IJIBU11 III* 






r- 



THE 



SOUTHERN PLANTER. 

©ebotefc to glsrfculture, gjorttculturc, ant* the igmtseholfc &rts. 



, ! _ . __ % 

Agriculture is the nursing mother of the Arts. — 
Xenophon. 


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


FRANK: G. RUFFIN, Editor. P. D. BERNARD, Publisher. 


Vol. XIV. RICHMOND,- APRIL, 1854. No. 4. 



For the Southern Planter. 
SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 



BY PROFESSOR GILHAM. 

NUMBER VII. 

(Continued from page 67, Vol. XIV.) 

DRAINING. 

At the close of our last number, after having 
enumerated the various evil effects resulting from 
the presence of too much moisture in the soil, we 
stated that there is but one effectual remedy for a 
wet soil, and that is thorough draining. Not that 
the removal of excessive moisture will necessarily 
make every soil productive, but such are the evil 
effects of too much Avater, that no wet soil, whether 
otherwise fertile or the reverse, can be properly 
improved until after it has been drained. 

By draining we do not mean the digging of a few 
open ditches around the fields or through the lowest 
portions of them, which would prove exceedingly 
objectionable in many ways, without accomplishing 
the object for which they were dug, but we mean 
the construction of a net work of covered or blind 
drains, as we have sometimes heard them called, 
which underlie the entire surface to be drained, 
placed so deep as not to be interfered with by the 
plough, and so arranged as to carry off all water 
except that which the retentive power of the soil 
enables it to keep within its pores. 

We have already stated that a soil, to be in the 
best possible condition with respect to moisture, 
must rest upon a porous subsoil, or be so inclined 
to the horizon, that any excess of moisture, whe- 
ther derived from rains, or higher lands, shall pass 
rapidly from it; when, from the nature of the sur- 
face, the position of the strata which underlie the 
soil, or the retentive nature of the subsoil, there is 
not a free passage for excessive moisture, the drain 
is the only means that we can resort to to remedy 
the defect. Now, since there are comparatively 
few soils which are in the condition first mentioned, 
it follows that there are few soils which would not 
be more or less improved by thorough draining. 
At the same time we may say that draining be- 
comes absolutely necessary only when the excess of 
moisture becomes so great as to prove a bar to pro- 
fitable cultivation. In proportion as the value of 
lands increase, from whatever cause, or in propor- 
tion as population increases by which the necessity 
Vol. XIV.— 4. 



for increased productiveness becomes greater, so 
does the necessity for increased attention to the 
subject of drainage become greater. In Great Bri- 
tain large areas have been drained, but it does not 
follow from that that we would be justified at this 
time in draining to the same extent; on the con- 
trary, we feel assured that an extensive system of 
draining in Virginia, if undertaken at this time, 
would be the height of folly. But while we would 
not at present recommend draining upon an exten- 
sive scale, we would recommend every farmer to 
examine his farm well, to ascertain whether he hay 
not a few acres, at least, which are now useless, or 
nearly so, from being too wet. If he finds any such 
land, let him ascertain what would be the probable 
expense of draining it, and then let him compare 
this expense with what he knows must be the in- 
creased productiveness of the land after it is drained. 
There are but few farmers who will not find some 
land that needs draining. 

After what was said in our last number in rela- 
tion to the effects of too much moisture in the soil, 
the benefits of the drain must be apparent to every 
one; it may not be amiss, however, briefly to cali 
attention to some of them. 

Land that has been drained well never retains any- 
stagnant water upon it; neither will the water from 
washing rains run off over the surface, carrying off 
the very best portions of the soil ; but it will ra- 
pidly sink down into the soil, carrying with it what- 
ever fertilizing substances it has taken from the 
air; and as it sinks, itnvill be followed by air and 
warmth. As the water sinks rapidly through the 
soil to the drains, the latter is much sooner under 
the beneficial influence of air and warmth than if 
it had not been drained ; and it is also sooner in 
the proper condition for ploughing or any other 
needful mechanical operation; while in times of 
drought it never bakes or becomes hard, as un- 
drained lands frequently do. 

Crops upon drained land generally ripen earlier 
than upon undrained, and they ripen more uni- 
formly, while winter crops are less liable to be fro- 
zen out. 

Draining, besides ameliorating the condition of 
the surface soil, produces very beneficial effects 
upon the subsoil. It is made lighter; is more rea- 
dily worked, and the roots of plants penetrate it 
more readily; besides, as the water sinks through 
it air follows, producing those changes which are 
always so beneficial, and which fit it for the supply 
of healthy nourishment to the roots of #uch plants 
as penetrate it. But the beneficial effects of the 
drain upon both soil and subsoil are far greater 



THJbi ' s U T H E 11 fl ^LIN TER? 



wneu deep vij I oil ploughing are resorted to 
in connection I it; indeed, we may say that in 
most cases of thorough draining the subsoil plough 
should be used as a matter of course, and should 
be regarded as necessary to complete the improve- 
ment that it is designed to effect in draining. After 
what has already been said in relation to deepening 
the soil, its effects, and the utter fruitlessness of 
attempting it on a wet soil, it is unnecessary to 
dwell upon the benefits resulting from the use of 
the subsoil plough in connection with the drain; 
we would remark, however, that as there are com- 
paratively few subsoils which have good natural 
drainage, there are also, comparatively, few soils 
which are benefited by the use of the subsoil plough 
until after they have been thoroughly drained. 

Soils that have been drained are found to resist 
drought better than undrained ones; the subsoil 
having been made lighter the roots of plants pene- 
trate farther in search of necessary moisture, and 
for the same reason the supply of water which is 
brought up by capillary attraction to replace that 
removed by evaporation is greater and lasts longer. 
Pasture lands frequently contain portions upon 
Avhich only the coarser grasses will grow — grasses 
which are not nutritious, and which stock will not 
touch until all the finer grasses have been eaten 
off — these portions suffer from an excess of mois- 
ture. One of the first effects of draining upon such 
lands is the disappearance of the coarse herbage 
and the substitution of the finer and more nutri- 
tious grasses in its stead. 

But though little is known yet in relation to the 
-practical benefits of draining in this country, the 
few who have tried draining and have made known 
• iiheir experience, speak in the highest terms of its 
effects. In Great Britain large areas have been 
drained, and with the very best results. Drained 
lands havo their productiveness so much increased 
that landlords are enabled to raise their annual rents 
sufficient to yield them an interest of from five to 
seven fper cent, on the outlay for draining, and 
tenants find it to their advantage to pay the in- 
creased^ent for drained lands, rather than cultivate 
undramed ones. Cases have occurred in which the 
increased yield from the first crop covered the en- 
tire expense of draining. 

The 'drain has been found beneficial on almost 
every variety of soil, from the stiffest clay even to 
light,, sandy soils. Where failures have occurred 
they have been most freqifent in very stiff clays. 
Some very .-stiff clay subsoils will not permit the 
passage tot water through them at all, or at most 
to awery slight degree. Such soils would not drain 
no matter (how 'dose the drains were placed to each 
other. &t has sheen recommended that before any 
attempt is made tto drain a very stiff soil, a hole or 
pit be dug,, in tit, and securely covered so that no 
water may enter from above, and then ascertain 
whether, in time <of rains, water finds its way into 
the pit from the surrounding soil; if it does, the 
soil is susceptible .of being drained ; if not, to at- 
tempt to drain it wiould be to throw away time and 
money. 

Before proceeding to describe the methods in 
use for draining land, it may not be amiss to indi- 
cate, so far as their appearance will justify us, 
those soils w!hich need draining most. All boggy 
or marshy soils must the drained before they can be 
cultivated at;all. /Soils in which there are springs, 
whether sdfenat the surface, or hidden, as many of 
them are, when their presence becomes known only 
from their producing /weeping in the soil, require to 



be drained ; at least those portions which suffer in 
any measure from the springs. Many spots which 
otherwise would be very productive are, even when 
high upon the sides of hills, made almost useless 
from this very cause. The explanation of the oc- 
currence of springs in such situations may be found 
in the fact that the strata which underlie the soil 
prevent the sinking of the water when it falls, but 
carry it off and deliver it again when the outcrop 
or break in the strata occur. Any portion of a 
field on which the water after rain remains for 
some time, or any part of a meadow or pasture that 
produces coarse herbage which stock refuse to eat 
as long as any other can be had, all require to be 
drained before they can be said to be in a proper 
condition with respect to moisture. Finally, any 
soils which continue wet for some time after a long 
rain, which soils, by the by, are very apt to wash 
badly, are generally very much benefited by drain- 
ing ; still it cannot be said that draining is in all 
cases necessary for profitable cultivation. 

In draining land it is proper to commence with 
the largest or main drains. These must occupy the 
lowest line of the field or area to be drained ; have 
a uniform rise or slope ; should be some six inches 
or more deeper than the small or parallel drains ; 
be as straight as the nature of the ground will per- 
mit, and be sufficiently large to discharge all the 
water from the field or area to be drained. As the 
other drains empty into these, they are sometimes 
left open, so that the mouths of the small drains 
may be kept clear; but this practice cannot be 
recommended, as open drains should always be 
avoided, if possible. If the small drains are pro- 
perly secured at their mouths when first constructed, 
and the mouths of the main drains are provided 
with gratings to keep out vermin, the covered mains 
will be found as effective as open ones. The fall of 
the main drains should be as much as one foot to 
the hundred, if it can be had ; if that fall cannot 
be had, one foot to two hundred will suffice. After 
locating the main drains, a drain is made across 
the upper side of the field or area to be drained. 
This cuts off the water from springs or any other 
water that might find its way to the field from the 
higher ground. Lastly, the small drains are laid 
out; they are made parallel to each other whenever 
it is at all practicable ; they should run straight 
down slopes, and should have a uniform fall of not 
less than one foot to two hundred yards. They are 
made to connect with the top drain and empty into 
the main drains. They may be of any length up 
to two hundred feet; if longer, they are apt to 
choke. When the distance from the top drain to the 
main drain is more than two hundred feet, sub main 
drains should be constructed, which should have a 
free communication with the main drains. The 
depth of the drains should next be considered. 
They ought to be deep enough to free the subsoil 
of its water, to at least the depth to which the roots 
of plants penetrate, and to be out of the reach of 
the subsoil plough. When the subject of draining 
began to attract the attention of agriculturists two 
and a half feet for the small, or parallel drains, and 
three feet for main drains, were considered as depths 
sufficient for all practical purposes ; but the expe- 
rience of the last few years in England and Scot- 
land is such as to warrant us in recommending the 
small drains to be at least three feet deep; in many 
cases they might be made four feet deep, or even 
more, with decided advantage. Laying drains deep 
is now regarded in Great Britain as one of the fixed 
principles of draining. Such deep drains would, at 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



first sight, seem to add very much to the expense 
of draining; it is found, however, that if properly 
managed there is an actual saving in the expense. 
The deeper the drain, the farther, in a horizontal 
direction, will it draw water from the soil; hence, 
by increasing the depth of our drains they may be 
placed farther apart, and consequently fewer of 
them will be necessary; and the diminished ex- 
pense consequent upon having fewer drains is found 
to more than counterbalance the extra expense of 
making them deep. No fixed rule can be given 
for increasing the distance between the drains for 
a given increase in depth ; it need not, however, be 
less than from six to eight feet for every foot below 
them. Neither can any fixed rule be given for 
the distances between drains for ordinary depths ; 
they may be from fifteen to forty-five feet apart, 
depending upon the character of the soil. In Eng- 
land for a depth of three feet the drainage is found 
to be perfect on most soils at distances varying 
from eighteen to twenty-seven or thirty feet, and 
no doubt these same distances would be found 
suitable for our soils. 

In constructing the drains the first thing to be 
done is to dig a trench or ditch of the depth that 
it is proposed to make the drains, giving the sides 
more or less slope, depending upon the nature of 
the soil ; it should be from three to ten inches wide 
upon the bottom, depending upon the material that 
is to be used in constructing the drains, and the 
bottom should be left smooth. The usual way of 
making these trenches is first to cut two deep fur- 
rows with a heavy plough and remove the loose 
earth with a common spade or shovel ; after the 
removal of the loose earth the trench is deepened 
by the use of a long, narrow and tapering spade, 
and after this comes another spade still narrower 
than the first. The bottom is generally smoothed 
by a scoop of peculiar construction. In digging the 
trenches a due regard to economy of construction 
would require that they should be made as narrow- 
as it is possible without impairing their efficiency. 
After the trenches are all dug, they are to be filled 
for several inches with broken stone, or earthen- 
ware pipes, called drain tile, are laid in the bottoms, 
or some other material is used which will permit 
the passage of water; then several inches of earth 
are thrown in and well rammed ; and finally, they 
are filled up with earth, when the drains are 
complete. 

Various means have been resorted to for securing 
a free passage for water in the bottoms of drains ; 
of these only two have been found to stand the test 
of time, and furnish drains that may be said to be 
permanent. The first consists in the use of broken 
stone, the second in the use of drain tile, above 
spoken of. To these two methods we shall confine 
our remarks. 

When the drains are made of stone the bottoms 
of the ditches should be about six inches in width ; 
the stones should be broken into small pieces of 
uniform size, and should form a layer of some nine 
or ten inches in thickness in the bottom of the 
trench. Over the broken stones a layer of good 
sod, with the grass side down, is carefully laid; on 
this several inches of moist earth or clay is rammed, 
and the drain is completed by filling up the re- 
mainder of the trench with soil. Sometimes a little 
conduit is formed by putting two small flat stones 
on their edges in the bottom of the trench, and 
letting their upper edges come together so as to 
leave a triangular cavity under them; over these, 
broken stones arq| placed, as before. This adds 
4d 



greatly to the labor, and is very "ttle, if any, more 
effective than the simple broken stone drain. In 
soft ground it is sometimes necessary to place a 
strip of plank in the bottom of the trench before 
throwing in the broken stone. If care is taken to 
have the stones broken small and of uniform size, 
and the first layer of earth is properly rammed, 
these drains are very effective and permanent. The 
main drains being much larger are frequently made 
with large stones regularly laid so as to leave a 
conduit some ten or twelve inches each Avay. When 
stone is plentiful, and has to be hauled but a short 
distance, stone drains recommend themselves to the 
attention of the farmer. It is to be observed, how- 
ever, that the hauling, breaking and spreading of 
such a quantity of stone is necessarily expensive 
under the most favorable circumstances, and hence 
it is that stone drains are, in most cases, more ex- 
pensive than tile drains, which we shall now de- 
scribe. 

Drain tiles are made by machinery from good 
clay that has more or less oxide of iron in it; 
they are burnt in kilns, like brick, and if properly 
burned they emit a clear ringing sound when struck. 
If they are not burnt sufficiently, they are light 
colored, and when used for draining purposes are 
apt to crumble to pieces after a few years ; if they 
are hard they will last a great many years. They 
are generally made about fifteen inches long, of 
various sizes and several forms ; the forms in com- 
mon use are the horse shoe and cylindrical tile. The 
horse shoe tile is composed of two piece's, the tile 
proper, the cross section of which is something like 
a horse shoe in shape, and a flat piece, or sole, which 
is intended to lie in the bottom of the trench, and . 
upon which the tile is laid with its convex surface « 
up. Sometimes the sole is omitted, and then the , 
tile is placed upon a strip of plank or upon the 
bottom of the trench ; but neither of these prac- 
tices can be recommended. Cylindrical tiles have* 
either an oval or circular cross section ; the circular, 
seems, upon the whole, to be the best form, and is- 
now generally preferred. They are made of every 
size, from one inch, internal diameter, up to several' 
inches; their ends, as those of horse shoe tiles,. are 
cut off square, so that they may fit close when, 
placed end to end in the drain. Cylindrical tiles 
possess several advantages over the horse shoo 
form, and are now generally preferred; they are*, 
much less expensive, as only one-half the number 
of pieces is required — are transported at smaller 
cost — are stronger and less liable to break, and. the 
labor of laying them is less. 

In laying horse shoe tiles the soles are first placed 
end to end on the bottom of the trench,, and on 
these the tiles are placed. In order to prevent the 
ends of the tiles from slipping past each other, 
which would be likely to cause the drains to choke, 
it is usual in putting down the tiles to make them 
break joints with the soles. In laying cylindrical 
tiles they are simply placed end to end in the bot- 
tom of the ditch and firmly secured in their places 
by little wedges of stone, placed at intervals. The 
bottoms of the drains need be no wider than just 
sufficient to admit the tiles. In soft ground it is 
sometimes necessary to lay the tiles down upon 
strips of plank to keep the ends from slipping past 
each other. Another way is to have little earthen- 
ware collars, large enough to contain the ends of 
the tiles; but this adds to the expense. Still an- 
other method of preventing slipping has lately been 
introduced. It consists in having the ends of the 
tiles cut with alternate projections and indentations. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



the projectioxTTn die end of one just fitting the 
indentations in me end of the next. 

Many suppose that by placing the ends of the 
tiles together, the openings leTt will not be suffi- 
cient to discharge all the water, or rather allow it 
all to enter the pipes; experience proves, however, 
that provided the pipes are large enough to dis- 
charge all the water, it will all find its way into 
them. It is found that for all the smaller drains, 
except when a marsh or something of the sort is 
to be drained, tiles of from one inch to an inch and 
a half bore are sufficiently large to insure perfect 
drainage. The main drains should, of course, be 
laid with large tiles, the size being determined by 
the number of small drains which empty into the 
mains. Sometimes main drains are made by placing 
two rows of cylindrical or horse shoe tiles side by 
side. When large bodies of water are discharged 
by the main drains regular conduits of stone should 
be made. 

Before filling up the drains it is well to inspect 
them all to see that none of the tiles have become 
displaced. In filling them some use a layer of 
broken stone before putting on any earth, a prac- 
tice which very greatly increases the expense; 
while others simply ram a layer of moist earth 
around and above the pipes, and afterwards fill up 
with loose earth. The last method is found to be 
quite as effective in securing good drainage as the 
other. Bits of sod are sometimes used with the 
grass side down, to place over and protect the joints 
from getting choked with earth, but this is an un- 
necessary precaution, except when the earth is very 
dry. 

As the subject of thorough draining has only re- 
cently begun to attract the attention of agricul- 
turists, it is not to be presumed that all of its prin- 
ciples are unalterably fixed, or that the most per- 
fect practice has been attained. In what we have 
said upon the subject we have endeavored to give 
what are now regarded as the true principles of 
draining and to recommend such practices, and 
only such, as have been proved to be effective in 
securing good drainage. 



For the Southern Planter. 

FACTS AND TESTIMONY OF GREATLY IN- 
CREASED PRODUCTION FROM THE USE 
OF MIOCENE MARL ON LANDS NATURAL- 
LY POOR. 

BY EDMUND RUFFIN. 



In the " Southern Planter" for May, 1853, was 
published, as a communication to the State Agri- 
cultural Society, a review of the 5th edition of the 
" Essay on Calcareous Manures/' from the pen of 
the Hon. Willoughby Newton. Such high com- 
mendation was therein bestowed on the work re- 
viewed, and on its author, in respect to the more 
important subjects of discussion, that I have felt 
very reluctant to object to any of the less favor- 
able opinions. My uttering any such objections 
may appear to the public as indicating a morbid 
sensitiveness to censure, and impatience of all op- 
position and just reproof. This charge will not be 
entertained by my reviewer, or by any one who 
knows our private relations of mutual regard and 
esteem. His expressions of dissent and reprehen- 



sion have been received by me as among his high- 
est compliments — as their utterance indicated his 
confidence in my being able to bear (what he 
deemed) unpalatable truths without taking offence. 
It is not my purpose to reply to any of these ex- 
pressions of disapproval or denial of some parts of 
my reasoning, or theoretical or speculative views. 
Without yielding them in the least, I leave their 
value to be decided upon by our readers. It is for 
another purpose, much more important to public 
interests and agricultural improvement, that I now 
write. 

