73 i 



VOL. XVII. 



[NOVEMBER.] 



No. 11. Ffj* 



Ut "P 



Published Monthly. Rtjffin & August, Proprietors. J^ 



FRANK: G. RUFFIN, Editor. 



TH E 




DEVOTED TO 



AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, 



AND THE 



HOUSEHOLD ARTS. 




PRINTED AT RICHMOND, Va., 
BY MACFARLANE & FERGUSSON. 

1857. 




CONTENTS 



Keeping Cabbage in Winter, &c, 

Fall Ploughing Gardens. — He Pump- 
kins and She Pumpkins, 

Kolling Wheat in Tar — Imported Stock — 
Morrison's Reaper, 

Who is " Frank Peyton ?"— Wheat Crop, 
and Prospect in Virginia, 

New Books. .... 

Cattle Killed by Eating Corn Stalks 
that Hogs had Chewed — Patent Office 
Wheat — Stacking Corn Stalks, 

A Communication, 

Attention Farmers — Sowing Plant Beds 
in December — Horse Charms — Lard 
and Resin for Tools, 

On Some Points in the Composition of 
Wheat Grain, its Products in the Mill, 
and Bread, .... 

Leicester Sheep and Short-Horn Cattle 

Crops in Mecklenburg — Steam-Walking 
Engine — Salt Barrels for Preserving 
Apples — Starch made of Flour, 

Corn Exports, .... 

Foundering Horses, 

To Render Textile Fabrics Waterproof — 
The Farmer in his Relation to Orna- 
mental Gardening, 

Close Stables, .... 

Cultivation of Onions — Corn Husking 
Machines, ..... 



641 
642 

643 

644 
645 



646 
647 



648 



649 
652 



656 
657 
658 



659 
661 

662 



Improved "Kentucky Sheep/' 

Giant Asparagus, . . . . 

Dwarf Pear Controversy — Guano and 
its Consumption, .... 

Plan for Cooking a Beef Steak, . 

Maxims for Young Farmers and Over- 
seers — Building in Frosty Weather, 

What is a Good Cow? — Sweeping Car- 
pets — A Water-Proof Mixture for 
Leather — &c, &c. 

Breeding, Principles of — &c, 

Pears on the Haw Stock — Source of 
Fat — Greasing Leathers, 

The Babraham Ram Letting, 

Ever-Bearing Autumnal Raspberries, . 

Points of a Good Horse — A Short Chap- 
ter on Keeping Sweet Potatoes — &c, 

Labor-Saving Machines, 

A New Reaper — Grain Delivered, Bound 
and Stacked — Ice-Ponds, 

The Apple, ..... 

The Culture of Celery, 

Directions for Making Pickles, 

The Currant — Two of the Newer Varie- 
ties — Fall Management of Sheep 

Receipts of Tobacco for 1856 — Influ- 
ence of Agricultural Pursuits on 
Health 

The Laundry, ..... 

The Great Seaboard Retreat of the 
South, ..... 



663 
666 

669 
670 

671 



672 
674 

681 
682 
684 

685 
686 

687 
689 
695 
697 

698 



699 
701 

704 



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TH E 




Devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture, and the Household Arts. 



Agriculture is the nursing mother of the Arts. [Tillage and Pasturage are the two "breasts of 
— Xenoplion. \ the State. — Sully. 



FRANK. G. KUFFIN, Editor. 



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



Vol. XVII. 



RICHMOND, VA., NOVEMBER, 1857. 



NO. 11. 



Keeping Cabbages in Winter— Planting 
Cabbages, Onion3 and Irish Potatoes 
in the Fall. 

The following directions for keeping cab- 
bages will do very well for this climate, except 
the instructions for covering. They, accord- 
ing to cur experience, are unnecessary. Last 
November, in the latter part of the month, we 
selected an exposed situation and put away 
two hundred head of cabbages according to the' 
plan here laid down, only we did not cover 
them with any sort of roof whatever. The 
heads were inclined due north. In the memo- 
rable storm of the 6th of January, the snow 
blew entirely away from the knoll on which 
they were, and they were left naked to the 
cold. Not more than half a dozen succumbed 
to it, and those that survived the kitchen lived 
healthy and well until after the cold weather 
in March, which followed the warm weather in 
February. There was a reason for it. Vege- 
tables, in fact, all living tissues are not hurt by 
freezing; not at all: but by the kind of .thaw 
which succeeds. If that be sudden then comes 
frost bite — a misnomer — in man, beast, or 
vegetable. But if it be gradual, then no harm 
is done. That is the reason why when one's 
hands or ear's are nearly frozen, he dips them 
in cold water, or rubs them with snow, and re- 
41 



stores the circulation by active friction before 
he approaches them to the fire. In the case 
of the cabbages the outer leaves, which, when 
they were put away, were made to hug the 
head closely, received the first rays of the sun ; 
as they were killed, they stuck still more close- 
ly to the head, and by keeping it from be- 
coming thawed too soon, preserved it. Had it 
fronted south it could not have received the 
protection of the leaf. t 

About the same time we planted a small crop 
of spring cabbages — Early Yorks. Pretty high 
lists were formed for them, and they were 
planted in rows about half way up the south- 
ern slope of each lit-t. They two were left 
bare by the snow, and lived well until the 
warm spell in February started them to grow- 
ing. They had become filled with, sap, and, 
of course, were tender and succulent, when 
the cold weather of March attacked them, and 
nerly one half were killed; though, as they 
had been planted thrice as thick as they were 
meant to stand to provide against such acoi- 
dents, an abundance was left for table uee. 
Had they been planted on the northern slope 
it might have been different. 

The onions planted in November upon 
ground guanoed at the rate of 400 lbs. per 
acre, because it was poor, lived perfectly well 



042 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



and made a fine crop. We therefore say to all, 
plant your onions in November or early De- 
cember, and save that much spring work. 

Irish potatoes for an early crop may also, as 
we know well by experience, be planted in the 
fall ; and if they are well covered, say about 
three inches thick, with straw or leaves 
secured against wind by a little brush, they 
will give a fine crop. They may come up with 
the warm spells\in late winter and be killed 
down several times, but take our word for it 
they will make a crop. We have raised early 
potatoes of good quality six years hand-run- 
ning on the same spot from the " volunteers'' 
that were left in digging them through the 
summer. But where that practice is intended 
to be followed, it is well, at least it was our 
practise, not to molest the hills after they had 
been once "robbed." 



Heading Cabbages in Winter. 

The following plan to accomplish this desira- 
ble end, is that which, we are informed, is 
adopted in the New England States, by the 
best farmers and gardeners there. We invite 
to it attention in this region, as we not unfre- 
quently see much cabbage, which failed to 
head in the fall from various causes, either 
pulled and fed to stock, or left a prey to the 
frost : 
_ " Select a suitable spot in a garden or field, 
six feet is* width, of any desired length, free 
from standing water ; run a furrow the pro- 
posed length of your bed, and throw a back 
furrow upon it. This double furrow will form 
a side wall of your cabbage house. In the 
trench stand your cabbages on their roots 
leaning to the furrow at an angle of 40 to 45°. 
Let the next furrow be thrown upon the roots 
and stalks ©f the cabbages, and another row 
be placed in the trench made by the second 
furrow ; thus proceed until your six feet of 
width is planted, then let the last furrow be a 
double one — making the other side wall about 
the height of the cabbage head. Through the 
whole length of the middle of the patch lay 
rails lengthwise, supported by crutches, at a 
height of about two feet from the cabbages : 
this will form the ridge of the cabbage house. 
Lay light brush-wood from the side-walls to 
the ridge pole ; then throw on salt hay, or bog 
hay, or straw, two inches in depth. As the 
cold weather advances throw on dirt until you 
have a depth of say six or eight inches— or 
even more, when the winters are severe, and 
finally spank the dirt roof with the flat of a 
spade, until it will sh'ed the rain. Fill up the 
two ends of your house in the same manner, 
leaving only small air holes of a foot or two in 
diameter, which may be closed with hay. 



The length of the house should be on a north 
and south line. ..^ 

In the early spring you will find your most 
unpromising plants have heads of their own, 
and all be thriving and fresh. Try it at; once, 
and you'll try it ever afterwards." — Ex. 



Fall Ploughing Gardens. 

If persons who have gardens of clay soil, 
will first manure them in the' month of No- 
vember, and then plough them in lists, bedding 
the lists as high as the plough will make them, 
and then will break the middles with a coulter 
and pull up the loose dirt to the top so as to 
have the land in narrow sharp ridges, at least 
eighteen inches high, and as much higher a8 
the base of the list will allow, they will find 
their account in it. The land will become 
thoroughly pulverized by the Spring, when it 
may be thrown back and fine manure harrowed 
in with it. Provided the ground has been 
drained, (and such soil should, in nearly all 
cases, be thorough-drained with tile or such 
substitute therefor as may be at hand,) the soil 
will then be "as light as a bank of ashes," and 
in fine condition for any garden crop. But 
when we say fine manure, we do not mean what 
is called " well rotted manure." The well rot- 
ting of manure is a most wasteful process, 
and we always feel ashamed when we see any 
about our premises. A far cheaper article, 
and quite as effective, is a compost of stable 
manure and dirt, the nearer to a pure clay the 
better, in alternate layers of six inches of ma- 
nure, well trodden down, and three inches oi 
clay on that, well rammed down when it is nol 
wet. Raise each heap about five feet high, and 
" let it sweat" until you want it. If well rot 
ted manure, as usually manufactured, is what 
is wanted, it may easily be made of weeds, or 
leaves and woods, mould in alternate layers, 

with dirt, plentifully sprinkled with lime. 
_ 1 » » » > 

He Pumpkins and She Pumpkins. 

By the above distinction the initiated refer 
to a particular mark on the Pumpkin, which 
guides them in the selection of those from 
which they mean to save the seed. 

At the end of the pumpkin from which the 
bloom drops is a scar. That scar is either 
large or small. By selecting the seed only 
from the very largest — the She Pumpkin — the 
size of the pumpkins of the next year's crop 
will be very much increased. But such selea 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



C43 



tion must be made every year to keep up the 
size. With it the crop will be very much im- 
proved. The plan is so simple that any one 
may try it; and we warrant success to each 
one who does. 

What causes the remarkable difference in 
the size of the scar we cannot tell. We only 
know that it exists. It has not the slightest 
reference to the sex of the pumpkin. No more 
than the bloom of the strawberry has to its 
sex, which is the same in all plants and in 
every bloom. 



I superior chewing tobacco. We write with a 
quid in our mouth ; and having chewed all 
sorts, pronounce this very superior. No man 
in the world ought to chew tobacco, but all who 
do ought to select the best, if they are guided 
by considerations of health or comfort. Those 
who agree with us in this opinion, will find 
their vi«vs fully met by S. & T. Ilardgrove. 



ROLLING WHEAT IN TAR. 

The Country Gentleman informs its readers 
that Major Dickinson, a very superior farmer 
of Steuben county, New York, always rolls his 
wheat and grass seeds in tar preparatory to 
sowing. The tar is diluted with hot -water at 
the rate of a half pint of tar to five or six gal- 
lons of water for a half bushel of the seed. 
Then a half bushel of lime in the case of the 
wheat, or of plaster for clover, is mixed with the 
half bushel of tarred seed, and enough of 
either adheres, he thinks, to do a great deal of 
good, as much as a greatly larger quantity would, 
if applied broadcast. If this should reach any 
farmer before he finishes seeding, we hope he 
will try at least a half bushel in this way and 
note the result for the Planter. 



IMPORTED STOCK. 

We are glad to see that a few of our public 
spirited breeders have added to their previous 
importations from England. We learn that 
Messrs. Betts & Co., of New York, shipped 
from England on the 12th of August, amongst 
other stock for different parties in the United 
States, the following for our own citizens. 

A Short Horn Bull, two Short Horn Heifers, 
a South Down Buck and a Cleveland Bay Mare 
for R. II. Dulany, Esq., of Loudoun. 

Also, a thoroughbred Stallion for Col. Ware, 
of Clarke county. 

These, with their previous importations, and 
Mr. Rives' and Dr. J. R. Woods' Cleveland 
stock, in Albemarle, are all specimens that en- 
title their owners to the thanks of the public. 



FINE CHEWING TOBACCO. 

We owe our thanks to Messrs. S. & T. Hard- 
grove, tobacco manufacturers, for a box of their 



SWEET POTATOES AND SORGHO 
SUCRE SYRUP. 

We are indebted to our friend, Wm. C. 
Jones, of Surry, for a present of some very 
fine sweet potatoes. They are nearly all of a 
size, and the largest weighs four pounds. It 
seems to be of that sort sometimes raised in 
North Carolina, where it is said that they are 
sometimes compelled to cook them out of doors, 
sitting on one end and roasting the other. 

The bottle of syrup of the Sorgho, which we 
received at the same time, was almost as good 
as honey. 



MORRISON'S REAPER. 

The reader will see in our advertising 
columns, that this valuable implement will be 
manufactured, for the coming harvest, by Capt. 
Charles Dimmock. The iron work will be 
done by Mr. Thos. Samson, of this place. His 
name is a guarantee of the goodness of his 
work. 



A Gentlemanly Subsrciber. 

We beg pardon of our correspondent for 
publishing his letter. But it is so different 
from a good many we receive on the same sub- 
ject — dropping delinquents — that we think it 
worth publishing as a model. A good many 
do not pay, and grumble because we cannot 
afford to give them the paper: 

Dear Sir: 

I expect you are about to give me up per- 
manently as a subscriber. But I cannot afford ' 
to give you up. The "Planter" has become 
an indispensable member of my family, and I 
request you to begin again to send it -to my 
P. 0. I approve very much of your plan to 
cut off delinquents, though I may suffer by it. 
I send you five dollars, which will a little more 
than square accounts in my favour. I will 
soon enclose you a further sum on the accruing 
subscription. Yours, Respectfully. 

F. G, Ruffin, Esq. 

September 30th, 1857. 



•644 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



Frank Peyton?" 



Who is 

Dear Flanter: 

Unlike your correspondent, " John Dump- 
ling," Ilooe tobacco. I take pleasure in its cul- 
tivation and management, and read with in- 
terest all you publish .on the subject. 

Two. articles have appeared in your paper 
over the' fictitious signature of "Frank Pey- 
ton," which in my humble opinion are worth 
a hogshead of "first-rate," to every Planter 
who will read them. Now, while I may not 
be disposed to pay their author the full value 
of his productions, it is but due to him that 
we should render our thanks for what he has 
already written, and call upon him for " more 
light." Will you, who turn a per?od with as 
much ease as I can roll a quid, undertake this 
pleasant duty ? And if you would confer a 
double favor upon your readers, while you 
give to him our thanks, please give to us his 
name. R. W. N. N. 

Albemarle County, Va. 

The author of the communications to which 
our friend, Mr. Noland, refers, is F. P. Wood, 
Esq., of Prince Edward. We take the liberty 
of giving his name without asking his leave, 
because it is demanded by a gentleman fully 
competent to appreciate his merits. Himself 
no mean Planter, as his last Spring's sales of 
tobacco will prove — for he got a higher price 
than any one else in Albemarle, — he is fully 
imbued with the spirit of a Southern land- 
holder, and enthusiastically devoted to every- 
thing that can advance or elevate his profes- 
sion. It shall not be our fault if he and Mr. 
Wood do not shake hands at the Fair. Mean- 
while we will say to Mr. N., what Mr. Wood's 
modesty would not allow him to say, if he will 
go to Prince Edward and become acquainted 
with the members of the Agricultural Club of 
that county, he will not only make the acquain- 
tance of a set of very pleasant gentlemen, but 
he will find that sense on the subject of tobacco, 
as well as on other departments of Agriculture, 
can be talked as well as written by Mr. Wood 
and his neighbours. Especially in the man- 
agement of slave labour cfb some of these gen- 
tlemen excel. — Ed. Sq. Pl. 

Wheat Crop, and Prospect for Corn, in the 
Valley of Virginia. 

The following letter, from a farmer, who has 
good opportunities of learning such facts as he 
gives, was not received in time for the October 
No. of the Planter. The prospect is gloomy 
enough, and reminds one of Western New 



York, whose finest wheat lands are desolated 
by the midge. 

If our friend will sell his sixty dollar land 
and come to Eastern Virginia, on tide-water, 
we can promise him two things, which it will 
astonish him and his neighbours to have the' 
proffer of, to wit: better health and better 
crops, on lands whose average cost, (we do not 
say value), shall not exceed twenty dollars per 
acre. 

I am sorry to inform you that the wheat crop 
in this section, bad as it was, is turning out 
just about one half it was estimated at, at the 
close of harvest. All the wheat harvested after 
the 25th of July is not suitable for milling pur- 
poses. I learn from good authority, that the 
result has been the same throughout the Val- 
ley, that is, from Jefferson county to Augusta 
county. We have a good crop of corn through- 
out the Valley, but it is not as good as was ex- 
pected ; the chinch-bug are more numerous 
than were ever known before. I am exceed- 
ingly doubtful as to there being wheat enough 
in the Valley for seed and bread. Wheat with 
us is only worth 90 cents per bushel. What 
farmers are to hope for, who are now about to 
use guano, at a cost of from §60 to $70 per 
ton, I am at a loss to know. Wiien we have 
such seasons as will enable us to make good 
crops, and we can get from $1 00 to §1 50, or 
perhaps $1 75 per bushel for our wheat at 
home, guano, and all fertilizers made by honest 
persons, will pay. 

The following statement will show that the 
best farming, with such seasons as the past 
three have been, will not pay, especially so long 
as the bugs and worms remain so numerous. 
Land is valued, in this section, at from §40 to 
$70 per acre ; river low land at $100. I culti- 
vate a farm of between seven and eight hun- 
dred acres, valued at $G0 per acre. 

Within the last three years I have used 
of guano, phosphate of lime, and bone 

dust, 23 tons. 

Plaster of Paris, - - - - 25 " 
50 sacks of salt, equal to 15 " 

G3 tons. 
Also, 300 bushels of stone lime, equal to GOO 
bushels of slaked lime, 300 bushels of ashes, 
at a cost in cash of $1500, not estimating the 
ashes, nor the hauling. No estimate is made 
of farm manure hauled out, nor grass seed 
purchased. I have seeded during the three 
years 1000 bushels of nice seed wheat ; 3S00 
bushels is all the wheat that has been grown 
within the three years. . Such seasons as we 
formerly had, two thousand, or twenty -five 
hundred bushels, would have been a reasonable 
crop to expect per year, without an outlay for 
manure. As bad as this sounds, to come fronj 
such a fine section of country, it is as true as 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



645 



gospel; and there are ten, or perhaps twenty, 
farmers who have done worse in the way of 
cropping, where -there is one who has done 
better ; "but there are some who have undoubt- 
edly done better, but they are few and far 
between. 

NEwTsOOKS. 

Patent Office Re-port, for 1856. 

We have received a copy of the above work. 
Like its predecessors, we find it a tub to the 
whale, and a useless burden to the treasury. 
We have looked over it attentively, and except 
two articles, find nothing worth inserting that 
has not appeared, or might not as well appear 
in the ordinary agricultural journals of the 
day. The exceptions are a voluminous corres- 
pondence with certain consuls at various for- 
eign points, on the cultivation of cotton ; which, 
if it belongs at all to the United States to med- 
dle with, should be found in the report of the 
. Secretary of the Treasury : and a short treatise 
on meteorology, by Prof. Henry, of the Smith- 
sonian Institute, which is no doubt valuable, 
but which might as well have appeared in that 
anomalous department " for the diffusion of 
science among men/' 

The lithograph of the Arden horses, which, 
as the breed is extinct, is a mere imaginary 
sketch, of no practical utility, is well executed. 
So is the lithograph of the South Down ram. 
So, also, is the coloured engraving of Mr. Pea- 
body's strawberry; but not at all better than 
it had been done by Mr. Peabody previously, at 
his own private expense for his own private 
purposes. 

The wood cuts of squirrels and other vermin, 
and of a good many birds, are passable. But 
for what purpose are such things inserted? 
Why is this annual report to become a pictorial 
of even less merit than the common catch- 
pennies of tl^at description ? 

It will be obvious to all who examine this 
book, that it has been the object of those who 
get it up rather to earn their salary and tickle 
the people than to contribute anything useful ; 
and as might have been expected from such 
purposes, it is, as a contribution of the United 
States to the Agricultural interest, simply con- 
temptible. 

When Mr. Mason, the late Commissioner of 
the Patent Office, resigned, we understood that 
it was because Mr. Buchanan refused to grant 
an appropriation of ten thousand dollars to the 



importation of seed?, cuttings and roots of 
new varieties, or new names. Mr. Mason may 
have been p, good officer, but if he made such 
follies the condition of his remaining at Wash- 
ington, we are very much obliged to the Presi- 
dent for letting him go. 

• 
We have also received, from C. B. Williams, 

Esq., the Secretary, The Journal of Trans- 
actions of the Virginia State Agricultural So- 
ciety, from the close of the first annual exhi- 
bition, in 1853, to the commencement of the 
third, in 1855. J. W. Randolph, publisher; 
and for sale by him and at the office of the 
Society. 

The essays in this little volume, on the vari- 
ous branches of rural economy, and the 
minutes, agricultural facts, &c, of the Com- 
missioner of the Society, are of themselves 
worth the half dollar which this publication 
sells for. We hope all friends of the Society 
will call and get a copy ; for it is really a 
valuable publication. 

Moss-Side. By Marion Harland. 

We have received from J. W. Randolph, a 
copy of Moss-Side, the last novel of Marion 
Harland.' We have had no time to read it, 
and most probably shall not have; but its re- 
ception gives us opportunity to say a word in 
respect to Alone, the first novel of this authoress, 
which we wonder some one else has net sa,id 
before. We read that work with pleasure ; *rad 
when we reflected that it was the production of a 
young lady of eighteen years, we were aston- 
ished at the ripeness of intellect it displayed. 
But it had one sad fault, and contained, unin- 
tentionally no doubt, an imputation upon the 
social life it attempted to portray ; which, as 
an humble member of that society, we always 
protested against. We allude, of course, to the 
episode of Ashlin and Mrs. Read, which was a 
case of crim. con. nipped in the bud. Now 
novels, if not of the purely imaginative kind, 
like some German tales, are only valuable as 
pictures of real life. Every character and 
every incident must find its type in society ; 
and if it does not, that much of it is a failure. 
The episode we speak of, tried by that stand- 
ard, is an offence against art ; and if intro- 
duced for effect merely, is also an offence 
against good taste,' if not morality, for the 
fictitious incident may be rather suggestive 
than remedial. 



646 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



Now so far as we know, who have been 
familiar with Virginia society for five-and- 
twenty years, only one case of crim. con., 
whether meditated or accomplished, has stained 
its annals within that time. So that Mrs. 
Read does not represent anything in the 
picture, and misleads all who read the novel. 
But if she did, we respectfully submit that 
young ladies should know nothing about sucrT 
things; and that matrons should seem to be as 
innocent as maidens, so far at least as the 
public is concerned. 

In plays, villains usually get their deserts, 
or, at all events, are thwarted and discomfitted; 
as Ashlin was. But the moral conveyed in 
such poetic justice is not commonly deemed an 
offset for the suggestions and temptations of 
the highly wrought scenes of passion which 
lend their fascination to the stage. If such 
things constitute a valid objection to theatres, 
as they do to some extent by common consent, 
it is difficult to see by what logic they shall 
be deemed unobjectionable, when elaborately 
wrought into the fabric of a novel and made 
one of its prominent features; more especially 
when they cannot claim to find their counter- 
part in society, and must therefore be intro- 
duced only for effect. 

Queechy, and other novels of Miss Warner, 
upon which, as a model, Alone seems to have 
been written, presents no such fault, though 
Nlw England society comes much nearer justify- 
ing its commission than anything in Virginia. 



Cattle Killed by Eating Corn Stalks 
that Hogs had Chewed. 

Mr. George Effinger, a farmer living near 
Harrisonburg, lost a number of valuable cattle 
within the last few days, caused by permitting 
them to pasture in the same field where he 
had a number of hogs. The hogs chewing the 
corn stalks and putting them out on the ground 
without swallowing it, when the cattle eat it. 
They at once commenced rubbing their heads, 
when their throats swelled, and in a short time 
death ensued. Farmers would save themselves 
many fine cattle by not permitting them to run 
in the same field with hogs — [that is to say, 
when the hogs are fed on green corn, stalk and 
all] — Richmond Dispatch. 

We are very sorry to hear of Mr. E (finger's 
loss ; but we cannot help thinking that if he 
had been a subscriber to the Planter he might 
have escaped it. We have repeatedly warned 
farmers against this practice; and only a 



month or two ago we spoke of it. Had he 
taken the Planter, how many times his annual 
subscription would this have saved him? 



PATENT OFFICE WHEAT. 

Mr. R. W. N. Noland authorizes us, on his 
authority, to caution the public against sowing 
any of the packages of wheat from the Patent 
Office. 

He thinks the insects imported will do more 
harm than the introduction of new varieties 
will do good. In some specimens of wheat 
sent him were at least three varieties of weevil, 
one of which he had never seen nor read of 
before. 



Stacking Corn Stalks. 

The following sensible article from a very 
sensible paper, the Michigan Farmer, is well 
worth perusal and meditation. One of the 
best farmers we ever knew practised the plan 
of ricking his corn stalks ; and always kept 
everything fat even in winter. His plan was a 
very simple one — merely to lay the stalks 
horizontally in piles, taking care to keep the 
top level until he got them high enough, when 
he capped off with the same material leaned 
together like a roof, and supported on its under 
side by the stalks laid the long way of the rick 
and narrowed to an edge. It is very easy to 
do, and will obviously make the feed worth a 
great deal more : 

"When the ears are removed the stalks, if 
not taken into the barn, should be immedi- 
ately stacked. These stacks ought not to be 
made of stalks alone, but should be composed 
of layers of oat straw, or if there be no oat 
straw, there is probably some of wheat or bar- 
ley, alternate with the layers of stalks. Each 
layer of stalks, which may be a wagon load, 
should have at least four quarts of salt, with a 
handful of lime strewed over it. This will 
keep them sweet, and prevent them from 
sweating and moulding, and the stock will eat 
them much cleaner and more greedily, espe- 
cially where they are fed without cutting. 
The stacks of cornstalks should be thatched, 
and as carefully protected from the snow and 
rain as haj. They should be built so as to 
keep out the wet, and when once opened a 
whole stack should at once be hurried under 
cover. By pushing this s} T stem the stock of 
the whole farm will get the whole benefit of 
one of the best crops, we have, and the farmer 
himself will be able to make more beef, more 
mutton, and more wool off an acre than he can 
otherwise. The mixing of the cornstalks, 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



647 



with straw when in a somewhat green state, 
as they ought to be when first brought out of 
the field to be stocked, renders the straw more 
palatable to the cattle also, at least it will be 
found that they eat it better. The sprinkling 
of salt plentifully on the cornstalks, has the 
effect of keeping them from heating, and at 
the same time, the dampness engendered in 
the stack dissolves it, and it also makes the 
whole mass better relished by the animals. 
That lime has the same effect, we need only 
point to the experience detailed in this volume 
of the Farmer, where it has been tried in 
curing moist clover. 

No attempt should be made to feed corn- 
stalks without cutting them, and we belive 
that where they can be both cut and steamed, 
they would pay well. One of the best ma- 
chines for cutting cornstalks well and through- 
ly is the one made by Messrs. Felts of Brook- 
lyn, and which we believe is known as the 
Cummings patent. It cuts them both rapidly 
and thoroughly, leaving no pieces of stalk 
uncut. Where the stalks are not needed for 
food when cut with straw they make the best 
litter for stall animals there is, as it absorbs a 
vast quantity of liquid manure which would 
otherwise be wasted or evaporated. At this 
season, even though hay and straw are both 
plentiful and cheap, the prices of meat point 
out that the utmost care should be taken to 
preserve cornstalk fodder. 



To the Editor of the Southern Planter: 

Your reply to "A Farmer of King & Queen" 
is so conclusive that it would seem superfluous 
to say more, but with your permission I will 
offer a few remarks. 

What you assert in relation as to wheat prices 
in Richmond and New York is already proved, 
they being now (Oct. 10) at the same figures, 
or if any difference, it is in favor of Richmond. 
If the New York dealers would buy wheat be- 
fore it reaches market, they might be flooded 
with the millions of bushels now accumulating 
in the Lake and Canal ports fur shipment to 
New York. Suppose the Farmers to have ap- 
pointed (as "A Farmer" suggests,) one agent to 
receive and sell all the wheat sent to Richmond, 
and that it was pouring in at the rate of 100,- 
000 bushels per week, as it should do— what 
would be his condition in the present state of 
monetary affairs, when the country banks have 
suspended, and the city banks can afford no 
facilities for fear of being in the same predica- 
ment? When, as now, wheat, cannot be sold 
for cash, and there is not a purchaser for ship- 
ment to New York, or to any other market; 
when the strongest houses in that city are fail- 
ing, and deputations are sent from merchants 
there who receive the largest consignments 
from Virginia, to the Banks here, asking for an 
extension of time on their acceptances" I ask 
what would be the condition of the general 



agent, who could not decently refuse to advance 
a few cents per bushel in addition to the cost 
of transportation, requiring him to raise some 
$20,000 or $30,000 per week, cut off from any 
prudent recourse to the Northern markets, and 
compelled either to store the wheat or to sell 
it to the millers, who would have him much 
more in their power than they now have his 
constituents. 

