THE 





Devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture, and the Household Arts. 



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


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


FRANK. G. RUFFIN, Editor. F. G. RUFFIN & N. AUGUST, Prop'rs. 


Vol. XVI. RICHMOND, MAY, 1856. No. 5. 



FROM THE PAPERS OF THE NOTTO- 
WAY FARMERS CLUB. 

EXPERIMENT WITH GUANO ON TOBACCO. 

Air. President — Wishing to conform to a 
regulation of this Club, which requires each 
member annually to write an essay or re- 
port an experiment, on some agricultural 
subject, I propose in fulfilling this duty to 
avail myself of the latter, and give an ac- 
count of an experiment made last spring 
in the application of Guano to land on 
which tobacco grew. In doing so, how- 
ever, I am sorry it will not be in my power 
to give more than a conjectural estimate of 
the result of this experiment; as this to- 
bacco and the rest cultivated on that farm, 
are all intermixed in the barns ; but I hope 
an approximation to the quantity this land 
yielded, will be sufficient to prove the 
striking advantage obtained by the use of 
this great fertilizer. Early last winter about 
sixteen acres of old-field, with small pines 
and sassafras bushes growing over the 
greater part of it, were followed by a two 
horse plough, after having been previously 
prepared by some cutting, but chiefly by 
grubbing. Two or three acres had been 
cultivated in corn, some three years since 
the yield of which I am sure, was not much 
more than a few years of shoit corn and 
nubbins, and the remaining portion was 
waste land, considered nearly unproductive. 
In the latter part of April following, two 
and a half tons of Guano were sown over 
this sixteen acres and re-fallowed by the 
same plough that was at first used — in 
the course often or twelve days thereafter, 
the ground was laid off in beds the usual 
distance, checked and hilled, and between 
the 20th and 30th of May planted mostly 



with small plants on a very slight season. — 
The plants notwithstanding lived and grew 
finely to near the topping size, when they 
were much retarded in growth by a drought 
of some two or three weeks duration ; at 
the end of which, they resumed their for- 
mer luxuriant growth, and continued to im- 
prove, though much affected by the occur- 
rence of a second and third spell of dry 
weather, although, at cutting time, present- 
ed a beautiful field of large ripe and even 
tobacco. The tobacco cut from this land 
was hung on five thousand sticks or there- 
abouts, each containing Trom eight to ten 
and twelve plants, according to size. My 
estimate of sticks, is from twelve to fifteen 
thousand pounds ; but fearing that I may 
have calculated too large, I will reduce the 
estimate to ten thousand, which at the pre- 
sent prices, would show a large profit, on 
one hundred and eighteen dollars, the 
amount paid for the two and a half tons of 
Guano. Even was the price of toiacco 
very much depressed, I am persuaded the 
gain would be greatly remunerative. In 
addition, twenty bushels of wheat has been 
seeded on this land, which now appears as 
well as wheat usually looks at this season 
of the year, and should it escape the disas- 
ters, incident to that crop, may swell the 
aggregate profits to a larger amount, besides 
affording as, I am very much inclined to 
think, permanent improvement to the soil. 
January 9th, 1855. Henry E. Shore. 

EXPERIMENT WITII CH"ArEL's FERTILIZER AND 
DE BURG'S SUPERPHOSPHATE OF LIME. 

January 15th, 1855. 
Mr. President : 

In consequence of absence from the 



130 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



state, I failed to present my annual report 
within the club year : and beg you will 
accept this in lieu of it. 

During the Spring of 1854, I had a piece 
of old field land properly prepared for the 
planting of corn, which being too thin to 
produce a good crop unaided by manure, I 
applied two tons of Chapel's Fertilizer, at 
the rate of 300 pounds per acre, which was 
spread on the surface, and gotten in with a 
large drag. The seasons were favorable, 
and the crops were cultivated without a re- 
sult more favorable so far as one could 
judge by the eye than if no such applica- 
tion had been made. The land was, last 
fall, seeded to wheat with a dressing of 
200 pounds Peruvian Guano, which now 
looks well, but no better than the wheat 
adjacent on land guanoed without the pre- 
vious application of the fertilizer, from 
whicli I infer that the latter is of no value 
in this section. I also made a comparative 
experiment by request of the Club with 
guano, Chapell's Fertilizer, and De Burg's 
superphosphate of lime on both corn and 
tobacco. 

The superphosphate of lime and fertilizer 
produced a result so slightly above the un- 
assisted acre as to leave a doubt whether it 
was not the result of a blunder in measure- 
ment, while the effects of the guano were 
as decided as they are known by all gene- 
rally to be. 

I have not yet seen any artificially pre- 
pared agent at ail comparable to the guano, 
and would hence, advise all experimenters 
to use them with great caution, though 
puffed by certificates and sanctioned by 
great names. Respectfully submitted, 
J. M. HURT. 



EXPERIMENT WITH MIXED PERUVIAN AND MEXICAN 

GUANO ON WHEAT AND CORN— EFFECT OF TOP 

DRESSING WHEAT WITH GUANO. 

To the President of the Nottoway Club : 

In discharge of my obligation to report 
an experiment or an essay on some agri- 
cultural subject, I remark that I have pre- 
viously presented most of the experiments 
I have made, and essays on most of the 
subjects deemed important. 

I made an experiment with Mexican and 
Peruvian Guano on corn — the result of 
which may command consideration. 

The effect on the corn was decidedly in 
favor of the Peruvian, and on the succeeding 
crop of wheat was equally so in favour of the 
Mexican. Time alone, can decide whether 



this result should be ascribed to the greater 
durability of the Mexican or its peculiar 
adaptation to that particular crop. 

I also made an experiment on the effect 
of top dressing wheat with Peruvian Guano. 
On the 13th of March, last, I took three 
acres as nearly equal as I would on corn 
land find, that, without any top dressing, 
yielded six and seven eighths bushels — that 
with 100 pounds, nine and two eighths — 
that with 200 pounds, ten and one eighth ; 
the appearance justifies the explanation of 
a much greater difference, and the result is 
unfavourable to such an operation, even 
when wheat is high. I am satisfied that a 
flattering prospect, induced by guano, is 
apt to be deceptive, compared with im- 
provement from lime and other manures. 

Mr. Edmund Ruffin and I had an oppor- 
tunity of seeing each other's crops previous 
to the last harvest. He would have judged 
mine, or much of it, to have exceeded his 
considerably. The result, however, was 
greatly in favor of his, though inferior in 
appearance — and satisfied him of the cor- 
rectness of an opinion long entertained, 
that an improvement from marl or lime 
was more effective in the grain than growth. 
While I shall n6t abandon the use of 
guano, still the result of the last crop of 
wheat impresses on my mind the impor- 
tance of frequent consultations and com- 
parisons amongst farmers in reference to 
its effects, and profits, and as to whether 
it will pay on wheat at the ordinary price, 
or on land of ordinary fertility. 

E. G. BOOTHS. 



MANURES. 

To the farmer of the present day, there 
is no subject possessing greater interest, 
than that of manures. Not only are all 
the common means of enriching land de- 
manding increased attention, but concen- 
trated manures, both natural and artificial, 
are eagerly bought up and applied. 

In the present essay it is my design to 
give my views based chiefly on personal 
experiment and observation, as to what ma- 
nures can be used to advanlage and profit, 
and the best means of applying them so 
as to secure the largest return. 

1st. Farm yard manure and other made 
on the farm. It is my opinion, ihat for our 
staple crops and cultivation, stable manure, 
so far as it will go, is the most valuable. 
The important question in regard to this 
manure, is how best to preserve it — whether 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



131 



to permit it to remain in the stables, which 
cannot be done beyond a certain period, — 
or to remove it, composting it with rich 
earth and vegetable matter adding a little 
plaster — or to spread it on the farm-yard, 
mixing it with the coarse manure, and 
thereby imparling some of its strength 
thereto — or lastly to haul it out fresh, and 
spread it on the land, to be lightly coul- 
tered or harrowed in. I confess I am at a 
loss to determine which is the best plan, 
but I incline to the belief that the latter 
plan when practicable is most advisable. It 
is almost hazardous to interrupt rich putre- 
scent manvire, as it will decompose rapidly 
and lose much of its richness. When it is 
hauled out and mixed thoroughly with the 
soil, decomposition is not so rapid and its 
strength is imparted directly to the land, 
thus rendering it mellow and fit for the re- 
ception and production of the crops in- 
tended to be raised on it. 

2nd. It is the practice of many farmers 
to fill up their farm pens at short intervals 
with litter, thus rendering the bulk very 
large, and the quantity of rich ingredients 
no greater than if the leaves had not been 
added. I have pursued this course but not 
to my satisfaction. More litter than suffi- 
cient to absorb the droppings and urine of 
the cattle, in my opinion is not advisable, 
care being always taken to have sufficient. 
By applying the litter directly to the land, 
the double hauling and handling will be 
avoided, a saving of considerable weight at 
the season of hauling nut, when time and 
labor are very valuable. I would by no 
means discountenance the utmost attention 
to collecting of litter, but think that if it is 
hauled early and plowed in on the land it 
will decompose as well as when it is put in 
the pen. When virgin earth is accessible 
or swamp mud, the best plan I know of is 
to scatter some of either over the litter and 
plow both under early in the season, apply- 
ing richer manure in small quantities when 
the crop is planted. Composting in the 
usual way might make the manure rrTore ac- 
tive and valuable, but not enough so to pay 
the increased cost. One very important 
item in the application of putrescent ma- 
nures especially on land for tobacco is the 
early application. Intending to experiment 
to considerable extent during the present 
year on swamp mud, applied to corn and 
tobacco, I hope to present to the club 
something definite as to its value, in my 
next report. 



3rd. I now come to the consideration of 
mineral and concentrated manures. Wheth- 
er lime unmixed is fertilizing or productive 
of benefit to our crops, is a question, which 
to my mind is very doubtful. If decided 
by the touchstone of personal experience, 
I should say it is not. But one instance 
with which it has proven beneficial, when 
applied unmixed, has come to my knowl- 
edge, and the soil in that instance is some- 
what uncommon in our region. The land 
on which I applied it was chocolate land 
with red sub-soil — the lime made from oys- 
ter-shells burnt by myself. The experiment 
was made several years since and I have 
noticed the land particularly and frequently, 
but never have seen any good effects from 
the lime. Other instances with like result 
havecomeundermyobservation. And though 
I have heard of its beneficial action when 
combined with salt and plaster and used in 
compost, still no instance of its producing 
the immediate and salutary effects such as 
are of annual notoriety in tide-water Vir- 
ginia, has yet come to my knowledge. On 
this account I am driven to the conclusion 
that our lands do not need the lime or the 
action of lime, as the lower Virginia lands 
do, hut some other agent, (which with Dr. 
Morton of Cumberland, I hope and trust 
will yet be found accessible and in abun- 
dance), which will be to Piedmont Virginia 
what plaster is to the Blue-ridge section, 
and lime to Tide-water. But even if lime 
were equally fertilizing to our lands as it is 
elsewhere, we could never afford to use it 
under present circumstances, unless the 
rates for its transportation could be reduced 
to a standard which would put us on equal- 
ity with the Tide-water farmers. We must 
then continue to raise and improve our 
farm manures and husband every fertilizing 
material in our reach, on the one hand and 
bnng to our aid that wonderful and valua- 
ble manure Peruvian Guano to make up 
our deficiency. To us in this section, who 
own so much old and worn out land, so 
easily made arable again, this manure is 
especially valuable in many respects — and 
its proper application, considering its high 
cost and great value is a very important 
consideration. So far as my experience 
with it goes, I think it will pay more on 
certain kinds of land when used for tobac- 
co, than in any other way. For example. 
We have a piece of land in pine, which has 
partially recovered its original strength, 
which it is desirable to get a crop of to- 



132 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



bacco on. By the application of common 
putrescent manure, it would be very doubt- 
ful if such land would produce a remune- 
rating crop the first year, and to put it in 
tobacco two years consecutively would in- 
terfere with the usual rotation of the farm. 
By applying the common manure early in 
the season and following this with an ap- 
plication of 150 to 200 pounds of Guano 
when the hills were made up, the plants 
will take a good start, and their roots 
stretch out to receive the strength of the 
putrescent manure, as it is mixed and in- 
termixed by every working given to the 
land. I have never seen it fail to pay well 
in such a case as this. Moreover the suc- 
ceeding crop of wheat seems to derive al- 
most or quite as much improvement from 
this application as if it had been made di- 
rectly to the wheat itself. I tended a piece 
of poor old land in this way, and now have 
a fine crop of clover on it, and the land 
looks twenty per cent better than where no 
guano was applied, but treated in other 
respects similarly. 

In the application of Guano to the wheat 
crop, there is not much difference in the 
practice of most farmers, and very little dif- 
ference in opinion as to its beneficial ef- 
fects. Whether it can be applied to corn 
with profit, is a more doubtful point. When 
the price of corn is high, and land scarce 
or thin, it can generally be applied with 
profit where wheat succeeds. According 
to my observation and experience, an ap- 
plication of 200 pounds to the acre, applied 
broadcast just before the corn is planted, or 
one half when planted, and the other when 
the corn is plowed the second time, will make 
thin land produce five barrels and upwards to 
the acre. Whether itshould be applied broad- 
cast. or in the drill, circumstances will best 
determine. On oats, I have never seen it pay a 
good profit, and doubt the propriety of its 
being used on this crop. 

Whether Guano can be improved by in- 
termixing with it othersubstanceslam doubt- 
ful. I have mixed it with Plaster, Kettle- 
ivell's Salts, and Patagonian and Mexican 
Guano but like the toper with liquor, I pre- 
fer the naked stuff to any combinations I 
have tried, and but for the hope of finding 
something really valuable, would hereafter 
abjure utterly all other fertilizers, salts, re- 
novators and such like. I last year used 
several tons each of Patagonian and 
Mexican Guano. The former cost nearly 
as much as the Peruvian and had about 20 



per cent in weight in it of boulders as hard 
as the nether mill-stone. It did not equal 
by a great deal the Peruvian, and for this 
reason, aside from the boulders, I sh-ill not 
use any more unless I am convinced by 
observation it can be used to better advan- 
tage than in my case. In regard to the 
Mexican Guano, I cannot speak so posi- 
tively, as it was used in combination with 
other materials, forming the Armistead To- 
bacco Manure. A heavy application of this 
helped the tobacco considerably, thou»h I 
have my doubts but what the Peruvian Gu- 
ano, which was one of the ingredients, was 
the chief cause of this result. This also is 
not deficient in rocks. 

4th. As to the Agricultural Salts, Reno- 
vators, &c, I have tried a good many 
kinds — some with partial success — some 
with none at all. The manufacturers all 
pretend that their Compounds surpass Pe- 
ruvian Guano, and fro n a desire of gain and 
possibly some better motive, continue to 
manufacture and pufflheir productions, and 
the farmers, hoping to find something valu- 
able continue to buy, every one a little and 
some more, but in the aggregate a great 
deal. Their attempts heretofore to produce 
an article equal to Peruvian Guano, have 
proven as fruitless (I will not say bootless,) 
as did the Alchemists, of olden times to 
make gold. They, the alchemists, could 
produce compounds rivalling in appearance 
the precious ore, and deceive the unwary 
to believe it was, but never did come at the 
genuine article. So it has been with gu- 
ano alchemists — I hope it may not ever be 
so. The truth of the inferiority or worth- 
lessness of these compounds, is proven 
conclusively, by ihe fact, that none of the 
manufacturers continue to make their won- 
derful renovators for any length of time, 
while the use of Peruvian Guano is yearly 
increasing and the whole supply is not suf- 
ficient to meet the demand even at rates 
which are really exorbitant. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Richard Irby. 



REPORT ON THE FARM OF DR. A. A. CAMP- 
BELL. 

The committee appointed to report on 
Dr. A. A. Campbell's farm, beg leave to 
submit the following report. The following 
data give the gratifying result of a nett pro- 
fit on one year's operation of nearly 10 per 
cent on capital invested. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



Dr. 

900 acres ofland at $11, about, 810,000 00 

18 farm negroes, 9,000 00 

Horses and stock, 970 00 

Farm implements and machinery, 425 00 



Total capital invested, $20,395 00 

Cr. 
Increase in value of land 1 year,. $100 00 

Increase in value of negroes, 300 00 

1 colt and increase of stock, 90 00 

Beef sold 42— mutton sold 10 52 00 

Wheat and Tobacco sold, 2075 00 



$2617 00 

Expenses of Farm. 
Overseers wages $125, Guano and 
lime, $285 ; Blacksmith's work, 
$50 ; Bacon bought $42 ; Corn 
bought $40 ; Plows, &c, $25 ; 
Negro clothing $80 ; Tax ac- 
count, §24; Grass seed $17, §688 00 



Which deducted leaves nett in- 
come of 81929 00 
Which gives a clear profit of a small frac- 
tion less than 10 per cent on the capital 
invested. The committee examined the 
farm and found it in good order. The pro- 
gress of operalions is quite forward except 
perhaps the breaking of the old-field land. 
The manure is being hauled out. The man- 
ner of heaping, the course manure adopted by 
the Doctor is of questionable propriety. 
His crop of wheat looks well for the sea- 
son and seems to have been gotten in in a 
very nice style and his oats also. The sta- 
bles, granary, &.c, seem to be in good re- 
pair and plantation roads as good as usual. 
The horses and mules showed good treat- 
ment. We did not see his cattle, as they 
were luxuriating in the pasture of an old 
gentleman well known to the club, possibly 
depositing more of the Doctor's provender 
there, than would make up for the pickings 
there found. For all who have the good 
fortune to have the aforesaid pasture conve- 
nient, it would be perhaps best for them to 
gather all they can for it in the grazing 
months, but not to follow the Doctor's ex- 
ample, in making some returns in the win- 
ter. The farm divided into four fields near- 
ly all under one enclosure, and seems to be 
improving. 