No one appreciates more highly than Mr. New- 
ton the profits of calxing, or is more convinced of 
the indispensable necessity for that mode of im- 
provement for nearly all the lands of lower Virgi- 
nia. But his own very successful and profitable 
improvements have been produced by (or based 
upon) the use of lime instead of marl; and the appli- 
cations of the latter manure, within the sphere of 
his personal observation, would seem to have been 
less judicious and profitable than elsewhere, and 
much less effective than all proper applications 
will be found. Under impressions thus received, 
he has greatly, though certainly unintentionally, 
underrated the actual and ordinary benefits and 
profits of marling, and still more what ought to be 
the much greater and certain benefits of all judi- 
cious applications, made under circumstances not 
unfavorable to the operation. The high and well 
deserved reputation which Mr. Newton has at- 
tained as one of the best informed agriculturists 
and most successful improving farmers of Virginia, 
will give currency and authority to all his delibe- 
rately expressed opinions, even in the few cases of 
their being founded on mistake and error. It is to 
guard against the latter and unusual tendency of 
his teaching, (in a minor but important portion of 
a great general subject,) that I am now induced to 
appear in defence of some of my former positions, 
in regard to matters of fact and practice. 

The proposition which will be here opposed is 
presented in the following passage of the review : 
" The power of calxing has prescribed limits, be- 
yond which it cannot go. We believe there has 
been no instance in Virginia, or elsewhere, nor do 
we think it possible there can ever be one, of the 
product of any naturally poor farm being brought 
up to an average, on entire fields, from year to 
year, of more than ten bushels of wheat, or twenty 
bushels of merchantable corn, to the acre, by calx- 
ing alone, however long continued, though the ope- 
ration be aided by the use of all the putrescent 
manures that could be produced on the farm, and 
by plaster, clover and peas, and the best possible 
rotation." — (Southern Planter, p. 133, Vol. XIII.) 

The reviewer applies this general proposition to 
miocene marl, (which contains no notable fertilizing 
principle other than carbonate of lime,) and on land 
naturally poor, or not of good soil. He specially 
and properly excepts the operation of eocene marl, 
containing "green saud," and important manuring 
ingredients in gypsum, potash, and perhaps other ac- 
cessories to the main ingredient, carbonate of lime. 
Admitting all such cases of exception claimed, I 
still maintain that there can be adduced numerous 
and well authenticated facts of the above proposi- 
tion being erroneous. There is no need to seek 
abroad for such evidence. I will confine mj^self to 
adducing facts and testimony that were before in 
my possession, and obtained for a different purpose. 

In 1840, for the purpose of presenting the fullest 
proof of the manner of action a^id the beneficial 



THE SOUTHERN PLXSTTEk. 



effects of marl, I published sundry queries, and 
also directed copies of them specially to many 
known marling farmers. The usual and culpable 
remissness, in this respect, which marks the agri- 
cultural class, and the general unwillingness to 
/•write facts for publication, prevented my obtaining 
' answers in regard to more than twenty-two farms, 
including the one on which my marling labors were 
commenced. There could have been no better 
vouchers for the facts known, than the persons who 
gave the answers. But there were many other 
farmers who could have stated larger or older ex- 
perienced results than most of these witnesses — 
and there are many more who have made later im- 
provements with the aid of better lights, and who, 
by more judicious practice, have had a greater 
measure of success and of profit. Further: my 
friends and former neighbors of Prince George 
county, who will be here cited; I am sure will not 
consider me as doing them injustice, when stating 
that there is not one truly good farmer among 
them — though all were industrious, economical, 
and thriving cultivators and proprietors. 

The original queries referred to were so extended, 
that full answers thereto covered (as had been de- 
signed) the whole subject of the effects and bene- 
fits of marl, in the personal experience of each 
• answer. The answers, with the queries, were pub- 
lished at length in the " Farmers' Register," (Vol. 
VII.) and subsequently (in 1843) a digest of them, 
in tabular form, in my " Report of the Agricultural 
Survey of South Carolina." 

Among the many queries, some required and ob- 
tained from each individual, the report of the rate 
of production of his farm, both in corn and wheat, 
(the general and almost only crops,) before marling; 
and, by estimate, the then average productive power 
of the respective farms in 1840. At that time, no 
one concerned could have supposed that he would 
ever be again called upon to report the production 
at any later period. Each one then answering, 
(naturally and properly, and with good reason,) 
proud of the success of his labors of improvement, 
and sanguine as to the actual benefits already 
achieved, must have stated the supposed and then 
latest productive power of his farm, full as high as 
his belief and the truth warranted. To have esti- 
mated and stated below this rate, would have been 
contrary to human nature. 

In 1852, when the fifth edition of the " Essay on 
Calcareous Manures" was in the course of prepa- 
ration for the press, it occurred to me that abstracts 
of these former answers, showing so far the in- 
crease of production, with the addition of the then 
latest rate, would present more striking and im- 
pressive proofs of the effects of marling than I 
could offer to the public in my own opinions and 
experience. For this pm - pose, letters were again 
addressed to all of the former answerers whose cases 
were deemed applicable, inquiring as to the amounts 
of actual crops of the then last two years, 1850 and 
1851. The taking of all the crops of two consecutive 
years, it was supposed, would offer a fair average 
of seasons and of productive power, and especially 
as to farms whose length of rotation embraced 
three years only. Deaths which had occurred, ab- 
sence, changes and divisions of property, with other 
circumstances, prevented my obtaining answers but 
from seven of the farms on which miocene marl 
had been used mainly or exclusively. And these 
answers arrived so slowly that they were too late 
to be used for the work for which they had been 
designed. But they will serve to show that the 



benefits of marling are much grP ac "^wuS^upposed 
by Mr. Newton, and all the bettc^Mbecause these 
cases were not sought or chosen for their present 
use. - 

All the seven farms cited are in one neighbor- 
borhood, in Prince George county. One of them 
only, No. 7, (Coggin's Point farm,) is touching the 
river; and also, that one only has had any marl 
other than miocene, or had any originally rich land, 
or very good soil. Not one of them had any good 
fiat land worth consideration ; or any " low-grounds" 
except the narrow and crooked alluvial bottoms, of 
sandy soil, bordering small and rapid streams. 
These bottoms, even when rich naturally, are so 
difficult to keep drained, and to cultivate,- and so 
liable to injury from rain-floods and the barren 
sand they bring down and deposit, that the narrow 
bottoms, with their enclosing slopes, or* steeper hill- 
sides, are of less value than the other poorest level 
up-land of the farm, after the latter has been marled. 
With the unimportant exceptions named, all the 
seven farms were naturally poor, and, before marl- 
ing was begun, greatly exhausted — mostly of sandy 
soil, and, being all high and hilly, were deprived 
of much of the surface-soil, and even sub-soil, by 
the washing of rains, forming barren galls and gul- 
lies on numerous slopes. The comparatively richest 
portions of the first six of these farms, when new, 
(and of all such land,) were the sandy slopes, (of 
" free, light land,") which wear out rapidly, and are 
the slowest and least to be improved by subsequent 
marling. The highest ridge or table land only offers 
any extensive level. This was naturally the poorest, 
(and extremely poor,) but is the best of the land 
after being marled. The farm No. 7, (formerly 
mine, and since 1838 under the sole direction of 
my son,) was, for much the greater part, in natural 
soil and surface, and in judicious culture, like the 
others. But out of more than 700 acres of arable 
(now perhaps 800) there were about 100 only (nearly 
all high) of very good and originally rich soil. 
Eocene marl (though containing no " green sand,") 
had been used for about 60 acres of this farm — all 
the other land having had ordinary miocene marl 
only. Gypsum has been used there to some partial 
extent — and the " gypseous earth," dug on the farm, 
much more largely and generally. But these ex- 
ceptions, limited and very partial as to this farm, 
do not, in the least, apply to either of the other six. 
Neither guano, nor any other bought manure, (ex- 
cept the little gypsum stated as to No. 7,) had been 
applied to either, to any appreciable effect, if at 
all, in all the time included in the table. There- 
fore, all these farms, (allowing for the partial ex- 
ceptions as to No. 7,) present cases agreeing with 
the requisitions of Mr. Newton's proposition, in 
being naturally poor, and having had no foreign 
or purchased manure; and for nearly all the ag- 
gregate surface, of all except No. 7, they have not 
been benefited by the aids which his proposition 
would admit, that is, the use of gypsum, of any 
rotation better than of three shifts, and of either 
clover or pea fallow to precede wheat. Added to 
these deficiencies, the loss of soil, from all, by 
washing, had been very great, and over much ex- 
tent of surface; and land so damaged, and even 
so barren a subsoil, can never be brought to equal 
value with ground retaining its soil. Yet, under 
all the unfavorable conditions, the general average 
products of all these farms, both in corn and wheat, 
for 1850 and 1851, rise above the maximum limits 
of improvement asserted; and also the separate 
average products of each farm except one — and 



. 



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Which is rather more than 180 per cent, on the 
previous unimproved product. 
General average per acre of wheat, on 
six farms, (omitting No. 1,) for 1850 
and 1851, ... - 11.88 

(The culture in three shifts, and wheat following 
corn on five of the six farms.) 
Actual general product of wheat on six 

farms, omitting No. 1, for 1850, - 9,832 

Same for 1851, - 10,G38 

General increase of wheat crop of 1851 

over estimate for 1840, (3950 bushels,) 6,688 
Which is nearly 170 per cent, increase on the pro- 
duct of 1840. 

General increase of wheat crop of 1851, 
over estimate of total production on 
six farms before their marling was be- 
gun, (1358 bushels— 10,638,) - 9,280 
Which is rather more than 680 per cent, increase 
on the early and unimproved product in wheat. 

It might be inducing a great error if I were to 
leave my readers to infer that all this increased 
production was on the same land, or that the space 
cultivated on each of these farms was the same 
from 1840 to 1851. On the contrary, and as is the 
case of almost every improving farmer in lower 
Virginia, each of these has more or less enlarged 
his cultivated space, by new clearings, or bringing 
again under culture waste and greatly impoverished 
ground, (including all the galled and gullied spots) 
previously left out if cultivation and use. In ad- 
dition, the first named three farms have been more 
or less increased in surface, by purchases of ad- 
joining poor land. But, in almost every case of 
such additions, whether by purchase, or by clear- 
ing of original forest, or bringing under culture 
before worn-out lands, these new additions were 
much poorer than the average quality of the land 
previously tilled; and of such additions (before 
being marled) served at first to increase the gross 
or total production of the farm, they served— -and 
mostly still serve — in greater proportion to lessen 
or keep down the average production to the acre, 
which is the main matter here in question. Thus, 
while the latest actual crops then known (1850 and 
1851) averaged for the latter six of these farms 
only 23.39 bushels of corn and 11.88 of wheat to 
the acre, it is certain that some parts of these 
farms, originally very poor, and improved only by 
marl and their fair share of farm-made putrescent 
manures, (and in some cases without any other 
than their own growth,) are capable of making 30 
or more bushels of corn, and 15 or more of wheat 
after corn, or 25 or more if after clover or pea 
fallow. 

But it may be truly asserted, that all the produc- 
tions of all ground added to these farms since their 
marling was begun substantially are as wholly due 
to marling as the mere increased product of the 
land kept before under usual tillage. Before this 
improvement was begun, not only much, but much 
more, land was annually added by new clearings to 
every farm; and, also, much better land, until all 
such was brought under culture. Still the extent 
of culture did not increase — or but little — because 
as much, or nearly as much, old land was annually 
turned out of culture as being exhausted and worth- 
less, as was added by new clearings. Since the 
marling no land has been turned out, and all new 
clearings remain as so much net increase to the 
extent of surface cultivated. Therefore, not only 
the increase of product, from being subsequently 



marled, of all new or added spaflcC^flMps^ '" ,1'A 
product, is all due to the improvem A *r jy marling. 
None of the farms mentioned were' selected in 
1840, because showing the largest, or even proper 
increased products from marling ; and in 1852, when 
questions again were put, they were thus directed 
merely because the same persons had before an- 
swered in 1840. Other farmers who began to marl 
later, and on newer and more level lands, have done 
much better than the farmers above referred to, 
because of the unfavorable circumstances above 
named. As one case out of many of more recent 
and much greater improvement, I will cite the tes- 
timony of David Tatum, a respectable and reliable 
man, (though formerly a very unsuccessful and 
profitless farmer,) who, as he stated of himself, 
was always " going down hill " in his farming, not- 
withstanding all his efforts to improve, until he 
began to marl. His locality, in the interior of 
Prince George county, would alone forbid his ac- 
cess to other than farm-made manures ; and he has 
only used these with leaves from his wood land 
arid latterly marl. In answer to inquiries, this lat 
but very successful marler wrote (in 1852) as fo 
lows: "I commenced marling ten or twelve year 
ago. JVty average crop of corn at that time was 
not more than 10 bushels to the acre, and that was 
the principal crop made on the farm. _ In 1850 and 
1851 my corn crops averaged at least 30 bushels 
and my wheat crops 20 bushels to the acre." 

Judging from his locality and the former and 
present conditions of his farming, and from the 
general usage of his neighborhood, I infer, that 
before marling Mr. Tatum made little or no wheat — 
owing to the then poverty of his land; and that 
now the culture of wheat is not extended (as is 
that of corn) over the still poorest part of every 
field, in its turn of tillage. 

The high rate of general increased Production 
from marling, stated in the last case, \Vas OAving 
to the absence of the most unfavorable circum- 
stances of all "the other farms previously named. 
Probably, on each one of these, if not all, (and I 
can vouch for No. 7) there have been obtained on 
portions of the space under tillage full as large 
products as those stated by Mr. Tatum, and with- 
out any advantage or aid not allowed by Mr. New- 
ton's requisitions. And if any portion of marled 
land, coming fully under the conditions required 
by his proposition, shows a continued or enduring 
production very much greater than the maximum 
rates he supposes, then the unsoundness of his 
view in this respect, as a general proposition, is as 
clearly made out as if such large products covered 
entire farms. Whatever has been done on even as 
much as 20 acres of suitable land, may be done on 
any greater space, or a whole farm, if of land 
equally suitable to being improved. The greatest 
production caused by marling, under all the con- 
ditions required by Mr. Newton's proposition, is 
the true measure of the effects and value of marl- 
ing ; and not the smaller or smallest benefit derived, 
more usually and on much larger spaces, where 
the circumstances of the land, or its management, 
are very unfavorable to the proper operations of 
the manure. 

So far, my remarks have been confined (with the 
small exceptions stated) to miocene marl on na- 
turally poor lands. Soils naturally rich, (however 
much exhausted by tillage,) and eocone marl con- 
taining much of fertilizing ingredients besides car- 
bonate of lime, were properly excluded from Mr. 
Newton's proposition. Therefore, the following re- 



a. xx i!J' \J\J V 1 Ikihli LS r Lt A. IN ± Jh 1\ . 



u. . „ isolated facts of greatly increased 

products, \^ eY bver valuable as agricultural facts 
and for instruction under like circumstances, are 
not presented here as additional evidence on the 
question of the difference of opinions stated. This 
case, the farm of Carter Braxton, Esq., was one of 
those embraced in the former report of 1840, and, 
therefore, with others, its later productions of 1850 
and 1851, were sought and obtained. But as the 
farm is of originally good soil, (of Pamunkey flat 
land,) and has been entirely manured with eocene 
marl, containing important fertilizing ingredients 
other than the carbonate of lime, the case is not 
applicable to the foregoing question. 

The Newcastle farm, formerly belonging to Mrs. 
A. G. Ruffin, (now Mrs. Governor M'Donald of 
Georgia,) who first begun the marling in 18 — , and 
since to Carter Braxton, Esq., whose former and 
recent crops, from his own reports, furnished at 
my request, will be here stated : 



FARM OF CARTER BRAXTON, ESQ. 


Years. 


Bushels of Wheat. 


Bushels of Corn. 










Crops. 


Per acre. 


Crops. 


Per acre. 


1839 


412 


5 






1840 


465 


3 


3705 


18 


1841 


860 


5.5 


3325 


20 


1850 


3382 


10.5 


6305 


41 


1851 


3320 


18 


5310 


35 


1852 


4400* 


15* 


7500f 


50 



REMARKS. 

* This crop much lessened by a fresh in April, which 
overflowed 60 or 70 acres. 

f This crop, stated by the proprietor's estimate or cubic 
measurement, before being shelled for sale. The wheat 
crop of 1853, not yet sold, is understood to be more than 
5000 bushels. 

Formerly, (in 1839 to 1841,) about 15<}0 bushels of oats 
Were made annually, of which crop but little has been sowed 
in latter years. 



For the Southern Planter. 
APPLICATION OF GUANO TO CORN. 

Mr. Editor, — We find in the March number of 
the Planter a subscriber seeking information when 
and how guano should be applied to poor land for 
corn. You referred him to back numbers, and par- 
ticularly to a communication of Mr. Wilkinson, as 
published last spring, but said, in conclusion, that 
the usual mode practiced among you Avas to put 
about a tea-spoonful of guano to the hill of corn, 
sprinkling it on the hill and covering it with a little 
dirt, drop the corn on that and cover with a hoe. 
A very tedious process we think. 

The writer of the article seemed to be opposed 
to the broadcast application. The subject we con- 
sider an important one, and particularly at this 
season of the year when the crop is about to be 
planted. We, therefore, propose to notice briefly 
the method as suggested above, the writer's views, 
and, in conclusion, to give, as we think, a better 
plan. In the first place, we do not believe that a 
tea-spoonful of guano will make a good ear of corn 
on poor land, applied in any way whatever, much 
less do we believe it will do it when put in the hill, 
for the very simple reason that the stalk in a short 



time is not fed or supported from the roots in the 
hill, but from those in the row; and besides this it 
is certainly best for all kinds of manure to be mixed 
with the soil. We, therefore, disapprove of ma- 
nuring for corn, either in the hill or drill. The 
latter mode we tried last year, and had our brightest . 
hopes disappointed. The corn grew off beautifully 
at first, and bid fair to bring a fine yield, but as 
soon as the roots left the drill they missed the 
guano, and, of course, there was a decided surren- 
der in the crop, and that, too, in the very nick of 
time. But, sir, we consider it a partial way of ap- 
plying any manure on any land and at any time, 
and Avould suggest instead thereof either of two 
methods. The first is to sow the guano broadcast 
on the land before you plough it; and the second 
is to apply it when you run your harrows over the 
corn the second time; either of which is easier 
done, and is better for the crop and the land. 

Prince Edward. 



For the Southern Planter. 

EARLY WHEAT. . 

Mr. Editor, — I shall offer no apology for troubling 
you with the following reflections and facts, farther 
than may be found in a profound sense of the obli- 
gation I hold every man to rest under to contribute, 
as far as in him la*y, to the cause of agriculture. 
For the past five years I have observed that the 
most forward wheat on my farm, and generally on 
my neighbors', was always the best, provided, it 
was put in as well, and the land was equal in 
strength. I have noticed, also, that the fly inva- 
riably committed its depredations upon all wheat 
on lay farm, either in the fall or spring, in some 
years on the same field both spring and fall; and 
also, that very early wheat seemed to get over its 
effects by new lateral branches before the frost, 
and seemed to stand the winter freezing and heav- 
ing better than the later wheat, owing to the stronger 
roots which the earlier seeding possessed. The 
past fall I determined to test my impressions more 
fully. Having fallowed a field in June and July, 
on the 25th of August I commenced ploughing in 
on the fallow 3 bushels of guano (168 lbs.) and li 
bushels of wheat to the acre, in a drought. I suc- 
ceeded in putting in about 25 acres before it rained, 
on which, though the rain was light, it came up 
directly and grew finely, while I was engaged with 
the rest. The fallow was completed by the 15th of 
September. The grasshoppers were as plentiful as 
the locusts in Egypt, destroying the wheat entirely 
around the edges of the field, and grazing as a 
rabbit all over it, (all which they bite before the 
wheat opens its leaves is destroyed effectually — 
that which they graze down after branching, puts 
up again.) Very early in September I discovered 
that the fly was causing the wheat to disappear, 
and later, in October, it seemed to be dying daily. 
I paid some attention to their habits, &c. and found 
them by thousands depositing their eggs, saw the 
larva in all its stages, and was struck with the 
faithfulness of their history as furnished by the 
Farmers' Register. Of course I had painful ap- 
prehensions as to my seed wli-ccd and labor, though, 
as I had abundant time to resow, I feared no 
other loss, I determined, however, to go on with 
my corn land seeding, and watch farther develop- 
ment. During this period there had been no rain . 
farther than the slight one mentioned in the be- 



iiilBUI IIP 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



ginning of my seeding. Now, however, we had 
several fine ones, and, to my astonishment and de- 
light, every bunch of wheat which I thought ef- 
fectually killed, shot forth new branches abun- 
dantly, and grew most rapidly — so rapidly that, 
fearing the frost, I had to put my cattle, horses and 
sheep upon it. They soon nipped its pruriency, 
and were removed, with the exception of the sheep ; 
they remained until the 26th of February. The 
wiieat at present looks remarkably strong, covering 
the ground with numberless branches. What the 
ultimate result may be is not for me to say, but I 
think any one viewing my field would choose the 
■very early seeding in preference to the later ; in- 
deed, I see nothing to fear at present except a se- 
vere late frost ; and as the land is wet and stiff, 
lying in a cold situation on the Potomac, it will not 
be so liable to that calamity as if on lighter land 
and in a warmer lafitude. I will inform you of 
the final result, and if at harvest the yield should 
correspond with present promising prospects, it 
will produce a new era in wheat raising, and add 
another trophy to the miraculous power of guano. 
Respectfully your friend, 

Wat H. Tyler. 
Wilton, Westmoreland, March 1, 1854:. 