Suppose that the monetary difficulties did 
not exist; would there not be some hazard in 
entrusting to one man, were it possible fou him 
to take charge of it, such a vast amount of 
produce and the proceeds of it? Agents are 
sometimes unfortunate or unfaithful, and temp- 
tation is sometimes irresistible. 

I cannot imagine that the Farmers would ex- 
pect the agent to guarantee his sales. If they 
did, it would be necessary to employ a Roths- 
child or an Astor to make the guarantee sub- 
stantial. 

Should, however, the suggestion of " A Far- 
mer" be adopted, I would propose an amend- 
ment to it, which would teach the millers a 
lesson that would fully meet the views of " A 
Farmer," in more than one respect. Let the 
equally feasible project of building a line of 
steamers of 20,000 tons each be carried out; 
let the same agent have charge of the steamers 
and of the wheat crop, and let all the wheat be 
shipped to Europe in the great steamers — thus 
attaining many objects at once": markets for 
the wheat — cargoes for the steamers — direct 
foreign trade — punishment to the millers, and 
returns in gold, instead of bank-notes. This 
would be a glorious result. Foreign millers 
would pay liberal prices to encourage such a 
trade, and no doubt give an extra price to pro- 
mote it. The Richmond millers would then be 
forced to obtain their supplies from Baltimore 
or New York, or from Charleston and Savan- 
nah, which are now large wheat markets. 

" A Farmer" states that the Richmond mil- 
lers obtain a much higher price for their flour 
than do the New York millers, and therefore 
should pay higher in proportion for wheat. If 
he will ascertain how many more barrels of 
flour a New York miller will make from a 
given quantity of wheat than does a Richmond 
miller, and will compare the quality of wheat 
ground by each, he will find there is not so 
much difference in the relative profits. 

New York is not the great market for Rich- 
mond City Mills Flour. It is true that the 
money negotiations may centre there, as do 
most others in this country ; but the great mar- 
kets for such flour are Brazil and Australia, 
and the cargoes are shipped direct from Rich- 
mond. It is true that a considerable quantity 
is sent to New York, Boston, &c, and thence 
distributed to various markets, not in cargoes, 
but in moderate quantities. 

Has " A Farmer" ever looked into the re- 
sults of combinations, and of attempts to force 
or control trade, or of attempts to monopolize 



648 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



it ? If he has found them favorable, let him ex- 
ert his influence to carry out the grand scheme 
I have suggested. 

A Merchant. 



For the Southern Planter. 

Attention Farmers! 

Is there a right and a wrong way to gear 
horses or mules, and oxen? You all will an- 
swer with one voice, yes ; and you will all 
think, if you do not say so, that you gear your 
horses right. Well, what is right and what is 
wrong in this matter? Every Farmer has his 
idea about the right and the wrong of it; some 
have geared one way because Daddy did so be- 
fore them ; some another way because it has 
happened to be so ; and some still another 
way, without having even spent one thought 
upon the reason of it. 

What I mean by right and wrong in gearing 
teams, is to gear them so that they can apply 
their whole power to the draft in such a man- 
mer as that it shall be direct, and without loss, 
and without cramping the animal in any way, 
or the reverse of it. 

I will await an answer, before publishing 
the balance of this article, in the hope that the 
above may excite some interest in the matter 
before the answer is given. 



[From the Papers of the Nottoway Farmers' 
Club of 1856.] 

Sowing Plant Beds in December. 

Mr. President: — On former similar occa- 
sions, I have exhausted nearly all the materi- 
als at my command either for an essay or re- 
port of an experiment. The subject of tobacco 
plants, at this time,*excites much anxiety and 
solicitude, and renders any communication 
concerning them particularly interesting. For 
a number of years I was induced to follow the 
usual plan of sowing the first good weather 
after Christmas. This sometimes delayed the 
operation till February and March. For the 
few past years I have been tempted by the 
suitable weather to try the experiment of sow- 
ing in December, and my uniform success has 
caused a settled conviction that it is not only 
best to sow in December, but the early part 
of it. 

I happened very early in Dec. last, to sow a 
patch. A portiou was not covered with brush 
until the long continued snow passed oif. It 
not only now looks well, but constitutes my 
chief reliance, being sufficient^ forward and 
sufficiently thick. My patches more recently 
sowed are small, and are suffering much more 
from the depredations of the fly. On another 
patch an experiment was tried of covering a 
portion with stable manure immediately after 
it was sown. This has succeeded well where 
thus covered, and shows the advantage of such 
an operation. I am satisfied from these re- 



sults thfrt it is best to sow early, and cover with 
manure at the time of sowing. One peculiar 
advantage of sowing early in December is, that 
the ground is much drier then, and requires 
much less wood ; and one advantage in ma- 
nuring at that time is, that it can be done with 
less care and trouble, and with less danger to 
the young plants, and be ready to impart 
early sustenance to them. 

Respectfully submitted, 

" E. G. BOOTH. 



For the Planter. 

Horse Charms. 

Dear Sir: — I have heard of love powders, 
never until to-day have seen an exhibition of 
any thing that so nearly approached them. 
The expedient recommended, in a back num- 
ber of this journal, for taming wild horses, I 
this day tried on an unbroken four year old 
filly. I obtained from an apothecary a small 
phial of oil of cummin, with a few drops of 
which I rubbed my hands, which enabled me 
to approach the animal and rub her head and 
nose. Eight drops of the oil of rhodium were 
then poured upon her tongue from a silver 
thimble. At once the colt was tranquilized, 
and allowed itself to be freely handled. All 
wildness disappeared, 

"Its savage eyes turned to a modest gaze," 
but perfectly submissive. The animal would 
neither lead nor drive until a small portion of 
the castors taken from the front legs of a horse 
was pulverized, mixed with loaf sugar like- 
wise pulverized, and inserted in her mouth. 
From that time the filly became obedient to the 
rein — would follow me like a dog, and was 
soon saddled and rode with little or no resist- 
ance. This medicine possesses great power 
over wild horses. Try it. 

FAUQUIER. 



Lard and Resin for Tools. 

"A penny saved is two-pence earned." 
Take about three pounds of lard and one 
pound of resin. Melt them together in a basin 
or kettle, and rub over all iron or steel surface 
in danger of being rusted. It can be put on 
with a brush or piece of cloth, and wherever 
it is applied it most effectually keeps air and 
moisture away, and of course prevents rust. 
When knives .and folks, or other household arti- 
cles, liable to become rusted or spotted, are to 
be laid away, rub them over with this mixture, 
and they will come out bright and clean even 
years afterwards. The coating may be so thin 
as not to be perceived, and it will still be effec- 
tual. Let every one keep a dish of this prepa- 
ration on hand. As it does not spoil of itself it 
may be kept ready mixed for months or years. 
Mem. Fresh lard, containing no salt, should be 
used. Resin is a cheap article, and may be ob- 
tained almost anywhere for four to six cents 
per pound. — American Agriculturist. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



049 



From the British Fanners' Magazine. 

On some Points in the Composition of 
Wheat Grain, its Products in the Mill, 
and Bread. 

By J. B. Lawes, F.R.S., F.C.S, and J. H. Gilbert, 
Ph. D., F.C.S.* 

This paper discussed an extensive series 
of experiments, in which wheat-grain and 
its products were traced frt)m the field to 
the bakery, the results being- given in nu- 
merous tables. The first of these gave 
a summary of the results of the growth of 
w T heat for ten years consecutively, on the 
same land, and illustrated the influence of 
variation of climatic circumstance from 
year to year in one and the same locality 
upon the general character and composition 
of the crop. The conclusion the authors ar- 
rived at was that, within the limits of their 
own locality and climate, the season yield- 
ing the admittedly best character of grain, 
also afforded a high per-centage of dry 
substance in the grain, and comparatively 
low per-centages both of mineral matter 
and of nitrogen in that dry substance. — 
The straw showed variations in these same 
points of composition generally somewhat 
in the same direction as the grain, but sub- 
ject to a wider range of exceptions than 
the latter in this respect. 

The influence of various conditions of 
manuring upon the character and composi- 
tion of the crop was next considered. — 
With this view, the results obtained upon 
individual plots during the same ten years 
were now given, instead .of the average 
from many plots in each year, as when the 
effects of season alone were to be discussed. 
In the experiments illustrating the effects 
of manures, there was pretty generally a 
slight increase in the per-centage of nitro- 
gen in the grain grown by an annual ex- 
cess of ammoniacal salts, compared with 
that grown by its side on land which was 
continuously unmanured. In the average 
of the seasons, however, there was a some- 
what lower per-centage of nitrogen in the 
grain, where there had been a liberal sup- 
ply of the required mineral constituents 
also, than where the ammoniacal salts were 
used alone. The range of difference in 
the per-centage of nitrogen in the produce 
in one and the same season was, however, 
even with these extreme variations as to 



* Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Societ} r 
April 1857. Read January 19th, 1S57. 



the available supplies within the soil, not 
nearly so great as it was in different seasons 
with one and the same condition of manur- 
ing. 

Twenty-three analyses of wheat-grain 
ashes were next recorded ; nine referring 
to grains grown by different manures in 
1844, eight to similarly varying specimens 
the produce of 1845, and six to as many 
of 1846. From these it did not appear 
that the per-centage of any particular con- 
stituent of the ash of the ripened grain 
was directly affected by the liberal use of 
it in manure. At any rate the differences 
if any, due to this cause, were within the 
limits of the ordinary errors of analysis. — 
Here again, however, the effects of varying 
season were more marked than those of 
various manuring Thus it was shown, in 
a summary-table of the results of the ash- 
analysis, that the difference in the per- 
centage amount of almost every constitu- 
ent was much the greatest among the 
several grain-ashes of 1845, which was a 
very bad ripening season, and much the 
least among those of 1846, which was the 
best maturing season of the three included 
in this comparison. It would thus appear 
that, other things being equal, the more 
favorably and perfectly matured the grain, 
the more constant would be the composition 
of the ash, and the less any direct effect 
upon it, from the mineral supplies by ma- 
nure. Taking together the mean of the 
twenty-three analyses of the ashes of 
grains grown at Rothamsted, and that of 
twenty-six analyses of wheat-grain ashes 
published by Mr. Way, it appeared that 
this ash consisted essentially of phosphates 
of potash, magnesia, and lime. The phos- 
phoric acid amounted to nearly 50 per 
cent., the potash to about 30, the magnesia 
to from 10 to 12, and the* lime from 3| to 4 
per cent, in the crude ash. The remainder, 
excluding adventitious sand and charcoal, 
consisted of small but variable amounts of 
soluble silica, peroxide of iron, and soda 
or chloride of sodium, with, according to 
Mr. Way, occasional traces of sulphuric 
and carbonic acids also. Soda or chloride 
of sodium seemed to abound much more 
in the ash of the less favorably ripened 
specimens ; and the results afforded no 
reason for supposing that soda could take 
the place of potash as a constituent of the 
ash of fully-developed grain. 

In selected cases, quantities of the ex- 



650 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



perimentally-grown grains — namely, seven 
lots from the produce of 1846, nineteen 
from that of 1847, and two from that of 
1848 — were carefully watched through the 
milling process. In some of the cases 
nine, and in others seven, different pro- 
ducts of the dressing apparatus were sep- 
arately taken. The proportion of each of 
the several products in the respective grains 
was ascertained and recorded; and the per- 
centages of dry substance and mineral 
matter were also in every case determined. 
The three first wires of the dressing ma- 
chines gave, on the average, rather more 
than 70 per cent, of the grain as fine flour; 
but in practice, about 10 per cent, more 
would be obtained from the next two pro- 
ducts, yielding in all 80 per cent, or more 
of pretty good bread flour. The average 
amount of dry substance in the various 
mill products was about 85 per cent; the 
external or more branny portions contain- 
ing rather more, and the finer flours rather 
less. The per-centage of mineral matter 
varied very much in the different products; 
it being scarcely three-fourths of 1 per 
cent, in the fine flours, and ten times as 
much, or more than seven per cent., in the 
coarsest bran. From the much larger pro- 
portion of flour than bran, however, it re- 
sulted that rather more than one-third of 
the total mineral matter of the grain 
would be accumulated in its currently edible 
portions. 

In one series of these mill-products, 
from the finest flour at the head of the 
machine, down to the coarsest bran, the 
nitrogen was determined, and also some of 
the constituents of the respective ashes. 
It appeared that the per-centage of nitro- 
gen was about one-and-a-half as great in 
the bran as in the finer flours ; and, even 
including all the currently edible portions, 
still the excluded^branny parts contained 
considerably higher per-centages of nitro- 
gen. Turning to the ashes of the respec- 
tive mill-products, there was a much larger 
proportion of matter insoluble in acid in 
those of the finer flours than in those of 
the coarser brans. Of the phosphoric acid, 
on the other hand, there was considerably 
the higher per-centage in the ash of the 
brans. The magnesia, also, was the higher 
in the ash of the brans; and the potash 
and lime the higher in that of the flours. 
Looking to fhe distribution of the various 
constituents, according to the average pro- 



portion in the grain, of each of the several 
mill-products, it appeared that about three- 
fourths of the total nitrogen, and about 
one-third or two-fifths of the total min3ral 
matter, were accumulated in the usually- 
edible flours ; and of the total phosphoric 
acid there was only about one-third in the 
ashes of the latter. Notwithstanding the 
higher per-centage of nitrogen, and the 
large actual amounts of the mineral con- 
stituents of the grain contained in the 
branny portions, the authors were of opin- 
ion that, besides the information at present 
at command as to the character and condi- 
tion of the nitrogenous constituents of the 
bran, such were the effects of the branny 
particles themselves in increasing the per- 
istaltic action, and thus clearing the ali- 
mentary canal more rapidly of its contents, 
that it was questionable whether, frequently 
more nutriment would not be lost to the 
system by the admission into the food of 
the imperfectly-divided branny particles, 
than would be gained by the introduction 
into the body, coincidently with them, of 
the larger amount of supposed nutritious 
matters. The action alluded to might, in- 
deed, be conducive to health with those 
of a sluggish habit, or who were overfed : 
but with those who were not so, the bene- 
fits derivable from an already perhaps 
scanty diet would be but still further re- 
duced. 

Experiments were also described, in 
which several lots of the experimentally- 
grown wheats were ground in a colonist's 
steel hand-mill. The results of the exam- 
ination of the products thus obtained were, 
in the main, consistent with those from the 
products of the ordinary mill. They 
showed, however, more strikingly the ef- 
fects of mechanical means in separating 
different chemical compounds, w T ithin the 
limits of- the floury part of the grain. 

Experiments were next adduced, in 
which the different edible products from 
grains grown by different manures or in 
different seasons, were made into bread; 
the several products of the dressing ma- 
chine being employed sometimes separately 
and sometimes collectively. The result 
obtained was that, comparing with each 
other the three separate products, which 
together yielded a fine flour, that at the 
head of the machine (which was the least 
nitrogenous) yielded, on the average, the 
least weight of bread for a given amount 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



051 



of flour — that is to say, it retained the least 
amount of water. Again, when three pro- 
ducts were mixed together, the flours of 
the season of 1846, which were the less 
nitrogenous, gave the less weight of bread — 
that is, retained less water than those of 
1847, which were rather the more nitro- 
genous. The effect of an increase of nit- 
rogen in augmenting the weight of bread 
was, however, not observable when this 
increase was due to including more of the 
of the grain. The] 



however, interesting exceptions to this 
generalization ; at any rate so far as the 
per-centage of the nitrogen, if not of the 
gluten itself, was concerned. Direct de- 
termination of nitrogen, in numerous pairs 
of specimens contrasted as to locality, had, 
however, led to conclusions perfectly con- 
sistent, in the main, with those to which 
the quoted results as to gluten had con- 
ducted, whilst the results of others pointed 
in the same direction. 

The foreign wheats containing a high 



more branny portion 

average yield of bread, in 22 experiments 'per-centage of gluten, which were gene^ 

with the individual products, was rather rally ripened under a high temperature 



more than 135 for every 100 of flour- 
equal to about 63 per cent, of dry sub- 
stance, and 37 of water, in the bread. — 
The average of 19 experiments with fine 
flour, composod of the products of the first 
three wires mixed together, gave a produce 
of about 137-2- of bread for every 100 of 
flour; and about 61^ of dry substance, 
and 38^ of water, in the bread. Bakers' 
loaves were next examined. Of these, 
four (obtained from different bakers in the 
country) gave an average of about 62 per 
cent, of dry substance, and 38 of water, in 
the bread ; and three procured in London, 
rather more than 64 of dry matter, and 
rather less than 36 of water. The authors 
concluded that from 36 to 38 per cent, of 
water was, perhaps, the best average that 
could be assumed for baker's bread, within 
12 hours of its being withdrawn from the 
oven. They showed, by reference to a 
table of the results of other experimenters, 
that this agreed pretty well with the de- 
termination of some of the most recent and 
trustworthy. Others, however, gave the 
water in bread as much higher ; and all 
seem to agree that it was generally higher 
in country bread than in that of towns and 
cities. 

The point next illustrated was the gene- 
ral influence of locality and varying cli- 
matic circumstance upon the per-centage 
of gluten in wheaten-flour. It appeared 
by the numerous results adduced, that 
other things being equal, there was a ten- 
dency to an increase in the per-centage of 
gluten, proceeding from the north to the 
south — a point which was illustrated in 
specimens both from the European and 
American coniinents. A comparatively 
high ripening temparature was indeed, 
among other circumstances, favorable to a 
high per-centage of gluten. There were, 



had the undoubted character of yielding a 
flour of great "strength" and retaining a 
considerable amount of water in the bread. 
Owing, however, to their frequent hardness, 
and the peculiarity of their structural char- 
acter generally, which rendered them both 
refractory in the mill, and less fitted to 
make an easily- workable dough, and a 
bread of the desired color, texture, and 
likeness, they are less valued to use 
alone for bread-making purposes than many 
grains of less per-centage of gluten, provi- 
ded only that they are in an equal condi- 
tion as to maturation or elaboration of their 
constituents. Some of the most approved 
foreign bread-flour grains in the market 
had, indeed, a comparatively low per- 
centage of nitrogen, but apparently a very 
high condition, of both their nitrogenous 
and non-nitrogenous compounds, as well as 
a very favorable relation to each other of 
these two classes of constituents. Within 
the limits of our own island, again, on the 
average of season, the better-elaborated 
grain would probably be the less nitrogen- 
ous ; though the nitrogenous matter it did 
contain would be in a high condition as to 
elaboration, and as to its mutual relations, 
structural and chemical, with the other 
constituents of the flour. Hence it came 
to pass, that as onr home-grown flours go, 
those which* were the best in the view of 
the baker would frequently be those having 
a comparatively low per-centage of nitro- 
genous compounds — a higher condition 
more than compensating for the higher 
per-centage of nitrogen, generally associa- 
ted as it was in our climate with an inferior 
degree of development and maturation of 
the grain. 

It was further maintained that the high 
per-centage of nitrogen or gluten in wheat- 
en-flour was no more an unconditional 



G52 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



measure of value to the consumer than it' 
was in the view of the baker. 

In illustration of this latter point, a table 
was given showing the relation of nitrogen 
to carbon in a number of current articles 
of food. It was submitted that the under- 
fed or chiefly bread-fed working-man 
would, as his means increased, generally 
first have recourse to the addition of bacon 
or other highly-fatty matters, which, though 
they might increase the actual amount of 
nitrogen consumed would seldom increase, 
and frequently decrease, the proportion of 
the nitrogenous or fiesh-forming to the 
more exclusively respiratory and fat-form- 
ing constituents. Indeed, so large was the 
amount of fat, and therefore of respirable 
hydrogen, as well as respirable carbon, 
even in fresh meat itself, that, by its use, 
the proportion of the nitrogenous to the 
other constituents would be much less 
augmented than might be generally sup- 
posed. Further illustrating the point by 
reference to the average, relation of nitro- 
gen to carbon in numerous dietaries, in 
many of which meat was included, and 
therefore fat with its respirable hydrogen 
as well as respirable carbon, the authors 
concluded that, independently of cookery, 
that which was admitted to be a superior 
class of diet was distinguished much more 
by including a certain amount of the 
more peculiarly respiratory and fat-forming 
constituents, in the condition and state of 
concentration as in fatty matter itself, and 
of the nitrogenous ones, in the high condi- 
tion as in animal food, than by the higher 
proportion of the flesh-forming, to the more 
exclusively respiratory and 
constituents. 

Finally, in an appendix was given a 
tabular form, showing the relation of the 
yield, and composition of the bread, to that 
of the flour, according to the number of 
loaves obtained per sack (280 lbs.) of the 
latter. And, assuming it to be established 
that the loss of dry substance by fermen- 
tation was less than one, or perhaps less 
than half of one per cent, of that of the 
flour employed, it resulted that the gain in 
the weight of bread by the non-fermenting 
method was simply a gain in the water re- 
tained. Unless, therefore, the unfermented 
bread were better adapted for digestion and 
assimilation, or it were sold at a corres- 
pondingly lower price, the consumer would 
be a considerable loser by the purchase of 
the unfermented loaf. • 



fat-forming 



Leicester Sheep and Short Horn Cattle. 
I have ever been of Mr. Grey's opinion, 
that the average w r eight of sheep in 20 lbs. 
per quarter is the most eligible for general 
use, and the farmer's object is clearly to 
possess a flock of hardy, compact, and 
woolly animals of medium size — quiet in 
habit, and possessing aptitude to fatten, 
quality of flesh, and an early maturity; 
and 1 further agree with Mr. Grey, that on 
land suited to the Leicester sheep, and 
under duly favorable ' circumstances, in 
flocks of considerable size, and ordinary 
keeping, no breed will be found" to equal 
the sheep now used in Northumberland 
under the name of the Leicester breed. Mr. 
Grey makes a statement of true utility, 
which discards all overgrown bulks from 
stall feeding, with a restriction to suiting the 
markets with an average weight of 20 lbs. 
per quarter, or which may range from 16 
lbs. to 24 lbs. The due fecundity is pre- 
served in about one-third of the ewes pro- 
ducing twin lambs, and the ordinary keep- 
ing of grass pasturage in summer, and 
turnips to assist during winter. The fat- 
tened state happens at the age of two 
years, when the best animals are sold from 
with the second fleece un- 
more backward are sent to 
graze, are shorn, and sold during summer. 
The draft ewes are yearly fattened on tur- 
nips, or sold lean to the southern counties, 
bear another crop of lambs, and are fat- 
tened. • This breed has resulted from im- 
portations of the original Leicester sheep 
by the Culleys, the well-known improvers 
of that country, and have been preserved 
in much purity by the breeders and locali- 
ties mentioned in Mr. Grey's letter. — 
Probably the animals inherit as much of 
the true Bakew T ellian type as any Leicester 
sheep in England, if the size be not rather 
small. But this want may be full}- com- 
pensated by the utility that is now con- 
firmed b} r the soil and climate. 

All cross-bred animals, as Leicester sheep 
are understood to be of mixed descent, 
possess a large faculty of adaptation to 
soil and climate, which produces as many 
varieties and modifications of the breed, as 
there are employed fancy and judgment in 
the propagation, and arable culture in the 
maintenance. Even in North Northum- 
berland, from which Mr. Grey writes and 
describes the useful sheep, I found, during 
my tyro residence in it, and within a few 



turnip feeding, 
shorn, and the 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



653 



miles of each other, several varieties of 
sheep — open and close woolled, piled and 
Curly coats, delicate skins, large and small 
faces, with straight and arched frontal 
bones. The results may be of fancy or 
judgment, of accident or carelessness; 
still the Leicester sheep there are much 
more uniform than in the midland and 
southern counties. 

When I lived in Leicestershire, I knew 
the flocks of Mr. Smith, of Dishley, of 
Swarkstone Lowes, near Derby, and of 
Mr. Hassal Hartshorne, near Ashby-de- 
la-Zouch, eminent breeders at that time, 
or 20 or 25 years ago. Each breeder pos- 
sessed a variety of sheep, or his own 
breed, that was not only unlike his neigh- 
bor's, but not resembling among themselves, 
and from a flock two or three sorts could 
be culled that were very dissimilar in 
shape, size, wool, and face. Larger than 
the Northumberland breed, the animals 
were more silky and. loose in flesh, and 
showed a very considerable relaxation 
from hardiness. Though the herbage is 
rich in Leicestershire, it is not luxuriantly 
flaccid, but is sufficiently rigid and con- 
centrated to sustain a firm muscular con- 
sistency. These differences could not 
arise from the soil, but from the tendency 
of the animals, and fancy of the breeder. 
I recollect Mr. Stokes of that county, who 
is known as a judge at shows, was in pos- 
session of a small-sized variety compact 
and close-woolled, which might be doubted 
to have been the Leicester sheep, as ap- 
peared around him ; the animals were pro- 
duced by his own judgment, and were 
exactly what Mr. Grey describes as useful 
sheep in ordinary keeping. 

The public shows of fat and lean sheep 
exhibit the same large variety of appear- 
ance in the Leicester breed. The silken 
delicacy of Nottinghamshire is not of 
general utility ; the large carcasses from 
Lincolnshire, with thin and open coats of 
wool in curly piles, large heads with arched 
fronjtal bones, and even the prized sheep j 
of .Bedfordshire, are not to be considered' 
as pure Leicesters, but modification from! 
fancy and circumstances. This result wasj 
most obvious at the late fat cattle shows of, 
the Smithfield Club, where the, true Bake- 
wellian type was nowhere to be seen, and 
that in the opinion of the most enlightened 
observers. The animals exhibited were: 
refined sheep, but hardly to be referred to, 
any standard. 



Though physiologists have not yet been 
able to establish the certainty of "species," 
inheriting persistent and permanently-im- 
pressed qualities, which adhere and will 
return after a long series of gradations, yet 
there is more than a probability attached 
to the supposition that all crosses, mixed 
descents, and hybridal productions, though 
upheld for a time, will degenerate and 
dwindle, and ultimately become extinct, or 
divided and split, into so many varieties 
and modifications as to render any original 
type or standard impossible to be recognised. 
Of this result the Leicester sheep have 
begun to exhibit most unequivocal symp- 
toms, and it is very probable that some 
such attempt as is now being made by Mr. 
Clarke, of long Sutton, to improve the 
Lincoln sheep among themselves, will pro- 
ceed on a solid basis to rear a superstructure 
that will overtop its predecessors, and 
occupy the place of the previous erections. 
Such a variety as now occupies Northum- 
berland may continue to exist for a length 
of time, being firmly established in a uni- 
form character, inured to soil and climate, 
and enjoying the preference in practical 
judgment. Mr. Grey's expression of "or- 
dinary keeping" conveys a most important 
lesson on the subject of sheep management, 
that extras are not to be admitted into 
general calculation, nor any results to be 
estimated that are not accessible to common 
means. 

The best sheep at present for the pur- 
pose of the butcher are the Down and 
Leicester Cross, as exhibited by Mr. Over- 
man, of Norfolk; and similar crosses are 
being tried with the Cotswold long- woolled 
sheep. Such animals, hewever useful, 
are only a production, and can never be- 
come a breed or variety, from having no 
elemental means of self-support; but the 
means may be specially provided, in order 
to produce the valuable, articles. 

The Shorthorn cattle are situated as the 
Leicester sheep in a cross descent, and a 
very strong propensity to constitute varie- 
ries and modifications, according to the 
circumstances of soil and climate, and the 
general treatment. In this propensity the 
cattle much exceed the Hereford and 
Devon breeds ; and though the degenera- 
cies are large from the pure excelencel, 
they are still found to be far from the 
native cattle, and always exhibit general 
traits of the true breed. The cross descent 



654 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



from the York cattle and Scotch Galloway 
breed may confer this propensity, which 
is most peculiarly fitted for exportation, 
and has very much enhanced the value of 
the animals. Among the best-reputed 
herds of Shorthorn cattle, very much dif- 
ference is seen to exist in color, shape, 
size, and in general conformation. Two 
varieties exist: the one claims a descent 
from the Yorkshire cattle, improved among 
themselves ; the other termed in reproach 
the "Alloy/' has sprung from the cross of 
the York cattle with a red Galloway cow. 
This last is much the most numerous variety, 
and forms the herds of the most noted 
breeders of Shorthorn cattle. The first is 
fine in the bone and smaller in size, with 
an amazing tendency to fatten, and with 
a weight of flesh on the least quantity of 
bone and with least compass, that exceeds 
all fattened animals in the United King- 
dom. The variety is exhibited by Mr. 
Wiley and Mr. Booth of Yorkshire, and 
some others of that celebrated county. — 
The other cattle, or the "Alloy," are 
larger in size, coarse in the bone, leathery 
and shaggy in the neck, with a most 
ponderous coarseness of bone in the fore- 
quarter, which produces much bareness 
of flesh on the shoulder and fore-arm. — 
The very best breeders have not been able 
to banish from their herds this coarseness 
of fore-quarter and shagg}' neck. The 
cattle of the late and present Earl Spencer 
are of this sort; also Mr. Stratton's prize 
oxen of two years past; and of many 
other possessers of this breed. The long- 
remembered ox of Earl Spencer's, exhi- 
bited some years back, was coarse and 
heavy in the bone, and not fine in the quar- 
ters. To look at the varieties of these 
animals, arranged in a juxtaposition, it is 
hard to imagine a source of descent that 
is the same in kind or degree: the same 
name may be applied, but very wide dis- 
crepancies are to be allowed. 

