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with the disease, three only were the offspring of parents who had suffered from it; whence, it follows, that rupture of the air cells of the lungs is very frequently an hereditary disease. A fact important to man and horse, at all events to the breeder of the latter. Majendie attributes the difficulty of breathing to want of elasticity in the lungs." At all events there is sufficient evidence of the disease being heriditary to put breeders on their guard, a fact, I believe, not generally known to the community.

Respectfully, M. D.

For the Southern Planter.

THE INFLUENCE OF CULTIVATION ON

VEGETABLES.

NO. hi.

It is a universal law in both the animal and vegetable kingdoms, that individuals should resemble more or less those from which they come, and it might, perhaps, happen in the vegetable kingdom that the product of an individual would be exactly similar to the parent plant, if all the exterior circumstances of soil, of climate, of exposure, of position, &c. were the same for the product that the)'- had been for the parent plant; but this is far from being the case; indeed, we find that on the same plant the buds are far from being identical, for there are some better placed for development, better nourished, and more exposed to the influence of light and heat than others; so that in these things we see a source of difference among the products of the same plant; we know, too, that the largest tubers among the product of a potato vine will produce, under the same circumstances, a larger variety of potatoes than the smallest ones; we likewise know that cultivators prefer some shoots to others for grafts and slips, in consequence of their ability to appreciate the differences resulting from the causes above alluded to.

The modifications in the products of plants are called varieties, when they are capable of being transmitted by a division of the plant, such as grafts and sjips. The term variations belong to those slighter differences which result from external causes; thus there are plants producing large leaves and few hairs in light and dry situations, and bear small leaves and a great number of hairs in a shady and wet place. The cause of variations is very apparent, but the origin of varieties is more difficult to comprehend, unless it is admitted, as it is by the most learned, that these variations become more and more permanent in proportion as the causes, by which they have been produced, have acquired permanency, by the length of time they have existed, and by the intensity with which they have acted, until they acquire the power of being transmitted by division, and thus become the source of varieties.

Plants produced by seed differ more from the parent plant than those which are the result of division, as might be expected ; since grafts and slips are an extension of the original plant, whilst the product of a seed is the development of a new being. Thus a great part of our fruit trees, yielding the most delightful fruit, are the offspring of seed trees producing indifferent fruit, and it is by division only that we perpetuate the fine varieties of fruit. From seed, however, we procure new and valuable varieties of plants by means of cross-fecundation, that is to say, by fecundating one plant with the pollen of another, from whose seed an intermediate race of plants is produced.

From what has been said it can be easily understood, that our ability to effect changes in plants depends upon the number of means by which they can be propagated—thus a dahlia can be propagated by seed, by division, and by tubers ; the apple by seed and by division ; and wheat by seed: and just in this proportion we have been enabled to effect and perpetuate varieties in these plants.

In my next communication I propose to give some account of double flowers, when I shall have executed, in an humble way, all that was promised in the first paper of

A Naturalist.

BACON.

Every body in Virginia knows how to make good bacon, and if any of our northern friends will cross the Potomac, we will satisfy them that the art is confined to the South. But that they might, in the meantime, be enabled to know something- of Virginia ham, of which they hear so much and see so little, we applied to a friend in Hanover, upon whom we could rely, for his mode of making and curing bacon. The following is the result of the application. As we expected, the directions are simple, clear, and concise, and we believe certain of producing good bacon.

If any of our whole hog friends have any amendments to make, we shall be pleased to hear from them upon this important subject. To the Editor of the Southern Planter!

Dear Sir, —Feeling anxious for the success of your paper, which I think promises to be eminently useful to Virginia farmers, and deeming it incumbent on me, as a recipient of the benefit it confers, to aid in filling its pages, I will give you my mode of curing bacon. As bacon cannot be made good, unless the pork is good, I will give some directions for making pork. In the first place, your hogs should not be of a breed that carries too much fat, for in that case, the meat will be too gross and oily to make good bacon, (avoid the Chinese and No-bone.) Let the hogs when killed be about twelve or eighteen months old, and well fattened, principally on corn or meal, and weigh from one hundred to one hundred and seventy-five pounds. When you have killed your hogs

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and had them nicely butchered, hang them up and let them drip until the next day—they will then be cold and stiff, and may be nicely cut out. Put to each joint a large tea-spoonful of saltpetre—rub each piece well with salt on both sides, and pack them away in a hogshead with holes at the bottom to let off the brine. Let it remain in this state for five or six weeks—then take it out, brush off the salt—rub it well with hickory ashes and hang it up in your meat-house, so that one piece shall not touch another. You should smoke it eight or ten days successively, and occasionally in damp weather. Your smoke had best be made of small chips, (avoid pine.) When the shoulders are small, I usually leave the spareribs in them.

I think any one who will observe the above directions will almost certainly have good bacon.

D.

Our readers must understand, that when our correspondent limits the weight of the hog to one hundred or one hundred and seventy-five pounds, he is speaking of what is provincially termed family bacon, that is, a ham, which the good Virginia housewife will permit to head her table. He does not speak of such as being most economical, or intended for the use of laborers.

For the Southern Planter.

Mr. Editor, —It is with no small degree of pleasure I inform you of the application of horse power to collecting and heaping woods manure composed of leaves and the skimmings of earthy particles and mould deposited on the surface of the land in the woods. A horse rake is made by boring eight two inch holes through a locust or gum log and putting teeth made of seasoned locust, drawn to a true point, and driven through from the top of the log. The teeth should be two feet long and the log should be eight inches in diameter if locust, or ten inches if gum, and three and a half feet long; the shafts should be just long enough to balance the rake, which falls back very much, from the great lean the teeth are obliged to have, to collect the trash readily.

A correspondent in the Farmers' Register, of last year, thinks, to rake and haul six loads, a good day's work for a hand, or twelve loads for two hands and one cart. With this rake, I raked myself fifteen large cart loads in an hour, and above one hundred loads a day can be collected. I set a higher value on this rake than I do the labor of a hand, for a year; for without it, I found it very troublesome work to collect and haul three loads a week, in good weather, and taking wet times after rains I calculated on two hundred and fifty loads a year; but now, I am obtaining at the rate of one thousand five hundred loads, and lose only such time as I can spare from the crops.

The portions of earth raked with the leaves, keeps them very compact, and makes the whole

rot much sooner than when gathered by a hand rake. Hoping that those in the vicinity of pine woods will avail themselves of this Planter's Aid, I am respectfully,

Yours, J. H. D. Lownes.

COUCHING.

From a highly valued medical friend we have received the following:

U A fine mare of five or six years old, in the possession of Mr. Perkins, of Fredericksburg, became blind from cataract in both eyes. Having confined her in a close pen, with a twitch on her nose, I stood upon a high bench and performed the operation of couching, as it is called, and succeeded completely in removing the cataract. About a fortnight afterwards, from being stone blind, the animal could see a corncob at the distance of two or three yards. She was too restive to allow me to remove the disease from the other eye. I attempted, after throwing her, but without success. There are many horses about the country which might be rendered much more valuable by this operation, and, no doubt, any physician would be willing to attempt it for the sake of keeping his hand in practice.

" In inflammation of the eye, after free bleeding from the neck and purging, it is an excellent practice, to take about half a pint, or a pint, every day or two from the vein of the face which passes down from the corner of the eye next the nose. This vein carries off the blood from every part of the ball of the eye, and the surrounding parts. A fine mare tore the front of the eye against a nail, causing severe inflammation, which threatened to destroy the eye and cause it to sink in the socket. This disaster was completely prevented by the treatment recommended above. If the inflammation proves obstinate, a rowel in the back of the neck will relieve it when nothing else will."

BREEDING.

An idea prevails amongst breeders that the first offspring is of little value, consequently, where the services of the sire are held at a high price, it is not uncommon to breed a valuable female, the first time, to an indifferent male, on account of the supposed economy. But the following well authenticated case, amongst many others, should warn breeders from such a practice:

When the Earl of Morton's Arabian mare was bred to the duagga, not only did the offspring partake of the character of the sire, but when the mare was subsequently bred to an Arabian, by whom she had three foals, at different times, the first two continued to exhibit some of the distinctive features of the Q,uagga conjoined with the character of the Arabian.

Mr. Mayo mentions that a similar occurrence

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was observed by Mr. Giles, in a litter of pigs, which resembled in color a wild boar, by whom the sow had had a former litter.

COB MEAL.

Of all the classes of which society is composed, the agricultural portion of the community should most encourage the growth and dissemination of periodicals devoted to their use. Other professions herd together, and arc brought into daily contact, but the avocation of the farmer necessarily separates him, in a great measure, from the other members of his profession. Mechanics, who chiefly congregate in cities, learn from intercourse with one another any improvement that may have been made in their branch of business, and consequently, if such improvement be really substantial, it flies from mouth to mouth with the rapidity of lightning, and is quickly introduced into every part of the country. But the farmer is deprived of this opportunity of personal intercourse, which is productive of so much good, and he can only supply its place by substituting the pen for the tongue, and eyes for ears. He, who refuses to do so, is about as wise as the individual, who, for a few dollars, would agree never to hold a conversation with mortal man upon the subject of his profession.

How small a portion of our information can be derived from our own experience. Amongst the most practical, the cheapest, and by far the largest portion of knowledge must be derived from the information afforded by the experience of others. He is only as one of a million, all of whose attainments may be at his disposal. We ourselves have already hundreds constantly making experiments in agriculture for us, the results of which we are reporting ; and yet, we have met with farmers whom we in vain entreated to pay us the pittance of a dollar for 288 pages of such reports—farmers, we mean, who took no other agricultural paper—we entreated them to subscribe for some agricultural work, (we will act as agent for any in the Union without charging a cent of commission) and we have been refused on the score of what, think you ?— Economy. Really, they said, they could not afford to spend a dollar for any such purpose. At what rate must such a man estimate the improvement derived from his own experience, if he considers the results of so many of his co-laborers not worth a dollar 1 We cannot help considering such economy to be "penny ivise and pound foolish."

We sincerely believe that there are very few farmers who could make a better investment of a ten dollar note than to spend it judiciously in agricultural papers. The country is flooded with them; some of them edited with great abilit}^. Amongst such it might appear invidious in us to attempt to draw distinctions, but

we can safely say, that there is none upon our exchange list that is not worth ten times the price of subscription.

Into such a digression have we been unintentionally led, thai, but for the title with which wo happened to head this article, we should have forgotten what particular subject gave rise lo these reflections. We remember now that it was the fact that the value of the cob of Indian corn should be so little appreciated notwithstanding its having been so satisfactorily ascertained.

