on Wednesday, the 2d 
instant, all the members being present, and 
proceeded with their business. 

Virginia, and especially that portion of it 
which lies around the metropolis, and South to 
the North Carolina line, has long been cele- 
brated for its superior thoroughbred horses. 
The committee had hoped that at this exhibi- 
tion the State would have maintained its ancient 
distinction and renown. Perhaps this has been 
done, and considering that this is the first exhi- 
bition of the kind in Virginia, we ought to feel 
gratification at the result. The number of ani- 
mals was smaller than could have been wished, 
but many of those shown possessed considera- 
ble excellence and merit. 

It is proper to remark, that in awarding pre- 
miums to stallions, Mr. Botts did not act with 
the committee, as he was* interested in their 
decision. For the like reason Dr. Crump did 
not act in relation to the mares. 

The committee awarded the following pre- 
miums: 

Premium of $30 for the best thoroughbred 
stallion to Hon. John M. Botts' Revenue, by 
Trustee, out of Rosalie Somers, by Sir Charles. 

Premium of $15 for the second best thorough- 
bred stallion to Messrs. Tally & Macon's Tally- 
Ho, by Boston, dam by Tom Tough. 

Premium of $15 for the best thoroughbred 
mare to Dr. Abner Crump's ch. m. Hunca 
Munca, by Priam, dam by Sir Alfred. 

Premium of $8 for the second best thorough- 
bred mare to D. W. Haxall's b. m. Otelia, by 
Priam, out of imported P^-a. 

Premium of $15 for the best thoroughbred 
three year old colt or filly to Captain James W. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



Williamson's ch. f. by Phil Brown, dam by Le- 
viathan. 

Premium of $10 for the best thoroughbred 
two year old colt or filly to Capt. Jas. W. Wil- 
liamson's b. c. by Regent, dam by Rowton. 

Premium of $8 for the best thoroughbred one 
year old colt or filly to Col. Walter Gwynn's gr. 
c. by Revenue, dam Andruetta. 

The committee recommend that a premium 

of $5 be given to Dr. Robert H. Cabell's b. f. 

six months old, by Revenue, dam by Monmouth 

Eclipse, on account of her superior excellence. 

Wm. H. E. Merritt, Chairman. 

Quick Draught and Saddle Horses. 

From the Committee on Quick Draught and 
Saddle Horses: 

Quick Draught Stallions. — First premium to 
Mr. Fellow's "Black Hawk," $30. 

Second premium divided between "Vermont 
Morgan," a bay horse, and "Kossuth," $15, 

No. 2. Brood Mares for Quick Draught. 
First premium to "Star of the West," by Mr. 
Fontaine, $15. 

Second premium to "Roebuck," by T. D. C. 
Graves of Madison, $10. 

"Morning Star," owned by Dr. C. C. Cocke, 
was considered the most perfect specimen in 
form, but lacked size to take the first or second 
premium. 

No. 4. Best Brood Mare for the Saddle. 
First premium to Dr. Abner Crump's sorrel 
mare, $15. 

Second premium to P. St. George Cocke's 
"Sally Hope," $10. 

No. 5. Match Horses. — First premium to Mr. 
Dickinson's bay horses, $15. 

Second premium to Mr. Crutchfield's gray 
horses, $10. 

No. 6. Best Saddle Horse. — First premium 
to W. T. Johnson's brown horse, $15. 

Second premium to H. M. Nelson's brown 
horse, $10. 

No. 9. Best 3 year old Colt or Filly.— Pre- 
mium awarded to Charles Cocke's sorrel filly, 
by Star of the East, $15. 

No. 10. Best 2 year old Colt or Filly.— Pre- 
mium awarded to William C. Rives' imported 
Cleveland Bay colt, $10. 

No. 11. Oneyear old Colts. — Premium award- 
ed to C. H. Rhodes' dark bay filly, $8. 

The committee in several of the classes sub- 
mitted to their inspection found a considerable 
proportion of the individuals, viz. in the class of 
brood mares, saddle horses and two year old 
colts, so nearly equal in all respects as to make 
it extremely difficult to discriminate between 
them; and, therefore, desire it to be understood 
that they have in making their decisions been 

overned by mere shades of difference — there 
being other individuals in their respectiveclasscs 
go nearly equal as to amount to little or nothing 
in the opinion of the judges. In the case of the 
best brood stallion for saddle horses the com- 
mittee had no difficulty in awarding the first 
premium unanimously to "Star of the East," as 
his progeny, in numbers, were before them, and 
compared with the get of any other horse- 



stood unrivalled for symmetry, beauty and fine 
action under the saddle. 

The committee take leave to say in regard 
to Mr. Rives' two year old Cleveland Bay colt, 
that the introduction of so perfect a specimen 
of one of the highly valued races of Great Bri- 
tain may well be regarded as a public benefac- 
tion and entitles this distinguished member of 
our Society to its thanks. 
John H. 

Heavy Draught Horses. 
The Committee on Heavy Draught Horses, 
Branch 5, award the first premium of $30 to 
Mr. W. J. Blackford of Jefferson, for his dun 
stallion, Orphan Boy. 

The second premium of $15 they award to 
Mr. Henry Martin of Fairfax county, for his 
stallion, Black Hawk. 

For the best mare for heavy draught they 
award the first premium of $15 to J. W. Ware 
of Clarke county, for his two year old black 
filly. This was the only mare presented for 
their inspection, but the committee were unani- 
mous in the opinion that she was worthy a first 
premium. 

James M. Ranson, 
M. G. Harman, 
James Bumgardner, 
Hillary Harris, 
W. P. Dabny. 

Mules and Jacks. 
The Committee on Mules and Jacks having 
filled the vacancies occasioned by the absence 
of three of their number by the appointment of 
William Branch of Albemarle county, Joseph 
Jesse of Caroline county, and Thos. J. Deane 
of Richmond city, discharged the duty assigned 
them, and beg to submit the following report: 
They award the premium of $30 to Dr. John 
Minor of Stafford county, for his jack, "Daniel 
Boon," an animal of fine form and size, with 
good bone and great muscular power. 

They award the second premium of $10 to 
Jos. W. Campbell of Albemarle county, for his 
jack, "Ferdinand," an animal of excellent parts. 
They award the premium of $20 for the best 
jennet, a very fine animal, to Dr. B. C. M. Fran- 
cisco of Louisa county. 

The committee also award to Benjamin W. 
Green of Henrico county, the premium of $20 
for the best pair of mules, "Belle and Flo- 
rence," one of which was six, the other five 
feet nine inches in height, of splendid form and 
great beauty. They were without competitors. 
The committee, without authority lo award 
other premiums than those above desiirnaied, 
would recommend the award of a premium of 
$10 to Mr. Wm. Gilmer of Albemarle county, 
for a yearling mule, "Mary," eighteen months 
and seven days old, five feet two inches in 
height, of excellent form and carriage. 

Th. M. Bondurant, 
William Branch, 
R. M. Bridges, 
Thos. J. Deane, 
Joseph Jesse. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



Short Horns and Herefords. 

The Committee on "Short Horn Durhams" 
report, that while they found some of fine cha- 
racter in all the points constituting the excel- 
lence of the Durham stock, others they could not 
recognise as belonging distinctly to that class. 

They award the premium of $30 to "Billy," 
a bull over three years old, owned by P. T. Nel- 
son of* Clarke county. In assigning this prize 
to that animal, they are governed by his marked 
and distinct trace of pure blood. His length, 
surloin, ribs, well set up and full formed thighs, 
are sufficient to give him the preference over 
all his competitors. 

Your committee have not awarded any other 
premium to that class and age of bulls, because 
the standard of excellence to which they had 
determined that all, exhibited for prizes, should 
prove equal, was not found, as they believe, in 
any of those produced on the ground. 

They award the first prejpium of $15 to "Red 
Rover," a bull between two and three years 
old, owned by William C. Rives of Albemarle. 
He was the only animal offered of that age. It 
would have been difficult to produce a better 
one. Every view you take of him announces 
a pure, unadulterated Durham. His silky feel, 
ingrained color, full formed thighs, loin, and 
good skin, places him justly in the position they 
have assigned him. 

They award the first premium of $15 to "Tal- 
bot," a bull between one and two years old, 
owned by J. N. Goldsborough of Baltimore. 
The second best a premium of $8 to "Orion," 
owned by Wm. C. Rives of Albemarle. 

Not much difference existed between the com- 
petitors for this premium, but your committee 
believe that Talbot will make the finest breed- 
ing animal. 

They award the first premium of $30 on cows 
over three years old, to "Silkey," owned by W. 
W. Glenn of Baltimore. The second premium 
of $15 to "Belle Chester," owned by J. N. 
Goldsborough of Baltimore; and the third pre- 
mium of $8 to "Dairy Maid," owned by Philip 
Slaughter of Rappahannock. 

Your committee felt no hesitation in assign- 
ing the premium to one or the other of the two 
first named cows— both are good, possessing 
fine points and evidence of pure blood. In fa- 
vor of Dairy Maid evidence was produced be- 
fore them of remarkable good milking qualities 
— an excellent inducement to purchasers and of 
true value to the owner, yet in point of beauty 
and symmetrical formation she was inferior to 
her competitors. 

No two year old heifers were shown them. 

They award the first premium of $15 to 
"Snow Drop," a heifer one year old, owned by 
Corbin Warwick of Richmond. The second, 
of $8, to "Fanny," owned by the same gentle- 
man — none others contending. 

P. H. Steinbergen, Chairman. 

Devons and Aldemeys. 
The undersigned, a committee to award pre- 



miums on Devon cattle, beg leave to submit the 
following report: 

Bulls 3 years old or over. 
Lewis Bailey of Fairfax, first premium, $30. 
F. G. Skinner of Rappahannock, second pre- 
mium, $15. 

Butts 2 years old. 
Thomas A. Hardy of Norfolk city, first pre- 
mium, $15. 

Gen. Bernard Peyton of Albemarle, second 
premium, $8. 

Bulls 1 year old. 
William G. Crenshaw of Orange, first pre- 
mium, $15. 

Aaron Clement of Philadelphia, second pre- 
mium, $8. 

Cows 3 years old- or over. 

Thomas A. Hardy of Norfolk city, first pre- 
mium, $30. 

W. W. Glenn of Baltimore, second premium, 
$15. 

W. Allen of Surr)r, third premium, $8. 

Heifers 2 years old. 
Thomas A. Hardy of Norfolk city, first pre- 
mium, $15. 

Gen. Bernard Peyton of Albemarle, second 
premium, $8. 

Heifers 1 year old. 
Wm. Allen of Surry, first premium, $15. 
Aaron Clement of Philadelphia, second pre- 
mium, $8. 
All of which is respectfully submitted, 

Alex. S. Mathews, 
Charles C. Tate, 
Henry Massie, 
B. F. Taliaferro, 
R. H. Willis. 

Ayrshires and Holsteins. 

We, the committee appointed to award pre- 
miums on Ayrshires and Holsteins, beg to pre- 
sent the following report: 

For the best Ayrshire bull 3 years old, Rob't 
Dunns' Sir Walter Scott, $30. 

For the second best Ayrshire bull three years 
old, H. H. Rhodes' Red Skin, $15. 

For the third best Ayrshire bull 3 years old^ 
John H. Cocke, $8. 

For the best Ayrshire cows 3 years old and 
upwards — 

First best, L. D. Crenshaw's Beauty, $30. 
Second best, R. B. Haxall's, $15. 
Third best, B. W. Haxall's Diamond, $8. 

For the best Ayrshire bulls between 2 and 3 
years old — 
First best, Ramsay M'Henry's Captain Del- 

getty, $15. 
Second best, Ramsay M'Henry's Home, $8. 

For the best Ayrshire heifers between 1 and 
2 years old — 

First best, L. D. Crenshaw's Rose, $15. 
Second best, Lewis Bailey's Mary, $8. 

For the best Ayrshire bull between 1 and 2 
years old. David Dunlop's, $15. 



s 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



No Holsteins exhibited, within the knowledge 
of your committee. 

The above report is respectfully submitted by 
your committee. 

Andrew Maxwell, 
Jacob Baylor, 
N. T. Page, 

RO. G RATTAN, 

A. Nicol. 
Natives or Grades, 
The Committee on Natives and Grade Cattle 
report, that the number of animals exhibited, 
ling under the denomination of "Native and 
ide," much exceeded that of any other class; 
though the character of the stock of this 
description was not generally of as high an or- 
der as we should have desired, yet, in the main, 
it was highly respectable and affords conclusive 
evidence of a spirit of improvement amongst 
the exhibiters. The committee, in judging 01 
the comparative merits of the animals submitted 
to their inspection, as classified by age, have 
been governed by a desire to recommend for 
premiums such animals only as in their opinion 
combined the best evidences of milking qualities, 
and the highest degree of aptitude to fatten. In 
the division of cows over three years old, many 
very fine animals were exhibited, and the com- 
mittee had considerable difficulty in determining 
to which a premium should be given. 

They recommend that the Society's first pre- 
mium of thirty dollars in this division, be award- 
ed to T. A. Hardy of Norfolk, for his Devon and 
Alderney cow, Milk Maid, five years old. 

The second premium of fifteen dollars, to R. 
W. N. Noland of Albemarle, for his cow, Min- 
nie Wilraer, six years old. 

The third, of eight dollars, to B. W. Haxall 
of Henrico, for his Durham and Ayrshire cow, 
six years old. 

In the division of heifers, between two and 
three years old, they recommend for the first 
premium of fifteen dollars, T. A. Hardy of Nor- 
folk, for his heifer, "Dairy Maid," aged two 
years and two months. 

For the second, of eight dollars, T. L. Farish 
of Albemarle, for his heifer "Alice," aged two 
years and five months. 

For the third, of five dollars, R. H. Kuhn's 
l heifer, "Rachael," aged 2 years and 2 months. 

In the class of heifers between one and two 
years, they recommend S. F. Christian of Au- 
gusta, for his native and Devon heifer, eighteen 
months old, for the first premium of 15 dollars. 

For the second, of eight dollars, S. W. Fick- 
lin of Albemarle, for his Durham, Ayrshire and 
Devon heifer, aged fifteen 'months. 

For the third, of five dollars, R. B. HaxallV 
Durham and Devon heifer, aged 17 months. 

In the class of bulls three years old and up- 
wards they award the first premium of thirty 
dollars toTDr. William G. Smith of Northamp- 
ton, for his Ayrshire and Durham bull, "Char- 
ryton," five years old. 

The second, of fifteen dollars, to G. Y. Wor- 
thington of Maryland, fop his Ayrshire and Dur- 
ham bull, "Prince," three years old. 



The third, of eight dollars, to B. W. Haxalf 
of Henrico, for his Durham and Ayrshire bull,, 
three years old. 

In the class .between two and three years old 
they award the first premium of fifteen dollars 
to T. L. Farish of Albemarle, for his Durham 
and Ayrshire bull, "Ben Bolt," aged two years 
and five months. 

The second, of eight dollars, to Woods & 
Price'i Devon and Alderney bull, from Prince 
Edward, two years and three months old. 

In this division the number exhibited was 
very small, and the committee decline awarding 
a third premium. 

Of bulls between one and two years old, they 
award the first premium of fifteen dollars to J. 
Marshall M'Cue of Augusta, for his Durhara 
and Devon bull, "Otho," aged eighteen months. 

The second, of eight dollars, to L. D. Cren- 
shaw of Henrico, for his grade bull, "Sam," 
aged twelve months. 

The third, of five dollars, to S. W. Ficklin of 
Albemarle, for lis grade bull, "Ben," aged 
fifteen months. 

There were exhibited by Dr. Woods of Albe- 
marle, several grade animals of the stock pre- 
sented by Lieutenant Lynch to the Common- 
wealth, of handsome appearance and great ap- 
parent activity; but as the useful qualities of 
this variety of cattle have not yet been tested 
the committee have not deemed it proper to 
bring them in competition with other grades of 
known and attested value. They would re- 
spectfully recommend them, however, to the 
consideration of the Committee on Discretion- 
ary Premiums, and that this breed should be 
further tested by judicious crosses with other 
improved stock. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

James Newman, 

S. B. FlNLEY, 

Thos. L. Farish, 
J. M. Trevilian. 

Working Oxen. 

For the best yoke of oxen over 4 years old, 
the committee awarded the premium of $30 to 
Mr. L. Bailey of Fairfax, for a pair of fine mus- 
cular afijfmals, of a rich red color, and especially 
remarkable for their thorough training and great 
docility. 

For the second best yoke of oxen over four 
years old, the premium of $15 was awarded to 
Mr. Reuben Newman of Orange, for a yoke of 
Devons, of medium size and great muscular 
power. 

For the best yoke of oxen under 4 years old 
there was no award, but for the second best the 
premium of $15 was awarded to a son of Dr. 
W. L. Wight of Goochland. 

Fat Cattle. 
For the best pair of fat steers the premium 
of $30 was awarded to Mr. H. M. Nelson of 
Clarke county. For the best fat cow the pre- 
mium of $15 to Major James Kent of Montgo- 
mery, and for the best fat heifer $8 to Mr. Jos. 
Fulcher of Henrico. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



9 



SHEEP. 

Fine Wools and Middle Wools. 

The Committee on "Fine Wools and Middle 
Wools," respectfully report the following pre- 
miums: 

Premium for best buck, fine wool, $20, to 
Theodore M. Davidson of Fauquier county, for 
his four year old Spanish Merino buck. 

Premium for second best buck, fine wool, $10, 
to Theodore M. Davidson, for his one year old 
Spanish Merino buck. 

Premium for third best buck, fine wool, $5, to 
Samuel F. Christian, for his two year old Span- 
ish Merino buck. 

Premium for best pen of ewes, not less than 
three, fine wool, $20, to Samuel F. Christian, 
for his 4 Spanish Merino ewes, three years old. 

Premium for second best pen of ewes, not 
less than three, fine wool, $10, to Dr. Wm. L. 
Wight, for his five Spanish Merino ewes. 

Premium for best pen of ewe lambs, not less 
than four, fine wool, $5, to Dr. Wm. L. Wight, 
for his four Spanish Merino lambs. 

Premium for best pen of buck lambs, not less 
than four, fine wool, $5, to Samuel F. Christian, 
for his five Spanish Merino Iambs. 

Premium for best buck, middle wool, $20, to 
be divided equally between William C. Rives' 
Cambridge II, South Down, and R. H. Dula- 
ny's yearling South Down buck. 

Premium for second best buck, middle wool, 
$10, to Aaron Clement, for his South Down 
buck, two years and a half old. 

Premium for third best buck, middle wool, $5, 
to Raleigh Colston, for his South Down buck. 

Premium for best pen of ewes, not less than 
three, middle wool, $20, to R. H. Dulany, for 
his pen of South Down ewes, six in number. 

Premium for second best pen of middle -wool 
ewes, $10, to R. H. Dulany, for his pen of 
South Down ewes. 

Premium for third best pen of ewes, not less 
than three, middle wool, $5, to Aaron Clement, 
for his pen of five South Down ewes. 

