THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. . ***** to ^(culture, horticulture, an* the ^ousehol* girts. Agriculture is the nursing mother of the Arts.— • ~~hon. Tillage and Pasturage are the two breasts of the State. — Sully. FRANK: G. RUFEIN, Editor. P. D. BERNARD, Publisher. Vol. XIV. RICHMOND, JUNE, 1854. ^o. 6. For the Southern Planter. ESSAY ON ENRICHING AND IMPROVING POOR LAND. BY BENJAMIN F. DEW. A " d he gave it for his opinion, "that whoever could maTte two ears of corn, or two blades of grass to grow where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together."— Swift. Had this renowned sentiment made its due im- pression in Virginia fifty, or even twenty-five years since, the discouraging and apparently hopeless poverty of her soil which has driven thousands of ner most talented and energetic sons either from •ner borders, or from agriculture into other more attractive professions, would now have yielded to rich fields and plenteous harvests, under the judi- cious management and scientific skill of her farm- ers. But unfortunately, until within the past few years, agriculture has occupied a second rate po- sition among the higher professions of life— as a sort of menial employment requiring no talent to conduct, as supposed, its mere mechanical opera- ; Jons, and therefore better suited for the ignorant |*nd stupid, than for men of talents and education J5.**As might be supposed, under such circumstan- s the art and the science of agriculture throuo-h- t the State, have been generally, and to a great :,,tent neglected, while profits have declined in a Corresponding ratio. Still, however, by the persevering and master labors of Edmund Ruffin, Esq., to whom,^ owes her highest debt of gratitu^ ip ; ^ "Xent Newtons, Carters, Braxton*. -"* T^ 1 V} omme . nt farmers of our State. - " ew \ m P ulse h ? s be fJ? § 1V " en to her agriculture— art and science have thrown around it their charms ; and now, instead of being second among other professions, is indeed be- hind no other, either in the pleasures it offers, the profits it yields, or the talents it demands for its successful pursuit. With a view, therefore, of adding something to- wards this noble object, and of presenting, as I humbly conceive, a rapid and economical method for improving and enriching poor land, I offer the following suggestions and rules for directing the management of a farm. I remark, then, in the first place, that the high- est order of skilful farming, as directed to the im- Vol. XIV.— 6. proving and enriching of poor land, is that only, which, with team and laborers, preserved in good health and condition, will in a series of years, with a given number of laborers, a given outlay of ca- pital, soil and area of land, produce the largest ac- tual increase of capital, as estimated in the. im- provement of the land and the other farming pro- fits combined. Thus a farmer may judiciously manage all his agricultural operations on the best and most scientific principles, and yet materially come short of the highest farming profits, by over- action, exposure, or bad feeding, or all, with team and hands— thus lessening the actual value of these two essential farm-items, and producing, ul- timately, as it always does, increased expense 'and diminished labor. Again— whilst every other de- partment of farming may be properly and judi- ciously managed with the utmost scientific skill in all the details of improving and enriching land, the mere mechanical operations of the farm— the planting, sowing, working and saving the crops, may be so slovenly and badly executed, as again materially to lessen the highest farming profits. Farther— the farming implements, team°and la- borers may be kept in good condition— the opera- tions of sowing, planting, working and saving the crops, may all be well executed, and still the farm- er may come short of the highest farming -, "f for the want of scientific skill, or t b~ J ' a ,, ™ e which will enable him proper!- ~ a i' es adapted to wants of his soil, the V ec^ ld mode of applying those wants, and t,l— pie, upon a poor, acid sandy them. Thus -^es find an industrious farmer haul- soil, we pme leaves from an equally poor pine incliet, to improve his land, not knowing that the acid which forms the poison of his soil, is but in- creased by this application, whilst the extremely . small per cent, of potash which the pine leaves contain can never pay for the expense and damage in their application to such a soil ; or, as has of- ten been the case, mixing fresh stable manure and lime with a view of improving the effects of each on land, not knowing the chemical affini- ties which control the changes that take place in such a mixture, by which the most valuable ele- ment of the stable manure, the ammonia, is lost, whilst the lime is rendered less efficient. Still farther— a farmer may combine all the various re- quisites to which I have referred, fitting him for the highest order of farming, and yet come very far short of the highest farming profits, for want of what Mr. Ruffin would term administrative skill or business tact— the power of judiciously and econa- 162 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. mically providing for the farming wants, meeting expenses, laying in provisions, selling grain, &c. Having thus, at some length presented, as I con- ceive, the only true test of any judicious process of improving and enriching poor land, I will now undertake to present, as briefly as possible, that system of farming in detail which, in my opinion, will most speedily attain this desirable result. Of course I have regarded this improvement of land, not as isolated, but as an essential part and promi- nent object of farming operations, and therefore necessarily dependent for its greatest success, upon the most skilful management of the whole farming operations. Thus, for example, whilst the collection and application of manures — mineral or putrescent, in some shape or modification, are the great means with which to improve land; yet bad rotation of crops, b||l ploughing, bad management in the use- less and unprofitable consumption of labor, &c, that might otherwise have been employed in the collection and application of manures, are all means calculated to retard and lessen the extent of any extensive effort at improvement. The remarks, therefore, which I propose making, will be embraced under the following heads, to wit: 1, team and hands; 2, rotation of crops; 3, ploughing ; 4, crops ; and 5, manures. TEAM AND HANDS. As these together constitute the great power with which the whole farming process is carried on, it is needless to say, that every necessary at- tention should be given to keep each in good health and working condition. Bad feeding, want of pro- per attention, or overwork, which will cause team and hands to come short of this standard, is sim- ply miserable management. A farmer's orders or rules should always be just, equitable and plain, and made known to each servant. Nothing tends so much to insubordination and confusion on a farm, as a departure from this fundamental rule. Firmness, then, in enforcing these rules or orders, will always make industrious and orderly servants, which, with good feeding, clothing and house- **oom, as already suggested, will not only preserve ^ble Y^ ue ' Du ^ §i ye a mos t surprising general in- state, thatX" ^ a of m the ^fa^^fwould fisher V S!SSinai fe ? d « g ° ^ teases m J that uniform ■■l£K ?3l to , th ^soo^ nd laborera contribut e on lv It G ,' 1 and overtas ^»s. whilst the neg- one day generally causes a greater ifn cowers any tZ bv ? S 1 ° f kb0r ' than a " y ^PPOsedteSisub- gam by such pressure. 1 ^ ROTATION OF CROPS. . 'Common experience, wherever the five-field svs- .- tern feu been followed, with perhaps few excep- tions, concurs in the opinion that it is best for the improving and enriching of poor land. The rota tion with each field is, 1st year corn with peas doTer tllow^'^T' ^^;«ot P Z clovei fallow; 4th, wheat; 5th, pasture; and next L V t !° D ' however, is regarded by Mr. Iluffin, than whom there is no higher authoritv ^ lei? as?^ 11 1 ft , This ^ mRX field, as I understand it : 1st year corn • 2nd voir clovei fallow; 5th, wheat; an 1 6th pasture 1 of a iLd 0C T l btthiS i tei ; ds * a ™PW improv^en thefive'fic d rn? y r be b ** er . for «* purpose than HM five-field rotation ; but with all proper deference to the high source from whence this opinion comes, I cannot resist the impression that there is an un- necessary narrowing of the cropping surface, whilst by sowing peas in the corn field, under the five- field rotation, when laying by corn, the extra ploughing necessary under the six-fieid system, for putting in peas, will thus be unnecessary. I would, therefore, as I follow this (the five-field) system myself, recommend its adoption on all wheat or clay lands, and on what may be termed medium soils, as calculated rapidly to improve, and thus increase their productions. This system of rota- tion seems as perfect in theory, as it appears in practice, guarding against the over-crepping and hard grazing of the old three-field system on the one hand, and the extreme non-grazing or four-field rotation, of Col. John Taylor on the other. Steril- ity was the product of the first, and trash and in- sects the result of the last. The five-field rotation, however, remedies each difficulty. The land is grazed one year in five, which destroys all insects and packs the land. Two green crops, one pea and the other clover, are given for the improvement of the land and support of the two wheat crops, whilst for the corn crop there should be a dressing of lime or marl, thus making a return to the land for each crop taken off, besides the other dressings of putrescent manures of which I shall speak here- after. PLOUGHING. No operation in farming is so important as this. It is the very foundation of all successful crop- ping and profitable improvement of land. If badly executed, the farming labors will be increased throughout the year, the manuring will fall short of its full effects, the beneficial atmospheric influ- ence on the ploughed surface will be lessened, and the crops greatly diminished. The best ploughmen should therefore always be at the plough-handle in the breaking up or fallowing of land. The ploughs and team should be adapted to the land and its condition when ploughed. Common sense will generally furnish, in such cases, the best di- rections. Care should be taken, however, to plough sufficiently deep, with each slice well turned over, and laid close up against that of the last furrow ; and in all cases where there is much Vegetable matter, the ox chain should be used to enable the plough successfully to turn it under. CROPS. It is astonishing to observe how much unneces- sary labor, which might be applied to the enrich- ing of land, is generally expended in the old and crop, process of making crops — especially the corn tion of hanffiP ^ 8 ' m ' s ^i m the erroneous applica- per implemented 8&te* d of horsc -P' mc <> with P r0 " labor which, if pro P e"il3^V i!1 J ulvi ^ a , l0SS f team wnnM *™,V * ■ ^Pi-^e.d. with adequate team, would work twice or three tv,^ thc JL ual cropping surface. And in the next place in £re gardingthe application of the diffeU 1 1 Id te such work only as may be adapted to their respe™ rve degrees of skill and power. Thus, for exam, pie in putting a man to do what a boy or Sri could do as well, or where skill is needed as for instance in the scattering of lime, to keep a Ik o careless boys and girls at this opemtion ^hUst tha shrui>b kiIful p r ?, the force is W 2SSSS! nermm « ? ? "i ^ If ^ limits ° f this ess V permitted, I might go on to illustrate the effect of these errors m each particular cropfcing process and show, particularly in the making of "corn that THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 163 at least two-thirds or three-fourths of the lahor usually thus expended, might be saved. I know- no error in Virginia Agriculture more prevalent, or a source of greater loss to her general farming profits, than this of using hand labor instead of horse-power, whilst the present extremely high price of labor makes the loss yet more onerous. The secret which should be impressed on every farmer is, to be supplied with good teams, and then to select proper implements, rakes, cultivators, sho- vel-ploughs, and the like, which, if rightly used, will enable the farmer to devote at least two-thirds or three-fourths of his hoe force to the improve- ment of his barren fields. Having now considered what I have regarded as of first importance, and too generally overlooked, to wit : 1st, the general test for any judicious pro- cess of improvement, and next those peculiar modes of farming operation which tend either di- rectly to improve land, or indirectly, by saving la- bor and time to devote to this purpose, I will now proceed to consider the last branch of my subject, the immediate means for enriching land. These are either mineral, or putrescent. The former embraces lime, marl, ashes, and the like; the latter everything that goes to decay, whether the leaves of the forest, the grass of the field, the peat of the marsh, the offal of crops, or the refuse of animal consumption. Here, indeed, is nature's great storehouse for regenerating her worn-out lands and barren fields. The skill with which these re- sources are used, together with the proper observ- ance of other means already alluded to, constitute the great secret of successfully and profitably im- proving and enriching poor land. The poor lands in our State may be divided into two general classes — one accessible for the profita- ble use of lime or marl, or both, and the other in- accessible for the profitable use of either. The former, besides the limestone region of the State, embraces, for the most part, the exhausted alluvial soils formed in the slopes and valleys of the navi- gable rivers and their tributaries, generally origi nally rich, convenient for their application, and rapidly improved by the use of lime or marl. The other class of poor soil, which is too remote from navigable water to justify the expense of hauling lime, and without marl or limestone to aid its improvement, generally forms the ridge land between our rivers, and for the most part is stiff and originally poor. For the improvement of this land, then, some other resource than lime must be sought to supply its absence. I would recommend the utmost diligence, therefore, in saving all that refuse on the farm which abounds in mineral ma- nures. In order to effect this most successfully, I would use an unoccupied out-house for storing all the unreached ashes made on the farm, in order to preserve them in their strongest form for applica- tion to the most acid portion of the land — pens, well supplied with mould and rotten leaves, should be near by the kitchen and each cabin, in which pens, it should be the peremptory duty of the ser- vants to throw their soap suds, slops, sweepings and refuse ashes. As we are now seeking for eve- ry resource to make up, as far as possible, for the absence of lime and marl, I advise the particular preservation of that strong and highly useful ma- nure, so generally thrown away, night soil. To preserve this manure successfully, I would advise the use of an excavation in a stiff clay soil, at a S D proper point about the premises, which should be kept well supplied with mould, rotten trash, and the like, with which the night soil should be occa- sionally stirred, and supplied with regular sprink- lings of ground plaster, which will prevent any of- fensive odors, and improve the compost. Suppos- ing the five-field rotation adopted, I would apply- all these manures thus saved, to the ploughed sur- face of the field for corn, in order thus, as far as possible, to produce the effect of lime, besides adding other valuable ingredients to the soil. The animal manures, next, should be carefully preserved ' in order successfully to do which, I would advise the free use of mould, rotten leaves, straw, &c, in the stable and stable lot, in the cow and sheep pens, as may be necessary for the per- fect retention and absorption of all the manure. I would here remark that, as many cattle should be kept, and no more, as will be kept in good condi- tion on the pasturage furnished under the five-field rotation. Up to this limit I think the raising of cattle may safely go with profit and advantage to the farm. With this digression, I will go on to re- mark, that ground plaster should be kept, and oc- casionally sprinkled over these composts to arrest their offensive odors and improve them by fixing, and thus retaining the ammonia. The litter to supply these different pens should be raked up in the woods as early after the fall of leaves as possible, containing, as they do then, more substance, and being left to rot, may be haul- ed out when most convenient. I would apply the stable and stable lot manure, also, to the corn ffeld land, and the remainder, if not all covered over from the sources before mentioned, should be treated to as rich litter as the adjacent wood land will fur- nish. Over this portion of the field covered with trash, I would sow about a hundred pounds of Pe- ruvian guano, before throwing dirt to corn, and then sow the whole field in peas. The guano, in a seasonable year, will pay a fine per cent, in the corn, and leave a good pea fallow. The process, then, is so to manage as every year, if possible, to cover the corn field with something, taking care, however, to shift the mineral application each time to points, where increased acidity of soil may most require its use. The cow pen manure made in winter, chiefly from the coarse offal of crops, should be applied as early in spring as possible, by top-dressing the poorer parts of the clover field, whilst that made in the summer cow pens I would prefer applying to the wheat crop. The surplus wheat straw I would return, as soon as possible, to the stubble field, and if circumstances justified it, I would make return loads with carts, whilst threshing wheat. When this corn field is broken up for wheat, it should