The properties of this article have been frequently analyzed, and various results have been reported ; but all concur in declaring it. to be extremely valuable. Some have considered the nutritious matter of the cob to be one-third of that contained in the grain.

So satisfactorily has the economy of ground and cut food been established of late years, that it is now almost universally used. Every body knows, that the meal from the grain of the corn requires some separating admixture to make it a healthy food, and our merchant mills in this city sell enormous quantities of wheat bran for this purpose. Now, cob meal is found to be at least four times as nutritious as bran, and equally as separating, and yet, farmers throw away the corn cob and come to Richmond to buy bran.

Every corn mill should be furnished with a crusher or cob grinder, which may be added at an expense of about fifty dollars; and all the com that is intended for feeding cattle should be ground up corn and cob together. At the lowest estimate, corn cobs must be worth six and a quarter cents a bushel at any mill door, where a crusher has been erected. . If they can be obtained at any thing like that price, they might very profitably be made to enter largely into the feed trade. To the farmer, who would have them ground for his own use, they arc worth double or treble that sum. How long will farmers continue to complain of hard times yet fail to avail themselves of the most obvious principles of rural economy ?

TOBACCO.

The true object, in a choice of crops should be to select that which will afford, even by the highest cultivation, the greatest yield from a given surface. We do not mean yield in bushels, but product in money. A very observing and intelligent farmer in this neighborhood has suggested to us, that tobacco is a crop which very admirably fulfils these conditions. He thinks that it pays better for high cultivation than any crop he knows, and that it may be raised to great advantage in the neighborhood of cities or other places affording facilities of manure. His opinion is, that an acre of land, highly manured and well cultivated in tobacco will afford a greater clear profit in the market than any root crop that can be cultivated.

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The idea is a novel one, and if our sagacious friend is right, may have a wonderful effect upon the system of cultivation in Eastern Virginia. We mentioned the subject to a very intelligent tobacco manufacturer of this city, and he thought very favorably of the notion. He said, that he had for some time been of opinion, that a change in the tobacco regulations in England would probably return the tobacco crop to the worn out lands of Eastern Virginia. That change and its supposed action he explained thus:

The manufacturing demand in this country is for a light silky tobacco, which will only grow upon new land, and cannot be made with manure. Formerly, in England, an excise duty was laid upon the tobacco, which was weighed after it had passed through the hands of the manufacturer, with a certain fixed allowance for additional weight, caused by the use of certain

articles employed in the manufacture. This allowance was too small to justify the manufacturer in using much of these foreign substances, upon the excess of which he paid tobacco duty. Now this duty is removed, and after the tobacco comes into the hands of the manufacturer, it is not again visited by the excise officer. The consequence is, that the British manufacturer now uses immense quantities of heavy liquids, as molasses, &c. for which he gets paid as tobacco. Now the tobacco that will bear this kind of treatment is exactly the strong coarse article, produced upon highly manured land. Consequently, a new and very large market has been created for this hitherto, comparatively speaking, unsaleable species of tobacco.

We design to investigate this subject further. One fact is certain, that the most independent class in our community is the tobacco growers.

GATES

To the Editor of the Southern Planter:

Sir, —I have read with much interest some communications in your paper upon the important subject of farm gates. Although much has been written upon it, I do not think the subject has been entirely exhausted, and hope your readers have not become weary of it. Some excellent hints may be obtained from what has already appeared in your columns; but I have lately been using a gate, of which I send you a sketch and description, that I think, for economy and durability, far exceeds any other I know.

The cedar pole gate looks better on paper than in practice. Your engraver makes his poles much straighter, rounder, and more even, than j nature, and much of the strength as well as beauty of the gate is dependant upon these l qualities.

One of your correspondents very plausibly j urges the necessity of a light gate. Now, sir, j on the contrary, inasmuch as I derive strength ■

from weight, I prefer a heavy gate, provided the weight is properly disposed. No. 1 represents the frame of such a gate; A B, the back upright, is a piece of timber 6 by 4, or even larger if thought desirable; A D and B F, the horizontal rails, are tapered, being 4 by 4 at the back, where they are united to A B, and 3 by 3 at the other end, where they join D F. The upright D F is also 3 by 3. The brace E G may be made of any size that is thought desirable. Here now, the leverage, which may be considered as operating upon the end farthest from the hinges, is, in a measure, counterpoised by the additional weight at the other end, and, so far, the liability to swag is prevented. Consequently, the narrower the gate, or the greater the overplus of weight at the hinged end, the more will this liability be counteracted. Owing to the necessary length of this leverage in a wide gate, it is impossible to entirely balance it, without perhaps making the hind post cum-

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brously large; then, the strain comes upon the joints and upper hinge; these are the points of danger, and these it behoves us particularly to guard. The most secure union is formed by a dove-tail and a wedge. I never depend upon nails or pins. Every body, I presume, knows what a dove-tail is: it may be formed either by morticing and tenoning, or more readily, by halving. The key or wedge is driven underneath, so as to force the tenon up as tight and close into the mortice as possible, and if the wood should shrink, which it will certainly do if not thoroughly seasoned, the wedge may be driven again. Thus, you have a joint which cannot rack, because it is made to fit close and bear evenly at all times. For additional security, a small nail may be tacked through the wedge after it is driven up; but, with this exception, the frame is made without the use of a nail. The tops of the horizontal rails are all bevilled slightly inwards, so that the rain water may run off with facility, instead of settling in and rotting the wood. Upon this frame light palings may be nailed, either perpendicularly, or horizontally, according to the taste or pleasure of the maker.

No. 2 is a more expensive and showy gate, npon the same principle; where the single brace is supplied by the transverse slats, which are morticed flush, into the horizontal rails.

The first gate can be made in half a day by a good carpenter, or in ten hours by any man, who can use a saw, a chisel and a hammer, and if the joints are well made, the gate will last until the timber rots.

I prefer for my upper hinge, upon which much depends, an iron ring, embracing the upper and rounded part of A B, terminating in a bolt to pass through the gate post with a screw and nut on the opposite side. Nothing, I believe, is cheaper or better for a lower hinge than the end of a glass-bottle already recommended, provided the upright is large enough to cover it and keep out the water, which will otherwise settle in it, and rot the end of the upright. I generally, however, use a more expensive iron toe and ink.

Hoping, that, in presenting these views, I have been enabled to do something for the cause in which we are mutually embarked, I remain Yours, J. B.

Of all the plans for gates that we have ever seen, we, hy far, prefer this now presented by our correspondent, who is entitled to great credit for the philosophical and practical investigation he has bestowed on this subject. As far as some mechanical united with a little agricultural knowledge will give weight to the opinion, we express our conviction that, with some alteration in the brace, which we will notice hereafter, it is the most perfect gate we have ever seen. Mr. B. has left a small model at our office, about 10 by 12, which, although coarsely made, will bear a man's weight on the extreme end without yielding in the slightest degree.

HOGS.

There seems to be a universal propensity in the human mind, which can only be satisfied by the pabulum of continual exaggeration. As soon as one bubble becomes too expanded to last, another is immediately inflated. This shifting and exciting passion for various objects reminds us of the zest with which children pursue, in turn, their various sports or pastimes, and the readiness with which they abandon an old favorite for another which possesses the attraction of novelty. We have had the season for blooded horses, for blooded cattle, and this is the day for blooded Hogs. The whole country being agog upon the subject of this really useful, but not very poetical, animal, we have been at some little pains to gather the best information we could procure for the benefit of our readers.

Three questions naturally present themselves in this investigation:

1. Can our farmers raise pork cheaper than they can buy it ?

2. If so, what is the best mode of raising? and

3. What stock is best adapted to our circumstances ?

The first question has been long mooted in Virginia, and the prevalent opinion used to be, that the fertile lands and rich forests of Ohio enabled its graziers to furnish us this article cheaper than we could produce it. But a better system of farming has taught better things; and now, even in Eastern Virginia, the agriculturist seems satisfied of the economy of raising his own pork.

Mr. Colman, who is considered perhaps the highest authority in New England, lately declared that, even there, where the' natural advantages must be much less than here, he was satisfied, from considerable experience, that when corn is seventy cents a bushel and pork will bring in the market six dollars a hundred, it may be fattened at a profit. Hogs, he remarks, are particularly valuable to the farmer on account of the large amount of manure which they may be made to furnish. If well supplied with raw material, a hog may be expected to produce ten loads of good compost manure per year.

Upon this first point, however, we must presume that our readers are satisfied without further evidence, that we may advance to the other two heads, which it would be needless to discuss, except upon this supposition.

On the second head, as to the mode of raising hogs, we presume much will depend upon situation. There are some, however, who maintain, that, even with the convenience of the finest mast it is cheaper to raise hogs in pens, where the manure pays for more than the difference in the cost of feed; but we are inclined to doubt this position, and think we have seen some situations, where nature afforded such abundant sup-

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ply of the richest food, in the shape of mast, that it would have been little short of madness in the proprietor not to have availed himself of it. It may be, however, that, even in such cases, it would be better to collect and bring the food so abundantly afforded to the hog, than to expose the animal abroad in search of it. The hog is an animal in his nature proverbially sluggish, and it is possible, that when we minister to his laziness by waiting on him, he more than repays us for our trouble in the increase of flesh this indulgence of his habits may afford.

This, however, we consider beyond a doubt,

that to attempt the

of hogs, out of a

pen, except upon the richest pasture range or the finest mast, is to throw away pretty much the whole cost of the animal. Any man had certainly better buy his pork than attempt any such system.

The answer to the third question will depend very much upon the solution of the second. In other words, the kind of hog selected should depend very much upon the treatment to which he is to be subjected. Pew hogs are not always field hogs. Our northern friends, we find, always estimate their hogs in proportion to the manner in which they thrive in pens. They know nothing of old fields or even of forests and marshes. Of their different varieties, the Berkshire, we presume, is beyond doubt the most fashionable; \ although, Mr. Colman says that a cross of the Berkshire with the Mackay has produced the finest and most thrifty race of animals that has ever come under his (Mr. Colman's) notice. Notwithstanding the popularity of this breed, which, for some purposes, we believe to have been most justly acquired, we think we could put a pure Berkshire in some places where he would find himself a very unequal match for his longer legged and more active brethren. For an active life, and to such most of the hogs in Virginia are consigned, we would prefer several crosses we have seen even with our native hog to the pure Berkshire. Our farriers should remember that the origin of this and all other improved breeds was the careful selection of such individuals as by nature possessed the properties required for the purpose for which the animal was designed. Now, if the Berkshire exactly suits our climate and other peculiarities, there can of course he no necessity for attempting any improvement; but, if our peculiar circumstances require properties which this stock, excellent in some respects, does not possess, why shall not we, by judicious crossing, create a stock which shall, as near as possible, answer our purposes ?