Premium for best pen of ewe lambs, middle 
•wool, $5, to R. H. Dulany. 

Premium for best pen of buck lambs, middle 
wool, $5, to R. H. Dulany. 

The committee think it proper to remark that 
they found some difference of opinion to exist 
among exhibiters as to the kind of animals em- 
braced in their division. They were compelled 
to adopt their own construction, which confined 
them to the examination of French and Spanish 
Merinos as "fine wools," and South Down as 
" middle wools," thereby reluctantly excluding 
from their consideration eome fine crosses of 
South Down and Oxfordshire sheep of Col. J. 
W. Ware and Mr. Raleigh Colston to which 
their attention had been invited. 

The Committee on Fine Wool Sheep would 
recommend to the notice of the Society a lot of 
very superior Spanish "Merino buck lambs be- 
longing to Mr. T. F. Davidson of Fauquier, 
-and Mr. Newkirk -cf Geneva, New York, which 



arrived on the ground too late to be offered for 
a premium. 

James M. Morson, 
E. Cunningham, 
Charles L. Crockett. 
Mr. S. F. Christian desires it to be reported 
that he felt himself precluded by a clause of the 
18th section of the "Rules and Regulations" 
from exhibiting any stock but that of his own 
raising. 

C. L. Crockett. 

Long Wools. 

The Committee on Long Wools and Natives 
beg leave to present the following report: 

That though the number contending for pre- 
miums in this department is small, still the spe- 
cimens of stock exhibited are fine and do credit 
to the public spirit of the gentlemen exhibiting 
them. We have awarded the following pre- 
miums: 

To Col. J. W. Ware of Clarke, for his im- 
ported Cotswold buck, 1st premium, $20. 

To R. O. Morriss of Louisa, for his Leicester 
buck, 2d premium, $10. 

To William Allen of Claremont, for his Cots- 
wold buck, 3d premium, $5. 

To Col. J. W. Ware of Clarke, for his pen 
of imported Cotswold ewes, 1st premium, $20. 

To Col. J. W. Ware of Clarke, for his pen 
of imported ewes, 2d premium, $10. 

To John Willis of Orange, for his pen of 
Cotswold ewes, 3d premium, $5. 

To J. N. Goldsborough of Maryland, for the 
best pen of buck lambs, $5. 

We have to report that there were no pens of 
ewe lambs of this grade offered for premiums. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 
William L. Wight, 
William Garth, 

E. Fontaine, 

F. P. Wood, 
Clayton G. Coleman. 

Natives or Mixed Blood. 

The undersigned, Committee on Native or 
Mixed Blood Sheep, beg leave to submit the 
following report: 

There was no grade and only one native buck 
on exhibition. Not considering him worthy of 
the first premium, we have awarded him the 
second, as stated below. 

The exhibition of grade lambs and ewes was 
quite extensive, and many of them so very su- 
perior that we had no little difficulty in making 
selections. We are pleased, however, to say 
that we were undivided in opinion in every in- 
stance. We award to 

Geo. Taylor of Richmond, for native buck, 
the 2d premium, $10. 

J. W. Ware of Clarke, for pen of ewes, 1st 
premium, $20. 

W. Garth of Albemarle, for pen of ewes, 2d 
premium, $10. 

James Newman of Orange, for pen of ewes, 
3d premium, $5. 

J. B. Newman of Orange, for pen of buck 
lambs, premium of $5. 



10 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



John Willis of Orange, for pen of ewe lamb?, 
premium of $5. 

We cannot close our report without a regret 
that our list of premiums was too short to ena- 
ble us to award to Dr. John R. Woods of Albe- 
marle, for his fine yearling ewes and lambs, and 
also to Mr. J. L. Maury for his handsome grade 
ewes. Mr. S. F. Christian and Mr. George 
Taylor had also some very good ewes. 

W. G. Crenshaw, 
S. M'D. Reid, 
D. M. Wharton. 

Imported Sheep. 

Your Committee on Imported Sheep, beg 
leave to submit the following report: 

We have found the exhibition of imported 
sheep to embrace four varieties, each of the 
very finest of its kind. We have, therefore, pro- 
ceeded to award all the premiums intrusted to 
us to each of the different varieties, as we are 
unwilling to discriminate between them. 

To Hon. William C. Rives, for best imported 
Oxford Down buck, $20. 

To Hon. William C. Rives, for best imported 
ewe, $20. 

To Hon. William C. Rives, for 2d best im- 
ported ewe, $10. 

To Hon. William C. Rives, for 3d best im- 
ported ewe, $5. 

To J. & W. P. Brady of Brooke and Ohio 
counties, Virginia, for best imported French 
Merino buck, $20. 

To J. & W. P. Brady of Brooke and Ohio 
counties, Virginia, for 2d best imported French 
Merino buck, $10. 

To J. & W. P. Brady of Brooke and Ohio 
counties, Virginia, for 3d best imported Frenjch 
Merino buck, $5. 

To J. & W. P. Brady of Brooke and Ohio 
counties, Virginia, for best imported French 
Merino ewe, $20. 

To J. & W. P. Brady of Brooke and Ohio 
counties, Virginia, for 2d best imported French 
Merino ewe, $10. 

To J. & W. P. Brady of Brooke and Ohio 
counties, Virginia, for 3d best imported French 
Merino ewe, $5. 

To Col. J. W. Ware of Clarke county, Va. 
for best imported Cotswold buck, $20. 

To Col. J. W. Ware of Clarke county, Va. 
for best imported Cotswold ewe, $20. 

To Col. J. W. Ware of Clarke county, for 2d 
best imported Cotswold ewe, $10. 

To Col. J. W. Ware of Clarke county, for 3d 
best imported Cotswold ewe, $5. 

To Richard F. Dulany of Loudoun, for beet 
imported South Down ewe, $20. 

To Richard F. Dulany of Loudoun, for 2d 
best imported South Down ewe, $10. 

To Richard F. Dulany of Loudoun, for 3d 
best imported South Down ewe, $5. 

• Raleigh Colston, 

O. R. FUNSTEN, 

Robert W. Baylor, 

N. Loughborough, 
Nath'l Burwell. 



SWINE. 

Large Breed. 

The Committee on Swine beg leave to sub- 
mit the following report: 

In the class of large breed they award the 
first premium of twenty dollars to L. D. Cren- 
shaw of Henrico, for his Delaware boar, three 
years and seven months old. In making this 
award the committee consider it but just to Mr. 
Crenshaw to state, that, acting as a committee- 
man, he was desirous of withdrawing his stock 
from competition for premium, but as we were 
unanimous in the opinion that his hog was the 
best upon exhibilion the other members thought 
it but proper that the award should be made in 
his favor, without consulting his commendable 
delicacy upon the subject. 

The committee award the 2d premium for 
boar above two years old to R. P. Graves for 
his Delaware and Chester county hog, two 
years old, $10. 

3. Premium for boar one year old to Charles 
B. Williams of Henrico, for native and Chester 
county breed, $15. 

4. To William Taylor for his boar "Onora," 
aged fourteen months, a premium of $8. 

• 5. To Fendall Griffin for Surry boar, eleven 
months old, a premium of $15. 

6. To Slaughter W. Ficklin of Albemarle, 
for his Chester boar, six months old, a premium 
of $8. 

7. To John R. Woods for his Albemarle bred 
sow, with pigs, a premium of $20. 

8. To John R. Woods for his Albemarle bred 
sow, a premium of $10. 

9. To Lewis D. Crenshaw for his Delaware 
sow, a premium of $15. 

10. To John R. Woods for his Albemarle bred 
sow, eleven months old, a premium of $S. 

11. To Thos. W. Eppes of Petersburg, for 
the best lot of pigs, under five months old, a 
premium of $20. 

12. To Benj. Hickman of Pennsylvania, for 
his Chester County pigs, a premium of $10. 

The committee deem it their dutv to state 
that Mr. Chalkley Harvey of Pennsylvania, ex- 
hibited a lot of pigs equal to any presented, but 
being above five months old the committee had 
no power to award him the premium which the 
superiority of his stock deserved. 

Small Breed. 

13. To R. H. Kuhn of Henrico, the committee 
award a premium of fifteen dollars for his boar 
two years and six months old. 

15. To Thomas A. Hardy of Norfolk, for his 
Essex boar, 16 months old, a premium of $15. 

19. To T. A. Hardy for his three year old 
Suffolk sow, a premium of $15. 

21. To T. A. Hardy for his Essex sow, six- 
teen months old, a premium of $15. 

22. To T. A. Hardy for his Essex sow, seven 
months old, a premium of $8. 

23. To T. A. Hardy for the best lot of pigs 
under five monlhs old, a premium of $15. 

24. To R. H. Kuhn for two best pigs five 
months old, a premium of $8. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



11 



The committee, congratulate the Society up- 
on the highly creditable exhibition which was 
made in this department. 

R. W. N. Noland, 
John S. Minor, 
Lewis D. Crenshaw, 
W. A. Bell, 
Samuel H. Bell. 

PREMIUM ANIMALS. 

The Committee on "Premium Animals" beg 
leave to submit the following report: 

They examined, with much labor and care, the 
animals to which the other committees awarded 
premiums, and regret that they have not time, 
owing to the late period at which they received 
the reports of some of these committees to make 
such remarks as they deem appropriate, and 
would, with great pleasure, have offered under 
other circumstances. It was a matter of great 
difficulty, requiring much examination and nice- 
ty of discrimination, to award premiums in some 
cases, where the merits of some of the animals 
were so nearly equal. This was particularly 
the case with the premium sheep, where much 
diversity of opinion existed among the members 
of the committee, and they regretted they could 
not award premiums to some other very fine 
sheep, so very deserving of such distinction. 
Besides those to whom your committee gave 
these premiums, the remarkably fine sheep of 
Col. Ware, Mr. Clements and Mr. Brady, as 
well as others belonging to Mr. Rives and Mr. 
Dulany, arrested their attention and excited ge- 
neral admiration. 

The same remarks may be made in regard 
to the premium cattle, where several very fine 
animals, of very nearly equal merit with those 
which were honored with these premiums, were 
presented to your committee and gave most 
unequivocal evidence of rare excellence and 
high breeding and form. 

1. For the best stallion of any breed your 
committee awarded the premium of forty dol- 
lars to Hon. John M. Botts' "Revenue," by im- 
ported Trustee, out of Rosalie Somers, by Sir 
Charles. 

2. For best mare of any breed they awarded 
the premium of forty dollars to Dr. A. Crump's 
cb. m. "Hunca Munca " by Priam, dam by Sir 
Alfred. y y 

3. For the best bull of any breed the pre- 
mium of forty dollars to Mr. J. N. Goldsbo- 
rough's Durham bull, "Talbot." 

4. For the best cow of any breed the pre- 
mium of forty dollars to Mr. J. N. Goldsbo 
roughs Durham cow, "Belle Chester." 

5. For the best buck of any breed the pre- 
mium of twenty dollars to Hon. Wm. C. Rives' 
Oxford Down buck, "Duke of Marlborough." 

6. For the best ewe of any breed the pre- 
mium of twenty dollars to Mr. R. H. Dulany's 
South Down ewe. 

7. For the best boar of any breed the pre- 
mium of twenty dollars to L. D. Crenshaw's 
Delaware and Chester boar, "Sam Walker." 

8. For the best sow of any breed the pre- 



mium of twenty dollars to Dr. John R. Woods' 
grade sow. 

There were no pens of fat hogs offered for 
the premiums, which were at the disposal of 
this committee. 

Although not entirely within the province of 
your committee, they beg leave to recommend 
to the Executive Committee the bestowal of a 
premium of fifty dollars to the two little sons of 
Mr. Lewis Bailey, for their four thoroughbred 
and beautiful Devon calves, which they have 
broken and work to a small cart. The com- 
miftee were urged by large numbers of the 
members of the Society, as well as by their own 
feelings, to present these boys to the favorable 
consideration of the Executive Committee, and 
they earnestly hope the Executive Committee 
will in this way reward these boys for their in- 
dustry and talent. They are also strongly re- 
commended as most promising and worthy, 
though poor, having incurred considerable ex 
pense in coming to our Fair. The committee 
believe it is the almost universal desire of the 
members of the Agricultural Society of Virgi- 
nia that this reward of merit should be awarded 
these small boys. 

A box of very fine hats, too late for examina 
tion by the proper committee, was brought to 
the Fair by Mr. Howell, a most worthy and re- 
spectable citizen of Alexandria. Your com- 
mittee would also recommend these hats to your 
favorable consideration as superior in quality 
and worthy of some premium or token for their 
excellence. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

A. T. B. Merritt, 
James R. Kent, 
Thomas S. Hall, 
Benjamin Wood, 
Rufus A. French. 

POULTRY. 

The committee found it difficult to make dis- 
tinctions in the fowls exhibited. They, however, 
awarded premiums to the following persons: 

Best pair of white Shanghai chickens — C. C. 
Burton of Henrico. 

Best pair of Cochin China — Aaron Clement 
of Philadelphia. 

Best pair of red Shanghais— J. Morse of 
Richmond. 

Best pair of yellow Shanghais— Wm. Smith 
of Henrico. 

Best pair of Imperial China— J. G. Turpin of 
Chesterfield. 

Best pair of white Dorkings — J. J. Bower of 
Baltimore. 

Best pair of red Chittagongs — Jer. Porter of 
Henrico. 

Best pair of gray Chittagongs — J. Porter of 
Henrico. 

Best pair of black Poland— J. J. Bower of 
Baltimore. 

Best pair of white Poland— Lewis Bailey of 
Fairfax. 

Best pair of Silver Pheasant— C. T. Thomp- 
son of Richmond. 



12 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



Best pair of spangled Hamburg — J. A. C 
Butters of Massachusetts. 

Best pair of Bengal Game— J. Maury Gar- 
land of Richmond. 

Best pair of Mexican Game — E. L. Taylor of 
Hanover. 

Best pair of Virginia Topknot Game — J. T. 
Duke of Henrico. 

Best pair of Sumatra Ebon Game — Dr. E. 
Powell of Goochland. 

Best pair of Brahma Pootra — N. Taylor of 
Yorktown. 

Best pair of black Spanish — J. J. Bower of 
Baltimore. 

Best pair of Ostrich — Lewis Bailey of Fairfax. 

Best pair of Seabright Bantams— Miss Exy 
Gill of Richmond. 

Best pair of Java — R. H. Kuhn of Henrico. 

Best pair of Sumatra Game — J. A. C. Butters 
of Massachusetts. 

Best pair of Great Malays— J. J. Bower of 
Baltimore. 

Best pair of Jersey Blues — J. G. Turpin of 
Chesterfield. 

Best pair of common Dorkings — J. G. Turpin 
of Chesterfield. 

Best pair of common barn door — H. J. Chris- 
tian of Henrico. 

Turkeys, Geese and Ducks. 

The following persons were awarded pre- 
miums: 

Best pair of common geese — D. E. Gardner 
of Henrico. 

Best pair of wild Geese — J. J. Bower of Bal- 
timore. 

Best pair of China geese — J. J. Bower of Bal- 
timore. 

Best pair of while Poland ducks — H.J. Smith 
of Henrico. 

Best pair of Muscovy ducks — E. L. Taylor of 
Hanover. 

Best pair of common ducks — J. C. Burton of 
Henrico. 

Best pair of common turkeys — D. E. Gardner 
of Henrico. 

Best pair of wild turkeys*— Mrs. F. P. Wood 
of Prince Edward. 

Greatest variety of poultry — J. G. Turpin of 
Chesterfield. 

And for the purpose of encouraging the intro- 
duction into our State of new and valuable va- 
rieties of poultry, the judges would recommend 
premiums for the following, not mentioned in 
the catalogue, as entitled to premiums: 

For the best pair of Egyptian geese — Dr. E. 
Powell of Goochland. 

For the best pair of Curossons, or South Ame- 
rican turkeys— J. J. Bower of Baltimore. 

For the best pair of Bremen geese — W. M. 
Bagley of Lunenburg. 

For the best pair of Hong Kong geese— Dr. 
E. Powell of Goochland. 

For the best pair of African geese— J. J. 
Bower of Baltimore. 

For the best pair Portuguese topknot ducks — 
Ro. M. Hicks of Albemarle. 



For the best pair of Aylesbury ducks — Dr. E. 
Powell of Goochland. 

For the best pair of Poland geese — William 
Palmer of Richmond. 

For the best pair of black Java ducks — J. J. 
Bower of Baltimore. 

For the best pair of crested ducks— J. G. Tur- 
pin of Chesterfield. 

For the best pair of crested, or topknot tur- 
keys — J. G. Turpin of Chesterfield. 

For the best pair of white Calcutta chickens — 
J. G. Turpin of Chesterfield. 

For best pair of Hong Kong chickens — J. G. 
Turpin of Chesterfield. 

W. C. Scott, 
Chastain White, 
J. Maury Garland, 
J. H. Bosher, 
D. E. Gardner, 
W. M. Bagley. 

Branch VI. 

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 

Class No. 1. 

To William Palmer for the best single horse 
plough, $8. 

To Stephen D. Boyd for his PagetVs iron 
shovel plough, $8. 

To George Watt & Co. for Watt's cuff culti- 
vator, $6. 

To E. Whitman & Co., Baltimore, for their 
extension harrow, $8. 

To Commodore Thos. Ap C. Jones for Gideon 
Davis' primitive subsoil plough, $5. 

To Mott, Lewis & Co. for their gang plough- 
and sidewiper, $5. 

To Messrs. Hall & Speer, Pittsburgh, for their 
hill-side revolving beam plough, $5. 

To E. Whitman & Co., Baltimore, for their 
corn planter, $5. 

To H. M. Smith, Richmond, for his flexible 
roller, $10. 

To Mott, Lewis & Co. for the best ditching 
machine, $30. 

The committee expressed their preference for 
the harrow, a model of which was exhibited by 
Commodore T. Ap C. Jones, and speak in terms 
of high commendation of the ploughs, harrows 
and cultivators exhibited by Messrs. Hall & 
Speer. They also recommend to the farming 
and planting community generally the large 
assortments of these articles, of superior work- 
manship, exhibited by Messrs. E. Whitman & 
Co., William Palmer, H. M. Smith, and Mott, 
Lewis & Co. 

Class No. 2. 

For the best broadcasting machine for guano 
to Joseph W. Fawkes, Lancaster county, Penn- 
sylvania, $30. 

For the best broadcasting machine for sowing- 
lime, to the same, $30. 

For the best corn planter to Colvin's drill, ex- 
hibited by A. Kuhn, Baltimore, $10. 

For the best wheat drill, to Bickford & HoflV 
man, New York, $30. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



13 




For the best horse rake, to H. M. Smith, for 
steel tooth rake exhibited by him, $5. 

For the best ox yoke, to William Palmer, $4. 

For the best grain cradle, to G. W. Anderson 
of Augusta, $4. 

For the best horse cart, to George W. Bassett, ; 
manufactured by Eppes, $6. 