The committee fake great pleasure in 
being able to make the above gratifying re- 



port on the farm of our oldest member, who 
distinguished as he is for his public spirit 
and patriotism has never faltered in his en- 
deavors to make the calling of the farmer, 
respectable and profitable, and who, though 
verging towards three score and ten years, 
still preserves the spirit and vigor of youth 
in furthering the progress of agricultural 
prosperity in our country. To his honor 
be it said, that while many of his age and 
experience are ready to regard wilh cold- 
ness, if not with contempt, the attempts of 
the younger of their brother farmers to im- 
prove and augment, by every means, their 
agricultural resources, his motto has ever 
been, and is now — "success to agricultural 
progress and improvement." May he long 
live to see the rewards of his efforts, while 
the green fields of this earth grow greener 
and fresher, fit, but faint emblems of the 
bright field of eternity. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Richard Irby, Chrm. 
Jfotfoway Co., Va. Apl. 12, 1855. 



WHEAT. 

The wheat crop is one of the great sta- 
ples of Virginia, particularly of the Eastern 
and middle portions of the State. What- 
ever is calculated to effect it favourably or 
unfavourably, from seed time to harvest, 
from its germination to its maturity, are 
subjects of interesting inquiry, well calcu- 
lated to engage (he attention and call forth 
the energies of the farmer. 

It is not my intention to trespass on the 
field of the Botanist or Entomologist, but to 
treat this subject as a plain, practical farmer, 
to state such facts and advance such opin- 
ions as have come under my own observa- 
tion or are the legitimate deductions of 
many years experience. 

The varieties of this cereal are almost as 
numerous as the Cornfield Pea; including 
winter and spring, red, yellow and white, 
bearded and bald or beardless, including 
many hybrids or mongrels, too numerous 
to mention ; all possessing more or less 
claims to popular favour. I shall only men- 
tion two or three varieties, more recently 
introduced among us. The Ward wheat, 
first introduced into notice by our worthy 
friend, Capt. N. Ward, deceased, of this 
County, from a few heads gathered among 
his growing crop, twenty years or more 
since , long arid deservedly maintained al- 
most a universal preference in this section 
of the State. It is a white, clear, flinty 



134 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



grain, bearded, well adapted to the manu- 
facture of family Flour, hardy in its nature, 
growing well on all varieties of soil (at all 
adapted to wheat culture,) not liable to blast, 
and when first introduced, was very prolific. 
It has, however, like all its predecessors, 
grown tired of our lands or our lands have 
grown tired of it; from one or the other of 
these causes, it has greatly degenerated and 
has nearly gone out of use, and has been 
succeeded by the red or Mountain Purple 
Straw, and the Polish or Woodfin varieties. 
To both of these varieties there is objection. 
The colour of the former, together with its 
peculiar liability to smut, have deterred me 
from growing it. I can say nothing of its 
good or bad qualities experimentally, and 
believe it is going rapidly into disuse. The 
latter or Polish wheat is now the favourite 
and is in general use. It is liable to seve- 
ral objections, such as the great length of 
straw, materially increasing the amount of 
labour in harvesting and threshing the crop, 
and does not yield in grain in proportion to 
the growth in the field, ever disappointing 
the hope and expectations of the farmer, 
when he tests it by the half bushel. It is 
also unsuited to low grounds and springy 
uplands; very liable to blast on such lands 
and will, probably, in a few more years, de- 
generate, as all other varieties have done. 
It is the part of prudence that we should 
be looking out in time for its successor, for 
experience has established the fact, that no 
variety of wheat in our climate and soil will 
endure and give renumerating returns, for 
more than ten or fifteen years. These facts 
demand the attention and investigation of 
theAgricultural Chemists and the Botanists. 
A scientific investigation of the habits, dis- 
eases and casualties of the wheat plant is a 
great desideratum. To what extent our 
present improved, and we hope improving, 
system of farming and the continued libe- 
ral use of Guano will correct this deteriora- 
ting tendency of the wheat crop, time only 
can r'etermine. 

It is difficult to say, what peculiarity of 
land is best adapted to the growth of wheat ; 
it is generally believed, that the red, stiff 
clay lands, are our best wheat lands, but 
this opinion is not verified by my experi- 
ence nor is it fully sustained by reason. 
Wheat when grown on such lands, rich in 
animal and vegetable manures, is very liable 
to lodge from its luxuriance and weight, 
the straw is weak, probably from a deficien- 
cy of the silicates so necessary to give 



firmness and strength to it, and is also much 
more subject to the rust, consequent upon 
the greater capacity of the land to retain a 
superabundance of moisture, causing it to 
remain at a much lower degree of temper- 
ature to a later period, and thus retarding 
the maturity and early ripening of the crop. 
An early harvest is generally a clean and 
prolific one. The conclusion to which I 
have arrived from observation and experi- 
ence on my farm, is that a moderately, 
close, grey soil, based on a good, red clay 
subsoil, not too tenacious and close to per- 
mit the redundant moisture, readily to sub- 
side and sufficiently undulating to discharge 
the excess of the surface water, all other 
things being equal, is the best Wheat land 
and is not obnoxious in the same degree to 
any of the above objections to the stiff clay 
lands. 

T. e best time for seeding a crop of 
wheat is between the first and twentieth of 
October : few persons begin earlier ; many 
protract the period of finishing the opera- 
tion much later. The greatest enemy to 
the wheat crop is the rust; it is generally 
most fatal to the late seeded and maturing 
portion of the crop. In view of this fact 
and the decreasing liability to the depreda- 
tions of the Hessian fly, probably due to 
the liberal use of Guano, I would suggest 
the propriety of seeding in September when- 
ever practicable. 

The quantity of seed per acre varies in 
the same neighbourhood among the best 
practical farmers, and is a question not yet 
settled. From one bushel to a bushel and 
a half, according to the quality of the land, 
is probably the average quantity and is suf- 
ficiently thick. The average production on 
my farm, including Tobacco lots, Cornland 
and fallow, with a liberal use of Guano, has 
never exceeded ten for one seeded, though 
others inform us of much heavier yields. 

There is great diversity of opinion and 
practice as to the best preparation of the 
soil for the reception of the grain. Some 
still continue the use of the Trowel Hoe. 
I, for one, prefer it to all other implements 
on clean land ; Tobacco lots for instance, 
choosing not to reveise the soil, where there 
is no vegetable matter or Guano to turn in ; 
others use the two horse turning plough, 
under all circumstances, and others again 
the one horse turning plough followed 
by the Harrow on Heavy drag. It 
all may be briefly comprehended in one 
I short sentence ; a kind soil, a deep tilth, a 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



135 



well pulverized surface, followed by a heavy 
roller. 

The present high price of wheat, with 
the prospect of its continuing, at least 
through another season, gives to the crop 
an increased importance in an agricuJtural 
and commercial point of view. That the 
price of the growing crop will rule as high 
as the .present, is by no means certain, but 
there can be but little doubt, that the far 
mer will realize very remunerating returns 
for his capital arid labour vested in its cul- 
tivation. 

The wheat growing region, proper, of 
the United States, is supposed to lie within 
10 degrees of latitude and 10 degrees of 
Longitude, embracing the States of New 
York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jer- 
sey, Maryland, Virginia, a part of North 
Carolina and Ohio. To which may be now 
added Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. Oth- 
er States cultivate the crop, it is true, but 
the crop is uncertain and the returns mea- 
gre, most of them receiving a large portion 
of their surplus from the more favoured 
portions of the country. 

The aggregate crop of the United States, 
according to the last census, (1850) is put 
down at 100,479,150 bushels; of this 
amount, within a fraction, 85,000,000 of 
bushels are grown within the above Geo- 
graphical lines of Latitude and Longitude. 
I have no reliable data from which I can 
arrive at an accurate estimate of the quan- 
tity of Wheat and Flour exported from the 
United States on the extent of the Foreign 
demand, and therefore will not hazard a 
conjecture. But think the following esti- 
mate, in reference to the Virginia crop, 
nearly approximates the truth : 

The crop of wheat of Virginia, in the 
census of 1850, is put down at 11,232,616 
bushels, Bushels, 

11,232,616 
Deduct for seed one » 
tenth, supposing the 
equal ten for one on 
an average, 1,121,261, 

Deduct 6 bushels or 
a barrel of Flour for 
every white man, 
woman and child in 
the State, the white 
population being at 
that time, 894,800, 5,336,800, 



6,458,061, 6,458,061 



4,774,557. 



Leaving the above surplus of four mil- 
lions seven hundred and seventy four thou- 
sand five hundred and fifty-seven bushels 
for market, which at one dollar and eighty 
cents, what is supposed to be the average 
price of wheat the present season, amounts 
to the sum of eight millions six hundred 
and sixty thousand one hundred and ninety- 
six dollars. 

The above calculation is based upon the 
estimates of 1850, except the price of 
wheat, which, it will be perceived, is as- 
sumed as the averaged price of the present 
crop. 

If it should be objected that the census 
returns of 1850 are not a true estimate of 
the population or the wheat crop of 1854-5. 
I answer, it is true, but that it is the near- 
est approach to the truth within our reach, 
and whatever error there may be in the 
calculations are against both the population 
and productiveness of Virginia. 

A few brief reasons, Mr. President, for 
the opinion advanced that the price of 
wheat will keep up through the next sea- 
son, and I shall be done. In the Southern 
Planter for October, 1854, page 293, we 
have a table, kept at the Van Ranssellaer 
Manor at Albany showing the average price 
for sixty-one years to be one dollar and 
thirty-eight cents; seventeen times only, 
in that period, has it been at or below one 
dollar, and five times at or above two dol- 
lars. And it is worthy of remark that when 
the price has run up to the highest figures 
in any given year, the price the next year 
has always been good ; above the average 
price for the whole time, showing that the 
scarcity is felt and the causes continue to 
operate longer than one year. A principle 
verified by sixty-one years experience may 
fairly be considered as established. The 
high price of labour and all other commod- 
ities incidental to and connected with farm- 
ing operations, the great influx of the pre- 
cious metals, banking facilities, &c, must 
all have an influence on the price of wheat 
and will keep it at or near its present value. 
To the above consideration may be added 
the large amount of labour and capital with- 
drawn from agriculture and directed into 
other channels of business such as Rail- 
Roads, mining and domestic manufactories ; 
and the unprecedented number of immi- 
grants annually arriving in our seaports, 
(who for the most part are an idle, unpro- 
ductive population,) all heavy consumers, 
who must be fed by the farmer, while they 



136 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTFR. 






add nothing to the production of the 
country. 

Again, the extensive war now carried on 
in Europe, must necessarily create a great 
demand for our breadstuff's ; there are 
probably at this time not less than two mil- 
lions of men, either under arms or drafted 
ar,d undergoing a training for the army, 
and should the present warlike armaments 
continue through another year (and the 
present indications are in favour of it) the 
allies must look to the United States for a 
great portion of their supplies to support 
their armies and fleets. Enlistments must 
go on to fill up the ranks of the slaughtered 
thousands who are sacrificed to the pride 
and ambition of the crowned Despots who 
are now waging this sanguinary war; want 
if not famine, must follow in the bloody 
foot-prints of these mighty armaments. 

France and England have each realized 
the last two years short crops, notwithstand- 
ing their boasting reports of abundant har- 
vests. Their crops of 1853 did not more 
than carry them through to the harvests of 
1854 with the aid of heavy importation 
from this and other countries, (which gave 
us fine prices for the crop of 1853,) and at 
the ingathering of the last crop, 1854, — 
also reported as being of superior quality 
and abundant in quantity — prices on this 
side the water began to rise and have con- 
tinued to advance to the present time. 
Strong indications, these, that the crops of 
France and England will not meet the de- 
mand and that they must look to the Uni- 
ted States, not only for their domestic sup- 
ply in part, but for the support of their ar- 
mies and navies to a considerable extent. 
These and other reasons, not mentioned, 
justify the opinion, that present prices or a 
near approach to them, may reasonably be 
calculated on for our next crop of Wheat. 
It is a question now being agitated among 
the scientific Farmers in England, whether 
the present highly improved conditions of 
their lands, has not reached it maximum 
and whether its productive powers have 
not been taxed to their utmost capacity ; 
while at the same lime the population is 
advancing and their pauper list increasing 
to a fearlul extent. 

Mr. President, permit me in conclusion, 
to congratulate you and each member of 
the club, and through you, the. agricultural 
community, that while the commercial 
world is passing through a most trying cri- 



sis, the Farmers of Virginia were never in 
more prosperous circumstances, mutual 
confidence never stronger and our credit as 
a class never based on a firmer foundation. 
Respectfully submitted, 

A. A. Campbell. 



How to kill Hawks. — Take a large tea- 
spoon full of grated or rasped Nux Vomica, 
or as it is sometimes called " Ox Vomit," 
and add it to one pint of grist and mix it 
thoroughly; after which, feed to the small 
chickens, in the yard, and as sure as a hawk 
takes a chicken when the Nux Vomica is 
in the craw of the chicken, so sure will 
that hawk never come after a second 
chicken. 

I am satisfied Mr. Editor, that after one 
year's experiment, never to be without the 
Nux Vomica if I continue to raise chickens 
or turkeys, where the hawks are trouble- 
some. So far from the Nux Vomica inju- 
ring the chicken or turkey it keeps them 
lively and thrifty. Of course you will 
discontinue the use of the Nux Vomica, 
when the chicken is large enough to keep 
out of the way of the hawk. 

The discovery is not original with me, 
but so far as I know, was made by an old 
widow lady, who had more poultry in her 
yard at one .time, than many others to- 
gether, and not a gun was fired at a hawk, 
whilst her residence was near a swamp. 

The above you may publish for the ben- 
efit of your subscribers. — American Cotton 
Planter. 



Making Vinegar. — A correspondent of 
the Dollar Newspaper says : — The cheapest 
mode of making vinegar is to mix five 
quarts of warm rain-water with two quarts of 
Orleans molasses, and four quarts of yeast. 
In a few weeks you will have the best vin- 
egar you ever tasted. 

"Whitewash. — Poor whitewash is a serious 
injury to a wall or ceiling, and when once on it 
is difficult to get it off or properly cover it and 
produce a clear white appearance. This is the 
season for cleaning up, and we will give the re- 
cipe for a first rate wash. Quick liine, slacked 
by boiling water, stirring it until so slacked. 
Then dissolve in water white vitrol, (sulphate of 
zinc,) which you get at the druggists, at the rate 
of two pounds of zinc to a half barrel of white- 
wash, making it about the consistency of rich 
milk. This sulphate of zinc will cause the wash 
to harden ; and to prevent the lime from rub- 
bing off, a pound of fine salt should be thrown 
into it. 



THE SOUTHEKN PLANTER. 



137 



jffl 



TO THE COMMITTEE ON FA 
BUILDINGS. 

Gentlemen — I beg leave to offer for 
your examination the accompanying plans 
and elevations of farm buildings. I have 
endeavoured in the present design to em- 
brace the necessary buildings required in a 
systematic prosecution of the operations on 
the farm, having reference in their arrange- 
ment to convenience, comfort and economy 
in cost of construction. 

In selecting a proper site for the farm- 
stead, a central location with regard to the 
farm will possess many advantages. The 
Figure 1. A 



I barn-yard should open to the south, and its 
: surface incline slightly from each side to 
'the centre. Referring to the diagrams you 
:will observe that the buildings inclose the 
i barn-yard on the north, east and west 
! sides, affording ample protection to its oc- 
Jcupantsfrom the cold blasts of winter. — 

The dimensions of the barn-yard are 104 
\X 120 feet, inclosing an area of 12,480 
i square feet, which may be increased by 
j extending it Southward. 

The ground plan of all the buildings, and 
j their relative positions, also the form of the 
I farm" court and adjoining lots, are shewn in 

Figure 1. 