We shall be glad to hear from our correspondent 
on the subject of his harvest, or on any other that 
he may favor us with. — Ed. So. Planter. 



For the Southern Planter. 
SMUT IN WHEAT. 

Mr. Editor,— In looking over the columns of the 
Southern Planter, I read with pleasure the very in- 
teresting letter of Mr. Thomas Meaux on the sub- 
ject of smut; and as he requested that farmers 
should compare notes on this subject, in order to 
benefit their brother-farmers, in coming to some 
effective means lo eradicate this prevailing evil, I 
have concluded to give you the result of my expe- 
riments on wheat in the fall of 1852. In September 
I selected four bushels of wheat, and cleaned it 
thoroughly for the purpose of making the following 
experiments: 

Lot No. 1. One bushel of wheat sowed without 
either brining or liming, with one hundred and fifty 
pounds of Peruvian guano to the acre. The yield, 
thirteen bushels, had the smul very bad. 

Lot No. 2. One bushel, brined and limed, and 
sowed with one hundred and fifty pounds of Peru- 
vian guano. Yield, fifteen bushels per acre. This 
lot had some little smut, but nothing like as bad as 
No. 1, which I think lost two bushels in smut. 

Lot No. 3. One bushel brined, but not limed, and 
sowed with one hundred and fifty pounds of Peru- 
vian guano. Yield, ten bushels. About one-third 
of this lot was smut. 

Lot No. 4. One bushel washed in clear spring 
water, and then limed, sowed with one hundred and 
fifty pounds of guano. Yield, eighteen bushels. — 
This lot did not have the smut at all. 

On all these lots the wheat was the same: the 
growth equally as vigorous on them all. 

The result of my experiments is, as will be seen, 
in favor of the lime. The spring water was only 
used to wet the grains in order to make the lime 
adhere to them. I think that if farmers would take 
more pains in getting out their seed wheat, viz. 
thresh it out with a slow pressure, clean it well, and 
spread it over their barn floor thinly, and then sow 



=- 

lime over the floor, stir it up togeth'^ 1 ^ y^ orou „ s . 
main there until seeding time: then wash in clear 
spring water, lime it, and sow when the ground is 
in good order, they will be able to get clear of the 
smut. 

With my best wishes for your success in improv- 
ing Virginia agriculture, 

George H. Northam. 

Woodbine, Westmoreland, Nov. 8, 1853. 



For the Southern Planter. 
THE MAINE LIQ.UOR LAW. 

Mr. Editor,— I am induced after a personal inter- 
view with you yesterday, to say that as you have 
admitted into your columns a long article on this 
subject, written by Mr. Jesse Hargrave of Sussex co., 
Va., in which he most wantonly assails and abuses 
the advocates of the Temperance reformation — ma- 
ny of whom are among the most respectable citizens 
of Virginia — and as you now find it necessary to 
close your columns against any reply — the writer 
desires to say to Mr. Hargrave, as he has made the 
attack where we are not allowed to go, and as he 
boldly says "This subject must be met at its thresh- 
hold"— he is hereby challenged to select as his me- 
dium of discussion any paper published in Virginia, 
and we do hope as an honorable gentleman he will 
accept the challenge and give us notice at an early 
day, and he is hereby promised a full. reply to his 
article in the Planter, and a full and fair discussion 
of the subject to any reasonable extent: and if we 
cannot maintain our cause before an enlightened 
and intelligent community when submitted to their 
judgment, then we must submit to Mr. Hargrave's 
anathemas and all the woes his "good creature" 
brandy can bring upon us. All we ask is to submit 
it to the people and not to be ruled by '-'Jive [Brandy] 
counties." W. Tjmeerlake. 

Carter's Bridge P. O. Albemarle, Dec. 9lh, 1853. 



REPORT ON SUNNYSIDE FARM. 

The following account of Mr. Sayre's farming is 
very instructive and well worth attention. He is 
the only one of those who took an honorary testi- 
monial who complied at the time with the require- 
ments of the Schedule of Premiums. None have 
done so since. When they do, none, we venture to 
say, will equal the results of Mr. Say re, and no 
county w r ill come up to his in the profits of " truck- 
ing," as it is called. 

Sunnyside Farm, belonging to, and residence of 
William Sayre, situated on the south side and at 
the mouth of the western branch of the Elizabeth 
river, four miles from Portsmouth by land, and 
the same distance from Norfolk by water, contains 
149 acres — 107 arable — 42, w r ood and waste. 

The soil varies from light sandy, to moderately 
stiff. It was formerly very poor, but at this time 
about one-half of the arable land is very produc- 
tive, and was made so by repeated and heavy ma- 
nuring for the last ten years, at an annual expense 
of about one thousand dollars. The subsoil varies 
very much, from sand to red and blue clay — and is 
from nine to eighteen inches below the surface. 
The red clay is found in the field next to the river, 
but is not in a regular stratum underlying the 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 




proaucts, 1 ^ L*Xi many places the subsoil is sand, 
then clay, varying from one to the other several 
times in one or two hundred yards. The rest of 
the subsoil is blue clay. 

Of the arable land there are in regular annual 
tillage about one hundred acres. The remaining 
seven acres are attached to the homestead and 
three small tenements. 

The principal manure used is the best stable 
manure, purchased in Baltimore and delivered here 
at an expense of SI 12£ per cart load of twenty 
bushels. Night soil, guano, charcoal and marsh 
muck have also been used, but only to a limited 
extent. 

For 1853 the crops were peaches and green ve- 
getables, viz. peas, cucumbers, tomatoes, Irish po- 
tatoes, cymblines, snap beans and asparagus. 

Peaches — 5000 trees on 46 acres. This orchard 
is generally ploughed twice a year, and this year 
17 acres were sown in extra early garden peas, in 
rows four feet apart, three rows of peas to each 
space between the rows of trees. 

In addition to these 17 acres were 21 acres in 
peas, sown in rows seven feet apart, one bushel of 
seed to the acre. Time of planting from first of 
January to first of March. Time of gathering 
from first of May to first of June. Manures used 
guano and stable manure. 

On 16 acres of the land sown in peas were cu- 
cumbers also planted — the peas' and cucumbers 
being in alternate rows. The time for planting 
this crop is generally the first of April, replanting 
every ten days until the frosts are over. 400 loads 
of stable manure were put in the drills opened for 
this crop. 

On 4 acres of the land sown in peas were planted 
cymblines, and on one acre, snap beans, in alternate 
rows, as the cucumbers. Time and mode of plant- 
ing the same as cucumbers. 

On 22 acres were tomatoes, in hills six feet by 
four. The plants were raised iii frames and under 
glasses. The seed were sown in smaller frames 
about the middle of January — transplanting to 
larger frames about the 10th of March, and as soon 
as the frosts are gone, from the larger frames to 
the field, generally from the 15th of April to the 
1st of May. For this crop there were two hundred 
loads of stable manure used in the hill. 

On 7 acres were Irish potatoes planted in rows 
3£ feet apart, forty bushels of seed to the lot. This 
crop was manured in the drill — first six hundred 
pounds of guano to the acre, in drills six inches 
deep, which was covered three inches deep with 
the soil. The pieces of potatoes were placed from 
six to nine inches apart in the row, and well co- 
vered with a compost of hog-pen manure and marsh 
muck, about thirty loads to the acre ; then over 
this compost was thrown the dirt with the plough.* 
All of these crops are worked with the plough, 
cultivator and hoe, as corn and other crops planted 
in rows — the only difference being in more frequent 
cultivation. Regular force employed, eight men, 
four black and four white. For gathering peas, 
eighty women and children, day laborers. For 
peaches, one hundred and thirteen women at fifty 
cents per day and seventeen men at one dollar per 
day. For other crops, from five to thirty, at thirty- 
seven and a half cents per day. These hands all 

* There are four acres in asparagus. The roots are now 
ten years old, and were planted in drills three feet apart, 
and at the depth of one foot. This crop is worked with the 
plough and cultivator. 



come from Portsmouth each morning and return 
in the evening ; they bring their meals with them. 

Estimate for 1853 of Capital vested in Sunnyside 
Farm. 

Land, 107 acres arable, 42 wood and waste — total, 



$7,600 00 
400 00 
200 00 
600 00 
500 00 
500 00 
50 00 
100 00 

25 00 

75 00 



149— cost 

Hot beds and sash, 

Repairs to farm buildings, 

One boat, - 

Six hundred boxes, 

Four horses, - 

Two cows, - 

Carts and wagon, - 

Corn sheller, hommony mill and straw 
cutter, - 

Ploughs, harrows, cultivators and har- 
ness, - - -'• ' - 

Hand utensils, hoes, spades and shovels, 
forks, rakes, &c. 

Twenty-five hogs, - 

Four hundred barrels, 

Cucumber and cymbline seed, 



Total capital, - - - $10,400 00 

In the foregoing estimate each article is valued 
at what it is supposed it would sell for — in some 
instances not one-half of the original cost. 

Expenses of Cultivating , Gathering and Shipping 
Crops for 1853. 



150 00 

50 00 

100 00 



Day labor, - 

Regular force, hire and support, 

800 loads stable manure, 

6199 lbs. guano, 

38 bushels seed peas, (English,) 

40 bushels Irish potatoes, 

1 bushel snap beans, 
1500 barrels, 

1000 yards cotton cloth for barrel covers, 
150 baskets lost during the season, - 
105 fruit boxes lost during the season, 

2 kegs of nails, - 
Farming utensils lost and worn out, 
Blacksmith's and carpenter's bills, - 



Total, .... 

Amount of Sales for 1853 of Fruits ant 
in the Baltimore, Philadelphia, and 
markets. 



$922 49 

1,149 00 

900 00 

139 48 

228 00 

28 00 

6 00 

270 00 

57 50 

43 40 

84 00 

11 00 

25 00 

41 00 

$'3,904 87 



Gross sales. 
Asparagus, 25 boxes, con- 
taining 762 bunches, $234 46 
Peas, 742 barrels, 2,351 47 
Beans and cymblines, 171 

barrels, - - 298 89 

Potatoes, 88 barrels, - 217 88 

Cucumbers, 643 barrels, - 2,365 80 

Tomatoes, 186 boxes, - 863 49 

Peaches, 1006 boxes, - 3,997 93 
Hay, 6200 lbs. 
Amount of sales in New 

York not yet received, 200 00 



I Vegetables 
New York 

Net, after 

deducting 

freight and 

commissions. 

$197 20 
1,924 14 

193 80 
178 66 

1,875 86 
694 59 

3,203 96 
77 50 

150 00 



Total, - - - $10,529 92 $8,495 71 

Expenses of cultivating, gathering and , 

shipping crops, - - - 3,904 87 



Net profits, 



- $4,590 84 



-, 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



REMARKS UPON THE CROPS. 

Asparagus— a,n average crop — tied in bunches, 
six inches in diameter, and shipped in boxes hold- 
ing three bushels each. 

Peas — an average crop — shipped in flour barrels 
covered with cotton cloth. 

Cymblines and Snap Beans — an average crop — 
shipped in barrels. 

Potatoes — almost an entire failure, not more than 
one-third of a crop — shipped in barrels. 

Cucumbers — not more than half a crop — shipped 
in barrels. 

Tomatoes — not more than one-fourth of a crop — 
464 boxes have been gathered before from half the 
same number of plants — shipped in boxes, three 
bushels each. 

The three last named crops were much injured 
by excessive drought, followed by excessive rains. 

Peaches — a large crop, but from continued rains 
one-half rotted on the trees, and those that were 
shipped reached the markets in very bad order. 
Persons who are considered good judges and who 
saw the crop, estimated the loss to be upwards of 
four thousand dollars. This orchard has borne a 
crop every other year for the past six years. 

William £5ayres. 

State op Virginia : County of Norfolk, ss. 

This day personally appeared before me, a jus- 
tice of the County and State aforesaid, William 
Sayre, and made oath that the within statement is 
true and correct to the best of his knowledge and 
belief. 

Given under my hand this 27th day of October, 
1853. Ge. W. Grice, J. P. 



MORGAN HORSES. 

Mr. Jewett, the most reliable authority on such 
matters, thus speaks of the Morgan horse: 

" I believe the Morgan blood to be the best that 
was ever infused into the 'Northern horse.' They 
are well known, and are esteemed for activit} r , 
hardihood, gentleness and docility, throughout the 
New England States ; well adapted for all work; 
good in every spot, except for racers on the turf. 
They are lively and spirited, lofty and elegant in 
their actions, carrying themselves gracefully in the 
harness. They have size proportioned to height; 
bone clean, sinewy legs, compactness, short strong 
backs, powerful lungs, strength and endurance. A 
mixture of the Morgan blood, though small, may 
be easily known from any other stock in the country. 
There is a remarkable similarity prevailing in all this 
race. They are known by their short clean heads, 
wide across the face at the eyes ; eyes lively and 
prominent; open and wide in the under jaws, large 
wind pipe, deep brisket, heavy and round in the 
body, broad in the back, short limbs in proportion 
to the size, broad quarters, a lively quick action, 
indomitable spirit, move true and easy in a good 
round trot, fast on the walk. Color, dark bay, chest- 
nut, brown, with dark flowing wavy mane and tail ; 
head up, moves without a whip ; about fifteen hands 
high ; action powerful and spirited. 

" They are highly celebrated for general useful- 
ness, make the best roadsters, and live to a great 
age. In fact they are the perfect ' Yankee harness 
horse.' 

" The Morgans are very like the noble Arab, with 
similar eyes, upright ears, high withers, powerful 



— m^ 

quarters, hocks well under theii Mug/it, vigorous 
arms and flat legs, short from the knee to the pas- 
tern, close jointed, possessing immense power for 
their size, with great fire and courage. But few of 
the Morgans, however, evince extraordinary speed." 



For the Southern Planter. 

STUCCOING HOUSES. 

Mr. Editor, — In a southern climate and damp 
location will stuccoing a twelve inch wall in a brick 
dwelling be a sufficient protection from dampness % 
Or is it better, with the stuccoing to have the in- 
side furred and lathed before plastering'? Infor- 
mation on the above point is desired for practical 
purposes by 

ALIQ.UIS. 

The above question is answered in the following 
letter from one of the best builders and most re- 
liable men we know : 

Eastern View, Albemarle, April 2, 1854. 
Frank: G. R-uffin, Esq.. 

Sir, — On the receipt of your note of the 29th 
ultimo, with the enclosed letter, I hasten to reply, 
requesting me to give you my opinion relative to 
the interrogatories sought for in said letter. This 
I will do with pleasure, and more cheerfully, from 
the fact that my long acquaintance, observation and 
interest, as a builder, has afforded me some practi- 
cal knowledge in guarding against dampness in 
brick walls, &c. Therefore, I would advise all 
buildings below the ground (cellar walls) to be 
hollow drained by an exterior wall four inches, or 
half a brick thick, to be run all round the cellar 
walls, (outside of course,) leaving a hollow space 
between the exterior and cellar walls four inches 
wide, commencing from the foundation and to be 
closed at the surface of the ground with bricks, 
projecting over against the cellar walls. Then a 
drain, leading from said hollow space, to carry off 
any water that may rise in the cellar from long and 
continued rains, filling the earth with water, not- 
withstanding this is the case sometimes. But if 
the water is carried off with a drain as it may rise, 
the walls of the cellar will remain perfectly dry, 
using this necessary and important precaution, not 
to suffer the water that falls on the roof of the 
building to be dashed or blown against the walls 
by wind, which is the case if it is not conducted 
off as it falls on the roof by suitable gutters and 
downfalls, with basins to catch the water, and 
then a gutter of wood or stone to take away from 
the wall, (ten or twelve feet, or more, is best.) An- 
other very important item to be particularly at- 
tended to for the dryness, &c. of brick buildings, 
is, not to suffer the guttering of the roofs, &c. to 
get out of order, which is frequently the case during 
summer (from neglect) by birds' nests and leaves 
deposited by the wind, obstructing the passage of 
the water, causing the gutters to overflow and sa- 
turating the walls with rain. Whenever this hap- 
pens the evaporation of the moisture is so gradual 
that it takes a long time for them to dry. 

I have long since come to the conclusion that 
twelve inch walls, one brick and a half thick, is 
sufficient protection against moisture when the 
work is executed in a workmanlike manner and 
good materials used, and the guttering, &c. at- 
tended to as recommended. I have been the occu- 



X ±1 tt SUUTMEHIN ¥ h A JN X E K . 



pant of 'SJmV aings for upwards of fifty years, 
and never have been molested or made uncom- 
fortable by damp walls in the upper stories of 
buildings by the falling of rain blowing against the 
walls. Yet this may happen in long and heavy 
rains blowing from the same point; for instance, a 
northeaster, if the building is not guttered and 
spouted. I have lived at my present location for 
about seventeen years, where my buildings are all 
of brick, without ever discovering any dampness 
in the walls above the ground, which have been 
always perfectly dry and comfortable ; and some- 
what remarkable to say, with a family, including 
white and black, of from thirty to thirty-five, not 
one has ever contracted a fever here of a protracted 
kind. But I will come to the point of a stuccoed 
building, and close by remarking, stucco of itself 
is nearly impervious to water, which much depends 
on the workmanship and the materials; for instance, 
the sand entirely divested of all loam and trash, by 
washing; the lime pure and slaked in what is 
called a putty state, then mixed properly with the 
sand, made into a mortar and suffered to stand 
some time before using, say from five to six weeks. 
When the work is commenced, the stucco work- 
man to use a plenty of elbow grease, by much rub- 



^with a hand float, brush and water 
which compresses all of the particles of lime and 
sand closely together, and will make them ulti- 
mately become nearly as hard as rock. Conse- 
quently, I think you may safely answer "Aliquis," 
he need not (although the location of his building 
is a damp one) apprehend any danger from damp 
walls, particularly as he designs stuccoing them. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. B. Phillips. 



For the Southern Planter. 

AGRICULTURAL NOTICE. 

The following farmers have offered or con- 
• sented to act as Assistant Agricultural Com- 
missioners : 

Col. P. St. Geo. Cocke, of Powhatan, (Pres. 
Va. S. A. Society.) 

Thomas L. Preston, Esq., of Smyth. 

B. Johnson Barbour, Esq., of Orange. 

John R. Edmunds, Esq., of Halifax. 

Richard Irby, Esq., of Nottowa}*. 

These assistants will act, to such extent as 
they may be enabled by the-facilities afforded, 
and other circumstances, in their respective 
counties, and as much of the adjacent ground 
as it may be convenient to embrace. Each 
one, on his assigned ground for operations, will 
have equal powers and privileges, and like du- 
ties with the chief Commissioner. 

One service, and the most important which 
these Assistants will attempt, will be the mak- 
ing and reporting surveys of the agriculture 
of their respective counties, upon the general 
plan, of which the heads were recently pub- 
lished in the Richmond Dispatch, and are here- 
with annexed. Some other gentlemen have 
under consideration the undertaking of this 



useful service, for other counties. It is very 
desirable to have capable persons to undertake 
this and other of the duties of Assistant Com- 
missioners, in other agricultural regions — as 
the tide-water region, the Valley, and the north- * 
west part of Virginia. Should an}' public- 
spirited and suitable persons offer to perform 
these services, they will be gladly added to the 
list of Assistant Commissioners. 

Edmund Ruffin, 
Agricultural Commissioner. 

VIRGINIA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

[Report of the Agricultural Commissioner to the Execu- 
tive Committee. Approved and ordered to be printed, 
March 24th.] 