For best set of cart gear, to Otey & Goff, $4. 

Class No. 3. 

The Committee on Agricultural Implements, 
Class 3, have found great difficulty in doing 
justice to the various machines which have been 
brought to their attention. This difficulty is in- 
creased, from the fact that the operation of many 
of the machines as exhibited on the grounds of 
the Society and as seen heretofore by the mem- 
bers of the committee on their own farms and 
the farms of their neighbors, show them to be 
of practical utility, and such as at the present 
time are meeting the wants of the agricultural 
community in this and adjoining States. In 
making the following distinctions, therefore, the 
committee will express the hope that their action 
will not be regarded as unfavorable to those 
machines which have not commanded their first 
approval : 

1. For the best sweep horse power the judg- 
ment of the committee is in favor of that with 
bevel gear, manufactured and exhibited by J. 
Haw of Hanover county, Va. They award to 
him the premium of $30. 

2. The large bevel geared power, with double 
bearings manufactured and exhibited by Heman 
Baldwin of Richmond, known as Cardwell's, is, 
in the opinion of the committee, the second best 
sweep power, and entitled to the premium of $10. 

These powers, between which and the two 
above named, it was difficult to discriminate, 
were exhibited by H. M. Smith, Mott, Lewis & 
Co., and P. Rahm of Richmond; J. A. Pitts of 
Buffalo, county, New York; Mr. Sinclair of 
Baltimore, and Mr. Fitz of Pennsylvania, and 
these exhibiters deserve some expression of ap- 
probation from the committee, not only for the 
practical value of their machines, but for the li- 
beral and spirited manner with which they have 
contributed to the exhibition of the Society and 
contended for its premiums. 

3. The best railway horse power was exhibit- 
ed by E. Whitman & Co. of Baltimore. This 
power operates well, but it commends itself par- 
ticularly for the excellent quality of the mate- 
rials, both wood and iron, of which it is con- 
structed, and the very neat and substantial 
manner in which they are put together. It is 
entitled to the premium of $30. 

4. The best threshing machine, without sepa- 
rator, was exhibited by H. M. Smith of Rich- 
mond. This machine, with its spring bed, self- 
oiling box and accurate adjustment, works with- 
out the slightest perceptible jar and most beau- 
tifully. A premium of $15. 

5. The best threshing machine, with separat- 
ing and cleaning apparatus, the premium of 
twenty dollars is awarded to II. M. Smith for J. 
A. Pitts' patent. This machine operates -well, 



but the wood work is roughly executed, and 
when perfected in this respect will answer fully 
the desired purpose. 

6. The committee are of opinion that it is 
proper to withhold the premium for the best se- 
parator or straw carrier. This article has be- 
come almost indispensable to all machines, and 
the different kinds seem to be indiscriminately 
used by the manufacturers. No article of this 
kind, involving any new principle, was present- 
ed for examination, but we are of opinion that 
the revolving straw carrier is much preferable 
to the shaker. 

William Allen, 
F. Lewis Marshall, 
Robert M. Taylor, 
W. C. Knight. 

Class No. 4. 

For the best hay and straw cutter for horse 
power, to C. H. Drury for one of Eastman's 
patent, $10. 

For best hay and straw cutter for hand pow- 
er, to H. M. Smith, $10. 

For the best corn sheller for horse power, to 
Mott, Lewis & Co. $10. 

For the best grist mill for horse power, to C. 
H. Drury, $10. 

For best corn and cob crusher, to E. Whitman 
& Co. Baltimore, for one of Nichols' patent, $8. 

The committee recommend to the discretion- 
ary committee a premium of ten dollars for 
Hickock's patent apple grinder and cider press, 
made and exhibited by Mott, Lewis & Co. 

Class No. 5. 

To Montgomery & Brother, Baltimore, for 
their rockaway fan mill, a premium of $15. 

To Mott, Lewis & Co., Richmond, for the 
best straw and hay fork, $2 50. 

To the same, for the best hay or straw knife 
for cutting down stacks, $2 50. 

To E. Whitman & Co., for best dung forks 
and hoes, $2 50. 

To Mott, Lewis & Co., for best brier blade, 
$2 50. 

To E. Whitman & Co. of Baltimore, for the 
best hay press, $30. 

MOST EXTENSIVE AND VALUABLE COLLECTION OF 
USEFUL MACHINES AND IMPLEMENTS. 

The committee appointed on the best collec- 
tion of useful machines and implements, accord- 
ing to order, made a full and satisfactory inqui- 
ry and examination, and beg leave to submit 
the following report: 

They were gratified to find upon the grounds 
of the 'Society a large and valuable collection 
of useful machines and implements adapted to 
almost all the purposes of life. Their office, 
however, was confined to the examination of 
collections, and not separate and individual ar- 
ticles. This view of their duty greatly lessen- 
ed their labors by limiting their examinations 
chiefly to the most prominent contributors, each 
of whom is entitled to encomium for the public 
spirit which he has manifested. The display 
of each consisted for the most part of portions 



14 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



only of useful machinery in their respective 
warehouses, and the committee entertain the 
hope that in future exhibitions no article, useful 
and approved, will be held back from exhibi- 
tion. The committee were highly gratified to 
find on the ground large exhibitions of ma- 
chinery from some of our sister States. The 
display which those contributions made em- 
braced many articles of prominent merit, and a 
great variety of useful machines. The same 
remark is applicable to those who are citizens 
of Virginia. The committee have had much 
difficulty in deciding between the several con- 
tributors, but looking as well to the number as 
to the utility of the various machines and instru- 
ment* submitted to their inspection (enumerat- 
ing each class by one as its representative,) 
they feel themselves constrained to award the 
premium of the Society for "the best collection 
of useful machines and implements," to Mott, 
Lewis & Co. of the city of Richmond. 
John Tyler, 
James Magruder, 
Rob't W. Brooking, 
P. F. Gay, 
Wm. H. A. Southall. 

PLOUGHING MATCH AND TRIAL OF PLOUGHS. 

The Committee of Branch 6. Class 5, on 
"Ploughing Match and Trial of Ploughs," beg 
leave to make the following report: 

That, although no premium was specifical- 
ly offered upon four-horse ploughs, they have 
awarded a premium of twenty dollars to Wilson 
& Smithers of Goochland for their improved 
Livingston County plough. Messrs. Smith and 
French each offered adouble mouldboard Michi- 
gan plough which so nearly resembled each 
other, both in construction and performance, 
that they were unable to decide between them; 
they, therefore, gave to each a premium of twen- 
ty dollars. These ploughs are constructed upon 
a new principle, and are somewhat complicated. 
They were, however, highly approved of by the 
committee, but their exorbitantly high price con- 
stitutes a very serious objection to them and will 
probably prevent their general use, unless the 
objection be removed. 

They award the first premium for the best 
ploughman to Mr. Richard Sampson's negro 
man, "Mann Randolph," who highly distin- 
guished himself by managing his four mules 
without lines. 

The second premium was not awarded in 
consequence of the smallness of the sum and 
the fact that the three competitors, W. Gilman 
of Henrico, Mr. Dudley of Henrico, and Mr. 
French of Michigan, were so nearly equal in 
skill that the committee was unable to decide 
between them. They take occasion to express 
their high commendation of the performance of 
most of the ploughmen who contended for the 
prizes. They were highly pleased with the per- 
formance of Joseph Rennie, Jr., whose youthful 
skill attracted general attention. 

The committee award to Theodore Bailey a 
premium of tea dollars for the best ploughing 



with steers, and it is but just to Mr. Lewis Bailey 
of Fairfax, to speak in high commendation of 
the steers with which the ploughing was done 
by his son. They were very fine animals and 
appeared to be perfectly broken to the plough. 
The premium so generously offered by Madam 
Sontag was by the committee divided, one- 
half to be awarded to the ploughs and the other 
to the ploughmen. Of that portion appropriated 
to the plough-makers, one-half, or twenty-five 
dollars, was awarded to Wilson & Smithers for 
their four-horse improved Livingston, manufac- 
tured in the county of Goochland. The other 
half equally divided between Messrs. French 
and Smith for their double mouldboard ploughs, 
twelve dollars and fifty cents each. Of the fifty 
dollars appropriated to the ploughmen, twenty 
dollars were awarded to Mann Randolph (negro 
of Richard Sampson), and ten dollars each to 
Messrs. Dudley, Gilman and French. 

The committee recommend to the attention of 
the Committee of Discretionary Premiums the 
harrow-plough of Cyrus H. M'Cormick, and also 
the iron plough of Hall & Speer of Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania. These ploughs, in their opinion, 
are each worthy of a premium. 
All of which is respectfully submitted, 
C. Selden, 
R. W. N. Noland, 
W. W. Gilmer, 
John A. Selden, 
B. F. Dew. 

WHEAT REAPER AND MOWER. 

In accordance with the action of your body 
on the 19th of May last, appointing the under- 
signed a committee to test the "comparative 
merits of the different reaping machines offered 
for trial on a plane and on an undulated sur- 
face, on wheat of a tall and luxuriant, as well as 
of a shorter and thinner growth, and also, if 
practicable, on wheat of a lodged or tangled 
condition, and to award the premium of fifty 
dollars offered by the Society to the inventor 
whose machine, under the varied circumstances 
of trial, shall prove, in their judgment, the best 
and most effective in its operation and shall 
make report of their award to the Executive 
Committee, setting forth the principal reasons 
which shall have influenced them in the pre- 
mises," we proceed respectfully to make our re- 
port as follows: 

According to previous notice, published in 
most of the newspapers of the city of Richmond, 
the committee assembled on the day of trial (the 
21st of June last) at the farm of Mr. William 
Allen, in Curies' Neck, on James river, and found 
in the field three machines with their owners or 
agents, ready to compete for the premium, viz. 
Messrs. Obed Hussey, C. H. M'Cormick and 
Thomas D. Burrall. The committee appointed 
to make the preliminary arrangements for the 
trial and to superintend the same, having exe- 
cuted their office with much ability and com- 
mendable dispatch, the three machines com- 
menced their work about 12 o'clock, Hussey's 
with a fine team of four mules, and each of the 
other machines with only two mules; the wea- 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



15 



4her was excessively hot and dry, the wheat 
shattering ripe, (the Maryland or blue stem va- 
riety,) very tall and thick, averaging, we sup- 
pose, some twenty-five bushels per acre; the 
land generally level, but a sufficient portion of 
it undulated to test the machines on that kind of 
land. 

M'Cormick's machine delivers its grain at the 
side exclusively. Hussey's and Burrall's deli- 
ver usually and much more conveniently in the 
rear, but each has what they call a "side at- 
tachment, 1 ' by which they are enabled to deliver 
at the side if it is desired to do so. The com- 
mittee did not see the attachment for side deli- 
very upon Hussey's machine, but upon the Bur- 
rail machine the attachment was arranged in a 
very few moments, and the side delivery was 
very beautifully executed, but with very great 
labor. The operation of the three machines 
during the trial of this day was so beautiful, so 
effective, so perfect, that the committee feeling 
conscious that it would be impossible to decide 
between them, determined to give them another 
trial on the 22d 3 hoping to be able jto test them 
early in the morning while the dew was upon 
the wheat. Unfortunately, however, there was 
no dew, and on our arrival in the field all the 
circumstances were as favorable for the opera- 
tions of the machines as on the preceding day. 
The committee, nevertheless, determining to 
start the machines again, had three squares of 
land laid off containing five acres each, and 
allotted a square to each of the machines. The 
machine of Mr. Burrall having been driven by 
himself on the preceding day, assisted by a white 
man as raker, both of whom evidently possessed 
great skill in its management, the committee, in 
order to put the machines on a perfect equality, 
required Mr. Burrall to yield his machine to the 
management of a negro driver and raker be- 
longing to the estate, with the addition of a third 
mule to M'Cormick's and Burrall's machines, 
Hussey's still having four mules. Each ma- 
chine started in its allotted square of five acres. 
After the machines had been operating in these 
squares about one hour, by some means, we 
could not tell how, M'Cormick's machine lost a 
section of its blade, which accident was reme- 
died by Mr. M'Cormick's substituting a new 
section in the place of the broken one in the 
short space of nineteen minutes, having to go 
some two or three hundred yards to a barn in 
the field to get the new one. Your committee 
are induced to mention this circumstance to 
show that what might be regarded as a serious 
accident, and would constitute an objection with 
many farmers to Ihe purchase of this machine, 
was as readily obviated and in as short a time 
as any trivial accident to an ordinary grain cra- 
dle. With the exception of this accident the 
working of the machines was as perfect as on 
the previous day — each machine finishing its 
square in almost precisely the same time, a small 
fraction less than two hours, allowing M'Cor- 
mick's machine the nineteen minutes lost by the 
above mentioned accident. Except at the cor- 
ners of the squares where, from bad driving, the 



machines were occasionally made to overlap too 
far its previous swath, scarcely a single stalk of 
wheat was left standing t)n the fifteen acres. 
Your committee are informed that Messrs. Hus- 
sey and M'Cormick each have an attachment 
for mowing hay which can be very easily ad- 
justed to their reapers at very small cost, while 
there is no such attachment to Mr. Burrall's 
machine. 

The committee regret that they were unable 
to apply any very severe tests in the trial of 
these reapers, such, for instance, as wet wheat, 
or short thin wheat, or over high beds and deep 
furrows. We could only see them operate on 
tall, thick, luxuriant and dry wheat, over broad 
smooth lands with rather shallow furrows. 

The committee, while differing in opinion in 
regard to the comparative merits of these three 
machines, unanimously commend them all to the 
public favor, believing that if honestly and faith- 
fully manufactured, they will prove valuable as- 
sistants to the farmer in the economy both of 
time and labor. 

Upon a final comparison of opinion, the com- 
mittee were divided as follows: Messrs. Taylor 
and Watkins giving the preference to Hussey's 
machine; Messrs. Royall and Garnett to Bur- 
ralPs, and Mr. Irby to M'Cormick's. Under 
these circumstances, instead of awarding the 
premium by a compromise of opinion, as is per- 
haps usual on such occasions, the committee 
believed that they would better promote the 
farmers' interests, the object of the Society in 
offering the premium, and the cause of justice 
to the inventors, by withholding the premium 
and simply reporting the facts to your body. 

In conclusion, the committee cannot forbear to 
express their gratification and return their ac- 
knowledgments to Mr. William Allen, the gen- 
tlemanly proprietor of Curies' Neck, for his ge- 
nerous and princely hospitality in providing so 
sumptuously and profusely for the entertainment 
of the hundreds of gentlemen who were present 
on that occasion. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

John R. Garnett, 
• Edw'd O. Watkins, 
Richard Irby, 
J. P. Royall, 
Ro. M. Taylor. 

Branch VII. 

• 
fruits and fruit trees. 

1. For the best and largest variety of apples 
suitable for Southern raising, each labelled, a 
premium of ten dollars to J. H. King of the Dis- 
trict of Columbia. 

2. For the best and largest variety of pears, 
a premium of eight dollars to the same. 

3. For the greatest number of choice varie- 
ties of different kinds of fruit, a premium of ten 
dollars to Joseph Sinton & Sons of Henrico. 

4. For the best and largest collection of apple 
trees, suitable for Southern raising, a premium 
of ten dollars to H. C. Williams of Fairfax. 

5. For the best pear trees, a premium of ten 
dollars to Joseph Rennie of Henrico. 



16 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



6. For the best peach trees, a premium often 
dollars to the same. v 

7. For the best grown and finest variety of 
apple trees, a premium of ten dollars to James 
Via of Henrico. 

FLOWERS. 

The committee to whom was assigned the 
duty of reporting the premiums on flowers, beg 
leave to express their sense of the benefits which 
arise from their cultivation. These beautiful 
productions, which Providence has scattered 
over the earth, are naturally calculated to please 
the senses and refine the imagination. They 
are a symbol of civilization itself. They impart 
a brighter grace to the landscape, to our gardens 
and to our houses. They give delicious perfumes 
to the boudoir. They ornament our centre ta- 
bles, and add new beauties to the charms of the 
fair. They constitute too a distinct and interest- 
ing branch of science. The genius of Linneeus 
has been dedicated to their classification, and 
the Muse in every form has sung their praises. 
But there are other lights in which they pre- 
sent themselves to our consideration. As the 
fruit naturally follows the flower, so botany be- 
comes one of the handmaids to agriculture. 
How can we clearly understand the way, in 
which the variety of fruits and flowers of the 
same family is produced, without some ac- 
quaintance with the parts and physiology of the 
plant? We know how much the various sorts 
of Indian corn, for instance, mix together and 
cross each other; but it is not every one who 
has examined the formation of the ear of corn, 
as it is covered with the shuck. Strip it of its 
green leaves, and we find that every single 
grain has a silk thread attached to it which 
extends beyond the end of the ear. This thread 
is the pistil, or the female organ which receives 
the powder or pollen that falls from the tassel. 
It is this thread and this tassel which constitute 
the flower of the Indian corn. When varieties 
grow near each other, the pollen from the sur- 
rounding stalks falls upon the silken texture, and 
produces further varieties of the grain. It is so 
with thousands of other plants, and by mixing 
with each other of the same family, they lead 
to new varieties, new forms, new tints, new beau- 
ties. In this way the splendid Azalia has been 
highly improved; and, in like manner, greater 
varieties of flowers are constantly produced. 

In another way, also, new flowers are con- 
tinually exhibited. It is when the florist suc- 
ceeds in turning the seed vessels into new pe- 
tals, that they become doubled, and those beau- 
tiful compound flowers are struck out, which 
multiply the sorts of our roses, and other pro- 
ductions of the garden. There is no assignable 
limit to this variety. It is probably by mixing 
the roses together, that the blue rose has been 
recently produced at Paris; and our common 
Jamestown weed, or Stramonium, which is now 
about to assume new importance in the prac- 
tice of medicine, has lately been turned into a 
double flower in one of the gardens of Boston. 
But a still larger space than these is opened 
to the introduction of flowers. Commerce is 



busy in transporting to other scenes the flower s 
of other regions. South America is filled with 
beauties which are new to us. Taste is collect- 
ing them and introducing them among us. — 
Within a few years we see new Cactuses, new 
Fuchsias, and that most delicate and brilliant 
of the flowery family, the Calceolarias, are ap- 
pearing among us. The Acacias of Australia; 
the Norfolk Island Pine, the most exquisite ever- 
green in the world, and the Victoria Regina, 
the most superb of all the flowers, are adding 
new graces to our green-houses and gardens. 

The fact is, that not only are new species of 
fruits and flowers coming among us, but the old 
families are feeling the touch of improvement 
and assuming more brilliant colors. The deep 
red Chrysanthemum was supposed, upon its first 
introduction some few years ago, to be a splen- 
did addition to our fall flowers; but new va- 
rieties of the Chrysanthemum have succeeded 
to throw the old flower completely into the shade. 