"A," Basement story- of the main barn, 
on the north side of the court 40 X 80 ft., 
divided into cow stable " a" 10 X 40; cat- 
tle stable "c"30><l 54; " d" main passage 
to cattle, cow and ox stables, 10 X 60 ; 
"e," "e," "e," stalls for cows 5 X 10; 
"f. f.," gutter.s \\ feet wide, 6 inches deep, 
and 42 feet long ; to convey liquid manure 
to vaults ; "g," "g," liquid manure vaults, 
4X5 and covered with a moveable plat- 
form ; "h," "h," "h," mangers for cattle 



1$ feet wide and 1 foot deep ; "J," "J,' '"J" 
"J," alleys to cow and ox stables; "b," 
"b," ox stable divided into 4 double stalls, 
10 X 10; "m," cow lot 30 X! 46; "n," 
horse lot 30 X 42 ; each inclosed with 
a substantial plank fence; "o," " o," 
posts to second floor of main barn ; (: H, " 
straw-rack 20 X 40, formed by poles 3 
inches in diameter and 8 feet long, insert- 
ed perpendicularly in a lower and upper 
sill with round tenons ; the upper tenon be- 



138 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



II 



ing cut long enough to admit of the poles 
being removed when desired, that the shed 
may be used as a receptacle for the long 
manure from the farm court; "r," "r," 
"r,' : gates to cow lot, horse lot, and farm 
court. 

B. — Floor of a building on the east side 
of the court, 36 X 44, divided into a shed 
"a," for calves 10 X 24; "b," "b," "b," 
stalls 6 X 8; "e," manger; "c" walk 3 X 
24 ; d, d, d, doors ; f, hospital 10 H 12 ; e 
manger , g walk 3 X 12 ; d, d, d, doors to 
cow lot and farm court; k thed for qarts 
10 X 24 ; 1 double door ; m room for farm 
implements 12 X 24; n, n, doors; w work- 
shop 14 X 24; t, door; r, r, windows; s, 
stairs to second floor ; y, wagon shed 10 X 
36 ; v, close door ; z, gate. 

C, shelter and yards lor sheep 36 X 60 ; 
a, shed open to the west 10 X 60, with roof 
sloping outward ; e, e, e, yards 15 X 26; 
d, d, d, gates; c. c, c, box racks for feed- 
ing hay, &c, 2£ X! 2S ; b, b, b, boxes for 
receiving hay, from shed loft; f, f, posts to 
shed. The wagon shed y adjoining the 
sheep yard is intended to be used when 
wanted, as a shearing house. 

D, corn crib, 6 X 36, with bottpm and 
sides latticed, divided equally into apart- 
ments k, k ; h, shed for farm wagons, 10 
^36; j, j, gates. 

E. — Piggery on the west side of the farm 

Figure 5. 



court 32 X! 38 ; b, b, b, yards 8X 12; a, 
a, a, pens for swine 8 X 10 ; d, d, d, self- 
adjusting doors, hung on wooden pivots, 
opening in or out ; f, f, doors to pens ; e, e, 
e, troughs ; each pen is separated from feed 
h, by a door 8 X 8 hung with hinges to 
girders, and kept in place by wooden bolts 
sliding into staples ; s, s, s, on either side 
of the trough ; when supplying the troughs 
the doors are bolted to the side next the 
pens, keeping the swine from their food 
until a proper distribution is effected, then 
by raising the bolts the doors will swing to 
the side next the feed room, thus giving all 
the occupants of each pen an equal chance 
for their food ; h, feed room 18 X 32 ; k, 
k, position of corn and cob -crusher for 
grinding grain ; 1, 1, bins for meal and roots ; 
v, v, v, vats for cooking food ; a cellar is 
excavated 18 X 18 feet, under the feed 
room at the west end, and walled in with 
stone or brick, to receive a boiler for gene- 
rating steam to supply the vats. 

F.— Building 32 X! 57, divided thus ; a, 
carriage room 10 X 18 ; b, saddle and har- 
ness room 10 X 14 ; w, window ; d, doors; 
c, c, stables for horses 14 X 32; f, f, f, 
stalls 4 X 8 ; e, e, manger; i, i, bins for 
grain; J, box for preparing food; h, feed 
room 9 X 32 ; g, g, passage from feed room 
to stables; d, d, d, doors; 1, stables for 
colts ; m, m, m, stalls ; e, e, manger. 




Figure 5, shews a cross-section through! rack ; t, t, boxes to receive the hay seed 
horse stables ; a, a, interior of feed room j and dust, latticed over the top and opening 
which is ceiled with plank, in a triangular! into feed room; e, e, mangers; j, j, spaces 
form ; g, g, receptacle for hay, which with ; to pass feed through to mangers. The ad- 
the perpendicular slats d, d, forms the hay 1 vantages of this form of a hayrack are ob- 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



139 



vious to any practical man, no hay seed or [the labour required to fill it is slight, and it 
dust can get into the eyes of the horses, J is cheap and easily constructed. 

Figure 2. 

N 



W 



E 




m 




h d 



o hi 



L 







E3 



s 



Figure 2 second floor of the buildings on 
the north, east and west sides of the court, 
N, second floor of the main barn ; a, a, 
threshing floors, each 20 X 40 feet ; b, b, 
bays or mows for grains 20 X 20 ; d, d, 
rooms for chaff 10 X 20, with tubes 1£ fee) 
square in the floor of each, and of sufficient 
length to extend into the mangers of the 
cow and ox stables in the basement story; 
c, c, granaries, one for wheat, the ether for 
rye and oats, 10 M 20, each divided into 
four garners e,e,e,e, 4 X 6 ; f , f , stairway to 
basement ; h, h, doors ; n, n, windows ; g, g, 
ladder to mows. The large doors to the 
main barn are balanced upon rollers of iron 
which revolve freely upon an iron guide 
rail, and are opened by pushing them to 
the right and left ; a small door 3 X 6 is 
hung with hinges into each of the large 



doors ; m, straw shed 20 X 40, the sills of 
this shed are placed upon top of the posts 
which are used in constructing the straw 
rack, and on a level with the floor of the 
barn — sided up and roofed. 

E, second floor of building "B," (Fig. 
1) divided thus — b, wool room 12 M 16, 
lathed and plastered ; c, gardner's room 
for seeds, tools, &c, 12 X 12 ; a, a, lum- 
ber room for miscellaneous articles 20 X 
24 ; c, room over piggery 18 >A 32, for sto- 
ring corn and other feed for swine ; e, tube 
leading to hopper of corn crusher on the 
ground floor; h h, doors. 

W, second floor of stables ; a, a, hay 
mows each 14 XI 32 ; b, b, alley over hay 
rack 9 X 32 ; c, c, c, doors ; S, elevation 
of main barn. 



140 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



Figure 3, 




Elevation of buildings on west! side of the court. 



Figure 4. 




O □ O, D 




Elevation of buildings on east side of 
the court. The .building on the north 
side of the court is designed for a bank 
barn, the wails of the absement to be 
built of stone or hard brick 8 feet high and 



18 inches thick, the superstructure of wood ; 
and the exterior covered with two coats of 
lime paint. The floors in the stalls of the 
cow and ox stables to be raised 4 inches 
above the floor of the alley in their rear. 



Figure 6. 

i 




PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF INTERIOR. 



The buildings on the east and west sides 
of the court all to be constructed of wood, 
on stone or brick foundations, and to have 
two coats of lime paint. I estimate the 
cost of the whole stedding complete at 
$2,500, at the average price of labor and 
materials in Virginia. 

The introduction of pure water into the 
>farm court, is a matter of great importance; 
the facilities for its accomplishment vary- 
ing with the locality, and site chosen for 
the buildings, render any specific directions 
impracticable. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Sam'l F. Christian. 
Augusta Co. Va., Oct. 1855. 



Kennon's, Amelia County, > 
January 1, 1856. ) 

Dear Sir— Your letter of the 18th ult., 
directed to our friend W. H. H. was by him 
submitted to me, with a positive refusal on 
his part to comply with your request. I 
was somewhat surpised at the confidence 
with which you stated in your letter that I 
would not do what you desired Mr. H. to 
do. You must have formed your opinion 
of me from information obtained from oth- 
ers, as I have not the pleasure of your ac- 
quaintance. 

The plan on which T cultivate corn is not 
original with me. In the year 1816 I be- 
came acquainted with Col. John Overton of 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



141 



Louisa county, one of the most sensible 
men I ever knew, and to me, one of the 
most interesting, and whilst lam compelled 
to admit that he was practically a very un- 
successful farmer, yet from him I learned 
more that I have found useful than from 
all other men with whom I have formed an 
acquaintance. The great advantage I ob- 
tained from my association with Col. Over- 
ton consisted in this, that I was compelled 
to give a reason for every opinion advanc- 
ed — and very frequently after having given 
an opinion very confidently, upon attempt- 
ing to sustain it by reason, I found myself 
involved in a difficulty from which I could 
not extricate myself, except by acknow- 
ledging that I had not considered the sub- 
ject, but was giving what I had heard from 
others in whom T had confidence. 

As to the culture of corn — First. Pre- 
pare the land well before planting. I use 
a plough with the mould board to the left 
hand, drawn by three horses or mules, in 
breaking up my corn land — the advantage 
of this plough is this : the horse under the 
line walks in the furrow and needs scarce- 
ly any attention : the other two walk on 
firm unbroken land. I have very little sys- 
tem, and cannot s^y how many acres you 
ought to plant per hand, but this I say con- 
fidently — I can cultivate all that I can break 
up in time -to plant, — I think a good 
horse can cultivate 25 acres after it is 
planted. I rarely plant before the 
weather is sufficiently mild to cause the 
buds and grass to begin to grow. Just 
before commencing to plant, I run a heavy 
drag, drawn by at least two good horses 
over the land. I endeavor to plant all the 
land dragged before it rains on it — the fur- 
row in which the corn is dropped is opened 
with a small plough, drawn by one horse, 
with a mould-board — my reason for using a 
turning plough is, my land is stony, and if 
the clods have not been reduced by the 
drag, the stones and clods are thrown aside 
by this plough. We endeavor so to run 
the rows that each may carry off its own 
water, so as to avoid washing, this is fre- 
quently accomplished by an experienced 
ploughman without the aid of a water 
level — but when necessary, we use the 
level. On ordinary high land, the rows 
are laid ofF 5£ feet apart, and the corn 
dropped 2 feet apart; this is done by the 
eye. If my breaking up is behind, I 
begin with two horses dragging, one laying 



off rows, one man dropping and one horse 
covering. The force not engaged in plant- 
ing being kept fallowing, so that the two op- 
erations are finished almost simultaneously. 

I cover with an implement made of two 
cultivator teeth 2£ or 3 inches wide, slight- 
ly curved, fixed in a frame, adapted to run 
in the furrow in which the corn has been 
dropped — if properly fixed, it leaves the 
land slightly elevated, not unlike the track 
of a mole. In that position it is not apt to 
bake after a hard rain. 

I would not open the furrow which re- 
ceives the corn as dropped more than 2^ or 
3 inches deep. The implement with which 
it is covered should be so guided as to run 
on each side of the corn dropped, and so to 
throw the earth as to cover the corn and form 
the slight elevation of theearth overthe corn. 

After planting I do nothing to the crop 
until the corn is large enough to thin. This 
process should never be neglected — before 
thinning I commence with single-horse 
turning plows — the bar next to the corn, and 
throw the earth from the corn each side — 
following with hoes, thinning, cutting out 
briars, bushes, weeds, &c, not pretending 
to work the earth or hilling the corn. I 
rarely replant corn ; a if hill be missing, I 
leave two stalks in the next. 

When the corn is large eaough to receive 
the earth, I commence with the same 
ploughs, the mould-board next to the corn 
and throw the earth to the corn each 
side. This is an important operation, 
and \f well done supersedes the necessity of 
hoe-work altogether. The earth should be 
thrown so as to meet and cover up all the 
grass about the corn, but not to lap, or one 
furrow to be piled on the ot her. Here the 
manager has need of all the observation 
and common sense he can command : when 
the crop has received a furrow each side, I 
consider it comparatively safe. 

In eight or ten days after the earth has 
been thrown to the corn, I would throw 
another furrow each side, going over the 
whole crop, and here the hoes should fol- 
low, doing only what the ploughs failed to 
do — not attempting to dig deep and pull up 
high hills — but simply when the earth was 
not thrown so as to cover up the grass about 
the corn, let the hoes pull loose earth over 
the grass. Briars, bushes, and large weeds 
should be cut up. Dont mind the middle 
of the row, nor think you must again go 
near the corn, and be sure that not a lick 



142 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



be struck by the hoes unless necessary. 
My hands frequently walk fifty (or more) 
yards with their hoes on their shoulders — 
the ploughs leave the earth in a far better 
condition than it can be put with hoes. 
If I could have things precisely as I desire, 
when the corn begins to tassel I would 
throw out the middle of the rows, which 
can be done with two -additional furrows. 

I have been cultivating corn on the plan 
here described with slight deviations since 
the year 1818, and although tobacco and 
wheat have been my staple crops, and I 
have never cultivated corn, with a view to 
selling it, I have never failed a single year 
to make an ample supply for my own use 
(viz : 600 barrels) and have sold as much as 
400 barrels one year. I sold last year 
(crop of 1854) 200 barrels, and think I 
have between 1 and 200 barrels for sale 
now, crop of 1855 — the last was by far the 
most unfavorable year I ever knew for the 
corn crop. 

You have observed that the whole pro- 
cess of cultivating corn on the plan de- 
scribed, consists of eight furrows to the row, 
two thrown from, and six to the corn ; the 
philosophy of the plan is this : avoid break- 
ing the corn roots, and afford range for 
them to spread in quest of nutriment. 1 
know the popular idea is to break the roots 
in order to make the corn grow. I have on 
several occasions known the attempt made 
to make the crop with one ploughing, the 
whole row ploughed at once; and in every 
instance the tesult was a failure. The 
polishing process of laying by the crop 
with harrows, &c, I consider more than 
useless ; and I would not accept it if gratu- 
itously offered. 

I find, Sir, that it will make this commu- 
nication too long to write all that I think 
useful, which has been learned by forty 
years experience in cultivating this use- 
ful, nay, indispensable crop, to us of the 
South. I must therefore close with an in- 
vitation to you to visit us in order to a full 
and free conversation on this subject, and 
others of modern improvement, the use of 
guano, the drill, the reaper, &.c, &c. 

I have failed to say anything on the cul- 
ture of corn on flat land, from which I fear 
you may infer it is unsuitable to such land. 
Such is not the fact, the land is thrown into 
beds 10 or 11 feet wide, two rows are plant- 
ed on each bed 4 feet apart on the top of 
the bed and 6 or 7 feet across the water 



furrows — the reason for having so much 
space is, that you may throw the earth 
from the corn without filling up the water 
furrows. In other respects the cultivation 
is the same on rich flat land ; with a propi- 
tious season work.faster. I met last year at 
the Springs (Virginia) a very intelligent 
gentleman from North Carolina, a large 
corn maker (crop 20,000 barrels) who 
would not even listen to me, when wishing 
to suggest to him the amount of labor he 
might save by adopting this plan. He in- 
sisted that, on his rich Roanoke flats, the 
Spanish needle and cuckold bur would de- 
stroy the corn. I admitted to him, that if 
he could convince me that the fertile soil 
and genial seasons so favorable to the 
growth of these pests, were not equally fa- 
vorable to the growth of corn, then his 
objection to the plan was valid, otherwise 
it was not. 

In closing I will only suggest that for 
thirty years, I have never hedged or shock- 
ed any corn on the land designed to be 
sown in wheat. In cutting down the corn, I 
use small light hoes, with short helves ad- 
justed to the length of the operator's arm, 
taking hold on the stalk of corn with the 
left hand it is severed from the ground, 
leaving no stubble, so objectionable when 
knives are used, and laid in heaps, three 
rows in one — the hands whose business on 
the old plan, is to pick up and pile, take up 
the corn already piled by the cutter, and 
put it on carts on which it is hauled either 
to the farm yard where it is to be shucked 
and housed, or if the farm yard be more 
than hall a mile from the field, to some spot 
not designed to be sown in wheat and 
more convenient than the farm yard. I 
plough with two horse ploughs the whole of 
my corn land previous to sowing the wheat, 
and get it in with drags. 

My force consists of 27 hands, men, wo- 
men, boys and girls ; among these are 
two coarse carpenters and tvfo old men — 
15 horses — 12 oxen — 3 ox carts — 3 wagons 
and 1 tumbrel cart. I sow usually, 300 
bushels of wheat, and between 2 and 300 
bushels of oats; and I plant between 5 and 
6000 tobacco hills to eacli hand. I sold last 
year (crop of 1854) $4,000 worth of wheat, 
$2,100 of tobacco, $1,000 of corn and $100 
of seed oats. I have as yet sold no portion 
of the crop of 1S55. My force, I am con- 
fident, would not be considered as more 
than equal to twenty efficient hands. The 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



143 



substance of this communication was pub- 
lished many years ago in the Farmers' 
Register. If however you think any good 
will result from its being again published, I 
do not object. 

Have you ever attempted to give a rea- 
son for making large high hills in preparing 
\>ur tobacco lots ? I mean old manured 
land. I can imagine but one, that is, to 
to cut them down. I find that a simple 
list, foimed by running two furrows with a 
two horse plough, throws the land so high 
that I have this list cut down. 

When my ploughers breakfast and dine, 
my plough horses are fed, always in the 
field, if at work half a mile from the stable, 
I have, prepared for this purpose, light 
trough- made of plank one ineh thick, and 
move them, to avoid traveling long dis- 
tances frequently in order to feed. I have 
not attempted to write connectedly, but 
without regard to system or style, have put 
down what I thought might be useful, as it 
seemed to me. I submit it for better, for 
worse, as we take our wives, and have 
written for you, not the multitude, who had 
rather show their Jolly by criticising than 
their wisdom in learning. 