The only superiority of Shorthorn cattle 
lies in the very ample development of the 
hind-quarters, in the length and depth of 
thigh, width of buttock, and the perpendi- 
cular up-standing of the posterior animal. 
From the mid-ribs forwards, in the covering 
of flesh on the shoulder, and in the slope 
of the shoulder into the neck and ribs, the 
animals are much surpassed by the Here- 
ford and Devon breeds ; which, not being 
mixed in descent, but improved among 



themselves, are much more uniform in 
character, and present few or no deviations 
from an established type. The large girth 
of the Shorthorn cattle arises in most cases 
from a downward flattened shape of the 
fore-ribs, that are not regularly curved, 
and which has been clearly inherited from 
the Galloway cattle of Scotland. This 
girth not being supported along the carcass, 
but tapering backwards like a tree from the 
root end, falsifies the calculations of weight 
from measurement, from being a too large 
dimension in one place. On the other 
hand, the posterior width of carcass is far 
best supported by the Shorthorn cattle, 
likening the frame to a square; while the 
Hereford and Devon oxen, by losing the 
posterior width, or narrowing behind the 
hook bones, present the figures of a trape- 
zium. 

The animal carcass is circular, forming 
a cylindrical barrel, that extends between 
the ends of shoulders and thighs, which 
close the extremities, on which are placed 
the legs that support the body, and afford 
the locomotive power. A circle is the 
most handsome and capacious of all geo- 
metrical figures, and contains within its 
area the greatest possible extent of space, 
of which the exact proportion to a square 
has never been found. The improved 
animal carcase tends to form a square by a 
level back, straight under belly, shoulder, 
ribs, and thighs in a line, and both sides 
being equi-distant in every point. This 
perfection is attained by the rotundity of 
the barrel, and by the girth being uniform 
along its extent. The height of the ani- 
mal and deep flat ribs show a seeminglarge 
bulk of materials in aggregation ; but the 
failure soon appears when compared by 
measurement with a lower stature, a uni- 
formly cylindrical barrel, wide thighs, full 
'girth, and shoulders overspread with flesh. 
jThe circular frame, and not the deep flat 
I carcass, maintains the dimensions of weight. 

Two most notable instances have lately 
occurred of this superiority of shape over 
bulk, in Mr. Ambler's shorthorn heifer, 
and Mr. Towneley's shorthorn cow, that 
were exhibited at the Smithfield Club fat 
cattle shows of the two last years; and 
gained, the first animal, a prize of small 
value, and the last a larger prize, and the 
gold medal as the best cow of any class. 
These decisions were much reversed at 
Birmingham ; the first being promoted, and 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



the latter rather thrown, into the shade. — 
Both animals seemed clear of the alloy, and 
exhibited most unmistakeable proofs of the 
highest degree of breeding. The uniformi- 
ty of cylindrical barrel was maintained in 
a most superior manner, almost beyond 
ecollection ; while the deeply rounded 
shoulders and the fore-ribs were covered 
with flesh that excited universal admira- 
tion. Mr. Towneley's cow was only two 
inches of less girth than the Duke of Rut- 
land's shorthorn ox, which gained the gold 
medal in 1854, and which presented to the 
observation a much larger bulk and an ex- 
tent of dimensions of not less than one- 
half more than the cow ; but the ribs were 
deep and flat, girth comparatively lean and 
not circular, length disproportionate to the 
depth of carcase, back sunk, and the belly 
depending — forming a by-no-means sym- 
metrical carcase, but with much posterior 
width and a head of a large emasculation. 
These two qualities could not balance the 
former deficiencies, and whatever general 
merits have been ascribed, the most ap- 
proved form of the animal frame was not 
exhibited. The cow presented nearly the 
same weight in a compass of much seeming 
less extent, and the superiority was un- 
doubted on the most incontestable around 
ot preference, or the greatest weight in 
the smallest compass. 

The best similitude of a fattened carcase 
of the proper symmetry, is a cast-iron roll 
of towards 6 ft. in length and 3 ft. in 
diameter, or about 9 ft. in circumference ; 
which is nearly the utmost girth attained 
by the largest-sized animal. The cylinder 
preserves a uniform girth in every point , 
and though some deviation must be allowed 
in a living organism, which is capable of 
assuming different forms over the inert 
matters, that retain any impressed form, 
yet the thickness of the cylinder at the 
fore-end joining the shoulders must not be 
much increased, though something must 
be allowed, as it destroys the uniformity of 
girth, and falsifies every attempt of calcu- 
lation of weight The chest must be deep 
and capacious, in order to afford room for 
the play of large and healthy lungs ; but 
the ribs beind the chest must be curved 
into a barrel, and not lengthened down- 
wards, forming a large girth in appearance 
but not in measure, that is immediately lost 
before the mid rib is reached. The hind 
girth over the hips, midway between the 



rump and hook-bones, must be nearly the 
same as that of the fore-ribs, and com- 
mences on the thigh in a line with the 
under belly and lower flank, thus reducing 
the carcase into a correctly defined compass. 

In the above expressed views of our 
judgment of fattened animals, Mr. Town- 
eley's cow of 1854 exhibited a specimen 
of cylindrical barrel, true on every point 
of girth, such as our recollection can hardly 
bring forward an equal, and certainly no 
superior. The award to the animal of the 
gold medal, and of a high prize, fully jus- 
tifies our commendation. 

Whatever may be the ultimate result of 
crossbreeds, mixed descents, and amalga- 
mation of qualities, if the original work be 
wholly lost as it came in the stereotyped 
edition of Bakewell and Colling, in the 
Leicester sheep and Shorthorn cattle, and 
if Nature has decreed that there may be 
special improvements but not permanent 
mixtures of its living works, even then the 
primary object has been answered in the 
breeding of animals, by the production of 
refined varieties and modifications which 
exist, as with Mr. Grey, in useful sheep, 
"in considerable flocks and ordinaiy keep- 
ing',' — by breeding such animals as Mr. 
Overman's, which were in our opinion the 
most handsomely fattened 'sheep in last 
show, especially the single specimen. No. 
186 of the Catalogue — and by producing 
Mr. Ambler's heifer, and Mr. Towneley's 
cow; all which show that refined materials 
are in existence, and continue a highly 
useful propagation. The varieties and 
modifications will progress in introducing 
refinements, and settle into independent 
flocks and herds long after the original 
source has disappeared — refined animals 
will be propagated, of whatever name, 
class, or origin ; and prizes may be given 
to the best animals irrespective of any 
strict alliance. And thus the refinement 
of organization has answered a wider 
purpose than if restricted to one single 
type, which, though sunk from view, will 
continne to infuse its qualities through many 
ramifications, that will again be extended 
into future growths. Mr. Overman's sheep 
could not have been produced without the 
Down and Leicester improved breeds, nor 
the elements found without the genius of 
Ellman and Bakewell. In whatever way 
the progress may advance, the value of the 
origin is unimpaired. J. D. 



65G 



T h E SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



For The Southern Planter. 

Crops in Mecklenburg. 

The crop of tobacco is very late, and 
did not mature. Most of the crop has 
been secured, but I think will fall short of 
an average one third, and quite inferior 
at that. Many of the farmers are exper- 
imenting with the Chinese Sugar Cane ; 

to & ' 

they have succeeded in making a tolerable 
molasses. None have tried to granulate 
it ; from what I have seen I think it is 
poor in saccharine matter — though it may 
be, it was not ripe, or had not matured. 

The wheat crop was a very short one, 
owing to the chinch bug. Oat and corn 
crops very good. 



Steam Walking Engine. 

The town of Boston, England, was the scene 
of considerable excitement on Wednesday last, 
in consequence of a novel feat of pedestrian- 
ism. For some time past the Messrs. Tuxford 
have been engaged with the construction of 
traction or walking engines for the West In- 
dies, where they are intended to supercede ani- 
mal power in the working of plows on some 
large sugar plantations at Havanna, and for 
drawing trains of cars laden with the produc- 
tion of the plantation to a railway at a few 
miles' distance ; also for acting as stationary 
engines on the estates when not otherwise em- 
ployed. The traction engine, as is well known 
to many, is an adaptation of £fie farmers' port- 
able steam engine to the purpose of locomo- 
tion ; this is effected through the application 
of " Boyden's patent endless railway," and the 
necessary intermediate mechanism for cenncct- 
ing|fchte same wittTthe portable steam engine. 
The engine of Messrs. Tuxford, which cause 4 . 
so much excitement in the good old town of 
Boston, is very different from any other trac- 
tion engine that has yet been attempted. The 
spirited constructors of this engine have intro- 
duced the admirable arrangement of their cel- 
ebi'f*T3d first prize Carlisle engine into this 
walking novelty. There are two impelling 
wheels, each seven. feet in diameter, with a 
guide or steerage wheel in front, all fitted with 
Boyden's endless railway. The appearance of 
the wheels is peculiar, the railway being at- 
tached to them in six pieces, or slippers, and 
hanging apparently very loosely on to the 
wheels. The action of them when in motion 
is decidedly that of walking; thus the heel of 
the following slipper first comes on the ground 
in advance of the former slipper, the wheel 
then rolls over the rail upon it to the toe, and as 
it passes onward to another slipper, the wheel 
itself picks up the slipper just used by an 
ankle-like joint connected with the felloe, and 
carries it around the navo or axle, which acts 



the part of a knee, and so enables the slipper 
again to be laid down in its proper turn. 

One of Messrs. Tuxford's greatest improve- 
ments is the very smooth and effective way 
that either of the large -impelling wheels can 
be disengaged or re-connected with the engine 
whilst it is travelling, so as to admit of its 
making quick and easy turns to either side 
without galling or straining the machinery. — 
It should be remembered that when a cart 
makes a turn at- the right angle, one wheel 
does not rotate, but acts merely as a pivot, 
around which the other rotates as it revolves ; 
hence the importance of being able to perfect- 
ly control and disconnect the opposing wheels 
of the traction engine. The following is the 
outline of Wednesday's feat of steam pedes- 
trianism: — The engine first made a circuit of 
the works of Messrs. Tuxford's, about five 
acres in extent, clearing the various corners in 
capital style ; it then came upon the Skirbeck 
road, making a right angle to the off side ; 
after a short distance it made another right 
angle to the near side, and took a side road to 
Bargate bridge ; from thence it made another 
sharp bend, and walked about a mile towards 
Sibsey, then turned round for home, walking 
through the Boston streets and market stalls, 
and along South End and the Skirbeck road, 
back again to the works, at fully four miles an 
hour. — Lincolnshire Chronicle. 



Salt Barrels for Preserving Apples. 

A correspondent of the Scientific American 
says, " he purchased five barrels of choice ap- 
ples taken .from one pile, last autumn, and put 
them into his cellar. On the 1st of April last, 
when he came to examine them, those in four 
of the barrels were mostly all damaged, while 
those placed in the other barrel were sound — 
fresh and good." What was the cause of the 
preservation of the apples in this, barrel ? Our 
correspondent says it was a Syracuse salt bar- 
rel, and he believes this was the cause of their 
immunity from rot. lie, at least, can give no 
other reason. Neither can we. — Country Gen- 
tleman. 



Starch made of Flour. 

A superior laundress neighbor says she 
never uses anything but flour for starch. To 
prepare starch,, rub up a tea cup of starch into 
a smooth paste with water. Mix it in a half 
gallon of water, boil it a half hour, add a tea 
spoonful of salt, sugar, spermaceti or clarified 
tallow. Strain it and it is rCady for use. 

Gum arable or loaf sugar dissolved, or pure 
ising glass will stiffen well where the trouble 
of making starch is cared for. Gum arabic in 
starch improves it. Some persons make starch 
in coffee for mourning prints ;. we prefer gluo 
dissolved ; a piece as big as a silver dollar to 1 
quart of water. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



65T 



From the. N. Y. Economist. 

Corn Exports. 
The late accounts from Great Britain in- 
dicate that the failure of the potato crop 
must lead to a renewed activity in the de- 
mand for Indian corn, the trade in which 
has become important only since the great 
famine of 1847. In that year the utmost 
exertion was made to overcome not only 
prejudices existing against corn, but the 
practical difficulty arising from a want of 
acquaintance with its uses. The clergy 
exerted themselves to introduce hand- 
mills for the grinding of the grain, giving 
also instruction as to the cooking of the 
meal. The result has been a considera- 
ble extension of the use of thai. In Eng- 
and, as fodder, it has also become exten- 
sively used as a substitute for other mate- 
rials. Since that year the export of corn 
to the British Islands has been annually 
large in the last 10 years, (83,000,000 
bushels at about $72,000,000,) varying in 
each year with the supply of the coarser 
grains. In the two last years the quanti- 
ty and value exported has been conside- 



rable. The trade which has thus sprung 
up in Indian corn has about equalled the 
annual interest which is paid abroad upon 
American stocks held in Europe, and the 
growing ability to supply corn is a result 
of the uses to which that borrowed capi- 
tal was applied. Indian corn is almost the 
sole instrument of settling the Western 
country. It is this sure and abundant 
crop which, with little labor, gives the pi- 
oneer of the wilderness fodder for horses, 
cattle and swine, food for the family, ma- 
terials for bedding, and surplus for sale. — 
Depending on corn the settler pushes fear- 
lessly into the wilderness, certain that a 
few months' growth of corn will give sub- 
sistence for a year for man and beast, and 
if he can command a market, the means 
of getting luxuries. Railroads have given 
him command of the markets, and the 
growing use of corn in Europe points the 
way to increasing sales. The following 
table, from official sources, shows the 
quantities of corn exported to the British 
Islands, and the total quantity, with the 
average per bushel and the total value : 





Indian Corn 


Exported from 


the United States. 








England. 


Scotland. 


Ireland. 


Total. Per bush. 


Value. 




bush. 


bush. 


bush. 


bush. 


c. 


$ 


1845 
1846 . 


134,898 
688,714 




790 
425,960 


840,184 
1,820,068 


49 


411,741 

1,186,663 


78,006 


62 


L847 


7,216,878 


310,708 


7,998,939 


16,326,050 


90 


14,395,212 


L848 


3,365.392 


126,907 


1,569,921 


5,817,034 


66 


3,837,483 


L849 


7,289,642 


345,316 


4,191,284 


13,257,309 


60 


7,965,369 


L850 


4,431,929 


172,732 


1,342,545 


6,595,092 


59 


3,892,193 


1851 


2,226,647 


38,940 


494,742 


3,426,811 


52 


1.762,549 


L852 


1,337,651 


39,566 


517,483 


2,627,075 


59 


1,540,225 


L853 


1,324,625 


18,960 


310,255 


2,274,909 


60 


1,374,077 


L854 


5,488,979 


122,033 


354,838 


7,768,816 * 


77 


6,070,277 


1855 


4,747,045 


152,640 


1,037,899 


7,807,585 


89 


6,961,511 


1856 


6,704,105 


159,732 


828,748 


10,292,280 


75 


7,622,565 


L857 


5,000,000 





• 


8,000,000 


70 


5,600,000 



The figures for 1857 represent the 
quantity sent to all the British Islands. — 
The quantity sent to the Continent of Eu- 
ope has been double that of any previous 
rear. 

The quantity sent to Great Britain is 
continually increasing, and the demand in 
Europe is also larger. This year the crops 
«f potatoes being small, the demand for 
orn has set afresh. The crops here are 
aid, however, never to have been so large 
s now, and the means of transport never 
o abundant. In fact, both railroads and 
hipping have been depressed by over- 
upply, and they can now meet the exi- 
42 



gencies of a very extensive export trade. 
The quantity and value of corn produced: 
in the United States has been'given in of- 
ficial tables, as follows : 
bush. 
1840 377,531.875 

1850 592,071,104 

1855 717.812,540 

1857— estimated 1,200,000,000 

The chief corn-producing States were in 
1850, per census, South ; that is, more 
than half the corn was produced in the 
Southern States. Since then the sales of 
land at the West, and the opening of rail- 
roads, have carried the Western crops to. 



Value. 

$139,749,012 

296.035,552 

358,101.000^ 

600,000,000 



658 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



a high figure. Since 1350 the U. States 
have disposed of 11,000,000 acres of land 
in Illinois alone, and there have been 
built in that State 2,000 miles of railroad, 



including the great Illinois Central, at a 

The lands over 

are settled by far- 

itly 



cost of $50,000,000. 
which these roads run 
mers who raise corn mostly. If one-fourth 
the Illinois land sold since 1850 is under 
corn, the result would in that State be an 
increase of 100,000,000 bushels. The 
crop of 1850 was 57,646,984 bushels.— 
_A surplus crop of 50,000,000 bushels gives 



1 


Prices of 


Flour and Grain in jYe 




, Flour. s 




State, 


Western 




straight. 


Mixed. 


•Jufie 1. 


§G 65@7 00 


$6 75(o6 95 


•June 5, 


6 65(a\6 70 


6 50(gG 60 


June 25, 


6 45@6 50 


6 45 (#6 50 


•July 2, 


6 35@6* 40 


6 20(m6 30 


July 16, 


6 25@6 30 


6 10(a;6 20 


Aug. 1, 


6 45(a}6 55 


6 30(^6 50 


Aug. 21, 


6 40(^6 50 


6 30(a,6 40 


• Sept. 5, 


5 65@5 75 


5 50(a,5 65 


.Sept. 12; 


5 20@5 30 


5 1005 25 


Sept. 19, 


5 55@5 65 


5 30(o;5 45 



1,600,000 tons freight for the railroads.— 
This year, in all sections, every available 
field has been put in corn, and the growtl 
has been favored by a fine season, and i 
is likely that the production is everywhere 
at least doubled, affording ample for ex- 
portation. Thus it has been the case tha 
the funds borrowed in England to builc 
railroads has enabled more surplus corn t( 
come to market by far than will suffice tc 
pay the interest on these borrowed funds 
The course of the grain market in Nev 
York has been as follows for some months 

York. 



Wheat 




white. 




$1 71@1 


85 


1 63©1 


72 


1 65@1 


81 


1 65@1 


80 


1 65@1 


80 


1 70@1 


75 


1 60@1 


79 


1 60@1 


68 


1 40@1 


45 


1 35@1 


45 



Corn, 

Round Yellow 

$1 01@1 Oi 

96@0 91 

88@0 9( 

88@0 8< 

o mm s: 



94@0 9t 
90@0 91 
83(^0 & 
60@0 6( 
82@0 8c 



From the New England Fanner. 

Eoundering Horses. 

In your issue of August 1st, I noticed 
an article, purporting to have been penned 
by "a farmer of Niagara county, N. Y.," 
saying that " in his opinion, nine-tenths of 
the foundered horses are made so by the 
shoer." From this idea, I beg leave 
through the columns of your paper to ex- 
press my entire dissent. I am not a shoer 
of horses, nor am I a justifier of the cruel 
acts of those who are. But for a farmer 

• of Niagara county, or any other county, 
to assert that a smith, (or all of them,) 
could, if they tried, "founder" a horse by 
shoeing, is, in my opinion, asserting his 

• entire ignorance of the pathology of the 
disease. 

The disease, founder, does not lie in the 
feet of horses. That the feet contract, I 
will allow, but the contraction is the eifect 
and not the cause, of the disease. A 
foundered horse is in precisely the same 
pathological condition that a man is with 
a rheumatic fever ; experiences the secon- 
dary effects in like manner, from subse- 
quent exposure. 

The cause of founder is attributed to a 



sudden cessation of the perspiratory ac 
tion, while the horse is in a heated condi 
tion, resulting from the too free use of cole 
water, standing in a cool current of air, oi 
any other cause briefly checking perspira- 
tion while the horse is in a heated condi- 
tion ; causing severe inflammation of thef e 
parts of the systemwhich have been re- 
cently arduously taxed — most frequently 
the muscles of the shoulders and the flexor 
tendons of the anterior limbs. These are 
more severely taxed in fast driving in light 
vehicles than any other parts of the mus- 
cular proportions. Although a horse, from! 
long and general fatigue, thus exposed, is 
quite as likely to have the entire system 
affected, as otherwise. 

But for the contraction of the feet. Tha 
inflammation of the tissues oi' the limbs^ 
of the horse cuts off the supply of nourn 
ishment, through the assimilative organs, 
to the horny texture, and consequently 
they become dry and brittle, contract upon 
the coffin-bone, diminishing the space and 
use of the sensitive laminae, between the 
crust of the hoof and the coffin-bone with 
in, and if not soon relieved, ossification 
takes place, and the horse is permanently 



-. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



659 



lame. The horse losing the spring-like 
elasticity of the foot, (between the coffin- 
bone and the crust,) consequently strikes 

dead blow upon the distal end of the 
ower pastern-bone every time he puts his 
foot to the ground, causing pain and sore- 
ness and constant lameness. 

T would like much to treat your readers 
especially your smiths) to a chapter on 
horse shoeing, and may do so at a future 
time if you desire it. M. D. 

Georgetown, Mass., Aug. 4, 1857. 



To Render Textile Fabrics Waterproof. 
Take one pound of wheat bran and one 
them 



Dnce of glue 



in three gal- 
vessel for half an 



and boi 

is of water in a tin 

iour. Now lift the vessel from the fire, 

ind set it aside for ten minutes ; during 



his period the bran will fall to the bottom, 
eaving a clear liquor above, which is to 
}e poured off, and the bran thrown away; 
me pound of bar soap cut into small pieces 
s now to be dissolved in it. The liquor 
nay be put on the fire in the tin pan, and 
tirred until all the soap is dissolved. In 
mother vessel one pound of alum is dis- 
solved in half a gallon of water ; this 
nust be added to the soap-br-an liquor 
vhile it is boiling, and all is well stirred ; 
his forms the water-proofing liquor. It is 
ised while cool. The textile fabric to be 
endered water-proof is immersed in it, 
md pressed between the hands until it is 
>erfectly saturated. It is now wrung, to 
queeze out as much of the free liquor as 
>ossible, then shaken or stretched, and 
ung up to dry in a warm room, or in a 
ry atmosphere out-doors. When dry, 
lie fabric or cloth so treated will repel 
ain and moisture, but allow the air or per- 
piration to pass through it. 

The alum, gluten, gelatine and soap unite 
ogether, and form an insoluble compound, 
hich coats every fibre of the textile fab- 
ic, and when dry repels water like the 
atural oil in the feathers of a duck. — 
here are various substances which are 
oluble in water singly, but when combin- 
form insoluble compounds, and vice 
ersa. Alum, soap and gelatine are solu- 
e in water singly, but form insoluble com- 
aunds when united chemically. Oil is 
tsoluble in water singly, but combined 
th caustic soda or potash it forms solu- 
e soap. Such are some of the usual cu- 
osities of chemistry. — Scientific Amer. 



d 



From the Valley Farrier. 

The Farmer in his Relation to Ornamen- 
tal Gardening". 

Great has been the exertion which the 
agricultural and horticultural press have 
put forth within the last ten years, to 
bring the enjoyment and blessings which 
Horticulture bestows upon man, to the 
notice of the hard working farmer. Abun- 
dant success has crowned these endeavors 
and much has been accomplished in this 
direction. In proof of this, let me only 
point to the astonishing progress which the 
culture of fruits and vegetables has now 
made throughout the land, abundantly re- 
paying the farmer for his outlays and cares 
required by the orchard and garden. This 
branch of Horticulture has proved to be a 
paying one. and for this reason it is daily 
meeting with more,approbation in the sight 
of our people, securing for it a still bright- 
er future. Yet while the generous fruits 
of the orchard and garden greet our eyes 
in every direction, and the time seems to 
come nigh when the earth shall again 
bloom like Eden, we should never forget 
that the vegetable kingdom is not merely 
made by the Creator to be eat up by man 
or beast, but that there is a higher signifi- 
cation in every plant or tree which adorns 
the land. To admire the tree only for the 
apples growing on it, or for the quantity of 
fire wood contained in it, is but too com- 
mon a philosophy with many farmers, yet 
nevertheless a wrong and base sentiment. 
It would be unfair to suppose that our first 
parents found Paradise delightful merely 
because of the enormous apples and pump- 
kins growing in it, it was above all that 
charm of perfection and beauty, reflecting 
everywhere, which elevated their aspira- 
tions pointing them to the infinite good- 
ness and wisdom of their Creator. This 
also should be the centre to -which our en- 
joyments of rural life should direct us, al- 
though the golden days of Eden have long 
passed away from earth. To find our w r ay 
to this we should ever remember that man 
lives not on bread alone, and that his belly 
should not be his pod ; that there is a soul 
living in him, which is to exist forever. — 
This soul, if it is as it ought to be, does 
not find its true sphere in material things, 
it moves in spiritual regions, in a world of 
thought and impression. It is, in one word, 
the better portion of man, and distinguishes 



660 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



him from the brutal beast. And it finds 
no small share of its enjoyments in exer- 
cising those relations of mutual love and 
esteem, which alone can make home at- 
tractive and delightful, giving it a higher 
significance than a mere sleeping and eat- 
ing place. But besides the home, the soul 
is deeply interested in the surrounding na- 
ture, uniting its various single beauties 
into one harmonious conception. It will 
not be asserted that our inward nature is 
not closely, mysteriously associated to 
outward nature ; and especially to that 
part, which above all, adorns it as with a 
beautiful garment — the vegetable w r orld. 
Home and nature are therefore two most 
important components to a happy and feel- 
ing man. If both are equally charming 
and dear to him, he will experience pleas- 
ures which money cannot buy, and sublu- 
nary troubles cannot take away. 

The other branch of Horticulture, orna- 
mental gardening, or the cultivation of the 
ascetic taste of man will lend great assis- 
tance to make the home attractive, while 
beautifying surrounding nature. It is, 
therefore, nearly related, yea, indispensa- 
bly necessary to rural life. It has been 
denounced by many as utterly useless and 
senseless, especially for a practical coun- 
try like ours, where the industrious farmer 
has no time to fool away on unremunera- 
tive flowers. We think such men are 
mistaking their true mission as farmers 
and as men. The farmer above all ought 
to have a spot consecrated to plants and 
flowers, (which are nearer associated to 
his inward man than corn and potatoes,) 
where he might spend a leisure hour with 1 
his family. Besides if Ife should have no 
room in his heart for such enjoyments, his 
wife and daughters surely have it, and for 
their sake he should do something to ren- 
der his home beautiful. 

It is true this branch of gardening has 
come to us in a pretending style. It as- 
sumes the character of an art — a fine art I 
even, requiring a master spirit to carry it 
on. Coming from Europe to us, it has : 
brought along much of needless European' 
fancy and vain invention which is to be , 
carefully separated from the true essence, j 
before it can meet with the good will of 
the farmer, and before it can find its way, 
to every humble cottage of the land. 

Among all civilized nations, ornamental 
gardening has been practiced. Originating 



from the desire to beautify the homestea, 
it has eagerly been taken up by thj 
mighty of the earth to display their spier,, 
dor and magnificence. History tells us c 
many ancient and modern gardens of ali 
most a mythic splendor. In Europe, thj 
seat of the most civilized nations, it ha ( 
been carried to its greater glory. It migb 
be well to mention briefly the two diftei 
ent styles which have prevailed there.- 
The artificial or geometrical style was ca] 
culated to display only man's art and cum 
ning in his garden. Every feature wa 
calculated to contrast strongly from nature 
All figures, trees, and soon the gardener' 
fancy had to conform to geometrical pre 
portions and laws, but within these the 
had unrestricted freedom. This ancien 
style, as it is often called, was supercede 
by the. so called modern style of garden 
ing. It is acknowledged that in nature w| 
have to find all the truly beautiful, whic 
man is able to imagine, and as but rarel; 
all those perfect features are united in onL 
spot, this style of gardening aimed to ere 
ate such perfect scenes by art, strictly ob 
serving the patterns set by nature. It as 
sumed the name of Landscape gardening 
as being productive of Landscapes on ; 
smaller compass. And here the questioiL 
arises, should not the farmer, too, have hi :) f 
full share in the enjoyments of a charm 
ing landscape ; should he not cultivat<|] 
and nourish within his soul a love and re[ 
spect for those thousand fold beautie: 
which nature has spread out before hi; 
eyes ; and should not this noble sentimen 
prompt him to employ every means to 
preserve the natural charms of his lordtyfc 
dominion and to surround his homesteat(i e 
with a smiling scene, whose features ar«||fl 
those of free and beautiful nature, height' 
ened however, by a small effort of art, tc 
show forth the privileges which the habi-L 
tation of man is entitled to claim oveiu, 
scenes habited by birds of the air or beast; 
of the field ? 

If such be the standard by which theL 
farmer measures and directs his improve- !( 
ments, he may be said to be a Landscape ;o , 
gardener, educated by good taste and guid 
ed by good sense. Arrayed with theseU, 
weapons he may compare favorably with 
many of our professional, highly-learnedl], 
landscape gardeners, who coming fromT 
European parks and gardens, are even 
ready to give us thrilling accounts of in- 



>i f 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



661 



lumerable curiosities to be seen in Great 
Britain, France or the German Fatherland, 
md who but too often have crippled Amer- 
can gardens -to ridiculous copies or caric- 
tures of European parks. Good taste 
vill ever be an open door by which im- 
)rovements and new beauteous scenes 
nay be introduced, and joined to those 

hich already exist, whilst good sense 
vill prove a stronghold to rebuke such 
ancies and suggestions which are contrary 
o the wants, customs and the climate of 
>ur country. 

We can also readily understand that the 
;arden of the farmer will always contrast 
rom the ornamental ground surrounding 
he suburban villa of the wealthy. In one 
ve love to witness the charms of a peace- 
u! and happy country home, in the other 
ve are forcibly led to admire and envy the 
iches and splendors of one of our fellow 
itizens. Which of both enjoyments is 
he most genial and agreeable? The read- 
r may judge for himself. 