be treated to one hundred and seventy-five pounds of Peruvian guano, or one hundred pounds with a like quantity of leached ashes mixed, which the experience of some farmers who have tried it, approves, as being equal to the application of the same .amount of pure guano. It appears very reasonable, as potash is a most essential ingredient in soil, and is thus furnished in company with one of the strongest fertilizers. This preparation of the corn land will insure from 15 to 20 bushels of wheat, and give you afterwards (for clover seed should be sown through this fieM) a fine field of clover for fallow. This treated again, when it comes in wheat, to 100 pounds of Peruvian guano, will give a like or 164 — 7 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER greater yield of wheat. I would here remark, that the clover land which is earliest fallowed in sum- mer should he seeded in peas as a substitute for the crab grass and weeds which usually are more difficult to plough in, and are not so well calculat- ed to improve the land. On this part of the clover field therefore, we have the fallow of two green crops in one season, with no more ploughing than otherwise necessary. These different means of improvement, if judiciously applied, will fully double the first corn crop, treble or quadruple the wheat crop, whilst in the next round, with dimin- ished applications of guano, each field may be ex- pected to reach its highest average productive ca- pacity in the absence of any direct application of 1 Tliis^ame system, for the most part, should be pursued with the class of poor lands accessible for the use of marl or lime, taking care, however to apply the usual measure of these to the ploughed surface whilst otlier maimres raised on the farm should be applied as top-dressing, early in the spring, to the clover field. Of course these lands will be more rapidly and permanently improved, and require less expendi- ture in guano, on account of the large addition of calcareous manures, and because, too, the guano does not appear to act on them so efficiently. It is proper here to remark, that especially on the limed or marled land, unless it be eocene marl ground plaster should be sown early in the first of the spring on the wheat, which will greatly benefit the voung clover. . , I reWet that I have found it necessary, in order to prelent my views on the subject of _ improving and enriching podr land, to extend this essay to such a length. I will simply add, that as far as .circumstances would allow, I have endeavored but imperfectly, to practice the views here presented, ana that so far as I have succeeded in doing so . the improvement of my land has certainly equalled . my .most sanguine expectations. For the Southern Planter. •A-BflETVIEW**, REVIEWED— AN ODDITY LET T -OOSE. Mr..,Editofr ir -h\ the Plants <• March, a com- munication appeared from Dr. L x, Watkins, of Ben Lomond, purporting to be a review o* * he ad- dress delivered by Mr. Edmunds before the A fe *i_ .cultural. Society of Virginia. That essay is a remarkable production, and the theories it attempts to establish, demand some no- tice • lest such practical farmers as have but little knowledge of the sciences pertaining to rural eco- nomy, might be induced to adopt the views they inculcate; and, in attempting to reduce them to practice, find themselves involved in considerable loss and much useless labor. The character of the remarks with -which the reviewer prefaces his cri- ticisms, would lead us to suppose that he had de- tected some .egregious blunders in the address ; and that he was about to expose the erroneous the- ories which Mr. E. had sought to establish; toge- ther with the false deductions which had been drawn from *hem. And the flourish of trumpets with which he announces his intention to " run a tilt against him" in the "vast field of specula- tion " would indicate that Mr. E. might be left hors'vle combat, " in the wild chaos of immature and inorganic speculation into which he had^ plunged." What is precisely meant by the latter clause of the preceding sentence, we do not pre- sume to say, but will leave it to those whose men- tal optics may be more acute, to decide. It would seem however, that the author divides speculations into two kinds, organic and inorganic speculations. At least such is the necessary inference, as the lan- guage employed implies a division. Our highest authorities in lexicography define speculation to be a mental view— a notion— a thought, &c. We can easily conceive how the mind may take a men- tal view of organic or inorganic substances or things ; and our physical organs of vision are often delighted with a physical view of them ; but we are at a loss to conceive how either could form any conception of an " inorganic speculation. -but lest we might misconstrue the reviewer s meaning upon a subject so abstruse, we would invite the reader's special attention to the whole paragraph from which the citation is made. _ _ After indulging in some further preliminary re- marks, constituting a pretty considerable compound of compliments and animadversions, into which the two ingredients seem to enter in proportions so nearly equal, that it is difficult to determine which has the preponderance, he proceeds to dissect the address; and- alleges that, " the very fact of its ve- ry careful preparation, is to my [his] mind, a suffi- cient apology for venturing to expose the faults oi some of his practical deductions from his unsus- tained and faulty theorising." In pointing out the sources from which growing vegetables derive their carbon, Mr* E. used the fol- lowing language : " This leading substance of all plants is derived from carbonic acid in much the largest proportion from the atmosphere which sur- rounds them, and by assimilation through then- leaves. The roots of the plants may furnish a questionable, at any rate, a small proportion It these conclusions be facts, his reviewer boidly af- firms that they " militate against all the previously established laws of chemistry." Now, we would merely suggest, that if these views are m conflict with all the established laws of chemistry, it would have been easy for his reviewer to have designated some one of them against which they militated. But he has not only failed to do this, but has like- wise made a signal failure in his attempt to adduce one single isolated fact in support of his allegation. It is true, he savs, that, " while I agree with him cheerfully that the air is the great source, 1 cannot admit that it is the only source, from whence plants &**vve their carbon." Neither has Mr. E. so affirm- ed, though the reader will observe that he is made to occupy that position in the above quotation. But, on the contrary, ke says expressly, and that too in the very passage cited by his reviewer, that the " roots of the plants may furnish a questiona- ble, at any rate, a small proportion." It is evi- dently clear, that this passage in its contextual meaning, has reference to the definitive proportions of carbon which growing vegetables receive from the soil and the atmosphere ; and the term " ques- tionable " has reference only to the definitive pro- portions of this element derived from the respec- tive sources of supply ; and not to the fact, (as in- terpreted by his reviewer,) whether any part of this substance is supplied from the soil. Prof. Norton, as quoted in the review, supposes, (it is a mr>rp supposition, however,) that as much as a third of this element is furnished by the soil, and the remaining two-thirds are obtained from the at- THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 105 mosphere. While Liebig and Boussingau.lt, gene- rally regarded as higher authorities, estimate the proportion derived from the soil to be very small, much less than a third ; at any rate the respective amounts of this element, which are derived from the different sources of supply, are questionable, the definitive proportions having never been accu- rately determined. Nor does Mr. E. attempt to set- tle this point of controversy among agricultural chemists ; but contents himself with giving us a very correct and concise summary of all the facts which the recent progress of science has brought to light, in its relations with this department of agriculture. Having finished his critique upon carbon, he proceeds to expose the errors of a plan, proposed in the address, for improving a compost heap. The plan suggests the interposition of plaster, marl and ashes, between the different layers of the ma- terials of a farm-pen, as an auxiliary means of pro- moting the fixation of ammonia, and of improving, to some extent, the quality of the manure. The review admits that the plaster and marl would be conducive to this end, and so would leached ashes, " but if the ashes be unleached or caustic, the car- bonic acid of the carbonate of ammonia (in which form the ammonia is combined) having an elective affinity for the potash, will unite with it, forming the carbonate of potash, and instead of fixing, will liberate the ammonia, and injure rather than im- prove the quality of the manure." We beg leave to dissent from this explanation of the abstruse laws of chemistry, upon which such a result is made to depend ; until it has been shown by a more conclusive method of reasoning, that such would be the effect of an alkaline carbonate under the circumstances indicated. For we attri- bute to the presence of potash, an agency directly the reverse of that assigned to it, and are support- ed in this view by the authority of Johnston, Mul- der and Boussingault. These writers affirm as the results of their experiments, that decomposing manure-heaps, containing ashes, (caustic ashes,) not only have the power of retaining all the ammo- nia and nitric acid, resulting from the decomposi- tion of the materials placed in compost, but 1 also of drawing upon the atmosphere for an additional supply of its free nitrogen. Composts thus formed are found, after the lapse of a few months, to con- tain more nitrogen than was contained in all the substances composing the heap at the time of its construction. The mere heaping together, however, of the or- dinary materials of a farm-pen, is not sufficient to retain the nitrogen evolveclTrom decaying organic matter, much less to attract an additional quantity of this element from the atmosphere. To accom- plish this object, it is requisite that a calcareous or alkaline carbonate should be interposed between the layers of the decomposing materials. A proper admixture of caustic ashes and ordinary farm-yard manure constitutes the essential conditions of an artificial nitre-bed. The ashes furnish the neces- sary alkaline carbonate, and from the decomposing compost oxygen is evolved, which, in its nascent state, is capable of uniting with the azote of the air to form nitric acid; and this combination con- tinues to be formed at the expense of the free ni- trogen of the atmosphere, as long as potash is pre- sent to combine with the nitric acid thus produced to form the nitrate of potash. Artificial nitre-beds, constructed upon this principle, are common in France and some other countries of continental ' Europe, and the saltpetre thus produced is suffi- cient in amount (when separated from the other salts usually found with it, such as the nitrate of soda, nitrate of ammonia, &c.) to make it a profit- able article of commerce. Having concluded his strictures on the philoso- phy of composts, the reviewer now approaches the great and radical error of the address--" the as- tounding theory ! — the oddity let loose !" What constitutes this great and fundamental difference between Mr. E. and his reviewer'? We imagine that the reader will experience a risible sensation, which it may require some effort to suppress, when he is informed that it consists in the assumption on the part of the address, " that a ton of wheat straw must be regarded as containing a larger amount of enriching elements before being fed to cattle than after the process of digestion," To this assumption the reviewer responds in the following language : " Here it strikes me, I say it respectful- ly, is an oddity let loose — a theory run mad!" Were it merely a question of convenience, or of economizing labor, he says that they might agree ; " but when it involves the point of superior fertil- izing power, we are as opposite as the poles." We see, then, that there is a violent repulsion between the address and the review, so violent that they are repelled unto the opposite extremes of the earth, the one being in the arctic circle, the other is repelled into the antarctic circle. As heretofore, we are again constrained to take our position by the side of Mr. E., with the whole breadth of our planet interposed between us and his reviewer. Having indulged in these emphatic expressions of surprise and astonishment, excited by the assump- tion, that a ton of wheat straw possesses more fer- tilizing power before being fed to cattle than after the process of digestion, the reviewer proceeds to demonstrate its absurdity. He bases his demon- strations upon data furnished by the analyses of Boussingault, Johnston and Von-Thaer ; and proves, by a series of elaborate calculations, that the ex- cretions of a cow fed upon wheat straw, contain nearly seven times as much nitrogen as an equal quantity of straw not fed away. In other words, he shows by figures, (which cannot err,) that a ton of wheat straw in the undigested state, contains only 6 pounds of nitrogen, while the solid and li- quid excrements of a cow, collected during the consumption of a ton of the same substance, con- tain no less than 47 pounds of this fertilizing ele- ment—being a gain of 41 pounds in the dejections, against 6 pounds in the undigested straw. " Here, then," says the reviewer, " are 41 pounds of nitro- gen, the chief fertilizing ingredient of manure, lost to the farmer by carrying out the straw undi- gested." If there were no error in the calculations by which he arrived at this singular result, the dis- covery would be of vast importance to agriculture, and would multiply the resources of all the tillers of the earth in a, seven-fold degree. For it is the only method yet discovered by which nitrogen, (the most important element in the composition of the food of man and animals, as well as the chief fertilizing agent of putrescent manures,) can be created in any amount — no other having ever suc- ceeded in producing the minutest quantity. But by this process, that is, by feeding cows upon wheat straw, it is not only produced in considerable quan- tities, but with great rapidity. Should it be ob- jected, that no animal is capable of creating nitro- gen by the reviewer's method, then we ask from 166 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER what source the 41 pounds were derived hy the animal, which had taken only 6 pounds into its system in the food consumed 1 It could not have been derived from the food, because that contained less than one-sixth of the amount found in the de- jections. If growing vegetables possessed this power in an equal degree to that of the cattle, then there would be no longer any necessity for the nu- merous appliances which have been brought into requisition to collect and preserve this indispensa- ble element ; but they might be dispensed with without any detriment to the interests of agricul- ture. The reviewer does not seem to be fully ap- prised of the importance of this discovery, nor of the superior advantages which his cattle possess, and by which their intrinsic value is greatly en- hanced. For they must be essentially different in their physical organization from the ordinary kinds, and are a thousand times more valuable than the most improved breeds of the British Isles, or those of any other country known to us — there may be such in the unexplored regions of the antarctic circle. All other kinds, however, with which we are acquainted, are consumers, instead of being producers of nitrogen — while these are endowed with some peculiar and extraordinary power of di- gestion, by which their physical organism is ena- bled to create and return to the earth in their de- jections, nearly seven pounds of this important clement for every pound of it which is introduced into their systems in the food consumed. A small stock of such cattle as these upon each farm in our country, with an adequate supply of wheat straw, would, in a very "few years, make all the barren old fields of America richer in nitrogenized substances than the fertile valley of the Nile. But, unfortunately for this theory, the researches of physiologists have abundantly proved, by well conducted and satisfactory experiments, that the animal body is absolutely incapable of creating an elementary substance, such as carbon or nitrogen; and finally, that no nitrogen is absorbed from the atmosphere in the vital process. Whence, then, is t£ie excess of this element* derived by cattle fed ^^wheat straw 1 We have seen that it could the cattle^ 11 aDsor bed from the air, neither could tion; beeausVe^ te( J. j* b ^ the P ro . cess of diges- in direct conflict w f t {; these conclusions would be tion. How, then, is this° se^ ra \ la ^ s of 1 . nu S 1 " mystery to be solved 1 Simpl^ inexplicable correctness of the conclusions, to "wn en 2 "^ viewer has arrived by his elaborate calcula.fi J.t" For a theory that involves the singular absurdity, of ascribing to the excretions of an animal, more than six times as much of the chief element of nutrition as was contained in the food to which it was indebted for its subsistence, is not only oppos- ed to the dictates of reason, but is subversive of the laws of nature. May we not respectfully sug- gest, that a theory which stultifies itself contemns the universal experience of mankind, and makes such a foul infraction of the laws of nutrition, has somewhat the appearance of an " oddity let loose — a theory run mad," or rather a mad theory, in the sense in which the ancients were accustomed to de- fine anger. If the reviewer's calculations were correct, and we question not their accuracy, his premises must have been wrong. The latter, no doubt, was the