Respectfully, John H. Steger. 

F. G. Ruffin, Editor Southern Planter, 
Richmond. 



THE GREAT GUANO DISCOVERY. 

As a matter of vital interest to the farm- 
ers of Virginia, we once more refer to the 
fact that the American Guano Company, 
formed of some of the strongest men in the 
commercial metropolis — with A. G. Benson 
as President, and # B. H. Powell as Vice 
President — have secured possession of is- 
lands in the Pacific Ocean, covered with a 
very heavy deposit of amnioniated guano 
and have despatched men and means for 
two expeditions to maintain possession 
thereof, one from the Atlantic, and, to 
guard against loss, another from the Paci- 
fic. Last October the following, with other 
affidavits, was filed in the Navy Depart- 
ment : 

District of Columbia, ) 
County of Washington. ) 

Before me came personally Michael Ba- 
ker, ship-master, of South Dartmouth, Mass., 
who being duly sworn, deposes and says 
that in the year 1832, he discovered and 
landed on a certain barren and uninhabited 
island situated in the Pacific Ocean, more 



than five hundred miles from the main land, 
and more than two hundred from any adja- 
cent island ; and that he had been cruising 
in those seas anterior to the time of said 
discovery, and the said island was wholly 
unknown (as far as he has been able to as- 
certain) prior to said before- mentioned dis- 
covery. 

He also landed on it in the year 1835; 
also, namely on the 14th day of August, 
1839, he landed for the purpose of burying 
an American seaman, when, by digging for 
the place of interment, he discovered, as 
he has since ascertained, that said island 
was covered with guano. 

He also landed on said island in the years 
1844, 1845, and 1851, and the island re- 
mained unoccupied and uninhabited, ex- 
cept as the burial place of said American 

seaman. Further, he is informed by 

who landed about September, 1854, 



that said island was still unoccupied, which 
he verily believes remains so to the present 
time. 

The said island is of a coral formation, 
from eight to nine miles in circumference, 
extending in a northerly and southerly di- 
rection ; is quite low, not rising more than 
twenty to thirty feet above the level of the 
sea, its shape nearly crescent. Being situ- 
ated in the easterly trade-winds, a large 
number oi ships can safely lay and load on the 
leeward side at most all seasons of the year. 

It was the resort of myriads of birds, and 
its entire surface presented a lightish crust, 
sufficiently hard in some places to walk 
upon, and in others so porous that one 
would slump through. There was found 
thereon, neither tree, nor shrub, nor any 
trace of vegetation. 

Said island cannot be seen from the deck 
of a ship more than six miles, while the 
birds hovering over it can be seen twice 
that distance. 

On his examination of Peruvian guano in 
this country, (since his return in 18 ,) he 
finds the deposit on said island to be of the 
same color and smell, and verily believes it 
to be of the same kind and of equal quality 
to that of the Chincha Islands. 

(Sd.) MICHAEL BAKER. 

Sworn and subscribed before me, a Jus- 
tice of the Peace, in and for the County of 
Washington, in the District of Columbia, 
the 13th dav of October, A. D., 1855. 
(Sd.) ' HENRY L. HARVEY. 

Justice of the Peace. 



144 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



At the same time the trustees submitted 
to the consideration of the President of the 
United States, a memorial requesting a re- 
cognition of their rights to the guano on 
said island, and that one of the United 
States vessels of war, attached to the Paci- 
fic Squadron, should be ordered (hereto for 
that purpose. Consequently, on the 20th 
October, 1855, Secretary Dobbin sent an 
order to Commodore Mervin, commanding 
the squadron at San Francisco, to despatch 
a vessel to the island, with a view of ascer- 
taining the correctness of the information, 
of protecting our citizens in their rights, 
and of taking care of the interests of our 
country, and reporting to the department as 
early as practicable. Information has been 
received, that on the 18th January last, the 
United States Razee Independence, Com- 
modore Mervin himself in command, with 
the company's agent on board, left San 
Francisco, via the Sandwich Islands, direct 
to the Guano Islands. The report of the 
expedition will give an official stamp to the 
proceedings of the company. That it will 
fully substantiate the just and complete 
possession and title of the company, and 
the boundless treasures of the richest fer- 
tilizing agent, we cannot entertain the 
least doubt. Recent accounts from the two 
islands (it has lately been ascertained that 
both of them are covered with ammoniated 
guano,) confirm, in the strongest manner; 
the previous reports. The existence, of the 
islands is still further confirmed by the tes- 
timony of Capt. Netcher; who recognizes 
in the published description of these islands 
the precise locality visited by him in 1841, 
and when he saw the head board erected by 
Capt. Baker, the original discover, over the 
grave of one of his crew. He mentions, 
says the New York Journal of Commerce, 
in which we find his affidavit, as a curious 
circumstance, showing the innumerable 
flocks of birds frequenting that region, that 
the top of the board was perforated, and 
very much worn away by the claws of the 
birds alighting on it. Captain N. cruised 
around the islands eleven Tonths: 

George E. Netcher, of New Bedford, 
Massachusetts, mariner, being duly sworn, 
deposes and says that in the years 1842, 
1843 and 1844, he commanded the bark Is- 
abella, of Fair Haven, Mass., employed in 
the whaling business. 

That on the 18th day of August, 1842, 
the man on the look out for whales, sud- 



denly saw land, and said it was near enough 
to be seen off deck I instantly sprang 
into the rigging, and saw what I sepposed 
to be a new discovery, as I had never be- 
fore kno.vn of land in that quarter, nor seen 
any notice of it in any nautical book or 
upon any chart. I ran down under the lee 
of an island, and sent a boat with the mate 
on shore, and followed in another myself 
soon after. On landing, saw a monument 
erected by Capt. Baker, over the grave of 
seaman, buried from the ship Gideon How- 
land of New Bedford, in the year 1839. 
This island is of coral formation and per- 
fectly barren, nothing being there except 
birds innumerable, and their deposits, of 
which there appeared to be any quantity, 
I saw the Island before mentioned many 
times that year, repeatedly sent my boats 
on shore there to get eggs, and subsequently 
often saw it during the voyage of the ship 
" Maine," of Fair Haven, in the year 1847. 

The following are extracts from my Jour- 
nal and Log-book of the bark Isabella : 

"Thursday. August 18th, 1842.— First 
part of this day light breezes fiom E., 
steering N. N. E. under all sail, at 3 P. M. 
very unexpectedly saw land, bearing N. W. 
distant about 10 miles ; kept the ship off, 
and ran down to it at 5 P. M., landed on it 
with the boats, and found on it great quan- 
tities of birds, and one grave. 

" Latitude by observat on . 

" Longitude by chronometer . 

" Friday, 19th. — Commenced with strong 
breezes from E. N. E.; steering South- 
east at 4 P. M. found by overhauling an old 
Journal kept on board the Emily Morgan 
that they saw an Island," agreeing with the 
longitude of the one we saw yesterday ; the 
name they called it was Barren Island. 

" Latitude — . 

" Longitude ." 

I could give further particulars but for 
the fact that I lost all my books, charts, 
&.c, in the last named ship, in 1848. 

(Signed) JOHN E. NETCHER. 

Sworn to before me. this 22d day of 
March, 1856. 

(Signed) Wm. Currie, Com. of Deeds. 

We may well congratulate the farmers of 
Virginia upon the bright prospect before 
them of obtaining guano at a much more 
reduced price than at present. The Peru- 
vian guano, from the Lobos and Chincha 
islands, is pledged by Peru to British Bond- 
holders for sixty millions of pounds sterl- 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



141 



tog, and the trade is consequently a per- 
fect monopoly. When these uewly dis- 
covered islands, covered with guano, equal 
to the Peruvian, to rthe depth of nine to 
fifteen feet, shall be brought into use, as 
must sooa be the case, there is every rea- 
son to believe that guano may be obtained 
at from $35 to $40 a ton, equally as good as 
the Peruvian, which now brings the high 
price of $60 per ton. Are we not there- 
fore fully justified in announcing the dis- 
covery of these islands, and their posses- 
sion by American citizens, as one of the 
most important events of the day ! 






THE SOUTHER^ PLANTEE. 

RICHMOND, MAY, 1856. 

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THE NEW GUANO. 
Following the lead of our friends of the En- 
quirer, who, notwithstanding their obliquity on 
Inspections, are firm friends of the agricultu- 
ral interest ; we sent to the printer early in the 
month a notice which they had published of 
The Great Guano. Discovery. Since we did 
so we have received a copy of the "Prospectus 
of the American Guano Company," which we 
are bound to say somewhat modifies our yiews 
and damps our hopes. 
2 



146 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



Using, ourselves, from $900 to §1,200 worth f Mass., (a whaler 
of guano per annum, we are, as much as most 
people, interested in getting it at "§35," instead 
of §55 per ton ; and wo wish* for our own as 
well as every body else's sake, that it may be 
obtainable at that price. But wo see no imme- 
diate prospect of it from the Prospectus. 

The following are the second and third para- 
graphs of that document: 

The capital stock of said Company is ten mil- 
lions of dollars, and is represented by one hun 
dred thousand shares, at one hundred dollars a 
share. Fifty thousand shares of stock have 
been expended to purchase the island; [in other 
words, one-half is given to the discoverer by the 
managers ;] ten thousand to tit out the first ex- 
pedition sent from the Atlantic in August last. 
Fifteen thousand have been sold to the public, 
and first instalment paid ; from the avails of 
which, the expedition has been fitted out from 
the Pacific and expenses and cost of the agents 
paid. And when the other instalments on the 
fifteen thousand shares shall have been received 
by the Company, it will have a cash capital of 
about eighty-five thousand dollars. 

Twenty-five thousand shares of the stock arc 
still reserved, of which the trustees now offer 
for sale five thousand, at twenty (§20) dollars 
per share. 

At p. 10 we find an estimate of the profits of 
sales at §4,000,000, which is supposed to be less 
than will be afforded when the enterprise is in 
full operation. 

On the basis of their valuation of capital 
stock, this is 40 per cent., and purchasers of the 
shares now offered at §20, at the same rate, will 
realize the handsome dividend of 400 per cent., 
or sixty-six times more than legal interest. 

But the sacrifice the company makes is much 
heavier than this. They admit % cash capital 
of only §85,000 when their present sales of 
stock are settled for. Suppose their five thous- 
and -hares at $20 also sold. Then they have 
§185,000 cask capital, on which the profit of 
$4,000,000 is 2054 per cent ! ! The figures are 
rather large. 

Now how happens it that such stock as this 
is not all taken at §100, or a premium on that, 
its par value, in the great city of New York, 
where "some of the strongest men in the com- 
mercial metropolis" are at the head of the com- 
pany ? And why in the prospect of such tre- 
mendous dividends is the stock depreciated by 
the holders 500 per cent, in two paragraphs? 

Again : Why have we not heard of this thing 
before? In 1832, 35, 39, 44, 45, 51, Michael 
Baker, shipmaster, of South Dartmouth, 



visited this Island. Yet in 
1855, four years after the last visit, for tli3 first 
time we hear of the great discovery in an affi- 
davit, stating among other tilings, that since his 
return in 18 — (why that blank?) he finds the 
deposit of said Island to be "of the same color 
and smell with Peruvian guano," and " verily 
believes it equal to that of the Chincha Islands." 
Now "colour and smell" may not be all that 
is necessary to test good guano. Where is a 
scientific analysis of it ? Where a recorded ex- 
periment with it? Where are the samples ? 

And both latitude and longitude are kept se- 
cret. Why is that? According to the Prospec- 
tus the vessels must be there by this time with 
a title guaranteed by the "U. S. Frigate Inde- 
pendence," and " Cormnodore Mervine ;" and 
there is no need of secrecy that we can divine. 
The Enquirer thinks that this expedition of 
Commodore Morvine's "will give an official 
stamp to the proceedings of the company." But 
the navy is bound to protect our commerce, and 
a ship of war may joist as well cruise in search 
of an island situated in latitude and longi- 
tude ■ as cruise anywhere else. And Com- 
modore Mervine, when he gets tired of follow- 
ing his own nose may, with perfect propriety, 
follow the nose of Michael Baker. It may lead 
to guano — good. It may not — no harm done — 
none at least to the navy. 

But who are the managers of this company, 
" formed of some of the strongest men of the 
commercial metropolis?" A. G. Benson, if we 
mistake not, is the individual who got Mr. Web- 
ster into the Lobos Island scrape. George W. 
Benson, we think, is a well known Wall Street 
operator. 

Of the rest we know nothing, and they are 
every one of them, so far as we know, very re- 
spectable men. But we can hardly suppose 
that they will sell 40 per cent, stock at 500 
per cent, discount. They do wild things in 
Wall Street sometimes, but this would be in- 
sanity. 

Suppose the expedition fails. What then ? 
Why nothing, except as to those who may buy 
that five thousand shares of reserved stock ; and 
as to them — only a transfer of a hundred thous- 
and dollars of their money to Wall street, New 
York. 

Suppose it succeeds. Then — our best wishes 
to The American Guano Company, and forty or 
four hundred per cent, dividend to them for 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



147 



ever. So we get guano " equal to that of the 
Chincha Islands" at §35 per ton, -we are con- 
tent. So will be the farmers of Virginia. Only 
let us not desert Mr. Barreda, bad as it may be 
said he treats us, until it does succeed. 

We repeat the hope that it may succeed. Can 
our friends of the Enquirer give us reason to 
hope? As they state facts not found in the 
Prospectus, (for instance, that the deposit is 
" from nine to fifteen feet deep," whereas that 
only states it in an extract from the New Lon- 
don Daily Chronicle, as "of an indefinite depth," 
■which may be from nine to fifteen inches,) and 
seem familiar with the matter, we beg they will 
do us the favour to give further particulars if 
they have them. 



OVERSEERS. 

[Continued from page 51.) 
In managing negroes the first aim of an over- 
seer should be to obey the master's orders in 
respect to them: the second to satisfy them that 
he is doing so. Acknowledging no allegiance 
as of right, except to his master, and naturally 
jealous of his superiors, as men of a lower rank 
whether black or white, always will be, the ne- 
gro cannot be expected to yield that willing 
obedience which is necessary to his own happi- 
ness and the overseer's comfort, unless he is 
certain that he is not oppressed or imposed upon. 
If the overseer's first order to the negro were 
that on all occasions he should go openly to his 
master just when he pleased, and tell him how 
he was treated, we are sure it would be the 
firmest basis of discipline, and the avoidance 
of much unwelcome responsibility. That it is 



comfiture of the effort ; the permission to com- 
plain would be a measure of justice which the 
negro would be the first to recognize, and which 
could not fail to act beneficially on his temper 
and submissiveness. 

But this privilege cannot extend to accusa- 
tions against the overseer's character. For the 
reasons that the negro cannot testify against a 
white man, and that the master has no power 
to try the overseer for legal offences, the negro 
cannot accuse him of such offences. The mas- 
ter is very apt to hear of all such through 
the negro, directly or indirectly, but he can 
take no official cognizance of them, and must 
investigate them or not, as discretion shall 
dictate. The best way to avoid all trouble on 
this head, is to give no cause for it. 

We have, known overseers to declare that a 
negro should not complain of them to the mas- 
ter, and that they would whip him in spite of 
the master if he did. This is simply brutal ; 
and no man of spirit will permit it. We 
have known others to agree that they would 
never punish a negro for whatever offence until 
they had first obtained permission of the mas- 
ter ; and this is far wrong the other way. If 
an overseer is fit for his business he must have 
some discretion ; and there is none more appro- 
priate or necessary than the punishment of 
slaves within the prescribed terms and limits. 

When the slave therefore comes within the 
general rule which prescribes his punishment, 
let him be punished, and appeal to the master 
afterwards, if ho chooses. 

The manners of an overseer to negroes should 
be kind. Kindness, and even gentleness, is not 



not done proceeds either from bad temper, mis- 
taken ideas of dignity or duty, or from a confu- inconsistent with firmness and inexorable dis- 
sion of ideas which leads to the conclusion that | cipline. If they require whipping, whip them, 
because the negro has no independence he has and be done with it. If they require a repri- 
no rights, and that it is dangerous to allow him mand, give it privately, and in a low tone of 



the privilege of complaint. But it is evident 
to all who know negro character that the slave, 
when satisfied that he is treated as his master 
prescribes, is in better temper and more sub- 
missive. Let him go then when he pleases. If 
I the master be fit to own slaves, as some "good 
masters" are not, and the overseer be a man of 
good character, as we presume he is, it can do 
no harm. Nor should penalty attach to a false 
complaint. If every man were punished who 
could not prove his accusation, there would be 
no use in a criminal code. The failure to prove 



voice. Whether it be " mesmeric" we cannot 
say, but those who have been habitually in com- 
mand, if at all observant, will have noticed that 
a loud and angry tone, whether addressed to 
man or beast, excites corresponding emotions, 
or scares away the wits. The best ox driver we 
ever saw only said, "come boys go it." The 
best waggoner never scolds his team : the best 
rider never frets at his horse : the best seaman 
never storms at his men : the best overseer we 
ever had never lost his temper. A mild expos- 
tulation is better than a fierce rebuke, a delibe- 



would carry in its own punishment in the dis-j rate warning more effective than a hasty threat 



148 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



Nor should an overseer ever fret at negroes, fgence. Others have more or less of the same 



It injures their capacity for work. If they are 
■working wrong show them how to work right: 
have patience and they will soon learn ; or if 
they are too stupid put them at something else. 
We have seen negroes injured in value by being 
fretted at and terrified when young. 