GENERAL PLAN AND ARRANGEMENT, AND SOME 
OF THE PARTICULAR SUBJECTS, SUGGESTED 
FOR A REPORT OF AN AGRICULTURAL SUR- 
VEY OF A COUNTY, OR ANY OTHER AGRI- 
CULTURAL DISTRICT OR SECTION OF VIR- 
GINIA. 

I. General features a?id cliaracter of the 
country in the following respects: 

1. Situation, extent, and natural physical 
characters and divisions, illustrated by a map 
of small size. 

2. Surface and face of the country, and di- 
versities of elevation and exposure. 

3. Climate, and especially any peculiarities 
thereof, and the causes. 

4. Geological characters of different parts, 
so far as known. 

5. Useful minerals, and especially such as 
are, or may be, valuable as manures. 

6. Water, in reference to uses of navigation, 
irrigation, propelling machinery, &c. 

7. Market towns, and manner of, or facili- 
ties for transportation of products. 

II. General description and management 
of lands. 

1. Classes and kinds of soil, and of subsoil, 
to be designated (when extensive) on the map. 

2. Quantities of arable land, of meadow, 
(not subjected to ordinary tillage, or rotation 
of crops,) of wood land, swamp or marsh, and 
other waste or unproductive lands. 

3. Sizes of farms, usual or unusual. 

4. The usual crops, of large and of small 
culture. 

5. Rotation of crops. 

6. Manner and depth of ploughing, and pre- 
paration for and tillage, and general manage- 
ment of crops. 

7. Expense of cultivation. 

8. Agricultural products proper to be made 
in the locality, and which are brought from 
other places, and the extent of such supplies. 

III. General market prices of lands, jmst 
and present, and causes of rise or fall in 
prices. Rates of rent. 



T JUL HAJLT.HJIJLN PLANTED 



IV. Drainage and Embankments. I 

1. Of tide marshes, and swamps. 

2. Of swamp or other low and wet lands, 
higher than the tide. 

3. Drainage of arable, or high and firm lands, 
for either surface water or springs, and by 
either open or covered drains. 

V. Implements and Machines for Agricul- 
tural operations. 

VI. Fencing and Enclosing. 

1. Kinds and costs of fencing. 

2. Advantages and disadvantages of the se- 
parate enclosing of each field, or each farm, 
compared to dispensing with either or both— 
and instead, confining live stock to enclosed 
pastures, or herding them, especially in refer- 
ence to hogs. 

VII. Grass husbandry, grazing, and green 
or vegetable manuring crops. 

1. Natural Meadows on moist ground. 

2. Artificial (or sown) grasses on permanent 
meadows or pastures. 

3. Artificial grasses, peas, or other green or 
forage crops, alternated with tillage crops on 
arable land. 

4. Mowing and hay. 

5. Crops of grass, peas, or weeds, left to 
manure the land on which they grew. 

VIII. Live Stock. 

1. Teams, or animals for labor. 

2. Animals reared and kept for their pro- 
ducts, or fattened for sale or home consump- 
tion, and their management. 

3. Animals purchased from abroad, and ge- 
neral cost thereof. 

4. Comparative profits of hogs confined to 
enclosed pastures, or to sties, and those rang- 
ing at large. 

IX. Dairy management and products. 

1. Products consumed or sold. 

2. Supplies of butter and cheese from 
abroad. 

X. Manures. 

1. Cow-yard and stable manure, and other 
stock supplies. Collection and choice of ma- 
terials—preparation, application, and effects. 
Fermented or unfermented manures. 

2. Straw, leaves, or other unmixed vegeta- 
ble matters, unrotted when applied. 

3. Peat, marsh or swamp mud, as manure. 

4. Fossil shells or marl. 

5. Lime. 

6. Any supply of carbonate of lime from 
other sources. 

7. Wood ashes — coal ashes. 

8. Bone dust, or phosphate of lime in other 
materials. 

9. Gypsum. 

10. Guano. 



11. Any earths contar ^T^oSt 
dients, and fit for manures. • 

12. Any other neutral salts, or materials 
containing them, useful for manuring. 

13. Composts of different manuring mate- 
rials. 

XI. Orchards and their products, Vine- ( 
yards, Vegetable Gardens supplying products 
for sale generally and extensively. 

XII. Wood-land. 

). General description of the growth of dif- 
ferent kinds of lands. 

2. Uses and value of timber and other pro- 
ducts. 

3. Proportion of farms necessary to be kept 
under wood. 

4. Disadvantages and cost of excess of wood- 
land to agriculture. 

XIII. Old and bad practices, and new or 
recently introduced processes or ionpn'oved prac- 
tices in agriculture. 

XIV. Notices or suggestions of new or 
neglected resources for agricultural improve- 
ment. 

XV. Obstacles to agricultural improvement 

and profit. 

1. Obstacles opposed by natural and una- 
voidable circumstances. 

2. Obstacles caused by erroneous govern- 
mental policy, or by omission of proper legis- 
lation. 

3. Obstacles caused by individual action or 

neglect. 

XVI. Unhealtfdness of residents, caused 
by climate and condition of the country and 
its agriculture. 

1. Local sources of malaria, their extent, 
operation and degrees of malignity— such as 
rapid streams sometimes overflowing the bor- 
dering land — tide-water marshes, fresh or 
sa lt_swamps, whether in their natural state 
or when under culture — mill-ponds, and the 
passage of transient and irregular floods of 
fresh water over salt marshes. 

2. Accumulation of putrifying matters, ani- 
mal and vegetable, in towns, their injurious ef- 
fects on health, and the means of rendering 
them innoxious, and useful as materials for 
manure. 

3. Increase or decrease, and greater or less 
extent and virulence of malarious diseases, in 
past time and now, and the supposed causes of 

change. • ...... 

4. Means of removing or diminishing the 
causes of such diseases, within the reach of 
individual proprietors, and such means as can- 
not be used without governmental interposi- 
tion, and compulsory direction. 

XVII. Any other subjects not here indi- 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



c^»srs^ v;jl 



^ connected with the agri- 
, J jf the county or other lo- 
cality treated of, and of ivhich the discussion 
would be useful in aid of improvement. 



From the American Farmer. 
• SAVING CLOVER SEED— ECONOMY IN THE 
USE OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY. 
As requested at our recent interview, I will 
briefly give my "mode of harvesting clover 
seed with the mowing machine, and also the 
manner of preparing the seed for market." I 
will also add a few remarks as to the decided 
economy to farmers, of machine over hand 
work, in securing our crops. 

A large portion of my crop of clover seed 
the past season was so fallen and lodged, that 
scarcely half the seed could be saved with the 
cradle; consequently, we were compelled to re- 
sort to the slow and expensive mowing with 
scythes, or use the machine. The trial with 
cradles, resulted in breaking out the fingers, 
and leaving much of the best seed uncut; the 
scythe was both too slow and too wasteful. 
Indeed to look over the fallen and tangled mass 
of vegetation, persons unacquainted with the 
. machine would have supposed it impossible to 
cut it clean, with any thing short of the scythe. 
The machine (one of Hussey's improved) 
was set to cut rather higher than for mowing 
and by a side delivery of my own construction, 
the seed was delivered at the side and out of 
the track, in straight loose bunches in the best 
possible order for curing and taking up after- 
wards : and with almost the precision of clock 
work. It was one of the most beautiful and 
perfect farm operations I ever saw — scarcely 
leaving a head standing to the acre, and lite- 
rally leaving nothing for the rake to glean af- 
terwards. It was completely cut and raked 
in about one-third the time the same hands 
could have properly raked it alone. "We would 
occasionally, though not often necessary, throw 
out of gear, pass on through the cleared track, 
and only cut across and against the lean; in 
this way every head raised up four to five 
inches high, or above the guards, [snakes heads 
included,] was not only cut, but saved on the 
platform. ^ We could well afford to lose a little 
time in this way, when the machine was doing 
the work of full ten to a dozen scythes. 

The seed is usually left from five to ten days 
in this state, in order to make it hull more rea- 
dily; and a shower or two on it, improves it 
both for the threshing and hulling operations. 
At a leisure time in winter, and in cold dry 
weather, we pass it through the common wheat 
thresher to separate the heads from the straw. I 



If in good order for threshing, the spike con- 
caves are removed, and blank ones substituted 
in their places, which answer a better purpose- 
avoids cutting up the straw, and rendering the 
raking much less tedious. 

The next operation is the hulling; this is 
done either by running it two or three times 
through the same machine (spike concaves re- 
placed) as fast as it can be forced in by a board 
fitting the opening, and having a short handle 
m the centre, fifteen or eighteen inches long. 
It is then fanned, when the unhulled seed, fall- 
ing near the fan, and being much reduced in 
bulk, may all soon be hulled by passing four 
or five times through the machine; or second- 
ly, by an opening to feed in the front of the 
thresher, about nine or ten inches wide, and 
another opening at back, at the opposite end 
of the cylinder, the chaff passing diagonally 
through : but this plan, without much care, is 
very apt to cut or break too much seed; nei- 
ther does it save much time, as the feeding is 
necessarily slow. 

An efficient machine that will hull and fan 
at the same operation is a great gain; for the 
hulling alone is a short job compared to the 
fanning. I used a hulling machine this year 
for experiment, instead of the thresher, (with- 
out fan attachment,) but lost considerable seed; 
perhaps a^ bushel or more from cutting the 
seed It is a tedious, and very annoying ope- 
ration from dust, to hull with the thresher and 
fan afterwards; but all the portable clover ma- 
chines with fan, that I have seen, cost from 
$75 to $100, — too expensive for general use, 
and often cutting the seed. I am satisfied, 
however, after some years experience with the 
crop, that an efficient and durable machine with 
fan, may be made for about half the money. 

My crop of seed this season on seventeen 
acres, yielded forty-three bushels cleaned and 
ready for market: besides sowing a large cart 
load of partially hulled chaff, not considered 
at the time worth hulling over, but proved af- 
terwards by hulling a similar lot, to contain 
from three pecks to a bushel of seed; without 
close attention, considerable loss may occur in 
throwing out the chaff, or sowing the seed too 
thick, in the chaff. The crop at the present 
market value, is worth near $300; and did not 
cost me, all expenses included, over $15 to 
$20; two-thirds to three-fourths of this, is 
chargeable to the in-door work. 

The average yield on so many acres is rather 
unusual; the more so, as over half the ground 
had produced two crops of grass, and on seve- 
ral acres of this the clover seed was quite light. 
I attribute it to two causes; first, to the liberal 
use of lime; for without it, the yield would 



"Villi Ui« 



PHP, SOTITHTilRN P f \ A M T P P 
THE SOUTHERN Jf L A jS ± .& ±t . 



not have been a peck of seed to the acre; at 
least the land never produced any to my know- 
ledge, previous to my liming; nor in fact half 
a crop of any thing else for me, except briars, 
broom sedge and sassafras bushes. And what 
is quite as much to the purpose, this single 
crop of seed amply repays me for all the lime, 
bones, and other ^manures used in renovating 
the land. To judge by the general appearance 
of the crop, probably two-thirds of the seed, 
or some three to four bushels to the acre, was 
grown on about eight, of the seventeen acres; 
it being the first crop of seed, and having one 
hundred and fifty bushels of lime to the acre, 
in two applications; and on this portion of the 
land, doubling the lime has certainly more than 
doubled the product in grass and seed; — in 
fact, of nil the crops. And secondly, to the 
use of this most valuable implement, the mow- 
ing machine. 

In this crop of seed, and the grass crop, 
just preceding it, the saving was not less than 
$50 — I think more, and that it is susceptible 
of easy demonstration. To have secured the 
seed crop with the scythe, would have cost me 
one dollar an acre, besides the cost of hand 
raking; added to this, is the loss indeed from 
shattering off, and certainly not less than one 
peck to the acre, or four and a quarter bushels; 
equal to $50 in wages and loss of seed, before 
leaving the field. Now with the machine, two 
hands cut the whole in a day and a half, saving 
the raking entirely, and consequent loss; doing 
the work in from one-eighth to one-tenth part 
of the time, and doing it much more perfectly, 
and with materially less loss in seed, than was 
possible with the cradle or scythe, and rake. 

If "Poor Richard" said truly in his Alma- 
nac, that " a penny sa*ed is two pence clear," 
my case is nearly made out: but permit me to 
recur again to the grass crop on the same 
ground, and including two or three acres more 
than was cut for seed. This was much heavier 
by reason of the timothy, and even worse lodg- 
ed than the seed crop; generally estimated by 
those who saw it, to yield two and a half tons 
to the acre, or some forty-five to fifty tons. 
The whole was cut in about one and three- 
quarter days — it was cut by horses, raked by 
horses, and unloaded in the barn by horses, 
without oppression to man or beast, and with- 
out costing one a single dime for harvest wa- 
ges ; in fact, during the whole of the hay har- 
vest, we were short by one hand of what we 
often have hired at other times. Nor is this 
all; but for my machinery, probably half the 
crop would have been spoiled, or greatly less- 
ened in value; as owing to the dry weather the 
crops of grain and grass generally ripened at 



the same time, and the S 
not half equal to the demand. Besides secur- 
ing our own crops in fine order and in due sea- 
son, we had leisure to help out a neighbor or 
two; one of whom remarked, that if I could 
not cut his grass, or some eight or ten acres of 
it, he must leave it uncut, as he could not pro- 
cure hands. 

I am therefore satisfied that in the grass and 
clover seed crops alone, the past season, the 
machine has saved me fully half its cost ; to 
say nothing of any gain by its use in the grain 
crops, or the feeling of independence, and the 
satisfaction of having the work done at the 
proper time. 

The two past seasons, we have cut over one 
hundred and thirty acres of grass; two crops 
of wheat, and two of oats; quite sufficient I 
think to test fairly the merits, and to prove 
the economy of the mowing machine over the 
scythe, either on small or large farms. The 
machine has been carefully used, and has not 
cost twenty-five cents in repairs, for all this 
work. It has not been, as I have repeatedly 
seen Hussey's reaper, forced over stone heaps, 
pitched into gullies with the knives cutting 
through banks of earth, and all brought up 
standing by driving against rocks and stumps ; 
and to my amazement, when I expected a com- 
plete wreck, the machines were backed off with 
as little ceremony as an ox cart, the horses 
whipped into a trot, and the work resumed, as 
perfectly as if no impediment had occurred. : 

The great difiiculty with many who are dis- 
posed to use machines, is as to the best selec- 
tion, when so many new inventions and alleged 
improvements are being made. Without in- 
tending to detract from the merits of any, I 
will remark, that I visited the Crystal Palace 
at New York, last fall, mainly with the view 
to examine the many reaping and mowing ma- 
chines on exhibition. The result of my obser- 
vation was, for strength, durability, and effi- 
ciency as a combined machine, I saw none that 
was preferred to my own, improved as it now 
is. The reaper, however, is not considered 
complete, until hand raking is superseded by 
machinery, and delivering at the back or side 
at pleasure, and .without the reel; which is 
strongly objected to as cumbersome, very liable 
to get out of order, and shattering much grain 
when fully ripe. Whoever can effect this at 
the least cost, and most durability, will be well 
paid for his ingenuity and skill; as it will pro- 
bably be the means of introducing ten machines 
where one is now in use. 

With a scarcity of hands in harvest, it is at 
times very desirable to deliver the grain at the 
side; we now do it very satisfactorily with one 



yrrfjwFii^w n-AW:* 



nctiiuyit o.i Dri\^rU-^ oats, and light grain; but 
in heavy wheat, it should be done by machinery 
if practicable; and the more powerful muscles 
of the horse. I am fully aware of the difficul- 
ties attending it; but after seeing what has 
been done so successfully already in the cut- 
ting, I do not quite despair of the raking, al- 
though so many have attempted it, and failed. 
To succeed, the machinery must not be com- 
plicated, expensive, or liable to get out of or- 
der; nor must it materially affect or retard the 
free motion of the driving wheel and knives; 
to do either, will cause the latter to clog or 
choke, and occasion much detention, if not 
breakages. It must also be accommodated or 
adapted in some degree at least, to the con- 
stantly changing position of the grain, ground, 
wind, &c. 

In the opinion of many, Atkins' automaton 
self-raker has solved the problem of its practi- 
cability, under favorable auspices. As to the 
question, " Have you seen it at work, and will 
it meet or supply the wants of the farmer?" I 
would answer, that I have only seen the ma- 
chines on exhibition, and not in the field, where 
alone it can be judged of properly. It is an 
admirable piece of mechanism; but I fear too 
expensive an addition to the reaper, and proba- 
bly too complicated, to come into very general 
or common use, with a class not proverbial for 
mechanical tact and skili; or for "having a 
place for every thing, and every thing in its 
place." I have often seen expensive imple- 
ments, — and even the reaper, left in the field, 
"reposing on its laurels," exposed to all wea- 
thers, and from season to season. If the ma- 
chine fails in its allotted duty at a busy season, 
as fail it must with such, and even rougher 
usage, is it fair or just to lay the blame on 
the manufacturer? It certainly is not, but is 
oftentimes done notwithstanding. A practical 
experience of some twenty-live years, as a ma- 
chinist, has made me as familiar with machine- 
ry, as with farming; and I honestly express 
the opinion, that the sins of omission, by im- 
plement makers, are far less, than those of 
commission, by the ignorant and thoughtless 
who commonly use them. 

No subject connected with agricultural im- 
provement, has claimed so much of my atten- 
tion and interest for several years past, as per- 
fecting the reaping and mowing machine ; and 
substituting machinery for hand labor on the 
farm, wherever practicable. That I have suc- 
ceeded to some extent, — at least in saving 
money, I am perfectly satisfied. In reference 
to the machine raking, I may remark inciden- 
tally, that a working model has recently been 
submitted to me, and delivering at the side, 



that promises, ivith the reel, and under favor- 
ing circumstances, better than any thing I have 
yet seen; it can be made for $15 to $20 only, 
and perhaps as durable as other parts of the 
reaper. It requires however, to perfect it, in 
my opinion, to throw the rake forward, over, 
and into the uncut grain, like the hand rake, 
thus dispensing with the reel. The inventor 
thinks he can do this also ; but it can only be 
proved in the field, not the workshop; by an 
operating and efficient machine, not a model. 

There is however one thing that must be 
borne in mind by those who would use mowing 
machines to the best advantage : it is absolutely 
necessary to farm neatly, — to clear the ground 
from stone, stumps, and abrupt inequalities on 
the surface. For a farmer to expect to mow 
close and clean, without the trouble of picking 
up the stone, and with the knives cutting 
through earth and gravel, is about as reasona- 
ble, and as profitable too, as for a mechanic to 
undertake to plane up his boards covered with 
grit, or driven through with nails. 
I am, respectfully, 

Edward Stabler. 

Harewood, 2d month 15, '54. 



OSAGE ORANGE HEDGES. 

The following discussion, at a late Agricultural 
Convention in Ohio, will show how doctors differ ; 

"Major Milikin, of Butler county, offered for 
adoption the following resolution: 

" Resolved, That the State Board of Agriculture 
he recommended to offer premiums for the best 
specimens of, and the best mode of cultivating, 
Osage orange hedges. 

" Mr. Gamble advocated the passage of the reso- 
lution, detailing in a clear manner his experience 
in hedging, in a speech to which the audience lis- 
tened with much interest.* 

" Mr. Medary said he had given this subject con- 
siderable attention. He had reluctantly, almost 
come to'the conclusion that hedging was a species 
of enclosure, which was of doubtful economy. 

" Mr. Springer, on leave, addressed the Conven- 
tion five minutes, giving his opinion that Osage 
orange is an unprofitable and unsatisfactory mode 
of hedging, from his own careful experience. 

"Mr. McGrew replied, from his own experience, 
dissenting from the opinions of Mr. Springer, giv- 
ing his mode of cultivating the Osage orange, 
which had resulted to his satisfaction. It was his 
opinion that with proper attention, there is no soil 
in Ohio, upon which it cannot be satisfactorily cul- 
tivated. He plants in single rows. 

" Mr. Anderson stated that after four years' at- 
tention to this subject, he considered the Osage 
orange hedge a humbug. 

"Gen. Worthington said that he had had more 
than thirty years' experience in this matter, and 
he agreed with Mr. Anderson, that hedging was a 
humbug, because it would not pay. His observa- 
tion had begun with the white thorn hedge, which 
he deemed superior to any other kind. He was 



■ miUU U»" 



TRlil SOUTHERN P T, A N" T F, TJ 
THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



satisfied that this species of enclosure would not 
reward the elaborate cultivation which was neces- 
sary in order to bring it to perfection, while our 
other ordinary modes of fencing could be followed 
with such cheapness, when compared with the 
trouble and expense of hedging. 