Ornamental gardening, when properly 
nderstood and wisely practised, furnishes 
anumerable pleasures and enjoyments to 
very class of society. The more, how- 
ver, it finds its way to the home and 
eart of the agriculturists who till the soil 
f this goodly land, the more it will fulfil 
s mission, which, in our opinion, is to 

ess and to elevate the millions, and not 
lerely the few. .M. G. Kern. 



] 



Close Stables. 

Messrs. Editors : — During a visit to a 
'ifend who is fond of a good horse, I have 
een taught in a single lesson more than 
11 my reading life has accomplished in the 
ray of inculcation, " on the necessity of 
ir and cleanliness in stable management," 
3r by an early morning visit to his stables, 
iy eyes, nose and throat became witness 
) Hie deleterious effects of a close and 
oisonous atmosphere kept at a high de- 
ree of temperature to insure the wretch- 
d inmates sleek and shining coats, under 
over of double blankets, with weeping 
yes, running noses, hacking caughs and 
happed heels, that only served to make 
le wonder of my friends the greater, 
'hy with so much care, caution and cir- 
umspection his horses were always ailing 
i some way or other, and not at all in such 
ealth and spirit as many others, whose 



owners took not a tenth of the trouble that 
he did, to render his animals comfortable 
and happy. On our approach to the sta- 
ble, I found that a small aperture at the top 
of the door had been stopped with straw, 
while the space under it had been banked 
up with dung, lest the cold air should affect 
the heels of the horses and produce a ten- 
dency to grease, or farcy, while the win- 
dow-shutter was closed, so as to exclude 
the light, to save their eyes ; and in addi- 
tion to all this misery, there had been in- 
flicted a short allowance of water, lest the 
animals should become lax and flatulent ! 
The following remarks on the building 
and arrangement of stables are pertinent 
to the subject, and deserve to be more gen- 
erally known ; pray give them a wider 
range, and oblige a Subscriber. 

Most stables are constructed in direct 
violation of every law of nature. They 
are made to slope from the hay-rack back 
to the heels of the horse, when a horse's 
natural position is with the fore feet the 
lowest. The hay-rack is so high the horse 
is compelled to reach up to get the hay. — 
His natural position while feeding is with 
his head down to the ground. The stalls 
are so high he cannot see his companions, 
while he is naturally gregarious and loves 
company. In the stable he stands on a 
floor : naturally on the earth. In his nat- 
ural wilds, he is a racing animal ; in the 
stable he is so confined that he cannot lie 
down, and can scarcely turn himself. 

Is it wonderful, then, that nearly every 
horse is unsound ? Standing with the fore 
feet the highest throws the weight and the 
strain on the flexor tendons, and destroys 
the back. Turning the nose unnaturally 
upwards strains the tendons on the neck 
while he is eating, and is often the cause 
of poll-evil. High and separate stalls de- 
stroy his natural social qualities, and make 
him sour and morose ; and a hard plank floor, 
on which he is doomed to stand for twen- 
ty and twenty-four hours at a time, will 
produce ring-bone. 

Another defect in many stables is that 
they are too tight, with a mow of hay 
over them. The ammonia arising from 
the urine has no chance of escape ; the 
horse is continually breathing it ; it pen- 
etrates the hay, and he is continually eat- 
ing it. How often do we enter a stable in 
hot weather, when the ammonical air is so 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



pungent that we can scarcely breathe it ; 
and } T et the horse is compelled to stand in 
it, and breathe it, and eat his food that is 
completely saturated with it. Can we 
wonder that the horse is subject to unus- 
ual and sudden aciite and fatal diseases ? — 
It is more to be wondered that he lives at 
all under such circumstances. Hay should 
never be placed over a stable, so as to re- 
ceive the ammonical gas ; but stables should 
be ventilated above, so as to let the gas 
and foul air escape. 

Another error in the construction of sta- 
bles is the openings for throwing out ma- 
nure and ventilation. In most stables, the 
openings are for the two-fold purposes. — 
In the first place, the openings are two low, 
and allow the current of air to blow on the 
horse. The effect is the same as a current 
of air on a human being, producing cold, 
fever, cough, and consumption. Nor is 
this all ; this current of air, which is all 
the good air the horse has, comes in from 
the manure heap, and is but adding more 
poisonous gas to that already existing. 

It is wrong morally, as well as econo- 
mically wrong, thus to treat the horse, one 
of the best and noblest of the brute crea- 
tion. — Boston Cultivator. 



Cultivation of Onions. 
A writer in the London Gardener's 
Chronicle, gives the following as his mode 
of cultivating onions : — 

"The land is selected in November — 
generally a plat which has had one scourg- 
ing crop taken off after a good manuring. 
It is trenched and ridged — the ridges re- 
maining until the early part of March, 
when being leveled down, it is marked 
out into beds 42 inches wide, with alleys 
of 15 inches. Before the seed is sown, 
the beds are raised by soil from the alleys 
9 inches above the ordinary ground level. 
When the bed has become very dry, the 
seed is sown and trod over by the labor- 
ers' feet until the beds appear as hard as 
the gravel walk. A very thin coating of 
soil is then strown evenly over the whole, 
and finally the roller is passed over the 
bed. When the onions are fairly up, they 
are weeded at two distinct operations, not 
a weed being left at the last one ; and they 
are thinned out also at two distinct periods, 
leaving them finally about three or four 
inches apart. We never use the hoe, and 



this may appear strange to those whoai: 
great sticklers, for what is termed " hig 
cultivation." We have found by exper 
ence that hoeing, by loosening the surfac 
expose the onions to the mercy of evei 
storm, and if luxuriant, throws them pro: 
trate on the surface. But by the abov 
method they will keep erect until the r 
pening period, which we consider a mo 
inportant matter. The narrowness of ttj 
beds enables the operator to weed clea 
with facility, and without injuring th 
plants. Plants thus situated, having 
greater depth of soil than usual, grow wit 
a more sturdy character than those higl 
ly manured, whilst the greater elevatic 
of the beds enables a warm July sun 1 
penetrate a considerable depth into th 
earth slightly checking late growth, an 
of course inducing the bulbous princip] 
betimes. At any rate our success for th 
last seven years has always astonished oi 
neighbors, and this too on land which \vi 
notorious some years ago for the grub, 

Let it be remembered that onions grow 
in this way are not intended for exhibitioz 
and that moderate size and well-ripene 
onions will keep weeks longer than p; 
pered ones, and they are, moreover, h 
more economical." 

Corn Husking* Machines. 
A number of corn husking machines hai 
been invented, but none have yet come in1 
general use. The" labor of husking corn 
comparatively slow and tedious, and a inachh 
that would do the work perfectly and with eS 
eiency, would prove an important desideratun 
Mr. S. H. Mix, of Scoharie county, N. Y., ha 
lately invented a machine that is said to pe: 
form the work successfully. One ear is fe 
into the machine at a time, as in the ordinal 
corn sheller, with the butt end foremost, and i 
held an instant between springs, while the but 
of the cob or stalk is removed, when it i$ passe 
through and is acted upon by rough surface 
which entirely separates the 'husk from th 
ear. 

Another machine has recently been invente* 

which it is also claimed will prove successful 

| with this, the butt of the ear is first sawed oi 

j close, at the union with the husk, which leave 

it loose and easily stripped ofi' with a sort o 

picker or spiked roller. In this machine also, th 

ears require to be fed one at a time ; but then 

I if the work is perfectly done, a great saving i 

j secured. We shall keep an eye to this and al 

| other improved machines adapted to the farm 

! and report progress, and describe their opera 

I tions as fast as they can reach us. — Scieutim 

.American. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



663 



Improved "Kentucky Sheep." 
Below we give extracts from a commu- 
nication written by Robt. W. Scott, Esq., 
to the Western Farm Journal, giving the 
history and characteristics of the Kentucky 
Improved Sheep, of which he is the 
originator : 

The accompanying drawing of them was 
taken by J. R. Page, a farmer and amateur 
artist of New York, who has won so much 
reputation by his pictures for the "Ameri- 
can Herd Book." The likeness on the 
extreme right is of a grown ewe, and the 
other two are of a two year old buck in 
two positions. They are regarded as truth- 
ful and life-like by all who have seen them 
and their originals. 

ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 

The sheep which are called "common or 
native" in the West are a hardy and pro- 
lific variety, but they are deficient in size, 
in thrift, and in fleece. Though their gen- 
eral diffusion shows their adaptation to all 
the circumstances under which they are 
placed, yet it is well known that the ten- 
dency which all animals have to adapt 
themselves to climate and subsistence may 
be materially modified and controlled by 
judicious crosses, and that the improvement 
made by these crosses becomes permanent 
and thereby stamps distinct varieties of 
the same class of animals. Chiefly by 
these three influences, crosses, climate 
and subsistence, the Bakewell, the South- 
down, the Saxony, and other varieties 
were produced, and their distinctive fea- 
tures in their respective localities, are as 
indellible as those of the present or native 
stocks. In the same manner, no doubt, 
still new varieties may be produced, nor 
does there appear to be any insuperable dif- 
ficulty in blending in the same animal any 
number of valuable qualities which are not 
actually antagonistic to each other. These 
principles extend even to points almost of 
fancy merely. For example, some breeds 
are hornless, while others have two, others 
three, and- others still have four horns. 
The Syrian shepherd delights in a breed 
whose tails are so long and fat that a pair 
of wheels are required on which to draw 
them over the pastures ; but we prefer 
sheep with short tails, and we might breed 
a variety which were as wholly destitute 
of them as dogs of some breeds are. 



Acting on these impressions, I haveper- 
severingly endeavored, for about twenty 
years, to combine in the same animal the 
hardiness and prolific quality of the native 
sheep — the size and thrift of the Bakewell 
or Cotswold, and the symmetry of form 
and delicacy of mutton of the South- 
down, and also to combine in the same 
fleeces the weight. and length of the Cots- 
wold, with the thickness and softness of 
the Saxony. 

In the beginning about thirty ewes were 
selected from a flockof unimproved common 
sheep, and were bred to a very large and 
fine Saxony buck — the object being, to 
give to the offspring more thickness to the 
fleece, more fineness to the fibre of the 
wool, and more delicacy to the mutton. 
This step was thought advisable before 
uniting the coarse fleeces of the common 
sheep with the coarser and still more open 
fleeces of the large imported varieties, and 
the effect was satisfactory. The ewe lambs 
of this cross, were bred on the 1st of Oc- 
tober, after they were one year old, to an 
imported Bakewell buck of large, full, 
round carcass, and heavy fleece of long 
wool — the object being to increase, in the 
offspring, the weight of the carcass, and 
the quantity of the wool. The ewe lambs 
of this latter cro.-s were also in due time 
bred to an imported Southdown buck of 
large size and high form — the object being 
to infuse into the progeny that active, 
sprightly and -thrift}^ disposition, and highly 
flavored and beautifully marbled mutton, 
for which the Southdown are so justly cel- 
ebrated. This object was also successfully 
attained. The mothers of this cross were 
the delight of the epicure, while the value 
of the fleece was not diminished, as much 
being gained in thickening the fibres of 
the wool as was lost in their length. 

The next cross was made by a buck 
which possessed, in combination, many of 
the good qualities which it was desired to 
establish and perpetuate in the flock. He 
was three-fourths Cotswold and one-fourth 
Southdown — a large, active, hardy sheep, 
with a thick and heavy fleece, and bis pro- 
geny possessed the same qualities in an 
eminent degree. The two next crosses 
were made by full blood Cotswolds, and 
the next by a very fine full blood Oxford- 
shire of remarkable softness and silkiness 
of fleece. These were all animals with 
short necks, round barrels, broad backs, 



«>64 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



and full briskets. They added to the flock 
still more weight of carcass and fleece, 
while the texture of the latter and the del- 
icate flavor of the former were not percep- 
tibly impaired. 

In the fall of 1853, a part of the flock 
was bred to an imported Cots wold, directly 
descended from imported stock. Every 
one of these crosses or breeds is now per- 
ceptible in the flock, blended, but yet man- 
ifest in the character and habits as well as 
in the carcass and in the fleece, but in 
most of the older sheep some particular 
cross predominates in each individual as 
yet, which is naturally to be expected from 
the recentness of the improvement. In 
order to obliterate these discrepancies, and 
to- produce more uniformity in the flock, 
the grown ewes were all bred in the fall of 
1854 to five select bucks, of my own breed- 
ing. The progeny, now two years old this 
spring, shows a reasonable accomplishment 
of the object, though there is still more 
variation in their carcasses and fleeces, 
and some still show the motley faces of the 
Southdown, while the faces of others are 
pure white. Some yearling bucks are the 
produce of this cross, and they are in all 
respects beautiful and valuable animals of 
their kind. 

In the fall of 1855, in order to carry out 
the same design, I bred chiefly to a compo- 
sition buck, whose pedigree shows Cots- 
wold, Oxfordshire, Teeswater and South- 
down stock. He was a'highly formed and 
finely finished sheep, of large size, and 
thick fleece of medium length and fineness 
of fibre, and his lambs give promise of 
great beauty and value. Of these crosses 
the present flock of "Improved Kentucky 
Ewes," about ninety-six in number, is 
composed. 

ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE AND SUBSIST- 
ENCE OF THE WEST AND SOUTH. 

In a country which is comparatively new 
and where stock raising is conducted on 
an extensive scale, the housing of them in 
inclement weather is necessarily expensive 
and troublesome, and is, indeed, impracti- 
cable, except with those animals which 
are very valuable and very delicate. 
Hence the importance that sheep, which 
are generally regarded as of inferior im- 
portance, should be capable of self-protec- 
tion as far as is possible. Indeed, no b. eed 
of sheep which require housing in winter 



or summer, can become a generally popu- 
lar and truly a practicable breed in the 
West and South. Having to live at all 
seasons in the open air, their subsistence 
must be of such a character as that they can 
gather it at all times for themselves, or 
which can be given to them with but little 
expense and trouble. Climate and sub- 
sistence are both know T n to have material 
influence, even on the fleece of the sheep, 
and the growth of fine wool in the West 
must be kept up by the occasional infusion 
of fresh blood from the more congenial 
climates of Andalusia; a.nd so much does 
the character of the food affect the quality 
of the wool, that the same individual, by a 
change of food, may be made to produce, 
at different shearings, wool of widely varied 
quality and value. Luxuriant and coarse 
vegetation, grown on limestone soils, is 
more favorable to the growth of longer and 
coarser wool; but this tendency may be 
qualified by judicious crossing, and a supe- 
rior article of medium quality may thus be 
produced. The "Improved Kentucky 
Sheep" have always faced the bleakest 
winters, and the hotest, wetest, and dryest 
summers, without any protection whatever 
but what nature has given, and yet they 
have been almost entirely free from all 
disease, especially from the coughs which 
often, in winter, affect sheep of the fine 
wool breeds, and they have been equally 
free from the snuffles and foot-rot, which 
have been so fatal to the long wool breeds, 
in such wet summers as in 1855, in Ken- 
tucky. Clothed to the knees and to the 
ears in a thick, long and impenetrable 
fleece, they bid defiance to rain, wind and 
snow, and seem at all times to be comfort- 
able and sprightly. In summer they are 
allowed to roam from pasture to pasture, 
and they devour almost every green weed 
but mullen and poke. In winter short 
grass is all which they require, and if that 
cannot be afforded to them, they will take 
their corn fodder with the cattle, and do 
well on it; though at yeaning time, like 
other sheep they require more succulent 
diet. The breeding ewes have never been 
fed with grain at any time; and when, du- 
ring deep snows, they have been admitted 
to a hay stack, they have eaten of it very 
little. 

THRIFTY AND PROLIFIC CHARACTER. 

In the month of August in each 3 r ear, 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



6G5 



inferior or declining ewes are 



any aged 

taken from the flock, and on being separa 
ted from their lambs, and put on good grass 
they soon make excellent mutton. Only 
the most healthy, thrifty, and finely form- 
ed, and good wooled ewes are kept for 
breeders, and the utmost care has been 
taken, and no reasonable expense has been 
spared to secure bucks to breed to them, 
of similar character, and which would im- 
part some superior qualities to the flock, 
and no buck has ever been used with the 
slightest taint of any (even temporary) 
disease upon him. In this manner, and 
bj r frequent crosses with animals which 
were not (even remotely) related to each 
other, except in the case above stated, but 
also by crossing with bucks, even of dif- 
ferent breeds, without making violent cross- 
es, a degree of vigor, health and thrift 
have been infused into this breed which, I 
feel assured, is not surpassed, if, indeed, 
it is equalled, in any other. 

So great is their tendency to take on 
flesh and fat, that ewes which lose their 
lambs not unfrequently become too fat on 
grass only to breed, and in more than one 
instance I have seen full three inches deep 
of fat on the ribs, after being dressed for 
mutton, though fed on grass only. Not- 
withstanding the accidents to w r hich they 
are subject, in the absence of a regular at- 
tendant or shepherd, and in despite of the 
rigors of March, without a shelter, I have 
often (when the flock was smaller) raised 
one-third more lambs than there were ewes, 
and have rarely, if ever, failed to raise as 
many. On this subject, Mr." M. Blake- 
more, a successful and observant farmer, 
who has crossed his flock with my sheep, 
says, in reply to my inquiry of him: "When 
that stock of yours have three lambs they 
are large and strong, and most of them 
live." 

. The Rev. Y. R. Pitts, an intelligent and 
successful farmer of Scott county, who has 
crossed his stock with the "Kentucky" 
sheep, in reply to my inquiry of him, says: 
" I think the ends at which you have aim- 
ed in improving your sheep, viz — good 
size, compactness of fleece, symmetry of 
form, and good constitution, have been 
fully attained. The buck which I got of 
you is of fine size, and very thick fleece. 
His produce is decidedly superior to any 
lambs I have ever had dropped on my 
farm." 



Mr. Price, besides saying in his letter, 
"they are healthy, good feeders," &c, says 
also,: " I find the sheep which I got of 
you have twins five out of six times." He 
also writes that they have taken fifteen 
premiums at the Illinois State and County 
Fairs against all competition. 

SIZE AND QUALITY OF MUTTON. 

As it is not, for many reasons, desirable 
that sheep shall have the size of bullocks, 
other valuable qualities have not been 
sacrificed in this breed to obtain large car- 
cass alone. Perhaps they are now fully 
as large as is compatible with that activity 
of habit which is indispensable to a breed 
of sheep which shall come into general 
use in the West and South. Larger and 
less active animals will also be liable to 
the depredations of the sheep bot, and 
their flesh will be less delicate, both to the 
eye and to the palate. 

None of these sheep have ever been 
fully fatted, and their weights carefully 
noted, so far as I am informed - t but Mr. 
Price, in his letter, speaking of part bloods 
of this breed, says: "They are the sheep 
for mutton, arriving at fine size at two 
years old, and which bring, in the St. Louis 
market, from six to ten dollars per head." 

A few years since I saved sixteen weth- 
ers of this breed, of various ages, from 
two to four years, and sold them, off of 
grass, to Mr. Wm. Hopkins, a farmer and 
sheep dealer of Henry county, at fifteen 
dollars per head. A letter from him in- 
forms me as follows: "I sold them, on 
Christmas, 1853, for twenty-five dollars 
per head. The person I sold them to did 
well with them. They took the premium 
at our (Eminence) Fair, in 1853, over a 
fine lot of Cotswold wethers. I consider 
them better than Cotswold for mutton and 
wool, and think they feed kinder than any 
sheep I ever saw. They were pronounced 
by all the best sheep in market. 

The following statement of the weights 
of some of them, taken in June, 1852, is 
extracted from my sheep register: A 
yearling buck, 162 pounds ; a grown ewe, 
146 pounds ; a two j r ear old wether, 172 
pounds; a three year old wether, 196 
pounds. The following are the weights of 
some taken August, 1856: A yearling 
buck, 174 pounds ; a two year old buck, 
never shorn, 224 pounds; a grown ewe, 
162 pounds; one ewe lamb, 114 pounds. 



666 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



The sheep were all weighed off of grass, 
without extra feeding or care of any kind. 
In Judge Brown's letter, he says: "The 
sheep are of very fine size and appearance, 
yielding a fine fleece of wool, and are fully 
equal, as to mutton, to any with which I 
am acquainted." 

WEIGHT AND CHARACTER OF FLEECE. 

The fleeces of these sheep, like those, in- 
deed, of all other breeds, are not entirely 
uniform as to length, thickness and fine- 
ness of fibre, some of them partaking more 
of one cross, and others of another cross ; 
but still there is a general uniformity, and 
the diversity is of no practical disadvan- 
tage. Their wool is larger than that of 
any sheep except those of the Cotswold 
family, and is equal in length to that of 
many individuals of that family, while it 
greatly excels the wool of the Cotswold 
in fineness, softness and thickness. In 
some individuals it is inclined to be wavy, 
or curly, but generally it is straight and 
wooly, and never wiry. Except the fac,e 
and legs below the knees, the whole body 
is covered with a close, compact fleece, 
which leaves no open line on the back, as 
in the Cotswolds, but gives a perfect pro- 
tection to the sheep, and causes it to pre- 
sent a smooth, handsome, and portly ap- 
pearance. Their fleeces have enough of 
grease or gum to preserve the softness and 
vitality of the fibres, even to their ends, 
but not so much as to give the sheep a 
dark or dirty appearance, as in the Saxons. 
Their wool receives bark and other domes- 
tic dyes without any washing whatever, is 
easily cleansed on the sheep's back, and 
when it is washed in soft water with soap it 
readily becomes very white. For several 
years it has commanded from three to five 
cents more per pound than any other wool 
in this market. — Tenn. Farmer and Me- 
chanic. 



From the Now Jersey Farmer. 

GIANT ASPARAGUS. 

Mr. Editor: — In your July No. I no- 
tice an article on raising "Giant Aspara- 
gus." Persons following the directions 
given in that No. would find themselves 
most disagreeably disappointed in the re- 
sults, if applied to beds made in the com- 
mon way, viz : ground ploughed or dug 
one spit deep. You might as well give a 
good, tender beefsteak to a man in a high 



fever, as that application to a badly made 
bed. If a man wants to build him a 
house, his first and great care is, to have 
a good foundation. If his foundation is 
not good, no after building or propping 
can make him secure in his dwelling; he 
is constantly in fear of all going. So with 
an asparagus bed. If you do not prepare 
your soil properly before planting, you 
need not expect to raise "Giant Aspara- 
gus." Mr. Downing was too much of a 
horticulturist to neglect this, and I think 
I can safely say all his vegetable grounds, 
at Newburgh, his residence, where I have 
frequently been, are both drained and 
trenched. 

I shall now give the method adopted by 
me and all others who wish to raise as- 
paragus to perfection, as it should be, to 
make it a palatable vegetable. If well 
grown, it is a luxury ; if not, it is only fit 
for the swill-pail. Well grown asparagus 
is thick, sweet, and luscious; badly grown 
asparagus is hard, thin, and stringy. 

I shall give five full directions how to 
make, plant, and keep a bed of asparagus 
that will last, at least, fifteen years, and a 
plan I have adopted in planting half an 
acre of that vegetable. I 'presume I am 
writing for farmers who are not practical- 
ly acquainted with market gardening; I 
therefore give it as plain as possible, so 
that all may understand it. To a practical 
gardener this would be superfluous. 

In the Fall, select the best piece of 
ground you have got; if convenient to 
your stables and house, for convenience 
sake so much the better ; it likes a good, 
yellow, sandy loam ; ground selected and 
quantity required for market or home use ; 
you next cart on to it good stable manure, 
spread it on from nine to twelve inches 
thick ; then commence at one end by 
stretching a line and make a mark with a 
spade along the line ; then have two meas- 
ures thirty inches long, one on each end; 
set those at each end of your line ; then 
stretch your line at this distance from your 
first mark, you then have a space marked 
of thirty inches wide. 

You then dig this out thirty inches 
deep, wheeling or carting it to^ the end 
of wherever you propose ending your 
beds — this is to fill up your last trench. — 
You now mark off your ground to the end, 
as at first, and commence your trenching. 
You throw your top spit and manure to the 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



6G7 



bottom of your first made trench. If you 
have plenty of manure, add another layer 
of six inches between your sub-soil and 
last spit; put it over as rough as you can, 
that isj without breaking your spits ; let 
the frost perform that operation. If you 
should have on hand oyster and clam shells, 
throw them in as you proceed ; it will pay 
you well to haul them six miles. Those 
that live near the sea side can obtain sea- 
weed, and can save one-half of the above 
mentioned manure by adding double the 
quantity of sea-weed. In finishing your 
trenches let them slope up to a point, so 
the weather can have better effect upon 
them. Care must also be taken not to 
perform your trenching in wet weather, if 
so it will bake and become lumpy. When 
your trenching is finished it should have 
the following appearance — AAAAAAA* 

In this state your ground should lay 
until April. You must then spread over 
the whole of it, from four to five inches 
deep of manure, and dig it in one spade 
deep. Your ground is then level. You 
are now ready for planting. Stretch a 
line two feet from your outside ; mark that 
off lightly, as that is your tally. Stretch 
your line six inches from this mark, which 
is for your first row of plants ; open this 
perpendicular with your spade, six inches 
deep ; then lay your plants against this 
bank, the crown of each plant from one 
to two inches below the surface, spreading 
your roots regularly on either side, and 
drawing, with the hand, a sufficiency of 
mould against them to keep them in their 
places until you get to the end. You so 
proceed, putting your plants in nine inches 
apart, then draw the earth over them with 
a rake. You then mark off another drill 
one foot from the last, and proceed as be- 
fore ; putting in three rows one foot apart 
and another row six inches from the out- 
side of your bed. This leaves your beds 
four feet apart, and an alley between each 
bed of two feet; or you can, before plant- 
ing, mark off your beds four feet apart and 
an alley between each bed of two feet.— 
The advantage of having four beds onTy 
four feet wide, is, that when cutting your 
asparagus you are not obliged to put your 
feet on the beds, as by so doing you are 
liable to tread on the young plants, and in 
wet weather you break the ground. Rather 
have them under four feet than over it, as 
you should never step off your alleys in 



gathering. When all is finished, rake your 
bed well over, taking off all lumps and 
stones, drawing them into your alleys, 
then breaking them with the back of your 
spade. Now this is the foundation finished. 
The after cultivation is not much when that 
is well done. 

In planting, select three year old plants. 
First, second and third year you can grow 
in your alleys, cabbage, and on your beds 
lettuce or onions. The second year I treat 
my beds as follows : 

When the stems are killed by frosts I 
cut them, off and burn or compost them. 
I then spread over each bed a coating of 
manure three or four inches thick. I 
throw out of the alleys, on this manure, a 
sufficiency of mold to cover the manure, to 
save the ammonia, letting it lay in this 



manner until 



is:. I then dig it into 



the crowns of the plants with an aspara- 
gus fork which is made for that purpose 
with wide teeth, breaking the ground as 
fine as possible ; if not sufficiently fine I 
rake it off to the alleys ; I then spread on 
it salt which I generally get from fish 
barrels at the stores, half an inch thick 
and let the rain wash it in ; this saves more 
than its price in keeping the weeds down. 
If any person has sand on hand it will pay 
them to cover their beds an inch or two 
thick with it — sea sand of course is pre- 
ferable to fresh—this draws your plants 
cleaner to the surface and is a slight forc- 
ing. The third year I commence to cut 
sparingly. You must mind not to cut the 
first stem in case you should destroy the 
others, for if there is no stem left, the plant 
is killed in cutting. Run your knife 
down close to the stem, perpendicularly in 
a sloping direction. Fourth year you can 
cut all they will grow until the latter end 
of June, at which time it should be discon- 
tinued to allow the plants to grow for the 
following seasons. If cut after that, mind 
and leave one stem to each stool. 

By treating your beds every spring and 
fall as above, you can have asparagus that 
w r ill do you credit, and which any epicure 
in the land would pronounce delicious 
eating. Ground prepared as above is fit 
to grow giant rhubarb on and in no other 
way, omitting the oyster and clam shells, 
also the # annual dressing of salt. 

Newton, JV*. /. Gerald Howatt. 



GG3 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



DWARF PEAR CONTROVERSY. 

The Country Gentleman publishes a very 
sensible article on the subjec.t of the culti- 
vation of the dwarf pear, which we trans- 
fer to our columns with pleasure. The re- 
marks coincide with our own experience on 
the subject. It is all important that the 
proper stock should be used. The Angiers 
quince is the only variety fit for working. 
The other varieties are generally of slow 
growth and short-lived. We would by no 
means advise the planting of dwarfs instead 
of standards where time and space are not 
material considerations. 

" Our readers know that a difference of 
opinion has existed for many years in rela- 
tion to the value of dwarf pears. More 
than ten years ago, a distinguished western 
pomologist predicted that in ten years, 
itwarf pears would be among the things 
that had been. At the same time they had 
many strong advocates, and the trees had 
been widely disseminated and planted. — 
With a large number, dwarfs have succeed- 
ed, and with probably a still larger num- 
ber, they have proved at best partial fail- 
ures. There still remains a great difference 
of opinion in relation to them, and the con- 
troversy has of late rather increased than 
diminished. The inquiries, censequently, 
are repeatedly coming from all quarters, 
"Do you regard dwarf pears a humbug?" 
"Why do so many fail with them?" — 
"What is the reason that doctors disagree 
so much in regard to their merits?" 