We believe this object to be desirable, and we believe that it can be effected. Hence, we hope to see gentlemen procuring not indiscriminately any hog that may be called a Berkshire, but selecting with care such individuals, no matter

under what name, as may possess, in the highest degree, the properties they most esteem.

We have been led into these remarks by no prejudice against Berkshires. On the contrary, we consider them a most valuable cross; but we do think that they are valued too indiscriminately, and that they are not always judiciously bred from. We would rather encourage a farther improvement of the stock, and would advise an eye to the form rather than the name of the animal.

There is something entirely new in the following . We like the originality of the idea, and in the name of the agricultural community, thank the Doctor for the application of professional principles to the sister science. We know of no other profession to which agriculture is as much indebted for scientific and practical improvements as to the country practitioner of medicine. We reckon amongst our most valuable correspondents some of that class.

We would however advise the Doctor, whilst we give him credit for the immediate communication of any observed fact, not to be too hasty in his conclusions. Our fruit trees generally, we believe, have been freer of late years from the ravages of the worm than they were formerly. If the cedar does no good, it certainly does harm; but, if subsequent experiments should confirm the Doctor's theory, a valuable discovery will have been made:

A NEW AND SUCCESSFUL MODE OF GUARDING

PEACH TREES FROM THE WORM. To the Editor of the Farmers' Register.

Fincastle, Va. 7 Feb. 27, 1841.

Although my name is not on the list of your subscribers, I have had the satisfaction of reading some of the valuable articles which appear in your journal. Though unacquainted with you personally, as I feel some interest in your periodical, I will take the liberty of introducing myself, by giving a brief sketch of an experiment I have made, with success, on the peach tree; and if you deem it of any importance, or worthy the notice of your readers, you can give publicity to it.

As I consider the peach the most delicious fruit of our latitude, I have long since thought it a desideratum that it should be made independent of the destructive worm which kills the tree. I thought it practicable: and it occurred to me that there was in reach an antidote for the enemy to that luxurious growth. Having observed, in the practice of medicine, that the cedar berry was a powerful vermifuge, I transplanted cedar scions and peach scions together six years since, in the following manner: 1 set one of each in a hole, with the roots entangled and set close together, believing that the strong odor peculiar to the cedar would prove offensive and sickening to the worm, and thereby prevent its approach to the peach tree. Every circumstance seemed to conspire in favor of the experiment. There was no danger of the peach tree being choked

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by the cedar, because the former is a rapid, whilst the latter is of very slow growth. The peach scions bore the second year, and have put forth their leaves as black as a cloud every season, and bore most luxuriantly every season, until the last, which was the sixth year. I have set out a number since, in the same way, which are all flourishing. I think a soil should be selected much mixed with sand, in order to prove successful. Wm. N. Anderson.

From the tone of our agricultural papers, generally, one would infer that they considered a farmer designed for no other purpose but money making—they seldom treat him either as a man or as a Christian, but devote all their energies to the improvement of his pocket, to the utter neglect of his mind and social condition. Of all the professions that have arisen from civilization the farmer's has the greatest tendency to render its followers the most cultivated, refined and disinterested of mankind. The nature of their pursuits, whilst it affords them the very best opportunities for reading and reflection, frees them from the necessity of that daily system of bargain and intrigue to which most other classes are subjected, and which has such a powerful tendency to corrupt and degrade the nobler qualities of the human heart.

Notwithstanding that the direct tendency of his occupation is to elevate the farmer's mind, what evidences of refinement and cultivation, even of comfort, will you generally find about his abode? Are they to be found in a decaying house, a straggling fence, or a neglected yard ?

There is much more in such things than a utilitarian might be inclined to suppose. No man ever saw a business prosper where there was a lack of good order, neatness, and arrangement. The homestead is generally a fair specimen of the farm, and where the dependant sees the principal indifferent to good order, it would be singular indeed if he was very careful in observing it.

Now although but little inclined in the general to find fault witlrthe ladies, when we have seen a dirty, neglected and uncomfortable residence, betraying a great lack of soap and paint, a yard without a shrub or flower to glad the heart or refresh the eye, we have sometimes been unable to repress the thought, that the mistress of that dwelling was wanting, not only in taste, but also in some of the most essential qualities of a wife and mother.

A man has other senses besides his appetite, and when he returns from a day of toil to the bosom of his family, he requires something more than a meal to appease his hunger. It is not less the interest, than the duty, of a wife to throw every charm around her husband's home. It should be to him the source of pleasure and repose—the recompense for his toils, and the Vol, 1—7

faithful centre of his hopes when abroad amid the cares of the busy world. To throw around it this halo, and to impart this charm, the evidence of a tender and watchful spirit alone is necessary. Let him see his comfort provided for in his well ordered household, his senses gratified by the fragrance of carefully cultivated flowers, a general air of neatness and taste affording the most delightful contrast to the rude and dirty scenes into which his daily avocations may drag him, and our life upon it no ale-house can vie with such a home. A man will ever be found in the bosom of such a family, except when his business calls him forth to encounter the toils which the curse has entailed upon him. To produce this mighty effect is within the means of the humblest. A faithful heart and a ministering hand is all that is wanting to ensure the certainty of domestic preference in any individual, who is not already lost to all that is good and noble.

These remarks are not intended only for the wealthy and exalted. They are even more applicable to the poor and humble. If a man has nothing else to cheer and comfort him, there is still more reason in providing for him the charms of Home.

We second our views on this subject by the following lively and sensible extract from the Western Farmer:

TO THE LADIES.

" No more toil

Of their sweet gardening labor than sufficed To recommend cool zephyr, and make ease More easy, wholesome thirst and appetite More grateful," — Milton.

Since the editors of this work are doing so much to enlighten the stronger half of creation, as to the ways and means of securing the solids and durables of life, it is but fair that something should be said to enlist the attention of the gentler sex, in regard to the ornamental.

Let me be understood, then, as giving you, one and all, an earnest request to take up the science of cultivation, in what pertains to ornamental gardening. " Poh !"—says some housewife, looking up from a portentous pile of stockings—" what's the use of fussing and quiddling over plants and flowers?" " Dear me !"—says a young lady, between sixteen and eighteen, engaged in the momentous pursuits incident to that time of life—"how is any one to find time to attend to such things?" "Oh !" says another, " I admire plants and fine shrubbery, but then they are so expensive ! one must pay so much for them, and have a man to tend them," &c. &c. And there are still others, we must confess, even among our own sex, who, should you show them the most peerless of flowers, in its fullest bloom, would tell you quite composedly, " La," that's only a rose, I've seen thousands of em !" To this last class any argument on the subject of

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such very common affairs, we suppose would be entirely out of place.

But as ladies in general, and American ladies in particular, never do any thing, even to undergoing the tightest lacing, and wearing the thinnest shoes in the coldest winter weather, without having good and sufficient reasons to sustain them, we must of course give a few solid ones,

the use of handsome tablecloths and bed-spreads?

one might eat on a board, and sleep under a

buffalo skin, and not really starve either !

So much for the " utile." Perhaps many of ; our readers will remember how involuntary was ' the judgment they have formed, in riding by | houses, as to the character of their inmates.

When you see a house standing all alone, bare

as to why the pursuit of ornamental gardening | of shrub or flower, except perhaps some volun-

is so particularly to be recommended totnem.

In the first place it conduces to health. A gentleman of nry acquaintance told me, that he would ride twenty miles to see one really healthy woman! and the phenomenon we think would be rare enough to justify the effort. Now all our treatises on the preservation of health, in recommending exercise as its "sine qua non" insist also, that exercise must be taken in the open air, and that the mind must be engaged and excited equally with the body. Now what occupation fulfils these conditions like gardening? Let any one practice it awhile out of doors, on a beautiful spring morning, with all the delightful excitement of laying out a border, sowing seeds, transplanting and arranging shrubbery, and they will find by the quick beat of every pulse, and the glow of the cheek, how healthful is the exercise. And as a sort of supplement to this part of my subject, I would add, that the pursuit of gardening leads directly to early rising, since some of its most important offices must be performed before the burning heats of the day come on. But " dear me !" says some young lady, " I never get up early ; if that is necessary in order to raise flowers, I never shall do it!" Never fear, my fair friend, once get your heart and soul in the matter, and you will rise early, because you cannot help it. The image of your geraniums and your roses will haunt your morning pillow, and you will be down with the first dawn, to see if the blossoms they promised the day before, have stolen forth, like beautiful spirits in the stillness of night.

Then again, gardening is a graceful accomplishment for a lady, and has been held even from the time of mother Eve—if we may credit the saying of a very clever old gentleman, one Mr. John Milton, who wrote many handsome lines to that effect, and who was very much admired in times when every body couldn't write such fine poetry as they can no\v-a-days. We seriously think that it is every woman's province, as far as in her lies, to see that the outside of her dwelling is well arranged, trimmed, and ornamented, as to endeavor after bright brasses, prettjr carpets, a"nd handsome china, in the inside.

" What is the use of flowers!" exclaims a thrifty housekeeper, meanwhile busily polishing her fire-irons. What is the use of bright fire-irons, say we in reply ? or of any fire-irons at all? could not you make a fire on two stones, that would keep you quite as warm? What's

teer bunches of thistle and pig-weed; what do you infer of its inmates ? And when you have passed even a log cabin, where the sweet brier was carefully trained around the door, while veils of morning glories and of scarlet beans, shade the windows, do you not immediately think of the dwellers there, as neat, cheerful and agreeable ? This is more especially the case in regard to the homes of the poor. The credit of the rich man's grounds may belong to his gardener, but they who can keep no gardener, and whose simple flower-garden springs out of moments stolen from necessary labor, possess a genuine and cordial love of the beautiful, to render an humble dwelling so fragrant and fair.

BEST CEMENT FOR JOINING GLASS.

If the glass is not likely to be exposed to moisture, the pieces may be joined by a solution of equal parts of gum-arabic and loaf sugar in water: or if these are not at hand the white of an egg may answer nearly as well. But a strong water proof cement, that is equally transparent, may be made b} T digesting finely powdered gum-copal, in thrice its weight of sulphuric ether till it is dissolved. This solution may be applied to the edges of the broken glass, with a camel hair pencil, and the pieces must be put together immediately and pressed close till they adhere.— New York Mechanic.

FARM PEN.