"Mr. Greene deemed the southwest of the State 
a little slandered. He had studied and practised 
on this subject twelve years, and was perfectly 
satisfied that it was one worthy the attention and 
efforts of agriculturists. We conceive, in Hamil- 
ton county, that it is far from being a humbug." 




THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



RICHMOND, APRIL, 1854. 



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CflliOlU 

NECESSITY OF GOOD STOCK" ? i VIRGINIA 
FARMERS, AND HOW THEY MaY GET IT. 

In the February number of the Planter we wrote 
a short editorial on the above subject, and promised 
to continue it in March; but we were disappointed 
in getting some facts, very material as confirming 
by experience one or two positions we wished to 
enforce, which had been promised us by two gentle- 
men, who have failed to comply up to this time when 
we are compelled to resume the subject. It is not 
necessary to recapitulate any part of it, but we 
may be allowed to refer to the very able prize essay 
of Commodore Jones as demonstrating by facts 
coming within his own knowledge the views we 
expressed in regard to the use of guano. (See page 
46 of the February number of the Planter.) 

We need not cite statistics to prove that the 
lands of Tide Water and Piedmont Virginia, with 
every advantage of climate and contiguity to mar- 
ket, with less natural waste land, and with a soil 
better, on an average, than that of the Valley, do 
not come within fifty per cent, of their value, and 
are worth only about thirty-three per cent, more 
than the still more remote and, in many cases, in- 
accessible lands of Trans-Alleghany, with their 
sparse population and vast unsettled districts ; nor 
need we invoke the same kind of authority to show 
that in the general department of stock, whether 
we regard numbers or quality, we are decidedly 
behind both those regions. True, a new era has 
dawned on the country we speak of, but it is as yet 
very far from the perfect day we would wish to see. 
The present improvements are mainly referable to 
ploughing, draining and liming — three things in- 
dispensable, v but not all-sufficient to fertility — and 
to guano, which we believe will not prove a per- 
manent improver. More pains are taken now than 
formerly in collecting manures, but the means of 
making them are, for the most part, such as have 
always existed, and there is no immediate prospect 
of increasing the source of supply. 

Nor, whilst we admit the necessity of making 
wheat, need we state the figures to show that even 
if we could grow it perpetually in such quantities 
and with the same facility as when lands are in the 
first stages of improvement by lime, clover and 
plaster, or by guano, that it is not the most profit- 
able staple, and that it should not enter so largely 
into the rotation of the cismontane farmer. Suffice 
it to say, that the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, 
and other parts of continental Europe, furnish more 
than two-thirds of the European demand, in ordi- 
nary years, and have a continued capacity to rival 
the whole United States in these markets. 

If this be so, then it follows that our true policy 
is to make more wheat on the same breadth of 
land, and at the same time to vary our staples, 
particularly by the introduction of some sort of 






TJTTC SOTITRP.RN 
THE SOUTHERN 



PL A NTTCR 
PLANTER. 



=mt 01 Df iu3i ; b-" -==============^= 

live stock. ■ it 't it may be seen that we are not 
speaking at landom in this matter we refer to an 
instance, but an instance only, of English farming, 
adduced in the very sensible address of Mr. C. P. 
Holcombe before the Maryland Agricultural So- 
ciety last fall. He mentions a farm of twelve hun- 
dred acres of very superior land, which employs 
44 hands in summer and 34 in winter, 30 and 20 in 
the respective seasons being women — in each case 
exclusive of harvesters — and on which 24 horses 
are constantly worked. For this land the tenant 
pays a rent of $15,000 and other expenses which 
bring his annual outlay up to $25,000. Of the 
whole 1200 acres, seven hundred, including 250 in 
turnips, the equivalent of our corn crop, are de- 
voted to grazing and feeding, and only a little over 
one hundred of the residue goes in wheat. But 
this produces forty-six or seven of our bushels per 
acre, which, for say 125 acres, is 5875 bushels, full 
as much as would be made on a plantation of simi- 
lar size and soil here, where twice or thrice as much 
is put in wheat, but still insufficient to pay the rent 
and expenses, even at two dollars a bushel, by nearly 
ten thousand dollars. 

"Now to keep this farm," Mr. Holcombe remarks, 
" in the condition its intelligent and successful pro- 
prietor desires, if he were to make grain its prin- 
cipal product and sell that off from the farm, the 
annual outlay for manure would have to be very 
great, and the fifteen thousand dollars annual rent 
probably would not be made — their idea seems to 
be, that the profits of breeding and grazing, what- 
ever they may be, are clear profits, while in selling 
grain, they are selling labor and manure, or a por- 
tion of the valuable constituents of the soil, all of 
which have to be brought back in the market again." 
Accordingly, as he says in another place, he keeps 
and feeds from six to seven hundred sheep, and 
turns off about two hundred and fifty head of cattie 
in the course of the year, that is one sheep for each 
acre of the seven hundred, and one bullock for 
every two acres and four-fifths of the same, which, 
rating one bullock for six sheep, is 2200 sheep, or 
nearly two for each acre of the farm. 

We do not, of course, expect that the whole of 
the region we speak of, containing nearly three 
millions of acres of improved or cleared land, shall 
go at once up to the number here indicated, or that 
the whole of it is so fertile as to possess the same 
acuable capacity, but we do contend that in the 
progress of time a proportionate number of stock 
can be reared therein, that there will then be ample 
room for their resulting products in the markets of 
the world, and that the agricultural condition of the 
district will be elevated in the precise rate of this 
increase. There is no danger now of a surplus of 
cattle, though every subscriber to the Planter should 
go at once into the business. And as to wool, it 



is well known to those who have looked at all into 
the subject, that this is, perhaps, the only purely 
agricultural staple the supply of which is below 
the demand. The deficiency of Great Britain alone 
for the last year was estimated at 87,500,000 pounds, 
and in this country the year before last we exported 
of fine wool 538,000 pounds, and imported of all 
sorts 5,400,000 pounds, showing a domestic deficit 
of 4,862,000 pounds. 

As a consequence of this state of things and in 
proof of it, we may refer to all the cheaper woollen 
fabrics, the quaiity of which has greatly dete- 
riorated, many of them being now made of rotten 
woollen rags, which have been carded and worked 
up a second, and possibly a third time, and all being 
considerably adulterated with cotton. These are 
believed to be, for the most part, the materials of 
the cheap ready made clothing, which is well known 
to be generally worthless and unable to hold either 
thread or dye. 

There is no question that this deficit, which is 
chiefly in the grades of fine wool can be more 
cheaply supplied by Virginia and the South and 
South-West than any where else. South America 
raises nothing but very coarse inferior wools which 
cannot be laid down here at less than thirty cents 
a pound, and she is now at a stand in the produc- 
tion of wool. Spain and Portugal have long been 
decreasing in their supply. So have Germany and 
Prussia for twenty years — France, from her pecu- 
liar land laws, cannot continue her present rate of 
production — Australia, which from peculiarity of 
climate and the nature of the climate and population, 
was never formidable to determined competition, 
has now exchanged wool for gold, and the Cape of 
Good Hope, containing only a narrow strip of sheep 
country, can never, from particular circumstances, 
become a serious rival. 

What is thought of wool growing in the United 
States where it has been most extensively followed 
may be learned from the case of Vermont, which, 
with an area nearly seven times less than Virginia, 
has almost as many sheep and much more wool 
than the latter. But their climate is against the 
business and has diminished it by nearly a million 
of sheep since the census of 1840, in the face of 
good prices. It is estimated that it costs there 
from $1 34 to $1 90 to keep the sheep, and her 
yield of wool is only 3g lbs. per head; so that at 
anything less than sixty cents a pounds she loses 
money. So, in a^ measure, of New York, whose 
climate is only a little less rigid, and whose dearer 
lands makes the keeping of sheep almost as ex- 
pensive as in Vermont. 

Here the cost will be a very light matter. Mr. 
Crenshaw on his farm in Orange winter before last 
kept 450 Merino sheep on 230 acres of land without 
any feed except what they could pick up on a bare 



<L_ 



mvuu Ul" 



xW « wmw a\w$?. 



pasture, and sold the wool alone for one thousand 
dollars. The last winter, considered by shepherds 
one of the worst ever known for sheep, the same 
gentleman wintered 600 sheep on less than 230 acres 
of land, and did not commence feeding until after 
the first of January, since which time the flock has 
only eat about fifty bushels of corn and not a par- 
ticle of fodder and hay. The increase of the flock 
in wool and lambs will be given hereafter. Of this 
flock only two have died by disease, two have been 
smothered by the flock being crowded too much 
when caught for examination, separation, tagging, 
&c, and seven have been killed by dogs. Mr. «Dox, 
in the county of Nelson, on 500 acres of land, with 
about 150 acres in woods and the balance so utterly 
worn out as not to be worth cultivating, started, 
two years ago, with a flock of 530 sheep, a cross of 
Saxon and Merino. Up to August last he had sold 
the wool and increase of the flock for $3600, which, 
putting the annual expenses at $600, a very high 
estimate, gives $1200 per annum, and had left 570 
sheep, and a better flock than the one he began 
with. 

We had ourselves purchased a part of Mr. Dox's 
flock prior to the sale of Shadwell, and have had 
them only since January. They have had nothing 
but a few oats, given in the sheaf upon the ground, 
and we suppose that they have not eaten five dol- 
lars' worth. At present the whole flock of 275 is 
fat upon 150 acres of land, and a field of 80 acres, 
upon which the ewes are now lambing, is sufficient 
to support twice their number with the greatest 
ease. We have lost one sheep by disease, one by 
dogs and two by their being smothered under the 
rest of the flock, as Mr. Crenshaw's were. 

The experience of other persons who have done 
as well might be cited, particularly of Mr. David- 
son, lately removed with his sheep to Powhatan, 
and Mr. Cunningham of Amelia; but it would be 
tedious to refer to more cases than are cited. 

In all except the joint-worm districts sheep may 
be permitted to run upon wheat through the winter 
up to the first of March without injury to the crop — 
sometimes with decided benefit — and even in bad 
weather, except in wet soils, it is not necessary that 
they should be taken off, though it would be better 
for the sheep that it should be done. The expe- 
rience of Mr. Old of Powhatan, as publicly stated 
by him before the Virginia State Agricultural So- 
ciety, abundantly proves this point ; and it would 
be useless with those who know him to attempt to 
add anything to the weight of his authority. If it 
were, we would venture to give our own expe- 
rience, now of several years' standing, and that of 
Col. Townes of Mecklenburg, who has assured us 
that he deems himself well paid for having fol- 
lowed the advice of a friend in this matter. 

But if it is thought better to feed them on grain 




in the winter, then two gills of oat "y uay, 
is enough, will amount to one bushd jr 175 sheep, 
or 150 bushels — the product of about eight acres 
of ordinary land — for the winter and two months 
of the spring. 

If it is desired to give them green food at an 
earlier period than the first of May, and there be 
no standing pasture in which they may run, rye 
may be sowed for them, part to be grazed off and 
part to be cut and fed green; and nothing will pay 
better than to plough up the whole or a portion of 
the next year's corn field and so treat it. 

The summer pasturage of sheep is a light matter 
except when the flock is larger than any one is 
likely to have for some time to come. A standing 
pasture of the ordinary blue grass of the country, 
(which is considered a pest, and is not, but a bless- 
ing rather, if rightly used, and a very good sign 
that other grasses will grow in its place,) a few lots 
of orchard or timothy or herds grass, and the clo- 
ver, of the second year's growth, will take them 
until after harvest, when they will glean the wheat 
fields, which they will do as well as hogs. From 
that time until winter again they will fatten on the 
fall and summer grasses, on the peas which should 
be sowed for them among the corn, and on such 
grass as springs up in the corn field after the last 
working. 

The above remarks as to sheep have reference 
rather to the Merino and- Saxony breeds — the last 
being a branch of the first — a member of the same 
family — than to the heavier, or, as they are gene- 
rally termed, the mutton breeds of sheep. We do 
not doubt that there is profit in all, but we believe 
that the profit on the fine woolled breeds exceeds 
that on any of the others. They are healthier, 
hardier, and thriftier ; they are longer lived ; they 
bear crowding on the land better ; they will live on 
scantier herbage than any of the other breeds, and 
if one shall die or be killed, the loss is less in con- 
sequence of the greater value of the wool and the 
smaller size of the carcass. As to mutton we believe 
that more can be raised on the same quantity of land 
with this than with any other breed of sheep, and 
that the mutton is nearly as good as the South 
Down, and better than the fat sheep of the Leices- 
ter and Cotswold breeds, the flesh of which is now 
rarely eaten in England, except by the working 
classes, whose labors give both inclination to eat 
and strength to digest it. 

But if any of the mutton breeds are preferred, 
as by those living in the immediate neighborhood 
of cities they should be, then we advise them, by 
all means, to select the South Downs and none 
others. 

We shall resume and probably conclude the sub- 
ject in the next number of the Planter. But for 
incessant and harassing engagements we should 
have finished it in the present number. 



-V 



T IT TH S O TT T TT_E TJ. N PLANTED 
THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



"•** Ot DTlyjA' V;.." 



THE COM?j t ,IONER OP THE VIRGINIA STATE 
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

We deem the following proceedings of the Vir- 
ginia State Agricultural Society of sufficient im- 
portance to be published in the Planter, though 
they have already appeared in a good many news- 
papers of this city and other places. 

As they are sufficiently explanatory of them- 
selves of their own intent, and along with the 
Commissioner's address, which we also publish in 
connection with them, leave nothing to be said of 
their purport, we can only say of their object that 
it is most proper and praiseworthy. The collection 
of agricultural information in Virginia has been 
heretofore too much neglected, and yet no subject 
in the State is of so much importance. 

Of the Commissioner, who, as Ave said once be- 
fore, is not so near of kin to us as that we need 
hesitate to praise him, (in fact, we are not son and 
father, but distantly related,) we know no other 
man who would have undertaken the duty at any 
price, much less the pittance that he is to receive. 
After the field has been pretty well reaped by the 
operations of the Society last year, and by the pro- 
ceedings at the fall meeting, Mr. Edmund Ruffin 
undertakes to glean it, for a sum so small, and that 
larger than he had himself limited, that he cannot 
expect to make one cent, and will only be saved 
from loss by the Executive Committee's insisting 
that it would at least pay his expenses. 

Of his fitness for the office we need only say that 
whilst he is not exactly the man we would have, 
and undoubtedly lacks certain qualifications, yet, 
on the whole, we cannot get as good a man to ac- 
cept the office, if we can find a better at all. 

Of one thing we may all feel assured, that he 
will be behind no man in fidelity to the trust he 
has undertaken in zeal, industry, activity and dis- 
interestedness. 

PROCEEDINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

Thursday Evening, 6£ o'clock. 

The committee met at the Exchange Hotel 
upon the call of Mr. Ed. Ruffin, Vice Presi- 
dent, acting as President in the absence of Mr. 
Cocke from the State. Present — Messrs. Ed. 
Ruffin, Harvie and Preston, Vice Presidents, 
and Messrs. Peyton, Barbour, Williams, Cren- 
shaw and F. Gr. Ruffin. 

The Secretary made a report of what he had 
done since the last meeting. 

Mr. Harvie, from the committee appointed 
to confer with the Building Committee of the 
Common Council on the subject of a suite of 
rooms to be furnished, and also from the com- 
mittee to confer with the Common Council 
about the holding of the ■ next Annual Fair, 
reported that negotiations in regard to both 



subjects were in progress, but not completed, 
and asked for further time in regard to each, 
which was granted. 

Mr. E. Ruffin (Mr. Harvie in the Chair,) 
submitted the following resolutions : 

Whereas the 8th article of the Constitution 
of the Virginia Agricultural Society requires 
the appointment of an Agricultural Commis- 
sioner, when the means of the Society " shall 
justify the outlay," and which requirement has 
as yet remained suspended and inoperative; 
and whereas, in the opinion of the Executive 
Committee, the present condition and funds, 
and also the interests and wants of the Society 
now demand the commencement and limited 
trial of this designed policy and action in aid 
of the working of the Society : 

Resolved, That an Agricultural Commis- 
sioner be now chosen by the Executive Com- 
mittee, for service of eight months only, from 
the 1st day of March, whose duties shall em- 
brace the following general subjects, and what- 
ever else may be necessary or incidental there- 
to, and the performance of so much of such 
service as the time and ability of the Commis- 
sioner, and the means and facilities afforded to 
him may allow, viz : 

To visit such counties, agricultural districts, 
or particular localities, as may be deemed by 
the Commissioner most suitable to aid and to 
be aided by his services for the Society; to 
gather (either directly or by and through any 
farmers or others aiding his inquiries,) useful 
agricultural information ; to encourage and in- 
duce the establishment of County Agricultural 
Societies, auxiliary to the State Society, and 
formed and working upon a proper and uniform 
general plan; to hold conversational discus- 
sions with such Societies or with other meet- 
ings of farmers, and to address such meetings 
in furtherance of his duties on any subjects 
designed to promote agricultural instruction or 
improvement; to endeavor to obtain agricul- 
tural reports of particular counties, or to col- 
lect facts and materials for future reports; to 
solicit and obtain new members and donations 
for the State Society; and to report to the So- 
ciety, through the Executive Committee, in 
general, whatever he may have done, and espe- 
cially and particularly the useful agricultural 
facts and instruction, not generally understood 
or practised, which he may have collected, or 
received from other persons. 

Resolved, That the compensation of the 
Commissioner, for the time of service stated, 
shall be the reimlairsement of his daily travel- 
ing and other expenses, actually and necessa- 
rily incurred; and further, fifteen per cent, 
upon all new donations and subscriptions for 



^r-u* 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



new membership, paid to and accounted for by 
him : Provided, that no previous donation, sub- 
scription, or other debt or engagement to the 
State Society, shall be included in the Com- 
'jf missioner's operations, as subject to any deduc- 
tion of per centage or other payment to him, 
for such collections : And provided, also, that 
in case the whole receipts shall fail to reimburse 
the said Commissioner, or either of his assist- 
ants, for actual travelling and other incidental 
expenses, then the same, or as much thereof 
as may be necessary, shall be paid out of the 
funds of the Society. 

Resolved, That the Commissioner, at his 
discretion, may cause to be printed, for facili- 
tating and aiding his operations, any circulars 
or other papers, the payment for which shall be 
placed on the same footing and under the same re- 
strictions as herein provided for the Commis- 
sioner's necessary and actual travelling expenses. 

Resolved, That the Commissioner, if deem- 
ing the measure expedient, may appoint any 
number of Assistant Commissioners, to act in 
different designated parts of the State — which 
assistants, for their respective services and 
spheres of action, shall each have the same du- 
ties, powers, and rate and manner of compen- 
sation, with the restrictions thereupon, as the 
principal Commissioner; and shall report their 
proceedings, as required above of the principal 
Commissioner, but through him and in such 
form as he may require from the Executive 
Committee; and the Commissioner may in- 
struct and direct, as he may deem proper, the 
labors and particular action of his assistants, 
within the limits of the foregoing general au- 
thority, and may alter the same, or divide or 
revoke the power so given, when he shall deem 
the further exercise not required for the benefit 
of the Society, and the best promotion of the 
general objects in view. 

Resolved, That at the conclusion of the 
aforesaid limited time of trial, the appointment 
of the Agricultural Commissioner shall end, 
and also all the authority given above, unless 
it shall be otherwise expressly determined by 
the Executive Committee. 

The foregoing resolutions were, at a future 
state of the proceedings, adopted, as were the 
following resolutions relative to a part of the 
duties of the Commissioner, directed to be ap- 
pointed, which were also offered by Mr. Ruflin : 

Resolved, That it is recommended by the 
Executive Committee, to the farmers of Vir- 
ginia, to establish County Agricultural Socie- 
ties, or Farmers' Clubs, to co-operate with and 
be auxiliary to the State Agricultural Society, 
in the great work of encouraging and aiding 
agricultural improvement throughout Virginia. 