This exhibition of anger or petulance towards 
the negro is an injury to the overseer also. He 
should always have his wits about him, and be 
prepared to " take advantage of his work," as 
the phraze is. But let a man who is angry or 
irritated try to think, and he will see that he 
cannot do it. The habit then once acquired is 
always in a man's way, and he gets bothered 
and confused about his business. The habit of 
swearing either at or before negroes an overseer 
should never indulge in. If the negro is not al- 
lowed to swear because it is disrespectful to the 
overseer, the latter should not swear because it 
is disrespectful to his Maker. Besides it shocks 
some pious negroes, and sets a bad example to 
all, and is provocative of the very habit of anger 
and petulance we have been arguing against. 

•Judicious discrimination of character is a fac- 
ulty that overseers, and masters too, should cul- 
tivate more than they do, for much success in 
management depends upon it. A word of en- 
couragement is better in many cases than a 
flogging, and a suitable reward will often ac- 
complish more than a week's hard driving. 

The overseer should also aid in promoting 
cleanliness in the negro cabins, by occasional 
visits to them ; and he should see that their 
clothes are washed and patched, and their shoes 
kept in good order. And on Sundays they .should 
be required to come out cleanly clad. If they 
dress themselves in the ridiculous finery iwhioh 
they sometimes display, and which will often 
provoke a smile, it should never be made a sub- 
ject of derision or scornful remark. Rather en- 
courage than repress their taste in dress. It 
aids very materially in giving them self-res- 
pect. 

Both the master and overseer will often be 
benefited by consulting with the negroes in re- 
gard to their work. A very excellent overseer 
once told us, that he had learned a great deal 
from old negroes. We have known many of 
them who were very intelligent about their 
work-. Nearly every large plantation further 
South has a driver, who is a negro advanced to 
the post from his good character and intelli- 



intolligence, and a great deal of useful experi- 
ence may be gained by conference with them. 
At the same time it gains their confidence and 
esteem. 

Nothing more reconciles the negro to his work' 
than the overseer's sharing it with him. If 
they shuck corn at night;- let him be present till 
the last moment ; if the sun shine's hot, let him 
stand it as much as they do ; if it rains, let him 
take his share of it ; if it is coM, let him not go 
to the fire oftener than they do ; in a word, in 
whatever work is undertaken, involving/ anything 
unusval in JiardsJhyp or exposure, let the overseer 
take-all "fhis share that constant sirperintendence 
may impose. It is a principle in all men that 
are commanded to shrink from difficulties in 
which the leaders do not take their proper share: 
the work will thereby be better done ; more of 
it will' be accomplished; fellows that are in- 
clined tc shirk can be kept up to the bit, and 
there will be a head to direct operations in case 
of emergencies. 



PROFESSOR BLEDSOE'S BOOK. 

We have received from J. W. Randolph, a 
copy of the above book. Instead of our own 
opinion, we give below a review of it which we 
have solicited from a friend. We make no apo- 
logy for doing so further than this: that as we 
should consider it due to the agricultural inte- 
rest to publish any new speculation affecting the 
tenure of real property, we deem it even more 
our duty, in the present attitude of things, to 
present a paper which rests our title to slaves 
on a basis that cannot be shaken. Terse, origi- 
nal, profound and unanswerable, we commend 
to our readers the finest argument we have ever 
seen on one branch of the slavery question. Its 
main feature is an effort to reconcile the dogmas 
of the Declaration of Independence with proper- 
ty in man; its chief value lies in what we eon- 
ceive to be the success of that effort, whereby 
we shall hereafter be able to maintain that 
those dogmas are true — in a different, and, per- 
haps, a higher sense than was meant by Mr. 
Jefferson — but still that they are true, that negro 
slavery is in entire accordance with them, and 
that it never was either a moral or political 
wrong, but a divine necessity. 

When we say that the book itself is every 
way worthy of the review, we sufficiently indi- 
cate our opinion of a work which is destined to 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



149 



become the standard of its class, and which Trill 
stay, if mind can stay, the furious war which 
License wajres against Liberty. 



LIBERTY AND SLATERY.— PROFESSOR 
BLEDSOE. 

I have read with great pleasure and commend 
to your favorable consideration, Professor Bled- 
soe's admirable work on "Liberty and Slavery." 
It is the best fruit of the slavery controversy, 
which, heretofore prolific of evil only, seems at 
length about to make some atonement for its 
"woes unnumbered." The primary object of 
the work is to vindicate Southern slavery on the 
principles of revealed religion and natural law. 
I '- is done triumphantly, but the author rang- 
ing beyond the vexed question of slavery, enters 
the field of political science and investigates the 
relative rights of society and its members. The 
re-.ult of his enquiry is, the best treatise on Go- 
vernment extant. Indeed, the publication of 
hi- bo 'k may well be considered an era in the 
history of political philosophy, inaugurating 
new principles and establishing them on a basis 
equally permanent with truth itself. 

He discards the time honored fiction of a so- 
cial compact, whereby society engages to pro- 
tect its members, and they in return promise 
obedience. A fiction answering good purposes 
in its day, but giving place now to juster views 
of the rights and duties of society. " The very 
necessities of our nature enjoin the institution of 
civil government," says Professor Bledsoe. — 
"God himself has laid the foundations of civil 
society deep in the nature of man. It is an or- 
dinance of Heaven which no human decree can 
reverse or annul." 

He rejects also the useless fiction that society 
derives its rights from the cessions of its mem- 
bers. "Civil society," he says, "arises not from 
a -urrender of individual rights, but from a 
solemn duty imposed by God himself. It docs 
not abridge our natural rights but secures and 
protects them." "Without being aware of the 
i'act, apparently, the atithor" here adopts an opi- 
nion expressed by Mr. Jefferson forty years ago. 
"The idea is quite ci nfounded," said Mr. -Jef- 
ferson in a letter to Francis W. Gilmer, "that 
on entering society we give up any natural 
right. The true office and duty of our Legisla- 
tors is to declare and enforce only our natural 
rights and duties and to take none of them from 
us." Jeff. Corr. 4th vol p. 278. 

Professor Bledsoe's theory of the rights and du- 
ties of society, is at once simple and comprehen- 
sive, and its result • most important. Man is form- 
ed for society and society is reciprocally designed 
for man. His natural state is society, and his 
natural rights are derived from the laws of God. 
Here, then, are both the source and the limit 
!-rnmental power. Society is enjoined by 
natural law and commanded to protect natural 
rights ; it may do all things necessary for this 
end, but cannot infringe the rights it is created 
to defend. Society is an instrument of the 



Creator, designed for the defence and perfection 
of man. Government is the instrument of soci- 
ety, contrived to accomplish the end of its crea- 
tion. Society being a natural institution has 
natural rights as well as its members, but un- 
like them it is the sole judge of its own rights 
and their only executor. This results from ne- 
cessity, there being no higher tribunal on earth. 
From necessity also arises the power of punish- 
ment, fur without such power society could not 
obey the law of its foundation. Such power 
must be commensurate with its end, and hence 
the right to inflict capital punishment if it be 
necessary to protect society and its members. 
If capital punishment be necessary, it is com- 
manded by natural law, and therefore is no in- 
fringement of natural right, for life ceases to be 
a natural right when natural law commands it 
to be taken. 

After establishing the rights of society and of 
its members in the nature and constitution of 
man, and discarding the fictions heretofore re- 
ceived, Professor Bledsoe proceeds to discuss 
the question of slavery. 

He selects the favorite dogmas of trie chosen 
champions of abolition, Drs. Wayland and Chan- 
ning. and Senators Chase and Sumner, and . 
searching with admirable patience through 
bushels of chaff for grains of arguments, incon- 
tinently grinds them, when found, to native 
dust. A few examples must suffice. 

As devils quote scripture so abolition'sts fre- 
quently pervert it to their purposes. "Thou 
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." "All things 
whatsoever ye would that men should do unto 
you do ye even so unto them." "If these pre- 
cepts were obeyed," says Dr. Wayland, "slavery 
could not exist a single instant. It is semper 
ct vbique, a moral wrong." 

"The first precept," replies Professor Bledsoe, 
" is found in the 19th chapter of Leviticus, and 
in the 25th chapter, the Israelites are comman- 
ded to enslave the Canaanites. If the precept 
and the principle of slavery always and every- 
where conflict, how comes it that both are em- 
bodied in the same Code by the Ruler of the 
world. 

"The second precept as expounded by Dr. 
Wayland," continues Professor Bledsoe, "justi- 
fies a wrong act by a wrong desire." A poor 
man coveting his rich neighbor's possessions 
must give him his own pittance. A person ac- 
cused of crime, if transferred to the judicial 
bench, must acquit criminals because he desired 
to be acquitted. The meaning of the* precept, 
rightly understood, is, that we should do unto 
others what we ought to desire them to do unto 
us if our situations were reversed. In strict 
conformity with this construction of the precept 
we hold our negroes in slavery because we ought 
to desire slavery if our respective characters and 
capacities were reversed, for then slavery would 
be best for us as freedom would be for them." 

" If slavery be right," says Dr. Wayland. "it 
sanctions the whole system of the slave trade." 
Professor Bledsoe answers this sophism well, 



150 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



but there is another view of it worthy of consid- 
eration. It is perhaps one of the most extraor- 
dinary blunders ever committed by a writer on 
moral science, and it is particularly surprising 
from one who styles himself " the author of the 
moral science." 

The slaves now in the United States were 
born here, and hence are as much members of 
our society as we are ourselves. To maintain, 
therefore, that our rights over them, if well 
founded, authorize us to kidnap native Africans, 
is to hold that society has the same rights with 
reference to strangers that it possesses with re- 
gard to its own members. That the State of 
Massachusetts, for example, which compels her 
children to attend her free schools, may kidnap 
the children of Dr. Wayland's State, Rhode Is- 
land, for the purpose of giving them compulsory 
imstruction. For if compulsory education be 
right, Dr. Wayland would say, "it sanctions the 
whole system" of kidnapping children wherever 
they may be found, for the purpose of compul- 
sory education. Or, rather, to state the propo- 
sition as he intended it to be understood. Mas- 
sachusetts has no right to kidnap the children 
of other communities for the purpose of com- 
pelling their attendance on her schools, and 
therefore she has no right to compel such at- 
tendance from her own children. 

He might extend his proposition from States 
to individuals, and maintain that the right of a 
parent to punish his own children " sanctions 
the whole system" of correcting his neighbor's 
children, and that the right of a husband to the 
society of his wife equally entitles him to the 
society of his neighbor's wife. 

Society may prescribe the condition of its 
members by virtue of the same law which au- 
thorizes it to take their lives. That law commands 
it to regulate the condition of its members in 
the manner most conducive to their well-being 
and safety. In conformity with this injunction 
of natural law, the Southern States hold their 
own negro race in slavery, but of course possess 
no right to reduce other societies of the black 
race to that condition. 

A favorite dogma of the abolitionists is foun- 
ded on the declaration contained in the Bill of 
Rights of Virginia, and also in the Declaration of 
Independence, "that all men are created equal, 
that they are endowed with certain inalienable 
rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and 
the pursuit of happiness." If all men be creat- 
ed equal, and librty be an inalienable right, how 
can any portion of mankind be held in slavery ? 
say the abolitionists. 

Professor Bledsoe concludes a strong reply to 
this fallacy with a declaration in conflict, as it 
seems to us, with his own principles and sub- 
versive of his argument. He says: "Indeed, 
if 'for the general good, he (an individual) would 
not cheerfully lay down both liberty and life, 
then both may be rightfully taken from him. 
We have, it is true, inherent and inalienable 
rights, but among these is neither liberty nor life. 
For these upon our country's altar may be sac- 



rificed; but conscience, truth, honor, may not 
be touched by man." p. 111. 

This paragraph implies that life and liberty 
are not inalienable, because they "may be sac- 
rificed upon our country's altar," and "may be 
touched by man." Yet the author had previ- 
ously pointed out the error of defining inaliena- 
ble rights, as those over which society had no 
control. " An inalienable right," he says, 
(p. 35,) "is either one which the possessor of it 
himself cannot alienate or transfer, or it is one 
which society has not the power to take from 
him. According to the import of the terms, the 
first would seem to be what is meant by an inali- 
enable right. But "according to the view of the 
abolitionists, an inalienable right is one of which 
society itself cannot, without doing wrong, de- 
prive the individual." Why, we respectfully 
ask, does the author reject the " import of the 
terms," and adopt "the view of the abolition- 
ists ?" Was it necessary for his argument in 
behalf of slavery, to maintain that man has a 
right to alienate his life and his liberty. Had 
he not previously stated that " society arises not 
from a surrender of individual rights," and 
hence, need not appeal to the alienation of such 
rights in support of its powers ? Was it wise to 
abandon this impregnable position for the pur- 
pose of maintaining; that slavery is justifiable, 
because life and liberty are alienable rights? 
The reply of the abolitionist to this proposition 
is unanswerable. If life be alienable, then suicide 
may be right, for man can not alienate a right 
over his own life without possessing that right 
himself. If liberty be alienable man may by 
his own act, incapacitate himself for the dis- 
charge of his duties to society. Moreover, the 
mere quality of alienability does not transfer a 
right or any other piece of property. Actual 
alienation is necessary for this purpose. And 
when and where, the abolitionist may most tri- 
umphantly ask, has the southern slave perform- 
ed the act of alienating his liberty ? Who were 
the witnesses and how was the transfer evi- 
denced. How pointedly might he address Pro- 
fessor Bledsoe in his own language, "do we 
then live, and move, and breathe, and think, 
and worship God, only by rights derived from 
society? No, certainly. We have these rights 
from a higher source. God gave them and all 
the powers of earth combined cannot take them 
away." p. 30. And how well might he main- 
tain that rights derived from God cannot be 
alienable. 

In our humble judgment, to vindicate slavery 
on this ground, is to surrender the argument. 
It is to deny a correct premise instead of refut- 
ing an erroneous conclusion. 

The abolitionist is quite right in maintaining 
that life and liberty are inalienable rights, but 
wrong in thence condemning slavery. He mis- 
conceives the nature of the rights possessed by 
society. They are derivative it is true, but they 
are derived from God and not from man, and 
are not at all affected by the inalienability of 
individual rights. Society does not derive its 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



151 



rights from the alienation of its members; if it 
did, society would have no power, for there has 
been no such alienation. 

He is also right in affirming the equality of 
rights announced in the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence, and wrong in supposing slavery to be in 
• conflict with such equality : and his error here, 
consists in a misconception of the word "right." 
It is true that " all men are created equal," or 
iu other words, possess equal natural rights, for 
no sane man supposes that an equality of phy- 
sical or intellectual strength, or moral percep- 
tions, or civil rights, was intended. But it does 
not follow that slavery impairs the equality of 
natural right; indeed, this inference betrays a 
total misconception of natural right. 

Writers and lexicographers, with one voice, 
define right as conformity to law. " Right," 
says Paley, " is consistency with the will of 
God." — Moral and. Political Philosophy, p. 41. 
"Right," says Richardson, "is conformity to 
the will of God or his law." — Richardson's Dic- 
tionary. "Right is no other than rectum the 
past participle of the Latin verb regcre." — 
"When a man demands his right he only asks 
that which it is ordered he shall have."— Tooke's 
Diversions of Purity, p. 304-306. Natural right 
is therefore conformity to natural law, and the 
cc Eiat i n of Independence only declares that 
all men are equally bound to conform to this 
law. This definition establishes both the equal- 
ity and the inalienability of natural right. For 
it is a self-evident proposition that all men owe 
equal allegiance to the laws of God, and that 
they cannot divest themselves of that allegiance. 
Rut it does not follow that slavery conflicts with 
this proposition. On the contrary, it may be 
the condition best suited to habitual obedience 
to God. Slavery subverts equality of civil 
rights, but inequality of civil rights, so far from 
conflicting with equality of natural rights, is 
indispensable to the attainment of such equal- 
ity. If one class of a community be disposed to 
invade the natural rights of others, it must be 
restricted in political and civil power. If one 
class be less competent than others to exercise 
civil and political power, it must in like manner 
receive a smaller share of it. No society on 
earth ever conferred equal, civil and political 
rights on all its members If slavery were what 
it is not, a state of total extinction of civil rights, 
it might still be the very best contrivance to se- 
cure equality of natural rights, or in other 
words, equal obedience to the laws of God. 