C. T. Botts, Esq. —For the last five or six years I have adopted the plan of keeping my horses, cattle, hogs, &c. in a lot, around which are the stables, cattle shelters, beef pen, and also a shelter and separate pen for sheep, and one for hogs. There isa stream of water passing through this enclosure, and each of the little divisions runs to the water. This I consider a great convenience, as well as very beneficial to the stock. In these lots my cattle and horses are kept, from first November to first April, without ever being turned out. Corn stalks, leaves, straw, &c. are hauled in and spread, from time to time. The barns, stables, corn houses, &c. are ranged along the north and west sides, and the intermediate spaces are filled up with cheap shelters of plank. The quantity of manure is vastly increased, and, I believe, the cattle are in better condition in the spring, after the first winter, (the confinement does not agree so well with them at first,) than

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when kept in moveable pens. Another advantage is, that a farmer can stand in one spot and see all his stock fed, without walking half a mile to see his cattle, and another half mile to see his hogs. Again, the different kinds of manure are mixed, and the whole contents of the farm pen are trodden, and may be used more advantageously. Salt, without stint, is kept in a trough in the yard, to which the stock have free access.

It is a treat to walk into such a place and see the milch cows regaling themselves on sugar beet and the greedy Berk shires devouring steamed roots, &c. all protected from the cold and rain.

Ed. Hill.

We receive a great many communications which lose half their interest from the anonymous signatures with which the}'- are accompanied. Can not our correspondents he induced to follow the excellent example of Mr. Hill, and accompany their favors with their real names?

It is not the first time we have heard of Mr. Hill's barn yard, and, if we are not greatly misinformed, he is an enterprising farmer, whose example is worthy of imitation in many respects. We shall he pleased to hear from him whenever his leisure permits.

The following statement is only one of hundreds that we have seen of extraordinary yields of the corn crop to the north. Astonishing as they seem to us, there can be no doubt, of their correctness. Thirty-eight barrels of corn to the acre ! and this from " old field," by a judicious s}'stem of cultivation! How many acres are cultivated in Virginia, upon which there is bestowed at least one-third the labor appropriated to this crop, where the yield is perhaps, if the season is a good one—five bushels to the acre % We are almost ashamed to write it; yet, such we believe to be the fact. Thousands of acres in Eastern Virginia are annually ploughed, harrowed, planted, and hoed, which do not return more than a barrel to the acre. If by such cultivation a man can live, what could he effect by scrupulously saving every thing that would make manure, and applying it to a limited surface % What is there in Virginia that we should be content with such a miserable yield as frequently disgraces our fields 1 Our soil is certainly not inferior, because, we find our northern brethren outstripping us upon every variety of soil. Is our climate less congenial to the growth of Indian corn than that of New England? We know that an idea very generally prevails that the heat of our summers prevents us from planting close enough to obtain such products as we read of to the north. We hope, and incline to believe, that this is a popular error. When land in Virginia is well manured, and the planting at the usual distance, the product is, we think, equal to what we have observed to the north. We are confident that we have seen a field in Virginia that would yield forty bushels

to the acre with as great a product upon it, as a field to the north, that would give ninety bushels; what was wanting in corn, was made up in stalk and fodder. Now, we are inclined to think that to exchange stalk and fodder for grain would be a good bargain, and this we think the northern farmer effects, in a measure, by close planting. But, says an old and experienced farmer, I have tried it, and when the drought came my corn fired. We know that this is the opinion of some of the best farmers in Virginia, and we are loth to hazard a conjecture in opposition to them. Yet we cannot help thinking that our eye frequently deceives us, and that if we would apply the bushel measure to our crops, we would find that the thickly planted, stunted stalks, from their greater number, yielded much more grain than their loftier and more scattered rivals.

Ashes or lime we are certain prevents firing, and in other crops, the best opinion seems to be, that the better the ground is shaded, the less the crop is affected by drought and heat.

If it is not too late, we should be extremely

pleased to see some of our readers following Mr.

Sheldon's practice, exactly, upon one or two

acres, and reporting to us the result:

From the Cultivator.

CULTURE OF INDIAN CORN—GREAT CROP.

Messrs. Editors, —I send you a statement of Mr. Elias Sheldon, as delivered to the committee for awarding premiums on agricultural products, of the Cultural and Mechanic Art Society of Enfield, Somers, Ellington, and East Windsor.

S. D. Chapin.

" The land on which I raised my crop of Indian corn the season past, had been under cultivation a number of years, and is what is denominated ' old field.' It had the previous year been sown to rye, the stubble of which was turned in some time in the month of February, 1840. Nothing more was done to the land until about the first of May, when I carted upon the piece at the rate of twenty-five cart loads of manure to the acre, from my barn yard. It was spread, and the cultivator passed over it to cover the manure. The land was furrowed each way with the plough at about three feet distance. The hills were made where the furrows intersected each other. A part of the piece was manured in the hill with well rotted manure, and a part with plaster of paris. The corn was planted on the 17th day of May last, dropping into each hill four kernels of corn. The corn was carefully hoed twice, and at each hoeing the cultivator was used by passing it between the rows each way. At the second hoeing un-leached ashes were dropped about the hills of corn at the rate of half a pint to a hill. The third hoeing was omitted, but the cultivator was used as before by passing each way between the rows. The produce was at the rate of one hundred and ninety bushels of ears of corn,

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weighing forty-five and a half pounds per bushel, and two cart loads of pumpkins per acre.

Elias Sheldon. Somers, Conn., Jan. 30, 1841."

From the Farmers' Cabinet we copy the following-, which, if correct, is valuable both as a preservative of health and leather:

WATER-PROOF DUBBING FOR LEATHER. KEEP YOUR FEET DRY AND HEAD COOL.

To render leather water-proof, and at the same time to preserve its elasticity, is a matter of great importance, as it increases its durability, and protects those who apply it to shoes or boots from the mischievous effects arising from damp or wet feet. The following recipe followed out carefully, it is believed, will effect this object;— Take a pint of linseed oil, two ounces of beeswax, two ounces of spirits of turpentine, and half an ounce of Burgundy pitch, and slowly melt them together, continuing to stir them so as thoroughly to incorporate them, being careful not to set the mass on fire, as the ingredients are all combustible. When this compound cools, it will be found to be about as elastic as leather ought to be. If it were harder, it would cause the leather to crack or break when bent; and if it were softer, water would enter and wash it out. To apply it, re-melt it, warm the shoes or boots, and put it on with a small brush, or a sponge, or piece of cloth tied on the end of a stick; continue to warm it in till the leather is well saturated with it, and particularly the bottoms of the soles and heels. It should always be applied when the boots or shoes are new, and then lay them by to season for some time before wearing. Leather thus treated will be found impervious to water, and will wear twice as long as that to which it has not been applied. The writer has used this article for many years, and can testify to the great benefits derived from it; and he has no doubt but his shoemaker's bill has been reduced to one half by the use of this composition ; and what has been saved in doctors' bills he is unable to estimate.

Common grease applied to leather tends to rot it, and it is soon washed out in wet weather

O.

N. B—After shoes have been worn a short time, the leather will take blacking and shine as well as if the composition had not been applied to it.

inconsistency! They will hold on with the gripe of a demon to a silver dollar at the very time that they are permitting ten times its value in manure to " waste its sweetness on the desert air." Because its value is somewhat remote it is always underrated. But although not immediate, it is not the less certain. If this fact could only be borne in mind, the eye of avarice would detect sources of gain in a thousand things that are now considered as worse than useless.

Mr. John Young, in his letters of Agricola, says, " The carcass of a dead horse, which is often suffered to pollute the air b} T its noxious effluvia, has been happily employed in decomposing twenty tons of peat earth, and transforming it into the most enriching manure." And again, " Liquid manures are of the same value as solid, and one ton of the solid dung will make four tons of compost, and four tons more may be made from the urine discharged by the cattle in the same given time."

MANURE. There is no one point that we more anxiously desire to impress upon the minds of our readers than the necessity of saving and making manure. We shall continue to urge it in one form or another in every number. Farmers are heedlessly permitting quantities of this valuable article to slip through their fingers, whilst, to them it is worth almost its weijrht in jrold. Strange

To the correctness of the following 1 article we yield our entire assent, having- attempted before to enforce several of the views here taken : CAPITAL. There is no mistake more common nor more injurious, than that of supposing that the more land a man holds, the greater must be his profits, for the profit does not arise from the land itself, but from the manner of using it; for the best soil may be made unproductive by bad management, while the worst may be rendered profitable by the opposite course ; but without sufficient capital no land can be properly cultivated; at the same time, there is nothing to which capital can be applied with greater certainty of a fair return for liberal expenditure, when correctly employed, than land. In fact, assuming always that the expenditure be directed with judgment, it will be found that the profit upon the outlay increases in more than a proportionate degree to its amount; thus, supposing twenty-five dollars be the lowest, and fifty the highest sum that can be emplo3 r ed in Ihe common culture of the same acre of land, it is more than probable that if twenty-five dollars return at the rate of ten per cent., the fifty dollars will yield twenty, or any intermediate sum, at the same progressive ratio. And admitting this to be true—and it is presumed no experienced agriculturist will doubt it—it follows, that a capital of five thousand dollars, expended in the cultivation of two hundred acres, will only yield a profit of five hundred dollars, while, if applied to no more than one hundred acres, it would produce one thousand dollars; therefore, it is evident that his profit would be increased by diminishing the quantity of his land. Many a man has been ruined by a large farm, who might have acquired a competency with one of half the size. Most farmers are anxious for large occupations, and many are thus betrayed into

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the error of taking a greater quantity of ground than they have the means of managing to advantage; some, in the delusive hope of acquiring those means by future saving ; others, from the vanity of holding more land than their neighbors: hence arises deficiency of stock, imperfect tillage, and scanty crops, with all the consequent train of rent in arrear, wages ill paid, and debts unsatisfied—distress,duns,and final ruin! While he, who prudently commences, with only such a number of acres as he has the power of cultivating with proper effect, is certain of obtaining

the full return from the soil, and not being burdened with more land than he can profitably enjoy, his engagements are within his means ; and thus, while enjoying present ease of mind, he lays the surest foundation for future prosperity. It therefore behoves a man to weigh well the charges with his means, and never allow himself to be seduced by any ideal prospect of gain, into the imprudence of entering upon a larger farm than his property will enable him to manage with the spirit necessary to insure success.— British Husbandry.

BERKSHIRE SOW

Mr. Botts :

Dear Sir, —Above, you have a portrait of a Berkshire sow, eleven months old, with her first litter of pigs, now the property of J. M. Sublett, Esq. of this city. She boasts the old Virginia cognomen of "Suke." The drawing and engraving are the first attempt of Mr. John S. Gallaher, Jr., a young gentleman who has exhibited the most extraordinary talent for an art to which he intends to devote himself. It is a good likeness and not flattered.

Suke is by the boar " President," (of whom you have a caricature in your February number) lately sold by me to the Rev. J. H. Turner, out of a sow obtained some time since of Caleb N. Bement, Esq. of Albany. She is supposed to weigh about three hundred pounds, certainly not less. President was sold by me only in consequence of my desire to avoid breeding in and in.