Such is the progress of the age, even on 
flowers. Nothing is so easy as to encourage 
their further improvement. By attending to the 
process of mixing flowers, and of doubling their 
petals, we create, as it were, new species. And 
by obtaining new families from abroad, we en- 
large their number and their beauty. We ear- 
nestly recommend to the Agricultural Society, 
therefore, to encourage their introduction from 
other regions. Request our ministers and cap- 
tains of vessels, when they go abroad, to send 
home the roots and seeds of the choicest flow- 
ers — place these in the hands of proper florists, 
when they arrive — and you will see a new crea- 
tion arise, as it were, under your eyes. Who 
has not been struck, for example, with the de- 
scription which has been recently given by our 
new Consul at Rio de Janeiro, Mr. Robert G. 
Scott of this city, of the Botanical Garden, near 
that town? He has promised to send us every 
variety which he found there. Let us avail our- 
selves of his suggestion, and request him to send 
our Society the first he can obtain. Let us ex- 
tend the same commission to our other officers 
and captains who visit distant climes. Let us 
also draw on the seeds of the Patent Office, and 
on the public garden at Washington. In this 
way your patriotic association may becomea sort 
of focal point, from which the plants of the most 
distant regions may be disseminated throughout 
Virginia. It was with a hope of extending our 
resources, that a call was made on Mr. Brack- 
enridge, the skilful and obliging Superintendent 
of the Public Conservatory at Washington, who 
was kind enough to furnish a fine collection of 
one hundred and thirteen valuable roots and 
seeds, accompanied by the following letter: 

" Washington, D. C, Oct. 29, 1S53. 
"Dear Sirs, — With this you will receive a 
packet, containing one hundred and thirteen dis- 
tinct kinds of seeds, all labeled, or named cor- 
rectly. A number of them are from Russia, 
some from Italy, and a great many are from the 
most choice plants of our own gardens; but I 
would particularly call your attention to a paper 
of the Zamia horrida, or Hottentot's bread tree, 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



17 



which is very rare and fine. I have also added 
a packet of the roots of Gladiolus Prittacinus, 
and another of very fine Tulips; and I shall feel 
much gratified to learn that the collection pleases 
you, and is calculated to answer your purpose." 

We have deposited these roots and seeds with 
the Executive Committee, whose duty it is, under 
the 7th Article of the Constitution of your So- 
ciety, to lake charge of and distribute or preserve 
all seeds, plants. &c. 

In proceeding to the direct execution of our 
duty, the Committee must express the great sa- 
tisfaction which they feel at the marked improve- 
ment that has taken place in the cultivation of 
flowers, in this city and its vicinity. New florists 
have appeared among us — new and splendid 
flowers have been introduced — and a general 
taste begins to display its benefits, in the beau- 
tiful productions which, they have spread before 
us. 

We should have been happy if more pre- 
miums had been placed at our disposal to reward 
those who deserved them; but those premiums 
do not exceed six in number, and we are com- 
pelled to confine our distribution to the following 
competitors: 

No. 1. The prize of ten dollars, to Mr. Guest, 
for the largest and choicest variety of flowers. 

No. 2. The prize of five dollars, to Mr. Ren- 
nie, for second largest and choicest variety of 
flowers. 

No. 3. To Mr. Guest, also, five dollars, for 
the best and greatest variety of Dahlias. Mr. 
Morton would have received a prize for his 
beautiful variety of Dahlias, if it had been in our 
power to award it. There was no premium or- 
dered to be given to the favorite flower of the 
season, the Camelia. 

No. 4. The prize of five dollars, to Mrs. Wool- 
dridge of Chesterfield county, for the finest and 
greatest variety of roses. 

No. 5. To Mr. Morton, five dollars for the 
best floral ornament. It would have given us 
sincere pleasure to award a premium to Mr. 
Eggeling, for his singularly beautiful floral or- 
nament, and we have no doubt that his fine taste 
will be more successful on another occasion. 

No. 6. We feel it our duty to award to Mr. 
Guest the last prize of five dollars for the best 
and largest variety of green-house plants. 

There were other competitors who exhibited 
some beautiful specimens. We should have 
been happy to reward them, but we bid them 
never to despair. They may bear off the palm 
the next time, and if they are irue lovers of the 
art, they will ' : pick their flints and try again." 

The floral exhibition was not as extensive as 
might have been expected, for, as Mr. Bracken- 
ridge slates in his letter, "at present, flowers 
are very scarce, the out of door plants having 
suffered by frost, and there are very Cev/ flowers 
in the hot houses at this season." 

Thomas Ritchie, Chairman. 

Branch VIII. 

DAIRY AND HONEY. 

A premium for the best specimen of fresh 



butter, to Mrs. Daniel Ammen of Botetourt 
county, of $5. 

For the second best specimen of fresh butter, 
to James Newman, Esq. of Orange county, a 
premium of $3. 

For the best firkin of salted butter, not less 
than six months old, to Mrs. Dr. Read of Roan- 
oke, a premium of $6. 

The second premium to Robert Roper, Esq. 
of Wythe county, for a firkin of one hundred 
and two pounds, of $3. 

The premium for honey, to Mrs. Lucy Cox 
of Henrico county, of $5. 

BACON HAM3. 

For the best ham, cured by exhibiter, a pre- 
mium to Blair Burwell of Powhatan, of $10. 

For the second best, to Mrs. Henry Cox of 
Henrico, a premium of $5. 

HOUSEHOLD AND DOMESTIC MANUFACTURES. 

From the Committee on Household Manufac- 
tures, and specifications 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th 
and 8th of Domestic Manufactures: 

First premium, for the best quilt, five dollars, 
to Misses Ann E. and Fanny T. Overton of 
Hanover. 

Second premium, for the next best, four dol- 
lars, to Miss Mary A. E. Bohannan of Rich- 
mond city. 

First premium, for the best counterpane, five 
dollars, to Miss H. T. Turner of Louisa. 

Second premium, for the next best, four dol- 
lars, to Miss Nannie Mountjoy of Richmond city. 

For the best specimen of embroidery, three 
dollars, to Mrs. Sarah B. Scott of Dinwiddie. 

For the best specimen of worsted work, five 
dollars, to Mrs. E. A. Smith of Richmond city. 

For the best hearth rug, three dollars, to Mrs. 
Dr. Garnett of Henrico. 

For the best pair of home made blankets, five 
dollars, to Mrs. E. V. Hansbarger of Rocking- 
ham. 

For the best home made carpet, five dollars, 
to Mrs. John Bagby of King & Queen. 

For the best piece of winter clothing for ne- 
groes, woven by hand, five dollars, to Mrs. A. 
G. Hansbarger of Augusta. 

For the best piece of heavy woollen jeans, 
woven by hand, five dollars, to Mrs. Maria E. 
Carson of Spottsylvania. 

For the second best piece of heavy woollen 
jeans, woven by hand, three dollars, to Mrs. Dr. 
Garnett of Henrico. 

For the best fine long yarn hose, five dollars, 
to Mrs. Ann Christian of New Kent— a lady 
eighty-three years of age. 

For the best home made bread, five dollars, 
to Mrs. Thomas L. Lyne of Henrico— of Mr. 
T. L. Lyne's own crop of wheat, and ground 
at Rowland's mill in the same county. 

For the best home made pound cake, three 
dollars, to Mrs. E. A. Burton of Henrico. 

For the best home made sponge cake, three 
dollars, to Mrs. Henry Cox of Henrico county. 

For the best varieties of home made pickles, 
three dollars, to Mrs. Henry Cox of Henrico. 



18 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



For beet varieties of home made preserves, 
three dollars, to Mrs. Henry Cox of Henrico. 

For the best variety of home made fruit jelly, 
three dollars, to Mrs. J. Masters of Amelia. 

For the best sample of home made soap, (pro- 
cess of making to be described by exhibiter,) 
five dollars, to Mrs. Peers of Goochland. 

For the best pair of bed blankets, five dollars, 
to M. T. Ammen of Fincastle, Bottetourt. 

For the best piece of woollens, five dollars, 
to Mary C. Saunders. 

For the best and greatest variety of shoes, 
five dollars, to Pemberton & Brother and W. 
P. W. Taylor of Richmond city. Two dollars 
and fifty cents to each — they being so nearly 
equal that the committee cannot decide. 

For the best and greatest variety of hats, five 
dollars, to Richard Moore of Richmond city. 

For the best and greatest variety of hard- 
ware. Mr. Wm. Rady of Richmond city exhi- 
bited a number of very superior locks and lock 
fixtures, of his own manufacture; although these 
do not strictly come under this head, the com- 
mittee decided to give him a premium of five 
dollars for them. They were the only articles of 
the kind presented to them which could be pro- 
perly denominated of "domestic manufacture." 

Branch IX. 

HONORARY TESTIMONIALS. 

The committee on the subjects included in Branch 
9 of the Society's Schedule are expected to offer 
"honorary testimonials to each individual of Virgi- 
nia who, previous to 1853, has discovered or intro- 
duced, or brought into use, any principle, process or 
facility, or generally any improvement by which im- 
portant value has been gained for the agricultural 
interests of Virginia." 

It will at once appear that the duties of this com- 
mittee are somewhat peculiar. They are not called 
to decide on the comparative merits of the various 
objects which on the present occasion have been col- 
lected and presented for inspection. It is their pro- 
vince to make honorable mention of each and every 
individual, so far as can now be ascertained, who 
has discovered or introduced any of the principles 
or means by which those objects have been pro- 
duced. The preliminary inquiry which is here im- 
plied, if at all adequate to the end, must be compre- 
hensive in its scope, directed to many and various ob- 
jects, co-extensive with the Commonwealth — reach- 
ing back to the commencement of our history. For, 
in taking this wide range, no less space or time must 
be traversed, and the matters to be investigated are 
as numerous and as varied as the departments and 
sub-divisions of the great and complex subject which 
has brought us together. 

It is obvious that no single individual— perhaps 
no committee, of reasonable numbers, that the So- 
ciety could appoint— ought to be presumed to possess 
all this information. Those of them who are now 
assembled are constrained to announce that they 
cannot acquire it within the allotted time without 
the assistance of other members of this body who 
will take an active interest in the matter. The diffi- 
culty of discharging the duty assigned in a manner 
that should be satisfactory to the Society might thus 
be inferred from its extent alone. Of the many 
causes which have contributed further to embarrass 
our movements we can here suggest but a few. 

The State of Virginia has been settled for more 



than two centuries. Her territory is extensive. She 
is distinguished by a variety of climate and soils, 
which in its turn has led to a similar variety of pro- 
ductions; and the improved methods of raising cer- 
tain of these products are hence to be sought only in 
particular districts. Two of her principal staples, 
tobacco and Indian corn, having been in a manner 
unknown to England and continental Europe, the 
best modes of producing them had to be discovered, 
gradually perfected or improved, and wrought into 
her general system or systems of management. 

Her people are not as yet homogeneous. While 
yet a colony she was settled by men of different 
races— Celt and Teuton— still farther characterized 
by theirdistinctnationalities. These having brought 
with them the systems of culture practised in the 
several countries of Europe to which they traced 
their lineage, may be presumed to have long con- 
tinued, and in some cases still to adhere to certain 
peculiarities thence derived, so far as circumstances 
would encourage or permit. 

The general objects of agriculture are two fold. 
First, to extract from a given soil the greatest amount 
of valuable products; and then to maintain and in- 
crease its capacity for yielding such products in fu- 
ture. During the entire colonial period of our his- 
tory, and subsequently, the first of these objects would 
appear to be that which absorbed the attention of 
the planters of Virginia; and in attaining this they 
succeeded but too well. They doubtless felt them- 
selves justified in the adoption of a system destruc- 
tive rather than improving, by two principal consi- 
derations. With a territory but partially occupied, 
and covered for the most part with a dense forest, 
which must be cleared before the regular operations 
of husbandry could be commenced, they had at their 
disposal, for a long season, an amount of labor in- 
sufficient for the purpose. Hence were they com- 
pelled to tax more frequently and heavily that which 
was subjected to culture, and which, if wasted or 
reduced in its capacities, left an indefinite amount of 
equal or greater original fertility in reserve. In a 
word, land, good land, virgin soil, ever kindly if of 
variable durability — was abundant and cheap, while 
labor was dear. At a later date, the high prices of 
produce which grew out of the wars of the French 
Revolution, concurred with these causes in tempting 
to a continuance of this abusive system, long after 
the immediate occasion for it had ceased. 

When the process of improvement commenced, 
it was for the most part by isolated individuals, the 
influence of whose example was confined to their 
several neighborhoods or districts; and this evil was 
aggravated by the want of those facilities of inter- 
course between the more distant portions of the State 
which we are so happy as to enjoy. Many improve- 
ments may have been thus simultaneously or suc- 
cessively introduced into different districts, while the 
authors were ignorant of what had been done in the 
same kind elsewhere within the State. In such cases 
white honor is justly due to all, it is desirable to as- 
certain the priority of claims; and this requires an, 
attention to dates and a disposition to make perma- 
nent record of important facts connected with agri- 
culture, for which, we regret to say, Virginians of 
the olden time were not remarkable. The regular 
historian seems to have regarded such subjects as 
of minor importance if not foreign to his province. 
This chapter of our annals therefore, remains to be 
written, so far as the materials are extant and can 
be made available. 

Many of these, having been left to the care of un- 
certain tradition, it is to be feared have irretrievably 
perished. Not that any process or improvement re- 
ally valuable has been wholly lost, but the names of 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



19 



those who first discovered or introduced them. — 
Others, however, and those the most important, it is 
believed, may be traced to their sources, and by 
timely effort their several histories may be collected 
and embodied for preservation. Of the items which 
would go to make up the entire aggregate, some are 
mentioned in separate volumesor pamphlets; ethers 
in the series of our agricultural periodicals; and, yet 
others have never been committed to a permanent 
record— but exist only in manuscript, or in the me- 
mory of individuals dispersed throughout the com- 
monwealth. To gather up this information and di- 
gest it into proper form, is certainly a desideratum. 
It is, moreover, a duty— a duty which we owe to the 
dead as well as the living; the dictate of gratitude 
no less than of a spirit of liberal curiosity. If pro- 
perly performed, it would constitute a tribute to our 
benefactors, which has long been due, and which, 
if now tardily paid, should no longer be withheld. 
It must, however, be a work of time; and as it does 
not admit, so it does not require a hasty or incom- 
plete preparation. 

The chairman of your committee, not supposing 
that he had access to sources of information other 
than those common to the members of the society 
generally, had he consulted his own feelings, would 
have shrunk from a task to which he felt his incom- 
petence. Having accepted the trust with the under- 
standing that a longer time than was originally con- 
templated, would be allowed for its fulfilment, he still 
did not feel at liberty to give form and character to 
this report without consulting with his colleagues, 
and this before the present meeting of the society 
was impracticable. Not all of them attended. Of 
those who did, it appeared on conference that each 
member was in possession of certain facts, which 
were previously unknown to the others; but the sum 
of their knowledge *was far short of what was de- 
sired, and might probably be obtained, if timely and 
proper measures were taken for the purpose. It was 
therefore concluded to offer a brief report explana- 
tory of the causes of our present failure, and ex- 
pressive of our willingness to endeavor its accom- 
plishment at or before another meeting of the So- 
ciety. On the present occasion, we could do but 
little more than to propose and determine on some 
plan of inquiry and thorough research, by which the 
materials sought might be collected from the broad 
length of our land, and transmitted to the committee 
for their use in the preparation of a future and more 
ample report. That this may be more readily and 
completely effected, your committee have agreed on 
the following mode of procedure: 

Acknowledging the scantiness of their own infor- 
mation on many points, and desiring its increase, 
they have notonly pledged themselves as individuals 
to use their best exertions in seeking such addition 
within their several districts and the circle of their 
acquaintance, but to invite the cooperation of others 
who may be both able and willing to unite in the 
requisite inquiry. This, we are happy to add, has 
already been done in part. Of the many gentlemen 
who have assembled on the present occasion from 
all parts of Virginia, not a few, when applied to, 
have promised the aid of their personal reminis- 
cences or research. They also assure us that they 
will endeavor to enlist others equally competent in 
the fulfilment of what must needs be a general task, 
and which if properly completed will enure to the 
general satisfaction. When the labor is thus distri- 
buted among many, the burden will be light on each 
and yet the result may be all that the society could 
reasonably expect under the circumstances. 

Should "it be the good pleasure of the society then 
to continue the committee for the present object, and 



should those of its members now present, constitute 
a part of the same, another appeal and through a 
different channel will be made to the agriculturists 
of Virginia, in the hope of stimulating those who 
are possessed of information in this kind, to impart 
it to the committee for the purpose above suggested. 

As an evidence that we have not been wholly re- 
miss in our duty; as a sample of the facts which 
our inquiry has already elicited, and as some indica- 
tion of the nature and objects of our proposed future 
investigation, we offer the few that follow. And we 
hereby invite the cooperation of the members of the 
Virginia Agricultural Society— one and all — until 
the list shall be as complete as practicable. 

Among the initial steps in the improvement of 
the agriculture of our State, was the use of horizon- 
tal ploughing, or ploughing across hills and nearly 
on a level, as distinguished from the old and barba- 
rous method of tracing the furrows directly up and 
down the ascent. The credit of introducing this 
improvement, so indispensable to the preservation 
of the soil, and without which all others would be 
transient, is due to the late Gov. Thomas Mann 
Randolph of Albemarle, from whose example it 
spread throughout the State; although it had been 
known in Europe and the East long before, (see 
American Farmer, XIII, 43, 115, XV, 57, 82; Farm- 
ers' Register, II, 667,) and even practised by indivi- 
duals in other parts of Virginia— as by a Mr. Spin- 
dle and others, in Essex county, so early as 1785, 
(see Farmers' Reg., II, 744,) and Mr. J. S. Slaughter 
of Culpeper, in 1804, (Papers of Virginia Agricul- 
tural Society, page 22; American Farmer, II, 14.) 
As auxiliaries to these may be mentioned the hill- 
side plough of Mr. Ryland Rhodes, (see it mentioned 
in American Farmer, VI, 355,) late of Albemarle, 
now of Nelson, (the principle of which had also 
been previously known — see Amer. Farmer, XV, 
82.)— Col. Randolph had himself invented a hfll-side 
plough, on which Mr. R.'s was an improvement; 
(see it described with a figure in Memoirs Philadel- 
phia Agricultural Society, IV, 13-18, and in Amer. 
Farmer, II, 94, 320,) and the hill-side trenches of 
Mr. Humberstone Skipwith of Mecklenburg, subse- 
quently modified into the open graduated furrow, 
whose author is unknown to the committee. The , 
mode of breaking up low grounds in beds of a 
limited and specified width was employed, near the 
beginning of the present century, by Mr. Philip 
Tabb of Gloucester. This improvement so impor- 
tant in the drill culture of corn, so essential to the 
proper draining of such lands, and to the healthful 
growth of crops of small grain and of the artificial 
grasses which follow them, is, by general consent, 
ascribed to Mr. Tabb as an independent author, so 
far as our country is concerned. A doubt, however, 
has been intimated to us by several intelligent farm- 
ers, as to whether he was the first in Virginia to 
propose or adopt this plan. 