source of the fallacy by which he was entangled in this singular paradox. If he will review his review, he may probably find that the data upon which he based his calculations are altogether ir- relevant to the question at issue. In short, we sus- pect that the cow whose solid excrements furnished two and a half per cent, of nitrogen by the analy- sis of Boussingault, instead of being fed upon wheat straw alone (a substance containing but three- tenths of one per cent, of this element) w£fe sup- plied with clover and oil-cake ad libitum, substan- ces very rich in azatized principles — the latter containing some 5 or 6 per cent, of nitrogen. Of course the dejections of any two animals of the same species, supplied with food possessing such different qualities, would, upon analysis, present a very marked difference in their composition. And it is well known, that the animals themselves, after the lapse of a few weeks, would present a differ- ence in their external appearance no less striking. The one furnished with a sufficiency of food, rich in azatized and carbonaceous compounds, would speedily improve its condition. The muscles and all the organic tissues would undergo a rapid de- velopment, and a large accumulation of fat would be deposited in the cellular tissue. The other be- ing fed upon wheat straw, a substance containing less than one-half of one per cent, of organized nitrogen, would not derive sufficient nutriment from its food to maintain its condition — the mus- cles and cellular tissue would shrink away, and the blood and fat, and all the parts of the body ca- pable of entering into the state of motion, would be consumed in furnishing auxiliary support to the vital process ; and if no better nourishment than wheat straw was supplied, the animal would perish from starvation, after a time more or less prolonged. It is well known that a certain amount of organ- ized nitrogen in the food of animals, is indispensa- ble to the maintenance of health and the continu- ance of life. The small quantity of this element found in wheat straw is insufficient for these pur- poses, and animals confined to this kind of food alone, would inevitably perish in a few months — the time being more or less protracted according to the condition of the animals when placed upon it, and other collateral circumstances. The amount of nitrogen which may be contained in any given quantity of wheat straw, is consumed by the pro- cess of digestion — or in other words, it is assimilat- ed; that is, it is converted into an integral part of the animal body. And the small quantity of this element contained in straw is insufficient to repair the daily waste occurring in the organized tissues ; much less to impart two and a half per cent, to the excretions. And yet we are informed that the pro- fh ~V of digestion a«id» seven hundred per cent, to the fem\v, m g power of wheat straw. And the ad- vocate of this ivveory also informs us that this im- pression is very prevalent, so prevalent that he hopes Mr. E., distinguished for good manage- ment, yields, in his practice at least, to the pre- vailing impression." If such an impression does prevail to the extent supposed, it indicates a la- mentable and wide-spread ignorance in relation to one of the most interesting processes of animated nature. And any experiments having a tendency to dispel this delusion, might be acceptable to th« reviewer and all those who concur with him in promulgating an opinion that comes in direct con- flict with the established laws of nutrition. With this view, Ave will present them with the leading results of an experiment reported in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and we will endeavor to condense our remarks as much as may be compatible with a full apprehension of THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 167 the different analyses. The experiment was insti- tuted mainly for the purpose of ascertaining the quantity of mineral substances which become fix- ed or converted into an integral part of the animal frame in a given time. The amount of organized nitrogen assimilated during the same interval, was also ascertained and reported. The subject of the experiment was a calf 6 months old, in good con- dition and in full growth, such being the circum- stances in which the process of assimilation is re- garded to be the most rapid and complete. Dur- ing the two days the calf was made the subject of experiment, it ate 19 pounds of hay, having been supplied with this fodder ad libitum for several days previously. In- the course of the first day the caif voided 21 pounds of solid excrement, discard- ing fractions, and the second day 20 pounds, mak- ing 41 pounds in the two days; which being dried, was reduced to 7 pounds. During the two days 5 pounds of brine were excreted, the animal having drunk, in the same interval, 45 pints of water. Analysis ascertained in the food consumed, discard- ing fractions, 69 half drachms of nitrogen, and in the solid and liquid excrements together, 54 half drachms. As the hay consumed contained 69 half drachms of nitrogen, and the excretions 54 half drachms of this element, it is clear that the differ- ence between them (16 half drachms) is the amount of organized nitrogen assimilated, or converted in to an integral part of the animal organism during the period of 48 hours. Analysis likewise discov ered 868 half drachms of mineral matter in the hay consumed, and 252 half drachms in the de- jections. The difference between them (76 half drachms) is the amount of mineral substances fix- ed in the body of the calf in the course of two days. From this investigation into the nutrition of a calf, it is apparent that a considerable proportion of the organic and inorganic elements of the food is assimilated, and serves, for a time, as an integral part of the mysterious structure. If the animal organism was not endowed with the power of as- similating the elements of nutrition, presented in the various articles of food, no animal would be capable of prolonging its existence beyond a lim- ited period of a very few days. In fact, this is the primary object in supplying them with food, in or- der that they may convert such parts of it as may be adapted to the purposes of nutrition, into an integral part of their organization, and thus make it contribute to their preservation. • A regular supply of certain substances, (com- monly called animal food,) and a constant supply of oxygen in the form of atmospheric air, are the primary conditions essential to the maintenance of animal life. All the substances contained in ani- mal food are divided by physiologists into two great classes — the nitrogenized and the non-nitro- genized. The nitrogenized substances are the ali- ments proper, and these serve for the nutrition and reproduction of the body. The non-nitrogenized substances serve a very different purpose in the animal economy — that is, they minister to the sup- port of respiration, and they have nothing to do with nutrition, any further than the process of di- gestion converts them into the form best adapted to the support of respiration and the evolution of ani- mal heat. The nitrogenized substances are vegetable fi- brine, vegetable albumen, vegetable caseine, and animal flesh. All these nitrogenized products are into the animal system, are capable of being con- verted into blood, and the blood thus formed is capable of being converted into muscular fibre, in- to cellular tissue, and into every part of the body, which is the seat of the vital principle. The non-nitrogenized substances are starch, gum, sugar, butter, fat, oil, beer, wine, and the whole catalogue of alcoholic liquors. All these substan- ces are carbonaceous — they are destitute of nitro- gen, and consequently possess no power of nutri- tion. They are designed to subserve a different, though not less important purpose in the animal economy. The carbon which they contain, when introduced Jhito the system in the form of food or drink, enters into combination with the oxygen absorbed* into the blood from the atmosphere by the respiratory organs, and fulfils the two-fold pur- pose of supporting respiration and maintaining ani- mal heat. And here, we can but admire the dis- play of creative wisdom by which results so differ- ent and important are accomplished, at one and the same time, by an agent so simple. At every expiration, and during every moment of life, a certain amount of carbon is separated from the animal body, and having entered into combination with oxygen, is exhaled into the at- mosphere in the form of carbonic acid. According to the experiments of Boussingault, a milch cow exhales 70f ounces of carbon in twenty-four hours. If this element is not supplied in the food the pro- cess of respiration cannot be sustained, and the de- velopment of animal heat will be arrested. As it frequently happens, that animals are unavoidably deprived of food for a time more or less prolonged, nature has made a temporary provision for the oc- currence of such casualties. This provision con- sists in the fat deposited in the cellular tissue. The carbon of the fat (fat is a compound of carbon and hydrogen) at every inspiration, combines with the oxygen absorbed into the circulation, and the oxydized product, in the form of carbonic acid, is expelled from the system during every expiration. The supply of carbon from this source would soon be exhausted, and then the muscles or fleshy part of the animal would begin to yield up that portion of this element which forms a component part of their structure, in order to furnish support to this vital process, which cannot be suspended, even for a few minutes, without fatal consequences. But as before, the supply of carbon derived from this source is soon consumed, and if food be any long- er withheld, the other organic tissues, whose inte- grity is essential to the maintenance of life, begin to yield up their portion of this element, and this process goes on until the particles of the brain be- gin to be oxydized, and life is extinguished. Bodily exercise increases the consumption of carbon, and consequently the demand for food. Every movement of the body, and every emotion of the mind, accelerates the waste of the organic tissues, and consequently mental as well as physi- cal exercise, creates an increased demand for those elements adapted to the reproduction of the animal organism. All experience teaches that a regular supply of food is essential to the preservation of life. That an animal has no power to create any one element of nutrition or respiration requisite to preserve its organization, is a fact no less true; and yet it is far less generally recognised. The vegetable or- ganism only, has the power of creating nutritious products; and from vegetables only, every such identical in their composition, and when introduced » product is originally derived. In this regard, they 168 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER occupy an intermediate position between the min- eral and animal kingdoms. They form the con- necting link between them. To sever this link, would produce an universal famine. Vegetables are capable of deriving their nourishment from in- organic nature — that is, from the mineral elements in their natural state-. In the process of their growth these elements enter into the living struc- ture of plants, and are transformed by the vital power of the vegetable organism into organized products. Some of these organized products are adapted to the nourishment of animals. The nitro- gcnized product, which is the first and only sab- stance cajmble of affording nutriment t$> animals, is the last product of the creative power oT vege- table life. This product is found in the greatest abundance in the seeds of the cerealia, in the juices of the culinary vegetables, and more or less in every species of plants. Having furnished this product, which is the last effort of their creative energy, they decay and give place to a new gene- ration of vegetables. Thus one generation is made to succeed another in a never-ending series, but not before they have fulfilled the great purpose for which they are designed in the economy of na- ture. E. C. W. Pittsylvania, Va. For the Southern Planter. THE ESTATE OF DR. JOHN B. HARVIE. Report on Fighting Creek Farm — published by order of the Pov:hatan Agricultural Club. Your committee, appointed to report on the farm of Dr. John B. Harvie, (called Fighting Creek,) beg leave in discharge of that duty to present the following : The Fighting Creek farm, containing about 2000 acres of land, came into the possession of its pre- sent proprietor about ten years ago. The greater oual?n of it was originally land of the very best of a mie v ci ts lie igh*> 01 "l 10 od. The soil consisting ino- to' carrv J& te loam > was sufficiently undulat- steep to admit of eTs/ ur f )lus water > and , not to ° presenting a fine southern convenient cultivation, This fine estate under the sys\l tern exposure, which for the last half century had so ™ ltlv "fj? n face of this portion of Virginia, came nwS. :J e share of abuse. A large portion of it had been worn out, and turned out to the guardian care of the old field pines. The beautiful slopes present- ing themselves to the streams, exhibited innumera- ble gullies, and could be cultivated only in patches. The flat lands, of which there is a large portion on this estate, were in a very unproductive condition, in consequence of the very imperfect manner in which they had been attempted to be drained. Under these circumstances, it passed into the hands of its present proprietor at a mere nominal price, compared with its present value. It now presents a striking contrast with its former appear- ance, and illustrates the practicability of making valuable many of our worn out and gullied farms. This improvement has been accomplished under the five field rotation. Deep tillage, a liberal use of clover and plaster, together with an unremitting attentiou to every source from which manure could be made or collected, the farm yard, the hog-stye, the sheep-fold, the hen-roost : nothing in the shape of manure, or that could be converted into manure has escaped his vigilance. The water from the hill sides, which used to find its way to the streams through deforming gullies, has been taught to fol- low the meanderings of the graded ditch, and dis- charge itself harmlessly into the streams which are contained within spacious ditches. The flat land in which water was used to stagnate and sour, re- paying but scantily the labor of its former propri- etors, have, by a system of under draining, been converted into arable lands of surpassing fertility, producing corn, wheat and tobacco in highly remu- nerating crops. A more particular detail of the rotation under the five field system before alluded to, may not be* uninteresting to the Club. Beginning first with the corn and tobacco crops : the tobacco lot is always located in the corn shift and made every year on a fresh site, thereby bringing by means of manure a new portion of land into a high state of productive- ness — and by consequence, in a succession of years, manuring the whole field to the point of profitable productiveness in tobacco. By this means, the whole surface under hoe crop is thrown together in one field and under one enclosure; thereby avoiding much of the annoyance of minding stock, and the consequent destruction of crop from their depredations. Wheat and oats follow the corn and tobacco crops. The land being nrepared in the most thorough manner, every gall and abraded place having a careful top dressing of weeds, briars or other rubbish of the fields, and in the absence of these, of wheat straw. This is regarded as an operation of vital importance. It protects the wheat from being thrown out by the frosts of win- ter, and the young clover from the deleterious effects of a summer drought, thereby insuring a stand of that improver which is an object of para- mount importance. After the wheat is harvested these gullied spots are revisited again in fall, or early winter, and re- plenished with another covering similar to the first, and the summer following without the application of one particle of manure they exhibit the most luxuriant spots of clover in the field. This brings us to the third year when the clover is deeply and thoroughly turned in, preparatory for wheat. This fallow is then carefully pulverized by means of a heavy drag, applied until the land is in a sufficient state of comminution -to receive the grain, it is then streaked off with a coulter, seeded, and a sever? tooth harrow drawn by two horses passed "»«r it, followed by the drag ; the grips and fur- rows ^ oe iy opened and the abraded places care- luuy covei^ as before> The next year when the wheat is cut, it is gWned by hog other stock be- ing kept oft, m order to a\io W the field to have the full benefit of the cover which tho fall weeds and grasses will afford it. The fifth and last year of the series, it is closely grazed by all the stock of the farm, and they are penned on that portion of the field which will constitute the tobacco lot of the following year, which is the beginning of the new series. This system is a lenient one, and under its ope- ration very decided improvement has been effected wherever it has been adopted and pursued system- atically, anterior to the use of guano and without its co-operation. Since the introduction of this great fertilizer, a new impetus has been given to agricultural production and improvement, and we may confidently hope for results commensurate with our wants and wishes. THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 169 In our ride over this farm we saw much to ad- mire and approve, and but little or nothing to con- demn. The buildings are well adapted to the ends for which they were designed, and in a perfect state of preservation. From the mansion to the pigeon house, every thing seemed to be accommodated suitably to its wants. The fencing enclosures of all kinds were strong and substantial. The corn crop, which was being housed, seemed to be abun- dant; the clover fields well set; the orchard