The answer to these questions are not 
difficult. One. great reason that dwarf 
pears fail with so many, is founded in a 
general and erroneous opinion that fruit 
trees of all sorts, young and old, will take 
care of themselves. The}' alone, of all cul- j 
tivated garden or farm crops, are expected! 
to flourish without attention. First of all, i 
perhaps they are planted in a grass soil. — . 
The farmer who would deliberately plant a 
crop of corn or potatoes among grass, would 
be looked upon as an idiot. The gardener 
who would set out his cabbage plants, or 
sow a crop of beets in the tough sod of a 
green meadow, might be sent to the lunatic 
asylum. Yet young fruit trees are often 
set in the turf of door yards, or in weedy, 
uncultivated places, although their first cost 
is fifty times as great as the value of the 
seed for the farm crop of cabbage planta- 



tion. We have seen plowmen destroy val- 
uable young trees, worth a dollar each, by 
running over them, so as to avoid an adja- 
cent hill of corn or potatoes, worth about 
seven mills currency. Trees generally 
have the last of all chances — they stand at 
the fag end of the list of all objects for cul- 
tivation. This is the feeling entertained 
towards them by most planters. A Rhode 
Island Greening, a Roxbury Russet apple 
tree, or a Kentish or Black Heart cherry 
tree, will withstand a great deal of abuse 
or neglect, and hence, with all this bad 
treatment, they succeed tolerably well. 
But with most other kinds of fruit, such 
treatment will end in failure, or at least 
afford a poor return. Until planters come 
to regard fruit trees as worth at least as 
much attention as they always expect to 
bestow upon their fields of corn, we shall 
hear sad stories about humbugs, and of the 
hazardous business of attempting to culti- 
vate the finer sorts of fruits. It appears 
to us really astonishing that some very 
sagacious and well-informed men on almost 
everything else, should not see at once 
that this is the great leading cause why we 
hear so often that dwarf pears are a fail- 
ure. Every skillful fruit-raiser knows that 
nothing is easier than to raise good straw- 
berries ; yet men may be found by the hun- 
dred, who, having planted beds of the most 
productive sorts, and then wholly neglected 
them, gravely announce their opinion that, 
"There is no use in trying to raise straw- 
berries—we never had any luck with them." 
A bed of beets or parsnips, similarly treated, 
would unquestionably lead them to the. 
conclusion, that "beets and parsnips are 
very tender, difficult and uncertain crops 
to raise," — for they will not grow under 
thick weeds at a foot high, and if treated 
as fruit trees are, will certainly prove 
failures. 

There is another reason why dwarf pears 
have in many instances not met the ex- 
pectations of planters. There are only 
a comparatively small number of sorts 
which appear to be perfectly at home on 
the quince stock, and to which dwarfs 
should always be. confined, unless for ex- 
periment. Other sorts make but feeble 
growth, and do not live long after the first 
heavy crops, and those should be avoided. 
This subject has, however, been often be- 
fore our readers, and we need not enlarge 
upon it here, 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



GGD 



Some localities appear unfavorable to 
the successful growth of dwarfs, and we 
have known instances where the occupants 
of such localities, having not succeeded, 
have coolly decided for all other localities 
from these limited experiments. 

Everything should be kept in its proper 
place. Nothing should be claimed for any 
fruit, or any mode of growing fruit, which 
does not properly belong to it. A straw- 
berry will always be a strawberry — need- 
ing careful culture and affording certain 
results — and nothing else can be made 
of it. It needs garden culture — yet this 
garden culture may be extended over large 
fields. The same remark will apply to the 
dwarf pear. Hundred-acre orchards may 
be planted with it, provided it receives its 
proper treatment. The man who would 
set out fifty acres with strawberries, who 
had not previously become well acquainted 
with the peculiarities of their management 
on a smaller scale, might find it a costly 
experiment. The same result might take 
place in planting largely of dwarfs. We 
have known some who have done so, know- 
ing little of their peculiar requirements, 
and with the supposition that they would 
grow without care. They of course found 
ultimately that dwarfs were a "humbug." 
The same summary decision would no 
doubt have been made by one who at- 
tempted for the first time, and with no 
previous knowledge whatever, to raise 
watermelons or cabbages. It was a hun- 
dred years after the introduction of the 
potato into England, before its cultivation, 
uses and value were well understood, 
and it was well that it was not hastily re- 
jected. 

We have never yel witnessed the fail- 
ure of a dwarf pear orchard, where these 
three requisites had been combined, name- 
ly, 1. Good cultivation,, or as good as 
squashes and pumpkins receive in order 
to flourish well. 2 Selection of those sorts 
which have proved best for this purpose. 
3. A previous trial on a small scale, to 
prove their adaptedness to the particular 
soil and locality where planted. One 
of the best and largest orchards of 
dwarfs we ever saw, with large thrifty 
trees, and affording an average of some 
hundreds of dollars per acre annually, had 
indeed good enriching treatment ; but after 
all, the cultivation and amount of manure 



applied did not exceed that given to good 
cornfields by our best farmers. 

We have sometimes had a strong hope 
that the introduction and culture of dwarf 
pears might be the means of a reformation 
in the treatment of fruit trees, and that by 
actually driving cultivators to give proper 
attention to the one, from absolute necessi- 
ty in the case, they might acquire an im- 
proved habit in managing trees generally. 
This good result has undoubtedly taken 
place already to a considerable extent, and 
there is no question that the diffusion of 
intelligence on this subject will extend the 
improvement already commenced. The 
discussion and controversy now existing 
must as a matter of course result in im- 
portant benefit, by eliciting facts, and de- 
veloping new truths, and those are what 
we all earnestly look for and desire. 

It is sometimes intimated that self-inter- 
est alone prompts the recommendation of 
dwarf pears. So far as the writer of these 
remarks is concerned, this cannot be the 
case, as his self-interest leads in an exactly 
opposite direction, but the desire of ar- 
riving at the truth, respective of any selfish 
motives, to place these trees precisely 
where they belong, and to avoid those ex- 
tremes in deciding questions which many 
are always prone to fall into have been alone 
the suggesting motives for these remasks. 
Christian Observer. 



Guano and its Consumption. 
It is well known to every cultivator of 
the soil, that no land will continue produc- 
tive if some equivalent for its produce be 
not returned to it. If the land is always 
yielding and never receiving, it must sooner 
or later become sterile. However, there 
are particular soils, like those of Egypt, 
and the low meadows of Deerfield, Mass., 
which, being annually overflowed, derive 
a valuable manure from the hand of nature^ 
and therefore do not become barren by 
annual cropping. But such soils receive 
as well as give. There are also some soils 
which are not easily exhausted, in conse- 
quence (as some suppose,) of their finely 
comminuted particles, which attract and 
retain the food of plants. Such are the 
soils of the Scioto and Miami bottom lands 
of Ohio. Some of these have been annu- 
ally cropped with Indian corn for sixty 
years, and still continue to yield heavy 



670 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



crops. But such soils are exceptions to 
almost all others. 

If all the manure derived from the pro- 
duce of a given field for a series of years, 
could be annually returned to it, possibly its 
fertility would be kept up. But such a con- 
tingency, even under the most careful man- 
agement, is out of the question. We know of 
numerous instances, where the hay, straw 
and corn fodder derived from 30 to 40 acres 
of land, only furnish manure annually for 
about two acres of hoed crops. Such facts 
show there is a lack of skill, and want of 
economy and enterprise on the part of such 
farmers, and every few years find their 
crops less, and less, and the number of 
their farm stock smaller and smaller, and 
without a radical improvement in these 
matters, this diminishing process will go 
on till thousands of farms will be occupied 
as pasture land, and poor at that. Under 
the most skillful management now prac- 
ticed, there is but a small proportion of the 
farms in New England that can retain their 
fertility, from the manurial resources of 
the farm alone. The farm management in 
England is vastly superior to that of this 
country, yet with all their skill in the 
management and application of their farm 
yard manures, the British farmers find it 
necessary to purchase annually millions of 
dollars worth of foreign manures — such of 
guano, bones, nitrates, rape and linseed 
cake, &c, &c, in order to obtain remuner- 
ating crops. 

The importation of guano commenced 
in 1840— in 1841 there were but 1,733 
tons imported. In 1845, there were im- 
ported 220,934 tons, employing a fleet of 
683 vessels, and 11,486 men. This quan- 
tity must have sufficed to manure between 
two and three millions of acres. The price 
of guano there, was £10 10s, or about 
$52 per ton. The importation and price 
have both been largely increased since 
1845. Messrs. Gibbs & Sons have the 
monopoly of the commoditj", and can raise 
or lower the price of the article as they 
see fit ; they have advanced the price. 
Recently they have added £2 per ton — 
being £13 a ton for thirty tons and up- 
wards, and £14 5s. for all quantities under 
that amount. At this price in quantities 
less than thirty tons, it will cost the Eng- 
lish farmer about $75 per ton at the place 
of purchase ; over that amount, about $66. 
In 1S55 the importation of guano into the 



United Kingdom, amounted to 305,061 
tons. This, at $70 per ton, makes the 
grand sum of $21,354,270 paid out by 
the British farmers for this one kind of 
manure. 

On the 24th of December, 1856, the 
Messrs. Gibbs, by a circular, notified that 
the prices of Peruvian guano had advanced 
£2 per ton ; supposing their imports for 
the year are the same as those of 1855, the 
increased charge would amount to over 
£600,000, or over $3,000,000. How this 
movement is to effect the "bread and beef 
eaters " of England, is yet to be seen. 

From July 1st, 1854, to June 30th, 1856, 
there were imported into the United States, 
230,707 tons of guano of all kinds ; ex- 
ported, 60,583 tons, leaving for home use," 
170,124 tons. This at $50 per ton would 
amount to $8,606,200. But as a large por- 
tion of the guano was other than Peruvian, 
and sells for much less price, perhaps the 
American farmers have not actually paid 
out more than from five to six million in 
the two past years for guano ; whether the 
increased products of the land have been 
equivalent to the cost of the guano is a 
question that admits of some doubt. With 
us we have been satisfied that good Peru- 
vian guano has paid a fair profit on the 
wheat and potato crop — on many others, 
it has been of little value, apparently. 

Country Gentleman. 



Plan for Cooking a Beef Steak. 

Hunt up all the pickle jars, and take from 
each kind of pickle a little of the vinegar, say 
a teacup full of onion, cauliflower, cabbage, 
and French beau pickle — home made of course, 
with plenty of spicy flavors. 

Lay the steak in a deep dish, and pour over 
it the whole of the vinegar. Let it lay an 
hour. Then take a clean frying pan ; throw 
in three ounces of butter, and pour into it 
sumj of the vinegar from the dish, sufficient 
just to stew the steak in the refreshing com- 
pound. Lay the steak in it ; let it stew ; turn 
it as judgment dictates; and if you manage it 
right as to the quantity of liquor, it will, when 
done, be found imbedded in a thickened gravy 
formed of its own juicy essence and the dried 
up pickle. Put the steak into a very hot dish 
before the fire, and into the pan throw an 
ounce more butter, one chopped up clove of 
garlic, and two table spoonfuls of ketchup, and 
a spoonful «f raw mustard. Fry up the gravy, 
butter, ketchup, &c, in the pan till it boils, and 
pour it over the steak. — Prairie Farmer. 



THE SOUTHERN PLxVNTER. 



671 



From the Cotton Planter and Soil. 

Maxims for Young Farmers and Overseers. 

Pr. Cloud — Dear Sir: The following ten 
maxims are respectfully dedicated to young 
planters and overseers, in the hope that in this 
day of agricultural progress they may effect 
some good. 

FOR YOUNG FARMERS. 

1. As soon as you have planted your crop, 
be sure and make a calculation how much you 
will make. If you have made liberal allow- 
ances for bad seasons, sickness, and such like 
subtractions, you will probably be not more 
than two-thirds over the mark ; but then, you 
will have had all the pleasure of anticipation, 
and you can easily convince yourself that your 
arithmetic was right, if something else was 
wrong. 

2. Be sure not to plough deep. Geologists 
say the earth is a hollow globe, and you might 
gee through the crust. Besides, if the current 
philosophy be true, that the interior is liquid 
lire, you might get your feet burnt. 

3. The old adage, that "time is money," may 
do well for the face of a Yankee clock, but is 
altogether beneath the philosophy of Young 
America. Therefore, lie in bed till your break- 
fast is ready, and be sure to go a fishing every 

Saturday evening. Your corn and cotton will 
grow as well while you sleep, as when you 
are awake ; and if the grass grows too, who 
cares for grass? 

4. Scientific agriculturists make a great 
noise about rotation of crops. Don't believe a 
word they say. " Rotation of crops," indeed! 
Wonder if the rotation of the wagon wheel 
don't land in a mud hole at last ? Bug who f — 
Every body knows that good land makes more 
cotton than poor land — so continue to plant 
your best fields in cotton as long as you please. 
If it wears out you can go to Texas. 

5. As you value your future prospects in life, 
and your reputation as a physiologist, never 
suffer a curry-comb to scratch the sides of your 
mules. It wears them out, {the curry-combs) 
and curry-combs cost money. If the pores of 
their skin should be clogged up with dust, they 
can rub themselves against a tree or the corner 
of the fence ; and everybody knows there is. a 
glorious luxury in scratching ! 

FOR OVERSEERS. 

6. If you are an overseer, and a, young one 
at that, look sour at your negroes the first day, 
and kick up a general row the second. Afri- 
cans are nothing but brutes, and they will love 
you the better for whipping, whether they de- 
serve it or not. Besides, by this manly course 
you will show your spunk. To be sure, a half 
dozen of them may take to the woods, but that 
is no loss to you. 

7. Be sure to make your office a sinecure. — 
Congressmen, Judges, and civil officers gene- 
rally, do so, and why may not overseers ? To 



this end, ride once in the forenoon to where 
you can see your hands, and then gallop off to 
some store, blacksmith's shop, or wherever you 
can find a crowd to listen to your interesting 
conversation. This is the only way "to mag- 
nify your office.'' 

N. B. — Whatever also you may neglect, 
never forget to put yourself in the possessive 
case in regard to your employer's property — 
say "my negroes, my mules, my cotton," &c. 
Your employer is a lazy skunk, and has no 
right to any thing. 

8. Swear like " our army in Flanders," your- 
self; but whip every negro on the plantation 
who dares to use profane language — the ebony 
scamps, what right have they to imitate their 
overseer ? 

9. If your horse becomes lame, or from any 
other cause cannot carry you, as in No. 7, seek 
some " boundless contiguity of shade," where 
you can enjoy a comfortable snooze — nothing 
like " otium cum dignitate." 

10. If your employer desires you to plant 
his cotton or corn in a manner different from 
that which you think best, be sure to spoil 
every thing, in its cultivation. You will then 
prove to him that his plans are wrong, and 
yours right. Clod Thumper. 

January, 1857. 



Building in Frosty Weatlier. 

The bond which unites brick to brick and 
stone to stone, to form a close and adhesive 
connection between them, is a cement (mor- 
tar) formed of the oxyd of calcium (lime), sili- 
ca or sand, and water. The water intimately 
diffused through mortar, is the vehicle which 
plays the most important office — chemically 
speaking — in conferring those qualities upon 
mortar which render it capable of fulfilling the 
objects for which it is used. And yet most 
builders, architects, and those who have build- 
ings erected during the winter season, appear 
to be entirely ignorant of this fact in chemical 
science. 

The water in mortar holds lime in solution, 
and gradually attracts carbonic acid from the 
atmosphere, whereby its particles acquire pow- 
erful cohesive and adhesive properties, and in 
the course of time it becomes a stone itself, 
firmly adhering to the surfaces which it unites. 
If we dissolve some quicklime in water, in a 
vessel, and allow it to stand exposed for some 
hours, it will attract carbonic acid from the at- 
mosphere, and a thin hard scale like ice will 
form on its surface ; this is a pelicle of marble ; 
it is composed of lime, water and carbonic 
acid. The scale formed on the surface of the 
lime solution in the vessel, prevents carbonic 
acid penetrating under it, otherwise a thick so- 
lution of lime would soon become a solid block 
of marble. But in common mortar the con- 
ditions for the absorbing of carbonic acid 
throughout all its parts, are very perfect, be- 



672 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



cause the particles of sand render it sufficiently 
porous to allow the air, which contains car- 
bonic acid, to penetrate to its inmost parts; 
therefore, mortar ultimately become a stone. 
If we take quicklime and sand, mixed together 
in proper proportions to form good cement, but 
use no water to make them into mortar, expo- 
sure of them to the atmosphere for centuries 
would not form them into a hard stone, because 
the water of crystalization, which is positively 
necessary to promote cohesion among their par- 
tides, is wanting. Water, then, is the great- 
vehicle which chiefly imparts cohesive proper- 
ties to common mortar. 

Hard water, in freezing, parts with the mine- 
ral and earthly matters which it holds in solu- 
tion, and the ice, when melted by heat, forms 
soft water ; the action of freezing separates the 
pure water from the substances with which it 
was previously intimately united. The very 
same effect is produced by the action of freez- 
ing mortar in the walls of buildings ; the mor- 
tar that is frozen in walls never afterwards ac- 
quire strong cohesive properties. 

It is customary to suspend operations on 
buildings of brick and stone, during very severe 
frosts, when mortar freezes rapidly, but this 
is only because of the mechanical difficulties of 
applying the mortar before it freezes; the 
chemical science involved in the act of freezing- 
its water being either unknown or ignored. 
Mortar should never be allowed to freeze in the 
walls of buildings ; to allow it to do so, is un- 
wise and unscientific. — Scientific American. 



What is a Good Cow? 

Every man likes to own a good cow, but peo- 
ple do not always agree in what really consti- 
tutes a good cow. Some cows will give a great 
flow of milk a little while during the year, and 
then fall off greatly, while others will be more 
uniform in their yield of milk, and bold that 
uniformity a greater part of the year. It is evi- 
dent that the latter is the most profitable and 
therefore the better cow. 

A writer in an exchange paper (and we are 
sorry that the name of the paper has escaped 
us,) gives the following definite rules or figures 
as constituting a good cow. 

" A cow that will average five quarts of milk 
a day through the year, making 1,825 quarts, 
is an extraordinary good cow. One that will 
yield five quarts a day for ten months is a good 
cow, and one that will average four quarts dur- 
ing that time is more thftn an average quality. 
That would make 1,200 quarts a year, which 
at three cents a quart, is $36. Wo believe the 
Orange county milk dairies average about ?40 
per cow and the quality of the cows is con- 
siderably above the average of the country. 

" It is as important to keep a cow good as it 
is to get her good. This can never be done by 
a careless lazy milker. Always milk your cow 
quick, perfectly clean, and never try to coun- 



teract nature by taking away her calf. Let it 
suck, and don't be afraid 'it will butt her to 
death/ It will distend the udder and make 
room for the secretion of milk. Be gentle with 
your cow and you will have a gentle cow. 
Select well, feed well, house well, milk well, 
and your cow will yield well." — Maine Farmer. 



Sweeping Carpets. 
Hard work always to sweep a carpet well, 
and an art too seldom acquired by the house- 
keeper. A cotemporary makes the following 
announcement, which, if "right/ 7 will be de- 
sirable : " A machine for sweeping carpets 
thoroughly removing from them every particle 
of dust, which when ground in by the foot, 
cuts and wears woolen floor cloths out in a few 
months, has been invented. The machine is 
described as a small box, in which there is a 
revolving fan that sucks up all the dust and 
carries it into a small compartment containing 
water. The woolen fibres and larger particles 
are deposited in a drawer. The sweeping is 
done by pushing the box along over the surface 
of the carpet by handles. The whole appa- 
ratus is said to be light and simple. In its use 
no dust is created, and it does its work well." — 
Prairie Farmer. 



A Water-Proof Mixture for leather. 

Take one pint of tanner's oil, half pound 
tallow, a lump of good resin the size of a com- 
mon shell-bark, burgundy pitch size of a hen's 
egg, lamp black, three cents worth— mix to- 
gether, and melt gradually over a slow fire. 
When to be applied, the mixture should be 
made about milk warm, and put on with a clean 
sponge. The' leather may be made a little 
damp, not wet. The above cement, when ap- 
plied to boots and shoes, will effectually pre- 
vent their soaking water, and keep the leather 
pliant, and the feet of the wearer warm and 
dry. Every farmer who regards comfort as a 
desideratum, should supply himself with this 
article, and apply it to his boots and sboes.- 
Germantown Tel. 



them into a dark or partially darkened room, 
and hold them between the eve and a lighted 
candle. If good the light will shine through 
them with a uniform reddish glow. Every one 
should use this simple test before buying eggs, 
or breaking them for cooking. A dozen can be 
examined in two minutes by the merest novice. 
[America* Agriculturist, 



Hens. — If the legs of hens become bro- 
ken, they will lay their eggs without shells 
until the fracture is repaired, all the lime 
in the circulation being employed for the 
purpose of reuniting the bones. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



67< 



From Morton's Cyclopedia of Agriculture. 

Breeding, Principles of. 

The surest mode of improving the practice 
of breeding is by diffusing as much as possible 
correct principles on the subject. It is more 
likely to become profitable when the causes 
which influence its failure or success are well 
understood : and when certain effects are no 
longer viewed as matters of chance and beyond 
the control of man, but as the natural results 
of certain causes, the practice of breeding in 
each variety of our domestic animals is likely 
to become more systematic and more success- 
ful. It is not, therefore, without reason that 
we assert the subject of this article to be one 
of much importance to farmers. 

Agriculture and grazing were once regarded 
as two distinct branches of the farming busi- 
ness; so much so, that it was thought that the 
knowledge of the one was necessary for the 
practice of the other, and the breeding and 
management of live stock was considered to 
be almost exclusively the business of the gra- 
zier alone. 

A considerable change, however, has gradu- 
ally come over these matters; the increased 
and still increasing population of this country 
has long demanded a corresponding enlarged 
supply of animal food, "which has been fur- 
nished, not by the greater productiveness of 
the grazing districts, but by the growth of 
roots on arable farms, so that, in fact, a greater 
annual weight of meat is produced by the lat- 
ter than the former. Whilst more land has 
thus been devoted to the production of animal 
food, it has by no means diminished the sup- 
ply of grain, but, on the contrary, has increas- 
ed it by means of the larger quantity of ma- 
nure which, in consequence, is supplied to the 
land ; a fact so well established, that it has al- 
ready become an adage : " No cattle, no dung; 
no corn." 

The demand for animal food, occasioned by 
an increasing population, and the want of an- 
imal dung experienced by the farmer — a dou- 
ble necessity — tends towards the extension of 
this system ; and it is now no longer denied, 
that the best and most profitable agriculture is 
that which is connected with the feeding of the 
greatest quantity of live stock .The amount of 
stock kept on arable farms has consequently 
been doubled within the last thirty years ; and 
we claim for ourselves no exclusive sagacity, 
when we venture to foretel, that, within a 
much shorter period of time, the stock on 
these arable farms will again be doubled. In 
support of this assertion, we have only to re- 
fer to the different practices now pursued on 
various farms, and to contrast the different sys- 
tems of high farming and low farming. Many 
good sheep farms, to our knowledge, keep lit- 
tle more than one sheep to an acre, whilst on 
a farm of natural indifferent land, which we 
have lately visited, there were no less than 

43 



700 sheep and lambs on little more than 230 
acres of land, besides 30 fatting oxen ; and on 
another, 225 cwt. of mutton and lamb are an- 
nually raised on 04 acres of arable land. An 
almost equal difference obtains likewise, be- 
tween improved and unimproved specimens of 
our native breeds ; this fact is strikingly appa- 
rent at the annual country shows of the Royal 
Agricultural Society of England, when held 
in a district not famous for its breeds of cattle, 
where occasionally the best specimens of the 
local breeds are brought into competition with 
the stock of those breeders accustomed to bear 
away the prizes in competition with all Eng- 
land. The poor figure which the former sus- 
tain, the striking manner in which their faults 
stand out, as it were, in bold relief, when sub- 
jected to the comparison, although previously 
hidden from the eyes of their owners and lo- 
cal admirers, the forcible manner in which 
their owners become convinced that they have 
a great many stages yet to travel on the high 
road to perfection before they reach the goal, 
cannot fail to have been observed. To afford 
this contrast is, we take it, one of the benefi- 
cial objects of the shows of the Society, as em- 
ulation is sure to be excited and improvement 
to follow, from exposure to such comparison. 
What vast room for improvement does there 
exist, and how greatly is the farming interest 
and the country at large injured by the un- 
profitable feeding of inferior stock? If we 
only suppose that a good animal will make 
one-eighth more meat than a bad one, from 
a given quantity of food, how great is the 
individual and national loss from the millions 
of inferior animals that might be replaced by 
their superiors ? Much certainly has been 
done, particularly with sheep, by improving 
the native breeds, and still more by supplant- 
ing inferior flocks by superior animals. With- 
in the last thirty years, the weight of mutton 
has, by these means, we fully' believe, been 
doubled in proportion to the number of sheep 
kept. 

Though much, however, has thus been done, 
much yet remains to do. It becomes us well 
to understand the principles of the matter ; to 
acquaint ourselves, as far as we can become ac- 
quainted, with the laws of nature which 
govern the perpetuation of the breeds of our 
domestic animals, so that we may be enabled 
to persevere and considerably extend the im- 
provements which have been made. 

The simple object the breeder has to con- 
sider, is to produce an animal that will yield 
him the greatest pecuniary return ; a principle 
which may be applied to each race of animals, 
but which involves in it a knowledge of 
those qualities which are really the most es- 
teemed. 

The qualities desirable to obtain are pretty 
nearly alike in the greater number cf domes- 
tic animals, that is, in those intended for ani- 
mal food. They are the capability of convert- 



74 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



ing a given quantity of food into the utmost 
amount of flesh and fat, and the development 
of this meat on those parts of the body most 
esteemed for food ; thus, small heads, short 
legs, and small bone altogether, arc essential 
qualifications, and early maturity is equally 
desirable. Connected with these points, we in- 
variably find a peculiarly quiet and indolent 
disposition — what physiologists would term a 
lymphatic temperament — which is denoted by 
a fineness of the skin — a certain resilience to 
the touch, so to speak, caused by the develop- 
ment of those membranes immediately under 
the skin, which serve for the deposition of fat 
in common with other objects. In cows kept 
for the purpose of the dairy, where butter and 
cheese are the sources of profit, the considera- 
tions just mentioned, though not altogether to 
be lost sight of, are yet secondary to others, 
such as the development of the lactic system. 

With regard to the horse, the qualities we 
have mentioned are still less essential. Mus- 
cular activity and vigour of constitution are 
necessary in all horses. 'A large bone and a 
certain degree of weight as well as quietness, 
is requisite in the cart-horse ; and a light 
frame, with great muscular and nervous ener- 
gy, is demanded in the thorough-bred. Be- 
tween such extremes a blending of these rival 
qualifications is called for in the various speci- 
mens afforded by other breeds of horses. 
" Like begets like," is an axiom in breeding 
•which cannot be disputed. It is vain to ex- 
pect healthy or perfect offspring from un- 
healthy or imperfect parents. Defects are 
•propagated more easily and more certainly than 
■virtues. They certainly may disappear in the 
first or second generation, but only to reappear 
in the third. It is only, therefore, by the most 
vigilant attention — by weeding and selecting, 
with the greatest care, that we can approach 
to perfection, which, however, is like the 
" mountain of the talisman" — no one has ever 
reached its summit. 

Human physiologists pay considerable at- 
tention to the subject of temperament, and 
•though we do not profess to make the same 
.nice distinctions with regard to brutes, yet it 
is extremely important to keep in mind those 
general and distinctive varieties of tempera- 
ment which ' operate so powerful^ in charac- 
terising various animals. 

' Wc may, then, broadly divide the tempera- 
ments of animals into three kinds, the nerv- 
ous, the thoracic, and the abdominal. In pro- 
portion as the nervous system, the chest, or 
the abdomen, is strongly developed, may we 
consider an animal to belong to one class or 
the other. 

In the. breeding of sheep and oxen for the 
purposes of the butcher, the grand object has 
been to establish the supremacy of the belly, 
and dethrone the empire of the cranium and 
the chest ; or, in other words, to preserve and 
to perpetuate that form of abdomen most fa- 



vourable to the due performance of the diges- 
tive processes, affording the capability of ex- 
tracting the utmost quantity of nourishment 
from the food, and at the same time diminish- 
ing as much as possible the development of the 
nervous system, (which would induce too 
much irritability, and destroy that indolence 
and quietness so essential for the fattening 
process,) as well as that of the organs of res- 
piration, which give at once the capability and 
the disposition for muscular, exertion. In the 
Leicester sheep we have one of the most per- 
fect specimens of the preponderating develop- 
ment of the abdominal or lymphatic tempera- 
ment, and a striking contrast to the native 
short-tail breed of the Orkney Islands, which, 
in form, habits, and disposition, approximate 
the goat. The Orkney sheep can leap from 
crag to crag, and, by its muscular activity, se- 
cure a scanty but sufficient sustenance for the 
preservation of health and strength, whilst the 
Leicester, under the same circumstances, would 
absolutely die from inanition. Its small lungs 
would be exhausted by the effort to inhale a 
sufficiency of air for the purpose of keeping 
up the animal heat, whilst the muscular sys- 
tem would sink under the fatigue arising from 
the constant locomotion required to procure the 
small modicum of food obtainable. 