Bur it will be said that the Declaration of In- 
dependence declares liberty to be a natural 
right, that slavery destroys it, and therefore 
violates natural law. Liberty is no doubt a na- 
tural right, but slavery so far from destroying, 
may be the best means of protecting it, paradox- 
ical as the proposition appears. Liberty and 
slavery are not antagonistic, if the former be 
rightly understood. Independence and slavery 
are incompatible, because the former means an 
absence of all control, and the latter implies 
control. But liberty, so far from implying the 
absence of control, necessarily supposes a con- 



trolling power. "It consists," says Montes- 
quieu, "in the power of doing what we ought to 
will, and in not being constrained to do what we 
ought not to will." — Spirit of Laws, 1st vol. p. 186. 
"Ought" recognizes obligation, and obligation 
implies duty and obedience to law, either natu- 
ral or civil. According to Montesquieu, there- 
fore, natural liberty means the capacity to obey 
natural law. Professor Bledsoe's definition of 
liberty conforms exactly to this conception. He 
says " that liberty consists in an opportunity to 
enjoy our rights." p. 29. But right is synony- 
mous with obedience to law, and liberty there- 
fore is "an opportunity to obey law." One 
mode of giving this opportunity of' obedience to 
natural law, may be deprivation of civil rights, 
or slavery. Hence civil slavery may lie the 
means of enjoying natural liberty. This truth 
is universally recognized by the common saying 
that certain nations are not fit for freedom. — 
They are not fit for freedom when civil subjec- 
tion is necessary to confer on them the enjoy- 
ment of natural rights. Natural liberty, or in 
other words, the capacity to obey the laws of 
God may flourish under civil despotism and be 
utterly extinct under free government. The 
Russians, without change, of Government, may 
possibly come to possess a greater degree of 
natural liberty than is now enjoyed by the peo- 
ple of this country. All experience teaches us, 
with reference to the white race, that more or 
less, civil liberty is conducive to natural liberty, 
hence, the former is usually adopted as a contri- 
vance to attain the latter. But it is a mere hu- 
man contrivance, varied according to circum- 
stances, and properly abandoned where it fails 
to attain its end. When it is abandoned slavery 
is the rightful substitute. 

If these views be correct, it follows that the 
abolition notion of the incompatibility of slavery, 
with equal natural rights, and with natural lib- 
erty as one of those rights, is an error. Thus 
understood, the Declaration of Independence 
and Bill of Rights merely declares, " that all 
men owe equal obedience to the laws of God ; 
that among these, are laws requiring them to 
live, to pursue their happiness by proper means, 
and to strive for that position in which obedience 
to divine law is practicable." 

Thus understood, these organic laws are the 
foundation of negro slavery as it exists in the 
Southern States. They embrace within their 
sacred precincts all orders and conditions of our 
countrymen, and recognize and secure the rights 
of the slave as fully and as explicitly as they do 
the rights of the master. 

Nay, more than this, slavery is absolutely ne- 
cessuay to confer on the negro race the enjoyment 
of their rights as proclaimed in the Declaration 
of Independence. Remembering that these rights 
are, equal obedience to the laws of nature, capa- 
city to yield such obedience, and the first law of 
nature, self preservation, or life, we shall exa- 
mine their relative enjoyment by the two condi- 
tions of the negro race mis-called slavery and 
freedom. 

The primary injunction of natural law com- 



152 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



I 



rnands us to live, and to preserve unimpaired. ' 
as best we may, our moral and intellectual fac- 
ulties and our physical organs. Mere existence 
is not obedience to this law, it requires if possi- 
ble, the maintenance of sound mental and bo- 
dily health. Which of the two conditions of 
the negro race conform most faithfully to this 
injunction ? 

The Census returns of 1850, show that the in- 
crease of slaves and free negroes were respec- 
tively, 28 to 12 per cent for ten years, and that 
flight and emancipation diminished the former 
1 per cent, and augmented the latter 6 per cent 
during the same period. The relative natural 
increase was therefore more than two to 
one in favor of slavery. . The rate of increase of 
the slave population had remained uniform for 
fifty years, while that of the free negroes regu- 
larly declined, deeending in the last two decen- 
nial periods from 20 to 12 per cent. Under the 
law of population thus established, the free 
negro race will become so nearly extinct at no 
distant day, that it will only exist as an append- 
age of slavery. 

This phenomenon is explained by the sanitary 
condition of the free negro. In his class there 
are seven times as many lunatics, twice as many 
idiots, twice as many deaf mutes, and more than 
twice as many blind persons in proportion to 
number as there are among the slaves. 

Freedom is therefore, with the negro, a condi- 
tion of such flagrant disobedience to the first 
law of nature, that it is punished with death. 

Does the free negro yield obedience to the 
great moral commands of the natural Code ? 
In 1840, covictions for crime were twelve times 
as numerous among the free blacks of the six 
New England states as among the whites. In 
Massachusetts, the proportion was 9 58-100ths 
to 1 for the ten years preceding 1850 ; 13 to 1 
for 1851, and 13 37-100ths to 1 for 1852, evinc- 
ing a steady decline of relative moral condition 
in the race of free blacks. Taking the white 
race as the standard, free negro convicts' were 
more numerous in the proportion of 9 58-100ths 
to 1 in Massachusetts, 17 85-100th's to 1 in Con- 
necticut, 7 18-lC0ths to 1 in Virginia, and 8 
39-100ths to 1 in Mainland, for the period of ten 
years, ending in 1850. In Virginia, convictions 
increased 2 12-100ths from 1850 to 1853; in 
Massachusetts they increased 3 79-100ths from 
1850 to 1852. 

In Virginia the free black has a very limited 
amount of civil privilege, in Massachusetts he 
is equal to the white man. Freedom, therefore, 
seems to poison his moral condition and restraint 
toinvigorate it. Must we not hence infer that 
if the restraint be increased to slavery, the mo- 
rality of the negro will increase in the same 
proportion. 

These facts show that freedom in the negro 
race is a condition of habitual disobedience to 
the injunctions of natural law commanding life, 
health and justice, while slavery, on the contra- 
ry, evinces comparative obedience to these divine 
commands. Could we extend the examination 



through the entire code of natural law, the re- 
sult .would, no doubt, be the same ; hence, we 
must infer that freedom destroj r s and slavery 
preserves the enjoyment of. Natural rights in the 
negro race. 

With what justice, then, can it be maintained 
that slavery violates the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, that it destroys the natural liberty of 
the slave, or in othe'r words, incapacitates him 
from obedience to Cod? Does it not, on the 
contrary, establish that liberty? Does it notj in 
the language of Montesquieu, compel him "to 
do what he ought to will," and hinder him from 
doing "what he ought not to will ?" Does it 
not, in the language of Professor Bledsoe, "give 
him an opportunity to enjoy his natural rights?" 
Is it not liberty itself? While, on the other 
hand, the free negro handed over to those ty- 
rants of his constitution, indolence, improvidence 
and sensuality, does not "what he ought to 
will," does "what he ought not to will," has no 
" opportunity to enjoy his natural rights," and 
is in fact a slave. His condition is a standing 
violation of the Declaration of Independence, a 
constant crime against natural law, which pun- 
ishes him with lunacy, idiocy, deafness, dumb- 
ness, blindness and death. 

We shall be told that such was not the view 
taken of slavery by the authors of the Declara- 
tion of Independence and the Virginia Bill of 
Rights. That in their opinion it violated those 
great organic laws. Wo grant it to the ftfllest 
extent. But our departure from! theij; opini 
is neither disrespect to them nor arrogance In 
us. On the contrary, we believe, that situated 
as they were, it was impossible for them to think 
otherwise. They knew slavery, but they did 
not know abolition. History taught them that 
freedom was a good contrivance for the preser- 
vation of natural rights, and hence, -in their 
eyes, freedom was liberty. Bht history had not 
then disclosed the rem'afkahle exception to this 
principle furnished by the negro race. It had 
not demonstrated their utter incapacity for the 
enjoyment of natural lights without help in the 
form of compulsion. This has been done fully 
and completely by the events of the last thirty 
years. They have given us reliable statistics of 
free negroism in this country, in the West In- 
dies and in Guiana. In the face of such facts, 
for us to maintain that freedom promotes the 
enjoyment of natural rights in the negro race, is 
to declare that such enjoyment consists in men- 
tal and bodily disease, moral depravity and 
death. In the absence of such information, 'for 
our forefathers to have advocated slavery as sy- 
nonomOus with natural liberty and as the foun- 
dation of natural right, would have been to re- 
ject a contrary principle furnished by history, 
and apparently without exception. 

They declared general truths, and applied 
them by an induction from history, which time 
has shown to be imperfect. We now know that 
freedom and liberty are not synonymous with 
reference to the negro ; we could not have 
known it had we lived fifty years ago, but must ■ 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



I5S 



'i ought the -contrary. ' The science of Go- 
vernment is inductive and dependent on facts 
for the establishment of its principles, hence, it 
vrould be as absurd jn us to receive all the opi- 
nions of our forefathers on political questions, as" 
it would be to adopt their notions in Physics. 
They never dreamed of the horrors of abolition, 
of races of men mouldering away as if by a 
consuming pestilence, their morals, their minds 
and their bodies rotting down 1 in one universal 
ruin. "With as, these are familiar facts, hence, 
we cannot fall into errors which they could not 
avoid. The appalling array of facts drawn by 
Professor Bledsoe, from the history of British 
Emancipation, should open the eye of blindness 
if If, to the folly of conferring freedom on the 
n,egro as a measure of projection to his natural 
-.It blasts them more effectually than the 
slave trade itself, for that first robs and then re- 
stores, but abolition is a permanent deprivation 
of natural right. 

Professor Bledsoe's argument from the Scrip- 
tures is learned, ingenious and pr, .found. It is 
a fit complement to a discussion of the question 
on principles of natural law and completes a 
work entitling its author to the united and 
hearty thanks of his countrymen. R. 



Valedictory address of Chas. P. Moncure, 
Esq., President of the United Farmer's 
Club of Orange, Culpeper and Madison. 
[Published by unanimous request of said Club.]. 
Gentlemen of the United Farmers' Club. 

Under oar constitution, the term of my 
office expires to-day. We have now to go 
into the general election of officers, for 
another year. 

' In declining a reelection to the post, with 
which you have honoured me, the first and 
only year of our existence, I am actuated 
by motives and feelings, which have solely 
in view, the usefulness and permanence of 
our association. It wears the appearance 
of selfishn'ess to appropriate' honours, when 
a suitable opportunity offers to share them 
with other and more capable colleagues. 

Rotation in office, like rotation in the 
cultivation of the soil, is an admirable prin- 
ciple. I advocate an entire change of of- 
ficers, to-day, believing such a course cal- 
culated to inspire additional zeal and inter- 
est, as also, to bring into effective action, a 
corp- of fresh and energetic recruits. The 
division of responsibility, when judiciously 
made, always inures to the general strength 
of any combination. 

In recurring to the history of fhe year 
tl at ha- juft pa- ed, I think we have much 
to recall that was pleasant, besides the 
decided evidences of agricultural improve- 



ment, which- have marked. our course. The 
want of combination has been, one of the 
greatest draw back among the agricultural 
classes of every country. While no one 
can deprecate more than I do, the arraying 
of classes against each other, yet, there is 
much good to be attained by a common 
union, and fraterity among the different 
professions. I think I am sustained by the 
facts of the case, when I say there is less 
community of feelling and " esprit de 
corps" among farmers, than any other class 
or profession of people. 

The dawn of a brightei era in Virginia 
Agriculture, has been signalized by the for- 
mation of our great State Society. The 
success of this noble institution is a fair 
test of the awakened and substantial enter- 
prise of the farmers of the present day. 
The annual gathering ot so large and im- 
posing a concourse of Virginia Farmers, at 
our metropolis, conveys a moral most 
cheering to every heart. These national 
convention* are but the general expression 
of joy. Provincial societies exhibit their 
peculiar local ardor and enthusiasm. 

Neighbourhood Clubs, like our own, par- 
take more of individuality, and when their 
objects are fully and faithfully carried out, 
more, practical benefits are derived from 
them than from larger associations. All 
are useful in heir way, and should be aux- 
iliary to each other in>, carrying out the 
great ends of Improvement. 

Among the advantages ' of a club like 
ours. I cite the following, as being suffi- 
cient to induce others, who have not re- 
flected upon this matter, to form them- 
selves into a similar union. First of all, I 
note, Example. I have known instances 
where one thorough going, industrious far- 
mer, would revolutionize a whole neigh- 
bourhood. In our monthly inspections of 
farms, we endeavour to bestow praise and 
censure as truth and justice both alike re- 
quire. When disputed points are raised, 
they are discussed freely. Here we have 
the combined experience of our whole sec- 
tion, to enable us to arrive at proper con- 
clusions. We are all made cognizant of 
the system and minutia of the management 
of the best, as well as the most indifferent 
farmers. We see the results of bad man- 
agement, and have the example of the 
good, to stimulate to improvement. Then 
again, our social relations are so much im 
proved and strengthened. Here we are 
brought together by the strong ties of in- 



154 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTFR. 



" 1 



terest, and discuss them around the family 
fire side and the' social board. We cultivate 
kindliness while we talk of the cultivation 
of the earth. I think our region has cer- 
tainly kept pace in improvement with the 
general spirit which has manifested itself 
in other parts of the State. While we have 
done a good deal, we have yet much to do. 
We are very far from being such mana- 
gers as we ought and can be. What is 
known as " high farming" in some parts of 
England, comprises a degree of perfection, 
far beyond our present acquirements ; but 
not beyond our capacity. I will undertake 
to say, if we gird our armor closer around 
us, and devote more of our personal atten- 
tion and care to our business, the max- 
ims of Franklin, so useful in practical af- 
fairs, are much more closely observed, by 
the thrifty farmers, of New England. We 
should at least take that famous one, more 
to heart, which says, " If you want your 
work done, get some one to do it, but if you 
want it well done, go and do it ypurself. We 
farmers of Virginia have been toiling for 
many years, without receiving our proper 
reward, until within some short time since. 
The present prices are abundant to afford 
such encouragement to our profession, as 
under good management, to insure the hap- 
piest results. A season of prosperity is 
the time for wise men to reflect the more. 
Sudden gain, too often leads the unweary 
into thoughtless, and sometimes hopeless ex- 
travagance and ruin. We have all been 
blessed with abundant harvests, and remu 



less. These things are now passing away. 
The great staples of cotton, sugar, tobacco, 
and grain, have settled their respective 
boundaries. We are beginning to under- 
stand our own resources much better. The 
greatest enemies we have to contend with, 
after we make the crop, are the Specula- 
tors. These wily gentry, at the commence- 
ment of the present season, represented 
the crop of the West so enormous, as to 
swell the aggregate crop of wheat of the 
U. S. to 170 millions bushels. The last 
estimate I have seen, reduces this same 
crop to less than 100 millions. Again, the 
Census reports shew the fact of the more 
rapid increase of the population of the 
Towns and villages, generally, in the free 
states, over the country. We wish the 
people of these states a happy time of their 
great experiment of society, and especially, 
as this tendency to the towns, increases 
the demand for our productions, and there- 
by adds to our Agricultural prosperity. And 
again, the sudden and extraordinary impe- 
tus given to Commerce, consequent upon 
the immense discoveries of Gold in Califor- 
nia and Australia. As you stimulate Com- 
merce, you increase the population of the 
towns, abstract from the productive power 
of the producing districts, and in a two fold 
ratio, increase the demand for bread. — 
Lastly, the high price of labor and land, 
correspond with the productions. No new 
beginner could think of succeeding, with 
prices any lower than at present quoted. 
I cannot cl-ise this part of the subject with- 



nerating prices, the past season. While! out paying a tribute to the Editors of the 
such bounty is sure to fill our hearts with l " Richmond Whig" and " Examiner." The 
buoyant hopes, we must not forget our Commercial Press, with these two honour- 
past history. The speculative spirit, so 'able exceptions, so far as I know, give ex- 
characteristic of our country, should be ! pression solely to the views of speculators 
tempered by us with a careful revision of| in grain. The farming interest, the first 
our past experience. With this much of in importance, is lost sight of — "The last 
admonition, I will proceed to give expres-j Steamer" and "The last Dispatch," in the 
sion to oph. ions, which are the result of,' commencement of a season, are no friends 
some care and observation ; tending to show, j to the Farmer. These two papers have 



why we may expect better prices for our 
staples, in all time to come. First, the re- 
gion of country as supposed to be adapted 
to the Cereals in this country : The idea 
was, that the soil and climate, peculiar to 
the culture of grain, was boundless: " The 
immensity of the crops of the great West, 
would glut the markets of the world." This 
was a favorite "telegraphic dispatch" for 
speculators fbr a long time. Indeed it 
seemed to be a very popular idea, that the 
West itself, and its productions were end- 



nobly stepped forward and placed the Far- 
mer in possession of the' real facts of the 
case. I undertake to say, the Farming In- 
terest of Virginia has been more benefited 
by the timely hints of the^e Journals, du- 
ring the past two seasons, than it 'will ever 
receive from the Federal and State Govern- 
ments in a century. Thu Southern Planter 
and the American Farmer have also earn- 
estly fought our battles, but this was only 
their duty, they are wholly enlisted in our 
cause to serve as regulars. The Whig and 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



155 



Examiner proved themselves gallant and 
patriotic volunteers. For their efficient 
services, they are entitled to, and no doubt 
do receive, the warmest acknowledgments 
of our whole brotherhood. 