So early as the year 1822, Commodore Jones of 
Fairfax, a member of this committee, procured of 
Gideon Davis of Georgetown, the maker, and very 
soon after its invention, a substratum plough, which, 
he has used annually ever since in the operation 
now so widely known as subsoiliwg, and the identical 
implement is now on exhibition at the Society's 
Fair. The mention of this fact might lead us into 
a wide field. We must, however, content ourselves 
with the remark, that all the agricultural imple-* 
ments and labor-saving machines now in use, from 
the plough and harrow to the thresher, have, since 
their invention or introduction, received important 
modifications at the hands of Virginians, suited to 
their peculiar circumstances. It is hoped that these 
improvements, great in the aggregate though gra- 



20 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



dual in their progress, will be duly ascertained and 
attributed to their proper authors. 

To several of these we will barely allude at pre- 
sent. Very recently our attention has been called 
to an implement which, if it answers the description 
given of its effects, must prove of signal benefit to 
the farmers of Virginia, in the economy both of 
seed and of the costly fertilizer, guano. We, refer 
to a "Virginia Improved Seed-Drill with the Guano 
Attachment," two models of which are being exhi- 
bited at the Society's Fair. As there are two differ- 
ent claimants to the honor of this invention, whose 
conflicting pretensions have been submitted to the 
judicial tribunals of the country, we refrain from 
expressing our opinion as to who is the rightful 
author. We know not as yet who among us first 
substituted the scythe and cradle for the reap-hook; 
and in lieu of the jlail or treading out small grain 
by the feet of animals Mr. John Murphy of West- 
moreland, is believed to have been the first to intro- 
duce a threshing machine into the Northern Neck. 
Without pretending to adjudge the question of rela- 
tive merit between him and his Maryland competi- 
tor, we feel bound to commemorate the world re- 
nowned reaper of C. H. M'Cormick of Rockbridge. 

To advert to improvements of another kind. We 
learn that the late Mr. Fielding Lewis of Charles 
City, was the pioneer in our State in the use of lime 
on a large scale as an improver of the soil. By him 
it was obtained for that purpose from oyster shells, 
burnt after a simple method. — (See Farmers' Regis- 
ter, I, 16.) Those who have followed in his foot- 
steps, besides availing themselves of this source, 
have also resorted to that which was procured from 
the mineral strata of this and other States and burnt 
in kilns. Of the use of marl and green sand by 
Edmund Ruffin, Sr., it were needless to speak at any 
length. Others before him may have made isolated 
experiments with the former, on a narrow surface 
and with no marked result, — and of these, the earliest 
of which we have heard mention was by the late 
Col. Short of Surry— but to Mr. R. we owe an exhi- 
bition of its virtues, so varied and so complete, and 
a demonstration of its mode of operation so rational 
and plain, as to place its utility, when judiciously 
employed, beyond all possibility of doubt. Its agency 
in renovating much of the soil of Eastern Virginia 
has already added millions to the value of her real 
estate, and may be taken as a pledge of the ultimate 
redemption of all the rest to which it is accessible. 
It has been stated to us, as we believe on good au- 
thority^ that some time during the last quarter of the 
last century, Israel Janney of Loudoun, brought into 
that county from Chester county, Pennsylvania, a 
small quantity of gypsum, or plaster of Paris, with 
which he tried several experiments. Its magical 
effect on vegetation induced the repeated and more 
liberal use of it by himself and certain of his neigh- 
bors. And this occurred before the date of certain 
other experiments by Mr. John A. Binns of the same 
county, a published report of which was widely cir- 
culated through the State. It has been hastily in- 
ferred—it may be from this publication— that to Mr. 
Binns is to be attributed the first introduction of 
this most important agent in our improved systems, 
whereas it should of right be credited to Mr. Janney. 
We know not whether its paternity was ever claimed 
by the former gentleman or by his friends for him, 
» but we do not feel at liberty to suppress a statement 
so avouched; and the rather that Mr. B. could afford 
to be both generous and just, since his own example 
became the more influential, the virtues of gypsum, 
through his agency, having been more widely known 
and more generally called into requisition. The late 
Commodore Porter took precedence of all others in 



introducing guano into the United States; but the 
first ton of that article was brought to Virginia by 
Commodore Jones, who, after reserving a portion 
for his own use, distributed the remainder among 
certain of his neighbors and brother farmers for the 
trial of experiments. It does not appear, however, 
tnat either his example or theirs was immediately 
followed, nor until it was strengthened by reports of 
its distinguished success, both abroad and in other 
States. 

Of some of the principal artificial grasses we have 
heard as follows: It is believed that Israel Janney, 
already mentioned, was the first to sow the seed of 
the red clover in the northern part of Virginia, though 
it, or a variety of the same plant, is said to be indi- 
genous in some parts of the Valley; and it is known 
that Mr. John G. Mosby of Curies, first made trial 
of it in the tide water region.* % President Madison, 
while a member of Congress* sent from Philadel- 
phia to his farm in Orange county a small parcel of 
timothy seed. Its superiority to the natural grasses 
of the country, and its special adaptation to meadow 
lands were soon perceived. The increase of its seed 
was eagerly sought by others, and from that point it 
has spread into many other counties of the Piedmont 
district, on the north side of James river. Mr. A. 
B. Venableof Prince Edward, some time a Senator 
of the United States from this State, likewise sent 
from Philadelphia to his farm in that county, a simi- 
lar parcel of red top, or herds grass, and to that im- 
portation may be traced hundreds of meadows, some 
of considerable extent, which are now or have been 
laid down on the south side of James river. The 
number of these would have farther increased, and 
they would have been of longer continuance but for 
the invasion of broomsedge, that great and general 
pest of Eastern Virginia, which showed the ex- 
pediency of occasionally breaking them up to be 
cleansed by other crops. This grass has, moreover, 
been used with good effect, either alone or in com- 
pany with others, on high lands, supposed to be too 
much reduced to yield a remunerating crop of clo- 
ver. It has also been advantageously employed in 
the rotation on lots designed for the growth of a par- 
ticular kind of tobacco. 

In regard to the important subject of the rotation 
of crops we should be pleased to distinguish the in- 
dividuals who first dared to break the spell of cus- 
tom in departing from the two and three shift sys- 
tems, so baneful in their operation on the soil of 
Virginia. In this connection we should have to 
make special mention of the services of John Taylor 
of Caroline, Wilson Carev Nicholas, John Wick- 
ham, Thomas Marshall, John G. Mosby, John A. 
Selden and others. But this part of our duty, with 
many more, must be postponed. At present we will 
refer to but two other improvements, each of which 

* We learn since it was written, that this statement 
should be modified. Clover had been raised by others in 
this quarter, on small lots, naturally rich or highly ma- 
nured. But Mr. M. was among the first who made it a 
part of his field rotation, and increased its yield by the aid 
of gypsum. The peculiar character of the Curies lands 
made them an exceptional case. Many planters of lower 
Virginia had tried on their fields both clover and gypsum, 
shortly after their introduction into the State. The failure 
of the latter to act, being nearly universal, was ascribed 
to the influence of sea air; that of the former, to an excess 
of sand in the soil. The true cause was a defect of cal- 
careous matter, and a consequent acidity in the soil. This 
popular error was refuted by the experiments and reason- 
ings of Mr. Edmund Ruffin. On lands which have re- 
ceived a sufficient dressing of lime or marl, clover grows 
as luxuriantly here, and is as much aided by gypsum, as 
in those of equal fertility in the Piedmont district. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



21 



has exerted no small influence in giving direction to 
the labor of Virginia, and has added millions to the 
wealth of this and other States. 

The first of these was the cutting down of Indian 
corn with its stalk entire, to be shocked in the field, 
and thus used as the food of cattle. This was first 
practiced by John Harness of Moorfield, Hardy 
county, about the year 1780. His example was soon 
followed throughout Western Virginia. From thence 
it extended to the valleys of the Ohio, the Mississippi 
and their tributaries, and generally to the grazing, 
districts of the West. As a result of its universal 
adoption, it is believed that the quantity of stock 
raised for market in this immense region has been 
double of what it would have been had the top and 
blades been first taken from the stalk and the corn 
dealtout to them in the former method. 

It is peculiar to that one of the staple crops of 
Virginia, for which she was formerly and still is 
best kno\«i abroad — we mean tobacco— that its mar- 
ket value should depend upon skill in its manage- 
ment subsequent to its production. In this respect 
it differs both from Indian corn and Wheat, of which 
the quality in any given year is, ceteris paribus, too 
nearly uniform, to vary materially the prices offered 
to different individuals. It was otherwise when to- 
bacco was sold by the note of the inspectors, which 
simply indicated the weight, and when all that passed 
inspection was presumed to be of nearly the same 
value. The prices now offered are regulated by the 
quality and condition of the article, as well as by the 
general state of the market. A premium is thus 
held out to skill and fidelity in its preparation for 
market, which is principally conducted within doors, 
and at a season of the year when the labors of the 
field are often suspended by stress of weather. The 
first step in this matter, and which led to a long series 
of others on the part of the planter, wasftaken by the 
late Benjamin Hatcher of the town of Manchester, 
and county of Chesterfield. This gentleman, a libe- 
ral dealer, was guided in his purchases by a just 
discrimination of the quality, and not alone by the 
quantity of this production. The measure bore hard 
at first on the ignorant and the obstinate; but others 
were stimulated to fresh efforts to supply the new 
demand. The nature and composition of the plant 
were studied anew. Experiments in its cure and 
after-handling were multiplied in endless variety, 
and the effects noted by sagacious minds until that 
which had been a process wholly empirical and or- 
dered by custom or individual caprice, became an 
art, founded in principle and reducible to rule. The 
natural result of the whole was the more general 
supply of an article better suited to the purposes of 
the manufacturer and the taste of the consumer. 
The standard of attainment being thus elevated, the 
planter also received the reward of his greater dili- 
gence and attention in the enhancement of his re- 
venue. 

Other, though indirect benefits have flowed from 
this great change in the policy of the tobacco planter. 
His labor, though limited in amount, is continued 
throughout the year, and when most profitable, is 
distributed among his several crops; being applied 
to each in due season and at particular stages of 
its growth. The calls of this plant on the grower's 
attention, if numerous and imperative, are definite; 
and if promptly answered will leave him at leisure 
for other objects. The timely observance of these 
critical stages is thought by competent judges to 
furnish the best test of good management under our 
mixed system of farming and planting. The fact 
just mentioned would go far to show that the culture 
of tobacco is not necessarily destructive to all the 
other interests of the planter, as has been often urged. 



But this position is strengthened by other consi- 
derations. The amount of labor now required by this 
plant during its growth and subsequent manipulation, 
has lessened the quantity that can be profitably raised. 
But this, in turn, has narrowed the surface on which 
it is raised which yet yields a larger revenue than 
when the space was greater. Tobacco, therefore, is 
no longer the monopolist of land it formerly was, and 
a larger arable surface may be devoted to other and 
ameliorating crops. 

Again: tobacco being now generally grown on a 
series of lots of moderate extent, these are subjected 
to a rotation of their own, in which that plant is fol- 
lowed by wheat — for which its culture is the best 
known preparation— and that again by clover, which 
in the second year of its growth is returned to the 
soil. The manure required for themiaintenance of 
its fertility is hence far less than ft once exacted, 
and a larger residuum is left to be applied to the 
fields of grain. The experience of many has thus 
demonstrated that its growth is by no means incom- 
patible with general improvement, though this may 
be less conspicuous and rapid than where a farming 
system is exclusively pursued. 

The improvements here specified are taken from 
a larger catalogue which we hope yet to see greatly 
extended. Their number is inconsiderable, but they 
have been generally adopted by our more fortunate 
and intelligent brethren, and their effects, in joint 
and several operation, in recovering, preserving and 
improving our inheritance, are beyond estimation. 
It is not pretended that those in reserve are all of 
equal importance. But they are numerous, though 
subordinate; and if many of them are singly of less 
moment, in the aggregate they are worthy of being 
placed on record and consigned to our grateful re- 
collection. The changes wrought by some of these 
were so immediate and conspicuous as early to in- 
duce inquiry into their authorship, while the benefit 
of others has been widely diffused without the bene- 
ficiaries knowing to whom they are principally in- 
debted. Many practices have also been incorporated 
into the systems of judicious farmers of which it 
may now be difficult to ascertain the remote origin 
or even proximate sources, and which yet they would 
be very unwilling to surrender. We speak not so 
much of those which were the growth of ages long 
past, and have been the common property of our 
brethren in all civilized lands from time immemorial, 
as of others which, from their special adaptation to 
our wants, may be presumed to have sprung from 
our peculiar situation. The names of the patriots 
just given, are now brought into juxtaposition for 
such a purpose as ours, it is believed, for the first 
time. An honorable place in the list is reserved for 
their fellows who must not be forgotten. The ten- 
dency of their labors and example, is to illustrate 
the practical character of the leading minds of Vir- 
ginia, their devotion to utilitarian pursuits, recupe- 
rative energy, and another trait for which they have 
obtained less credit— their versatility and fertility in 
resource when under the pressure of difficulty. The 
sum of the results, past and present, of their several 
improvements, as we have seen, is highly worthy of 
note, and this is but an earnest of what we may hope 
for, when the knowledge already accumulated shall 
have been used wherever applicable, and when che- 
mistry and physiology and mechanics shall bring 
their future tributes to her who should be the queen, 
as she has been the nursing mother, of all the 
sciences. 

Our inquiries have not as yet been directed to all 
parts of the State, and it may be, that in conse- 
quence, errors have crept into'a statement so brief 
as the present. Though offered with some degree 



22 



TJIE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



of confidence, it is held as subject to correction, and 
to be substituted by better knowledge in the future. 

Such, then, are a few of the facts which have been 
brought to our notice, and which are here repeated, 
to show the character of those we are still to seek. 
Should our brethren respond to our call, we will 
return them to the Society in a different form, and 
through it to the community of farmers. 

We have already mentioned the names of several 
of our distinguished public servants, in connection 
with valuable innovations on our systems of hus- 
bandry. Others, as we have said, might be added 
from their rank, as well as from that of private 
citizens who have chosen this walk of usefulness. 
But ve resist the temptation. We are unwilling, 
however, to close this report without a more special 
reference to three of the sons of Virginia, whom 
we are constrained to regard as preeminently the 
benefactors of this, the chief interest of the State 
Their labors in this department appear also to be 
coincident with the three principal eras of our pro- 
gress. 

It is not universally known to the present race of 
Virginia farmers, that the Father of his Country 
had other claims on their gratitude than those of the 
soldier and civilian. But it is even so. Washing- 
ton was also a cultivator of the soil. This was his 
chosen occupation, his first love, to which he ever 
returned when he could divest himself of the cares 
of State. Throughout life he was known as a dili- 
gent and methodical farmer, who brought his strong 
common sense and practical sagacity to bear on 
this subject as on all others. When he had exem- 
plified all the maxims of good husbandry as known 
in his own country, besides a multitude of early 
experiments with mineral manures, with grasses 
and other novel products, in varying his rotations, 
and in other matters of rural economy — to him we 
probably owe the first substitution of the labor of 
mules for that of horses in the work of the farm— 
(Southern Planter, Vol. XIII, page 236,) he sought 
further light from abroad, as is proved by his pub- 
lished correspondence with Arthur Young and Sir 
John Sinclair— the two men who, in the British 
Isles and in all Europe, were the most distinguished 
promoters of the same cause. Nor should it be for- 
gotten, that as the father of the system of internal 
improvement in Virginia, he has most materially 
contributed to the advancement of her agricultural 
interest. Though his ideas on this head hnve not, 
as yet, been fully carried out, their partial execution 
has given to farmers greater facilities for the con- 
veyance of their products to market, and a propor- 
tional increase in the value of their lands. That it 
was his desire that the immense resources of his 
native State should be fully developed, not to be 
prodigally wasted, but spent in further enriching and 
adorning her surface, we cannot doubt. But the 
wish was greater than the man, although that man 
was Washington. He could be wise in his own 
generation; but if he foresaw, he could not precipi- 
tate the course of events. He had done his duty. 
When the crisis came, the man for the occasion — 
as always happens — made his appearance. 

Near the close of the last centurv, Mr. William 
Strickland, a scientific farmer of England, visited 
the United States, with the conditional purpose of 
seeking a new theatre for the skill of himself and 
friends in the new home of freedom. He traversed 
our country— was discouraged by what he saw- 
returned and made an unfavorable report. This 
report may be found in Farmers' Register, III, 201, 
262. Gen. Washington speaks of this tour of ob- 
servation in his third letter to Sir J. Sinclair, and a 
valuable letter of his addressed to Mr. S. may be 



found in his writings, XII, 329. Our State was 
included in his survey, and of that he was pleased 
to say, that "Agriculture in Virginia had reached 
the lowest stage of degradation." The truth, though 
bitter, should have been welcome then, but our peo- 
ple heard it not immediately, for the taunt was not 
addressed to them. His words, however, were not 
lost and we thank him now. There was one who 
caught up the echo, and treasured them for future 
use. The body of the planters of Eastern Virginia 
persisted for another decade in their ancient and de- 
structive system : impoverishing their lands, wasting 
the heritage of their posterity, until both were ready 
to sink down in contented apathy, without heart or 
hope of bettering their condition, except in another 
clime, and on a more patient soil. 

There had all along been honorable exceptions 
to the charge, and among these was one who, both 
by precept and example, had endeavored to stay the 
plague. John Taylor of Caroline, who, while he 
was not blind to the social and civic virtues of his 
countrymen, had blushed for their degeneracy as 
farmers, at length spoke out. He re-echoed the 
words of the foreigner, and from his lips they came 
in tones of solemn warning and terrible rebuke, 
not unmingled with encouragement. The voice of 
Arator came sounding across our plains — it reach- 
ed the ears of the sluggard and the reckless— and 
roused them like a trumpet-call. It now appeared 
that the planters of Virginia, when thus addressed, 
were yet willing to enter on the path of amendment, 
when made plain before them. This manifesto, 
however, of the great leader among the cultivators 
of that day, was not without both its errors and 
defects. And, were he now among us, he would be 
the first to concede that his prescriptions were not a 
"panacea" for "all the ills that land is heir to." 
For he was eminently an inquiring and progressive, 
as well as a practical farmer. He recommended 
nothing to others which he had not first tried him- 
self, and with success. That his counsels were not 
followed with due discrimination, was our misfor- 
tune, and not his fault. 

The Volume of Arator was not his only tribute 
to our cause. Col. Taylor succeeded Chief Justice 
Marshall as President of the first "Agricultural So- 
ciety of Virginia," and among its published trans- 
actions, as also in those of the Philadelphia Agri- 
cultural Society, are several memoirs from his pen, 
which, at this day, may be read with instructive 
interest. Many letters also, explanatory of his sys- 
tem generally, addressed to a private individual — 
Mr. G. W. Jeffries of North Carolina— appear in 
the American Farmer, Vol. II. See also Vol. X, 
74, for an eulogium on his character and services 
as an agriculturist, as warm as it was well-merited, 
by his friend, the late James M. Garnett, whose 
own zeal in the same cause is entitled to our re- 
membrance. 