Resolved, That for necessity concurrence 
and uniformity of action, it is recommended 
to and required of such County Societies or 
Clubs as desire to be auxiliary to the State 
Society, that each shall adopt and include iu 
its standing rules, the following, viz : 

" Besides any other discretionary or volun- 
tary services, it shall be the especial duty of 
each member of the Society (or Club) annually 
to commence and attempt to complete, at least 
two experiments on some one or more subjects 
of practical agriculture on some doubtful or 
disputed questions, and designed to throw light 
thereon; which experiments shall be conducted 
carefully and accurately, to the best of the 
ability and the means of the experimenter, and 
the circumstances noted minutely and with the 
results, be reported in writing as simply and 
concisely as may be, but minutely and fully, 
at the next annual meeting, and whether the 
results be deemed successful and profitable or 
disencouraging, or the whole experiment be 
deemed a failure ; and in default of such re- 
ports, either of progress or completion of the 
experiments by each member at each annual 
meeting, the defaulter shall pay to the treasurer 
$ for each experiment wanting. 

" Of the annual income of the Society, not 
less than one-half of the whole amount shall 
be appropriated as premiums offered for well 
conducted experiments on subjects of practical 
agriculture." 

Resolved, That every auxiliary County So- 
ciety or Club, is requested to transmit to the 
Secretary of the Executive Committee of the 
State Agricultural Society, all their completed 
and approved written communications convey- 
ing useful, practical instruction in agriculture, 
and which has not been previously published; 
which communications shall be received and 
disposed of in the same manner, as if made 
directly to the State Society; and if any such 
report of experiments or other communications 
shall have previously obtained a premium from 
the Society for which it was prepared, it will 
not be the less entitled to compete for and re- 
ceive a premium offered by the State Society, 
if otherwise properly claiming and deserving 
such honor and distinction. 

Resolved, That every such auxiliary County 
Society or Farmers' Club may, and is request- 
ed to send one delegate to the general annual 
meeting of the State Agricultural Society; 
and each delegate of auxiliary societies shall 
have all the rights and privileges in such gene- 
ral meeting of other and regular members of 
the State Society. 

Mr. E. Ruifin was on the next day unani- 
mously elected the Commissioner. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



TO theA'^gricultural public. 

The Executive Committee of the Virginia 
State Agricultural Society has appointed me 
to the charge, and entrusted to my trial, the 
honorable and important service of Agricultu- 
ral Commissioner; and, for a limited time, I 
have consented to attempt the performance of 
the duties. The kind and character of the 
various duties with which the Commissioner 
is entrusted, are set forth generally in the re- 
solutions recently adopted by the Executive 
Committee, and which has been published in 
the Richmond Dispatch, and perhaps may be 
in other papers. Among these many duties, 
I shall have to select for attempting such as 
may promise the most successful and beneficial 
results, and of the most ready and certain at- 
tainment. The services and best efforts of 
any one individual, and even with the expected 
aid of a few capable and regular assistants, 
will be altogether inadequate even to touch 
upon the far greater part of the wide field open 
for operations. Therefore, for the purpose of 
directing to the best ends the partial effort 
which only can be made, I invite my friends 
especially, and any public-spirited farmers who 
will be pleased to forward these efforts, to in- 
form me in which localities they are desired, 
and where they will be likely to be most suc- 
cessful. With like facilities afforded for ac- 
cess, or under like circumstances in general, I 
will deem it my duty to give my earliest " or 
greatest share of attention to the particular 
counties or neighborhoods of which it is un- 
derstood that the residents will most appreciate 
my offered service, and contribute their aid 
and service most freely to the special objects 
of the commission, and to the general objects 
and operation of the State Agricultural Society. 
The publishers of newspapers in Virginia, 
and Presidents and Directors of railroads 
and steamboats, and proprietors of other pub- 
lic conveyances, can render important aid to 
the State Agricultural Society — the first by 
giving facilities of communication with the 
public, and the others by offering facilities for 
travel to the Commissioner, during his time of 
service, and for his official service only. I do 
not object to suggesting or asking these favors, 
thus generally and publicly, inasmuch as, if 
afforded, the benefits will not add a cent to my 
possible individual gain, or abate my more pro- 
bable loss ; but will wholly enure to the bene- 
fit of the State Agricultural Society, or to its 
working for the diffusion of agricultural in- 
struction, and improvement of general agricul- 
ural interests. The necessary travelling and 
ther incidental expenses of the commission 
re to be reimbursed; and of course any abate- 



ment thereof will not be a saving to him, but 
to the State Society. 

Edmund Ruffix, 
Agricultural Commissioner. 
Marlbourne, March 6, 1854. 
Post Office, Old Church, Hanover, Va. 



PLAN AND CONSTITUTION OF A WORKING 
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

The following form of Constitution for a working 
County Agricultural Society, or a Farmers' Club, is 
here copied from the Farmers' Register to save some 
of the labor of preparation to persons who may 
be about to establish such associations. The portion 
in italic letters, or the working clauses, as they may- 
well be termed; if made part of the standing rules 
of any Society or Club, will fulfil the condition re- 
quired to admit such Association as auxiliary to 
the State Agricultural Society. A still better re- 
commendation for this clause, is that it must ne- 
cessarily render instructive and useful, for agricul- 
tural improvement, every result of its operation. 



PROPOSED PLAN OF CONSTITUTION. 



The Agricultural Society of 



is instituted 



for the purpose of promoting the improvement of 
agriculture, and especially to seek that end by in- 
ducing the making and reporting* of careful and 
accurate experiments, for ascertaining doubtful, 
disputed, or new and useful facts in scientific or 
practical agriculture. 

1. The Society shall be composed of such per- 
sons as shall sign this Constitution, and pay such 
contributions as may be required by its provisions. 

2. The Society shall have one general meeting 
in each year, which, until altered, shall be held at 
, on the of , and such special 



meetings as may be called by proper authority. 

3. The officers shall be a President, Secretary, 
and Treasurer, and four other members of the Ex- 
ecutive Committee, the three former being mem- 
bers ex officio of that Committee ; all to be elected 
by the annual general meeting, and to serve for 
one year, or until another election shall be made. 

4. It shall be within the power and duty of the 
Executive Committee to order all things properly 
in furtherance of the objects of the Society, and 
within its 'means ; provided that such action of the 
Executive Committee shall not extend to cases 
provided for by the vote and action of the Society, 
and shall never oppose any action or resolution of 
the Society. 

5. The President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall 
have the powers and perform the several duties 
implied by the names of their offices, and both for 
the Society and for the Executive Committee, of 
which they are members ex officio. 

6. No person shall be elected President of the 
Society two years in succession. 

7. Each person on becoming a member shall pay 
to the Treasurer an admission fee of $ , and at 
each annual meeting of the Society thereafter the 
further annual contribution of $ 

8. Besides any other discretionary or voluntary ser- 
vices, it shall be the especial duty of each member of 
the Society annually to commence, and attempt to com- 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



plete, at least two experiments on some one or more sub- 
jects of practical agriculture, on some doubtful or dis- 
puted questions, and designed to throw light thereon; 
^vhich experiments shall be conducted carefully and ac- 
curately, to the best of the ability and the means of the 
experimenter, and the circumstances noted minutely, 
and, with the results, be reported in writing, as simply 
and concisely as may be, but minutely and fully, at the 
next annual meeting — and whether the result be deemed 
successful and valuable, or discouraging, or the whole 
experiment be deemed a failure. And in default of 
such reports either of progress or of completion, of two 
experiments by each member, at each annual meeting, 
the defaulter shall pay to the Treasurer $ for each 
experiment wanting, 

9. Of the annual income of the Society not less than 
one-half of the ivhole amount shall be appropriated as 
premiums offered for careful and well conducted expe- 
riments on subjects of practical agriculture. 

10. The Executive Committee shall prepare a list 
of practical agricultural matters deemed question- 
able, and important to be investigated by the ex- 
periments of members of the Societ)', from which, 
or from other sources, each member may choose 
subjects for experiment. And the experiments of 
members shall be arranged and condensed by the 
Executive Committee, and the facts shown by the re- 
sults published in the manner deemed most suitable. 

11. The Society will cooperate with each and 
every other Society having similar objects and 
general action, for the purpose of better forward- 
ing their common and important object of in- 
ducing accurate investigation, eliciting useful facts, 
and exchanging and diffusing the knowledge thus 
acquired. 



EXTIRPATING WIRE GRASS. 

Below is the statement of our friend, Mr. Staples 
of Henrico, who is induced by us to become a com- 
petitor for the Corbin Premium of fifty dollars for 
the extirpation of wire grass. 

He publishes his plan now, that others may try 
the same thing, and verify it as far as it can be 
done in one season by actual trial. 

How it may do with others we cannot say, but 
we know Mr. Staples, and if he says it has answered 
with him we are willing to swear to it. 

F. G. Ruffin, Esa. 

Dear Sir, — Your note of the 8th instant, came to 
hand a few days ago. I had no idea of contending 
for the premiums you speak of for fear my mode 
of exterminating wire grass should be ridiculed, 
but such as it is I will state to you, as I believe I 
have already done. It is this : about the first of 
May the land should be well ploughed and one 
bushel and a half of buckwheat and one hundred 
pounds of guano, well raked (harrowed) in. As 
soon as the buckwheat is in full bloom, the crop 
should be ploughed in, and one bushel and a half 
of black-eyed peas, well put in, either by cultiva- 
tors or rake ; and when the pea vines are in full 
bloom — which I think will be about the middle of 
September — plough them in. Then put- in your 
wheat crop; and I think with a little lime, say 
twenty-five bushels per acre, you may kill three 
birds with one stone, viz. secure a good crop of 
wheat, exterminate the wire grass, and, by clover 
ing, get your land in an improving condition. 

Fras. Staples. 



From the American Farrier. 
ATKINS' SELF-RAKING REAPER. 

A CHALLENGE. 

We publish by request of Mr. Wright, the 
following article, though we must candidly say 
that we doubt the practicability of carrying 
into effect the plan suggested by him. Our 
experience has shown the difficulty of obtain- 
ing the services of committeemen for a single 
day on trials of machinery, and it would re- 
quire a degree of public spirit rarely to be met 
with, for any number of gentlemen to devote 
as much time as Mr. W.'s project calls for, at 
such a season of the year — and no security can 
be offered, that their labors will not be in vain, 
and their decisions as unsatisfactory as those 
which have preceded them. 

We have already, some months ago, through 
an able correspondent, presented to our readers 
a description and favorable notice of Atkins' 
Self-Raking Reaper, to which we refer all per- 
sons interested. 

Chicago, February 7, 1854. 

Dear Sir, — As a manufacturer, I desire to 
enter my protest against any more petty trials 
of reapers. They cost a great deal and amount 
to nothing. The decision at one trial is re- 
versed the next week at another, perhaps with 
the same machines, and often the competitors 
can show their defeat was owing to some ex- 
traneous circumstance, as not having a suitable 
team, bad driving, or unfortunate management 
in some way. 

A reaper trial is not like a horse-race, where 
the sole object is to beat, regardless of every 
thing except the coming out ahead; it is, or 
ought to be, to ascertain surely which is the 
best machine, and not so much to benefit the 
owner as the farmers, who wish to know what 
kind to buy. 

How absurd is it for any set of men — I 
care not how great their experience and judg- 
ment — to take from three to a dozen reapers, 
perhaps all of acknowledged merit, and by the 
cutting of two acres each, as was done at the 
Wooster, Ohio, trial, where mine was defeated : 
or even by cutting five or six acres, as at the 
Richmond, Indiana, trial, where mine was vic- 
tor, decide positively and absolutely that one 
reaper is better than all others. 

Such a trial might show whether a reaper 
would work or not, but to judge between rival 
reapers, of which there are over twenty of es- 
tablished reputation, each having its points of 
excellence, a long and thorough trial must be 
requisite, to see how they work in different 
kinds of grain, and under varied circumstances, 
and how they wear. A trial, to be decisive, 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



should go through an entire harvest. One, 
too, that was thorough and reliable, would be 
equally available in one State as another. They 
are also expensive to all concerned. I would, 
therefore, propose a general trial on something 
like the following plan : 

Let several State Agricultural Societies 
unite, each appropriating $200 to $500, and 
appointing one or two committeemen, in whose 
experience, judgment and fairness, entire con- 
fidence could be placed. Let the committee 
make their arrangements early as possible, 
adopt their rules, and appoint time and place 
of first meeting. They might begin South, 
and proceeding North, continue the trial for 
weeks if necessary, leaving out one machine 
after another as its inferiority became manifest. 

The committee should have all.their expenses 
paid, and perhaps compensation besides; and 
the cost of removing reapers from place to 
place might also be borne by the committee, in 
order to enable every builder to come into the 
trial; and for this reason I would not require 
any entrance fee, though some of the larger 
builders would doubtless be willing to contri- 
bute to the general fund. If five or more so- 
cieties can be got to unite in such a trial, I 
will contribute $200 to $500, or as much as 
any other builder. 

The surplus funds should be divided to the 
best machines, say half to the first, one-third 
to the second, and one-sixth to the third, to be 
paid in plate or money as might be desired by 
the winner. 

To save time and expedite arrangements, I 
would suggest to parties interested to corres- 
pond with Col. B. P. Johnson, Secretary of 
the New York State Agricultural Society, 
Albany, New York. I have riot communi- 
cated with him, but am quite sure his interest 
in agricultural matters will cause him to bear 
the labors with cheerfulness. 
Yours respectfully, 

J. S. Wright. 



Prom the Boston Cultivator. 

TURKEYS. 

Messrs. Editor's, — Amongst the variety of 
poultry seen in market, turkeys form a conspi- 
cuous part. They are distinguished for the 
large size which they attain, and for their fine 
flesh. As fowl for the table, there is, perhaps, 
no superior, for their flesh cannot fail to suit 
the taste of the most fastidious; but to rear 
these birds successfully requires much skill and 
care. When first hatched, they are very ten- 
der, so that a little rain or cold will sometimes 
destroy them. They do not, at first, require 



food, for nature has not sent them into the 
world with empty stomachs. Hence, it is highly 
injudicious to feed much at first. They are 
very fond of bonny clabber or curd, and I think 
it the best food for them when young. I kept 
three hen- turkeys during the past season ; they 
laid, on an average, about twenty eggs apiece, 
hatched out fifty-six, and reared up to maturi- 
ty fifty-two turkeys. I kept them for several 
weeks on bonnyclabber, mixed with Indian 
meal. They were enclosed in a space of about 
twelve feet square, for about two weeks, and 
then they were allowed larger bounds. They 
are exceedingly fond of grass-hoppers and 
crickets, and hence, if they are abundant, tur- 
keys require but little other food until near the 
time when they are grown for market. Indian 
meal mixed with boiled potatoes is very good 
for fattening them. Vermin are very destruc- 
tive to turkeys, much more so than to chickens ; 
hence, hens are not so well fitted to rear them 
as the parent bird, for they are always troubled 
more or less with lice, caused by sitting in the 
same place every night, while turkeys sit out 
in the open air and in different places. I have 
been in the habit of anointing their heads with 
a drop of oil when first hatched, in order to 
secure them from vermin, and they have never 
been troubled with lice when thus attended to. 
There is another matter which I consider of 
great importance in rearing turkeys successful- 
ly; and that is, the changing of the breed an- 
nually, or in other words, the male and female 
birds should be of no relationship to one an- 
other. By the in and in breeding system, they 
diminish in size and are far more liable to dis- 
ease, while on the contrary, there is an increase 
in size, when there is no relation to one another. 
They are very fast growers when healthy, much 
more so than the Shanghai race of fowls, which 
are distinguished for their great size, and the 
enormous prices charged for them ! 

Everett. 



For the Southern Planter. 

NELSON'S GUANO ATTACHMENT FOR SOWING 
GUANO IN THE DRILL WITH WHEAT. 

Mr. Editor, — I am sorry that my experiments with 
the guano attachment are not as yet matured suffi- 
ciently to answer all the inquiries of your corre- 
spondent from Buckingham, but as far as I can, I 
will answer them with pleasure. 

I used, last fall, Pennock's drill, with T. F. Nel- 
son's guano attachment. I applied from fifty to 
one hundred pounds of guano to the acre, and I do 
not doubt that in some places it was put on at the 
rate of one hundred and fifty pounds to the acre, 
as my machine or the attachment was badly made. 
The wheat came up well and looks decidedly better 
than the wheat where' no guano was applied. I 
think it looks best where the greatest amount of 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



guano was put. I have conversed with several of 
my neighbors who have used the attachment, and 
they agree with me in the opinion that the guano 
sowed directly upon the wheat by the attachment 
will not affect the germination and vegetation of 
the grain. When I harvest the wheat I will give 
you the result of my experiments. At present the 
prospect is very favorable. 

Very sincerely your friend, 

Hugh M. Nelson, 
Near Millwood, Clarke County, Va. 



PAYMENTS TO THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 

To the oOlh of January, 1854. 

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



Jos. C. Boxley to January 1855 
Caleb Leigh to January 1855 
Thomas H. Allmand to April 1854 
Wm. M. Womack to January 1855 
P. H. Jackson to January 1855 

E. Edmunds to January 1855 
T. R. Marshall to January 1855 
Major E. J. Redd to January 1855 
Joseph B. Tray lor to January 1855 *) 
B. F. Traylor to January 1855 
Arthur Creek Farm to January 1855 | 
Isaac C. Crutchfield to January 1855 I 
Samuel P. Collier to January 1855 
P. St. Geo. Cocke to January 1855 
Andrew Maxwell to January 1855 
Richard D. Powell to January 1855 
S. M. Wilson to January 1856 
John A. Fleet to January 1855 
J. H. C. Jones to January 1855 
William P. Tucker to January 1855 
William A. Wilkins to January 1855 
William Griffin to January 1855 
Capt. William Watts to January 1855 
George W. Tucker to January 1855 
William H. Welborn to January 1855 
James M. Chappell to January 1855 
John S. Rogers to January 1855 
Henry Gravett to January 1855 
R. T. Hubbard to January 1855 
R. G. Tunstall to January 1855 
Nathaniel King to January 1855 
Alfred Tuck to January 1855 
Dr. Henry Curtis to January 1855 
John Jacob to January 1855 
John Parker to January 1854 
Daniel Tompkins to January 1857 
John R. Mann to January 1855 
Alexander Kerr to January 1855 
Thomas R. Gresham to January 1855 
Corbin Watkins to January 1854 
S. C. Sutton to 'January 1855 
William H. Nicholson to January 1855 
William Thomas, Jr. to January 1855 
Richardson Henley to January 1855 
L. T. Waller to January 1855 

B. F. Piggott to January 1855 

J. T. Marston to January 1855 [ 

F. W. Hammond to January 1855 
J. P. Vaiden to January 1855 
James Calhoun to January 1854 
William Mathews to January 1855 



m oo 



6 66 





) 

3 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


2 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


2 00 


1 00 


1 00 


5 1 00 


1 00 



5 00 



1 00 
1 00 



James Venable to July 1854 $1 00 

Capt. James B. Carter to January 1855 1 00 
Estate of P. T. Spratley (in full) to Jan. 1854 2 00 

Capt. J. L. Davis to January 1855 1 00 

Leroy G. Edwards to January 1854 5 00 

William F. Wickham to January 1855 8 00 

C. H. A. Clay to January 1855 1 00 
John Tyler to January 1855 1 00 
Isaac G. Cason to January 1855 1 50 
William W. Eustace to January 1855 1 00 
M. B. Holstead to January 1855 1 00 
N. P. Howard to January 1855 1 00 
L. H. B. Whitaker to January 1855 1 00 
Jesse Whitehead to January 1855 1 00 
Pattison Boxley to January 1855 1 00 
Alexander Garrett to January 1855 1 00 
Major Yancey to January 1854 1 00 
Daniel Hatcher to January 1855 1 00 
Henry A. Sydnor to January 1855 1 00 

B. N. Robinson to January 1855 1 00 
John C. Bell to June 1854 l 00 
Capt. Thomas Nelson to January 1855 1 00 
Ed. Cunningham to January 1855 1 00 
Dr. R. W. Royster to January 1855 1 00 
Joseph P. Terrell to January 1855 1 00 
William R. Cock to January 1855 1 00 
Francis Staples to January 1855 1 00 
T. B. Wade to January 1855 l 00 
H. T. Kidd to January 1855 1 00 
Col. Cary C. Cocke to September 1854 1 00 
Shelton V. Cross to January 1855 1 00 
William A. Braxton to January 1854 3 00 

D. II. Davidson to January 1854 4 00 
John W. Backhouse to January 1855 1 00 
Benjamin Hiner to January 1854 2 00 
William E. Meade to March 1855 1 00 
William Logan, Jr. to January 1855 1 00 
Dr. J. N. Faulcon to September 1854 1 00 
George W. Key to January 1855 l 00 
Paschal Bracy to January 1855 1 00 
Capt. P. H. Hurt to January 1855 10 00 
R. H. Allen to January 1855 i 00 
J. Y. Hardy to January 1855 2 00 
W. W. Harris to January 1855 1 00 
Estate of Ed. S. Brown (in full) to Jan. 1853 4 00 
George C. Smith to January 1855 2 00 
James M. Garnett to January 1855 1 00 
J. E. Smith to July 1854 i 00 
Dr. John R. Garnett to January 1855 1 00 
Jesse Wherry to January 1855 l 00 
Dr. T. J. Wooldridge to September 1854 1 00 
Rev. George G. Exall to January 1855 1 00 
Col. T. J. Boyd to January 1855 1 00 
Thomas Lumpkin to January 1855 1 00 
William L. Moon to January 1855 1 00 
William W. Thompson to January 1855 1 00 
Estate of John Woolfolk to January 1854 4 00 
Richard Woolfolk to July 1854 1 00 
Josiah Higgins to January 1855 1 00 
Thomas E. Colman to January 1855 1 00 
John E. Johnson to January 1855 1 00 

D. J. Claiborne, Sr. to March 1856 3 00 
John White to July 1854 1 00 
William K. Perrin to January 1855 1 00 

C. W. Montague to January 1855 1 00 
Thomas Cooke to January"l855 1 00 
A. H. Clarke to September 1854 1 00 
T. T. Dillard to January 1855 \ 00 
William Mitchell to January 1855 l 00 
James Via to January 1855 1 00 
Richard B. Spratley to January 1855 2 00 

E. F..Pinchback to January 1855 2 00 
Elliott Wortham to January 1855 \ 00 



TO HoUThMbiI planter. 