The short-tailed' 'Ornkey, if submitted to 
the same treatment as the Leicester, would be 
found almost equally unfitted for its new 
abode. Instead of quietly and unremittingly, 
hour after hour, converting roots and grasses 
into mutton, with its mental faculties scarcely 
extending beyond the boundaries of the fold, 
its mind would be perpetually engaged in de- 
vising schemes for escaping from the impris- 
onment, and its active limbs would very soon 
put to the test the strength or height of the 
hurdles which formed its fold. Between these 
breeds we observe, in this country, a great va- 
riety, ranging from the one extreme to the 
other. The more improved breeds, however, 
have greatly encroached, and in many cases al- 
together supplnnted the hardy though unprofit- 
able natives. 'Thus the Leicester has either 
driven out of the field, or greatly mingled with 
and modified, nearly all the long-wooled breeds 
of this country, whilst the South-down has ex- 
ercised an almost equal influence on the short- 
wools. The Norfolk, the Wiltshire, the old 
Hampshire, and many others, may now be al- 
most regarded as obsolete. The South-down 
and the Cheviot, though decidedly inferior to 
the Leicester in the fleshing and fatting pow- 
ers, possess peculiar excellencies, which are 
likely to extend the culture of these breeds: 
the former in the superior flavour of the mut- 
ton ; both in their greater hardihood ; and the 
latter, more particularly in its adaptation for 
mountain pastures. 

We have alluded to the Leicester sheep as be- 
ing the most pc/feet specimen of meat-pro- 
ducing animal we are acquainted with, and t 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



C75 



perhaps, no other in the creation possesses in 
so high a degree the power of converting vege- 
table substances into the utmost quantity of 
animal food. It possesses, in fact, the most 
perfect, and, in proportion to the size of the 
animal, the most capacious digestive organs, 
whilst its nervous and thoracic systems are al- 
together secondary. In the South-down and 
the Cheviot these systems are brought into 
great play, activity being more required, but 
the brain and the chest are still subservient 
to the belly. 

The ox, on the other hand, is naturally 
adapted for, and, indeed, often employed in, 
laborious exertions. The locomotive organs 
are, therefore, more developed ; there is greater 
intelligence, and the body is longer in coming 
to maturity than in the sheep, arid the muscles 
are more interlaced with sinew. The chest 
and the nervous system are consequently more 
developed, though the belly is still supreme. 
The Devon cattle have long been regarded as 
the best workers, and possess greater activity 
in their locomotive powers : their lungs and 
brain are, consequently, more developed, but 
their feeding properties were, as might be an- 
ticipated, somewhat inferior to the short-horn 
and the Hereford; though, of late years, horse 
labour having been found, on the whole, more 
advantageous than ox labour, the disuse of the 
latter has caused more attention to be paid to 
the feeding, and less to' the working, qualities 
of the Devon cattle, so that they have be- 
come formidable- rivals of the other leading 
breeds. 

In the horse, the brain and chest are far 
more highly developed than in the ox, but 
there is a great variety in this respect in dif- 
ferent breeds. Whilst the heavy cart-horse ap- 
proaches the ox in the sluggishness of its 
temperament, and the preponderance and power 
of its digestive organs, the thorough-bred an- 
imal is distinguished by opposite qualifica- 
tions; the chest and the brain are more highly 
developed, and the belly no longer has the 
preponderance. Although the cart-horse is an 
unprofitable feeder compared with the ox, 
yet lie is highly profitable as compared with 
the thorough-bred horse. A hundred weight 
of hay, or a bushel of oats, will make less flesh 
in the latter than in the former, but the mus- 
cular vigour produced by it will be in a supe- 
rior and more concentrated form. A cart-colt 
will thrive on keep that will starve a thorough- 
bred, but the former will sink exhausted from 
exertions that will not tire the latter. 

What is called breed in horses, consists in the 
superior organizat : on of the nervous and tho- 
racic organs, as compared with the abdominal; 
fche chest v deeper and more capacious, and 
fee brain and nerves more highly developed. 
More air is respired, more blood purified, more 
■ferrous energy expended. Whilst the heavy 
Jfcrt-horse may be considered to possess the 
ymphatie temperament, the blood horse may 



be regarded as the emblem of the nervous and 
sanguine temperament combined ; the latter, 
however, predominating. When the nervous 
temperament has the ascendance, the animal 
will carry but little flesh, but will go till he 
drops, never seeming to tire. He will, how- 
ever, take too much out of himself, become 
thinner, and is what is called a hot horse. 
When the sanguine temperament greatly pre- 
vails, the horse will have great muscular pow- 
ers, but not much inclination to put them to 
the stretch. When the lymphatic tempera- 
ment has superior influence, the animal, though 
looking fresh and fat, and starting well at first, 
will soon flag and knock-up, and will rather 
endure the lash than make an extra exertion. 
It is the happy combination of the three tem- 
peraments that makes a perfect horse, when 
severe exertion is demanded. The full. devel- 
opment of the abdominal organs is essential, 
inasmuch as it is through the food that both 
the muscular system and the nervous energy 
is furnished. If the digestion is weak, the 
other powers will be inefficiently supplied. The 
sanguineous organs are needed to furnish the 
muscular powers, and the nervous system is 
demanded to furnish the muscles with the re- 
quisite energy, and the capability for endur- 
ance. What is called bottom in the horse, is 
neither more nor less than the abundant sup- 
ply of nervous energy, the muscles being at the 
same time well developed. 

We have dwelt at some length on the sub- 
ject of temperament, for it is important as elu- 
cidating our subject, and preventing that ob- 
scurity which often ereaps in when speaking 
of the subject of breeding. A well-bred sheep 
and a well-bred horse refer to totally different 
qualities: and, in aiming at improvement, we 
endeavour to foster in the one animal that 
which we would fain suppress in the other. 

There are few subjects connected with breed- 
ing more interesting to physiologists than the 
relative influence of the male and female parent. 
Whilst some ascribe the principle influence to 
the male, others consider that it ia chiefly due 
to the female, and there are not wanting illus- 
trations that appear to support either theoiw. 
The freaks of nature in these respects are cer- 
tainly very curious ; and people are often more 
struck by a remarkable exception than even 
by the rule, and are disposed to form their the- 
ories accordingly. The Arabs of the desert, 
so celebrated for their scrupulous attention to 
the purity of their breed of horses, who can 
trace a pedigree through a hundred genera- 
tions, are comparatively indifferent as to the 
stallion, but prize and preserve their mares 
with tne most rigorous care. They will part 
with the former for an equivalent remunera- 
tion, but scarcely anything will induce them 
to dispose of their mares if they belong to the 
true Kocklani breed. From this well-known 
fact it has been naturally inferred, that they 
consider the influence of the female as pre-em- 



G76 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



inent ; and the supporters of this theory ad- 
duce the fact just mentioned as a strong argu- 
ment in its favour. Indeed, at first sight it 
would appear, when we consider the more in- 
timate connection of the female with the off- 
spring, kept up during the long space which 
elapses "between conception and birth, that 
the influence of the dam must be greater than 
the sire. 

Facts, however, appear rather to support an 
opposite doctrine. The offspring of the male 
ass and the female horse resembles the former 
more than the latter. The long ears, spare, 
muscular development, narrow feet, and slug- 
gish action, are almost equal peculiarities of 
the mule and the ass, and strongly attest the 
former's plebian origin. The size, too, ap- 
proximates to the ass; for the large Spanish 
mules we sometimes meet with, are begotten 
by asses of great size. It is surprising, too, 
what large colts small mares will breed when 
begotten by horses of great size. Pony mares 
will thus rear stout cobs and Galloways ; and 
well-bred mares, about fifteen hands high, will 
throw good size carriage-horses, if put to a 
powerful stallion. The improvement that can 
be effected by means of a • Short-horned or 
Hereford bull, in a herd of ordinary cows, is 
strikingly shown ; indeed, the much greater 
weight of the calves, when sent to the butcher, 
is sufficient proof of the fact. In sheep, the 
influence of the male is, if possible, still more 
strongly illustrated. The cross between the 
South-clown ewe and the improved Cotswold 
ram, produces a large, long-woolled sheep, 
closely resembling the sire ; so, likewise, the 
progeny of the Leicester ram and the Cheviot 
ewe greatly resembles the male parent in size, 
appearance, and fattening qualities. 

We may, therefore, from these and other 
similar facts, which could readily be adduced, 
be justified in concluding that, so far as regards 
the size, general appearance, external form, 
and muscular development, the influence of 
the male is superior to that of the female. 
But, although in obedience to this principle, 
we believe that it is principally by means of 
the male that various improved breeds will be 
rendered more perfect, yet we by no means 
wish it to be inferred that we consider the 
qualities of the female a matter of indifference. 
So far from this being the case, we would cen- 
sure,' in the strongest terms, that utter neglect 
of the qualifications of the female, which is so 
frequently displayed, particularly with horses, 
and which we regard as the most grievous er- 
ror which, appertains to breeding. It is of 
equal importance to study the qualification of 
the female as the male, though the respective 
c >-v"\lencies may not be the same. Hereditary 
disease, and weakness of constitution, are 
much more likely to be communicated to the 
offspring by the mother than the father, which 
1s in keeping with the long and intimate con- 
nection maintained between the dam and the 



offspring, both before and after birth, till wean- 
ing takes place. As the same blood nourishes 
both, both are likely to become affected by any 
unhealthy change in this fluid. Soundness of 
constitution is, therefore, an indispensable re- 
quisite in the female. 

In the human being it has been noticed that- 
mental development is more frequently infiu- 1! 
enced by the mother ; and the clever women \ 
generally become the mothers of talented chil- ■]' 
dren, even when the fathers are not remarka- 
ble for mental superiority. In animals, of 
course, it is very difficult to ascertain whether 
this principle obtains, as sagacity is not sought 
for ; but we think that temper, disposition, and 
nervous development more frequently follow 
the female than the male. 

We offer these remarks as general rules, 
but by no means as rules without exception ; , 
and we do not wish it to be inferred that the!'' 
female has no influence in those qualifications 
in which the male is pre-eminent ; for it some- 
times happens that the female has greater in- 
fluence in these respects than the male, and 
in all cases some degree is possessed. Thus, 
when a handsome, well-bred mare is covered 
by a large, coarse stallion, the defects of tht 
latter are generally considerably softened 
down; the head is finer; and, though the 
frame of the offspring is larger than the dam, 
it is handsomer than that of the sire. The re- 
sult of this cross is generally superior to ar 
opposite assortment, where the sire is thorough- 
bred, and the dam a coarse, heavy animal 
The progeny, in this case, is often unequa 
and ill-arranged, possessing, perhaps, the fine 
legs of the sire, and the coarse body of tin 
dam. We may, therefore, with much propn 
ety, endeavour to modify the defects of onfl 
parent by opposite qualities in the other it 
and, though we may not always be able to esn; 
tablish a juste milieu, we shall succeed, to tk 
certain extent, in the accomplishment of o\ii\% 
wishes. We shall succeed the more perfectly 
by attending to those qualities in which tlntoi 
respective influence of the male and the feint 
male is most likely to be exercised ; that isij 
the size and external conformation, we shoukfc; 
seek to govern by means of the male ; and th**e. 
constitution and nervous system, through thait 
of the female. The fact, however, of the mahli 
animal begetting fifty to a hundred offspring,] 
in the course of a year, whilst the female self] 
dom produces more than one or two, must, anclf 
always will, cause improvements to be effeeteiti 
in breeds of animals principally by means oft 
the male. ] 

Mr. A. Walker, in a recent work on interp 
marriage, has endeavoured, with some succesBP 
to reduce the facts connected with^the subject! 
to a system, which had not before been atlj 
tempted. He contends that organization ilji 
propagated in halves ; that the voluntary loll 
comotive systems are produced by one parent^ 
and the vital and sensitive systems by fa 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



# 677 



>ther. The former is generally induced by 
he male, and the latter by the female; though 
)Ccasionally we observe an opposite result, 
vhich is owing to the female being sometimes 
nore vigorous than the male. This theory is 
certainly in keeping with the observations we 
lad made previous to seeing Mr. Walker's 
rook. The greater part of the work in ques- 
ion relates to mankind, and many facts are 
tdduced to show that when the forehead and 
ace of the offspring corresponds to the one 
>arent, the back, head, and general form re- 
embles the other ; that the former, and with 
t the vital and sensitive systems, are derived 
generally from the mother, and the latter from 
he father. In animals we do not notice so 
accurately the features of the face, but are at- 
racted far more by the resemblance offered by 
he configuration of the body, and thus we are 
nore impressed with the greater likeness the 
ffspring bears to the sire. So far as our own 
bservations go, however, the face more fre- 
quently resembles the dam ; which also cor- 
esponds with the author's theory. Mr. Wal- 
;er condemns the attempt at enlarging any 
ireed of animals by means of a larger sire, and 
j;ays that the progeny is likely to become, in 
pnsequence, ungainly and coarse. He ad- 
duces in support of his opinion, the vast im- 
provement that has been effected in the breed 
f horses, by means of the small Arabian stal- 
lion, the increased size of our blood horses be- 
hg owing, in his opinion, to the original na- 
pe mares ; and he adds, that it is vain to at- 
tempt to enlarge a breed of animals beyond the 
lapabilities of the soil. 

I These opinions, however, must be received 
Irith some reservation. We freely admit that, 
li-hen a large frame and the principle of growth 
lave been imprinted on the offspring by a 
lirge-sized male, this progeny must receive a 
jufficient quantity of nourishment to insure 
lie full development of the offspring, or other- 
wise an ill-formed animal Vrill be the conse- 
Juence. We should, therefore, never attempt 
i) improve the size by means of the male, un- 
less we possess the means of supplying a cor- 
responding amount of food. In the case of 
frjheep, we have abundant evidence that the 
Irm may be improved and the weight of mut- 
In increased at the same time. The Orkney, 
lie black-faced sheep, and the mountain breeds 
If Wales and Ireland, have all been thus en- 
Irged, and greatly improved, by means of the 
Iheviot, the South-down, or the Leicester ram. 
It has been the subject of surprise, that the 
l^'oss-bred and improved progeny should be- 
jme so well adapted for the native pastures ; 
fact, however, which can be well explained 
y the theory of Mr. Walker, that the vital 
pstem, (the constitution, in fact,) generally 
)ilows the dam. With regard to our thorough- 
red horses, we do not think Mr. Walker is 
)rrect in assuming that the size of the animal 
to be attributed to the native mares. We 



consider that our thorough-bred horses are 
either entirely descended from the Arabians 
and Barbs of the East ; or, if any of the na- 
tive blood were retained, it cannot be more 
than one part in a hundred. Eastern horses 
were brought into this country at a very early 
period, and the native breed had been so far 
improved that, in the reign of James the Eirst, 
an Eastern horse, imported by his sovereign, 
and costing £500, was beaten by native horses. 
The fact, no doubt, testifies the badness of the 
Arabian, as well as the goodness of the na- 
tives. Cromwell, who was a lover of the 
horse, imported some Arabian mares, as well 
as stallions ; so likewise did his successor. 
Charles the Second. One of these royal mares, 
as they were termed, was the dam of Dods- 
worih ; which has been considered by many 
people as the first English thorough-bred racer. 
We have, then, abundance of evidence to show 
that the English thorough-bred might have en- 
tirely descended, in unmixed purity, from the 
Eastern breeds, without any admixture of na- 
tive blood. The increased size, power, and 
speed possessed by this horse, as shown when * 
placed in competition with the original breeds, 
can be readily explained by the great care that 
has been exercised in breeding ; and more par- 
ticularly, in the abundance of nutritious food, 
such as oats, wherewith the young animal is so 
freely supplied as soon as the teeth are .able to 
masticate. 

By the combined effects of our climate, soil, 
and granivorous food, the size of our thorough- 
bred horses has been considerably enlarged, 
and earlier maturity has been attained, which 
is evident to any person who contemplates the 
finished forms of our choice three year old 
horses as they start for the Derby or the Oaks. 
Another cause which operates in preserving 
and increasing the size of thorough-bred horses, 
is to be found in the fact, that the winners of 
the great races are, in nine cases out of ten, 
large horses, (not the largest horses of the 
year, but still of a large size,) standing up- 
wards of fifteen and a half hands. These are 
the horses that are afterwards used as stallions, 
and to which nearly all thorough-bred mares 
are put, the inferior thorough-bred horses be- 
ing used for inferior mares. It must be evi- 
dent that, if a large horse possesses equal bot- 
tom and power of endurance to a smaller ani- 
mal, he must be able to beat tfie latter, in con- 
sequence of the more extended strides he is 
capable of taking. It is, however, generally 
the case, that horses of a medium size run 
most races, and last longest on the turf; their 
fore-limbs are not so likely to give way. 

In the breeding of race horses, it is well- 
known that it is absolutely imperative to breed 
from animals of pure descent. If any stain or 
admixture of inferior blood has entered into 
the composition of either parent, though in- 
troduced several generations back, its effects 
will be almost sure to appear in tl*3 offspring, 



GTS 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



even of the third generation, not only as it 
affects the form of the animal, but also as it 
relates to his power;? of endurance when put 
to a severe test. It is not in actual speed that 
the stain will be shewn, but rather in bottom ; 
fer many a cocktail can race for a quarter of a 
mile with a thorough-bred, though in a four 
mile heat the latter will be first, and the for- 
mer nowhere. 

The effect of this stain, as it is termed, even 
after several generations, it would be impossi- 
ble to explain on the principle of fluids, as 
then, after a few generations, the stain must 
gradually become washed out ; but, on Mr. 
"Walker's principle of resemblances being pro- 
pagated in halves, it is less difficult to account 
for ; as, according to his theory, the peculiari- 
ties of a particular parent may be as strong in 
the fourth generation as in the first, though it 
is equally or still more likely that they will be 
entirely erased. This explains the well-known 
fact, of a race of animals being produced by 
an original accidental peculiarity in one of the 
first parents ; as, for instance, in the Ancon 
% sheep, where an actual deformity was in- 
troduced, and . afterwards engendered in the 
breed. 

There is, however, a difficulty in Mr. Wal- 
ker's theory when applied to animals. He 
says the locomotive system is caused by one par- 
ent, and the vital sensitive systems by the other. 
Now, if he includes under the term vital sys- 
tem, the disposition of the animal to f >rm 
flesh and fat, we may thus have an animal 
with a full and powerful locomotive system, 
and yet with a vital system utterly incapable 
of maintaining it ; but though it is possible 
that this very anomalous case may occur, it is 
very unusual amongst animals. JSo far as our 
own observations go, the locomotive system 
and the disposition to form flesh and fat go to- 
gether ; and these are generally propagated 
by the male parent ; as, for instance, when a 
short-horned or Hereford bull is used with an 
ordinary herd of cows, or a Leicester ram with 
an inferior breed of sheep. The almost inva- 
riable effect of this latter cross is to produce 
an animal whose feeding and fatting qualities 
very closely approximate to those of the sire, 
and are beyond all comparison superior to the 
dam. 

The respective influence of the parents in dc- 
Unnining the sex f>f the offspring is involved in 
very considerable mystery. Nature seems to 
have provided that the sexes shall be pretty 
evenly balanced, but has refused to developc 
the causes which decide them. Physiologists 
differ much in opinion as to whether the sex 
is determined by the mother or the sire ; some 
supposing the former, and others the latter. 
Sir Everard Home, a distinguished physiolo- 
gist, was of opinion that the ovum, or germ, 
pvevious to impregnation, is of no sex,, but is 
so formed as to be equally fitted to become 
male or female, uud that it is the process of 



impregnation which marks the sex, and forms 
either male or female generative organs ; that 
before the fourth month the sex cannot be said 
to be confirmed, but that the parts previously 
are so blended, that either the one or the other 
may be formed therefrom, as the tendency to- 
wards the paternal or maternal type may pre- 
ponderate. This would account for the dispo- 
sition which some animals have to beget a 
greater number of one sex or the other. 

Mr. Knight, a celebrated naturalist, was in- 
clined to the opinion, that the female is princiv 
pally concerned in the development of the sex. 
He says, " In several, species of domesticated 
animals, (I believe in all,) particularly females, 
are found to produce a majority of offspring 
of the same sex ; and I have proved repeated- 
ly, that by dividing a herd of thirty cows into 
three equal parts. I could calculate on a large 
majority of females from one part, males from 
another, and upon nearly an equal number of 
males and females from the remainder. I fre- 
quently endeavoured to change the habits by 
changing the male, but without success." 

M. Buzareurgues, a Frenchman, instituted 
some experiments with sheep, with a view to 
determine the capability of arbitrarily produc- 
ing a larger number of either sex, and his re- 
sults went to prove that, if the male be very 
young, there will be produced more females 
than males, and vice versa : thus, in order to 
produce a male sheep, a ram of four or five 
years old should be used as the parent. In op- 
position to this doctrine we may observe that 
it is well known that some stallions beget a 
much larger proportion of colts than others, 
and this quality is sometimes enumerated as 
one of their recommendations. 

In the " Philosophy Transactions" for the 
year 1787, mention is made of a gentleman 
who was the youngest of forty sons, all pro- 
duced in succession from three different wives,, 
by one father, in Ireland. An instance nl*o is 
recorded of seven successive daughters born to, 
a man by his first wife, and of seven sons by 
his second wife. 

The only conclusion that we can draw from 
these contradictory opinions and statements is,j 
that both male and female possess a certain] 
degree of influence in determining the sex; 
that sometimes the one operates and sometimes. 
the other. There is also some degree of weight 
to be attached to the opinion that, when the 
male is older than the female, the majority of; 
the offspring are likely to be males. 

In-and-in breeding is a subject which has. 
given rise to great difference and contrariety of 
opinion ; it possesses some strong advocates, butj 
more warm opponents. The practice certainly* 
possesses both advantages and disadvantages. I 
It offers the readiest and most certain method 
of preserving the perfections of an improved 
breed, but, on the other hand.it endangers this 
breed, by perpetuating and strengthening thosd 
hereditary faults and predispositions to which] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



679 



nearly all breeds are liable. Intermarriages 
amongst near relations, such as cousins, are 
strongly objected to by human physiologists, 
who regard it as the fertile source of many 
diseases, and more particularly of those affect- 
ing the mind. Insanity, consumption, and 
even barrenness, are considered to be the con- 
sequences of these two close alliances ; and 
the extinction of some royal, and many noble 
families, is assigned to this cause. Man, from 
his more perfect • and complex organization, is 
liable to many more diseases than affect the 
brute creation, and particularly those of an 
hereditary character; thus, in his case, the 
danger from breeding from too near consan- 
guinities is greatly increased. It is, however, 
an interesting and a very important question 
to determine, whether these undoubtedly dan- 
gerous sequels arise merely from the increased 
predisposition to particular diseases, kept up 
and multiplied by the idiosyncracies of both 
parents, or whether it be owing to some un- 
known and mysterious causes peculiar to in- 
and-in breeding, and which cannot be separated 
therefrom. 

It is, however, necessary to understand what 
is really meant by in-and-in breeding, as its 
good and bad effects depend very much on the 
extent to which it is carried. If we consider 
that every animal possesses the organization of 
both its parents, such as the locomotive system 
of the sire, and the sensitive system of the 
dam, the male and female progeny of these 
parents may both possess the same organiza- 
tion, such as the external form of the sire, and 
the internal structure of the dam ; or other- 
wise, one<may possess the locomotive system of 
the mother, and the sensitive system of the 
father. In the former instance, supposing 
these animals unite, the effects of in-and-in 
breeding are much stronger than in the latter ; 
for both the locomotive and the sensitive sys- 
tem of the original male parent may be de- 
veloped in the grandson, and with it all the 
faults which the grandsire possessed, without 
any modification or 'alleviation. If. on the 
other hand, this brother and sister, which are 
thus paired, possess opposite systems, then their 
progeny are likely to possess the peculiarities 
of both grand parents, an,d then no ill effect 
may arise. A much stronger example of in- 
and-in breeding is when the sire first copulates 
with the daughter, and then with the issue of 
this union, as then the chances are three to one 
that the offspring of the latter union will pos- 
sess both the internal and external systems 
of the sire, weakened instead of strengthened 
by this successive interunion. The dangers 
of this extremely close breeding are certainly 
very great, and it is a practice by no means to 
be recommended. It is not natural to either 
men or animals to desire a being the counter- 
part, as it were, of itself; and the progeny 
is consequently likely to be weakly, and par- 
ticularly deficient in the reproductive faculties. 



In those instances where in-and-in breeding 
has been successfully adopted, (and it must be 
confessed that it has been practised by many 
eminent breeders with great success,) it has 
rarely been carried so far as the cases we have 
just supposed ; while their extensive herds and 
flocks have afforded them a much wider range 
than the first remove. They have also exer- 
cised a rigorous selection, never breeding from 
unhealthy or faulty parents. By this careful 
weeding, the very evils which in-and-in breed- 
ing is calculated to produce, are successfully 
avoided. 

The celebrated Bakewell, though he estab- 
lished the new Leicester breed of sheep by 
means of successful and careful crossing, yet, 
when he had reached a certain degree of ex- 
cellence, and had attained most of the points 
aimed at, he maintained and still further im- 
proved his sheep by careful selection and in- 
and-in breeding ; he did so on the principle 
that as his own sheep were much superior 
to any others, he could net employ any for- 
eign rams without danger of deteriorating 
his flock. There are some Leicester breeders 
of the present day who still continue the sys- 
tem, and by rigorously culling every faulty 
and defective animal, have been enabled to 
steer clear of the dangers of the practice, and 
to preserve an uniformity of character and ap- 
pearance amongst their stock, which they 
could not otherwise obtain. There are also 
many advocates of the system amongst breed- 
ers for the turf; and it is certainly the fact, 
that many of our most celebrated horses were 
the offspring of very near affinities. 

The practical conclusions which we feel jus- 
tified in drawing, are, 

1st. That in-and-in breeding is not attended 
with equally unfavourable results amongst an- 
imals as with man, which is to be attributed 
to the absence of various mental diseases in 
the former, and to the greater selection which 
is almost invariably adopted. 

2d. That the evils which often follow in-and 
in breeding can, to a great extent, be avoided 
by judicious selection and careful weeding; 
but that when a male of equal qualifications in 
every respect can be obtained from another 
herd or flock, it is desirable to avail ourselves 
of the opportunity, in preference to using a 
male of the same family. 

The system of Crossing is generally under- 
stood to refer to the alliance of animals of dif- 
ferent breeds, snch as between a thorough-bred 
and a half-bred amongst horses, or a South- 
down and Leicester among sheep. Now, the 
advantages or disadvantages of this system de- 
pend entirely on the object we have in view, 
whether merely to beget an animal for the 
butcher, or for the purpose of again perpetuat- 
ing the species. If the latter is the object, 
then crossing should be adopted gradually and 
with care, and by no means between animals 
possessing distant or antagonistic qualities ; 



680 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



as, for example, a thorough-bred and a cart- 
horse. The result of the latter connection is 
generally an ill-assorted, and unfavourable an- 
imal, too heavy perhaps for one purpose, and 
too light for another. If we wish to instil 
more activity into the cart-breed, it is better to 
do so by means of some half-bred animal, 
whilst the latter can be improved by means of 
the three-parts-bred horse, and this again by 
the thorough-bred. There is a remarkable ten- 
dency, in breeding, for both good qualities and 
bad to disappear for one or two generations, 
and to re-appear in the second or third ; thus 
an animal often -resembles the graud-dam more 
than the dam. This peculiarity is itself an 
objection to the practice of crossing,- as it tends 
to prevent uniformity and to encourage contra- 
rieties ; and thus we find in many flocks and 
herds that the hopes of the breeders have been 
entirely baffled, and a race of mongrels estab- 
lished. 

The first cross is generally sucpessful, — a 
tolerable degree of uniformity is produced, re- 
sembling in external conformation the sire, 
which is usually of a superior breed ; and thus 
the offspring are superior to the dams. These 
cross-bred animals are now paired amongst 
each other, and what is the consequence ? Uni- 
formity at once disappears ; some of the off- 
spring resemble the grand-sire, and others the 
grand-dams, and some possess the disposition 
and constitution of the one and some of the 
other ; and consequently a race of mongrels 
is perpetuated. If, however, the cross is re- 
ally a good and desirable one, then, by means 
of rigorous and continued selection, pursued 
for several generations, that is, by casting 
aside, as regards breeding purposes, every an- 
imal that does not exhibit uniformity, or pos- 
sess the qualifications we are desirous of per- 
petuating, a valuable breed of animals may in 
the course of time be established. By this 
system many varieties of sheep have been so 
far improved as to become almost new breeds ; 
as, for instance, the Devon notts, the Kentish 
sheep, and particularly the New Oxfordshire, 
which so frequently gains prizes at the great 
Agricultural Meetings, as being the best long- 
woolled sheep. 

To cross, however, merely for crossing sake 
— to do so without that care and vigilance 
which we have deemed so essential — is a prac- 
tice which cannot be too much condemned. It 
is, in fact, a national evil and a sin against 
society, that is, if carried beyond the first 
cross, *or if the cross-bred animals are used for 
breeding. A useful breed of animals may 
thus be lost, and a generation of mongrels es- 
tablished in their place, a result which has 
followed in numerous instances amongst every 
breed of animals. 