Thus much was done by the venerated dead; but 
something — much remained to be accomplished. 
The giant was indeed aroused from his lethargy; 
the weapons which had been used with more valor 
than discretion, and which had dropped from his 
hand, were resumed, and he was again ready for 
action. He looked around — rather listlessly, we 
must say— for a leader; for some one, in whom was 
the spirit of command, who should direct him where 
to bestow his courage and his strength. And, again, 
the man appeared, although he was not immediately 
recognized by all. 

There was one who had seen the danger which 
menaced the best interests pf Eastern Virginia, and 
who had the courage to face it; who had felt the 
evil, and had an abiding confidence that a remedy 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



23 



was in reserve. Great names among the votaries of 
science abroad had professed to expound the myste- 
ries of chemistry, as applied to agriculture, but their 
doctrines, when applied, often failed in the promised 
results. But he would not believe that the last word 
had yet been spoken; and, therefore, did he enter on 
the search anew, and with a perseverance that would 
take no denial. He questioned Nature, he questioned 
man. He deferred to authority where authority was 
right. He brushed it away with scant ceremony, 
when it stood between him and the sun. "While he 
disdained not to listen to the humblest who came 
with genuine instruction, he used his own eyes, his 
own hands, and both were guided by a sincerity of 
purpose and directness of judgment, which pierced 
through every fallacy, however speciously disguised. 
In fine, he sought the truth, and he found it. • 

Having found it for himself, he was now ready to 
impart it to others. He had done enough to show 
that he also could become a plodding, methodical, 

E radical, successful farmer. To such let all due 
onor be paid. But for him to aspire to nothing 
more, would have been to forget his true mission. 
The philosopher must not degenerate into the mere 
man of details: the general must not descend into 
the ranks. In his case the trumpet gave forth no 
uncertain sound. He spoke out with clearness and 
emphasis. He exploded all sorts of vulgar errors — 
of the men of science, so called— of the practical 
men, so called. He pointed to the remedy, which 
was near at hand. His own experience had proved 
its efficacy. It remained to show how and why it 
was mighty to invigorate as well as to heal, and it 
was done. 

The many at first were incredulous, but one and 
another, and another, imbibed his precepts and fol- 
lowed his example, until that which in the beginning 
was sneered at as the whisper of a faction has be- 
come the voice of the nation. For more than thirty 
years has he labored for the public good; sometimes 
amid discouragements and against the most appall- 
ing obstacles, and while yet living — what can rarely 
be said of the benefactors of our kind — he has reaped 
his reward. Not in the mere accession to his ma- 
terial substance, or to that of his fellow-citizens, 
great and gratifying as this may be, but in the con- 
sciousness of having discharged his duty with fide- 
lity — in the assurance that those who have a proper 
sense of his services are ever increasing in numbers— 
that he presents in his own person a proof of the 
ultimate justice and honest gratitude of republics. 
We honor him not alone for his theories or his prac- 
tice, but also for the numerous coadjutors whom he 
has called to the rescue. For all that has followed 
among us up to this day, whether illustrative of our 
science or honorable to our calling, is but the na- 
tural corollary from his efforts. Do you ask who 
this is! Gentlemen of the Agricultural Society, 
there is but one such man, and that man is Edmund 
Ruffin, the elder. Not Edmund Ruffin of Prince 
George — of Petersburg— of Hanover, but Edmund 
Ruffin of Virginia. He now belongs to us all, and 
him we hail as field marshal of the army of farmers 
and planters of the Old Dominion. This day and 
this occasion witnesses his victory after his life-long 
battle, and he might be borne in triumph, if his mo- 
dest dignity and unpretending merit would permit 
the display. There are, however, trophies of that 
victory which he would not disclaim. If we are 
asked, where are they to be seen; we bid you look 
around. 

On behalf of the committee, 

N. Francis Cabell. 
The other members of the committee who were 
present and gave their sanction to this report, were 



Commodore Thomas Ap C. Jones of Fairfax, Gen. 
Peter H. Steenbergen of Mason, Wm. B. Harrison 
of Prince George, B. Johnson Barbour of Orange, 
and Hugh M. Nelson of Clarke county. 

The report was then received and the committee 
continued for the same service. 

Branch XI. 
The Committee on the Ruffin Premium re- 
spectfully report, that Professor Gilham of the 
Virginia Military Institute, was the only appli- 
cant for the premium, and the committee re- 
garding his analyses of marls, a report of which 
is herewith presented, as very valuable and in- 
teresting, take pleasure in awarding him the 
premium, and at the same time tender him the 
thanks of the Society for his efficient and disin- 
terested labors in the advancement of agricul- 
tural science. 

WlLLOUGHBY NEWTON, 

John B. Harvie, 
Ro. W. Tomlin. 
[Note by the Secretary. — The report of 
the analyses of marls, above referred to, has 
been published by the Executive Committee in 
the April number of the Southern Planter for 
the current year and in the preceding pages of 
the Transactions of the Society, except some 
additional matter furnished by Professor Gil- 
ham, which will appear in the sequel among 
the premium essays.] 

Branch XII. 
The undersigned, committee appointed by the 
Virginia State Agricultural Society to award a 
premium of ten dollars for the best family flour 
exhibited at its present Fair, beg leave to report 
as follows: 

Fourteen different samples have been sub- 
mitted and have been carefully compared and 
examined, and the committee have unanimous- 
ly awarded the premium to the brand "Valley 
Mills," manufactured in the county of Augusta 
by P. O. Palmer, and exhibited by Matthew 
Blair. This sample is superior to all exhibited 
in whiteness, and is not their inferior in grain 
and strength. 

The committee take pleasure in adding that 
ail the other brands submitted are of excellent 
quality and can confidently be recommended to 
the public; they are as follows: Taliaferro and 
Brother, Ivy Mills by John R. Woods, Rock 
Mills by William M. Moseley, Genito Mills by 
Dr. John G. Skelton, C. T. Mills by R. H. Bra- 
zeal, R. A. Banks by R, A. Banks, Mount Solon 
by Dr. C. R. Harris, N. B. Clarke by N. B. 
Clarke, Bragg City Mills by Joel B. Bragg, 
Burnley by N. Burnley, Folly, Jas. M. Ranson 
by J. M. Ranson and manufactured by H. S. 
Locker of Lexington, Wm. Radford by Wm. 
Radford. 

For the Committee, 

R. B. Haxall, 
John J. Brown, 
Rob't B. Somerville. 

Branch XII. 
The Committee on Manufactured Tobacco 
report, that the specimens exhibited displayed 



24 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



the highest skill and taste. Both the manufac- 
ture and the polished cases in which it was put 
up were most creditable to the parties. In a 
show in which there was so much excellence 
and so near an approach to equality on the part 
of many of the manufacturers, the committee 
was embarrassed in determining that any one 
sample was superior to the rest. Ifpon the 
whole, the committee reports in favor of the 
Koh-I-Nor and Diadem brands of James Tho- 
mas, Jr., but desire to mention, with strong com- 
mendation, the tobacco of Harwood & Black- 
burn, Colin Seay, James Sizer, Jr., Robert J. 
Christian, Cosby & Winfree, H. B. Dickinson, 
George VV. Gilliam and Blair & Burton. 
All which is respectfully submitted, 

Wm. H. Macfarland, 
Rich. Hill, Jr. 
Benj. C. Gray. 

DISCRETIONARY PREMIUMS. 

The Committee on Discretionary Premiums 
award the subjoined list of premiums to the ar- 
ticles therein mentioned, recommended to their 
notice by the Committee on Household Manu- 
factures, and on Dairy and Honey: 

A premium of two dollars, to Mrs. Mott of 
Richmond city, for home-made linen. 

A premium of two dollars, to Miss Womack, 
(a blind lady,) for a very neat and well made 
counterpane. 

A premium of two dollars to Miss Eliza Bowen 
of Albemarle, for a pair of embroidered sleeves. 
A premium of three dollars, to Miss J. Bruce 
Williams of Henrico, for a crotcheted vest. 

A premium of two dollars, to Mrs. E.T. Mos- 
by of Matthews, for a quilt containing 23,945 
pieces. 

A premium of three dollars, to Mrs. George 
M. Woolhouse of Richmond city, for a very 
handsome pin cushion, embroidered in gold 
bullion. 

A premium of three dollars, to Miss Mary E. 
Wad del of Waynesboro', Augusta, for a crotch- 
eted bonnet and hat. 

A premium of two dollars, to Miss L. F. Ken- 
nerly of Clarke, who is deaf and blind, for a 
tidy and net purse. » 

A premium of three dollars, to Mrs. E. A. 
Smith of Richmond city, for two vases of wax 
flowers. 

, A premium of three dollars, to Mrs. Mary 
Anna Page of Richmond city, for an embroi- 
dered hair cloth chair. 

A premium of five dollars, to A. Morris of 
Richmond city, for a case of very superior mer- 
chant's account books. 

A premium of three dollars, to Hugh M'Cub- 
ben & Co. of Petersburg, for several bales of 
very excellent seine twine. 

A premium of two dollars, for a pair of shell 
flower vases, to Miss D. H. Flournoy of Ches- 
terfield. 

A premium of three dollars, to Miss S. P. Cobb 
of Buckingham, for an embroidered chair. 

A premium of two dollars, to Miss Eliza M. 
Jackson of Cumberland, for a domestic rug, the 
colors of which were dyed by herself. 



A premium of three dollars to Mrs. Charles 
Bates of Richmond city, for five very handsome 
embroidered chairs. 

A premium of two dollars, to Corb'm, an old 
slave, from the county of Hanover, for a large 
and well made broom straw chair. 

A premium of two dollars, to Mrs. H. Kimpel 
of Richmond city, for a case of bonnets and 
ladies' caps. 

A premium of two dollars, to Miss Jenny Bery- 
hill and her assistant, for an embroidered centre 
table cover, presented by George Calvert, at 
the request of Mrs. Collins, the Principal of the 
Calvert Institute, Perrysville, Chickasaw district, 
Arkansas. 

A premium of three dollars, to Mrs. Alfred 
Slaughter of Rockingham, for a collection of 
excellent willow baskets — materials of home 
growth and home manufacture. 

A premium of two dollars, to Mrs. E. W. 
Metauer of Petersburg, for a pair of silk socks, 
entirely of home manufacture — the worms hav- 
ing been raised by herself. 

A premium of two dollars to Mrs. G. S. Bur- 
ton of Henrico, for a net sofa blanket. 

A premium of three dollars to Mrs. Mary Su- 
san Graves of Chesterfield, for a beautiful silk 
crib quilt; two other quilts and two yarn coun- 
terpanes. 

A premium of three dollars to Mrs. Paulina 
Pollard of Albemarle, for a block-work quilt and 
specimens of worsted work. 

A premium of two dollars to Mrs. Sarah Mun- 
ford of Richmond city, for some very beautiful 
specimensof silk made from the productof worms 
fed on leaves of the common mulberry. 

A premium of two dollars to Mrs. F. Butler 
of Richmond city, for domestic baskets and se- 
veral articles of fancy work made of pine burs. 
A premium of three dollars to Miss Spencer 
of Powhatan, for a straw hat made of wheat 
straw. 

A premium of two dollars to Mrs. Wren of 
same county, for same. 

A premium of two dollars to Mrs. W. N. 
Whiting of Amelia, for a beautifully embroi- 
dered infant's sack. 

A quilt by Mrs. E. Wills of Goochland, (a 
lady of seventy years of age.) was received too 
late to be entered. It is well deserving of a 
premium. 

A premium of five dollars to John Howell of 
Alexandria, for a case of remarkably fine and 
well made hats, manufactured throughout in 
that city by Mr. H. [These articles were de- 
tained by an accident, and arrived after the com- 
mittee had completed their examination.] 

A premium of three dollars for a piece of 
woollen jeans woven by hand, and a piece of 
home-made flannel, by Mrs. William E. Britton 
of Halifax. These were covered over with other 
goods when the committee made their examina- 
tion, and were consequently overlooked. 

A premium of three dollars to Mrs. Lucy Mi- 
nor of Albemarle, for a very beautiful pair of 
ladies' gaiter boots, made by herself in less than 
one day. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



25 



A premium of five dollars to George Calvert 
of Fauquier, for a very ingenious beehive, eo 
constructed as to guard against the bee-moth. 

A premium of ten dollars to Matthew Kahle 
of Lexington, for models of two machines of his 
own invention, the one for gathering and hulling 
clover seed with one horse, and the other a 
scraper, which promises to be of great value to 
the constructer of roads as well as to the farmer. 

A premium of five dollars to Dr. John R. 
Woods of Albemarle, for the bacon hams offered 
by him and cured by the process described in 
his statement. 

A premium of twenty dollars to Dr. John R. 
Woods of Albemarle, for a lot of Kaiei cattle 
exhibited by him. 

W. C. Rives, Chairman. 




THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



RICHMOND, JANUARY, 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. 

IdrJNo subscription received for a less time than one 
year. , 

fjr Subscriptions may begin with any number. 

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

H^ Office on Twelfth, between Main and Cary streets. 



POSTAGE ON THE PLANTER, 

When paid quarterly or yearly in advance. 
To any partof the United States one cent and a half 
per quarter, or six cents per annum. 



THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE PLANTER 

Commences with this day's issue. As the new type 
has not yet come to hand, we are compelled to use 
the old for this number, and, we hope, for the last 
time. The number of pages will not be increased, 
but the greater size of the sheet will be equal to an 
addition of eighty-four pages, or twenty per cent. 

For reimbursement, we trust to the liberality of 
our friends. We have now 4200 names on our list, 
but we are so confident of an increase, that we shall 
commence with an issue of 5000 copies, which will 
enable us to supply 5000 subscribers, or about one- 
sixth of the number that one paper gets in New York. 
But we do not mean, thereby, to restrict our number 
to that, being just as willing to take ten thousand, 
in fact, rather preferring the latter number. 



IN EXPLANATION OF THE PLANTER 
PREMIUMS. 

# We have had several letters asking for explana- 
tions of our premiums. As others may wish the 
same information, we will state, that the premiums 
were intended by the Editor of this paper to serve 
the double purpose of extending the circulation of 
the Planter, and, at the same time, diffusing fine 
stock throughout Virginia^ and that if the experi- 
ment succeeds to our satisfaction, we hope to con- 
tinue the plan on a still larger scale. At present, of 
course, our main object is to get the largest number 
of new, paying subscribers, and we inserted the 
clause allowing each collection to count as a sub- 
scription, in order that gentlemen might make up 
their lists. But we trusted, and still trust, very con- 
fidently, to the good faith and sense of justice of our 
friends not to let their lists consist altogether of col- 
lections. 

We have very cheerfully encountered the expense 
of this thing, and have provided fine animals— since 
the calf was purchased of Gen'l Peyton, and before 
he was offered in premium, one hundred dollars was 
offered for him; and twice that sum would not have 
obtained him, because we meant to apply him to 
this very purpose. 

Persons meaning to compete can have credit, if 
they request it, for every subscriber sent from now 
until the 1st of April, when the awards will be 
published. 

Contestants are not restricted to their own coun- 
ties; but every man that chooses is, of course, at 
liberty to get subscribers from the whole State. 



THE LATE DISTRICT FAIRS IN VIRGINIA. 

Most of these interesting and successful exhibi- 
tions were held just about the time of the grand 
State Fair, the business of which so absorbed us that 
we really were unable to give them such notice and 
words of encouragement as we could have wished. 
There were five of them: that at Wheeling, that of 
the county of Loudoun at Leesburg, the Valley So- 
ciety at Charlestown, the Tide Water Society at 
Port Royal, and the Norfolk and Princess Anne 
County — now enlarged and christened the Sea 
Board — Agricultural Society at Norfolk city. Of 
that at Wheeling, we have heard nothing, though, 
as the North West is noted for fine cattle and the 
best Merino sheep in Virginia, if not in the Union, 
and has the example of Ohio to stimulate her, we 
shall take it for granted that she had a good show. 

The Valley Society at Charlestown comprises in 
its ranks the farmers of Jefferson, Clarke, Frede- 
rick and Berkeley; and as two of these counties are 
the richest in the State, and admirably farmed, (and, 
but for their contiguity to a free State, the most de- 
sirable places to live in in Virginia, which is as 
much as if we had said the whole world,) it ought 
to have had a first rate show. But as their papers 
sung rather small on the occasion, we fear they had 
nothing to brag of. 

At Leesburg they were unlucky, the snow falling 
to the depth of several inches on the day fixed for 
the fair. This was enough to have defeated it alto- 
gether, but nothing daunted, they rallied in a few 
days and held their fair a week later, on the first of 
November. Under the circumstances, it was, we 
learn, very creditable. We do not well see how it 
can ever be otherwise, under any sort of weather, 
as long as our friend Robert L. Wright of Wheat- 
land is President of their association. A man of 
great public spirit and liberality, one of the finest 



26 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



fellows in Virginia, a capital farmer— by the by, he 
has the best barn in the State, Rockingham not ex- 
cepted, to those, at least, who like large barns — 
such a man, with only half a chance, can get up 
and keep up a good county society, not only in spite 
of snow, but "in spite of thunder." 

Of the show at Port Royal, we had glowing ac- 
counts, both from our private correspondent, and 
from the newspapers of Fredericksburg. The wea- 
ther there, too, was bad the day before, so bad as to 
prevent many persons and articles from reaching 
the grounds in time: but there were many there 
whose energies and spirits were not to be dampened 
by an ordinary rain; and enough attended to prove 
the feasibility of such societies for that country. For 
two days, the old town of Port Royal, the seat of 
hospitality, and erst the abode of gaiety, had her 
streets and her hands perfectly full, and enjoyed the 
grandest, if not the liveliest frolic, she has had 
this many a day. The address on the occasion was 
delivered by the Hon. Willoughby Newton of West- 
moreland; we hear it was good, and we so far be- 
lieve it, that we mean to publish it as soon after we 
get a copy as we can find room in the crowded 
columns of the Planter. The Society re-elected, 
we believe, its. old officers, certainly the principal 
ones, such as Col. Tayloe, President; Corbin, Wm. 
P. Taylor, Dr. White, Henry Garnett, (who would 
be a little more highly esteemed by the Editor of this 
paper if he would write for it — what greater right 
has a man to hide his light under a bushel of wheat, 
than under any other sort of a bushel "?) Fitzhugh, 
&e., &c. — "which &c," as my Lord Coke says, 
"includeth many things." 