John Nicholl?to'Danuary 1854 
J. C. Hayter to January 1855 
James J. Lowry to January 1855 
Russell B. Rodgers to January 1855 
Samuel W. Montgomery to January 1855 
Samuel A. Preston to January 1855 
James C. Greenway to January 1855 
T. B. Nicholls to January 1854 
Samuel P. Watkins to January 1855 
Dr. J. P. Hambleton to January 1854 
J. J. W. Powell to January 1855 
J. L. Bridges to January 1855 

D. H. Pannill to January 1855 
M. R. Kaufman to January 1855 
John H. Lee to January 1855 
James C. Hobbs to January 1855 
Beverly Barksdale to January 1855 

E. P. Burnett to January 1854 
Miss Nancy Perkins to January 1855 
H. P. Poindexter to July 1854 

D. A. Saunders to January 1855 

Major James Hill to January 1855 

W. T. Sledge to January 1855 

William B. Newton to January 1855 

John Grasty to January 1855 

Caleb T. Chaplain to July 1853 

John H. James to April 1855 

Col. John R. Barnes to January 1855 

Elzy Burroughs to January 1855 

John Hart, Sr. to January 1855 

Dr. P. H. Anderson to January 1855 

Mrs. M. T. Mosely to January 1855 

S. Bassett French to January 1855 

Richard Malone to January 1855 

Joseph Phillips to January 1855 

James H. Bowyer to June 1854 

Dr. William B. Jennings to January 1855 

William B. Hall to January 1855 

Thomas Young to January 1855 

Samuel H. Ragland to January 1855 

R. Wilkins to January 1855 

R. C. Spencer to January 1855 

Giles N. Crowder to January 1855 

Dr. James Singleton, Jr. to January 1855 

W. F. Pogue to January 1855 

George M. Carter to January 1855 

N. Quesenberry to January 1855 

B. F. Hudgins to January 1855 

Capt. W. J. Barrow to January 1855 

William Hix to July 1855 

Col. William Byars to July 1856 

Thomas T. Withers to January 1855 

B.J. Barbour to January 1855 

S. B. Finley to July 1854 

W. E. Bradshaw to April 1854 

B. H. Brightwell to April 1855 

P. S. Smithson to May 1855 

Josiah B. Scott to September 1854 

Alexander Moseley to January 1854 

William H. Venable to January 1855 

H. B. Brightwell to April 1855 

M. B. Allen to January 1855 

J. M. C. Venable to January 1855 

Moses Treadway to January 1855 

Capt. T. L. Hines to January 1855 

G. W. Claibourne to April 1854 

J. F. Rice to January 1855 

Archer W. Woniack to January 1855 

Watkins Dupuy to January 1855 

H. F. Morton to January 1855 

H. S. Guthrey to July 1854 

R. C. Anderson to October 1854 

Jos. T. Redd to January 1855 



$5 00 



5 00 



3 00 



00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 
00 

00 

00 

00 

00 

00 

00 

00 

8 00 

2 00 

1 00 



J. A. Watson to January 1855 

B. F. Terry to January 1855 

A. D. Dickinson to January 1855 

Capt. D. F. Womack to January 1855 

G. D. Saunders to September 1854 

J. E. Harper to January 1855 

Th. Goode to January 1855 

W. W. Hancock to January 1855 

W. W. Watkins to January 1855 

C. E. Redd to January 1855 
Col. Jos. Dupuy to January 1855 
S. B. Scott to January 1855 

H. H. Marshall to January 1853 
Rev. S. J. Price to January 1855 
Geo. H. Gilmer to January 1855 
Jos. W. Harper to July 1854 
Benjamin M. Jones to January 1855 
Capt. John B. Phillips to January 1855 
W. T. Walters to January 1855 
T. W. Lowry to January 1856 
J. J. Walker to January 1855 
J. H. C. Leach to January 1855 
H. J. Venable to January 1855 



$1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


4 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


5 00 


2 00 


2 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


2 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 



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



OUTTON & BROTHER, Commission and Forwarding 
O Merchants, north side Basin, between 11th and 12th 
streets, Richmond, Virginia, will give their personal atten- 
tion to the sale of Flour, Tobacco, Wheat, Corn, and all kinds 
of Country Produce; also to the purchase and shipment of 
Guano, Plaster, Agricultural Implements, &c, and will at- 
tend promptly to the forwarding of all articles intrusted to 
their care. 

References. — Messrs. Kent, Paine & Kent, Richmond; 
Sterling Claiborne, Esq. Nelson ; Daniel H. Hoge, Esq. Mont- 
gomery; George D. Davis, Esq. Lynchburg; Dr. Archibald 
Graham, Board of Public Works; Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, 
Virginia; Hon. Paulus Powell, Virginia; John I. Donaldson, 
Esq. Baltimore; Messrs. Conkling, Barnes & Shepherd, 
New York ; Messrs. Blair & Merwin, New York. 

N. B. — Liberal advances made on consignments. 

FRANCIS V. SUTTON, Jr. 

ap— 2t* CORYDON H. SUTTON. 



WILLIAM P. LAI}D, 

APOTHECARY AXD 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. 

1^= Orders from Country Merchants and Physi- 
cians thankfully received and promptly attended to. 
ja 1851-tf 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



READ, CONSIDER AND ACT WISELY. 

IMPORTANT TO FARMERS! 

What is that i js* i Ah! Massa, dis de Wells' Seed 
you have got (BE Sower — de berry best ting in de 
there boy, and /^SpSt I world to sow de clober and de 
what doing? /ffllijjfg^i'noty seed, do plaster, de go- 
no, and de wheat. I 
sows 25 acres in one 
-try 




It is only by the use of valuable improvements that we 
can reasonably expect to keep up with the age in which 
we live, and public opinion everywhere has placed M. D. 
Wells' Improved Patent Seed Sower in the £rst class of 
agricultural implements. The above drawing exhibits it 
in u?*yand any ordinary mind must at once be impressed 
with the certain conviction that it is an indispensable im- 
plement of husbandry, and that every good farmer should 
have it. By its use you save time, which is money and 
labor which costs money and experience in using it proves 
you will not be driven from the field unless by very rough 
weather, and the almost mathematical precision with which 
the seed is distributed, compared with hand sowing, renders 
it self evident in the opinion of the best farmers that a sav- 
ing or gain of two dollars per acre is made in two crops of 
grass and the succeeding crop of wheat, one year's inte- 
rest on an acre of land at $331-, and sowing three acres 
pays for a machine with lid at $6. 

The first premium was recommended for this machine 
at the late Virginia State Fair, and four of the committee 
(all having use for it) engaged one each ; and we think if 
governed by your interest vou will do likewise. 

MOTT, LEWIS & WILLSON, 
Sole agents for Richmond — Agricultural Implement 

fe— tf Store, No. 36, Main Street. 



GENERAL AGENCY 
For the Sale and Purchase of Lands. 

FRANK: G. RUFFIN, Secretary of the Virginia 
State Agricultural Society, and N. AUGUST, 
Notary Public and Accountant, offer their services to 
the public as General, Agents for the sale and 
purchase of lands in Virginia, and in the Southern 
and Western Stales. 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. 

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



STEPHEN H. FISHER, MANUFACTU- 
RER OF BOOTS AND SHOES, No. 228, 
j»it>ad 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 nolice. 
Servants' Shoes of all qualities always on hand. 

fC^*All work warranted.«CI 
5^ Farmers are invited to give him a call, 
oc — ly 



ZIMMERMAN & CO.'S CELEBRATED PATENT 
PREMIUM THRESHER, CLEANER AND BAG- 
GER, which received the first premium at the Crystal Pa- 
lace, New York, this making ten premiums in two seasons, 
in competition with the most celebrated Separators of the 
day; proving conclusively, that simplicity in construction, 
cheapness in price and durability in machine, is being fully 
appreciated, and the old complicated costly separators must 
yield their place to a superior machine. This Machine, for 
threshing, separating, cleaning twice, screening and bag- 
ging, (by one simple operation,) all kinds of Grain — the 
greatest labor-saving machine extant; for simplicity, dura- 
bility, cheapness and capacity, it has no rival in the world. 
It is capable of turning out, ready for the mill or for seed, 
from 300 to 500 bushels of wheat per day, with six or eight 
horses, and eight hands — or from 500 to 800 bushels with 
twelve horses and as many hands, doing the work cleaner, 
and breaking less grain, than any machine now in use. 
This machine received the first premiums at the Maryland 
State Pair, Baltimore, in 1852 and 1853; the Washington 
County Maryland Fair ; Valley Agricultural Fair of Virginia, 
in 1852 and 1853; the Rappahannock Agricultural Society, 
at Port Royal, Virginia; Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis, 
1853. 

This machine is so simple in construction, that the one 
fan and shoe completely cleans and bags the grain, dis- 
pensing with all the complicated machinery (and consequent 
liability of derangement) in all other separators, thus making 
it more desirable to the farmer. 

JPI^Shop Prices of Zimmerman & Co.'s Thresher, 
Cleaner, Bagger and Power — Thresher, Cleaner and 
Bagger complete, 6 and 8 horses, $175; Power for same, 
$100 — making $275 for the whole complete. Thresher, 
Cleaner and Bagger, 36 inch Cylinder, $200; Power for 
same, $135, for 8, 10 and 12 horses. This machine is 
complete with Band, Wrenches, &c. 

§3P References. — Samuel Sands, Esq., Editor of the 
"American Farmer;" Col. Edward Lloyd, Easton, Md.; 
Capt. D. Cox, Northumberland county, Va.; Hill Carter, 
Esq., Richmond; Richard Willis, Esq., Richmond; Col. 
Charles Carroll, near Ellicott's Mills, Md.; F. Nelson, Esq., 
Richmond; Col. B. Davenport, Jefferson county, Va.; Dr. 
Harding, Northumberland county, Va.; Captain Harding, 
Northumberland county, Va.; Hugh Nelson, Esq., Clarke 
county, Va.; Charles Mason, Esq., King George county, 
Va.; S. W. Thomas, Esq., Clarke county, Va.; Dr. T. J. 
Mario w, Frederick city, Md.; David Boyd, Esq., Frederick 
city, Md.; Ezra Houck, Frederick city, Md.; Samuel Holt, 
Middletown Valley, Md.; John Clagett, Hagerstown, Md. 

jjJ3^ The a bove machines are manufactured in Charles- 
town, Jefferson county, Virginia. All orders addressed to 
us will be attended to with promptness, and all Threshers 
sent out warranted to come up to the standard. 

ZIMMERMAN & CO. 

ap — 3t* 



FRUIT TREES, <fcc. 

I HAVE for sale, a choice lot of PLUM AND 
PEAR Trees, of the following named varieties: 

Plums — Coe's Gold Drop, Monroe, Royale Hative, 
Yellow Egg, or Magnum Bonum, McLaughlin, 
Bleecker's Gage, Smith's Orleans, Coe's Late Red, 
Columbia, Long Scarlet, Prince's Imperial. 

Standard Pears, on Pear Stock — Van Mons, Beurre 
Deil, Osband's Summer, Stevens' Genesee, White 
Doyenne, or Virgalieu, Canton, Onondaga Tyson. 

Dwarfs, on Quince Stocks — Soldat Saborem, Doy- 
enne de Pais, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Beurre Gou- 
balt, Van Mons Leon le Clere, Beurre Capiamount, 
Glout Morceau, Stevens' Genesee, Madeleine, Dear- 
born's Seedling, Bartlett, Whi* Doyenne, Tyson. 

f^-Also, Grape Vines, Asparagus Rools, Rhu- 
barb, Strawberry and Raspberry Plants of different 
varieties, Roses, Magnolias, Evergreens, Green- 
house Plants, &c. &c. JAMES GUEST, 
Hollywood Nursery, 
Square above the new Western Squu.re, 

feb— tf Richmond. 



^«£= 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



A MOST DESIRABLE FARM FOR SALE. 

OXQ ACRES of Land, 16 miles from Rich- 
/Ot)D mond, 70 acres being "James river low 
grounds" and the residue the best quality of up-land 
on clay bottom, separated from the 70 acres by the 
"James River and Kanawha Canal." which passes 
through the farm, and over which there is a bridge, 
to be supported in perpetuity at the expense of the 
Canal Company. The buildings on the farm are 
comfortable and beautifully lecaied, commanding 
the most picturesque view of James river. This 
farm offers peculiar advantages from the facility of 
communication with Richmond — one of the best 
markets in the country — the proverbial fertility of 
"James river lands," and the tact that such a farm 
is rarely offered for sale. It will be sold unusually 
low, if application be made soon, and on accommo- 
dating terms, with the growing crops, cattle, horses, 
mules and farming implements, including a new 
"Hussey's Reaper," &c. &c. &c. 

fjf There are 135 bushels of wheat sown, and 
about 60 acres ploughed for corn. 
Applv, pre-paid, to 

GODDIN & APPERSON, Richmond, Va. 
Or to P. D. BERNARD, Publisher So'n Planter. 

Baltimore Sun, Philadelphia Ledger, and National 
Intelligencer insert three times each, and send ac- 
counts to this office for settlement. 

feb— 3t 



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 # 

HAY PRESS. — I am making a superior and highly ap- 
proved Hay Press, with which three men can com- 
press from three to five tons of hay per day. It attracted 
much attention at the late fair, and was awarded the highest 
premium. 

H. BALDWIN, 
mar — 3t 148 Main Street, Richmond. 



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 Iron and Brass Castings. 
He pledges himself to execute faithfully, and with 
dispatch, all work entrusted to him, and respectfully 
solictsacall from his friends and the public generally. 
The highest cash prices paid for old cast iron, 
brass and copper. PHILIP RAHM, 

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



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, galley, 
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— Gi* H. & S. 



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. 



AGENCY FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE 
OF 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. Applv 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 



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 grain, and onher 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. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



PREMIUM THRESHERS. 

FARMERS wishing to obtain these superior 
machines, will secure themselves against dis 
appointment and confer a great favor upon the sub- 
scriber by giving their orders as early as convenient. 
r My threshers, so long regarded as superior by all 
who have used them, have when brought in compe- 
tition with all the best machines of Northern as well 
as Southern Manufacturers at the late Virginia State 
Fair, received so marked a distinction, by the award 
of the first premium, that I need only refer to the 
official report of the committee in the Jan. number 
of the Southern Planter to satisfy all who wish to 
purchase. 

The Pitts Patent Thresher, with separator and 
cleaner attached, to clean wheat or other grain at 
one operation, is placed prominently in advance of 
all machines aiming to accomplish this object by 
having the first premium offered for the best machine 
for this purpose awarded to it. Although the one 
exhibited by me was a very rough one, and gotten 
on the ground in a great hurry and exhibited with- 
out even a decent coat of paint upon it — and under 
many other disadvantages. The machine manufac- 
tured for the exhibition could not be gotten here in 
time. 

Persons wishing to procure this superior and 
justly celebrated machine, may obtain full descrip- 
tion of its peculiar advantages and adaptedness for 
large estates or for a travelling machine to thresh 
for toll, by addressing the subscriber, who is sole 
agent here. 

I have a few of the above machines ready for 
work, but on account of the heavy expense of get- 
ting them up, and the length of time necessarily 
consumed in doing so, it is very important to get all 
orders as early as possible. 

Price of horse power, with thresher, separator, 
and cleaner, in one frame and mounted upon wheels 
{or moving from field to field or from farm to farm, 
is $400. This machine can be seen at my Factory, 
and any inquiries by letter will be answered promptly. 

Premium Straw Cutters. 

In calling attention to my large stock of imple- 
ments, comprising Threshers of all sizes, Horse 
Powers from 4 to 10 horses, Wheat Fans, Corn- 
shellers, Seed Drills, Horse rakes, Cradles & Scythes, 
Hay Presses, Hussey, and McCormick Reapers, &c. 

I wish to ask especial attention to my Patent 
Straw Cutter for hand purposes. This machine re- 
ceived the first premium at the Virginia State Fair, 
and also at the Rappahannock River Society's Fair, 
and at the Norfolk Fair, and has the unqualified 
recommendation of many thousands now using them. 
Price $10, warranted to give satisfaction on trial. 1 
am also manufacturing Smith's patent double plough, 
known as the Michigan Double Plough. This 
plough received the first premium offered for a 
three horse plough, which was divided between the 
subscriber and Mr. French, who exhibited the same 
plough, as will be seen by official report in Planter 
as above. 

I have Hussey's Reapers ready for the next har- 
vest: please call and examine. 

H. M. SMITH. 

feb-4t 



BOOKS, PIANOS, MUSIC, &c. 

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



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

The Chemical Field Lectures for Agriculturists, 
by Dr. J. A. Stockhardt; translated from the Ger- 
man: edited with notes by James E. Tesehemaeher. 

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

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

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

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

The Principles of Agriculture, by Albert D„ 
Thaer. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bookseller, Stationer, and Dealer in 

feb— tf Piano Fortes, 97 Main street. 



ALBEMARLE PIGS, 

I AM prepared to receive orders for Albemarle 
Pigs — 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 pigp, from my large Delaware Sow, (estimated 
to weigh, nett, near one thousand pounds,) which 
will be ready for delivery in a few weeks. Address, 
(postpaid,) JOHN R. WOODS,, 

ja — tf Woodville Depot, Albemarle, -Va. 



ANALYSIS OF SOILS, &c. 

THE undersigned is prepared to execute the an- 
alyses of Soils, Guano, Mads, 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. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



fel 



KOSSUTH. 

THIS fine bred young trotting stallion 
having commenced his season at the stable of 
the subscriber, on the Mechanicsville Turn- 
pike, one mile from the city of Richmond, 
will, on the first of April, be at the farm of 
Mr. Thomas J. Dean, four miles above Goochland Court 
House, where he will also make a regular stand of two days 
in each week throughout the season. In passing Mr. Sam'l 
Duval's, (Powel's old tavern,) he will make a short stay, 
giving those in that neighborhood an opportunity of securing 
his services. The season to close on the 1st of July. 

Terms. — $20 the season, if paid previous to the 1st of 
July, or $25 after that time ; and $30 to insure — insurance 
forfeited by parting with a mare, and all mares considered 
by the season, unless expressly understood to the contrary. 
Groom's fee $1. 