exhi- bited a thrifty and healthy appearance, and com- prised a choice variety of fruit. The wheat field seemed to have been prepared with great neatness and skill, and the portion of the crop that was up, looked healthy and vigorous. The tobacco crop, of which we saw but one sam- ple, did not compare favorably with the Doctor's former crops, which is attributable to his wishing to improve a piece of poor land at the sacrifice of his tobacco crop. We saw a remarkably fine pen of fat hogs, about seventy in number, which spoke well for the Doctor's system of hog raising; the details of which, as it is an important subject m these times of high prices for pork, we hope he will furnish to the Club. The servants, the horses, the cattle, the sheep, all showed a master's care. This farm is worked by twenty hands, and its ave- rage of sale crops for the past three or four years has been about two hundred dollars to the hand. The surface under cultivation about 750 acres. And while these results have been obtained, a pro- fuse and generous supply of all the substantial of good living have been consumed on the farm. We cannot close this report without saying to our friend (the Doctor) "Well done!" and recom- mending his system of farming to the favorable consideration of our Club. Signed, Hilary Harris, William Ligon. For the Southern Planter. HOW IS THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF VIR- GINIA TO BE PLACED UPON A PERMANENT AND SELF-SUSTAINING BASIS? It is presumed, Mr. Editor, that the zealous- minded men who started this enterprise, and who have labored long and hard in bringing it to its present hopeful condition, have never dreamed for a moment of establishing any thing short of a per- manent Society— one that shall not only promise well, but by well directed efforts, constantly nut forth through an indefinite series of years, answer fully the hopes of its founders, as well as the rea- sonable expectations of the people of the State It is true, the great and good work has progressed too far to be abandoned, but has it gone far enough to be said to possess all the elements of vitality, with that inherent vigor and energy which are at once the indispensable requisites and pledges of a lon<* and prosperous career? It has progressed far enough indeed, to demonstrate that it can finally be consummated ; but has it progressed far enough (if we may borrow the figure) to fling its canvas to the breeze, and start on its merciful voyage of prosperity and plenty and happiness ? Are all the timbers of the good ship tight and close— her orh- cers and crew properly provided for— all the tackle and other furniture on board necessary for an in- definite cruise on a boundless sea? These are deeply important questions, and need well considered affirmative replies, before the inqui- ry at the head of our article can cease to be the prime question with all who wish success to the undertaking. Now, as a friend and member of the Society, we venture to suggest one defect in its or- ganization, which, if not remedied, and remedied speedily, will inevitably, in our humble judgment, bring about the failure of the whole scheme. We do not allude to any thing that has been done, but to what has been left undone. So far as we are ac- quainted with the history of its proceedings, they commend themselves to our judgment. "So far so good." But there is in its constitution a lack that must be supplied, as we humbly conceive, in order to secure permanently that prompt, energet- ic and faithful administration of its affairs, which is the only guaranty in any human association, constrained or voluntary, against premature decay and dissolution. We allude to the absence of any provision for a just compensation to the officers of the Society. The Secretary is the only officer, we believe, who receives any thing for his services. This is just and reasonable. But why should not the others be compensated for their time, and tal- ents and labor, also? That the Secretary has the most arduous duties to perform, is a very good reason why he should be amply remunerated; but surely the fact furnishes no argument to prove that those who perform a less amount of duty, should not receive a corresponding amount of pay. It will not do to say, that the officers would not consent to receive such compensation, if it were provided— the honor of pioneering and aiding m so Glorious an enterprise is a sufficient reward for the°high and patriotic mind. The connection be- tween labor and its appropriate wages is too close to be severed by a momentary enthusiasm, or the laudable ambition of helping forward a noble work. We doubt not that the worthy gentlemen— the present incumbents— have partaken as largely as any of us in the general enthusiasm, and are as entirely under the influence of those generous im- pulses, which usually accompany lofty purposes and great occasions. But they must pass away— the enthusiasm of a first and successful effort must come to an end, even if it be not followed by a cor- responding and equal reaction of public feelmg— while the noblest and purest ambition will tire m the continued performance of gratuitous, and it may be, thankless services. - # . Nor will it do to say, that the Society does not po^ess the funds adequate to carry on its necessa- ry operations, and at the same time provide sala- ries for some 15 officers or more. This may be so, but then is it not greatly to be feared that the So- ciety has not the funds requisite to place itself m an enduring and self-supporting position ? It may possibly require some $40,000 or $50,000 to be added to its present capital, to enable it to compass this object. Then we can only say, that the Soci- ety still wants that amount of funds to complete its proper organization. And we are^eady, so far as we are concerned, to contribute our mite toward making up the sum. But it is no part of our purpose, at present, to attempt to furnish any project for raising the ne- cessary funds, or for determining the amount or distribution of the compensation. We willingly submit these questions to wiser and more experi- enced heads. Our object will be fully accomplish- ed if we succeed in calling the attention of the members generally, and of the Executive Commit- tee particularly, to this subject, which, in our judg- 170 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. ment, more intimately concerns the perpetuity and ultimate well being of the Society, than any other connected with it. It may be that, for the present, the Society can only make provision for the pay- ment of necessary expenses incurred by those offi- cers who attend the meetings of the Executive Committee. Yet it should ever keep before it the necessity of providing, at some future time, for the just compensation of those who labor in its patri- otic cause. This is the sine qua non condition, which is to insure the Society against an epheme- ral and fitful existence, and guarantee the fulfil- ment of its great destiny, and cause generations to come to pronounce its founders emphatically the greatest benefactors of the Old Dominion. A Member of the Society. FARMS IMPROVED BY KEEPING SHEEP. Citizens of Wool growing districts, as parts of Washington and Fayette counties, are familiar with the rapid improvement of "Sheep farms," by sheep grazing alone. It is the belief of many whose opinions have been formed by observation and experience, that, by placing as large a flock of sheep on a poor farm as the land will sustain, and in five years, without any other means, it will be comparatively rich. Were this fact more generally known, it might change the husbandry of consid- erable portions of this State, the lands of which are better adapted to wool growing, than grain growing, to say nothing of remoteness from pro- duce markets. The following quotations from the Transactions of the Norfolk Agricultural Society which we find in the Wool Grower, are worthy of consideration : " A man having a small farm, formerly kept for- ty sheep, four cows and one horse, and had food enough for them the year round. The price of wool falling, he sold his sheep, and for a number of years has kept other stock altogether. He now keeps but three cows and one horse tbe year round, and pastures two cows extra through the summer, ther very little ha y — not * ialf enou g n t0 keep ano- TOnwinrTi ^ e * ias tne same amount of pasture and not look near as wefl*?^* it SsedT rai" turnips among tho.com for it l\ v l ! sect f . ra * se tar, and gave them besides, a fe^tll^Jl^ The lambs, however, more than paid for in, °* + , ' feed. * xtra "Another farmer, for a great number of years, kept about sixty sheep, eight or nine cows, (or other stock equal,) one pair of oxen and one horse. After keeping the sheep for a number of years, he found he could then keep as large a stock on his farm with the sixty sheep, as he could keep with- out them before; showing that they had improved the farm to furnish their own support. To stock a farm entirely* with sheep would not be so profitable as to keep a limited number — yet it would pay as well as other stock. The object is to keep enough to consume that part of the vegetation peculiarly fitted to sheep; and which other stock will not eat, adding, at the same time, enriching elements to the pastures and yards by their manure. It is the opinion of many farmers, that pastures for other stock may be improved by keeping a smali flock of sheep upon them a portion of the time, and the opinion seems fairly supported both by reason and experiment. " — Pennsylvania Farm Journal. From Chambers' Journal. STEAM AMONG THE FARMERS. Those who visit Christmas cattle shows, sun- ply in a gazing frame of mind, do justice nei- ther to themselves nor to the show. There is something more to do than to admire fat pigs which cannot see out of their eyes, and fat sheep which look more silly even than lean sheep, and fat bullocks which measure an unlimited number of yards round the body. Unless a man roams also among the agricultural implements, he can- not rightly judge a matter which is well worthy of attention — the wonderful energy and activity of the farmers since the repeal of the corn-laws. It is no part of our business to dilate upon po- litical combats, but it is unquestionably a part of every Englishman's business to know that the agriculturists are bravely "putting their shoulders to the wheel," and applying all mo- dern improvements in furtherance of their la- bors. The gradual spread in the use of steam- power is not among the least remarkable of these appliances. A year or two ago, we hap- pened to meet with a " Song of Steam" in an American newspaper; the name of the writer does not appear ; but we feel inclined to reprint here three of the stanzas, partly because there is really a dash of sparkle and spirit about them, and partly because we must beg that farming operations should in future be included in some measure among the labors of steam. "In the darksome depths of the fathomless mine My tireless arm doth play, Where the rocks ne'er saw the sun decline, Or the dawn of the glorious day. I bring earth's glittering jewels up From the hidden cave bek>w, And I make the fountain's granite cup With a crystal gush overflow. "I blow the bellows, I forge the steel In all the shops of trade ; I hammer the ore and turn the wheel Where my arms of strength are made. T manage the furnace, the mill, the mint; I Ctov y J S pi n , I weave; And all my aoi n nrs I put into print On every Saturday eve. " I've no muscle to weary, no breast to decav, No bones to be ' laid on the shelf;' And soon I intend you may all go and play While I manage the world by myself. But harness me down with your iron bands, Be sure of your curb and rein ; For I scorn the strength of your puny hands, As the tempest scorns a chain." Without going so far as to expect that we may all "go and play," while steam manages the world by itself, we may undoubtedly expect that many hard and laborious kinds of field labor will, more and more every year, be ef- THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 171 |r fected by steam, which has " no muscle to weary, no breast to decay." We have only to look at the groups of implements and machines pro- ceeding from the well known firms of Ransome, Wedlake, Garrett, Crosskill, Hornsby, Dray, &c; or to look through the lists and catalogues of those manufacturers; the evidence of the fact becomes then very apparent. Let us very briefly glance at the matter. Here are the productions of Messrs. Clayton and Shuttleworth of Lincoln, among which, a three horse-power portable steam engine is con- spicuous. This compact affair is shaped some- thing like a locomotive; it weighs about a ton and a half, and its provender consists of three hundred" weights of coal, and 270 gallons of water per day of ten hours. With this moving power, it will thresh out twenty quarters of corn per day; and when it has done its work in one barn or threshingfloor, a horse will easily draw it to another. Similar engines are made of four, five, six, seven, eight and nine horse- power, all presenting this analogy — that the number of horse-power produced is about equal to the number of hundred weights of coal con- sumed in a working day of ten hours — a con- venient rule for estimating the efficiency of the power. The larger of these portable steam- engines require two horses to draw them from place to place; but in return for this, they will thresh out a larger quantity of corn per day, and become applicable also to grinding, sowing, pumping, and other operations necessary on a large farm. The seventy horse engine is large enough to be made available for a remarkable system which has sprung up in some districts — namely, the letting out of steam-poiver; a porta- ble steam-engine travels about from farm to farm, doing the threshing and sowing, and grind- ing and pumping for each in succession — a sys- tem susceptible of wonderful expansion. Then there are fixed steam-engines for farm work, of four to ten horse-power each. Another inge- nious apparatus is a portable threshing machine. This is not a steam-engine, but a capacious ve- hicle on four wheels, having threshing mecha- nism within, and pulleys and bands on the out- side to enable it to be worked by a steam-en- gine, either portable or fixed. The facilities thus afforded are remarkable; for you may either take the steam-engine to thresh, or bring the corn to be threshed, according to the ar- rangements of the farm. The corn is bundled into the vehicle; the steam-power commences its activity, and revolving arms proceed to thresh out the grain with great rapidity. In one form of the machine, the whole of the process of threshing, straw-shaking, riddling, winnowing and bolting, are performed by steam-power, and in their proper order. How there must be cer- tain revolving arms, and certain revolving cylin- ders, and certain wriggling or vibrating troughs, will be evident to those who consider the nature of these operations. Then there are straw- shaking machines, and corn-grinding mills, and bone- crushing mills, all worked by steam-power, and all applicable to farm-labor. Here are Messrs. Dray's portable steam- engines; and here Messrs. Hornsby 's; and here Messrs. Garrett's, and Messrs. Barret's, and Messrs. Ransome's; and so on. The relative merits of each and the trade competition be- tween them, we have nothing to do with here. The great point is to know that there are a dozen firms or more manufacturing these pow- erful aids to agriculture. Some excel in the rapidity with which steam is got up; while others excel in the amount of horse-power pro- duced by the consumption of a given weight of coal. The Royal Agricultural Society was mainly instrumental in bringing forward the moveable steam-engines for farms, in the interval between 1841 and 1851. Mr. Pusey, a great authority on all these matters, has thus noticed the ad- vantages of portable over fixed engines for farm-work: "If a farm be a large one, and especially if, as is often the case, it be of an irregular shape, there is great waste of labor for horses and men in bringing home all the corn in the straw to one point, and in again carrying out the dung to a distance of perhaps two or three miles ; it is therefore common, and should be general, to have a second outlying yard; and this accommodation cannot be re- conciled with a fixed engine. If the farm be of a moderate size, it will hardly — and if small, will certainly not — bear the expense of a fixed engine ; there would be waste of capital in mul- tiplying fixed engines to be worked but a few days in each year. It is now common, there- fore, in some counties, for a man to invest a small capital in a movable engine, and earn his livelihood.by letting it out to the farmer. But there is a further advantage in these movable engines, little, I believe, if at all known. Hi- therto, corn has been threshed under cover in barns; but with these engines, and the im- proved threshing-machines, we can thresh the rick in the open air at once as it stands. It will be said : How can you thresh out of doors on a wet day ? The answer is simple : neither can you move the rick into your barn on a wet day; and so rapid is the work of the new threshing-machines, that it takes no more time to thresh the corn than to move it." But steam does something more than this for the farmer : it helps to make pipes for drain- .. I 172 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. ing his land; and it helps to steam potatoes and other roots as fodder for animals ; and it helps to plough his land — although it must be owned that ploughing-machines have not yet come much into use. In respect to steaming potatoes for pigs, it has been remarked that even diseased potatoes, if not too far gone, by being thus treated may be rendered wholesome, and may be stored up for months. If the visitor to a cattle-show, who spends a reasonable time in the implement-galleries or yards, would choose to extend his thoughts a little from steam among the farmers, to ma- chinery among the farmers, he would soon find how wonderfully the use of such machinery has spread within the last