The Society will hold its next annual fair at Fre- 
dericksburg, and then expects, we learn, to give 
Tappahannock a benefit the year after. Indeed, 
if Essex had been present in force, she might have 
moved it there for next year; but, for this time, we 
think Fredericksburg is entitled to it. After her, 
however, we go in for Tappahannock, and we give 
notice that the whole influence of the Planter, which 
is a full one "horse" power, will be thrown in the 
Tappahannock scale, when, of course, all other ri- 
vals, including the city of , sometimes known 

as Westmoreland Court House, must kick the beam. 
We remember, when in the year 1829, old Colonel 
Ritchie hauled his corn ten miles to Tappahannock, 
and sold it for SI 50 per barrel. Who then would 
have thought of an "Agricultural Show and Fair" 
in that village'? But now the time has come, and 
we hope that the tramp of hundreds will kill some 
of the grass that grows in the streets of that beau- 
tiful village. We like grass in its proper place, 
and perhaps it may be our hobby, but we hate it in 
streets. 

By the way, there is none in Norfolk— we heard 
there was, but now we have seen with our own eyes 
and can say there is none, though the county can 
boast its fine meadows, and might boast its pastures. 
We saw hay there of the best, cured by Colonel 
Herbert; and we saw on the farm of another gentle- 
man, fine bunches of real Kentucky blue grass- 
where that grew, more can be made to grow, and 
Frederick Wilson, we take it, is the man to make it 
grow if he chooses. 

We went to the Norfolk Fair, the guest of the 
Society, the best possible station for a gentleman to 
occupy who goes to such places. We had never 
visited the city before, and were more than delighted 
with all we saw. Her hospitality is based on the 
old Virginia style, and her edibles on fish and oysters, 
especially the latter. For our part, we must confess 
that in the matter of eating we never got beyond 
the foundation, and would advise every one who 



goes to Norfolk, and all should go, to Jay down, or 
"lay in" oysters as "first principles." 

Her show was a good one— decidedly good; and 
we say it who should say it, for we were fresh 
from the State Fair with all its beauties still linger- 
ing on the retina. Mr. Hardy's Devon bull was 
there, and his other beautiful cattle and some fine 
ones beside. To be sure we came near being lanced 
by a "native" (we do not think "or grade" need be 
added,) coming upon us stern foremost; but we saw 
not many like him. The horses too might have been 
larger, fatter, handsomer, without loss to their own- 
ers or spoiling the looks of the fair. The sheep 
might also be improved ; but the hogs could not well 
be— they were as fine as the State Fair boasted. 
But the department that struck us most favorably, 
was the display of implements. Messrs. Bowen & 
Fisher, and that "pioneer of agricultural imple- 
ments in Eastern Virginia," as the Argus calls him, 
Seth March, had each handsomer buildings than 
any of our implement makers had at the State 
Fair— their internal arrangements were better, and 
their show of implements larger and of greater 
variety. 

This is a good sign— many, very many, of the 
implements found in all implement stores, are of 
little use, and many a positive disadvantage to a 
farmer. But the variety indicates an activity of 
inquiry on the part of any community in which they 
may be found. This activity does exist about Nor- 
folk. "The green pea and strawberry interest has 
set her upon her legs," and she now begins to see 
that she has a fine soil, and such advantages as no 
other section of Virginia can boast of. We feel 
well assured that she will make good use of them. 
We saw intelligent, public spirited men in Norfolk; 
industrious and enterprising men, who have learned 
that 



Is more than to have lost ;" 



To doubt 



it will not take them long to retrieve their ground, 
and to make Norfolk and Princess Anne counties, 
what Norfolk in England is — a similar county, simi- 
lar, even in its tertians — and that is one of the very 
finest agricultural districts in the world. 

We have said less of these fairs than we would 
have wished, yet enough perhaps to tire the reader. 
Still, we are sorry that we have no more fairs to re- 
cord—only five for the one hundred and fifty coun- 
ties of Virginia! only five! and Ohio has held 
seventy-nine 1 Think of it. Is she more intelligent 
than we are, or ought she to be more public spirited, 
or richer? She has a noble soil, but we have the 
Atlantic Coast to match it— commercial facilities, 
against doubtful agricultural advantages — doubtful, 
because, though their average of wheat one year 
with another is sixteen bushels per acre, and of corn, 
thirty-five bushels: yet, their lands sell for vastly 
more than ours do. Can we doubt that much of her 
success, her thirty millions of wheat, her seventy 
millions of corn, her cattle and hogs and sheep in 
proportion, against our eleven and a quarter mil- 
lions, now probably fourteen millions, of wheat, and 
our thirty-five and a half millions of corn,. are due, 
in some measure, to that spirit of rivalry which 
shows itself in her fairs and her agricultural 
societies. 

We wish we could see such fairs all over Virgi- 
nia, and we believe we shall. To those who dislike 
them, and distrust them, we would ask one question. 
Why do politicians call mass meetings'? Not surely 
that they may excite the crowd by harangues, but 
.that the crowd excited by contact, and by numbers, 
may be ready for their purposes— they know that the 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



27 



excitement exists before they, by speaking, give it 
the direction they wish. 

Itwasobservedbyoneofthefinestthinkerswehave 
ever met with, that the excitement of 1840 did more 
good by the intellectual excitement it produced, and 
the consequent information imparted, than harm by 
its excesses. We do not think that, though such a con- 
sideration may be some palliation of the universal 
political demoralization produced by the orgies of 
those days. But we think there is enough truth in 
the remark to make us wish that there could be an- 
nual mass meetings in every county of the State, 
animated by zeal for the improvement of agricul- 
ture in each of its many departments. We say 
again, we believe we shall see it. The public mind 
of Virginia, always resistless in whatever direction 
it has earnestly taken, seems now to set in the di- 
rection of agriculture. If the Legislature will take 
the helm and keep us in the current, we shall run 
our course without faltering and without failure. 
So mote it be. 



RICHMOND AND THE AGRICULTURAL 
SOCIETY. 



which was adopted: 

"Resolved, That the rooms of the second story in 
the building ordered by the Council to be erected on 
Governor street, be tendered to the State Agricul- 
tural Society for their use as offices; and that the 
Building Committee are hereby authorized to com- 
municate this resolution to the proper committee of 
the Agricultural Society, and to confer with said 
committee as to the plan of said rooms." 

If we are not surprised at the passage of the above 
resolution by the Common Council of the City of 
Richmond, it is because we have already seen so 
much of her generosity that there is no room for 
any thing but thanks for what she has done and 
means to do. 

The city and its citizens have given not less, al- 
ready, than twenty-five thousand dollars to the So- 
ciety; and now they tender, what in other places, 
as New York, for example, the State has given, a 
handsome suite of rooms for the officers of the So- 
ciety on a fine site and in a central part of the city. 
This offer, amountingin value, to upwards of ten 
thousand dollars more, will, of course, be accepted, 
and thus impose on the agricultural community an 
additional debt of gratitude. We feel authorized 
to say that the way in which this debt can be best 
discharged will be for the farmers of the Slate to 
do as much for themselves as Richmond has done 
for them, and thus stimulate her liberality to a still 
higher pitch. We owe it to Richmond as well as 
to ourselves to keep moving. 

Let the farmers, then, continue their efforts. Al- 
ready have their zeal and enthusiasm produced the 
happiest results; and now the eye of the Union is 
upon us. We see many agricultural newspapers, 
and we tell our friends that all we have done is 
known, and all we should do is waited for. Let us 
keep up the credit of "the Old Dominion." The 
Legislature, too, is now ready to lend a helping 
hand. We have seen some of the most prominent 
and intelligent gentlemen of both Houses, and we 
can say, with confidence, that we never saw their 
temper so fine towards any thing as towards the 
State Agricultural Society. It will naturally add 
to their kind feelings if our friends in the country 
will help on the work. 



DEATH OF THOMAS E. BLUNT. 

The following resolutions will inform our friends 
of the death of the good farmer and good man, whose 
name heads this article. We were indebted to Mr. 
Blunt for many excellent articles contributed to the 
Planter; and we know perfectly well that he is a 
great loss to the community among whom he dwelt: 

"At the meeting of the Stoney Creek Agricultural 
Club, No. 1, held at the residence of M. R. Dissos- 
vvay, Esq., on Friday, the 18th day of November, 
1853, the following resolutions were unanimously 
adopted: 

" Whereas, it has pleased an all-wise Providence 
to remove from this life, Thomas E. Blunt, Esq., the 
President of this Club, 

"Resolved, By this dispensation of Providence, this 
Club has lost its founder and most energetic mem- 
ber, agriculture an indefatigable friend, the commu- 
nity a heavy loss, and the church a devoted member. 
But, although, the blow is heavy on us, we feel con- 
fident that our loss is his gain. 

"Resolved, That we, as a club, deeply sympathize 
with the widow in her affliction, and, that, as a testi- 
mony of respect for the deceased, we wear crape on 
our arm for thirty days; and that these proceedings 
be entered on the journal of the Club, and that a 
copy be sent to the family of the deceased by the 
Corresponding Secretary. 

"Resolved., That these proceedings be sent to the 
Editor of the Petersburg Intelligencer, and to the 
Editor of the Southern Planter, with request to 
publish. 

John F. Winfield, Secretary" 



SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE PLANTER. 

It may not be amiss to publish the following ex- 
tract from a letter sent us by a friend: "Enclosed I 
send you ten dollars for ten new subscribers to the 
Planter, and if life lasts, I hope to send you ten 
more in a few days. To this 1 have been greatly 
moved, (apart from my regard for you) by the arti- 
cle of 'Incog' in the last number. That article was 
in the right spirit, and the author, so far from being 
'Incog,' ought to 'cog' of all men, at least of all 
true Virginians."' 

In two days more came another letter with the 
ten additional subscribers, and the pleasing assur- 
ance that our friend, whom we rather incline to 
esteem a gentleman of the first water, is "just com- 
ing to his wind" in the efforts that he is making. — 
Of course we can do nothing but thank him, and 
"lay upon our back and await the course of events." 
The subscriptions this time come from as far west 
as "Incog's" did from the east, and it is, we can 
assure all parties, a great comfort to see these dif- 
ferent, and too often hostile, sections merging their 
differences in a common support of the Southern 
Planter. Who says that Kanawha does not contain 
"the salt of the earth," or that Elizabeth City does 
not get. every now and then, a smart sprinkling of 
the salt of the sea'? 

It is now in order for any other of our friends to 
proceed. 

Since writing the above, the same friend sends 
five more names; and we have had a letter also 
from our old friend and sometime contributor, Dr. 
Wm. S. Morton of Cumberland county, who sends 
us twenty-five names, all obtained at Court in one 
day, he, though old and infirm, having ridden thir- 
teen miles that day on no other business than to 
obtain them. He says in his letter: "Whilstsucha 
blaze of agricultural enthusiasm is flaming through 



2S 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



the land, I trust it will not be forgotten, that the best 
way to begin the promotion of the glorious cause, 
is to diffuse agricultural knowledge through the 
length and breadth of the State. Without this, no 
amount of funds vested in agricultural societies and 
expended in fairs, &c, can do much good. I trusted 
that my noble and beloved little county would have 
subscribed more largely to 'The Planter,' and still 
hope that further gleanings may be gathered." 

We commend both the substance of this para- 
graph and the zeal of its author to the consideration 
of younger gentlemen. 

' In medio tutissiraus ibia" 

has been a maxim since the days of Ovid. It re- 
mains to be seen whether we shall translate it, "To 
get the largest number of subscribers you must go 



JEFFERSON'S NOTES ON VIRGINIA. 

We have received from the publisher, J. W. Ran- 
dolph, a new and enlarged edition of this celebrated 
and most interesting work. The old edition having 
been long out of print, and there being a very con- 
siderable demand for it, Mr. Randolph purchased 
the copy-right from Mr. Jefferson's executor and 
residuary legatee, and now offers it to the public. 
We hope that the public will do justice to them- 
selves and give encouragement to Mr. Randolph by 
fa liberal patronage. He has commenced the busi- 
ness of publisher, and surely it is a most praise- 
worthy enterprise. He cannot come before them 
better recommended than with a "new edition, pre- 
pared by the author," of Jefferson's Notes on Vir- 
ginia. 



PARKS AND PLEASURE GROUNDS. 

We have received from Mr. J. Woodhouse, book- 
seller, a book entitled, Parks and Pleasure Grounds, 
with practical notes on Country Residences, Villas, 
Public Parks and Gardens, by Charles H. J. Smith, 
Landscape Gardener, Garden Architect, &c, with 
notes and additions, by Lewis F. Allen, of New 
York, author of Rural Architecture. Published by 
Sax ton, New York. 

We have looked through this work attentively- 
very attentively — because we are at this time in 
need of the very sort of information that such a 
book should afford, and we are compelled to say in 
candor, and in duty to that public which looks to us 
for information on such points, that it is really hard 
to say whether the text or the notes of this work 
are the most indifferent. It is a mere catch-penny. 

Persons in want of the kind of knowledge that 
this book professes to afford, should purchase Down- 
ing's Rural Essays, price S3 00, and Downing's 
Country Houses, price $4 00 — both to be had of 
Mr. Woodhouse. 

In nothing are the Virginia farmers more defec- 
tive than in their architecture, and if persons would 
only get such books as we have recommended above, 
they would see that it costs no more to build a hand- 
some and convenient house than an ugly and incon- 
venient one, and that in very many cases the exist- 
ing structures, reared against all rules of taste, ar- 
chitecture and convenience, can be improved into 
handsome edifices at a very slight cost. 

One thing only we have to guard our friends 
against — avoid the gothic buildings. Gothic was 
the architecture of a rude, almost barbarous age, 
only tolerated now because it is peculiar, and des- 
tined to condemnation as soon as it becomes com- 
mon enough for its ugliness to be appreciated. 



THE PENNY POST. 

This daily and neutral newspaper has appeared 
in Richmond since our last issue, and we welcome 
it most cordially. Mr. Shepherd does not go into 
the paper as was at first announced, but Messrs. 
Hugh R. and James Pleasants are the sole editors 
and proprietors. The first is too well known as one 
of the best and most agreeable writers in Virginia 
for us to say anything of him. The last is a gentle- 
man of fine talents and high character. Success to 
the Penny Post. 



FINE STOCK FOR SALE. 

R. L. Wright, Esq. of Wheatland, Loudoun 
county, has for sale, some very fine heifers, a cross 
of the Devon and Durham breeds. They took the 
premiums, in their class, at the late fair at Leesburg. 
He also offers for sale, his noble boar of the cele- 
brated Duchess breed. The boar we have seen, 
and have now one of his pigs— we admire the whole 
stock as much as any hogs we ever saw, particu- 
larly, for their great length. This boar is now four 
years old, and offered for sale because Mr. Wright 
has no use for him. Price $50. For the heifers, 
$50 eaeh. 

Our friend, Dr. Woods, too, (see advertisement,) 
offers for sale, some of his new variety of hogs — an 
entirely new breed, made by himself. It was a sow 
of this breed that took the first prize at the State 
Fair. The sow pig that we offer for a premium in 
the Planter is of this strain. 

We recommend both Mr. Wright and Dr. Woods 
to the public, as gentlemen who will not knowingly 
deceive them in the character of any stock they offer 
to sell. 



ACCEPTABLE PRESENT. 

Our thanks are due, and should have long since 
been tendered to our friend, Mr. Joseph H. James, 
(of the firm of Gennet & James, Watchmakers and 
Jewellers, No. 149, Main street,) for the present of 
a fine cow. This takes the cream off the 'Snacks 
of Oysters. Egg Nogg, &c, that our brethren of the 
city daily press are constantly bragging about; — 
Mr. James is quite an enthusiast on the subject of 
farming, and spares neither trouble er expense in 
enriching his land and improving his stock. We 
bid him God speed in his noble undertaking. 



THE PEOPLE'S JOURNAL. 

We have received the second number of this pa- 
per, which is "an illustrated record of agriculture, 
mechanics, science and useful knowledge. Every 
number contains thirty-two large pages of letter- 
press, beautifully printed on fine paper, and profusely 
illustrated with engravings." Price fifty cents. — 
This bids fair to be a useful publication, especially 
where the youth of a family can have access to it, 
as it seems to be something on the plan of the old 
Penny Magazine, only not. half so well got up in 
the matter of engravings, though the paper is better. 
Published by Alfred E. Beach, No. 86 Nassau street, 
New York. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



29 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK 
RIVER AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANI- 
CAL SOCIETY. 

We have received a copy of the above pamphlet 
containing the very interesting address of the Hon. 
Willoughby Newton. We regret that all our space 
was occupied before receiving it, so as to leave us 
no room for even an extract. 



THE SOUTHERN FARMER. 

We have received the second and subsequent num- 
ber, (the first has not come to hand,) of " the Southern 
Farmer, a weekly journal devoted to agriculture and 
kindred subjects, edited by Thomas S. Pleasants 
and Andrew Nicol, and published by W. A. J. 
Martin and J. W. Syme, proprietors, Petersburg, 
Virginia — price, one dollar per annum.". We wish 
the proprietors of this new enterprise much success, 
confident that there is room enough for both of us 
in the State, and convinced that newspapers, like 
rail roads, create a demand for their use. If the 
agriculturists of Virginia mean to read at all, one 
newspaper, alone, can not be enough for them, and 
it is not right that it should seek to be. We never 
hear a man objecting to the establishment of a rival 
newspaper, that we are not reminded of the anecdote 
of Franklin's father-in-law, who objected to his mar- 
riage, because he was going to set up a newspaper 
in Philadelphia, when there was one already in Bos- 
ton, which was enough for the demand; and another 
in Philadelphia could do nothing, because that town 
had evidently reached its highest point of prosperity 
and was beginning to decline. 



ERRATA. 



In the November number, in Mr. Braxton's article 
on Wheat Reapers, page 324, line 12, read, <*Mr. 
Booth advocates a machine of Mr. Hussey's which 
has cut its fifth harvest." "At Chericoke there is a 
M'Cormick's reaper which has gone through five 
consecutive harvests, 



For the SoEftrern Planter. 
A NEW INVENTION. 

Passing the road a few days ago, I was very forci- 
bly struck with a new and perfect mode of scotch- 
ing wheels, invented by the Editor of the "Southern 
Planter." It would, doubtless, have appeared in his 
paper before this, but being a man of* extreme diffi- 
dence, he waited for some of his neighbors to recom- 
mend it. Verily, verily, this is an age of improve- 
ment. The plan is this: 

In the place of four short arms, have four about 
four and a half feet long, with nothing to confine 
them at top, put on your load of rails or lumber, 
and the pressure of the load on the arms and the 
arms on the wheels will check the motion up hill, 
as well as down. With an arrangement of this 
kind you may, (as the Editor did,) haul with a team 
of four uncommonly fine fat mules, 700 feet of inch 
plank over a good neighborhood road. 

A Friend to New Inventions. 

We hf.ve not much to say to the above commu- 
nication, which may possibly be an invention of the 
author, who is quite remarkable in that line, and as 
much a friend to such things as his signature shows. 