It has been a very common idea, that 
" Farmers have no business speculating. 
This branch must be left to the merchants. 
A farmer must send his crops to market as 
soon as they are ready." This habit was 
in vogue before we had any rail roads. 
When it took ten days to market fifty 
bushels wheat, and it was sometimes im- 
possible to get all the crop off the same 
year it was made. At the present day, the 
farmer is placed in possession of all the 
news as soon as the merchant. He can 
take advantage of a good market, and have 
some discretion in the sale of his produce. 

The labour of seeding a crop of wheat, 
the anxiety attending the winter frosts. 
The imposing hosts of insects, storms of 
hail and wind, and the million of other ills 
wheat is heir to, bring the final garnering of 
this crop, with no little wear and tear, to 
both body and mind. In comparison with 
this, it is but little trouble to seek the best 
information respecting the markets of the 
world, with the view of foiming a judgment 
in the sale of the crop. 

In reflecting upon the duties which im- 
peratively call for our attention, I note as 
first in importance, the working of our 
neghbourhood roads. Since the construc- 
tion of the several lines of public improve- 
ment, through our country, it seems our 
citizens have been more neglectful, if pos- 
sible, of these avenues. This neglect is a 
crying shame to our country — our lands 
have rizen in value from $20 to $50, and 
indeed some lands are held as high as $70 
per acre, our produce is bearing a good 
price, and in spite of all these advantages, 
we have horried roads to contend with. 
The system of working roads, as required 
by law, is totally inefficient. Good citizens 
should require no law, to point out their 
duty to them. We should take hold of this 
matter ourselves, and make good roads. By 
doing this, we will increase our sociability 
and good feeling, facilitate our internal 
commerce, and bring to bear all the other 
advantageswhichwe all will understand. Ta- 
king the Valley Turnpike as an example, 
(which is the best road in Virginia,) this 
road is raised in the middle, and carefully 
graded on both sides to drain the water off. 
No stones are suffered to be put upon the 



road that will pass through a 3 inch ring. 
Dirt turnpikes have no stone upon them, 
unless gravel is found in the way. I men- 
tion these facts to exhibit the horrible con- 
trast, nearly all the neighbourhood roads in 
Piedmont Va. present. In my estimation, 
most of the working I have seen performed 
by the overseers of the road, has done more 
harm than good. These overseers pursue 
the opposite course from the Engineers who 
construct the pikes. Whereever a de- 
pression is found in the roads, they throw 
in stones, varying in size from an ordinary 
pumpkin to the circumference, I was about 
to say, of a cart wheel. I give it as the 
fixed rule of Engineers, to grade with an 
eye to drainage and to keep off all stones, 
that will not pass through a 3 inch ring. I 
asked an overseer of a road on one occa- 
sion, why he threw such large stones in the 
middle of his road ? He replied, " the Su- 
perior Court meet the next Monday. That 
neighbour so and so, had threatened to 
present him if the road was not worked 
before court. That he had not time to do 
much, but by rolling in these large stones, 
and throwing in some brush, it would be 
seen that he had worked the road, and it 
would save him a fine " My own opinion 
was, the amount of the fine had better have 
been paid to this overseer, to have gone 
home and left the road alone experience 
satisfies me, that large stones instead of 
filling up permanently, increases the wash- 
ings, wherever there is much fall in the 
land. 1 know of no better criterion of a 
good road, than for a prim bachelor to 
drive his new turn out, without complain- 
ing of injury to his wheels, or for a rheu- 
matic old lady, who utters no complaints 
from jotting. Let us work our own roads 
upon the suggestions I have made, and my 
word for it, we will never regret the ex- 
penditure of either time or labour. I ear- 
nestly recommend the appointment of a 
committee, with strict instructions to do 
something at once. 

There is another subject, I think, should 
claim our attention. Which is the impor- 
tance and expediency of a fence law, re- 
quiring owners to take care of their own 
stock, and by so doing, they will be com- 
pelled to keep them at home within their 
own enclosures. The evils of the present 
system are numerous and well understood. 

It is truly gratifying to see so good an 
attendance here to-day. It is a bright 
omen for the future. I would fain hope to 



15G 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 






meet you all at the close of another year, 
as full of hope, of health, and prosperity. 
Would that I could close the history of the 
year that has gone without the painful du- 
ty of noting absentees, whose presence we 
are never to have again. Within a very 
small ^space of time of each other, three 
of our honored and prized members, have 
been summoned upon that long journey, 
from whence there is no return. John 
Jaquelin' Ambler, John Marshall, and Ben- 
jamin. Franklin Taliaferro, have followed 
closely upon each other's footsteps to the 
grave. Were I to give full expression to 
my own private grief, occasioned by the 
loss of these, my most esteemed friends, I 
should transgress far beyond the limits and 
time of this • occasion. These gentlemen 
were well known, and most highly appreci- 
ated in this whole community. Mr. Am- 
bler, I have known almost from my infancy. 
His love for the retired and peaceful pur- 
suits of a country life, hid him from the 
public view, a mind filled with a store of 
knowledge, rarely met with, now a days, 
and particularly among these, who thrust 
themselves foremost to the popular gaze. 
His education was most complete. His 
taste for literature and the fine arts, was of 
the highest order. Above all these, his 
chief adornment, his brighter page may be 
described with his private, his home vir- 
tues. Here his light shone in all its bright- 
ness. As Husband, Father, and friend. 
There are the themes that compose the 
volume of his life. Now that the last 
chapter has been closed, he has bequeathed 
to those of his friends, who are to follow 
him, the rich legacy of an example of a 
virtuous and well spent life. 

The next traveller to that distant home, 
was John Marshall. The arrow of death is 
never sped without causing a shudder, or 
producing a marked sensation among the 
friends of its victim. But when the insati- 
ate Archer pierces one in apparent health ; 
the shock is stunning ! Mr. Marshall was 
struck -down literally, in the midst of life. 
He had but recently, lost his endeared 
wife, and it was supposed, his sorrows in 
consequence were more than he could 
bear- To a mind so sensitive, a heart so 
full of love, and so keenly alive to all the 
tender feelings of a generous nature. 
This blow came with a force too strong for 
his spirit to overcome. Bereft of the most 
precious tie which bound him to earth, his 
soul wandered with the departed, until in 



its ardent loungings, it burst the bands of 
earth to join her in the realms above. Mr. 
Marshall had but recently become a resi- 
dent of our section of country. He was, 
however, well known here, and much be- 
loved. His intimate friends saw many 
ennobling qualities in his character. His 
utter unselfishness. His exceeding grati- 
tude for even the smallest token of kind- 
ness. His love of doing good. His chiv- 
alry of feeling were among his prominent 
characteristics. 

The third vacancy which has occured in 
our ranks, is occasioned by the death of 
Doctor Taliaferro. While Mr. 4mbler and 
Mr. Marshall entered our lists, and gave us 
all the encouragement in their power to- 
wards the attainment of our ends, yet tliey 
lived distant from our central 'point, and 
could rarely favour us with their welcome 
presence. In the loss of Doctor Taliaferro, 
we encounter the additional one, of a near 
neighbour and a regular attendant upon 
our meetings. His wonted form will rise 
before us. 



THE SOILS OF THE VALLEY OF VIR- 
GINIA. 

In my opinion, Professor Gilham's Essay 
on the Soils ol the Valley of Virginia, is 
marked by ingenuity and ability, and will 
be useful, as well on account of the infor- 
mation it gives, as by turning our attention 
more to the investigation of the subject. 
But however willing we may be, to accord 
due credit to Mr. Gittiarri, it seems to me, 
that some of his hypothesis, ought to be re- 
ceived with caution, and investigated with 
care. The opinion that our clay soils have 
been formed wholly from the disintegration, 
of limestone rocks, is attended with so 
many difficulties, as to cast doubt at least 
upon its correctness. 

According to the analysis stated by Mr. 
Gilliam, and according to general observa- 
tion, our limestone rocks contain a very 
large proportion of lime and magnesia, and 
a very small proportion of alumina ; and it 
strikes us as a singular fact, that soils formed 
wholly, of the debris of these rocks, should 
contain so large a proportion of alumina, 
and so small a proportion of lime and mag- 
nesia. In the analysis given, the rocks 
contain some one or two per cent of alum- 
ina, with a very large per cent of lime and 
magnesia, and yet the soils supposed to be 
derived from them, contain only, from one 
per cent, to less than one tenth of one per 



HE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



157 



cent of lime. It mast therefore have re- 
quired the disintegration of mountains of 
limestone, to -furnish the best amount of 
clay found in this valley. 

That limestone rock ma undergo disin- 
tegration near the surface, and add some- 
thiucr to the soil, seems probable, but how 
this process can be carried on at the bottom 
of deep beds of clay, almost impervious to 
water and air, is extremely difficult to un- 
derstand, and equally difficult is it to un- 
derstand how the lime can be brought up, 
arid carried off by water, as soon as it is 
disengaged from the rocks. 

If deep beds of clay were found only in 
the lower parts of our valley, then it might 
be supposed thev were accumulated by 
washes from tin hills, but the fact cannot 
escape notice, that some of our high ran- 
ges of hills, consist of deep beds of clay. 
It may be remarked too, that our soils that 
rest upon states of a fissile nature, and 
therefore of easy disintegration, are gene- 
rally thin, having too little depth to bring 
good crops in dry seasons. Some soils 
too, as stated in Mr. Gilliam's essay, that 
rest upon non-calcareous rocks have a 
greater proportion of lime. Why is it that 
the lime in such soils is not dissolved and 
carried off by water, a 5 the Lime is supposed 
to be, that must be derived in large quan- 
tities from the disintegration of lime stone 
rocks ? 

Now may it not be, for aught we know, 
that in the primeval ocean, whose waves 
once rolled over the fair land which we now 
inhabit, that after the body of limestone 
were formed, the character of the deposites 
underwent a change, and the clay and 
sand of this valley, were then deposited, 
somewhat in the condition that we find 
them now ? If at the time God was form- 
ing the bed of that ocean, he was preparing 
it for the habitation of human beings as 
every thing around us would seem to in- 
dicate, to have converted ihe whole bed 
into one solid mass of stone previous to its 
upheaval, would have been liable to one ob- 
jection at least. It would have been at- 
tended with a great loss of time, inasmuch 
as it would have required millions of years 
i'jt the disintegration of the solid stone, 
and to prepare it for our enjoy merit as we 
now find it. And I believe it is not thought, 
that the portions of the earth, that have 
been derived last from the sea, have under- 
gone this process of disintegration. 
*I am aware that this is more a specula- 



tion, than a practical question, and I would 
not desire to attach undue importance to it. 
But if lime be so easily dissolved, aad so 
readily carried off, as Mr. Gilham would 
teach us to "believe, will it not discourage 
us from applying lime to soil ? We can 
only apply it to the surface, where it soon 
comes in contact with water, and what lit- 
tle we can apply, would be immediately 
washed out by rains. And this it would 
seem, brings us to a conclusion widely dif- 
ferent from the commonly received opinion. 
For it is generally believed, that of old ma- 
nures, lime is ihe one whose effects are 
most slowly developed, and last the long- 
est. Perhaps Mr. Gilham will give us some 
farther light on this subject. 

SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 

Mr. Christian's Essay on sheep is a well 
written, sensible, and practical article, I 
have read it with pleasure, but there is one 
suggestion in it to which I would call the 
attention of the readers o-f the Southern 
Planter. Mr. Christian says, that in the 
Valley of Virginia, where showers are fre- 
quent, and dews and frosts are heavy, sheep 
may do without other water, though they 
thrive best, and build up better constitu- 
tions with it. Now there is a vulgar error 
that prevails to a considerable extent, that 
sheep don't need water — and therefore 
every man of intelligence, who writes, or 
speaks upon this subject, ought to set his 
face against this idea, and inculcate every 
where, and upon all occasions, that sheep 
requires water as our other domestic ani- 
mals do, and that they always suffer with- 
out it. My flock of sheep have been very 
much under my eye this winter, and I have 
noticed that they go to water with as much 
regularity as other stock. On account of 
(he severity of the weather my cows and 
lambs have been kept much of the time in 
a stable, I have them turned out to water 
twice a day, and they drink with as much 
avidity, and seem to enjoy it as much as my 
horses and cattle. How can digestion go 
on without moisture to dissolve their food ? 
I consider a man guilty of the greatest in- 
humanity, who dont give his sheep plenty 
of water, and when the streams are frozen 
up as they have been this winter, that is 
the time they need it most, (but they al- 
ways need it,) and they have but little pow- 
er to break the ice for themselves. Docile, 
timid, amiable, profitable, contributing more 
to our comfort and happiness than any 
other domestic animal, our sheep are pecu- 



158 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



liarly entitled to our vigilant care, and to 
our kindness, and the man commits a great 
sin who does not give them plenty of water 
and plenty of food. 

G. H Chrisman. 
Rockingham Co., March 1, 1856. 



Messrs. Editors. — At the suggestion of 
Mr. Gilmer that we farmers should write a 
little more for our agricultural papers, [ will 
try it once, (as theDutchman would say.) In 
the first place I will say, that I in part con- 
cur with the opinion set forth in your last 
No. concerning the Horn Ail, it has al- 
ways been my belief that if horned cattle 
were well sheltered they would rarely be 
troubled with the Horn Ail, although from 
some other disease, the horn might sympa- 
thize and produce an absorption of the 
bone of the horn which is Horn Ail, but I 
must beg leave to differ with the student 
when he asserts that the remedies usually 
applied are absurd, and he may think he is 
right as long as he is a student, but when 
he comes to practice he will find it diffe- 
rent. If you can let out the surplus matter 
through the horn, and relieve the animal 
immediately, why wait for the slow escape 
through the nostril. I cnce had an overseer 
who had but one cow, which was always in 
good order: he came tome one morning 
with a long face, saying, he believed his cow 
would die. Said I, bore her horns, perhaps 
they are hollow. He did so with a small 
gimlet, and found them a mere shell. A day 
or two passed and she was no better. Said I 
saw her horns off about half way, and put 
a little salt and pepper in them. He said no, 
that would spoil her beauty ; he would as 
soon she would die. The next day he came 
again, well he says 1 believe my cow will 
die, and I might as well saw her horns off. 
He did so, and the next day she was eating 
as heartily as ever she did, much to his re- 
lief, although she did look ugly. 

I will also add my concurrence to the 
subject upOn the principles of breeding, 
more particularly in sheep. I have been 
breeding for the last three years from what 
we call here mountain sheep ; a long legged, 
coaise wooled hairy stock, which are brought 
from the western part of Va. and Pa. I 
put as good a Cotswold Buck as I can get 
with these ewes, and raise many lambs that 
will compare with the half, and three quar- 
ter blood of the best (locks. And these kind 
of ewes are rarely affected with blind stag- 
gers as it is called, besides they are gene- 



rally good mothers, attending well to their 
young. Now gentlemen if you think any 
one will profit by the above, please give it 
an insertion in your paper. 

J. W. M. 



(From the Wool Grower and Stock FtegistPr. ) 
WASHING SHEEP AND PACKING WOOL. 

Messrs Editors. — I notice in the large quanti- 
ties of wool annually produced in Ohio and New 
York, a great deal of the wool poorly put up 
for market. For the benefit of our wool grow- 
ers generally, but more especially new begin- 
ners, I herewith give my views upon the subject, 
the result of years of experience in the busi- 
ness. To have good wool, and have it look well, 
the sheep should be kept in good condition the 
whole year. 

To have the wool right, the sheep after wash- 
ing, should be kept in a field well set with short 
grass, and free from black stumps and logs. 
The sheep should be washed until only clear 
water runs from the wool clear. 

This can be done in a creek or river, taking care 
to have a clear outlet naturally, or made so by 
straw, gravel or boards. If there be no creek or 
river convenient, the washing can be done in a 
box placed in a small stream. The box should be 
13 feet long by 3.j wide, and 3£ deep, having, a 
platform of 4 feet, with lath nailed across it for 
the sheep to walk out on. Or they may be wash- 
ed under a water fall, if water is plenty and 
falls a sufficient distance, say four feet. Sheep 
may go a week or more before shearing, accord- 
ing to the heat and dryness of the weather. 
When shearing, the fleece should be kept as un- 
broken as possible, and should be done up in 
the following manner : 

Place the cord on the table double, having 
each cord about five inches apart, with the loop 
from you — this is the first step toward good roll- 
ing. When the fleece is shorn, leave the tops 
of the wool out ; take the neck in the left hand 
and the butt in the right, hold the left fast and 
give the butt a slight jerk, and the fleece will 
fall into a good shape for rolling; now remove 
all tags, bugs, &c. ; spread or shove the fleece 
to a proper size, repairing all breaks that may 
be in it, patting with the hand to make it firm. 
After this is done, double the fleece by putting 
neckband butt together. Put in all the broken 
pieces of wool in the butt, patting and keeping 
the fleece compact. Now turn the side of the 
fleece next to you half over, then turn the belly 
to you so as not to be on the outside, press the 
sides and make it the proper breadth and length 
according to the size of the fleece. To keep the 
fleece from breaking, lay your arm along the 
centre, and double over it, then draw out your 
arm and place your knee on the fore end of the 
fleece, roll from the tail, packing tight with one 
hand, as you roll with the other. When nearly 
rolled take the knee from it and turn the fleece, 
with your breast pressing against it. Turn in a 
little of the other end, still pressing the fleece 
firmly with your breast. Now take the fleece 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



159 



and lav it on the cord, tie tight and when tied 
lay it upon the table. If not a good shape, you 
can improve it by pressing it into the shape you 
desire. After this is done, pack it away nicely 
in a clean room, granary, or bos — put a weight 
upon it, and you have it ready for market. 