few years. In nearly every thing which can be called a machine in respect to farming, one of these three things is observable — that a man turns a handle, that a horse exerts its pulling force, or that a steam- engine puts forth its multiform power; and it is only those who have watched the progress of recent improvement, who can form even a guess of the wide extent to which the simple hand-instruments — such as the spade, the rake, the hoe, the dibble, the flail, &c. — have been superseded on large farms by skilfully con- structed machines. The old ploughs, with wheels and gallows required four horses to draw them; but two horses can now do as much work with a plough of lighter and more scien- tific construction. The old harrows had their tines or teeth at a definite distance apart; but our farmers can now obtain expanding harrows, ^jjhieh can be adapted to the state of the land. tree-trui>£°± lers ' in many cases, were simply shape, having 1 ? fasnion ed into cylindrical rough materials to sif^"™* } oad f* with we have iron rollers, whicft ™^ t b f ^ n ™ The old farmers were wont to atteL^ ° reVei " times hopelessly, to break heavy clods oy™ 6 " alternate use of the roller and the harrow; but the farmers of the new school have now their powerful and efficient clod-crusher^, whereby turnip-land can be prepared for corn with cele- rity and success. The old plough was expected to do more work than it could do well; but the scarifiers, and grubbers, and cultivators of the present day are analogous to a large party of ploughs, all working at once, whereby a large per centage of horse-power is saved. The old seed-lip and dibble deposited the seed very slowly; but the modern drill docs this with astonishing quickness; and not only so, but it will even deposit manure and water with the seed in the hollows made for its reception. The old hoc was " slow," both figuratively and re- ally; but the modern horse-hoe is a compound of four, six, or eight hoes at once, each working more quickly than the original hand-implement. The old sickle was the only instrument used by our fathers and grandfathers for cutting corn; but the M'Cormicks, and Husseys, and Bells have shown us what can be done by reaping- machines. The old rake was the only imple- ment for gathering stray hay and corn; but the modern horse-rake will do the same work ten or twenty times as rapidly. The old hay- fields exhibited simply the handicraft labor which supplied so many Daphnes and Colins to the pastoral poets ; but the haymaking-ma- chines now give a different aspect to the affair. The old carts and wagons in which the farmer conveyed his produce from the field to the barn, and from thence to market, were a terrible drag to the horses ; but now, like clippers on another element, they weigh less, carry more, and move more quickly. The old flail beat about the corn in a rude way on the barn-floor; but the new threshing-machine enables either horses or steam to do the work more conveniently and more expeditiously. The old process of win- nowing left the wind to blow away the chaff in a blind and capricious manner ; but the modern winnowing-machines have such a discriminating power, that they can separate the grain into "good corn," "good tail," "tail," "whites," " screenings," and "chaff," thus enabling the farmer to carry to market, produce, the quality of which can be exactly determined. The sheep and lambs of old days had to munch away at whole turnips, as' best they might ; but the mo- dern turnip-cutter, by presenting the root in nice mouthfuls, economises the muscular power of the animal, and gives him an increased value in the market. The old chaff was cut by hand, with a sort of chopping or guillotine action; but the chaff-cutters now made, perform the work with far greater celerity. The old farmers drained their land, if at all, by using hand-made ***, and pipes laid in hand-made grooves and gutters , ^ u1t ^ e new f armers can rea p the ad- vantages ot Wo ingenious tile-machines, and can lay down the pi ptJO by the still more m nious drammg-plough. Nay, not only do farmers now display all this ability, but they have actually become po- etical, which the world in general is perhaps not aware of. That Messrs. Moses and Hyam, as Messrs. Warren and Day & Martin formerly did, throw around their business proceedings a halo of poetry, every body knows; but it has, until lately, been new to us that an agricultural implement-maker thinks it worth his while to lisp in numbers; and as it is not to be sup- posed that he would bring ploughs and poetry together, unless the farmers were pleased there SOUTHERN PLANTER (1841) Vol. 14 1854 Missing pages: 173-180 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 181 ave free access to the salt and clay from the first f April or May, until the commencement of the dnter. Try it, Messrs. Readers of the Planter, and think you will find this prescription no humbug. W. R. H. Danville, May 30, 1854. For the Southern Planter. TO ERADICATE SASSAFRAS. Mr. Editor,— I notice that in the Schedule of Premiums to be awarded at the coming State Agri- cultural Fair, $30 are offered for the best mode of lestroying Sassafras bushes. I feel persuaded ;hat I have discovered the most effective mode, md as I am desirous that it should be resorted to generally, I now state, that from ten years' experi- ence, I find that a handfull of salt thrown at the root of each bush, or if they stand very thick, a pretty heavy broadcast of salt, if applied during the month of May, and in a field that is to be pas- tured that season, will most effectually eradicate it. One of the fields on the farm I now occupy was greatly infested with them when I came in possession of it, and it is now so entirely clear of it, that it would be difficult to get enough for a cup of Tea. Yours respectfully, P. D. Vknable. Wheatland, April blh, 1854. The above was overlooked for May. We publish it now, thinking that June cannot be too late for those who choose to try the experiment.— Ed. So. Planter. We have no acquaintance with the joint worm, and hope never to have; and, knowing you, Mr. Edi- tor, to be familiar with it, I have taken the liberty of sending you this, to dispose of as you please. Yours very respectfully, NATH'L. M. OSBORNE. Cabin Point, April 23d, 1854. The insect referred to above is not the joint worm; but, from the very brief account given, would seem more nearly to resemble the Hessian fly, which we have no doubt it was. In that as- pect, the communication of our friend, Dr. Os- borne, is important as fixing the date of the first recorded appearance of that enemy. For the Southern Planter. INSECTS IN WHEAT AND OATS IN 1769, AND 1755. 1732 Mr. Editor— In the Complete Farmer, publish- ed in London in 1769, I find the following, under the head Insect : "Among others, a small kind of worm gets into the roots, chiefly of oats, and working upwards, destroy all the inside of the. plant, which perishes soon after. M. Duhamel suspects it to have been an insect of this kind that destroyed vast quanti- ties of wheat near Genesee, and of which M. de Chateauvieux sent him the following account: ' Our wheat, ' says that illustrious husbandman, ' m the month of May, 1755, sustained a loss, which even that cultivated according to the new husbandry, did not escape. We found in it many little white worms, which afterwards became of a chestnut color. ' They post themselves between the blades, and eat the stems. They are usually found be- tween the first joint and the roots. Every stalk attacked grew no more, but became yellow and withered. The same misfortune befel us in the year 1732. . ■ "These insects appeared about the middle of May, and made such havoc that the crop was al- most destroyed.' " , , ■ I was induced to look into the work alluded to, at the request of my friend, Mr. Wm. B. Harrison, in order to ascertain if anything like the joint worm could be found, as far back as its publica- tion. The above is the result of my investigation. For the Southern Planter. WRITE FOR THE PLANTER. Mr. Planter,— Cannot you induce your numer- ous readers to be more liberal in their communica- tions to the pages of your valuable periodical, and thereby enlighten the fraternity in this age of pro- gress, on some improved system of agriculture ] I am frequently surprised that the farming commu- nity are so negligent in this respect, by withhold- ing information that might be of paramount im- portance to their brother farmers, and aid in de- veloping the growing interest and onward tenden- cy of agriculture. Two or more farmers in a neighborhood experi- ment with common or artificial manures; some succeed well, whilst others make a failure; and these experiments are probably not known beyond the circle of the neighborhood; whereas, they should be reported in the pages of the Planter that others may avoid the erroneous, and adopt the suc- cessful plan. It is this mutual interchange of ex- periments that the farmers are in courtesy, if not in duty, bound to afford each other, that our noble calling may advance with a stride hitherto un- kn0Wn - W. R. H. P. S.— The great scarcity of plants is such, that we may safely predict another short tobacco crop. W. R. H. For the Southern Planter. ON THE APPLICATION OF GUANO FOR CORN. Mr. Editor,— I have been using this manure for several years, in various ways on the corn crop: viz. in the hill, drill and broadcast. I tried these several ways to ascertain the best mode of appli- cation, as well as to improve and benefit the land, and make the best crops. I laid off a piece of land, say three acres: on the first I put about 200 lbs. per acre ; on the second about the same quantity ; on the last broadcast about 150 lbs. per acre ; all of it being poor, but originally good, of a soft gray nature. The first named experiment, the guano in hills and drills, grew off finely at first, and pro- mised to be very superior— but usually there is a pinch upon corn about making time, and at that time it began to fade, and made but a very mode- rate yield; that in the drill about the same result; that sowed broadcast made a most excellent crop, and yielded about double. I would say to my bro- 182 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER ther farmers, never use guano any other way than broadcast, except for vegetables. The time of ap- plication, from experiment, is the first weeding of the corn. Sow two rows at a time, just ahead of the ploughs. When sown broadcast it improves the land more generally, and prepares it for small grain. I am now using from 200 to 300 lbs. to the acre. I prefer 300 lbs., because you will be enabled to get two crops from the same manuring. I would say more about the mode of culture, but deem it unnecessary. In conclusion, I would re- mark for the benefit of practical men, that if there is any merit in my suggestions, the plan is easy and can be adopted by the great body of planters. Edwin J. Redd. Prince Edward, May 16, 1854. For the Southern Planter. SALTPETRE AS A MANURE. Mr. Editor, — On reading in the last number of the "Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society" the experiments of the president on cubic saltpetre as a manure, I was struck with the unsatisfactory nature of a portion of them, and of the conclusions derived from them. In the "American Agricul- turist" of May 16th, in an extract from an address before the Highland Agricultural Society, Dr. An- derson, though differing from Mr. Pusey in some respects, repeats one of his conclusions in still stronger terms: " that the effect of nitrate of soda is unequivocally due to the nitric acid and not to the soda." This conclusion seems to me to be forced, and leads me to make the following re- marks, to be inserted if you think proper, or, what would be much more agreeable to me, to draw from an abler source some opinion or information with regard to the subject. Very respectfully, A Subscriber. May 12th, 1854. In the experiments made by Dr. Pusey on the source of the manuring value of saltpetre, his con- clusion that its virtue is proportionate to the amount of nitrogen rather than to the quantity of soda, may be well founded. But these experiments, so far from proving that the virtue is ascribable en- tirely to the acid, seem to prove that its effect is enhanced by the presence of the alkali. In the tables given by Mr. Pusey, 6 drachms of nitrate of soda produce a result superior to any quantity of nitric acid used : from 2 to 8 drachms. Now, in 6 drachms of the nitrate we have 3.82 drachms of the acid, and this quantity in combina- tion with the soda surpassing in effect any quantity used of the acid uncombined. Does this show, to use the words of Dr. Ander- son, quoted in the "American Agriculturist" of May 10th, that the beneficial action is "most une- quivocally due to the nitric acid, and not to the soda?" Does it not prove, on the contrary, that the presence of the soda produces an effect which the acid alone cannot produce 1 And is there any thing remarkable in this 1 Putting out of view the tendency of the pure acid to form nitrates with other bodies not neces- sary to the plants and not taken up by them, is it strange that two substances, when combined, should exert an influence which neither of them is separately capable of exerting 1 Mr. P. has not even given experiments to test the power of soda. According to his statements, there is a point below which nitric acid itself is powerless, and a point at which that power is at its maximum. Now in the nitrate the quantity of soda is equal to 2.18 drachms, but Mr. Pusey has made only one experiment with If drachms of soda. Why may not soda have its limit of manuring virtue, and why may not this quantity be below the limit 1 A series of experiments would have been much more satisfactory — and when we see as we often do, the different effects produced by the same ma- nure under apparently similar circumstances, it seems hasty to draw from so small range of expe- riments the positive conclusion that the manuring virtue of nitrates is not at all owing to the alkalies with which they are combined; especially, when in the very statements given, we find the acid and alkali when combined, possessing greater fertilizing properties than either when used alone. GUANO DEPOSITS ON THE CHINCHA ISLANDS. We cull from the London Chronicle, the follow- ing valuable abstract of the official report, made on a careful examination of the actual amount of guano remaining in the Chincha Islands. It has evidently been compiled after a careful scrutiny, and a minimum estimate is the result. It exceeds in reality double the quantity roughly obtained by Admiral Morsby, but is below that of private per- sons engaged in the trade. Peruvian Legation, 4 Albemarle st., ) Piccadilly, February 7 , 1854. ] A note has been received at the above Legation, from the Minister of Finance of the . Republic, bearing date of the 24th of December, in which the undermentioned is communicated to the Charge d'Affairs : The government nominated a deputation, com- posed of Mr. Chas. Faraguet, a French engineer, in the service of Peru, and many other engineers and professors of Chemistry, native as well as foreign, in order that they might undertake the measure- ment of the guano of the Chincha Islands. This, therefore, has been effected by men best qualified for the purpose, with as much accuracy as could possibly be obtained, adopting the latest improvements in the scientific proceedings, and the following has been given in conformity : Tons. That the island situated at the North contains 4,189,477 That the centre island contains 2,505,948 That the South island contains 5,630,675 Or a total of 12.376,100 The computation is for tons measurement, which, when reduced to tons weight — the standard used in the sale — will increase the quantity to 16,501,466 tons weight of saleable guano. Besides the Chin- cha Islands, it is well known that Peru possesses many other guano deposits, containing a very con- siderable quantity, the measurement of which has also been ordered by the government, and will be published in due course. It will be seen that the estimate is about double that made by Admiral Morsby, of the British Na- vy, and heretofore published in the Farm Journal. Penn. Farm Journal for April. THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 183 jb From the Germantown Telegraph. DRIFTING SOILS— THEIR MANAGEMENT. The management of this kind of soil in our State (New Jersey) is generally attended with considerable difficulty. Being so light and im- ponderable, they are drifted by the winds, and washed by the rains, consequently no sward can be il set" in them, so that they are perpetually growing thinner and weaker. As they are ge- nerally of a hilly character, the difficulty of conveying manure to them, together with their great barrenness, often occasions them to be neglected; but this need not be, if proper at- tention be paid to their cultivation. In the first place it will be necessary to pay some atten- tion to working them, or the manner in which the ploughings and harrowings are performed. In no case, indeed, should these implements pass up and down the declivities, but around them. When the former course is pursued, water drains are opened, along which the water falling during copious storms or showers is con- ducted, deepening them, and affording excellent channels for the transportation of the finer and more valuable parts of the soil to the more fertile lands below. In the second place, all the manure that is applied should be calculated to produce a con- stitutional alteration in the land — clay, marl and lime, for instance, with ashes and gypsum, should be liberally applied. The first crops should be such as will derive a large portion of their nourishment from the atmosphere — peas, beans, buck and Indian wheat, &c., and the roller should be frequently used to commu- nicate solidity to the mass. After breaking up a drifting soil, I would sow on ashes to facilitate the decomposition of the soluble silicates, and plant beans the first year. I would then har- row the soil the next season, and sow buckwheat to be turned in as a green crop, and plough in as many crops during the season as the land would produce. Then roll solid in the fall, and the third spring put on a good strong compost with a rich basis of clay, and lay down to grass. This I would turn under the second year after, and ao-ain seed down to grass in August. After this I would top-dress with good compost, using the spike roller to facilitate the descent of the nutritive and stimulant particles of the appli- cation to the roots, and repeat the operation of top-dressing annually. In this way a thick set and vigorous sward will be spread over the surface, and no farther difficulty will be experienced from the drifting or washing for years. If clover be sowed in such situations, with a small admixture of timo- thy, the application of gypsum, lime and house ashes, with a dozen or so pounds of saltpetre per acre, will produce wonders. The crop will be green early in the spring, as such soils are always forward, and the yield, under this ma- nagement, will be good, even in dry seasons. If such lands could receive from twenty-five to forty per cent, of clay at the commencement, according to their original proportion of sand, which often varies greatly, they would be at once redeemed. 