The principal use of crossing, however, is to 
raise animals for the butcher. In this respect 
it has not been adopted to half the extent it 
might be advantageously followed. The male, 



being generally an animal of a superior breed 
and of a vigorous nature, almost invariably 
stamps his external form, size, and muscular 
development on the offspring, which thus bear 
a strong resemblance to him, whilst their in- 
ternal nature, derived from the dam, well 
adapts them to the locality as well as to the 
treatment to which their dams have been ac- 
customed. With regard to cattle, the system 
cannot be so advantageously pursued, (except 
for the purpose of improving the size and 
qualities of the calf, where veal is the object,) 
inasmuch as every required qualification for 
feeding purposes can be attained by using ani- 
mals of the pure breeds. But with sheep, 
where the peculiarities of the soil as respects 
the goodness of feed, and exposure to the se- 
verities of the weather, often prevent the in- 
troduction of an improved breed, the value of 
using a new and superior ram is often very 
considerable, and the weight of mutton is ma- 
terially increased, without its quality being to 
any extent impaired, while earlier maturity is 
at the same time attained. At the present 
moment, when mutton commands a good price, 
which it is perhaps likely to retain for some 
time, the advantages of this system of crossing 
would be very considerable. It involves, how- 
ever, more systematic attention than farmers 
usually like to bestow, for it is necessary to 
employ a different ram for each purpose ; that 
is, a native ram for a portion of the ewes to 
keep up the purity of the breed, and a foreign 
ram to raise the improved cross-bred animals 
for fatting either as lambs or sheep. This 
plan is adopted by many breeders of Leicester 
sheep, who thus employ South-down rams to 
improve the quality of the mutton, and suit 
the taste of the London consumers. With at 
least equal advantage might the Leicester ram 
be employed amongst many flocks of South- 
down sheep, so as to increase the weight and 
fatting qualities, and hasten the maturity; and 
still more might this be done with other breeds. 
One inconvenience attending this plan, and 
which probably has tended to limit the prac- 
tice, is the necessity of fatting the maiden 
ewes as well as the wethers, which is probably 
not done so advantageously ; they may, how- 
over, be disposed of as fat lambs, or the prac- 
tice of spaying might be adopted, so as to in- 
crease the fatting disposition of the animal. 
Crossing, therefore, should be adopted with 
great caution and care when the object is to 
improve a breed of animals: it should never 
be practised carelessly or capriciously ; but it 
may be very advantageously pursued with a 
view of raising superior and more profitable 
animals for the butcher. 



Garden Seeds. — Beans, Peas, Cress, Carrot, 
Leek, Nasturtium, Okra, Onion, Peppers, Sal- 
sify, Scorzonera, and herb seeds generally, will 
keep from two to three years. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



681 



Pears on the Haw* Stock. 

Editors Southern Cultivator. — Attention 
aving been much attracted of late to this de- 
icious fruit, too long neglected at the South, I 
vould suggest to those who wish to enjoy it 
without waiting too long, the use of the com- 
non red fruited Haw, so abundant in our 
voods and old fields as stock, to graft upon. 
?rom an experience of several years, I give it 
lecided preference over the Quince or the Pear 
tock, for the following reasons : 

1st. It throws out no troublesome suckers or 
unners, which we all know to be a serious in- 
onvenience to say the least. 

2d. A Pear grafted on the Haw will bear 
he third or fourth year, and often the second 
'ear from the graft. 

3d. The Haw will derive nourishment and 
hrive, as we all know, on any of our poor 
andy soils, where the Quince or Pear would 
tarve and dAvindle away, as they require rich 
oil to grow and produce as they should. 

4th. The Haw grows from the seed, which 
3 easily procured, if planted as soon as ripe, 
r apy number of healthy young trees can 
ie taken up from the woods, grafted and set 
ut. 

Lastly. It is , a much stronger stock than 
he Quince. 

I have for several years enjoyed delicious 
5 ears grown on the Haw, while the original 
mported parents on Quince have scarcely 
>roved themselves, indeed some of them have 
ot yet borne. 

Some Pears will not do on Quince ; whether 
his will also be the case on the Haw, experi- 
nce alone can teach. So far, all that I have 
ried have done well. 

I do not advise, of course, to reject either the 
iuince or the Pear ; on the contrary, I make 
ise of both, and only propose the Haw as a 
>owerful auxiliary in rearing an orchard. 

A very dwarfish species of Haw, not more 
han two or three feet, will give true dwarf 
^ars, which will answer for a small garden, 
r probably for a large box or jar. In the 
ame way will a peach budded on a small 
ouble-flowering Almond, so common in every 
ower garden, never attain more than three 
r four feet in heighth, and sometimes much 
ess, forming a perfect little tree, and bearing 
arge and beautiful fruit. I have tried it and 
ucceeded perfectly. A. C. 

[Our correspondent is an experienced Fruit 
Grower, and his testimony should induce a 
urther trial of the Haw as a stock for the 
'ear. We have, already, the Italian Dwarf 
'each, which is very small, and worthy of a 
lace as a curiosity. The double-flowering Al- 
lond can be made available as " A. C.' ; ~su£- 



Can any of our readers inform us what the 
! Haw is ?— Ed. So. Planter. 



gests, when it is desirable to dwarf particular 
varieties. — Eds.] — Southern Cultivator. 
. ■<■•«♦» • 

Source of Fat. 

During the course of the past year, experi- 
ments have been made in France on a number 
of ducks to prove that the fat may exceed the 
quantity which could be referred to the food 
they were supplied with. Some were fed on 
rice, a substance which contains only a few 
parts of fat in a thousand. Others fed on 
rice with a certain amount of butter added. 
At the end of the experiment, the first were 
as lean as when first placed upon the diet ; the 
latter, in a few days, became positively balls 
of fat. Other experiments were made on pigs. 
It was found as the result of several trials, 
that there was sometimes more fat produced 
than was contained in the food on which they 
were fed. Food which, given alone, has not 
the properties of fattening, when mixed with 
a fatty matter acquires the property to an as- 
tonishing degree ; and fattening articles of 
food, which do not contain much fat, always 
abound with its chemical constituents, the prin- 
cipal of which is azote, and from whence the 
fat acquired is certainly derived.- — Scientific 
American. 

Greasing* Leathers. 

To the Ediio?s of the American Farmer : — 

Gentlemen. — In the farmer of this month, 
among other matters, you call the attentiun of 
my agricultural friends to the care of their 
gear. 

Having a practical knowledge of the subject, 
I write you a few lines. All leather should be 
washed with tepid water and soap, free of dirt, 
scraped of all gummy matter, and well satu- 
rated with water ; then apply the grease, and 
hang up in a house where it is warm enough 
to keep it soft. When thoroughly dry, rub off 
the residuum with a rag, else it will catch the 
the dust, and cause the leather to break. The 
best oil for the purpose is neat's foot, next cod 
liver, but the most easily got at, and possibly 
the cheapest, is fresh butter, (without salt.) 
Greasing in the usual way with whale oil, is 
absolutely injurious. If the farmer would buy 
two pair of boots, instead of one, and wear 
them alternate weeks, using the following com- 
pound both for uppers and soles ; washing off 
the mud, and dampening the leather before the 
application, he will have dry feet, and find his two 
pairs equal to four in durability: — Take 1 pound 
fresh butter, | lb. of tallow, j pint of tar, and 
warm them over the fire till thoroughly mixed. 
Set it by for use, and apply it cold. In mode- 
rate weather hang up the boots to dry. If he 
desires to polish them for church (where every 
farmer ought to be a regular attendant) let him 
first put on a thin coating of his wife's starch, 
and applying the blacking on that he will have 
a polish. Farmer. 

Baltimore, Feb. 10, 1857. 



682 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



Nokth Carolina State Fair. — The fifth 
annual exhibition of the North Carolina State 
Agricultural Society will commence in the city 
of Raleigh on the 29th of October next, and 
Trill continue four days. The officers of the 
Society are as follows : 

lion. Thos. Ruffin, of Alamance, President ; 
Richard H. Smith, of Halifax, 1st Vice Presi- 
dent ; John S. Dati'cy, of Edgecombe, 2d do. 
Dr. W. R. Holt, of Davidson, 3d do. ; Hon 
Win. A. Graham, of Orange, 4th do. ; J. F. 
Hutchins, Treasurer; T. J. Lemay, Secretary. 

Executive Committee. — W. R. Pool, of Wake : 
C. H. Hinton, of Wake ; • W. N. Edwards, of 
Warren ; Richard Ii. Smith, of Halifax ; John 
S. Dancy, of Edgecombe ; P. C. Cameron, of 
Orange : W. H. Jones, Wake ; W. A Faton, of 
Granville ; and W. A. Whitaker, of Wake. 

The abundant productions of all kinds for 
the present year give unusual promise of a 
well attended and successful exhibition. 



From the British Farmers' Magazine. 

The Babraham Earn Letting. . 
The name of Mr. Jonas Webb in con- 
nection with the Babraham rams has at- 
tained, of late years, not only an English, 
but also an European and Transatlantic 
reputation. The annual letting of his 
rams by public competition is, therefore, 
an event of considerable interest in the 
agricultural world ; for although the exam- 



tained as compared with those realized i 
several years back, and the favorable ver- 
dict of public opinion and repute which is 
generally accorded to him. 

But Mr. Webb's merits are too well 
known to need further comment. Thurs- 
day, July 16, witnessed his thirty-first an- 
nual gathering; and the railway trains 
brought visitors from all the adjoining 
counties, and also from more remote parts 
of the country. Whittlesford is the near- 
est station to Babraham, but is between two 
and three miles distant from it; and the 
conveyances which plied on the hot and 
dusty road were eagerly besieged and rap-' 
idly filled. Mr. Webb's neighbors also 
visited him in considerable numbers ; and] 
every one was received by him with thei 
urbanity and hospitality which have con- 
tributed considerably to the success of his 
meetings. Luncheon over, the visitors 
strolled over the farm, and inspected some 
splendid shorthorns, one of which is un- 
derstood to have been sold during the day 
for 150 guineas, Mr. Webb, having of late 
devoted considerable attention to cattle as 
well as sheep. The rams, the great at- 
traction of Babraham, were in the usual 
fields near the house. There were in the 
list exposed on the ground, one five-year- 
old, ten four-year-olds, sixteen three-year 
olds, fifty-three two-year olds, and sixty 
yearlings, or 140 in all. The following ta- 



ple Mr. Webb has set has been followed 
by other eminent and painstaking breeders, ible supplies some interesting particulars of 
he still maintains an honorable pre-emi- each animal. It should be premised that 
nence. With the constantly increasing:' the numbers are those with which the 



itantly 

recognition of the principle that the best sheep are marked : 
stock must be obtained at almost any cost, 
by those who wish to occupy a prominent 
position as breeders, there has also como 
an increased amount of competition among 
the proprietors of rams ; and several gen- 
tlemen who formerly hired animals from 
Mr. Webb, are now rivals with him in the 
market he may be said to have created. — 
It is honorable to be foiled with one's own 
weapons ; but it is more pleasant to retain 
one's superiority ; and acting on this prin- 
ciple, Mr. Webb has not contented himself 
with his first triumphs, but has constantly 
endeavorcd to advance in the path of im- 
provement, and to maintain a respectable 
distance between himself and all competi- 
tors. That. he has 'succeeded in doing so 
may be seen in the numerous and influen- 
tial visitors to the smiling plains of Cam- 
bridgeshire, the higher prices he has ob- 



FIVE YEAR OLDS. 

No. 2 put up at IS guineas ; weight of wool, S lbs 

FOUR YEAR OLDS. 





rut up at 


Wei 


iht. 




Put up at 


Weig 


lit. 


A T o. 


Guineas. 


lbs. 


oz 


No. 


Guinea*. 


lbs. 


oz. 


4 


20 


10 





11 


10 


8 





5 


6 


7 


8 


12 


10 


10 





8 


10 


7 


4 


13 


50 


8 


4 


9 


11 


6 


8 


14 


70 


S 


s 


10 


25 9 
THREE 


4 


15 


8 
)LDS. 


7 







YEAR C 






Put up at 


^Ve• 


ght. 




Put up at 


Wejg 


1)!. 


No. 


Guineas. 


\b<. 


07.. 


No. 


Guineas. 


lbs. 


o:'.. 


19 


11 


7 


8 


29 


23 


9 


8 


20 


18 


11 


8 


30 


35 


9 





22 


3 


9 


Q 


32 


10 


9 


4 


23 


12 


10 





35 


20 


9 





24 


50 


12 





36 


1G 


6 


4 


25 


5 


9 


s 


37 


11 


3 





26 


G 


9 


12 


41 


20 


7 


a 


2S 


6 


9 





42 


15 


10 


12 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



6 83 



TV/O YEAR OLDS. 



Put up at 

Guineas. 

10 

8 
45 

8 

9 

7 

8 
18 
13 
18 
10 

7 
11 
12 
14 
11 
13 

6 

6 

8 

8 
13 

7 

6 



Put up at 

Guineas. 

15 

. 8 

13 

6 

9 

12 

10 

10 

10 

35 

15 

9 

8 

11 

16 

8 

10 

15 

9 

9 

14 

11 

5 

7 

16 

13 

6 

12 

11 

10 

13 



Weight. 
lbs. oz. 



9 

10 
10 
10 

s 
11 

8 
3 
8 

10 
9 
8 
7 
7 

11 
9 
8 
S 
8 
7 
8 
8 
7 
8 
9 

10 



Put up at 
No. Guineas. 
• 78 8 

30 8 

81 8 

82 

83 

84 

86 

88 

89 

92 

95 

96 

97 

99 
100 
101 
102 
103 
105 
109 

lis 

114 
115 
116 
117 
118 



Weight, 
lbs. oz. 



6 
10 
15 
11 
35 

9 
11 

9 
14 
15 
40 
20 
55 
19 
15 
16 
20 
40 
35 
130 
208 
40 
16 



YEARLINGS. 



Weight. 



lbs. 

8 
8 
8 
7 

7 
9 
8 
8 
7 
8 
7 
6 
7 

10 
7 
9 
7 
7 
7 

11 
9 
9 
7 
6 
7 
9 
7 
8 
7 
9 
6 



OZ. 

8 


8 


o 




8 
8 
8 

12 
4 

4 

8 
8 
4 
6 
4 

8 
8 
4 
4 

4 

12 



No. 
168 
169 
171 
173 
176 
177 
178 
179 
180 
181 
184 
186 
187 
189 
192 
193 
194 
196 
197 
198 
219 
220 
221 
222 
224 
226 
228 
230 
231 



Put up at 
Guineas. 

18 
7 

13 



20 



234 



7 

9 

10 

9 

10 

15 

9 

8 

40 

8 

7 

23 

23 

30 

40 

40 

70 

70 

60 

65 

30 

30 

45 



8 
9 
9 
9 

10 
8 
9 

10 
8 
9 
8 
9 
8 

10 

10 
8 
9 
9 

10 
8 
9 
9 
8 
9 



Weight. 
lbs. 02 



7 
7 
7 
7 
8 
7 
9 
9 
10 
10 
8 
8 
3 



The letting commenced shortly after 2 
clock, Mr. King, of the firm of Nock- 
olds and King, of Saffron Walden, Essex, 
acting as auctioneer. The sheep called 
into the ring in front of the rostrum were 



started at the prices affixed to them above, 
and if no advance was made the party 
calling any sheep in was adjudged tne 
hirer; the highest bidder, of course, taking 
any ram, in regard to which competition 
ensued. The results of the letting will be 
probably best shown in a tabular form : 



No. 

119 

228 

113 

78 

16S 

221 

222 

72 

13S 

177 

2 

57 

81 

12 

32 

46 

10 

29 

24 

114 

54 

36 

88 

8 

115 

5 

22 

23 

109 

141 

102 

43 

14 



Put up 


Real- 


at Gs. 


ized. 


15 


15 


65 


70 


40 


50 


8 


14 


18 


25 


40 


71 


70 


100 


13 


20 


11 


11 


20 


21 


18 


19 


10 


21 


8 


14 


10 


16 


10 


15 


45 


45 


25 


31 


23 


25 


50 


50 


35 


35 


13 


14 


16 


23 


35 


41 


10 


21 


130 


197 


6 


10 


8 


8 


12 


15 


20 


20 


8 


8 


19 


23 


10 


10 


70 


70 



No. 

13 

121 

50 

15 

4 

20 

92 

128 

197 

69 

184 

76 

189 

140 

231 

30 

142 

42 

118 

193 

117 

187 

96 

41 

55 

136 

84 

35 

37 

100 

77 

105 



Put up 


Real- 


atGs. 


ized. 


50 


52 


13 


13 


7 


7 


3 


10 


20 


20 


13 


18 


11 


11 


10 


10 


23 


31 


8 


8 


9 


12 


8 


8 


9 


9 


16 


16 


30 


40 


35 


36 


10 


10 


15 


17 


16 


16 


40 


40 


40 


44 


15 


15 


14 


14 


20 


20 


18 


13 


9 


9 


15 


1 15 


20 


21 


11 


11 


20 


20 


7 


11 


16 


16 



These were all the rams hired at the 
public letting. The gross amount at which 
they were put up was £1,524 12s., and 
the gross. amount they realized was £1,812 
6s., which, divided by 65 (the number let) 
gives an average of £27 17s. 7|d. per head, 
or upwards of £2 in excess of any year 
since 1852, with the exception of last year, 
which was an unusually good one. The 
competition was rather languid towards the 
close of the letting, and the circle round 
the ring thinned considerably. It will be 
observed however, that in the early part of 
the proceedings there was a good deal of 
activity in the bidding, more particularly 
with regard to Nos. 113,221, 222, 57, 8,>231 
and 130. The bids for the last mounted 
up rapidly, the advance being frequently 
three or four guineas at once. Eventually 
the ram, which was a very splendid one, 
was hired by Mr. Sabine of Newmarket, 



684 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



on behalf of an American gentleman, Mr. 
Lindsey, of New York ; and it was report- 
ed that it would probably be purchased, 
and remain in the United States. It was 
also stated that 197 guineas is the largest 
sum ever obtained by Mr. Webb for the 
hire of a single ram. 



Ever-Bearing Autumnal Raspberries. 

Varieties of this class of Raspberries are 
rapidly accumulating ; but a few years ago 
the " Ohio Ever-bearing" was the only 
sort known ; now there are enumerated in 
nurserymen's collections some half a 
dozen or more. 

We are not yet in possession of suffi- 
cient experience to say whether any of 
them are adapted to extensive cultivation 
for market purposes, but we have no hes- 
itation whatever in directing the attention 
of amateur and experimental cultivators 
to them as a means of prolonging greatly 
the season of one of the most healthy and 
delicious of all our small fruits. . We have 
heard it remarked that inasmuch as every 
season brings with it its peculiar fruits, it 
is hardily worth while to produce any fruit 
out of its natural season. There is some 
force in this we admit, yet we cannot see 
why it is not as desirable to produce fine 
raspberries in the month of September, as 
it is to ripen grapes in winter or early 
spring. Indeed there can be no question 
but that the advancement of Horticulture 
will produce in time not merely fruits of 
superior character, but skilful and ingeni- 
ous hybridization and other scientific pro- 
cesses, will originate varieties of many of 
our garden fruits that will ripen out of 
what is now called the natural season, and 
greatly increase the value of others and 
the enjoyment to be derived from them. 

To us it appears as if this were a field for 
the most interesting experiment, and from 
this point of view we regard these Ever- 
bearing Raspberries as an important ac- 
quisition. We hope cultivators will not be 
backward in testing their value and let us 
know the result. 

1. The Ohio Ever-bearing is simply an 
ever-bearing or autumnal-bearing variety 
of pur native black sort, known as the Black 
Cap, a roundish Hat berry, quite black, 
covered with a whitish bloom or down. — 
It is now in full bearing, and it often, not 
always*, bears a full crop in September and 
beginning of October. To our taste it is 



not to be compared to the delicious Ant- 
werps and others of that family, but many 
express a preference for its sprightly, pe- 
culiar aroma. It has one great advantage 
— it is hardy, standing well where others 
are killed. 

2. The Catawissa is a more recent dis- 
covery, picked up in a wild state in Penn- 
sylvania. It has been very favorably spo- 
ken of by some who are competent tojudge, 
but we have not seen it sufficiently to speak 
with much confidence. It is a berry of 
medium size, purplish red, good flavor, ten- 
der, and we notice fruit in all stages of 
growth now upon the canes. 

3. The Large Fruited Monthly of 
Rivers was imported from England to this 
country several years ago. This is a red, 
roundish fruit, somewhat of the character 
of the FastolfF, but not so large, it bears 
an abundant crop in July, and if the weather 
be favorable, another in the fall on the 
canes of the current season. This crop, 
however is not reliable, as it depends much 
on the weather and the treatment. Where 
a fall crop is desired, only the strongest 
canes should be left, and these should be 
well treated by good culture of the soil, and 
if need be, supplied with water. This re- 
mark will apply, indeed, to all this class. 

4. The Merveille de Four Seasons is an- 
other red variety, from France, of good size 
and great excellence ; it bears well in July, 
and if the canes for fall bearing are well 
managed, a «good crop in September. — 
Last season, in the latter part of Septem- 
ber and beginning of October, we saw it 
loaded with superb fruit in a situation where 
it received no particular care. We place 
this at the head of this class without any 
scruple, and believe it well worthy of cul- 
tivation. 

o. Belle de Fontenay. — This is another 
French variety of the largest size, dark 
crimson color, and remarkably firm — well 
suited in this respect to carry to market. — 
The flavor is sweet, and sprightly, quite 
peculiar to this sort. The canes, too, are 
so distinct as not to be confounded with 
any other ; very stout, with short, dark 
spines; foliage dark green, heavy and 
much crimpled. They are also produced 
in great abundance. It does not bear as 
well as the preceding, many of the blos- 
soms being abortive, but the fruits that do 
mature fill out well and make a superb 
show. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



685 



There is a white ever-bearing sort on 
the lists, but we have not seen enough of it 
to give an opinion of its merits or make 
any description of it. We shall take par- 
ticular notice of this class of Raspberries 
in the autumn, and report upon their fruit- 



fulness. — Rural JVeiv Yorla 



Points of a Good Horse. 

The New York Spirit of the Times gives 
the following directions for examining the 
condition of a horse : 

In purchasing a good horse, sight, wind, 
feet and limbs must be the uppermost ob- 
jects of enquiry ; for nine horses out of 
ten are defective in one of these particu- 
lars. First, then examine his eyes, and 
do this before he comes out of the stable ; 
see that they are perfectly clear and 
transparent, and that the pupils or apples 
of the eye are exactly alike in size and 
color. Next examine his pipes ; if good 
and sound on being napped in the gullet, 
he will utter a sound like that from a bel- 
lows ; but if his lungs are touched, and he 
is broken winded, he will give vent to a 
dry, husky, short cough ; look to his limbs 
also, and in passing your hand down his 
legs, if you find any unnatural protube- 
rance, or puffiness, or if feeling first one 
leg then the other, you discover any differ- 
ence between them,* disease more orless 
is present: he may not be lame, but he is 
not clean upon his legs. If he "is broad 
and full between the eyes, he may be de- 
pended on as a horse of good sense, and 
capable of being trained to almost any- 
thing. If you want a gentle horse, get 
one with more or less white upon him : 
many suppose that the parti-colored horses 
belonging to circuses, shows, &c, are selec- 
ted for their oddity ; but it is on account 
of their docility and gentleness ; in fact, 
the more kindly you treat horses, the bet- 
ter you will be treated by them in return. 



From the Rome Courier. 

A short Chapter on Keeping Sweet 
Potatoes. 

Mr. Editor : — There being nearly a total 
failure, of the keeping the valuable esculent 
heading this article, this season, by cold 
weather, I am requested by a friend in your 
vicinity to give you for publication, the modus 
operandi of my keeping. 

I have now orders from all quarters, to send 
sweet potatoes and yams, for seed ; offering 
any price I should please to ask, from one to 
five dollars a bushel. 

If our good people would take the Southern 
Cultivator, or some other good agricultural pa- 
per, and read it, and remembering what they 
read», would see what I have said on this sub- 
ject years ago, not only what has been said on 
keeping sweet potatoes, but they can get the 
combined and condensed views of others on 
many such useful matters by practicing which, 
they would save ten times over the price of 
these useful journals. Then as the last season 
has fairly tested, my plan over all others ; as 
mine remained safe and sound. I suppose I 
had not a dozen roots rotted, while all others I 
can hear from, have rotted or badly injured by 
the cold ; therefore at a special call for my 
simple plan, here it is — Take out of the ground 
not too soon after the frost kills the vines ; and 
don't wait too long, so as to get them frost-bit- 
ten. Dig in dry weather; have some out-house; 
some garret, or some such house, not fit for any 
thing else, it makes no odds if it is a little open, 
if dry. Have a good strong plank floor, laid 
close, sprinkle a bed of cotton seed, a few inches 
thick ; on this put your potatoes, piled up, as 
much as possible, without rolling down. Let 
them lay here and dry a few days, then cover 
the whole over with the same, (cotton seed,) 
some eight or ten inches, and your potatoes 
will keep sound all the winter. How much 
more convenient and safe this plan. When 



Pumpkins. — The 
preserving pumpkins 



most effectual method of 
during the winter, is to 
select the largest and most perfectly matured, 
and having deposited a stratum of dry straw 
on a close floor, place them thereon — not so 
near as touch each other, and cover them care- 
fully with straw and taking especial care to fill 
in the interstices or spaces between the pump- 
kins, till the receptacle is filled, or until you 
have laid by as large a quantity as your incli- 
nations or necessities require. — Ex. 



you want to get to your eating roots, go to 
them carefully; open the seed; take cut what 
you want, and put the seed back and all will 
be safe. 

When you first cover leave no air-hole, as 
some think they ought to have, you want to 
exclude the air entirely from them. 

If this be of any service, it is at your com- 
mand. John Cunningham. 

Greensboro', Ga., March 24$, 1850. 

N. B. — The roof slope of an out-building, 
even so low as you can but stand up in the 
centre will do, and you can make your pile the 
same shape as the roofing, and if it is forty or 
fifty feet, all the same, if you have the potatoes 
put in a long continuous pile. Or if you have 
room in your gin-house, on any floor, very 
good, put them here but avoid putting in base- 
ment or damp loiv rooms, where most people 
seek to keep them. J. C. 



G8G 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



From the Massachusetts Ploughman. 

Labor-Saving Machines. 

Messrs. Editors, — Knowing your general 
practice of devoting portions of your valuable 
paper to the notice of useful improvements — 
for the benefit of your readers, and being well 
aware that any invention, the practical use of 
which ameliorates in any degree the condition 
of our fellow-men, lessens their burdens or 
lightens their troubles, always receives the 
sanction of and a kindly motion from yourself, 
I have taken the liberty of troubling you with 
a few lines upon an important subject, having 
a direct bearing upon the welfare of thousands 
of the friends to whom you talk so agreeable 
each week, which I should be pleased to see in 
print. 

Some weeks ago, while in the enjoyment of 
reading your advertisements, (and do you 
know, sir, that I have always maintained that 
portion of a good newspaper, as well as any other, 
should always be carefully studied,) my eye fell 
upon one, the commencement of which, in fact 
the very heading, interested me, and I perused 
it to the close ; having finished it, I carefully 
folded my paper and drawing my chair to a 
good cool comfortable place on the piazza, for 
the day was warm, I fell, as is sometimes my 
custom, into a train of thought which ex- 
tended over many years. 

I have been, Mr. Editor, a married man for 
ever a quarter of a century, and have reared a 
large family of children ; as the years of my 
partner and myself advanced, the cares of a 
constantly increasing family grew rather than 
diminished. 

I am afraid, my dear sir, that, as a gerieral 
thing, we men are not apt to give so much at- 
tention to home affairs, as it appears to me we 
should. The business pursuits of men call 
them away from home rather than to it ; and 
in the toiling, ever stirring, calculating strife 
of daily life, we are, I fear, too apt to sink all, 
or nearly all, thoughts of her whose province 
is not " in the busy mart, where gold is wor- 
shipped" — but who presides where her duties 
and affections call her, where a wife and 
mother's heart is always at Home. 

But of that class, I am happy to say, I am 
not one; I have endeavored always to lessen 
the amount of labor to be done at home in 
several ways ; and I have by the use of vari- 
ous inventions, &c, made my wife's tasks com- 
paratively light; but there remained one great 
thing which I must confess, I had entirely over- 
looked. 

How many nights, when the active business 
of the day was over, have I watched my wife, 
and sometimes my daughters, as they Bat by 
the comparatively dull light, straining their eyes 
and bending their tired forms over their work, 
stitch, stitch, stich, as for their very lives ; how 
many times have I heard each remark at " be- 



ing all behind-hand with the sewing" — " have 
no idea when" such and such pieces of sew- 
ing will "be done' 7 — and others of a similar 
character, and I had never even conceived that 
from the eternal drudgery there could be an 
abatement. 

Well, as I have said, I read the advertise- 
ment, and revolving those things in my mind 
made it up to one thing. I would go and see 
for myself if Sewing Machines were really 
brought to such perfection as to perform the 
sewing of a family ; to do work fast that was 
really strong, neat and serviceable — and I went. 
The musical clicking that I hear now while I 
write reminds me that I returned successful. 

As it appeared to me I was in duty bound, 
I applied for the information which I sought 
at the store of the advertisers whose card had 
been the means of arousing me in this matter. 
I saw and was 'astonished at the machine, so 
small, so compact, with such a " never-tired 
set me to work, I'm ready, look." I heard the 
favorable answers to my many questions, sub- 
jected a piece of the sewing to every test that 
ingenuity could suggest, and could find no 
loop-hole for an argument against the little 
wonder. I had understood there were others 
made by several manufacturers, upon a differ- 
ent principle it was true, but still " Sewing 
Machines." To the establishments where'each 
were sold I went, examined all, and returned 
to my first friend, who, without further delay, 
was purchased, packed, and on its way with me 
for home. 