I have now stock from Bement, and a young-boar from John Lossing, Esq. of Albany, some from B. Brentnall, of New Jersey, the first im • porter of black Berkshires into the United States, and stock from Col. Williams's imported boar, which took the premium at the American Institute, I believe, in 1839. So that persons, who wish to obtain genuine Berkshire pigs of different crosses, can do so of me in the fall, every one of my spring litters being already engaged.

Having gone largely into the business of breeding the Berkshires, I feel some diffidence in speaking of their superiority over other breeds ; and therefore expressly desire that all persons may take what I say of them for exactly what, they may think it is worth, under such interested circumstances. To all such communications I shall, at all times, affix my proper name, so that the author may be known.

I believe that, with half the quantity of corn.

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the Berkshires will make good pork, and more of it than any other breed I have ever known. Upon good grass they will require no feeding. They are the most quiet hogs, and the best nurses I have ever seen. I have never known one to jump a fence eighteen inches high, and one of the greatest recommendations to Virginia farmers \ is, that a single cross of the Berkshire upon the common stock immediately changes and improves the character of the offspring. To show the additional weight and size obtained by the improved cross, I would refer you to a communication in the March number of the Farmers' Register, page 174, where the weight of several large lots in Ohio of the cross are reported to have averaged from two hundred and fifty to four hundred and thirty-five pounds, at sixteen and twenty months old. In the «ame article, one single cross, under the most unfavorable circumstances, is reported to have effected an increased average of one hundred and two pounds over the weight of the original stock. E. Phin-ney, Esq. of Lexington, Massachusetts, sent to market, on 22d February last, fifteen half Berkshires, from fifteen to eighteen months old, of which the total weight was seven thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight—an average of five hundred and thirty and a half pounds. Some of those weighing upwards of five hundred pounds were only fifteen months old.

In a letter from John Mahard, Esq. of Cincinnati, one of the largest pork packers in that city, it is stated that the half-blood Berkshires are found to stand driving better than any other breed of hogs.

These facts are sufficient, I presume, without thousands of others that could be adduced, to establish the superiority of this celebrated stock. Yours, A. B. Shelton.

We have seen the lovely creature whose portrait Mr. Shelton has determined to preserve. The likeness is excellent, and we are glad to find thai Mr. Shelton has done justice to the promising- young- artist to whom her ladyship sat. She is indeed a beauty, and her appearance alone commands a ready sale for her offspring. Mr. Sublett informs us that he finds it impossible to supply the demand.

A remarkable fact has been brought to our notice, which exemplifies the value of this cross. We have been shown the litter of a common sow by this boar, President, the sire of Suke, and a preceding lot of pigs from the same sow by a common boar. The disparity is astonishing, so much so, that the last litter was sold at five dollars apiece, whilst the first could find no purchasers at one dollar. This reminds us of Mr. Col-man's remark that, "the change which had taken place in the hogs of Albany, which arc allowed to run at large in the streets, since the introduction of the Berkshire, was most remarkable; instead of a lean, hungry, prowling, noisy race, objects of universal disgust and dread, there were now every where to be seen in the streets and styes of that city, fine sleek and plump pigs, which appeared to be kept with the greatest care and liberality."

DR. HORTON'S PRIZE ESSAY.

The spirited Editor of the American Farmer offered a premium for the best essay upon the. renovation of exhausted soils,which was awarded to Dr. Horton, of Maryland. The successful article, which was of course published in the Farmer, has been very severely criticised hy the able Editor of the Register. The essay and criticism are both devoted, chiefly, to the Doctor's theory of the action of lime upon the soil, which certainly differs from that which is so great a favorite with Mr. Ruffin. The latter gentleman, we think, seems rather too irritable upon this subject, and a little too jealous of foreign invasion upon a province, which he has taken under his special care, and in which he has certainly done himself great credit. The terms he applies to the Doctor's production are not the most courteous and liberal, and such severity of criticism, we think, has, at least, no tendency to elicit agricultural communications. That an editor should refute, where he does not approve, is not less his privilege than his duty —but argument is always better than invective, and sound reasoning more effective than abuse.

Our own opinion, if we may be allowed to express it, is, that the theory of neither gentleman, although they are both entitled to great credit for ingenuity, is sufficient to account for all the facts attending the operation of lime. Indeed we know of no important point in husbandry that we conceive to be still buried in such profound mystery as the varying action of lime and gypsum. We are obliged therefore to any who will advance even a plausible opinion upon this subject, although, so long as those opinions are not satisfactorily confirmed, we ma.y not trouble our readers with them. We would at any time prefer a statement of actual results to mere opinions of the modus operandi. The latter, no doubt, are frequently valuable, but we think it hardly worth while to trouble the general reader with a statement of complex, conflicting, and unsatisfactory opinions of the manner in which a substance acts, whilst the facts attending its operation are not yet clearly developed. For this reason, we have purposely abstained from any participation in the lime theories of the day. There is none of them so clearly vouched as to give it, in our opinion, greatly the preference over its fellows, and to become acquainted with all that are advanced, would require, we believe, more time upon the part of our readers than they are willing to devote to the object. We hope, however, that the time will shortly come, when some satisfactory knowledge will be obtained upon this important subject, which we shall avail ourself of the earliest opportunity to impart to our readers. In the mean time, we shall take care to publish from correspondents, or copy from other papers,all the well authenticated facts that we meet with upon this subject, which we believe

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to bo one of primary importance to agriculture.

But to return to Dr. Horton, and his abused, successful essay. The Doctor gives his assent to the opinion, that lime, dissolved by rain water, actually becomes the food of plants, and very modestly advances an idea, that it may loosen a close soil, and close an open one, by its power of repulsion and attraction for clay and sand. He totally rejects the idea of its neutralizing an acid it) the soil.

Another opinion that the Doctor advances is, that the morus multicaulis, from its rapid growth, is calculated, if the branches are intertwined and properly directed, to make an excellent hedge for fencing. As we have before intimated in this number, we deprecate, in the present situation of our country, the use of any live fence, whose roots, we believe, would materially interfere with the prosperity of the adjoining crop.

WHEAT.

The people of Virginia have but little right to expect instruction from a citizen of New Hampshire on the cultivation of wheat; but we extract the following 1 remarks from a letter of Mr. Th. Fuller's to the Editor of the Farmer's Monthly Visitor because although we think the writer has fallen into some errors, yet the piece bears the impress of an observing and practical mind. His preparation of seed is exactly that we have already published from Cobbett as applicable to garden seeds. His plan of weeding is beyond doubt beneficial if it does not "cost more than it comes to." The time of harvesting is contrary to the advice of some of our best farmers, but has been advocated by others. We beg to call attention to the subject:

PREPARATION OF SEED TO PREVENT SMUT.

The preparation of the seed I take from an English account published some years since, which practice I have adopted for five or six years past with success, and I do think much of it.

Make a brine of common salt strong enough to bare up a hen's egg : then put in your wheat not more than the brine will cover. Stir it and skim as long as any thing will rise. It will float off all the light kernels of wheat, oats, light kernels of cockle, smut, or any thing that is injurious to the seed. Then take the wheat out, and put into the same brine another lot, and so on till you have cleaned all you wish. After washing put the wheat into a heap—let it lay six hours—then mix a sufficient quantity of dry ashes, plaster of paris or lime; then immediately sow your wheat. I am very particular as to time.

The result is, I have not found but two smut heads since I adopted this method, and I think it beneficial in preventing worms from destroying the seed, as well as adding to the growth of the wheat. The English account says, (as well as individuals with whom I conversed from Eng-

land) that it has been tried on a farm for forty years, and was always successful. More proofs from the same account I might offer; but I am satisfied from my own experience of the beneficial results.

WEEDING WHEAT.

I weed my wheat always twice. The first time when the wheat is three or four inches high; then again just before it begins to head out. I use an instrument called a grub. It is like a cabinet maker's gouge, about one and one-fourth of an inch in diameter, with a socket into which I insert a handle, say four or five feet long. With this instrument one man may go over a large piece of ground in a day. The method is, to take the grub and cut off a thistle, dock, or any thing that is injurious to the wheat at the surface of the ground, and leave it on the spot where it was cut off. A field that has had this dressing will look much better: weeds always take the start of the wheat and retard the growth. This practice always pays the farmer a great price for his labor.

HARVESTING WHEAT.

I commence cutting my wheat when it is very green, when I find the kernel is out of the milk and about as hard as flour dough, which you may know by squeezing the kernel between your fingers. I then cut it as fast as I can, either in fair weather or not. I do not let it lay in the gavel on the ground exposed either to the sun or rain, but bind it up in single bands near the but, set it up in stooks of eight bundles on the ground in the form of a pair of rafters, the buts, as far apart as possible with two sheafs put on the top for protection. In this way it will dry very quick, and the sap in the straw-will afford nourishment to the kernels sufficient to prevent it from shrinking too much. By this method I find the kernel retains all its goodness, and the straw makes excellent fodder for neat stock, because it retains all the sap that the wheat does not absorb. Wheat cured in this way thrashes very easy, and will not shell out by carting to the barn.

I think farmers are not aware how green they may cut their wheat, and what a saving they may have in the quality of wheat and straw. They have only to try this method, and I feel assured they will find it to their interest.

QUALITY OF MILK.

Several cups have been successively filled while milking from one cow, producing the following results: in every case, the quantity of cream was found to increase in proportion as the process of milking advanced: in different cows, the proportion varied, but in the greater number the excess of cream in the last cup as compared with the first, was as sixteen to one; but, as in some cases the difference was not so much, a

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fair average mi<

tfit be considered as ten or twelve to one. And the difference in the quality of the two sorts of cream was no less striking, the cream given by the first drawn milk being thin, white, and without consistence, while that furnished by the last, was thick, buttery, and of a rich color. The milk remaining in the different cups presented similar differences, that which was drawn first being very poor, blue, and having the appearance of milk and water, while that in the last cup was of a yellowish hue, rich, and to the eye and taste resembled cream rather than milk. It appears, therefore, from these experiments, that if, after drawing seven or eight pints from a cow, half a pint remains in the udder, not only almost as much cream will be lost, as the seven or eight pints will furnish, but of such a quality as gives the richest taste and color to the butter. This fact has been corroborated by chemical experiments, and holds good with respect to the milk of all other animals.— Blocker's Essay.

HESSIAN FLY.