0. S. R. Burlington Co., N. J., Dec. 17, 1853. DOMESTIC BREAD. The Rhode Island Society for the promotion of industry, gave the first premium on domestic bread, to Mrs. Hiram Hill, of Providence. The following is Mrs. Hill's receipt for making the bread exhi- bited by her. For two loaves of the ordinary size, take eight potatoes, pare them, slice very thin and boil quick until quite soft, then mash to a fine pulp, and add a little by little two quarts of water, stirring until a starch is formed, let this cool, and then add one-third of a cup of new yeast. This forms the " sponge," which should remain in a moderately warm place for 10 or 12 hours, or " over-night," until it becomes very light and frothy, even if a little sour it is of no consequence. When the "sponge " is ready, add flour, and work it in until you have formed a stiff, firm mass. The longer and more firmly this is kneaded, the better the bread,. Let the kneaded mass remain say from half to three quarters of an hour to rise, then divide into loaves, put into pans, where it should remain sai fifteen minutes, care being taken that it does not rise too much and crack, then put the loaves into a quick oven and bake, say three-quarters of an hour. If the oven is not hot enough, the bread will rise and crack; if too hot, the surface will harden too rapidly and confine the loaf. — Maine Farmer. EXPERIMENTS IN SUCKERING CORN. Some theorists, not knowing what ridiculous thing to start next, having become pretty well ex- hausted of schemes, hit upon the suckers of corn, which they contend help along the crop very much, by the pollen from the said suckers falling on the tassels of the forming ears on the main stems. A writer in the Cultivator — Mr. George W. Coffin, of Armenia — observing these statements, tried an ex- periment, whether or not the suckers had anything to do with this procreative process, and the follow- ing is the result : Space was left in the, middle of an acre of pota- toes, for 100 hills of corn — ten hills each way. This was planted from the middle of an ear, five grains to each hill, and of uniform depth. It came up evenly, and grew without molestation until about six or eight inches high, when small suckers began to spring up from about the base of the main stalks, which I proceeded to remove from al- ternate rows, not by "stripping," as that might la- cerate the main stalk and injure its growth, but by cutting close down. As often as they attempted to grow, through the season, I removed them in this 184 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. way; and when the season of harvesting came, I had 50 hills of clean, upright growth, and 50 of a bushy straggling appearance, having the suckers all on as they grew. The former furnished large, well filled, and most- ly sound ears, weighing 47 J lbs. The latter, more ears, but not as large or sound, weighing 47 f lbs. I regret that the stalks were not weighed, but very well remember concluding that the increase in good corn was more than balanced by the great- er amount of stalks when left to grow natural, and the trouble of cutting the suckers. HOW TO WINTER ONE HUNDRED SHEEP FROM TWO ACRES OF LAND. We have been accused of inducing farmers to try visionary experiments. We hardly know what meaning those who use the word visionary would put to it in this connection, nor do we care. We have faith in the following project of producing fodder enough on two acres of land to winter one hundred sheep. But, says Mr. Doubtful, it must be made very rich. Of course it must. That won't hurt the land in the least. But how will you do if? In the first place make the land very rich. Manure it generously — plough it thoroughly — har- row it fine — roll it smooth — put on the marker and mark it into rows three feet apart, and sow Indian corn in drills. Hoe it twice, and after the second hoeing take your seed-sower and sow between each two rows of corn a row of flat turnip seed. After your corn has spindled, cut it up ; let it wilt, then tie it into bundles and shock it up as you do corn-stalks which you have cut in the usual way, and let them stand until dry. It would not be strange if you had six tons of fodder per acre when they were sufficiently dry to put into the barn. This will be twelve tons, (from two acres). Now, to winter one hundred sheep you ought to have twenty tons of fodder. You have got twelve of^them and want eight more, or four tons from amoun? re- ^ ie turn iP s ought to produce this nips to wei et us see * Allowing a bushel of tur- tons on an^cr^P ™^ ^ .JS^/ ^ Will not your land pr^* 1 * f ais * 133 / J"^J- ing away the Indian corn cro^ S am0unt after tak " So you will have your twenty tow f f •, , two acres. But will the sheep eat the coi? 1[ ,,? ] Yes, we have tried that. Just run the siw£ fi through a straw-cutter and feed them out to the sheep, and they will eat them all up. We have tried it, and several others have tried it. Then run your turnips through a vegetable cutter, and they will eat them all up clean. The sheep should be young and hearty, and have good teeth. Who will try the experiment this year 1 We are bound to, for one. — Maine Farmer, FINE CATTLE. A lot of the finest cattle ever fed in the county of Kockingham, passed through Harrisonburg last week, on their way to the Northern markets. They were fed by Mr. Daniel Bierly, jr., within 4 miles of this place, and sold to Mr. John Bowman, jr., at $5 per hundred, gross. Mr. Bowman paid for the lot — consisting of 11 steers — $814, being $74 per head. In addition to the splendid beeves pur- chased of Mr. Bierly, we understand Mr. Bowman has 50 others, of his own feeding, which are equal- ly as good as those purchased of Mr. Bierly. Speaking of fine cattle, reminds us to say, that Mr. Bierly is one of the few men in the county who understand the true policy in the management of his farm. His is "a little farm w T ell tilled" — and he always has, as a consequence, "a little barn well filled." We venture to assert that he makes more per acre, per annum, from his farm, than is made upon the same extent of soil by any Qther farmer in the county, notwithstanding his land is not better naturally, than the mass of. lands in the county. If there is one who manages his farm bef ter than Mr. B. does his, who makes more than he does from the same amount of capital invested in this interest, we should like to hear and to speak out. — Rockingham Register. MERINO SHEEP.— Having increased my flock of Me- rino Sheep on my farm, in Orange county, to over 800 I am now prepared to sell a few choice yearling Bucks and Ewes. To all who have any acquaintance with Col. Henry S. Randall of New York, and the reputation of his flock, it is only necessary to say that the yearlings I pro- pose selling are the product of ewes purchased of him when he sold out last year, and selected by him personally as the best in his flock. I have his letters, saying that he was offered the same price for his ewes by his neighbors, but that in starting the growth of fine wool in Virginia it was very important to have good sheep, and as he knew these were superior, he preferred selling them to go there. I shall sell no bucks except such as show marks of supe- riority. All who want to raise their flocks to a high stand- ard at once will do well to apply early, as I have but a limited number for sale. Address by mad, or apply to WM. G. CRENSHAW, or CRENSHAW & CO., iune — tf North side of the Basin, Richmond, Va. WOOL! WOOL!! — Receiving, as we do, large quanti- ties of wool for sale, we are enabled to offer induce- ments to manufacturers and dealers to examine our stock, and in that way can generally obtain better prices than can be had for small parcels. We solicit consignments from the Wool Growers of Virginia, with the assurance that we can obtain the very highest prices for their fleeces, and that no eftbrt on our part will be spared to afford them satisfac- tion. CRENSHAW & CO., june — tf North side of the Basin, Richmond, Ya. 3 00 PERUVIAN GUANO.— Having on hand, and engaged to arrive, a large supply of Guano, we solicit orders. All who buy of us may rely on getting it genuine, as we I sell none except what comes direct from the Peruvian agents. CRENSHAW & CO., j -> *ve — tf North side of the Basin, Richmond, Ya. PAYMENTS To WE SOUTHERN PLANTER To the 4th of Mwy, 1854. All persons who have made payments early enough to be entered, and whose names do not appear in the following receipt list, are requested to give immediate notice of the omission, in order that the correction may be made in the next issue : Mrs. Lucy C. Binford to March 1855 SI 00 P. A. Taylor to January 1855 Wiiliain P. Browne to January 1855 H. L. Taylor to January 1855 Felix Pierce to January 1855 J Col. Thos. J. M. Cheatham to January 1855 1 00 Capt. C. Breckenridge to January 1855 1 00 Norborne Berkeley to January 1855 2 50 John H. Ranson to January 1853 (in full) 7 00 Messrs. Zimmerman & Co. to January 1855 1 00 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 185 Wm. A. Brown to June '54 $1 Wm. Segar to January '55 1 Alex. Campbell to Jan. '54 4 Col. D. B. Hancock to Jan. '55 1 Dr. T. B. Anderson to Jan. '55 1 G. A. Wi no-field to Jan. '55 2 Col. T. F. Wingfield to Jan. '55 1 Gustavus Depp to Jan. '55 1 G. N. N. Porter to March '55 1 John W. Miller to January '55 1 K. G. Montgomery to " 2 Jas. T. Alexander to " 1 James M. Johns to ' { 1 Charles Blue to " 1 Col. Thos. Carskaden to " 1 Capt. David Pugh to " 1 Robert Carmichael to " 1 Arthur Warden to " 1 Jos. W. Morriss to "1 Stephen Dickson to Jan. '54 1 Wm. R. Scarlett to Jan. '55 1 J. J. Ambler to Sept. '54 1 Wm. A. Scott to Sept. '54 1 R. T. Bibb to January '54 1 Dr. Josiah Laurence to July '54 1 Wm. P. Newbill to Jan. '55 2 Peter Saunders to April '55 2 Jesse Corn to April '54 1 R. W. Dalby to April '55 2 Jas. Whitehead to Jan. '55 1 A. C. Carrington to July '54 1 Wm. S. Thornton to Oct. '54 1 Benj. Sumner to Jan. '55 1 Robert L. Jones to Jan. '55 1 John H. Clark to Jan. '55 1 R. P. Pace to April '54 2 B. Franklin Carter to Sept. '54 1 Geo. P. Keesee to January '55 1 Wm. H. Hall to " 1 Capt. Daniel Coleman to " 1 George W. Dunton to Jan. '54 5 Jas. C. Yates to January '55 1 Vincent Markham to " 1 Thomas Hicks to " 3 W. H. Vaughan to " 1 John M. Preston to July '54 8 Ed. C. Pollard to January '55 2 N. B. Clark to . " 1 Wm. J. Martin to " 1 Andrew Muirhead to " 1 Robert D. Martin to " 1 Harvy A. Jameson to " 1 John H. Vermillion to " 1 Andrew J. Matthews to " 1 Rev. John C. Cecil to " 1 Wm. M. Miller to 1 Wm. Anderson to 1 David M'Gavock to 1 Joseph H. Howe to 1 J. B. Alexander to 1 John Caddall to 1 James Wyson to 1 James T. Crockett to " 1 Gordon Cloyd to " 1 Dexter A. Snow to " 1 Dr. James Mottley to " 2 C. C. M'Phail to " 1 Hugh Minor to October '54 1 P. Fowlkes to January '55 1 Edward T. Hamlin to Jan. '55 1 Z. R. Lewis to "3 Geo. Whitlock to January '54 1 Hugh Chandler to March '54 1 A. M. Childress to Jan. '55 SI E. H. Osborne to " 1 W. D. Mansfield to " 1 R. P. Atkinson to " 1 Richard Hawes to July '54 1 D. W. Haxall to July '56 3 T. W. Meriwether to Jan. '55 1 T. T. Treadway to Jan. '57 3 Billey W. Talley to July '54 1 N. W. Miller to January '55 2 Wm. Wertembaker to " 1 Richard Cauthorn to " 1 Thos. H. Walthall to " 1 Col. B. L. Barrow to " 1 C. S. Gay to " 1 Wm. R. Hatchett to 1 Gen. S. A. Williams to " 1 John W. Barker to " 1 T. D. Leonard to " 1 John Sturdivant to " 1 John B. Downman to " 1 Edward Stabler to " 1 B. B. Keesee to " 1 Daniel Jones to " 1 Wm. H. Whiting to " 1 Beverlv Randolph to " 1 M. T. Campbell to " 1 Elijah J. Stevens to " 1 Wm. A. Sweet to " 1 Wm. B. Harrison to " 1 J. W. Brock well fco " 1 Armstrong Rankin to Sept. '54 2 F. M. Ervine to July '54 1 Wm. Gibson to January '55 2 Wm. R. Gregg to " 1 E. P. Chamberlayne to " 1 A. Hamlet to " 1 Henry M. Baker to March '55 1 George H. Lewis to Jan. '55 1 Thos. R. Dew to " 1 T. B. Robertson to " 1 Julius 0. Thomas to " 1 S. B. Spratley to " 1 W. D. Ranson to " 1 J. T. Cheadle to " 1 Pleasant Hubbard to " 1 E. W. Scott to " 1 Rev. D. Witt to " 1 E. N. Price to " 2 James M. Dillon to " 1 W. T. Johnson to " 2 Wm. T. Wootton to " 2 Wm. T. Harvey to " 1 George Abbitt, Sr. to " 3 Josiah N. Legrand to " 1 Col. S. Downing to Jan. '54 2 Isaiah Cherry to Jan. '55 1 Jacob Baylor to July '54 2 Christ. Proctor to January '54 4 Robert Morrison to June '54 1 M. B. Craig to September '54 1 T. Whitaker to January '55 1 Dr. E. A. Salmond to " 1 Thos. J. Ancrum to " 1 Wm. A. Ancrum to " 1 Thos. E. Shannon to " 1 John H. Steger to 1 James R. Fleet to Jan. '55 1 Dr. R. H. Nelson to " 1 W. J. Powers to " 1 Dr. J. Michaux to " 1 Ed. F. Baugh to " 1 S. Biglow to " 1 Rd. W. Barton to March '55 ! Rev. W. W. Kennedy to Jan. '54 Wm. S. Jones to January '55 John T. Clark to " R. D. Warwick to " Laney Jones to R. N. Neblett to Col. B. P. Walker to P. H. Farmer to " Geo. L. Aiken to January '56 Wm. F. Carter to January '55 Rawley Gallaway to Wm. Guthrie to August '54 A. T. Gilkeson to Sept. '54 Warner L. Waring to Jan. '54 George Turner to Feb. '55 Capt. N. L. Paleske to Jan. '55 A. G. Jeffress to Dr. R. R. Puryear to Feb. '55 Mayo Cabell to January '53 Dr. P. C. Calloway to Jan. '55 Robert L. Brown to " T. B. Montague to " T. C. Robins te " Wm. Godsey to December '54 Joseph Southall to Jan. '55 S. B. Major to " Thomas Bay ley to " James B. Ford to " James T. Twitty to " Dr. W. J. Michie to Jan. '56 Dr. Robert Shore to Jan. '55 R. F. Ward to M. Davis to , " Bannister Coffee tt> " S. Brittan to " J. R. Manson to " T. P. Smith to Southey S. Satchell to " Wm. T. G. Morton to " Col. P. A. Bramham to " Thomas J. Deane to " J. W. Old to Origen M. Walker to " Elder H. J. Chandler to " Dr. Thos. N. Myricks to " R. P. Graves to Wm. 0. Eubank to " Dr. J. L. Spencer to Jan. '54 Robert Hendrick to Jan. '55 Zorababel Northan to " Geo. F. Harrison to July '55 Dr. E. J. Harrison to Jan. '55 Robert A. Calvert to " Elias Dodson to " Sam'l D. Christian. to Oct. '54 Benjamin Vaughan to April '55 Jefferson Spindle to Jan. '55 E. Hickerson to " H. A. Kite to " T. J. Barrett to Jan. '56 Nicholas Edmund to Jan. '55 John W. Paxton to " F. Eppes to " Samuel J. Tebbs to " John T. Goodwin to " John Burr to September '54 R. B. Winfree to January '55 Josiah D. Smith to " Barksdale & Reid to " George W. Kyle to ' " Capt. J. Anderson to Sept. '54 W. W. Forbes to 10 166 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. B. Morris to January '54 $1 Wyatt Smith to January '55 1 T. D. Bell to " 1 M. M. Johns to 2 Jer. W. Bondurant to " 1 T. D. Richardson to April '55 2 Red. W. Wheeler to Jan. '55 1 Wm. P. Wheeler to " 1 R. E. Dejarnett to Jan. '54 1 E. J. Timherlake to Sept. '54 2 Rev. E. Boy den to Jan. '55 1 R. R. Garrett to January '50 1 Josiah Burruss to April '55 2 Wm. P. Courtney to Jan. '54 1 Ed. Farneyhough to July '53 1 Alfred Carpenter to Jan. '54 1 Wm. H. Jones to July '54 1 J. H. Shepherd to January '55 1 Jos. W. Twyman to July ; 54 1 Lewis Steenrod to Jan. '55 1 John H. Coleman to July '54 1 Wm. B. Harris to Sept. '54 1 Geo. W. Coleman to July '55 2 James T. Dunkum io Jan. '55 1 James Faris to' 1 Wm. H. Turner to " 1 Thomas C. Graves to " 1 Richmond Terrell to Jan. '54 1 H. M. Harlow to June '54 1 J.N. Ragland to January '55 1 Granherry Nichols to " 8 Geo. W. Lanson to 1 R. L. Hurt to "".'.' 1 Lewis Ellis to July '54 1 Geo. W. Eastham to Jan. '55 1 Leander Elam to Jan. '56 2 Elsey Fogg to January '55 1 Michael Whitmore to Sept. '54 1 Temple Walker to January '55 1 R. H. Cunningham to June '54 1 Waller Holladay to Jan. '55 1 T)r. W. J. Pendleton to" 1 JoU. Tucker to April '55 1 Sheler arman to January '55 1 Richard BayikJin to July '54 6 R. A. Kidd to T anuary '55 3 Rev. A. B. Davidson to " 1 Thomas 0. Soyars to " 1 James R. Holladay to " William C. Jones to " Col. James S. Clarke to " Jacob Faulcon to " Joseph S. Judkins to " James Huff to ■< Hanibal Harris to "" J. C. Holland tD B. W. Brockenhrough to " R. W. Tomlin to " S. Gouldin to " Dr. C. P. Hartwell to A. W. Cousins to " R. H. Pollard to James Dickerson to " H. Madison to February '55 Wm. Eddins to April '55 Wm. B. Lee to January '55 Philip Slaughter to " Dr. W. II. Goode to Giles Sydnor to April '55 Geoigc Jones to March '55 Hugh Montgomerie to Jan Wm. Puryear to 55 J. J. Crews to January '55 $2 John B. Crews to " 1 G. N. Anderson to " 1 Wm. K. Tune to " 1 T. E. Dillard to " 1 J. H. Cross to " 1 Wm. Elsom to January '54 1 F. G. Morrison to January '56 5 T. L. Hundley to January '55 1 T. Y. Tabb to July '55 ' 2 D. M. Wood to April '55 1 Sam'l D. Wood to January '55 1 Wm. A. Reynolds to " 1 James B. Brockwell to " 1 Wm. L. Cowardin to " 1 R. F. Ferguson to " 1 Dr. Geo. W. Harris to " 2 J. de Vlaming to January '55 1 Geo. K. Jones to January '54 2 Col. John Johns to March '55 John W. West to A. A. Legrand to Dr. Wm. L.T.Hopkins to " Wm. Gordon to January '55 G. S. Harper to " C. Carrington to " J. H. Davis to Dr. T. P. Shields to Rand. Harrison to • " Dr. E. J. Harrison to Jan. '56 S. Booker to January '55 Alex. Moseley to " W. A. Jones to J. M. Fowlkes to April '54 E. W. Simms to April '55 John J. London to Jan. '55 Mayo Cabell to Jan. '54 Charles D. Peck to Jan. '55 Tunis Munsey to Edward Johnston to " Granville H. Dills to " Jos. A. Peck to Lynch A. Currin to " G. Wood to J. B. Whitehead to Jas. E. Anderson to July '54 H. W. Barksdaie to Joshua Hightower to " TjOhn J. Jackson to " j an ^ e Ferguson to January '55 ThomasV.