But if it be true, we can only say that it is as much 
as we can do to attend to the farming of other peo- 
ple without looking too closely to our own, which, 
as may be observed, our friends do for us. But we 
like them to be rather more disinterested than this 
gentleman, who being a cunning fellow, has taken 
this plan to advertise his father-in-law's Jack, not 
satisfied with his having taken the second premium 
at the late State Fair. You will notice, kind reader, 
that he says we had four uncommonly fine fat mules — 
that is true. But why did he say so? from friend- 
ship to us— not at all. But because one of them 
was by the said Jack, and not knowing which it 
was, he determined, in order to get at that one, to 
praise the whole team. Having sufficiently exposed 
the trick, we dismiss the subject. 



CHOICE FOWLS FOR SALE. 

We invite the attention of our readers to the ad- 
vertisement, in another column, of choice Fowls, 
for sale by Mr. E. H. Bliven of Bridgewater, Oneida 
county, New York. 

p. D. B. 



PAYMENTS TO THE PLANTER. 

The Payments to the Southern Planter, tog-ether 
with several interesting articles, already in type, 
intended for the present number, are unavoidably 
deferred. They will be published in the Frebruary 
number. 



For the Southern Planter. 

TOBACCO. 

Mr. Editor, — As the season is approaching for 
stripping the present crop of tobacco and preparing 
to sow the seed for the next, I take the liberty, through 
your valuable paper, of advancing to the planters 
a few ideas on the subject, which experience has 
taught me. Owing to the great diversity of climate 
and soil in Virginia, a corresponding change is 
produced in the grades of tobacco laised through- 
out the State, yet she produces more valuable to- 
bacco than any othajr State in the Union. The Oro- 
noko and the Prior for manufacturing, and the White 
Stem and Big Frederick for shipping, both in strips 
and stems, are the most profitable to the planter of 
all the various kinds raised. Having twenty years, 
experience in cultivating and manufacturing, and 
for the last five years in selling the article, I am 
clearly of the opinion that on all lands suitable the 
Oronoko is decidedly preferable for manufacturing, 
from the fact that it is the oaly kind that is sweet 
by nature, if ripe. It should be sun-cured, or as 
much so as the season and circumstances will ad- 
mit. If thoroughly ripe it is much easier to be 
cured of the right color, (I know of no object in 
nature that is nearer that color than the land terra- 
pin, which, doubtless, is familiar to every planter,) 
and it stands manufacturing better. If cut before 
being ripe it chews bitter, its color is forced, and it 
will not hold it. The Prior is a good kind to culti- 
vate on all mountainous lands, as it stands the wind 
better than any other kind, being tough. For ship- 
ping purposes I give the preference to the White 
Stem. It can be grown large and rich, is smooth 
and tough when cured, and loses less weight in the 
curing than any other kind. Any kind is better 



30 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



than the Ruffle, which is very brittle when growing, 
and after being cured also, and is rough, spongy, and 
large at the head of the stem, when cured, prevent- 
ing its being neatly bundled and prised. It shows 
badly in the break, owing to the above defects. 

It is best to fire all grades of shipping tobacco 
and cure it a dark nutmeg color. The proper mode 
of curing is very much neglected by some planters. 
Some commence firing too soon and some not soon 
enough, after cutting. From twenty-four to thirty- 
six hours after cutting, if the tobacco is ripe, if not, 
from thirty-six to forty-eight hours, according to the 
weather, seems about right to commence firing. 
Begin with small fires and bring the tobacco to a 
proper state and then increase the fires. If fired 
too hard at first the leaf seems to become watery, 
the oil evaporates and leaves the tobaccor poor and 
papery, husky in color, and without body. If cured 
properly the stem will be small and the leaf oily 
and tough, smooth and easy to keep in order, and 
has more weight. All husky red or reddish colors 
are the worst to cure tobacco, and should be avoided, 
if possible. 

With proper cultivation and attention in curing 
and prising, Virginia is capable of producing much 
finer grades of tobacco than are now raised by a 
majority of her planters. With such management, 
her tobacco would stand unrivalled in the markets 
of the world, and it ought to be the pride of her 
planters, (as it is undoubtedly their interest,) to bring 
its culture to the highest perfection attainable. To 
produce fine tobacco, both in vjeight and quality, I 
need scarcely to urge upon the planter the necessity 
of enriching his tobacco lands, as experience must 
have taught him that none but rich lands, either old 
or virgin soil, will yield such tobacco. 

From the general deficiency of the present tobacco 
crop throughout the Union, it will be to the interest 
of the planter to raise a good crop the ensuing year. 
The inspections for 1853 will amount to about 50,800 
hogsheads, about 800 less than in 1852, which falls 
short a few thousand of what was anticipated. My 
opinion is, that it is owing to the quantity manufac- 
tured in the country. 

In addition to curing and prising tobacco pro- 
perly, it is advantageous to have the hogsheads of 
lawful size, well made and lined, to secure the arti- 
cle from injuries incident to bringing to market, be- 
sides a good outward appearance makes a favorable 
impression, as indicating a proper care to what is 
within. 

All grades of tobacco should be carefully assorted 
as to size, length and color, as far as practicable, so 
as to make the hogsheads uniform, which will cause 
them to sell better. A few poor or green or dingy 
leaves in a sample will injure the sale of a hogs- 
head very much. All tobacco intended for market 
after April 25th, should be prised in safe, dry order, 
except the long, dark grades, suitable for strips, 
which it is best to put up in pliant order, and not 
heavier than 1350 to 1400 pounds net; it opens freer 
and stems better than when prised too heavy or too 
light. Every grade of manufacturing toba-cco should 
be in safe, keeping order, and 1300 to 1350 pounds 
net, and the fine grades of that class should not be 
prised too heavy, as it defaces them. Dark ship- 
ping tobacco should be dry, and each bundle laid 
straight in prising and about 1400 to 1450 pounds 
net. The dark heavy lugs should be in pliant order, 
if sent in soon, and about 1400 pounds net. The 
last layer or filling up of all dry tobacco should be 
prised sufficiently tight to prevent its falling out 
when the hogshead is opened for inspection. 

William H. Brown. 

Richmond, Dec. 20, 1853. 



GENERAL. AGENCY 

For the Sale and Purchase of Lands. 

FRANK:G. RUFFIN, Secretary of the Virginia 
Slate 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 iu 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 such 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. 

OFFrcE at the office of the Virginia State Agri- 
cultural Society. jan— tf 



STEPHEN H. FISHER, MANUFACTU- 
RER 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. 

|5»A11 work warranted.«Cl 
ICjr Farmers are invited to give him a call, 
oc — ly 



GENERAL AGENCY. 

THE Subscriber offers his services, as Agent, to 
buy and sell, land; furnish men homes; selling, 
renting, and buying houses in Baltimore; furnishing 
improved Stock and Poultry of every description: 
also, to buy Guano, sell gram, and other articles of 
farm production. And begs leave to refer those de- 
sirous of employing an Agent, to the President and 
other officers of the Maryland Agricultusal Society, 
and to the Secretary of the Virginia State Agricul- 
tural Society. 

MARTIN GOLDSBOROUGH, 
ja— ly No. 38, Holliday street, Baltimore, Md. 



WILLIAM P. LADD, 

APOTHECARY AND DRUGGIST, 
No. 319, head of Broad Street, Shockoe Hill, Rich- 
mond, Virginia. 
DEALER in English, Mediterranean, India and 
all Foreign and Domestic Drugs and Medi- 
cines; also, Paints, Oils, Varnish, Dye-Stuffs, Win- 
dow Glass, Putty, &c. For sale on the most ac- 
commodating terms. 

fj» Orders from Country Merchants and Physi- 
cians thankfully received and promptly attended to. 
ja 1851— tf 



BOOKS, PIANOS, MUSIC, &c. 

JAMES WOODHOUSE, Wholesale and Re- 
tail Dealer in Bocks, Piano Fortes, Station- 
ery, Music, &c. 139 Main St., Richmond, Virginia. 
Constantly on hand, a full supply of standard 
Agricultural Works. oc— tf 



BOOK AND JOB PRINTING executed with 
neatness and dispatch, at the Office of the 
Southern Planter, South Twelfth Street, between 
Main and Cary. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



31 



SUFFOLK PIGS. 

THE subscribers are prepared to receive orders 
for pure Suffolk Pigs, bred from stock imported 
in 1848 by the late William Stickney, also by the 
subscribers in January last. Address 

JOSIAH STICKNEY, Waterton, 
Or, ISAAC STICKNEY, Boston, Mass. 
Boston, August, 1853— 6t. 



AGENCY FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE 
OP IMPROVED STOCK. 

STOCK Cattle of all the different breeds, Sheep, 
Swine, Poultry, &c. 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. W. H. Richardson, Richmond, Va. 
N. B.— All letters, post-paid, will be promptly 
attended to. ap — tf 



NEW PLASTER AND BONE MILL.. 

THE subscriber offers for sale fine Ground and 
Calcined Plaster, both of the best and purest 
quality; he has also a Bone Mill attached, and in- 
tends to keep a supply of Ground Bones, fine and 
pure. ^ Farmers and others are invited to call and 
examine for themselves. His prices shall be as 
low as the same quality articles can be bought for, 
North or South. The highest cash price will be 
paid for dry bones, delivered at his Mill adjoining 
the Paper Mill, 
oc— tf R. R. DUVAL. 



Dr. VALENTINE'S RECIPE for MAKING 


ARTIFICIAL 


GUANO. 




No. 1. Dry Peat,* 


_ 


. 


20 bushels 


No. 2. Wood Ashes, 


- 


- 


3 bushels 


No. 3. Fine Bone Dust, - 


. 


_ 


3 bushels 


No. 4. Calcined Plaster, - 


- 


- 


3 bushels 


No. 5. Nitrate of Soda, - 


- 


. 


40 pounds 


No. 6. Sal Ammoniac, 


- 


- 


22 pounds 


No. 7. Carb Ammonia, - 


- 


- 


11 pounds 


No. 8. Sulph: Sodae, 


. 


. 


20 pounds 


No. 9. Sulph: Magnesia, - 


- 


- 


10 pounds 


" 10. Common Salt, 


- 


- 


10 pounds 



* If peat cannot be obtained, use garden mould, or 
clean virgin soil instead. 

Directions for Mixing.— Mix Nos. 1,2, 3, toge- 
ther — mix Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, in four or five pails 
of water, or enough to dissolve the ingredients. 
When dissolved, add the liquid to the mixture, (1, 
2, 3,) and mix as in making mortar. When tho- 
roughly mixed, add No. 4, (the calcined plaster,) 
which will absorb the liquid and bring the whole to 
a dry state. Mix under cover in a dry place — ob- 
serve the proportions in making small or large 
quantities. The above receipt will make one ton, 
which will manure seven and a half acres of land. 

Having furnished the above to a number of farm- 
ers who have tested its qualities— many thinking it 
equal to natural guano — the subscribers have made 
arrangements to furnish any quantity during this 
season, and will sell the ingredients exclusive of 
the Peat, Wood Ashes, Plaster and Salt, (articles 
on every farm,) at the low price of $10 per ton. 
One sugar hogshead will hold ingredients enough for 
five tons. All orders will be carefully and promptly 
executed, and sent to any part of the State. 

R. R. DUVAL & BRO. 

Chemists and Druggists, corner above the American 
Hotel, Richmond, Va, oc— tf 



HALL & SPEER, PLOUGH MANUFAC- 
TURERS, No. 166 Penn Street, Pittsburgh, 
Patentees of the celebrated First Premium Iron 
Centre and Hillside Revolving Beam Ploughs, also 
manufacture Patent Lever, Centre Lever, Improved 
Peacock, Wrought Mouldboard, Creole, Valley, 
and every other description of Ploughs, Plough 
Castings, Cultivators, &c. 

Morton & Booker, Agents, Richmond, Va. 

Watkins & Morton, Agents, Petersburg, Va. 

Agencies will be established in all the principal 
towns throughout Virginia, so that points can be 
supplied regularly and conveniently. 

nov— 6t* H. & S. 



J. W. SMITH, 

13th Street, below Main, Richmond, Virginia, 

PLUMBER AND GAS FITTER, and dealer in 
Lift and Force Pumps, Hydraulic Rams, and 
all kinds of Apparatus for raising and distributing 
water; Lead, Wrought and Cast Iron Pipe, for 
Steam, Gas, or Water Circulation. Planters and 
others in want of Water or Steam Fixtures, Pumps 
or Hydraulic Rams, would do well to send their 
orders, as every thing sold or put up, is warranted 
to give satisfaction, or no charge. 

Itl* Orders from any part of the country promptly 
attended to. Prices moderate. dec— tf 



SINTON & SONS' NURSERY, NEAR 
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. 

AS the season for planting has arrived, the sub- 
scribers would respectfully call the attention of 
their friends and the public generally, to their large 
and extensive collection of Fruit Trees, embrac- 
ing, perhaps, a selection that has not been surpassed, 
for the climate of Virginia, and nearly all propa- 
gated from fruit-bearing trees in their own orchard. 

Catalogues, with directions for planting, may be 
had at William Palmer's Seed and Plough Store; 
at Peyton Johnston & Brother's Apothecary Store; 
at C.J. Sinton & Co's. Hardware Store, and at Lo- 
gan Waller's Commission House, where any orders 
left will be punctually attended to, and letters ad- 
dressed to the subscribers, Richmond, will receive 
prompt attention. 

nov— tf JOSEPH SINTON & SONS, 



LIFE INSURANCE.— MUTUAL BENE- 
FIT COMPANY. Office at the Book Store 
of Knowles & Walfold, corner of Main and 11th 
streets, Richmond, Virginia. 

B. W. KNOWLES, Agent. 

After paying all losses and expenses, the receipts 

of this company on the 1st July, 1853, amounted 

to j $2,036,877 30 

Paid in dividends to the insured, 360,921 40 



Leaving a net capital of 81,675,955 99 

Showing a business unprecedented in life insurance. 

The annual dividends average over one-third the 
premium paid, thus making the actual cost very low. 

A few dollars paid annually secures hundreds or 
thousands to the policy holder. dec— 3t 



ANALYSIS OF SOILS, &c. 

THE undersigned is prepared to execute the an- 
alyses 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. 



32 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



CONTENTS OF NUMBER I. 



PAGE 

Abstract of Reports of Committees to the Vir- 
ginia State Agricultural Society, 3 

The Enlargement of the Planter, 25 

In Explanation of the Planter Premiums, 25 

The late District Fairs in Virginia, 25 

Richmond and the Virginia State Ag'l Society, 27 

Subscribers to the Planter 27 

Parks and Pleasure Grounds, 28 

The Penny Post, 28 

Jefferson's Notes on Virginia, 28 

Fine Stock for Sale, 28 

Acceptable Present, 28 

The People's Journal, 28 

A New Invention, 29 

Tobacco, 1 29 

ROWE'S PRIZE CRUSHER 

HAS never failed to take all the honors, and all 
the premiums, wherever exhibited in competi- 
tion with others. It is the only mill in the world 
that makes a thorough mixture of corn cobs and 
shucks, and pulverizes straw and hay, with ease and 
facility, when mixed with corn and cob. It has no 
rival for crushing tan bark, rock plaster or shells. 
It reduces fresh shells to a proper consistence for 
land, at the rate of one barrel per hour, by the power 
of two mules; or three bushels of the hardest plaster, 
or eight bushels of ears of unshucked corn — all of 
which the patentee guarantees, or no sale. For par- 
ticulars, adddress, (post paid,) 

JAMES ROWE, 
jy— 2t* Nashville, Tennessee. 

CHOICE FOWLS FOR SALE. 

THE Subscriber having devoted special attention, 
for the last three years, to the breeding of the 
finest Fowls known, takes pleasure in the announce- 
ment, that he keeps on hand and for sale, thorough- 
breds from the best stock of Brahma Pootras, Grey 
Chittigongs, White and Buff Shanghais, Cochin 
Chinas, Black Spanish, and Bolton Greys Fowls, on 
favorable terms. Orders by mail promptly attended 
to. Address E. H. B LIVEN, 

ja — 2t Bridgewater, Oneida county, N. Y. 

ALBEMARLE PIGS. 

I AM prepared to receive orders for Albemarle 
Pigs — 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, 
(post paid,) JOHN R. WOODS, 

ja — tf Woodville Depot, Albemarle, Va. 

EAGLE FOUNDERY. 

THE subscriber having removed to the large 
'Foundery, just erected by him and fitted out 
with machinery of the latest and most approved 
style, is, in addition to the manufacture of Tobacco 
Flattening Mills, prepared to receive orders for Sta- 
tionary Steam Engines, Saw and Grist Mills, Agri- 
cultural Machines, Tobacco Presses of every de- 
scription, and all kinds of Irpn and Brass Castings. 
He pledges himself to execute faithfully, and with 
dispatch, all work entrusted to him, and respectfully 
solietsacall from hisfriendsand the public generally. 
The highest cash prices paid for old cast iron, 
trass and copper. PHILIP RAHM, 

ja— ly Cary, between Pearl and 15th sts. 



No. I SUPER-PHOSPHATE OF LIME. 

THIS valuable fertilizer has been used for seve- 
ral years in England and other parts of Europe, 
and next to Guano, holds the highest rank in popu- 
larity, and the extent to which it is used among far- 
mers. Its introduction in this country has been 
more recent; but the progress it has made in the 
estimation of the public has not been less marked 
or successful than abroad. It is now extensively 
used throughout the Northern States, after a full 
trial and investigation of its merits; and it is rapidly 
becoming, like its predecessor, guano, a favorite 
manure at the South and West. 

It is composed of crushed or ground bones, de- 
composed by the addition of about one-fifth their 
weight of sulphuric acid, diluted with water, to 
which is added a due proportion of guano and sul- 
phate of ammonia. The latter is the active and 
one of the most efficient agents in the best Peruvian 
guano. 

It is suited to any soil in which there is not alrea- 
dy a full supply of the phosphates, which is seldom 
the case. All crops are benefited by its application. 

For sale in large or small quantities, in bags of 
150 pounds each. No charge for packages. All 
bags will be branded "C. B. De Burg, No. 1 Su- 
per-Phosphate of Lime." 

For sale at R. L. ALLEN'S Agricultural Ware- 
house and Seed Store, 189 and 191, Water street, 
New York. se — 4t. 



STOVES AND FANCY IRON CASTINGS, 

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

THESE Gentlemen erected Works, about two 
years since, by which they have been exten- 
sively supplying the State with articles for which 
we have heretofore depended entirely upon northern 
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 and 
even the distinct grains stand out in beautiful relief. 
They exhibit a specimen of parlor stove especially 
worthy of notice. Its style and finish are highly 
ornamental. Its chief merit consists of a door de- 
signed to increase the draught of the fire, which is 
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 domestic 
industry. E. B. Spence, 

H. M. Smith, 
James Pae, 
Committee on Household Implements. 

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

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

Bolton & Yale's "Caloric Air Furnace." 

jan 1854— ly 



OSAGE ORANGE PLANTS FOR LIVE 
FENCES.— The best and most durable enclo- 
sure for farms, gardens or lots. I have some of 
these plants for sale— SI per hundred— and would 
be glad if those w*io want them would inform me as 
soon as convenient. 
ja— 3t WM. H. RICHARDSON.