A correspondent writes us, that he is in possession of what has been denominated " Fly-proof wheat," which he has sowed, and of which he promises to give us the result, although he himself seems to be not very sanguine of its capability to resist the attack of the Hessian fly. He concludes, however, by saying, " I have understood lately that this wheat has been introduced, (from I know not where or how) by Mr. John Gray, of Traveller's Rest, and is much sought after."

Like our correspondent, we should form very little expectation of beneficial results from fly-proof v) heat 1 in the abstract, but the name of Mr. Gray connected with it invests it with an importance to which we should not, otherwise, consider it entitled. Will Mr. Gray be kind enough to impart to us his knowledge of this article, whether for good or for evil ? An extension of a valuable article may be effected, or inconvenience and loss of time prevented.

See what Arthur Young 1 thinks of the adaptation of America to the raising- of sheep. He says:

"In the culture of grass for pasturage, preparatory to gain, the profit of sheep husbandry in America must be very great: there is every advantage of soil and extent of farm, and no drawback but that of labor—and pasturage demands scarcely any labor; so that, if there is one system that squares more than another to the circumstances of America, it is the adoption of a course that embraces the culture of grasses most extensively. Wolves and dogs are named as a reason for not keeping sheep, but they abound all over Europe—and so do sheep. No wolf or dog could get into my sheepfold by night, and by day a watchful shepherd is a sufficient pro-

tection. While shep are kept by dozens , such objections may hold good; but when by hundreds and thousands, they instantly vanish. Surely the value of wool must instigate to an increase in the breed of sheep, even if it be for exportation, the freight, when it is pressed into a small compass being a trifle, and the fleece alone, from extensive American lands, without reckoning the carcass as any thing, must be more valuable than the profit on a crop of wheat at a dollar a bushel, especially on lands producing white clover spontaneously.

" Suppose, on some of the lands which might be bought for five dollars an acre, or twenty shillings sterling—the rent of this is, say twenty-five cents: now such land, by carrying but one sheep an acre, producing five pounds of wool, worth only twenty-five cents per pound, and the mutton doing no more than paying for losses, shepherding, &c, here is a profit such as corn cannot rival—five rents paid by wool alone! But the mutton of well fed sheep, if carefully salted, would find a ready market, if not at home, in the West Indies; and if sold at two cents a pound above expenses, the object, on a large scale, would be highly important."

FENCE.

A Mr. Chatfield recommends, in the Cultivator, a fence to be made by planting poplar trees, fourteen feet apart, and morticing rails into them whilst they are young. This will, no doubt, form a very ornamental fence, and, with a longer lived tree than the poplar, a very lasting one. Where a line of trees is planted, for ornament at the foot of a yard, if it was thought worth while, something might possibly be saved by making use of it for such a purpose. But to plant trees of any kind around a field for the purpose of making fence posts of them, by way of economy, would be, we apprehend, to use a homely phrase, to M stop the spiggot and open the bung," inasmuch, as the loss of product from the shade and the roots of the trees would be sufficient to erect a fence every year.

KIDNEY WORM IN HOGS. J. P. Rutland, in the Western Farmer, asserts that an infallible remedy for this disease may be found in the use of corn soaked in lie.

LICE ON CATTLE.

At this season cattle frequently droop, look rough, and fail to shed, without the owners being aware that it is owing to the fact of their being infested with lice. To remove these troublesome vermin many expedients are recommended— amongst the simplest is the following, from the Boston Cultivator:

" To rid cattle of lice, sift wood ashes on their heads and backs, when the weather is dry."

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TO PREVENT INSECTS CLIMBING UP FRUIT TREES.

At a late meeting of the Entomological Society, Mr. James H. Fcnnell communicated the following- successful mode of preventing insects ascending the trunks of fruit trees. Let a piece of India rubber be burnt over a gallipot, into which it will gradually drop in the condition of a thick viscid juice, which state it appears it will always retain ; for Mr. Fennell has at the present time some which has been melted for upwards of a year, and has been exposed to all weather without undergoing the slightest change. Having melted the India rubber, let a piece of cord or worsted be smear od with it, and then tied several times round the trunk. The melted sub-

stance is so very sticky, that the insects will be prevented and generally captured, in their attempts to pass over it. About three pennyworth of India rubber is sufficient for the protection of twenty ordinary sized fruit trees.

If the fact be as stated above, (which, by the by, we have some reason to doubt) that India rubber, when melted, forms a viscid matter, which will always retain its viscidity, a great desideratum has been obtained, and the article will be applicable to other objects beside the one here mentioned. But even for this purpose, it may be worthy of note, since the use of Dennis' patent trough, much approved at the North, has shown that any thing*, which arrests the upward progress of the insect on the exterior, saves the tree. If effectual, no contrivance can be simpler and cheaper than the one recommended.

TINKLER'S PATENT PLOUGH

A specimen of this improved implement lately introduced to the public, is now to be seen at our office. Mr. Tinkler, we feel assured, has, by dint of perseverance and great sagacity, succeeded in effecting a most valuable improvement in this indispensable implement of husbandry; and^ that upon entirely novel and original principles.

In the first place, we believe the shape of his mould board, which cannot be understood, by description, to be the best we have ever seen. Secondly, by causing the handles and beam to revolve upon a double mould board, he has united a right and left hand plough upon the simplest and cheapest principles. And thirdly, he has adopted a new form of coulter or turf cutter, that must wonderfully facilitate the operation of the implement.

The following certificate, however, where the names of the subscribers are known, will go much farther than any opinion we might express. To those to whom they are strangers we will venture to say, there are names on that list not Vol. 1—8

surpassed, for practical skill, in the State of Virginia. The gentleman who heads it happened to call at our office a few daj's since and declared, that the individuals signing the certificate, after the fullest and most satisfactory trials, were con-| vinced, notwithstanding preconceived prejudices, ! that the plough deserved all that could be said I of it. They are all gentlemen engaged in agri-I cultural pursuits, some of them well known for mechanical skill, and not one of them in the slightest degree interested in the article recommended.

" Hanover County, April 22, 1841.

" We, whose names are here subscribed, being farmers, have this day witnessed an exhibition of Mr. J. Tinkler's patent ploughs, and do not hesitate in saying that we consider them superior to any plough we have ever tried or seen used. We had the ploughs worked in different soils and .situations, on flat and hilly land, clean and stumpy, and although the day was unfavorable for good ploughing, (being rainy) the

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work was admirably done, and surpassed the work of other ploughs which had been used and made smooth, whilst Mr. Tinkler's were just from the shop, entirely new. We, therefore, with full confidence, can recommend them to all farmers, for easy draft to the horse, little labor to the ploughman, and superior execution of work.

W. B. Sydnor.

Thomas Acree.

Gilson Via.

Edward Sydnor.

Edward T. Melton.

Joseph Hooper.

Thomas K. Jones.

John King.

John Haw."

In addition to this certificate, Mr. Tinkler brings the following along with him:

"Dry Valley, Union Co. Pa. Dec. 12,1839.

"Hon. R. H. Hammond,

"Member of Congress from Pennsylvania:

"Dear Sir, —I understand by Mr. Tinkler, the bearer of this, that he intends spending a portion of this winter in Washington City, with the view of selling the patent right of his newly invented double plough. I feel it to be my duty, as an experienced farmer, and friend to improvements in agricultural implements, to say, that I have broken up about sixty acres of fallow this season with one of his ploughs, and liking it so much better than any plough 1 have heretofore used, I have determined to use no other in future for breaking up fallows, and one not being sufficient, I have engaged another of Mr. Tinkler for the next season. My opinion, is, that the time is not far off when they will be the only plough used in this country. It is a great advantage on level land in keeping the ground even and free from large furrows which cannot be done with the common plough, and on the side hill the advantages are still more obvious. Any assistance, therefore, you may render Mr. Tinkler in bringing his plough to the notice of the public, will not only be rendering a benefit to the agricultural community, but will be thankfully received by your friend and one of your constituents. Isaac Eyer."

" I am well acquainted with the above named Isaac Eyer, and know him to be one of the best and most extensive farmers in Union county, and that full credit may be given to his statements. I would also say from what I personally know of Mr. Tinkler's plough, that he has not said too much in its favor. R. H. Hammond,

House of Representatives.

Washington, Jan. 10, 1840."

The patentee claims that, even upon level lands, many advantages are gained b} r this plough, among which he considers the relief from unsightly and useless double furrows, which

must be left by other ploughs. He seems fully impressed with its superiority and challenges a comparison with any other plough in use.

Prices. —One horse plough, $12 00

Two horse do. 16 00

Large size do. 18 00

It must be remembered that the purchaser is obtaining two ploughs in one.

Any orders or communications, post paid, will be attended to by the Editor of this paper.

For the Southern Planter.

Mr. Editor, —I accept your polite invitation, so repeatedly urged, to occupy a small portion of your columns upon the subject of our peculiar department—household recipes. In the name of the sex I thank you, sir, for your attention to those little matters, which come within our particular province, but which, small as they are, form a large item in the sum total of the comfort and happiness of a family. As a woman and a mother I thank you also for that portion of your paper, which, under the head of " Miscellany," is devoted to our instruction and amusement. In return for the gratification you have afforded us, I will, from time to time, send you some old family recipes, which may be of use to your readers. In the mean time, I beg to call your attention to the following. It went the round of the newspapers a year or two ago, from one of which 1 obtained it. That with such dissemination it is not in general use I can only attribute to the general indisposition to encounter the trouble of a new process, and the distaste of servants to novelties. I have been using it for three years, and am sure that it saves two-thirds of the labor of washing clothes, whereby, in small families, the cook may be enabled to do the washing, and thus the necessity for another servant may be saved. The objection that I have heard made, that the recipe has a tendency to destroy the clothes, must have arisen from the mixture of the materials in improper proportions, for my experience leads me to the conclusion, that not only are the clothes better cleansed, but that they are saved all the wear and tear incident to the old method of nibbing. Let any practical person give this mode a fair trial, and I am very sure they will never have clothes washed afterwards in any other manner. I give it to you not as something new, but as an old thing too much neglected.

Your friend and well wisher,

A Housewife.

RECIPE FOR WASHING.

To five gallons of soft water add half a gallon of lime water, a pint and a half of soft soap, or a pound of hard soap, and two ounces of sub-carbonate of soda.

Soak the clothes over night if very dirty; at

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any rate wet them thoroughly before putting them into the mixture.

When the mixture is at boiling heat, put in the clothes that have been soaked or wet, merely rubbing such parts as have been unusually soiled with a little soap. Boil them one hour. They are then to be taken out and drained, and thoroughly rinsed in warm water, then in indigo water, as usual, and they are fit for drying.

The preparation is intended only for uncolored articles. Lime water is prepared by pouring about four gallons of water on a pint of lime, and the subcarbonate of soda may be obtained from any apothecary's shop for about twelve and a half cents per pound.