Thomas Reed. 
Dalton, Wayne Co., 0. May, 1855. 

DEVON CATTLE.— The subscriber's 
second annual Catalogue of DEVON CAT- 
TLE is now ready, and will be sent by mail to 
those desiring it. It embraces full pedigrees of 
all his herd, including his Ihree imported Bulls, 
his imported Cows, and their progeny. Several 
superior Bulls and Heifers are offered for sale. 
1 Alao ESSEX PIGS bred from the best im- 
portations. Address, 

S. WAINWRIGHT, 
myo — 5t* Rhinebeck, Duchess Co., N. Y. 

Q AL.ERATUS.— The subscribers offer 

O to the trade Salosratus of different grades of 
strength which they claim to be of superior 
quality to any other in market, and entirely free 
from any deleterious ingredients. 

We are the only manufacturers whose process 
of manufacture is conducted under the immedi- 
ate superintendence of an experienced practical 
chemist. Having been engaged for several 
years in the manufacture of our peculiar kind 
of Salaeratas, and being the originator of those 
manufactured, we can offer to consumers a 



guarantee of its great excellence which no other 
manufacturer can do ; the new kind of Salsera- 
tus pompously set forth, under various names, 
in different advertisements, being merely imita- 
tions of the article we originaly introducod to 
the public. 

We warrant the quality of all goods sold by 
us, and agree to return the purchase money, to- 
gether with expenses of transportation on every 
article that proves to be inferior to our repre- 
sentation of its quality. 

JOHN DWIGHT & CO., 

March— 3t* No. 112 Pearl St., N. Y. 



SEYMOUR'S 

CELEBRATED SOWING MACHINES. 

THE subscribers having been appointed sole Agents 
in this City, tor the sale of the above celebrated 
Machines, are now prepared to execute orders for them, 
which should be sent in enrlv to avoid disappointment. 
BALDWIN', CARDWELI. &. CO. 
Richmond, May 1st, 1850 — it 



MANNY'S IMPROVED REAPER AND 
MOWER.— We beg lo call the attention of 
Planters to this Popular MACHINE, which has no su- 
perior ; we solicit early orders to avoid disappointment, 
as we are making a limited number of them. 

BALDWIN, CARDWELL &, CO. 
April 16, 1856.— 3m 



Farm Wanted. — A Farm of two or three hundred 
acres of land, below the Blue Ridge and above tide 
water in a healthy section, which will afford at the 
same time a good location, for a physician and a good 
situation for a Female Boarding School. Apply at the 
Office of the Southern Pianter, by letter, giving full de- 
scription of premises and neighborhood. up tf 



Paym'tstulhe Southern Planter from 
the 19 March to 22 April inclusive. 
All persons who have made pay- 
ments early enough to be entered, 
and whose names do not appear in 
the following receipt list, are request- 
ed to give immediate notice of the 
omission, in order that the correction 
may be made in the next issue : 
J Alexander, Jan 57* 4 75 

F Fitzgerald, " 58 1 00 

T W Downer, July 56 2 50 

P Carr April ■■ 5 00 

T W Chapman, July 57 2 00 

P C Lauck, Sep " 2 00 

W H Clore. July " 2 00 

Mrs l.ucv Binfori), Mar 57 1 00 

W C Kerfoot, Jan 56 5 00 

N W Harwell, " 57 2 50 

W H Tyler, it, Jan 57 5 00 

G P Richardson, Jan 56 1 25 

Robert Marks, Jan 57 100 

R D Hill. July 56 1 25 

S McD Reid, Jan 57 1 00 

J \V Dabnev, Jan 57 1 00 

W 3 Dabnev, Jan 57 1 00 

E Ruffin Jr"Jau57 1 00 

J C Ruffin, Jan 57 1 00 

A C Carrington, Jan 56 2 00 

W B Lee, Jan 57 1 00 

RPavne, July 56 2 50 

R P H Campbell, Jan 57 1 00 

J S Groseclose, April 67 1 00 

W H Roy, Jan 57 1 00 

T Bronangh, Jan 57 2 25 

J B Lasley, Julv 56 1 25 

N Parker, Jan 57 2 00 

F D Wheelwright, Jan 57 1 00 



Bev Randolph, Jan 57 


1 00 


G C Hannah, Jan 57 


1 00 


i H Tanner, Jan 57 


1 00 


J T Olner, Jan 57 


2 00 


G M Moss, April 56 


25 


C Walters " " 


25 


J Sherman, Jan 56 


5 00 


G Abbett Sr. " 57 


2 00 


C H Jones, " "" 


1 00 


Jns Allen, " " 


1 00 


R Cauthorn, " " 


1 0(1 


H C Cabell, " " 


1 00 


WG Crenshaw, " ■' 


2 50 


D 3 Delaplane, " " 


1 00 


T H Ellis, " " 


1 00 


Ed. Davenport & Co, Jan 57 


2 25 


S B French, " " 


1 00 


A Garrett, " " 


1 00 


WGoddin, " " 


1 50 


|IIW Green, " " 


2 25 


W M Harrison, " "' 


1 00 


R Hill Jr, " " 


1 00 


J J London, " " 


1 00 


|J Lyons " '" 


4 25 


W H Macfarland " " 


5 75 


J rV Shields, " " 


2 00 


DrJMSheppard" '• 


3 50 


J C Spotts, " " 


4 75 


jC (J Thompson, " " 


2 00 


Warwick&. Barksdale, Jan 57 


2 25 


Ij F Wren, " " 


1 00 


Geo W Morton, July 56 


5 00 


IH M Smith, Jan 57 


4 25 


IJ P Stevens, " 56 


1 25 


W S Kemper, " 57 


1 01) 


S Gresham, " " 


1 00 


{J J Grantham, April 56 


1 00 


[Jno Pratt, " " 


2 50 



T A Hardv, Jan 57 


1 00 


Win Grimes, " " 


1 00 


R C Yat. s, •' •' 


1 00 


A Foster, Oct 56 


1 00 


J W (Jreshain, Jon 57 


1 00 


D M Dunwoodv, April 56 


3 00 


A B Carter, Sep 56 


1 00 


William N Baker, Jan 57 


1 00 


C H Binns, " " 


1 00 


R N Trice, " " 


2 50 


.las M Hancock, " •' 


] 00 


W G Coleman, March 56 


1 00 


T J M Cheatham, Jan 56 


1 00 


A Howison, " 57 


3 00 


U Terrill, Julv 55 


2 00 


Williamson Tallev, Jan 57 


2 00 


Dr R H Walton " " 


2 08 


W Branch, " " 


4 50 


T B Wade, " " 


1 00 


Dr C C Cocke, " " 


1 33 


N Cleaveland, •• " 


1 00 


J P Wilson, on account, 


5 00 


W R Mason, Jan 57 


2 00 


Dr Miles George, " " 


2 00 


Barksdale &, Read, " " 


1 00 


W F Guru, " " 


1 00 


R F Harmon, " " 


1 00 


Saml Fa rrar, " 


1 33 


D N Carter, Sept 56 


1 00 


P Thomas, March 56 


1 62 


R H Cunningham, Jan 57 


1 58 


T J Sbepperd, " " 


2 75 


J L Stringfellow, " " 


2 00 


Jno Churchman, " " 


1 17 


W A Warren, " " 


1 00 


J P Taliaferro, " ■ 


2 00 


DrWF Gaines, " " 


2 00 


J R Vest, July 57 


3 00 



160 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



. 



R Shove, Jan 57 
Geo Pannill Jr, June 56 
J P Wing, Jan 57 
g A Masters, Nov 56 
E T Morris, April 57 ! 

P \Voo!ib!k, Jan 57 
H A Watkins, " " 
H Sigourney, " " 
I WaHrerj " " 
H-M Clay, March 57 
fti F Finks, J an 57 

O Finks, " " 

NJB Whitlock, " " 
R G Raile, " " 

J L Deans, " " 

R F Gaines, " " 

J V Kirkpatrie.k, " " 
Dr D Patteson, " * " 
S C Sutton, " " 

Dr L B Price, '• " ! 

Dr G VV Coleman, Nov 56 
Dr J S Dejamette, Sep 56 
W L Waring, Jan 57 
J M Hart, " " 

Ro Auitnonette, " " 
J £ Hansberger, " " 
A T Goodwin, " " 
C Hudson, April 57 
Jos C Boxlev, Jan 57 
A Hart, '• ■! 

Ro S Luck, April 56 
Thomas Hughs, Jan 57 
W B Wiattj •' " 

W Bosher, " " 

WH Vaughan, " " 
Ro Healey " 62 

B F T Conway, '• 57 
Dr T R Harrison, " " 
R B He'ndiiffk, " " 
T Walker; " " 

TTDillard, " " 

E F Manly, " 57 

S M Kennedy, " " 
Jno Page, '• " 

V/DHaden, 

W C Tompkins, Jan 57 
G W Richardson',' Feb. 57 
C H A Clay, Jan 57 
B VV Talley, " " 

W P Braxton, " 56 
V.' fs Brockgnbrongh, Jan 57 
M Drewry, July 55 
E W Morris' April 56 
C W Dabr.ey, July 55 
T VV Anderson, Jan 57 
W F Poague, " " 

f'G Chandler, " " 

John T Clarke, " " 

C R Slaughter, " " 

\V Smith, " " 

Col Jos Dupuyl " " 

T Arvin, " " 

B R Woody, " " 

J \V Hudson. June 56 
C F Morton, Jan 58 
C S Garrett, " 57 

W E Coles, " 56 



00 

00 

!'•■ 

00 

00 

Ip, 

00 

00 

00 

00 

1 CO 

1 00 

1 00 

1 50 

1 00 

1 00 

1 25 

1 00 

2 00 

4 50 

2 50 

3 75 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 CO 
1 00 
1 .00 
1 00 
1 ou 

'.' (■'', 

1 00 

2 CO 

1 00 

5 0<> 

2 00 



W Wertenbaker, 

L D Horner, 

V L Royall, April 57 



57 



57 



1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
2 

1 
1 

2 

2 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 

3 50 

1 00 

2 50 

2 00 
1 00 
1 00 

3 00 
1 00 
,1 00 

1 00 

2 00 

3 75 
1 00 
3 00 
1 25 



L Cauthorn 

J H Skelton, " " 

L VV Allen, ' " " 

W H Overstreet, " '• 

R A Gibbon, " " 

S P Hollins, " " 

Jas Hill, " " 

Jas T. White, " " 

F Eppes " " 

Ro Norfleet, Jan 59 

G W Turner, Jan 57 

HC Catlett.Jan 57 

Jas Lobban, Sept 56 

J Wooholk, Jan 57 

V Archer, Jan 57 

W H Sonthali, Jan 60 

N P Fitchctt, May 56 

J R Fitchett, Jan 57 

A J Ware. do do 

G M Carter, do do 

K Little, July 56 

T Perkinson, April 57 

W S Harris, Jan 57 

W S Carter, do do 

A. B Urqiihart, Jan 59 

Jas M Trevillian. Oct 56 

F E Brooke, Jan 59 

H Eaton, April 57 

ELe Crand, Nov 56 

Geo S Penn, May 56 

R G Haden, Sep 56 

K Lipscomb, Jan 57 

W A Braxton, July 56 

J B Newman, Sep 57 

Miss Nancy Perkins, Jan 57 

P Mullory, June 56 

W E Stept'oe, April 57 

C L liorle, do do 

G II Timberlake Jan 57 

Lewis-Ellis, July 56 

Jos C Haley Jan 57 

M C Medley April 57 

C A Ballew do do 

P A Bramham, Jan 57 

VV M Payne, do do 

DrE F Gunter, do do 

Jos T Redd, do do 

D Witte, 

A Stevenson, 

G Samuel, 

Gen E Watts, 

Jas Jones, 

J R iirodtbrd, April 57 

J T J Mason, Jan 57 

R G Morriss, 

J H Marshall, 

C J Fore, 

Ro Hill, 

S A Guy 

Jos H Gordon, 

IF T Brown, 

C C Tate, July 56 

8 McGavock, do do 

|W Weaver, May 56 



do do 
do do 
do 56 
do 57 
do do 



do do 
do do 
do do 
do do 
do do 
do do 
do do 



2 00 


1 00 


3 00 


i 00 


1 00 


2 00 


1 00 


1 00 


100 


1 00 


2 00 


1 00 


3 CO 


1 33 


1 00 


6 25 


1 CO 


1 00 


5 50 


33 


4 75 


1 00 


1 00 


5 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 CO 


5 00 


3 00 


6 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 82 


2 50 


1 16 


2 50 


1 00 


1 00 


2 50 


1 00 


1 00 


j 00 


'2 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


2 00 


7 25 


1 00 


2 25 


1 00 


2 00 


1 00 


4 75 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


1 00 


2 00 


1 00 


1 33 


1 00 


1 00 


6 00 


1 25 


3 75 



W A Lee, Jan 59 


5 00 


A Tompkins, Dec 57 


3 00 


VV Healy Jan 58 


5 00 


W ft! White. Sep 56 


1 25 


Dr F Carr, Jan 56 


1 25 


F EG Carr, Jan 57 


1 00 


J PMachen, Oct 57 


2 25 


B W Brockenbrough,Jan 57 


1 00 


Wood Bouldin, do 58 


2 00 


E W Roach, do 57 


1 


Col T Pugh, , do " 


A Baily, N do " 
Jackson &. Williamson, do " 


[. 5 00 
J 


C A Anderson, do " 


J W Armistead, do " 


F Saunders Jr, do " 


1 00 


W H Foulkes, do " 


1 CO 


E Williams, do 56 


10 00 


R H Turnbull, July 56 


1 25 


T A Meredith, Jan 56 


1 25 


WT McCarthy, Oct 56 


2 50. 


Jos H Rowlett, Jan 57 


1 00* 


J M A Muschett, Sep 56 


3 50 


J G Lane, Nov 56 


I 00 


VV S Field, Jan 58 


5 00 


VV J Martin, do 57 


1 00 


Jas Wysor, do 58 


3 00 


L Campbell, do 57 


2 00 


P F Gafibrd, do 56 


1 25 


H G Richardson, do 57 


1 CO 


C B Stewart, July 54 


1 00 


W A Smith. Jan 55 


1 00 


.1 H McKinney, Jan 55 


1 00 


J A Brame, July 54 


2 50 


WC Carrington, Jan 55 


2 25 


W H Blanch, Sep 55 


1 00 


Ro C Randolph, July 56 


2 50 


R A Urquhnrt Jan 59 


5 00 


Dr S Maupjn do 57 


2 25 


W Robertson, do 58 


3 00 


J^ L May, 


1 00 


E Carta)', do 57 


1 00 


T B Washington, July 55 


2 00 


C P Rodes,* do" 56 


3 00 


Jos P Tatem, Feb 58 


3 CO 


E H Herbert Jan 58 


2 00 


j S Hale, March 57 


1 00 


JaS Gait Jan 57 


3 CO 


L L Lester, do do 


1 00 


VV Newton, do 56 


3 50 


G F Chambliss, do 57 


10 00 


T II Goodloe, July 59 


5 00 


MrsE McDonald, do do 


2 00 


E Gerst, May 57 


1 00 


Ro Gentry, Jan 56 


2 00 


W R Hatchett, do 57 


1 00 


Thos Taurman do do 


1 00 


J H E'lerson, do do 


1 00 


J H James, April 57 


2 25 


W Davis, July 56 


5 00 


M Whitmore, Sep 56 


1 25 


F E Ri\es, April 56 


1 25 


Ro D Martin, Jan 57 


2 25 


J Adkisson, do do 


1 33 


D S M Crump, do do 


3 50 


RW Wright, do 58 


4 00 


G R Pulliam May 57 


1 00 



AGEMCY. 

FOR the celebrated Manney Reaper and Mow- 
er, which possesses advantages over all 
• i Heapera. Full information, or machines 
i i . ,. ...i early application to the under- 

', i. ; , Trivial .'.;; ". : 'it t!;c counties of Lou- 
don. Fauquiec, Clarke, Frederick, and Warren, 
and General Agent for the State. 

J. J. HITE. 
White Post P. Q., Clarke County, Va. 
April-r-2t 



THE PATEKT MAGIC CORN AXD 

COE CRUSHER. 

WE have heen appointed sole Agent here 
for the sale of this MACHINE. It will 
grind from 10 to 15 bushels per hour of suffi- 
cient fineness for Cattle. It is not liable to get 
out of order, and is much more durable than 
any other of its kind that we have knowledge of. 
We recommend it with confidence. 

BALDWIN, CARLWELL & CO., 
may-Gt] 148 Main Sired, Richmond.