*?£i Wm. F. Wilkinson^ Moses D. Echols to « Bird Dodson to » Stephen C. Towncs to " Isaac T. Oliver to " Thomas Chaney to " Wm. Wilson to » Joel H. Tanner to " Xhos. Rees to September '54 Jas. Law Hooff to Jan. ; 54 Dr. R, N. Hudson to April '55 George AV. Starke to July '54 Mai tin P. Brook to Jan. "'55 Wm. A. Bowen to June '54 John M. Fant to July '54 J. A. Fisher to * " Geo. Mason Green to April '54 Chas. P. Chilton to Sept. '54 Edwin E. Gibson to Jan. '55 Geo. Pannill, Jr. to June ; 54 James Williams to Jan. : 55 Jesse B. Lucas to Jan. '55 $ W. T. Humphreys to June '54 Capt. Ed. Beale to " Dr. W. E. Walkup to Jan. '55 Hardy Hardison to Wm. H. Davis to Wm. Howerton to Dr. Henry Easley to " Rev. R. H. Wilmer to Wm. S. Dupree to " Ludy Cawthorn to Joseph II . Skelton to " J. G. Woodson to W. S. Ligon to J. Calhoun to C. J. Fore to " Ro. Hill to J. R. Barksdaie to Oscar M. Crutchfield to " Robert Moir to " Dr. W. J. Waller to L. P. Call to J. Sinclair, Sr. to John Glenn to Dr. N. V. Clopton to Jan. '56 Jas. B. L. Williams to Jan. '55 Theod. B. M'Robert to " Boiling Hawthorn to Peyton S. Coles to July '54 A. T. Maxey to January '55 W. S. Payne to W. H. Dickinson to " Obed Crabeil to N. A. Powell to " Geo. P. Richardson to " Benj. Chambers to Wm. C. Marrow to Thos. W. Williams to Jan. '53 Wm. P. Shepherd to Jan. '55 John A. Thurmond to Jan. '54 H. H. Roberts to Rev. Thos. W. Roberts to " Ben. G. Harris to January '55 Charles H. Lvnch to " Gen. 0. G. Clay to Wm. S. Field to July '53 W. S. King to April : 54 B. W. Womack to January '55 John A. Mosby to April '55 Archie Brown to January '55 Col. Charles Connor to " Thomas Daniel to Thomas Staples to July '54 Dr. John G. Carter to Jan. '54 Joseph Spriggs to March '55 Geu. rieorge Rust to Julv '54 Win N. i5 Her to January '55 Dr. Aaron B. ha ki us to " Wm. T. Mason to a S. J. Hart to « Lewis M. Coleman to " L. R. Raily to July : 54 W. W. Minor to January '55 Wm. Overton to January '54 John W. Bradley to Nov. '54 Robert Tinsley to January '55 Z. D. Tinsley to " Eii^ha Betts to " Charles Woolfolk to July '54 Charles II. Winfree to Jan. : 55 Wilson Winfrey to " John S. Hightower to Sept. '54 John G. Coleman to Jan. '55 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 187 \ Geo. R. Lindsay to Jan. '55 $1 'vames Fontaine to " 2 Jos. Blanton to April '54 1 Baker Blanton to January '55 1 Richard Johnson to " 1 Milton Kirtley to " 1 Dr. James L. Jones to " 1 Mrs. C. L. Armistead to " 1 Dr. M. Pendleton to Jan. '54 1 Dr. W. F. Gaines to Jan. '55 4 Stith Bouldin to " 1 E. Brown to " 1 Jn. Yount to " 1 Dr. John G. Skelton to " 7 John R. Quarles to " 1 James D. Crawley to " 1 Dr. A. C. Wood to " 1 J. Frank Fry to " 1 Thos. J. Valentine to " 1 J. R. Warren to " 1 John N. Gresham to Feb. '55 1 Jasper L. Rowe to Jan. '55 8 John F. M. George to " 2 S. G. Fauntleroy to " 3 J. W. Taylor to " 1 William Pollard to " 2 Sam'l F. Harwood to Aug. '54 1 Geo. B. Mill to January '55 2 J. J. Erwin to " 1 Pride Jones to " 3 Thomas J. Hicks to April '55 1 B. Brown to January '55 4 Lewis Teel to li 3 Dr. Wm. A. Hill to June '54 1 Wm. Hancock to January '55 1 Robert Collins to " 1 J. B. Chandler to " 1 1 Wm. G. Claytor to " 1 Dr. T. W. Hicks to " 1 Paul J. M. Horseley to " 1 Wm. Y. Downman to " 1 Wm. H. Fowlkes to " 1 Wm. H. Tunstall to " 1 Chas. Mason to September '57 5 R. C. Robins to January '56 5 Wm. F. Leavitt to January '55 1 R. B. Baptist to " 3 Dennis R. Fielder to July '54 1 Capt. B. R. Pulliam to " 10 R. E. Walker to January '55 10 Dr. A. Bryant to " 1 B. Watkins Leigh to " 1 Tucker Carrington to Sept. '54 1 Dr. H. L. Jeffries to Jan. '55 1 J. F. Claiborne to " 1 Col. J. A. M'Craw to " 1 Beverly E. West to April '55 1 John A. Britton to Jan. '55 1 Capt. Ed. Haskins to " 1 Thomas Betterton to May '55 1 Thomas Paramore to Jan. '55 1 N. C. Crenshaw to 1 Thomas R. Hazard to " 1 A. A. Hughes to " 1 I. A. Goddin to " 1 Claudius Dickinson to " 1 J. 0. Clay brook to " 1 Freeman Epes to " 1 Joseph H. Rowlett to " 1 Henry 0. Gill to 1 R. H. Harwood to " 1 Wm. H. Hening to " 1 Dr. A. V. Pavne to " 1 Chas. L. Jones to Nov. '54 SI Mrs. M. Henricques to Jan. '55 1 Edw'd S. Sydnor to March '55 1 Wm. Maxey to January '55 1 Dr. Ed. Hughes to " 1 Thomas Goodman to " 1 Thos. W. Crowder to * 1 Rob. J. Goodman to " 1 Edwin T. Morris to April '55 1 Frank. Shackelford to Jan. '55 1 Warner T. Cook to " 1 Temple G. Catlett to " 1 John H. Hughes to " 1 John R. Cary to " 1 Samuel B. Chapman to " 1 Capt. John M. Pierce to " 1 Thomas W. Banks to " 1 E. J. Stubblefield to " 1 John P. Talliaferro to " 1 Robt. H. Anderson to " 1 Dr. M. H. Miller to "1 Junius B. Brown to " 1 Thomas Hughes to "1 Roscoe C. Trevillian to " 1 Cyrus C. Pointer to " 1 Robt. B. Jones to " 1 W. F. Jones to " 1 F. G. Bridges to " 1 Wm. F. Hall to " 1 A. S. Trevillian to " 1 Thomas C. Bay top to " 1 Samuel R. Medlicott to " 1 Wm. Shackelford to " 1 John M. Thruston to " 1 Wm. R. Smart to "1 J. M. Nicholson to " 1 James H. King to " 3 Dr. Ro. H. Tebbs to " 3 Larkin S. Garrett to Oct. '54 2 Dr. J. S. Lewis to " 1 James 0. Pollard to Jan. '55 2 W. C. Pemberton to " 3 J. T. Neal to Jan. '54 2 Dr. P. P. Duval to Jan. '55 2 James H. Johnson to " 2 Y. J. Clements to " 3 Wm. F. Hilliard to " 3 William Boulware to July '54 2 C. J.' Bosher to January '55 2 Mrs. Wm. A. Ellett to Jan. '54 2 Samuel P. Tignor to Jan. '55 3 Dr. A. H. Perkins to Oct. '54 1 J. Pemberton to October '53 1 Wm. M. Turner to January '55 2 Reuben A. Hilliard to " 2 David Rider to " 3 Temple C. Moore to " 2 Philemon Bird to July '53 2 Edward Gresham to Sept. '54 3 R. T. Gwathmey to Jan. '54 2 Temple Clark to March '54 1 Philip E. Brooke to Jan. '55 1 Lewis Taylor to " 1 Wm. C. Hundley to March '55 1 Thomas Haynes to Jan. '55 1 Wm. B. Bailey to March* '55 1 G. W. Eichelberger to July '54 2 F. N. Eichelberger to " 2 Roger Chew to October '54 1 Amos Shepherd to Julv '54 1 J. M. M'Farland to " 1 W. T. Brittingham to Jan. '55 1 Jacob Michaux to July '55 1 W. H. Moore to July '54 $2 Chas. A. Hundley to Jan. '55 1 H. G. Richardson, Jr. to " 1 Wm. Waring to "2 Wm. S. Gary to " 1 Wm. L. Pannill to 1 George W. Lipscomb to " 4 Elkanah Clements to " 3 W. S. Fontaine to " 3 James B. Ellett to " 2 Wm. A. Woods to " 1 John Sizer to " 2 B. Blake to January '56 2 S. Hansberger to January '55 Dr. Wash. Anderson to " Ro. Whitehead to " B. F. Garrett to April '55 George W. Starke to July '55 Th. H. Brown to April '54 F. Lewis Marshall to Jan. '56 Edward C. Turner to Jan. '55 Rev. A. L. Holladay to May '55 Joseph Mayo to January '54 Chas. Carter Lee to Jan. '55 L. L. Smith to " Jesse S. Armistead to " John Lowry to " Wm. H. Goodwin to " R. 0. Shirley to May '54 David 0. Witt to January '55 Thos. J. Preston to April '55 James T. Jones to January '55 James W. Hall to Wm. Blackburn to Jan. '53 James R. Pulliam to April '55 John A. Montague to Jan. '55 A. C. Brown to " J. T. T. Hundley to John F. Hawkins to Alex. Cunningham to " H. C. Land to A. Burton to " C. C. Tinsley to January '55 J. W. Reeve to Dr. E. P. Williams to " Smith Petty to January '54 George Rogers to January '57 John B. Crenshaw to Jan. '55 A. M. Hobson to " John D. Hobson to " James M. Walker to " Dr. John R. Moore to " Col. R. Rowzee to " Wm. F. Gunn to " A. S. Jones to " Lemuel Martin to " N. B. Richardson to " A. L. Anderson to ™ James Armistead to Jan. '56 E. L. Bullard to December '54 J. T. Hamner to January '55 Dr. Mmge to " Nath'l N. Manlep to Nov. '54 John White to January '55 R. Harrison to April '55 John Walker to May '55 Wm. F. Nicol to July '54 Dr. W. A. Christian to Jan. '55 Dr. A. L. Brent to " H. P. Taylor to April '55 R. L. Rudasilla to Jan. '55 Joseph S. Perkins to May '55 Hiram 0. Bannon to Jan. '55 188 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 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 ^ThTcheraical Field Lectures- for Agriculturists, bv 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. , n , , . The American Farm Book, or Compend of Ame- rican Agriculture, being a practical treatise en soils, manures, draining, &c. and every staple product of the United States, with the best methods ot planting, cultivating and preparation formarket, by R. L. Allen Elements of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology, bv James F. W. Johnston, M. A. The Monthly Journal ofAgriculture, containing the best current productions in promotion ot 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. VV. JO European S 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. \n Essay on Calcareous Manures, by Edmund 1 - 5th edition, amended and enlarged. _ ner and iter's Barn-Book, by Clater, Youatt, Skin- Together w. farming, the treatrmny other valuable works on &c. -A management of cattle, "Bookseller, StatiowA. MORRIS, feb— tf Piano Fortes,'l4. Dealer in _lnin street. ALBEMARLE PIGS. I AM prepared to receive orders for Albemarle Pigs — a breed made by crossingseveral varieties, which will grow to good size, and fatten easily at any age. This breed received some of the highest prizes at the Virginia State Fair. I have, also, four boar pigs, from my large Delaware Sow, (estimated to weigh, nett, near one thousand pounds,) which will be ready for delivery in a few weeks. Address, (postpaid,) JOHN R. WOODS, ja — tf Woodtiille Depot, Albemarle, Va. ANALYSIS OF SOILS, &c. THE undersigned is prepared to execute the an- alyses of Soils, Guano, Marls, Plaster^ &c. &c. at the Laboratory of the Virginia Military Institute. Packages may be forwarded through Webb, Bacon & Co. Richmond, or Echols & Pryor, Lynchburg. Persons desiring further information will please address WILLIAM GILH&M, Prof. Chemistry and Agriculture, V. M. I. Feb. 1, 1852. Lexington, Va. STOVES AND FANCY IRON CASTINGS,- Exhibited at the Virginia State Agricultural Fair, By Messrs. Bowers, Snyder & Carter. THESE Gentlemen erected Works about wo years since, by which they have been exten- sively supplying the Slate with articles for which wlhave heretofore depended entirely upon northern f ° 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 whicn the heads and even the distinct grains stand out in beautiful rebel. worth/ of notice. Its style and finish ar highly ornamental Its chief merit consists of a door de- S 1 increase the draught of the fire, which ,s made to revolve vertically upon a pivot. These manufacturers, in a modest, unpretending way, are rendering good service to the State, b> de- veloping her resources in this branc » of domestic industr y- H. M. Smith,' James Pae, Committee on Household Implements. I have sold principally, for the past two year* .he stoves manufactured by Messrs. Bowers, Snyoer & 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 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 or -8*. tionary Steam Engines, Saw and Grist Mills, Agn- cultural Machines, Tobacco Presses of every q> scription, and all kinds of Iron and Brass Castings He pledges himself to execute faithfu ly, and wilt dispatch; all work entrusted to him, and respectful} solictsacall from hisftiendsand the public generall) The highest cash prices paid .for oM ca* ii* brass and copper. PHIL. IF K^ hm, ja— ly Cary, between Pearl a^lDtMs BOOKS, PIANOS, MUSIC, &c rAMES WOODHOUSE, Wholesale and Ke 1 tail Dealer in Books, Piano Fortes, Station ' R r V "-S1C.&C. 139 Main St., Richmond, Virginia Constat", ^ ~ h " am T a full supply of standarc Agricultural N., rks ' oc-tf TO 7 ANTED, an Overseer u-^ understands the manag r ment of Stock as well as tile wltivation of When and Corn, to go to Matthews county, Virginia. None nee apply without the best recommendations as to qualificatior character and industry. Apply to ap— 3t* PUBLISHER OF SO. PLANTER. BROWN & SHOOK, General Commission and For warding Merchants, corner Union and Franklin street^' Richmond, Virginia. All business carefully and promptl; executed. mar — ly UNITED STATES HOTEL, (formerly union,) Corner of Main and Nineteenth Streets, Richmond, J. E. NORRIS, Proprietor. mar — tf Price of Bonrd, per day, $1 50. _ -I THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 189 OOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT MA- O NUFACTORY AND SEED STORE.— We would call 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, Sign of the Plough, No. 36 Main Street. ap— 3t GENERAL AGENCY AND COMMISSION BUSI- NESS. — The subscriber tenders his thanks for the many calls heretofore received, and again offers his services on reasonable terms. Now for sale many Farms in Mary- ryland and Virginia, Stallions, Bulls, Bucks, Boars, of im- proved stock; improved Fowls of all kinds; Mares, Co wS i Ewes, Sows; Ewes one-half and three-fourths Otswold; Calves at three months old, one-half Alderney ; South Down Ewes with their lambs. For particulars address (post paid) the subscriber, * MARTIN GOLDSBOROUGH, 38 Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland. p, s. — Answers to letters particularly desired. M. G. may — tf REMOVAL.— SAMUEL SUTHERLAND respectfully informs his friends and the public that he has removed his Gun and Pistol Store from his late stand, opposite the Banks, to a house opposite Eagle Square, in room No. 132, which has been handsomely fitted up, especially for the accommodation of himself and his patrons, and where he is now opening a new and splendid assortment of Guns, Pistols, Cutlery, Canes, Fishing Tackle, and all kinds of goods desired by Southern Sportsmen, embracing many articles useful to farmers and housekeepers generally — all of which he offers at reasonable prices, by wholesale or re- tail. Thankful for past favors, he respectfully invites his friends and customers to call and see him at his new stand, may — 3t VALUABLE ALBEMARLE FARM FOR SALE.— The subscriber offers for sale that valuable and well known farm, the D. S., situated on the waters 'of Ivy Creek, 3£ miles from the University of Virginia, 4£ from 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 t^e 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. REMIUM 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, t'he very best article now in use. All of which we shall be happy to supply our customers with at our Southern Agricultural Implement Manufactory and Seed Store, sign of the Plough, No. 36 Main Street, ap— 4t MOTT, LEWIS & WILLSON. RIME MERINO STOCK FOR SALE.— The under- signed having associated himself with Col. Philip St. Geo. Cocke, for the purpose of growing fine wool and rais- ing choice Merino Stock, and ultimately upon a very exten- sive scale in both Powhatan and Brunswick counties, is now prepared to offer 75 buck lambs, old enough for deli- very in September next. These lambs are sired by three Bucks which have taken prizes in two different States of the Union. One of them took the first prize in the State of New York for two years in succession. A large number of our Ewes have been purchased from very superior northern flocks. I have ui ~ l hand some good stock Bucks nearly ready for use thlii faiI - I will box up and deliver for transportation either on the James River Canal or Danville Rail «°ad, with proper directions for feeding and without extra charge, any stock ordered, but will in no case W responsible for accidents or losses occurring after s«ch delivery. The cash must in all cases accompany orders. Neither care nor expense will be spared to procure and keep up Stock of the purest and best quality; and I assure the Southern Agriculturists that it is designed to make this one of the most interesting and best wool growing and stock raising establishments in the United States. I invite persons interested to call on me at my residence at Belmead, or to address me by letter as below. THEODORE N. DAVISSON, jun — 4t Jefferson P. O., Powhatan co., Va. LBANY TILE WORKS, corner of Patroon and Knox streets, Albany, N. Y. Drain Tile of the following descriptions and prices suitable for land drainage, alw r ays on hand in large or small quantities of the first quality, delivered at the docks and railroad depots free of cartage : Horse-shoe Tile. Ah inch calibre, $18 per 1000 feet. 3£ . do. 15 do. 2£ do. 12 do. Sole Tile or Pipe. 3 inch calibre, $18 per 1000 feet. 2 do. 12 do. Large Tile for drains about dwellings, yards, &c. of various sizes, $4 and $8 per 100 feet. Sole Tile, 4 inch calibre, for sink drains at $4 per 100 feet. Drain your land and save your crops. Orders from a distance will receive prompt attention. A. S. BABCOCK. Albany, April 20, 1854. jun— tf 190 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. GREAT PREMIUM FAN, patented December 20, 1853. Montgomery's Celebrated Double Screen Rockaway Wheat Fan, has, during the past year, been proved to be the best Fan ever offered in the Middle States, having taken premiums over all that have been offered to the public from every quarter of the United States. It took the first pre- mium at the Maryland State Agricultural Society's Exhibi- tion, in October last, where all the most celebrated Fans "were in competition. The first premium at the Virginia State Agricultural So- ciety's Exhibition, in November last. The Maryland Institute awarded silver medals to it at its Exhibitions in 1852 and 1853, as superior to all others on exhibition. The first premium was awarded at the Talbot Courtty (Maryland) Show, in 1852; and The first premium at the Prince George's County (Mary- land) Exhibition, in 1853, by the special vote of the Society, in consequence of its superiority and value, it being con- trary to their standing rules to award premiums to articles made out of the county. We annex the following certificate from a respectable far- mer of St. Mary's county, and any number of others could be published if necessary, all tending to show the decided superiority of this Fan over any others that have ever been introduced in the Middle States — and as the manufacturers devote their whole attention to this one article, and rely for its continued success upon the faithfulness of its make, as well as the superiority of its principles of construction, far- mers and others may rely on having their Fans made of the best materials and workmanship. St. Geramers, St. Mary's Co., Md., Oct. 6, 1853. This is to certify, that I have tried Messrs. J. Montgo- mery & Brother's Wheat Fan in some tailings I made in cleaning a part of my crop, which I did not think could be made worth anything; it extracted from a bushel and a half of filth about three pecks of pure wheat. I must say that I never saw a- Fan that can even come in competition with J. Montgomery & Brother's Rockaway Wheat Fan, for screening wheat. Benjamin M'Kay. REFERENCES. City of Baltimore : John S. Williams, foot of Commerce street; Messrs. Seth & Godwin, No. 4 Bowly's wharf; E. B. Harris, No. 4 Bowly's wharf; Michael Dorsey, Light °t: Thos. J. Hall, Light street; N. E. Berry, Lombard Mr. \, chants. "*r Charles; R. D. Burns, foot of Bowly's wharf; No. 2 Bowly's wharf — all commission mer- SUPERIOR SWINE AND PREMIUM POULTRY.