We kiss our hand to our fair correspondent, thank her for her kind wishes, which we most cordially reciprocate, and hope to hear from her again.

POTATO BLOSSOMS.

M. Zelle, director of the Agricultural Society of Daunstadt, in 1839 planted two plats of ground of the same size, with potatoes. When the plants had flowered, the blossoms were removed from those in one field while those in the other were left untouched to perfect their seed. The former produced 476 pounds, the latter 37 pounds.

This difference has been very plausibly ascribed to the loss of nutriment required to perfect the seed, which, by the separation of the blossom, was added to the root.

PORTABLE SAW MILL.

We have heretofore entertained and expressed doubts as to the practicability of a good portable saw mill. Those doubts have been very much shaken, if not entirely removed, by the following certificate and some additional information lately received, respecting a mill gotten up by Mr. Geo. Page, of Baltimore. The certificate speaks for itself. Mr. Elisha Melton, of Louisa, called upon us yesterday, and stated, that the mill alluded to had been erected for him, and that with four horses he had been cutting 1,500 feet of inch boards per day, with ease. He spoke of it as having given him the most entire satisfaction. Mr. Bratt, of the well known house of Watchman & Bratt in Baltimore, concurred with Mr. Melton in thinking, that Mr. Page's mill, with the same power, would do infinitely more work than any other mill he had ever seen. Mr. Bratt formed the highest opinion of it after having seen it constantly in operation in Baltimore for several months. Its portability, which is such, that Mr. Melton declares he can move the whole of it with six hands, is obtained by Mr. Page's success in, what has been so often attempted, the application of a circular saw to slitting logs.

So much importance do we attach to this

subject, that we have determined to avail ourselves of Mr. Melton's polite invitation to visit his establishment, in Louisa, that we may judge for ourselves of an improvement, which, if it is what it is represented to be on the highest authority, is not less interesting to the agriculturist than the mechanic.

Mr. Page has shown us the horse power which he uses with his mill, of which we have formed a most excellent opinion. We would recommend it strongly to farmers who need a horse power for any purpose. We shall have frequent communication with Mr. Page, and will obtain any additional information that our subscribers may require, with respect either to the saw mill or horse power.

The following is the certificate alluded to:

11 We, the undersigned subscribers, have this day examined the Portable Saw Mill, drawn by four horses, lately put into operation by Mr. Geo. Page, of Baltimore, at the Victoria Furnace in Louisa county. It was sawing rough pine logs, and it cut three hundred feet per hour—the plank was exceedingly nice, smooth, and straight. The oak timber it had cut before we examined it was equally nice.

Hugh Goodwin, Jr.

G. B. Taylor.

Chas. B. Cosby.

Pattison Boxley."

BEST CEMENT FOR JOINING CHINA.

Heat a piece of chalk to a full red heat in a fire; and while this is heating, take the white of an egg, and mix and beat together with it, one-fourth of its weight of powdered or scraped cheese, (such as is most void of cream, or oily matter, is preferable) or the curd that is formed by adding vinegar to skimmed milk; take the chalk from the fire, and before it is cold, reduce it to powder, and add as much of it to the mixture as will form a thick paste, and beat them anew all together, and use the composition immediately. When this is dry, it will resist, in a great measure, either heat or moisture. A semi-transparent cement suitable for china ware, may be made by gently boiling the flour of rice with water.— Neiv York Mechanic.

From the Cultivator. BONE MANURE. In the Farmers' Register is a record of a series of experiments made by T. A. C. Jones to test the value of bone manure in comparison with stable manures, and he arrives at the following conclusions: "1. That when applied at the rate of from fifty to eighty bushels per acre on the exhausted lands of Virginia, one bushel of crushed bones is more than equal to one cart load of (twenty-five bushels) good farm yard

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manure in its effect on the crop. 2. That the effect of bone manure is more durable than that of any putrescent manure usually procured on a farm.; .3. That when applied to land which is in good heart, the effect is much more powerful than it is on very poor land. 4. That when combined with manure and applied in the form of compost [eight per cent of bone dust with the scrapings of the farm yards] the effect both instant and remote, far exceeds that of any other application with which I am acquainted; and lastly, if stable manure has to be purchased, or even hauled more than half a mile from your own stables, bone manure at fifty cents per bushel, the price it cost me, delivered on my farm, is the cheapest manure of the two."

From the same paper we learn that a citizen of New York has sold twenty tons of bones, at eight dollars a ton, to an English gentleman, who purchased for exportation.

Here is another most valuable article in daily waste, that our wiser neighbors can afford to purchase and transport across the ocean. If every farmer would prepare a receptacle for the bones left from the daily consumption of his family, a valuable pile might be accumulated with no expense, for, it is surely as cheap to throw a bone in such a place as to throw it away. Even pounded with a common hammer, they are found to be highly beneficial to the land. In this city thousands might be procured at the expense of removing them.

LARGE CALF.

A few days since a calf was dropped on the farm of Dr. John R. Woods, near this place, measuring two feet nine inches in height, five feet in length, and weighing ninety-four and three-fourth pounds; it was of the short horn Durham stock, but from a cow of ordinary size. Charlottesville Jldvocate, March 20.

The experienced Editor of the Boston Cultivator recommends the following mode of procuring early potatoes :

"The best mode we ever tried to procure early potatoes, was to spread out those designed for seed on a grass plat in the garden, so thin that one should not lie upon another—covef them with horse stable manure three inches thick— then lay boards or slabs over this to keep it moist and to prevent the hens uncovering the potatoes. When the sprouts have started an inch or two the potatoes should be carefulley taken up and planted out in hills. They will ripen two weeks sooner than when the seed is taken directly from the cellar."

SUCKERS IN CORN.

An anonymous writer in the American Farmer asserts, that from careful experiments he is satisfied, that suckers do not lessen the quantity of grain, whilst they greatly increase the amount of fodder.

SHEEP.

A Mr. Twyman, who is said to be a very successful English farmer, has written a letter to a friend in this city, in which he states,

" I have a complete new family of sheep of my own fancy, perfectly different from any other in England—as far as lam able to effect it, and that in my own opinion, is nearly to perfection. They combine all the good points of the Leicester and the Down—the wool being a mixture between the two, long as the former, but much finer and closer, like the latter, with dark faces and fine countenances. One hundred teggs which were shorn on the 16th March last, then thirteen and a half months old, produced on an average nine pounds of wool each ; and the two year old ram fifteen and a quarter pounds —clean and well washed—all of w 7 hich may be seen. Nine years impartial trial of this breed emboldens me to declare myself open to the ivorld, to match it against any other breed, taking as the criterion of merit, the combination of those rare but grand desiderata, weight and value of fleece, sj'mmetry of carcase, quality of mutton, with aptitude to fatten and arrive at early maturity.

" The one hundred teggs above named were immediately after being shorn, sold at three guineas each, out of their wool, for which two shillings per pound has been refused—calculating the wool at this price, the one hundred teggs, only thirteen antf a half months old, have produced four huudred guineas, or four guineas ($20) per head ! I seek in vain for a parallel in the present, or a record of .a similar price in any past age."

Below is the challenge referred to in the above. It was communicated through the Right. Hon. Earl Spencer, a leading member of the English Agricultural Society. It was not taken up at the end of six months and the challenger now " stalks the champion."

" PROPOSAL.

" That I will produce on July 18,1S40, twenty-five wether lambs, drawn from a flock not exceeding three hundred, to be wintered against a like number of any other breed on arable land, and not under cover, to be fed together until the commencement of turnip feeding, from which time each lot is to be kept separate, and to be served with the following portions of food : Two pounds of good hay and three gallons of cut swedes per head per day, until the 1st of November, after which one pint of beans to be given in addition until the 15th of April following, when the twenty best from each lot shall be drawn, sheared and slaughtered, the stakes lo be given to the owner of such lot as shall be found to return the greatest value in wool and mutton. The lambs to have been yeaned after Old Christmas, 1839, to have lived on roots, hay and green food only ; and their dams to have been

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regularly folded, on arable land, after the 25th of March, until the lambs are weaned.

" It is an indispensable condition, that the trial be conducted upon arable land, the object being to obtain hardihood of constitution, with early maturity, valuable wool, and young- mutton of the best quality, while consuming the food on the land which produces it. Stakes £25.

" The offer to remain open until the 25th of March, 1840."— English Farmers 1 Magazine.

Should any of our agricultural friends be desirous to make an experiment of this breed, we could, no doubt, procure some of them direct from the breeder, through his correspondent, Mr. VV. L. C. of this city.

the land is far better prepared in our mode than in the other, should we have no regard to the permanent improvement of the soil ? In many towns near Boston, we plant our lands with a view, principally, to preparing them for grass— a far more profitable crop—we never want our manure to be left in hills or heaps. We want it to be incorporated with the soil."

For the Southern Planter.

Richmond, May 5, 1841.

A Naturalist begs the Editor of the Southern Planter to notice a mistake in the note appended to his second communication where the word plants is used instead of the word fruits, so that the note should read, " It has been observed that fruits protected from the motions of the wind by walls or espaliers grow to a larger size than under other circumstances." This correction is the more necessary, as the motions of the wind, to a certain extent, are favorable to the growth and health of plants.

Of all animals, of whatever kind, those with the smallest and cleanest bones, are generally the best proportioned, and covered with the best and finest grained meat; they are the hardiest, the healthiest, and best feeders ; able to bear the most fatigue while living, and worth the most per pound when dead.— Culley.

INTERESTING TO BLACKSMITHS. A blacksmith, of Milan, has discovered that, by suspending a length of chain to one of the corners of the anvil by means of a ring, the noise of the hammer may be almost entirely deadened.— Farmers' Monthly Visitor.

MANURING.

Much contrariety of opinion has existed upon the best manner of applying manure, and the public have been very much divided between the broadcast and hill systems. The Editor of the Boston Cultivator, whose long experience entitles his opinion to much weight, greatly prefers the former. He urges that the application in the hill produces much stalk in proportion to the corn, and pleases the eye at the expense of the pocket. He concludes by saying,

" Thus in almost all cases—and we have watched a thousand fields—we get a better harvest by spreading on than by putting in the hill. A trifle in the hill does no injury, but a shovel full is often a harbor for worms that get hold before the roots are large enough to protect themselves.

" When all are agreed that for future crops

IMPROVED STOCK.

Mr. Chilton Allen, in a very able address delivered in Kentucky, complains much of the want of legislative attention to agriculture. To show how much national wealth is increased by the efforts which are now making-for the improvement of agriculture, he states,

"There are 490,613 cattle taxed in the State of Kentucky; their average value is but $5 97, while the average value of those in three counties, that have improved their stock, is $15."