Kossuth was foaled in Columbia county, State of New 
York, on the 9th of July, 1847; is a beautiful rich dark 
brown, five feet two and a half inches high, of great mus- 
cular power and symmetry of form, docile disposition, and 
can trot his mile inside of three minutes, and has been pro- 
nounced by trainers the most, promising young horse they 
had ever seen. His colts, dropped last spring, are equal to 
any in the State, and as a proof of it, $200 a piece has been 
refused for several of them when six months old. 

Pedigree. — Was sired by the renowned trotting horse 
New York Black Hawk, out of the trotting mare Lady of 
the Lake. The sire of Black Hawk was the celebrated 
stallion Andrew Jackson, (the sire also of Kemble Jackson, 
Henry Clay, Miller's Damsel, and a large number of other 
fast ones,) the fastest trotting horse of his day — having 
beaten Daniel D. Tompkins, Fire King, Lady SVarrington, 
Modesty and others. He was sired by Young Bashaw, 
who was by imported Grand Bashaw, and he by Wildair, 
and Wildair by Cade, who was by the Godolphin Arabian. 
The dam of Andrew Jackson was Whynot, and she by 
imported Messenger. 

Black Hawk's dam was the distinguished trotting mare 
Sally Miller, who has trotted her mile in two minutes and 
thirty seconds, and was not excelled by any horse of her 
time. She was got by Tippoo Saib, and he by imported 
Messenger, her dam by Gunpowder. Black Hawk's time 
with heavy weight is the best on record up to the time of 
his death, and established his claim to be the best trotting 
stallion in America. 

Performances of Black Hawk. — November 17th, 
1847, beat Jenny Lind over the Union Course, match $500, 
mile heats — Black Hawk to a 250 lb. wagon, Jenny Lind 
to a skeleton wagon, weighing about 75 lbs. — winning the 
first and third heats in 2:40 — 2:43 ; Jenny Lind winning 
the second in 2:38. 

April 25th, 1848, beat Lady Sutton over the Union Course, 
in a match for $700, with an inside stake of $500, mile 
heats, best three in five, 250 lb. wagons — time, 2:43 — 2:43 — 
2:42— 2:45^. 

May 15th, 184S, beat Americus over the Union Course 
in a match for $2000, three mile heats, to 250 lb. wagons — 
time, 8:31 — 8:36; for further performances, see Turf Re- 
gister for 1847 and 1848, where will also be seen the chal- 
lenge of his owner to trot him against any horse in the 
world, for any amount, from $500 to $5000, which chal- 
lenge never was accepted. Subsequently, $13,000 was re- 
fused for him. Honest John, half brother to Kossuth, has 
also distinguished himself on the turf, as a horse of un- 
common speed and power, with heavy weight. 

In 1850, he started ten times for purses and stakes, and 
won eight. 

In 1851, he started eight times, winning five. 
June 22d, 1852, over the Union Course, he beat Bhck 
Harry, in a match for $1200, two mile heats, to wagons — 
time, 5:27—5:28. 

October 18th, 1852, for a pnrse and stake of $550, he 
beat True John, two mile heats, to 250 lb. wagons— time, 
2:28£— 5:37£. 

June 1st, 1853, Kemble Jackson, (half brother to Black 
Hawk,) trotted over the Union Course against five of the 
best horses in this country, for a stake and purse of $4000, 
three mile heats, to 250 lb. wagons, winning in two straight 



heats without making a break, in the unparalleled time of 
8:03 — 8:04f , and for whom his owner refused $16,000. 

September 21st, 1853, Miller's Damsel, (half sister to 
Black Hawk,) in a match for $500, over the Centreville 
Course, beat Jenny- Lind, mile heats, best three in five, to 
wagons — wagon and driver weighing 470 lbs., winning the* 
first, third and fourth heats— time, 2:49—2:46 — 2:47. 

October 19th, 1853, in a match for $500, over the Cen- 
treville Course, mile heats, best three in five, to 250 lb. 
wagons, beat Lady Haynes in three straight heats — time, 
2:43—2:47—2:49. 

April 21st, 1853, Black Douglass, a grandson of Andrew 
Jackson, made his first appearance on the turf over the 
Hunting Park Course, in a match with Flora Temple, for 
$500, mile heats, best three in five, in harness, and won in 
three straight heats — time, 2:35£ — 2:30£ — 2:35. 

Cassius M. Clay, to whom was awarded the first pre- 
mium, last October, at the Springfield, Massachusetts, Na- 
tional Horse Exhibition, is also a grandson of Andrew 
Jackson. 

Lady of the Lake, the dam of Kossuth, without training 
has trotted her mile in 2:49, and as a roadster, was not sur- 
passed for game and endurance. She was by Sherman 
Morgan ; her dam a thoroughbred Mambrino mare. 

Thus it will be seen that Kossuth is not a chance horse, 
but belongs to a trotting family, and the very best in Ame- 
rica, and traces his blood through a long line of choice an- 
cestors — all celebrated for speed and great endurance — and 
goes back to some of the purest Arabian and English 
horses ; and I assert, without fear of contradiction, that he 
is the best bred trotting stallion that has ever crossed the 
Potomac. 

Persons wishing to breed fast and serviceable road stock, 
are invited to call and examine the horse, and they can also 
have an opportunity to see him move, and I think I can 
satisfy them that he is not only a descendant of trotters, but 
is himself a trotting horse. 

Persons sending mares from a distance can have them 
well taken care of at my stable at forty cents per day, and 
those sent to Mr. Dean's farm, at a reasonable price. 

Richmond, April, 1854.— tf H. J. SMITH 



AT THE SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL IMPLE- 
MENT MANUFACTORY AND SEED STORE, 
can be found a large collection of the strongest and most 
useful articles for the Southern farmer, as will be seen by 
reference to the report of the committee on that branch at 
the Virginia State Agricultural Fair, held here in November 
last, that the premium for the largest, strongest and most 
useful collection of Implements was awarded to Mott, Lewis 
& Co. We are daily adding to our assortment from our 
large Machine Depot, Ploughs of all kinds from the most 
approved patterns now in use. Among them may be found 
the justly celebrated Wiley or Mott Plough, with double 
points; Minor & Horten of Nos. IS, 18£ up to No. 22; 
Hitchcock, Nos. 21 and 2lh ; improved Davis', both wrought 
and cast share; improved M'Cormick, improved Livingston, 
from the original patterns, and many other kinds too nu- 
merous to mention. Also, castings for all ploughs, by the 
piece or ton; Corn Cultivators of different kinds; Tobacco 
Cultivators; Harrows, from one-horse up to four-horse; 
Corn Shelters, from the single spout up to the Virginia 
Sheller and the Premium Mumma Sheller; Corn and Cob 
Crushers; Straw Cutters of all patterns from $7 up to $55; 
Grain Cradles of the most approved patterns ; Grass Snathes ; 
Churns, Ox Yokes, Store Trucks, Hay and Straw Forks, 
from 62£ cents up to $1 50; Spades, Shovels, and many 
other articles too numerous to mention. Also, Landreth's 
best Garden and Field Seeds. All of which will be sold 
on as reasonable terms as they can be had from any North- 
ern city. Call and examine for yourselves. 

MOTT, LEWIS & WILLSON, 
ap — 4t Sign of the Plough, No. 36 Main Street. 



M'CONNEIiL Si BURTON, 

DENTISTS, 

Main Street, between 9th and 10th Streets, Richmond, Va. 

JOHN M'CONNELL. W. LEIGH BURTON. 

ap — tf 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



ONE THOUSAND BOOK AGENTS WANTED, to 
Sell Pictorial and Useful Works for the year 1854.— 
One thousand dollars a year. Wanted, in every section of 
the United States, active and enterprising men, to engage in 
the sale of some of the best Books published in the country. 
To men of good address, possessing a small capital of from 
$25 to $100, such inducements will be offered as to enable 
them to make from $3 to $5 a day profit. The books pub- 
lished by us are all useful in their character, extremely po- 
pular, and command large sales wherever they are offered. 
For further particulars, address, (postage paid,) 

ROBERT SEARS, Publisher, 
mar — 2t 181 William Street, New York. 



LAND FOR SALE.— Two tracts, one of 337* acres, near 
New Glasgow, good improvements, red soil, very sure 
for wheat; part in clover and timothy. Also, 993 acres, 
within five miles of Buffalo Springs, thirteen of the Canal ; 
fine tobacco and grain land, with three tenements; about 
four hundred acres cleared and in good heart. Post paid 
letters for particulars, directed to New Glasgow, Amherst, 
Virginia, will be promptly attended to. 

mar— 3t* I. I. & J. M. HITE. 



s 



OUTHERN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT M< 



JW. SMITH, Plumber and Gas Fitter, 13th Street, 
• between Main and Cary, Richmond, Va. Bath Tubs, 
Water Closets and all other Water Fixtures, Gas Pipe and 
Fixtures put up to order; Hydraulic Rams, Lift and Force 
Pumps for Farms, Rail Road Stations, Mills, &c. &c. put up 
at short notice. Orders from the country promptly attended 
to. 

J. W. S. will attend to laying down Cast Iron Pipe for 
Water or Gas Works in any part of the United States. 

mar — tf 



SUFFOLK PIGS.— The subscribers are prepared to re- 
ceive orders for pure Suffolk Pigs, bred from stock im- 
ported by the late William Stickney m 1848, and by the 
subscribers in January; also an importation of twelve in 
October, 1853. Address 

JOSIAH STICKNEY, Watertown, 
ap— 3t Or, ISAAC STICKNEY, Boston, Mass. 



PURE GAME FOWLS.— The subscriber takes pleasure 
in the announcement to the public of his stock of Game 
Fowls, which he keeps on hand and for sale. Thorough- 
breds from the best stock of Earl of Derby, Brush Head, 
Mexican, Guillotine and Creole Game. Prices ranging from 
two to ten dollars per pair, according to quality, and age. 
Fowls sent to any part of the United States in good order. 
Address JOHN M'L. ANDERSON, 

ap — tf Ruther Glen P. O., Caroline Co., Va. 



the particular attention of farmers to our Horse-Powers and 
Threshing Machines, that we and many others consider the 
best in use, on account of simplicity, durability and economy 
to the user; easy kept in order, giving little or no dust to 
the feeder; the strongest and most durable in use. We 
call the attention of those in want to send in their orders as 
early as possible, as we do not wish to disappoint any who 
may be in want of a good machine, as we were unable to 
supply the demand last year for a great many, owing to 
not receiving the orders in time. We build from four-horse 
sweep power to twelve-horse. Also Mott. Lewis & Willson's 
Wrought Iron Railway Horse-Power for one or two horses. 
All of which we warrant to give entire satisfaction, and do 
more work in a given time, according to team, than any 
machine in this State. We will refer to a few gentlemen, 
if necessary, who live in different counties, and have used 
our machines, so that those who are in want of a superior 
machine can inquire of its merits : Francis Nelson, G. T. 
Brumly and Dr. L. C. Crump, New Kent; Col. Thomas 
Willcox, Dr. William A. Selden and Dr. James Willcox, 
Charles City; Dr. N. M. Osburn, Prince George; J. P. Ta- 
liaferro, York county; Fielding Taylor, T. M. Stubblefield, 
William H. Roy and W. P. Smith, Gloucester; Henry Cox, 
Henrico; George Taylor, Hanover; William M. Harrison 
and H. L. Brook, Richmond city ; Colonel Hancock and A. 
W. Dunn, Chesterfield; Robert Dunn, Petersburg; Hon. 
Wm. S. Archer, Dr. Scott, V. Archer and W. V. Southall, 
Amelia; William E.Green, Charlotte; Randolph Harrison 
and Julian Harrison, Goochland; I. R. Barksdale, Albe- 
marle; D. C. Dejarnett, Caroline; Col. C. G. Coleman, 
Louisa; H. M. Nelson, Clarke, and many other gentlemen, 
who have used our machine, and any of those gentlemen 
will, with pleasure, give their opinion of its qualities. We 
also manufacture Zimmermann's Improved Machine for 
threshing, cleaning and bagging at one operation. This 
machine is gotten up in the best manner, of the best mate- 
rials, and warranted to perform well. It has taken the 
premium over the Pitts' New York or Buffalo Machine at 
several fairs, and it is classed a No. 1 machine. We manu- 
facture three sizes, 24, 30 and 36 inch machines, four, eight 
and twelve-horse powers, and cheaper than any other ma- 
chine for the same purpose. Those who are in want of a 
first class Thresher will please send in their orders early. 
Thankful for past favors, we shall endeavor to merit a con- 
tinuance of the same. 

MOTT, LEWIS & WILLSON, 
ap — 3t Sign of the Plough, No. 36 Main Street. 



PREMIUM SWINE.— Suffolks from Morton's Piggery, 
have taken the highest premiums, as may be seen by 
the published Transactions of the Massachusetts State and 
Norfolk County Agricultural Societies. The stock now for 
sale is large and well assorted, embracing the purest and 
best blood of this unequalled breed. Pigs, properly paired 
for breeding, $30 a pair. For prices of Boars and Sows, 
see catalogue, which will be sent by mail on application. 
Animals purchased forwarded by express or vessel from 
Boston, with pedigree. Orders must be accompanied by a 
remittance. 

JAMES MORTON, West Needham, or 
G. H. P. FLAGG, Boston, Mass. 
Boston, April 3, 1854— It* 

TT 7 ANTED, an Overseer who understands the manage- 
V V ment of Stock as well as the cultivation of Wheat 
and Corn, to go to Matthews county, Virginia. None need 
apply without the best recommendations as to qualification, 
character and industry. Apply to 

ap _ 3t * PUBLISHER OF SO. PLANTER. 



UNITED STATES HOTEL, 

(formerly union,) 

Corner of Main and Nineteenth Streets, Richmond, 
J. E. NORRIS, Proprietor. 
mar — tf Price of Board, per day, $1 50. 



PREMIUM WHEAT FANS.— We are sole Agents for 
the Rockaway Fan, for which the premium was awarded 
at the Virginia State Agricultural Fair in November last, 
and are prepared to receive orders for the same at the ma- 
nufacturer's prices in Baltimore. We have also for sale 
Hickok's Premium Cider Mill, at manufacturer's price; 
Taylor's Patent Hames, the very best article now in use. 
All of which we shall be happy to supply our customers 

th at our Southern Agricultural Implement Manufactory 
and Seed Store, sign of the Plough, No. 36 Main Street. 

ap— 4t MOTT, LEWIS & WILLSON. 



NEW OXFORDSHIRE, or IMPROVED COTSWOLD 
SHEEP. — I am now ready to engage Buck Lambs of 
this valuable breed of sheep at $15, deliverable next fall. 
Persons wishing to supply themselves will please notify me 
as early as possible, as I shall reserve only those engaged. 
These lambs are from three-fourths to seven-eighths Cots- 
wold, crossed upon sheep highly improved by crossing with 
the late Dr. Morris' best breeds, the Leicester and Lincoln- 
shire. Selections are made only of the best. 

Reference can be made to the Editor of the Planter, who 
will testify to the fact that persons will pay near double at 
the North for sheep inferior to these. 

Address (post paid,) JOHN R. WOODS, 

ap — It Woodville Depot, Albemarle. 



BI 
warding Merchants, corner Union and F,ranklin streets, 
Richmond, Virginia. All business carefully and promptly 
executed. mar — ly 






if±±, SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



\ 



COX'f^NTS OF NUMBER IV. 

PAGE 

Scientific Agriculture, No. 7,' by Prof. Gilham . .97 
Facts and Testimony of Greatly Increased Pro- 
duction from the Use of Miocene Marl on Land 

Naturally Poor, by Edmund Kuftin 100 

Application of Guano to Corn 104 

Smut in Wheat 105 

The Maine Liquor Law 105 

Report on Sunnyside Farm 105 

Morgan Horses 107 

Stuccoing Houses 107 

Agricultural Notice 108 

Saving Clover Seed — Economy in the Use of 

Agricultural Machinery 110 

Osage Orange Hedges 112 

Necessity of Good Stock to Virginia Fanners, 

and how they may get it 113 

The Commissioner of the Virginia State Agri- 
cultural Society 116 

Proceedings of the Executive Committee 116 

Plan and Constitution of a Working Agricultural 

Society 118 

Extirpating Wire Grass 119 

Atkins' Self-Raking Reaper 119 

Turkeys 120 

Nelson's Guano Attachment for Sowing Guano 

in the drill with AVheat 120 

Pavments to the Southern Planter 121 



WORMS! WORMS! 

03F" -^ great many learned treatises have been written, 
explaining the origin of, and classifying the worms generated 
in the human system. Scarcely any topic of medical science 
has elicited more acute observation and profound research; 
and yet physicians are very much divided in opinion on the 
subject. It must be admitted, however, that, after all, a 
mode of expelling these worms, and purifying the body 
from their presence, is of more value than the wisest dis- 
quisitions as to the origin. The expelling agent has at length 
been found — Dr. M'Lane's Vermifuge is the much sought 
after specific, and has already superseded all other worm 
medicines, its efficacy being universally acknowledged by 
medical practitioners. 

Purchasers will please be careful to ask for Dr. M'Lane's 
Celebrated Vermifuge, and take none else. All other ver- 
mifuges, in comparison, are worthless. Dr. M'Lane's ge- 
nuine Vermifuge, also his Celebrated Liver Pills, can now 
be had at all respectable drug stores in the United States 
and Canada. 

DISEASES OP THE LIVER.— When the celebrated 
Dr. Rush declared that drunkenness was a disease, he 
enunciated a truth which the experience and observation of 
medical men is every day confirming. The many appa 
rently insane excesses of those who indulge in the use of 
spirituous liquors, may be thus accounted for. The true 
cause of conduct, which is taken for infatuation, is very 
frequently a diseased state of the liver. No organ in the 
human system, when deranged, produces a more frightful 
catalogue of diseases. And if, instead of applying reme- 
dies to the manifestations of disease, as is too often the case, 
physicians would prescribe with a view to the original cause, 
fewer deaths would result from diseases induced by a de- 
ranged state of the liver. Three-fourths of the diseases 
enumerated under the head of Consumption, have their seat 
in a diseased liver. (See Dr. Gunn's great works.) 

Purchasers will be careful to ask for Dr. M'Lane's Cele- 
brated Liver Pills, and take none else. There are other 
Pills, purporting to be Liver Pills, now before the public. 
Dr. M'Lane's Liver Pills, also his Celebrated Vermifuge, 
can now be had at all respectable drug stores in the United 
States and Canada. For sale by 

PURCELL, LADD & CO. 

ap — It Corner Main and 14th street, Richmond. 



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

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

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

JOHN G. TURPIN, 

mar — tf Clover Dale, near Petersburg, Va. 



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

Best quality moleskin, - - $3 50 

Second quality moleskin, - - 3 00 

Best quality silk, - - - 2 50 

Second quality silk, - - - 2 00 

Fine Calfskin Sewed Boots only three dollars and fifty- 
cents. 

Also, Caps, Shoes and Umbrellas. 

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



AGRICULTURAL WAREHOUSE. — The subscriber 
continues to manufacture Agricultural Machines, viz. 
Horse Powers, Threshers, Fan Mills, Hunt's Patent Wheat 
Drill, Hay Rakes, Hay Presses, Straw Cutters, Corn Shelt- 
ers, Hillside and Subsoil Ploughs, Corn and Cob Crushers, 
Cultivators, Harrows, &c, all of which will be made in the 
best manner and the most approved patterns. My Horse 
Power and Thresher, with self-oiling box, have been in use 
three seasons, and uniformly pronounced the best in use. 
Machines repaired, Castings in h n and Brass furnished 



at short notice 
mar — 3t 



it BALDWIN, 

148 Main Street, Richmond. 



MANNY'S PATENT REAPER AND MOWER.— 
This machine has been extensively tested for the last 
two years in the Northern and Western States, and pro- 
nounced the best in use — a premium has been awarded to 
it at every fair at which it has been exhibited. It is desirable 
that those who may want a Reaper, or Reaper and Mower, 
should forward their orders early, to avoid disappointment. 

H. BALDWIN, 
mar — 3t 148 Main Street, Richmond. 



IIVE STOCK AGENCY.— In compliance with repeated 
J solicitation, the subscriber offers his services for the 
purchase of Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Swine and Poultry. His 
long acquaintance with different breeds and breeders of 
these animals, gives him superior facilities for procuring 
the best.. SANFORD HOWARD, 

Office of the Boston Cultivator, Boston, Mass. 
N. B. — Some of the best Suffolk and Essex Pigs can be 
had in this section, at $30 per pair, at two months old. 
mar — 3t