— I am prepared to engage pigs by my large Byefield and superior Suffolk boars, from matchless sows of the following breeds: Byefield, Suffolk, Skinner, Essex, Chester, 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, Pure White 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, Clover Dale, near Petersburg, Va. mar — tf Virginia re fere > Gen. B. Peyton, Virginian. William S. Archer, Virginia; Harvey, Virginia; Rowlett ! JHuCarter, Virginia ; Lewis G. C. Lane, Richmond; Robert Cole, fa Co., Petersburg; A. Heartwall, D. I. Payner, James B. LunCfJid, Virginia ; M. Jones, Geo. W. Field, Col. Isham Trotter, JohRavenscroft Win. Towns Jas. Hays, Sr., Dr. Wm. W. Oliver, SarA^ks, M'Gehee, William M. Watkins, William i' Scott ** We are prepared to sell State or County rights to those who wish to manufacture our Fan. r/ U ^nTp ad t d of Gd to 5? undersi g ne * at the Baltimore City (Md.) Post Office, will be promptly attended to at 1C r xt TT - , J - MONTGOMERY & BRO. No. 155 N. High st., between Hillen and Gay streets, m *y~ly Baltimore . OUFFOLK PIGS.-The sub^ers are prepared t0 re „ kJ ce.ve orders for pure Suffolk Pigs, bred from stock im- ported by the late William Sti.kney in 184S, and by the subscribers s in January; also an importation of twelve in October, 1853. Address JOSIAH STICKNEY, Watertown, Or, ISAAC STICKNEY, Boston, Mass. ap — 3t TMPROVED SUPER PHOSPHATE OF LIME— The A subscriber is manufacturing the above at his Bone Mill a short distance from the city, of the best and purest kind! Farmers are requested to examine his before purchasing elsewhere; the quality will speak for itself, and his price is the same as that manufactured out of the State ma y~ tf R. R. DUVAL, i GREAT REDUCTION IN PRICES OF HATS AND BOOTS.— J. H. ANTHONY'S Fashionable Hat Store, Columbian Hotel Corner. The cheapest place in the city of Richmond to buy hats and boots is at the above store, where every article sold may be relied on as 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 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 f u |t,that the premium for the largest, strongest and most & Co "°M ect i° n of Implements was awarded to Mott, Lewis lara-e Machint 6 ( ^ ailv ac ^ m g' to our assortment from our approved pattern^' P1 ° Ughs °f a11 ki ? ds from *}* ™ s * the justly celebrated Wi^ ^n^ V*^ /T. points; Minor & Horten of L^o P1 ° u S h > ^ith double Bibcock, No, 21 and?Hfi in ^ e ^!i«C h wtS and cast share ; improved M'Cormick, improved?;, I gin me L t ° ngl 7 l Pa " A T nS ' and m ™y odler kinds <™ nu- merous to mention. Also, castings for nil" ploughs, by the piece or ton; Corn Cultivators of different kinds; Tobacco Cultivators; Harrows, from one-horse up to four-horse- Shellerand the Premium Mumma Sheller; Corn and Cob Crushers; Straw Cutters of all patterns from $7 up m $55 ; Churnf n ? le ^ the ^ osta PP roVed P atterns '' G ™ s « Snathes S ™V Ox Yokes, Store Trucks, Hay and Straw Forks from 62A cents up to $1 50; Spades, Shovels, and man^ other articles too numerous to mention. Also, Landreth's best Garden and Field Seeds. All of which 'will be sold ern citv aS r a M ^ ^ Can b ° had from ^ ^th- em city. Call and examine for yourselves ™ a, c M ? TT ' LEW,S & WILLSON, ap-4t Sign of the Plough, No. 36 Main Street. THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 191 ATTENTION FARMERS AND MILLERS. Premium Grain Cleaner — patented April 20, 1852. We would most respectfully call the attention of Farmers and others to our Improved Grain Fan, which we are manufacturing at our shop in Fredericksburg, Va., where we have a num- ber finished for the inspection of Farmers and others. We might give thousands of certificates to show the superiority of our Fans, but deem it unnecessary, as a trial of the fan will give satisfaction. It is simple in its construction, and cannot be surpassed in expeditiously cleaning all kinds of Grain from Cockle, Smut, Garlic, Cheat, &c, and is an excellent chaffer. We have selected good material and would be pleased to furnish all in want of a good Fan mill. All our work is warranted to be well made and do a good business. Our teams are passing through the country, and will deliver Fans at any point within seventy miles of the shop. Those convenient to rail-road or steam-boat land- ings can have them delivered at their depot. Farmers will please send their orders early. Communications addressed to T. J. Doyle & Co., at Fre- dericksburg, Va., are promptly attended to. For Premiums and Certificates see handbills. jun— 2t* T. J. DOYLE & CO. FARM, STOCK, CROPS, NEGROES, &C, FOR SALE. — The subscribers are authorized to sell a valu- able farm in the county of Buckingham, 5£ miles from the Court House, containing upwards of 800 acres, having on it every necessary improvement, consisting of a handsome two story dwelling just completed, barn with threshing machine, stables, corn crib, carriage and ice houses, black- smith's shop, &c, with a kitchen and meat house about to be erected. It has also a fine garden and an orchard of choice fruit, embracing almost every variety grown in Vir- ginia. It will be sold with the growing crops, (175 bushels of wheat and 100 bushels of oats have been seeded) stock, tools and implements of every description, and 16 first rate fai-m and house servants, one of whom is a good black- smith. This farm is situated in a region proverbial for health and agreeable society, 15 farms and dwellings being in view from the dwelling. The owner desiring to remove to the South, and being unwilling to break up the relations existing among his ne- groes, will dispose of the whole at a great bargain. For terms, &c, apply to MARTIN GOLDSBOROUGH, Baltimore, or RUFFIN & AUGUST, Richmond, Va. jun— tf GENERAL AGENCY FOR THE SALE AND PUR- CHASE OF LANDS.— FRANK : G. RUFFIN, Secre- tary of the Virginia State Agricultural Society, and N. AUGUST, Notary Public and Accountant, offer their ser- vices to the public as General Agents for the sale and pur- chase of lands in Virginia, and in the Southern and West- ern States. Those wishing our services, having, lands f" r sale, are requested to furnish us with a full descrip f ' oU °* snch property, and the terms, &c, upon whi*** tne y are willing to sell ; and those wishing to purch» se are requested to inform us of the locality in which ' he Y wish to purchase, the price they are willing to f«y> &c. Our charges will be moderate. Office at the oifice of the Virginia State Agricultural So- ciety, jan— tf WILLIAM P. LADD, APOTHECARY AND DRUGGIST, No. 319, head of Broad Street, Shockoe Hill, Rich- mond, Virginia. DEALER in English, Mediterranean, India and all Foreign and Domestic Drugs and Medi- cines; also, Paints, Oils, Varnish, Dye-Stuffs, Win- dow Glass, Putty. &c. For sale on the most ac- commodating terms. fr^» Orders from Country Merchants and Physi- cians thankfully received and promptly attended to, ja 1851— tf STEPHEN H. FISHER, Manufacturer of Boots and Shoes, No. 228, Broad Street, north side, be- tween 3d and 4th streets, Richmond, Virginia, keeps con- stantly on hand a full assortment of ready made Boots and Shoes of his own manufacture, for Ladies' and Children's wear, which he will sell as low as can be purchased in this, city. Boots and Shoes for Gentlemen' and Boys on hand,* or made to order at short notice. Servants' Shoes of all qualities always on hand. All work warranted. §3F* Farmers are invited to give him a call. ocly JB. & W. F. POAGUE'S PATENT PLAN FOR • HYDRAULIC CEMENT PIPES.— This is the cheap- est and most durable piping ever offered to the public for conveying or elevating water for any distance desired, and can be enlarged or diminished to suit the flow or column of water, and the strength increased in proportion. The pipes can be either moulded in the ditch just as they are intended to remain, or moulded in a yard, and when hardened, transported any distance, and the pieces united in the ditch by cement mortar. The pipes can be easily attached to the ram or any kind of hydrant. They have been thoroughly tested by a number of persons. All persons desiring fur- ther information, or wishing to purchase rights for any un- sold State or county, can get a printed circular containing directions for constructing and using said moulds, with cer- tificates of their utility, by applying (post-paid) to the Pa- tentees. We are prepared to undertake and execute jobs of piping in this and the surrounding counties. J. B. & W. F. POAGUE. Address Fancy Hill P. O., Rockbridge county, Va. jun — 2t* ALBANY AGRICULTURAL WORKS.— Emery's Patent Rail-road Horse Powers Threshing Ma- chines, Separators, &c. together with a full and ge- neral assortment of Farm Implements and Machinery, Field and Garden Seeds, Fertilizers, &c. &c. Full Ca- talogues and descriptions sent gratis on application to the subscriber. RICH'D H. PEASE 369 & 371 Broadway, Albany, N. Y. The above machines may be prcoured of Mr. James A. Lipscomb, Richmond; Rowlett, Hardy & Co., Peters- burg; Addison & Meade Alexandria; Radcliffe & Son, Washington, D. C-, at Albany prices, adding transport" tion. jun — 2t* SINTON & SONS' NURSP**"» NEAR RICHMOND, VIUGV* IA - \ S the season for planting; has arrived, the sub- A. scribers would respectfully call the attention of iheir 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'ihe 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 & Go'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 orompt attention. nov— if JOSEPH SINTON & SONS. AGENCY FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF IMPROVED STOCK. Q TOOK Cattle of all the different breeds, Sheep, O Swine, Poultry, &c. will be purchased to order, md carefully shipped to any pan of the United Slates, for which a reasonable commission will be charged. Apply to AARON CLEMENT, Philadelphia. Refer to Gen. W. H. Richardson, Richmond, Va. N. B. — All letters, post-paid, will be promptly Attended to. ap— tf k. 192 THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. CONTENTS OF NUMBER V. PAGE Essay on Enriching and Improving Poor Land 161 A Reviewer reviewed — an Oddity let loose 164 Report on Fighting Creek Farm 168 How is the Agricultural Society of Virginia to be Placed upon a Permanent and Self-sustaining Basis? 169 Farms Improved by Keeping Sheep 170 Steam among the Farmers • .... 1 70 Soda Water 173 Premium Essay on Hillside Ditching 173 Shanghai Cocks and Hens, with a Portrait 176 Q,uere about the Roof of Tobacco Houses 177 The Prospects of Stock 177 The Tobacco Crop of Virginia 178 The Wheat Crop i78 Price of Wheat in England 178 Harvest Drink, Diet and Medicine 178 Analysis of the Red Lands of the S. W. Mountains- •• 178 Acceptance of Mr. Timberlake's Challenge 180 Distemper in Cattle 180 To Eradicate Sassafras 181 Insects in Wheat and Oats in 1769, 1732 and 1755 181 On the Application of Guano for Corn 181 Saltpetre as a Manure 182 Experiments in Succoring Corn 183 Drifting Soils — their Management 183 How to Winter 100 Sheepjfrom Two Acres of Land- •• 184 M'LANE'S WORM SPECIFIC. §3F" The following, from a customer, shows the demand which this great medicine has created wherever it has been introduced : Blossburg, Tioga Co., Pa., March 30, 1850. Gentlemen — In consequence of the great consumption of your "Worm Specific" in this place and vicinity, we have entirely exhausted our stock. We should feel obliged by your forwarding, via Corning, N. Y. 20 dozen, with your bill, on the reception of which we will remit you the money. From the wonderful effects of said "Specific" in this neighborhood, there could be sold annually a large quantity, if to be had, (wholesale and retail) from some local agent. If you would compensate a person for trouble and expense " ''ending, I think I could make it to your advantage to H^Sfours, respectfully, WM. M. MALLORY, 1^1'rKlVD & CO. McLane's Ce per W. E. Porter. other vermifuges Sll ple ?? e b » Careful t0 &sk f ° r " Dr " t Ar "Tfjruxifuge," and take none else. All ie Verm,tugo,,4 n ; are worthless. Dr. Mc- respecuu* ce i e brated Liver Pills, rorl.tt see y wit " Jjane's genuine Vermifuge can now be had at all States and Canada. XT _ ^ A -'or Stores in the U. P=^3»«r FAMILY SHOULD BE WITHOUT- ikgr We speak of McLane's Liver Pills, whici, come an indispensable Family Medicine. The fridfc- symptoms which arise from a diseased Liver manifest tlern- se ves, more or less, in every family; dyspepsia sick head ache, obstruction of the menses* ague and Srm ZL?t the side with dry, hacking cough*, are all h rS of hepatic derangement-and for these Dr. McLane's Pd I are JZT 1S V e Zi y \ The ^ W "W been known to fad and they should be kept at all times by families DiRECTiONs-Take two or three going to bed every second or third night. If they do not purge two or three LZw 7 TM? ° rnin ?' take ° ne 0r two ™*- A slio-h breakfast should invariably follow their use The Liver Pill may also be used where 'pursing is-sim- ply necessary. As an anti-bilious purgative, they are infe- rior to none And in doses of two or three, dfey Sve astonishing relief to si" t u — -»--»--- -• '■ ments of the stomach. Subpurchasers will 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 fullyL appreciated, and the old complicated costly separators must yield their place to a superior machine. This Machine, for*s* threshing, separating, cleaning twice, screening and bagi ging, (by one simple operation,) all kinds of Grain — thi greatest labor-saving machine extant; for simplicity, durc\ bility, cheapness and capacity, it has no rival in the worh I It is capable of turning out, ready for the mill or for see '* from 300 to 500 bushels of wheat per day, with six or eig horses, and eight hands — or from 500 to 800 bushels twelve horses and as many hands, doing the work clean •' and breaking less grain, than any machine now in u & This machine received the first premiums at the Maryla f- State Fair, Baltimore, in 1852 and 1853; the Washing! i County Maryland Fair ; Valley Agricultural Fair of Virgin j in 1852 and 1853; the Rappahannock Agricultural Socie Ml at Port Royal, Va.; Indiana State Fair, Indianapolis, 1' ;Il This machine is so simple in construction, that thfi-^ji fan and shoe completely cleans and bags the grain./ -, pensing with all the complicated machinery (and conse> / liability of derangement) in all other separators, thus ma l it more desirable to the farmer. !3PShop Prices of Zimmerman & Co.'s Thres. jtyj Cleaner, Bagger and Power — Thresher, Cleaner & ][ Bagger complete, 6 and 8 horses, $175; Power for saA i I ^$100 — making $275 for the whole complete. Thresh^. tj Cleaner and Bagger, 36 inch Cylinder, $200; Power o , same, $135, for 8, 10 and 12 horses. This machine is complete with Band, Wrenches, &c. ( i I3P" References. — Samuel Sands, Esq., Editor of th- 7 J "American Farmer;" Col. Edward Lloyd, Easton, Mdj 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 Hardit Northumberland county, Va.; Hugh Nelson, Esq., Clar county, Va.; Charles Mason, Esq., King George com fr Va.; S. W. Thomas, Esq., Clarke county, Va.; Dr. T ill( j Mario w, Frederick city, Md.; David Boyd, Esq., Freeh | city, Md.; Ezra Houck, Frederick city, Md.; Samuel }}. Middletown Valley, Md.; John Clagett, Hagerstown, Ms. ' 13?^ The above machines are manufactured in Gharfl town, Jefferson county, Virginia. All orders addressed I us will be attended to with promptness, and all Threshers sent out warranted to come up to the standard. ap— 3t* ZIMMERMAN & CO. | MPORTANT TO AGRICULTURISTS.— I desire to J. call the attention of the farmers of Virginia, Maryland, , gWto my patent attachment for grinding and distributing original* 1 .^ t0 gi ve notice that I claim to be the true and I cultural wareV? 1 " °f these machines now on sale at the agri- and which will fie °^ Addison & Meade, Alexandria, Va., Brown, Winchester* Va alc at the warenouse of .Baker & many farmers in Clarke ""jeife are als ° in P os;session of counties. Althm,„K „ „...'. >. **>», Culpener and other relief to sick headache; also in slight derange- counties, to Messrs. Although a patent has been enson & Rhor of ChiSSSK^- ""^ ' of my machine, I have"taken measn^""' **' .^ ^ P art to establish - be careful to ask for "Dr. Mc- Lane s Celebrated Liver Pills," and take none else. There Sue G Dr ^r^T^ t0 p e n LiVer Pills ' ™* bcft - ^ PODUC. Dr. McLane's Liver Pills, also his celebrated Ver- n thf [A" 7? bG Jiad at al1 ^respectable Dr g Sto s in the United States and Canada. 8 fun-i 1 ' ^ r P. URC ^L, LADD & CO. ) un » Corner Mam and 14th street. Richmond. at the Patent Office my oiigmal exclude title to the invention i Persons desirous of obtaining these machines, or wishing to purchase rights for counties, States or terr \SE S p ease apply to me at Summit Point, Jefferson coumv, V or to Addson & Meade, Alexandria, Va, or to Baker & ^.Winchester Va. Fanners can have the atu h r e m affixed to any drill by application as above. - J» n — 3t _ • T. F. NELSON. M'CONNliLL «fc BURTON, L ■ t. DENTISTS, Mam Street, between 9th and 10th Streets, Richmond Va JOHN M'CONNELL. W. LEIGH BURTON. !