SOAP SUDS.

We find a writer in the Southern Agriculturist confirming a statement we published some time since as to the value of this article, both as a manure and a preventive against the ravages of worms, bugs, &c. Why is it so generally thrown awa} r , when it may be so well applied ?

A correspondent from Amelia says, "Get Mr. Wm. Old, of Powhatan, to give us his views and experience. He is a first rate farmer, and knows how to communicate his information." We most heartily second the invitation of our correspondent to Mr. Old.

The same gentleman says, "I will obtain if practicable a detailed account from one of my neighbors, (who although a young man, has not perhaps his equal in this section,) of his successful management of the tobacco crop. His crop has averaged from twelve to sixteen dollars round, for six or eight years."

Success is the best evidence of skill, and we hope that our correspondent may be successful in his attempt to draw out the gentleman alluded to. We would suggest the propriety of a review of the article upon this subject now in a course of publication in our columns. The arrangement seems good, and it would be very desirable to have the views there taken cither confirmed or refuted.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

The article from W. F. although not without merit, is too abstruse, lengthy, and theoretical for our columns. If he will grant us the liberty of curtailing and condensing- we should be pleased to make use of his communication.

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The statement of "Curtius" would be extremely interesting- if given over a real signature; but we shall make it an invariable rule never to publish the result of an experiment for which we cannot furnish the name of the reporter. Nothing is more valuable than the results of experiments, but misstatements may be as injurious as correct reports are beneficial, and where so much depends upon veracity, we must at least insist upon the ability to refer to the reporter, even if we are not allowed to publish his name. We hope our friends will acquiesce in the propriety of this rule.

The communication from G. N., Esq., was received too late for insertion in this number, but will certainly appear in our next.

Mr. A. B. of Tappahannock, is respectfully informed, that the difficulty of the subject caused his inquiries upon the best mode of using iime, to be laid over for farther investigation. In the meantime, we invite communication's upon the subject; especially, the result of experiments.

AGRICULTURAL SHOW AND FAIR.

This laudable enterprise is progressing with remarkable spirit and activity. We are glad to find that our citizens generally, alive to their true interests, are embarking in it with great zeal. It promises soon to be a most brilliant affair. The coming meeting will be well worthy the attention of farmers, even from distant parts of the State. We had no idea of the undeveloped resources for such an institution, even in our own neighborhood, until the spirit of competition brought them to our notice.

The address of the President, whom we consider one of the soundest and most practical farmers of the day, will alone be sufficient compensation for the trouble of a visit to our city on the 26th of May.

The site for the exhibition, the beautiful tavern lot at Bacon Quarter Branch, has been most happily selected. Every provision and arrangement will be made for the accommodation of competitors and visiters.

Parties of ladies and gentlemen have already been formed to visit the exhibition, which must prove of the most interesting character to young and old.

MISCELLANY.

CHEERFULNESS.

Old John Selden, of whom it has been said, that "he had made it an honor to be an Englishman," has declared, that "a contented mind under adverse circumstances was the purest homage to the Deity." Cheerfulness has been esteemed a virtue, and the Christian and the sage must, alike, eschew that moroseness of disposition, which too often inclines us to repine at the decrees of fate.

How much of happiness in this life depends upon a cheerful disposition. It is not only pleasant in itself but the cause of pleasure in others. Affect the virtue if you have it not; it will sustain and impart new energy to those around you, and will sweeten the bitterest cup in the draught of life. Gloom and discontent make an unhappy home and only serve to feed the evil that they war against.

But to sustain the spirits and raise the drooping hopes of man has been assigned as the peculiar province of the gentler sex. Poets, from Spenser to Washington Irving, have delighted to paint woman as a ministering angel gaining strength and fortitude from what crushes

and humbles her rougher companion. But not to the imagination of poets has been confined this holy attribute. Amongst the hundred exhibitions of it which the French revolution, that day of trial, brought forth, the following is related with all the simplicity of truth) and the delicacy of poetry. It is only one of the many examples, which we have all witnessed, of the possession of that amiable and noble quality which makes a Frenchman courted and loved wherever he is known. We must love the heart which is free and ready to sympathize in our joys, forgetful of its own sorrows, and we cannot but respect the mind which is superior to fate itself. The story is abridged from the American Farmer.

MISFORTUNE AND EXILE ENNOBLED.

By Madame Junot, Duchess D'Abrantes.

In 1793, M. de Talleyrand was in Boston. One day, whilst crossing the market-place, he was compelled to stop, by a long row of wagons all loaded with vegetables. The wily courtier, generally so dead to emotion, could but look with a kind of pleasure at these wagoners, who, by the by, were young and pretty country women. Suddenly the vehicle came to a stand, and the eyes of Talleyrand chanced to rest upon one of the young women who appeared more lovely than the others. An exclamation escaped from his lips ; it attracted the attention of the lovely one, whose country dress and large hat bespoke daily visits to the market, and, as she beheld the astonished Talleyrand, whom she recognised immediately, burst out laughing. " What! is it you ?" exclaimed she. " Yes, indeed, it is I. But you, what are you doing here f l " I," said the young woman, " I am waiting for my turn to pass on. I am going to sell my greens and vegetables at the market." At this moment the wagons began to move along; she of the straw hat applied the whip to her horse, told M. de Talleyrand the name of the village where she was living, requested him earnestly to come and see her, and disappeared, leaving him as rivetted on the spot by this strange apparition. Who was this young market woman 1 Madame la Comtesse de la Tour-du-Pin, (Mademoiselle de Dillou,*) the most elegant among the ladies of the Court of Louis the Sixteenth, king of France, and whose moral and intellectual worth had shone with so dazzling a lustre in the society of her numerous friends and admirers.

At the time when the French nobility emigrated, she was lively, endowed with the most remarkable talents, and like all the ladies who held a rank at the Court, had only had time to attend to such duties as belonged to her high, fashionable, and country life. Let any one fancy the sufferings and agony of the woman, born in the lap of wealth, and who had breathed nothing but perfume under the gilded ceiling of the Royal Palace of Versailles, when, all at once, she found herself surrounded with blood and

* She returned to France under the Consulate husband was Prefect of a Department.

her

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massacres, and saw every danger besetting her young and beloved husband and her infant child. They succeeded in flying from France. It was their good fortune to escape from the bloody land where Robespierre and his associates were busy at the work of death, Alas! in those times of terror the poor children themselves abandoned with joy the paternal roof, for no hiding place was secure against the vigilant eye of those monsters who thirsted for innocent blood. The fugitives landed in America, and first went to Boston, where they found a retreat.

They boarded at Mrs. Muller's, a good-natured, notable woman, who on every occasion evinced the greatest respect and admiration for her fair boarder; yet M. de la Tour-du-Pin was in constant dread lest the conversation of that good, plain, and well-meaning woman might be the cause of great ennui to his lady. What a contrast with the society of such gentlemen as M. de Talleyrand and the high minded and polished nobility of France ! Whenever he was thinking of his sad transition, (particularly when absent from his wife, and tilling the garden of the cottage which they were going to inhabit,) he felt such pangs and heart throbbings as to make him apprehensive, on his return to Mrs. Muller's, to meet the looks of his beloved wife, whom he expected to see bathed in tears. Meanwhile, his good hostess would give him a hearty shake of the hand, and repeat to him, u Happy husband ! happy husband!"

At last came the day when the fugitive family left the boarding-house of Mrs. Muller to go and inhabit their little cottage, where they were to be at least exempted from want, with an only servant, a negro, a kind of Jack-at-all-trades, viz. gardener, footman, and cook. The last function M. de la Tour-du-Pin dreaded most of all to see him undertake. It was almost dinner time. The poor emigrant went into his garden to gather some fruits, and tarried as long as possible. On his return home his wife was absent; looking for her, he entered the kitchen and saw a young country woman, who, with her back to the door, was kneading the dough ; her arms, of snowy whiteness, were bare to the elbows. M. de la Tour-du-Pin started; the young woman turned round. It was his beloved wife, who had exchanged her muslins and silk for a country dress, not as for a fancy ball, but to play the part of a real farmer's wife.

At the sight of her husband her cheeks crimsoned and she joined her hands in a supplicating manner. " Oh! my love," said she, " do not laugh at me, I am as expert as Mrs. Muller." Too full of emotion to speak, he clasped her to his bosom and kissed her fervently. From his inquiries he learned that, when he had thought her given up to despair, she had employed her time more usefully for their future happiness. She had taken lessons from Mrs. Muller and her

servants; and, after six months, had become skilful in the culinary art, a thorough housekeeper, discovering her angelic nature and admirable fortitude.

11 Dearest," said she, " if you knew how easy it is. We, in a moment, understand what would cost a country woman one or two years. Now we shall be happy ; you will no longer be afraid of ennui for me, nor I of your doubt about my abilities, of which I will give you many proofs," said she, looking at him with a bewitching smile. " Come, come, you promised us a salad, and I am going to bake to-morrow. To-day the bread of the town will do; but oh! henceforth leave it to me." From that moment Madame de la Tour du-Pin kept her word ; moreover, she insisted on going herself to Boston to sell her vegetables and cream cheese. It was on such an errand to town that M. de Talleyrand met her. The day after, he went to pay her a visit, and met her in the poultry-yard, surrounded by a host of fowls, hungry chickens and hens. Truly might have been said to her,

From thee unfledged birds receive their food, And all that live know well that thou art good.

She was all that she promised to be. Besides, her health was so much improved that she seemed less fatigued with the house work than if she had attended the balls of a winter. Her beauty, which had been remarkable in the gorgeous palace of Versailles, was dazzling in her cottage in the new world. M. de Talleyrand told her so. " Indeed !" replied she, with naivette ; " Indeed do you think so ! I am delighted to hear it. A woman is always and every where proud of her personal attractions." At that moment the black servant bolted into the drawing-room holding his jacket in his hand with a long rent in the back. " Missus, him jacket tore; please mend him." She immediately took a needle and repaired Gullah's jacket, and continued the conversation with charming simplicity.

This little adventure left a deep impression on the mind of M. de Talleyrand, who used to relate it with that tone of voice peculiar to his narrations.

THE ORIGIN OF COCK-FIGHTING.

As Themistocles was leading the forces of Athens against the Persians, he met some cocks fighting; on which he commanded his army to halt, and thus addressed them : " Fellow-soldiers, observe these animals; they do not assail each other for the sake of country, nor for their paternal goods, nor for the sepulchres of their heroic ancestors, nor for glory, nor for liberty, nor for children; but for mastery. How then ought you to fight, who have all these things to contend for?" This homely but apt speech is said to have had a powerful effect in animating the Athenians to victory: and in order to perpetuate