It would be useless to speak of the surprise, 
the remarks made, or the joy manifested, when 
this " little stranger"- was exposed to view ; 
without giving it time even to get acquainted 
with its "new place," it was set to work, (I do 
not know but that I should have written play,) 
and since its appearance I have seen no sew- 
ing after candle-light — have heard of no work 
in the sewing or dressmaking line, and never 
" behind-hand," but I have heard that several 
times wife has found time to take a nap after 
dinner, and I know that my girls go twice as 
often to the library and have more time for 
their studies than before. I know, too, that 
had this invention been made and brought to 
its present perfection years ago, strained eyes 
and crooked spines would scarcely have been 
known among us. 

And then the little seamstress is so neat, so 
tidy, quick and faultless in her movements, 
like a frugal housewife, never requiring to be 
removed from the handsome box in which she 
is fastened ; and when her work is over, quietly 
submitting to our bringing down the cover and 
locking her up, seeming to rather like it, for 
when the box is opened upon the next occasion 
she will look as bright as ever. The dread of 
having the dressmaker in our family, at least, is 
over ; the operation of sewing is here regarded 
with pleasure and satisfaction, and I can truly 
say with Messrs. Grover & Baker, that a good 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



687 



sewing machine lightens the labors and pro- 
motes the health and happiness of those at 
Home. 

Truly yours, B n. 

A New Reaper— Grain Delivered, Bound 
and Stacked. 

The Otto way (Illinois) Free Trader, gives 
the following account of a Harvesting Machine, 
which, if it accomplishes all 'that is expected 
of it, will, indeed, " make a noise in the 
world" — so Messrs. Murray & Van Doren may 
go ahead, and they will be sure to " win the 
race," or else "kill the horse." The editor 
says : — 

Our main purpose at present, is to speak 
of a new Reaper that we saw in operation on 
the farm of Messrs. Murray & Van Doren, in 
town of Farm Ridge. Hitherto our Reaper 
inventors and manufacturers have at best been 
able to produce a machine that could cut and 
rake the ground ready for the binders. While 
the machines have thus enabled the farmer to 
overcome the crushing labor of the cradle, and 
to dispense with a large number of hands 
(always at this season of the year next to im- 
possible to procure) the Harvester has been of 
no farther advantage to him. In point of ex- 
pense, a Reaper with two men and four horses, 
cutting 12 to 14 acres a day, is no cheaper 
than half a dozen of cradlers would be, who 
could cut down the same amount of grain in 
the same time. 

" The Reaper of Messrs. Murray & Van 
Doren, whose first start in the great race for 
pre-eminence and public favor we witnessed on 
Tuesday, takes, therefore an immense stride 
ahead of any Reaper now in use; it not only aims 
to cut and rake the grain for the farmer, but it 
delivers it over to him also bound and stacked. 
Thus the labor of at least eight men, which is 
required to bind and place in shocks the wheat 
cut by an ordinary Harvester, is entirely dis- 
pensed with, and the farmer saves the cost of 
just so many hands. 

" We shall not attempt a description of this 
machine. Suffice it to say, the main driving 
wheel, the mode of giving motion to the sickle, 
and of propelling all the machinery about it, 
is entirely different in principle from any other 
machine we have witnessed. An advantage 
about its peculiar construction also is, that all 
the weight of its gearing is in the centre, so 
that it is evenly balanced, and there is no side 
draught, although the horses go in front. 

All the essential parts of the machine, we 
believe, have already been patented. Two or 
three experimental ones have been made, in a 
rough way, merely for present trial. As the 
machine goes into the field, the inventors 
follow its motions, noting every irregularity or 
imperfection, and devising means to overcome 
every difficulty. In this way they are quite 
confident they will, by the end of the present 
harvest, have brought their Reaper to such 



perfection, that by the next season they can 
challenge the world to an open competition. 

" The machine we saw in use was placed in 
a ten acre lot of poor winter wheat, although it 
had worked well the day before in stout spring. 
It was in company and competition with one of 
the Haynes & Hawley's headers, keeping even 
pace with it handsomely, cutting about the 
same width, (between six and seven feet,) 
and while the header tumbled the grain 
into an awkward and ungainly wagon box 
or tender that must be kept at its side to 
catch the grain and then carry it off and stack 
it, the Murray and Van Doren machine, (dis- 
pensing with the two extra teams and a half 
dozen of hands required by the former,) as 
carefully and rapidly cut the grain, bound it, 
and placed it in stacks. The stacking appara- 
tus being placed on the opposite side of the 
machine from the sickle, balances the weight 
and draught so perfectly that it requires no 
extra power to propel it. The stacks are 
small, amounting to about as much as half -a 
dozen of ordinary shocks, but are so propor- 
tioned and symmetrically shaped as not only 
to allow the grain to season perfectly, but also 
to be secure from the weather without any 
further handling or even care. 

" The honor of the first conception of the 
rough outlines of this machine belongs, we 
believe, conjointly to Messrs. Murray & Van 
Doren, although they have not refused to 
accept many useful hints from others. The 
simpieness and originality of the conception, 
however, is such, that if it succeeds, as they 
anticipate, no McCormick, Haynes or Husxey, 
we imagine, will have the hardihood to claim 
that their patents have been infringed. 

" We confess, from what we have seen of it, 
we have confidence in the success of this 
Reaper ; and in that event, we are equally con- 
fident, it will make a noise in the world. 
Messrs. Murray & Van Doren are men of in- 
telligence and abundant means, and when they 
enter the lists, will either * win the race or kill 
the horse.' M 



From the Country Gentleman. 

Ice-Ponds. 
Messrs. Editors. — Surrounded by snow- 
drifts, and out-door sights purely, and for 
this latitude unusually hyperborean, the 
topic named above seems not inappropri- 
ate to the season. As our winters here are 
commonly much milder than at Albany, 
portions of my remarks will perhaps be 
more applicable to districts lying a little 
south of your parallel. You never fail to 
gather an abundant ice-crpp, whilst here 
we not u n frequently, in some localities, 
fail to collect any, or at best, ice of a very 
inferior quality; and some years our reli- 
ance is mainly upon a supply from the north. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



If we allow the occasion of the first solid 
freezing to pass by without securing at least 
a fair proportion of the ice we intend to 
preserve, the chances are against a future 
supply sufficient to make up for the defi- 
ciency. Hence the importance of con- 
structing ponds in such a manner as to se- 
cure, especially to the farmer, a sufficiency 
of ice when the deeper and often wind- 
stirred waters of rivers, small streams and 
large mill-ponds do not freeze hard enough 
to yield an adequate supply. 

There are two mistakes almost univer- 
sally made in constructing ice-ponds ; and 
it has not yet been my fortune to meet 
with an instance in which they have not 
been committed. One error is to make 
the pond too deep ; and the other to take 
no means to prevent the flow of water, 
whether from the inlet or from the surface 
of the surrounding land, into the pond after 
it has once been filled. To give a more 
precise idea of the proper mode in which 
in my opinion an ice-pond should be con- 
structed, I will give a description of one 
from personal experience, and which was 
made under the immediate direciion and 
supervision of your correspondent. Being 
upon a visit at a friend's farm upon the 
eastern shore of this State, I undertook to 
construct as a mode of passing away the 
time, an ice-pond such as I am about to 
describe. 

The ice-house to be filled was not a 'large 
one — sufficient however for a small family 
— and of course the pond to be made 
needed not to be very exttnsive. Furn- 
ished with three or four farm hands and 
two horses and carts, I proceeded to the 
spot selected as the scene of operations. 
— The place chosen was where a small 
rivulet had formed its bed, (dry in sum- 
mer,) and flowed with a very gentle de- 
scent between two slightly elevated undu- 
lations or unusual ridges of land — for there 
are no hills (strictly speaking) upon the! 
farm, and all is "rolling" land. Taking! 
advantage of the interval of a little more 
than seventy yards between these ridges, 
I proceeded to throw up a dam, where, by i 
a previous trial with an ordinary levelling! 
instrument, I found such an obstacle would 
arrest the largest quantity of water and at 
the same time the greatest amount of 
ground would be flooded. The darn was, 
commenced at each of its extremities and' 
not in the middle. The slope observed, 



in constructing 



it was the same as tha 
prescribed by engineers for the embank 
ment of canals. The height of the dan 
at the point most elevated above the bot 
torn of the proposed pond was made a lit 
tie more than four and a half feet. Th 
object of commencing the dam at the end 
and not at fine center, was to leave th' 
flow of water unimpeded until the last.— 
The embankment was protected by sod; 
laid on as fast as the earth was put in po 
sition and the required slope given. Af 
ter the embankment was completed, ex 
cept the gap left in the center for th< 
passage of the water, I proceeded to plov 
a ditch about three feet wide and eighteei 
inches deep, on each side of the pond 
beginning at the extremities of the dam 
turning the furrows towards the pond, anc 
following the countourof the land as indi 
cated by the levels already run, until ] 
reached the point where the ditches mel 
at the inlet. At this spot I erected a smal 
flood-gate and shutting down the gat* 
turned the water into the ditches, anc 
prevented for the time its flow in the accus- 
tomed channel. This gave me complete 
control of the area designed to be over- 
flowed and the boundaries of which were 
comprised within the lines of the embank- 
ments of the ditch and that of the dam. — 
Next, finding the course of the rivulet had 
been winding, and that sundry ugly holes 
had been worn by it, I filled them up ; and 
drawing a straight line from the flood-gate 
of entrance to the center of the dam, I 
established a center line for the bottom of 
the pond, and a uniform, gradually ascend- 
ing grade on that line, just enough to secure 
a sufficient fall for perfect drainage when it 
should be desirable to let all the water out 
the pond. From this central line I estab- 
lished lines of very slightly ascending 
grade, at right angels, continued until they 
reached the base of the embankment of 
the protecting ditches. 

In this w-ay I secured a smooth and even 
surface for the bottom of my pond, and a 
drainage so perfect that I could remove 
every drop of water. Having procured a 
cast-iron pipe in Baltimore at a foundry 
where it had been made for the city water- 
works, — its length eight feet and diameter 
three inches, — it was placed at the bottom 
of the gap left open for the purpose in the 
center of the dam. Moist clay, properly 
" puddled," was rammed tightly around 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



689 



the pipe, the gap filled up and sodded, 
and stout piece of plank with a circular 
notch sawed out on one side, adjusted as 
a collar around the neck of the iron pipe, 
inside the pond. This plank was held 
in a perpendicular position on one side by 
the pressure of the earth of the embank- 
ment against it, and on the other by strong 
locust stakes driven close against it on 
either side of the pipe. The pipe was then 
closed by a wooden plug of pine, not very 
tightly driven in from inside the pond, to 
ow for swelling, and all was now ready 
for the admission of the water. The little 
flood-gate was lifted ; the pond filled 
slowly ; and as soon as full the flood-gate 
was closed and securely fastened. No 
more water was allowed to enter, and the 
water became perfectly still, deposited all 
foreign matter, and clear as costal and 
thoroughly chilled, was in the best possi- 
ble condition for being converted into ice. 
The deepest part of this pond is three 
feet and the shallowest two feet; and the 
iea of the water surface such that one 
cutting will fill the ice-house — a consider- 
ation never to be lost sight of. The capac- 
ity of the house to be filled in cubic feet be- 
ing known, it is easy to calculate what area 
of ice of a given thickness will be required 
to fill it, and the pond should be constructed 
accordingly ; for not only is it more advan- 
tageous and economical to fill an ice-house 
at one cutting, but there is often a risk of 
not completely filling it at all where it is 
necessary to wait for the same pond to 
freeze a second time. Better have two 
small ponds, if it is imposssble to have one 
targe one, to secure the requisite area. 

The design of the ditch around the pond 
just spoken of was to carry off the rivulet 
and prevent the constant accession of water 
hf a temperature so much above the freez- 
ng point that the body of the pond would 
be kept too warm, and a longer time than 
desirable be required to chill it sufficiently 
for congelation. Besides effecting this ob- 
ect the ditch prevents the flow of any 
.urface water from the surrounding fields 
nto the pond, and thus keeps its contents 
ree from pollution ; and being of good 
ividth it carries off the flood that accumul- 
ates after a heavy rain without risk to the 
ntegrity of the dam or subjecting the pond 
o the dangers of an overflow. The earth 
'or the dam was taken from the bottom of 
he pond. As soon as the ice is secured 
44 



the water is all let off by a pole through 
the pipe against the pine plug from the out-, 
side, the bottom of the pond becomes per- 
fectly dry, and a crop of grass is cut from 
it during the summer. 

I had purposed some remarks upon ice- 
houses, but this article has already so far 
exceeded the limits I had designed for it, 
that I must defer them for another occa- 
sion. E. L. R. 

Baltimore, Md. 



ISortitultural Irjiarfttwif. 



E. G.. EGG&LING, Contributor. 



THE APPLE. 

Its uses — Jiow propagated — new varieties — ivliat 
soil is suitable — planting — pruning — cultiva- 
tion — varieties suited to Virginia, <Src, dire* 

The Apple has, from the most remote ages, 
been universally esteemed the fruit of tempe- 
rate climates. All of the apples common in 
this country are from Crabs, which grow wild 
throughout Europe, and there are two or three 
kinds of Crabs indigenous to this cour.tr}-. Our 
apples, however, have not been derived from 
these native Crabs, but from the seeds of ap- 
ples brought to this country by emigrants from 
Europe. The tree is, however, completely nat- 
uralized in the United States : and that the soil 
and climate of the country are admirably 
adapted to the growth of this fruit, is evidenced 
by the fict, thi t some of the best varieties in 
the world have originated here, as for example, 
American, or Newtown Pippin, Baldwin, Spit- 
zenburg, Swaar, Pryor's Red, and Berkley Red 
apples, which, for beauty of appearance and 
deliciousness of flavour, cannot be surpassed. 

The Apple tree, is, in general, a slow-grow- 
ing and hardy tree, with a low, spreading, rather 
irregular head, and bears an abundance of 
white blossoms, tinged with red. The wild 
apple is very long lived ; in cultivation, the 
finer varieties live from fifty to eighty years, 
but when properly cared for, they will live 
much longer. It is ordinarily not of more 
than medium height, but sometimes attains an 
enormous size. Thus Downing mentions three 
trees, two in Rhode Island, measuring 13 feet 
2 inches, and 12 feet 2 inches, one foot from 
the ground, and bearing each one hundred and 



690 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



one bushels of fruit ; and the third tree in 
Massachusetts, measuring 12 feet 5 inches, and 
yielding in one season 121 } bushels of fruit. 
These, it will be understood, are extraordinary 
figures. 

The wide-spread popularity of the apple will 
not seem strange, if we consider its uses. It is 
the most wholesome of fruits, and is cooling, 
laxative, and useful in all inflammatory dis- 
eases. The finer kinds are much used for 
desert; it requires but little cultivation — it 
produces abundantly in all temperate climates; 
and as the earlier varieties ripen in June, and 
the later can easily be kept until that period, 
it is a fruit that may be said to be always in 
season, it finds a place in sauces, tarts, pre- 
serves, jellies — it is roasted, fried, and boiled, 
pared, sliced, and stewed with new cider ; it 
makes the delicious apple butter — the juice un- 
ferjnented, is, in some places, boiled down un- 
til it becomes molasses ; the juice fermented 
forms cider, and this distilled forms brandy, — 
a wine scarcely inferior to famed Champagne 
is made from cider— the best vinegar for the 
use of housewives is made from apple cider — 
apples cut and dried, and packed in bags or 
barrels, are used at home, in ship stores, and 
are largely exported — the pulp, mixed with 
lard forms pomatum, a substance well known 
to the perfumers — the wood is fashioned into 
Lasts for the shoe-maker ; and being fine 
grained and compact is stained black and used 
as ebony by the cabinet-makers. These are 
some of the uses to which the apple has been 
put, and well justifies the high estimation in 
which it is held by all people, in addition to 
which we have now to add, that it is very com- 
mon at the North and West to fatten hogs on 
apples, a very sweet apple being used for that 
purpose, and so excellent has the saccharine 
matter of the apple been found, that whole 
orchards of sweet apples are frequently planted 
for the purpose alone of fattening swine and 
cattle, which are allowed to run at large in 
them. 

The finer varieties of the apples which are 
now known, have been raised within the last 
twenty or thirty years, and are, therefore, 
rarely met with in old orchards, with the ex- 
ception, perhaps, of the Albemarle Pippin. 
The leading apples have been introduced into 
this "State from the Northern States, chiefly ; 
and they do not thrive well in lower or tide- 



water Virginia proper, but they suit all of 
Piedmont, Valley and Trans- Alleghany Vir- 
ginia, very well. Our friends in tide-water 
must content themselves with native apples, 
and some public spirited fruit grower in that 
section of the State would do well to experi- 
ment for the production of some new varieties, 
suited to the climate and soil. The Wine-Sap, 
Father Abram, Pryor's Red, Holliday's Seed- 
ling, Juneating, are some varieties which can 
be successfully cultivated in tide-water Vir- 
ginia, and there are others which we need not 
stop to mention. 

The Apple is propagated from seed and by 
budding and grafting, and we have in former 
articles on the Pear, Peach, and Rose, fully de 
scribed all these methods, and to those articles 
the reader of this is referred for fuller infor- 
mation. There is a peculiarity about the ap- 
ple, which will enable one by the mere inspec- 
tion of the foliage and stem of the young scion, 
to determine whether it will be utterly worth- 
less, or whether there is a probability that it 
will produce some good fruit. If you go among 
a thousand scions, raised from seed, you may 
see here and there one which has fine, large 
leaves, a strong and vigorous stalk, devoid of 
thorns, and without side branches, and where- 
ever such an one'is seen, it is well to preserve 
it until it bears fruit. Occasionally such an 
one will prove to be some new choice apple, 
but where these conditions are not observed, 
the scion is only fit to be used as a stalk upon 
which some well known, fine variety, may be 
budded or grafted. 

It is perhaps, to be regretted, that wc hav 
not a larger list of native varieties of the ap- 
ple, varieties originated in Virginia, and there- 
fore peculiarly adapted to the soil and climate 
of the State. Nearly all our finer apples, as 
before intimated, have been originated in the 
Northern States, and have been afterwards in- 
troduced into Virginia by Nurserymen and 
others. At the North the fruit growers are 
stimulated to the production of new varieties 
by the large premiums which are offered for 
fine, new fruits, and it is this which has con- 
duced to such splendid results there, and the 
absence of such stimulus will partially account 
for the non-production of new fruits in this,' 
and other Southern States. But even more, 
perhaps, is this due to the fact that the cata- 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



logue of fine apples is already quite large, and 
these have been so extensively propagated by 
buds and grafts, and can be procured so cheap- 
ly, that persons generally are content to obtain 
them without the trouble of originating new 
varieties. To the mere utilitarian it is idle to 
speak of the benefit to be derived from a list 
of native fruits, and all appeals to his pride 
would be worse than useless, yet we cannot 
doubt but that there are many who will think 
with us, that it would be creditable to the 
State, and highly honorable to those who were 
the active participants in bringing about such 
a result, to have the finest collection of native 
apples known in the country or the world. 
And it may well be doubted whether a man 
could ask a higher honour than to connect his 
name with some choice apple, which through 
his. efforts had been given to his countrymen. 
In our own grounds we have some twenty 
young trees growing, which we selected be- 
cause of their affording superior indications, 
and among which we are hoping to find one or 
more choice apples ; and even should all prove 
worthless, we shall not be deterred from at- 
tempting again and again, if haply we may at 
last secure a new fruit, which shall be worthy 
of propagation ; and we should esteem it for- 
tunate, if, by anything we have written, or may 
hereafter write, we shall induce 'others to do 
likewise. 

The favourite soil for the apple in all coun- 
tries, is a strong loam of a calcareous or lime- 
stone nature : and a deep, strong, gravelly, 
marly, or clayey loam, or strong sandy loam, 
on a gravelly subsoil, produces the greatest 
crops and the most highly flavoured fruit. The 
tree flourishes, however, in a great variety of 
soils, but'it rarely does well on very dry, sandy 
soil, or soil saturated with moisture. Each of 
these is to be avoided, and a soil rather moist 
than dry, is the most favourable condition for 
this fruit. Soils that are too moist can be ren- 
dered suitable by proper drainage, and those 
that are too dry, may by deep subsoil plough- 
ing or trenching, be brought into proper condi- 
tion, and a writer of high authority alleges, 
that apples with good cultivation andhigh ma- 
nuring, will always remunerate the orchardist, 
except the trees be planted in a quick-sand 
or cold clay. 

As to the situation of the orchard, we ap- 
prehend that it makes but little difference in 



this State whether the orchard have a North" 
era or Southern 1 exposure, but if there be a 
preference it is for the latter. We would ad- 
vise the location of the orchard always near 
the residence, and that for many reasons which 
will occur to the least reflection. Among these 
we mention the facility with which the orchard 
products may be guarded and gathered, and 
the likelihood that the trees will obtain more 
attention from the farmer, be better pruned 
an i better tended. But whether located near 
the house or farther from it, let your orchard 
be an orchard, and not a pasture for cattle, un- 
less it has been planted for the mere purpose 
of fattening cattle. If destined for any better 
purpose, keep all cattle out of the orchard, 
and if any stock must be turned in, let it be 
swine, which can consume the fruit without 
injuring the trees. The presence of swine, 
indeed, may prove beneficial in several ways, 
but in none more than this, in eating the ap- 
ples, the hogs will destroy much vermin, which 
would otherwise shelter in the earth during 
the winter, and re-appear the ensuing season 
to infest the trees again and destroy or injure 
the fruit. 

The preparation of the soil for planting the 
young orchard is a subject of some importance, 
and the chief thing to be insisted on in frhis 
connection is, that the ground be ploughed 
very deep and subsoiled, and that before this 
ploughing takes place that the ground be cov- 
ered with manure to a depth of not less than 
four inches. It may be borne in mind always', 
that the soil cannot be made too rich for the 
apple, the tree being a gross feeder, and more 
exhaustive perhaps than any other fruit tree 
whatsoever, a fact which may explain why ap- 
ple' orchards sometimes become unfruitful after 
long years of fruitfulness. In addition to these 
directions, all that need be added in respect to 
the preparation of the soil for planting is, to 
to make it fine, light, and friable as possible,, 
preparing it with as much care as you would 
for any crop upon your farm. 

The distance at which the trees are to be 
planted, depends upon the treatment which 
the orchard is to receive. Where the orchard 
is to be kept as an orchard, forty feet between 
the trees is the usual and proper distance,, but 
if the farmer intends to keep the land between 
| the trees in grass or grain, fifty feet, apaa-t is a 
! better distance. 



092 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



The trees for the orchard should be carefully 
selected, and none but healthy, vigorous, thrif- 
ty, well-shaped trees should be taken, and then 
in setting them in the orchard, plant all of the 
same variety in rows together or near each other, 
which will facilitate the culture and gathering 
of the fruit, and add to the neat and orderly 
appearance of the orchard. Dig the holes, in 
which the trees are to be planted, four feet 
square, so that in planting them you can give 
the roots their natural position and direction, 
instead of bundling them altogether in a mass, 
as is much too commonly done. A little extra 
pains with the planting will be amply compen- 
sated by the thriftiness and vigour of the trees. 
When the trees show a disposition to grow 
crooked, a stake put down by them to which 
they are secured will aid to correct the defect. 

Upon the treatment which the young orchard 
receives for four or five years after it is plant- 
ed, its success very much depends. The great 
desideratum is to keep the ground loose and 
mellow by cultivation, and. also to give it an 
occasional dressing of manure, and if the cul- 
tivator must raise grass or any other crop in 
the young orchard, let him be sure to keep 
a circle of six feet immediately around each 
tree loose by digging it every season. The ef- 
fect of such treatment will be to clothe the 
young trees with rich, dark, luxuriant foliage, 
to give them smooth, clean stems, and to has- 
ten their growth and speed the advent of the 
fruit-bearing period. Extensive experiments 
have shown that trees thus treated, will nearly 
or quite treble in size, in five years, those which 
are denied this liberal and generous cultivation. 

.Fallow crops are best suited to the apple or- 
chard, when any crop is cultivated there, 
though we would advise that none be raised 
there, provided the trees will be cultivated. 
The difficulty with us in this State however is, 
that unless some crop is planted in the orchard, 
we neglect it altogether and certainly if that 
result must ensue it were better to cultivate — it 
were better to plant com, peas, potatoes, buck- 
wheat and the like in the orchard, and occa- 
sionally to take from it a crop of grain or grass. 
But however this may be, we must urge all 
who have orchards or are making them, to re- 
member that the apple will not thrive without 
plentiful supplies of manure to enrich the soil 
and feed the tree, and we therefore earnestly 



advise all to adopt the rule of manuring the or- 
chard every year, just as you do your cornfields, 
and wheat fields and oat fields and tobacco lots. 
If you fiil in this, you must not be surprised, 
if in a • few years your fruitful trees become 
barren, just as your fields would cease to grow 
grain if you did not constantly renew the ele- 
ments upon which the plant feeds." 

And here it may be useful to remind the 
reader, that if he has a barren, unproductive 
apple tree, or orchard of trees, that probably 
he may restore its fruitfulness, by simply dig 
ging about the roots, giving it a good supply o* 
manure, scraping the stems and washing them 
with diluted soft soap. 

The apple if properly cultivated bears every 
year, though with the common culture bestow- 
ed upon it, it usually bears in alternate years. 
It will bear annually either where the fruit is 
thinned, or where the soil is kept highly man- 
ured, but where neither precaution is taken, the 
excessive crop of one season consumes all or- 
ganizable matter laid up by the tree, and it re- 
quires a rest season to recuperate its energies. 
Where it is kept highly nurtured, this result 
does not ensue and the orchard will yield its 
fruit year by j-ear. And it is noticeable, that 
while all other fruit trees have failed more or 
less frequently in this State, during some years 
past, there is always a fair crop of apples, an 
additional reason why those who pretend to cul- 
tivate fruit at all, should plant large orchards 
of apples. 

The trees of the apple orchard require but 
little pruning, if while they are young, they 
are carefully inspected every year, and all 
crossing branches taken out while they are 
small. This course pursued systematically will 
obviate the necessity of much pruning when 
the trees grow older, if it does not render the 
knife totally unnecessary. When a limb or 
branch is removed, however, be careful to cut 
close up to the tree, and smooth the surface of 
the cut, so that the wound may speedily be 
closed up, by the juices of the tree. 

The insects which attack the apple orchards, 
are the borer, the caterpillar, canker worm 
the bark louse, and the apple worm, besides 
which, they are subject to what has been termed 
the woolly aphis, or American blight. The 
latter, which makes its appearance in the 
crotches and crevices of the branches, is com- 
posed of a multitude of very minute woolly lice, 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



G93 



yhich increase with a fearful rapidity, and 
soon produce disease in every part of the tree. 
This has but rarely appeared in this country, 
but has proved most destructive in England. 
The remedy for it is to wash the parts with 
diluted sulphuric acid. The apple worm was 
introduced from Europe and appears in early 
worm-eaten apples, which fall prematurely 
from the tree. The perfect insect is a moth, 
which deposits its eggs early in June, in the 
bud or blossom end of the young fruit, which 
soon hatch, and the worm eats its way to the 
core. The worm then leaves the apple and 
secretes itself about the loose bark of the tree ; 
spins its cocoon and so remains until the ensu- 
ing spring. The easiest way to destroy them is 
to allow fowls and swine to run in the orchard, or 
the premature fruit may be picked up daily 
and placed where the worms can be killed, or 
if an old cloth be placed in the crotch of the 
tree, the worms will make that a retiring place. 
If the loose bark be kept scraped from the tree, 
they will have no winter shelter, and by kind- 
ling fire3 in the orchard at the proper season, 
myriads of the moths will be destroyed. The 
bark louse is a dull, white, oval scale-like 
insect, which can be destroyed by a wash of 
soap and water or solution of potash. I'he 
canker worm is very injurious to trees in New 
England, but so far as we are advised, has not 
troubled the apple in this State. The caterpil- 
lar, which is well known to everybody, injures 
the trees by eating the leaves, and as they are 
the lungs through which the tree seeks essen- 
tial elements from the surrounding atmos- 
phere, the importance of preserving them must 
be apparent to all. It can hardly be worth 
while to give directions for destroying this pest, 
as everybody knows how to get rid of them, 
but we may mention that they remain quietly 
in their nests, usually until 9 o'clock in the 
morning, and go forth to their depredations, so 
that to destroy them you must follow the old 
proverb, "it is the early bird that catches the 
worm." The borer is a kindred of that to 
which we referred in treating of the insect^ 
which infest peach trees, and in like manner 
its. attacks may be avoided by simply placing 
ashes or lime around the tree, and it is always 
well to bear in mind that " an ounce of pre- 
vention is worth a pound of cure." 

Apples which it is desired to keep, should 
always be carefully plucked with the hand, 



without bruising them, leaving the later varie- 
ties to the latest period consistent with pre- 
serving them from frost; and the most expe- 
rienced orcharclists place the fruit immediately 
in barrels, gently shaking the barrels as the 
fruit is put in. 

To keep the fruit, the apples thus packed in 
flour barrels are placed under a shed open to 
the air, protected by a covering of boards over 
the top, in which situation they remain about 
two weeks, when the barrels are carefully 
transferred to a cool, dry cellar, to which air is 
occasionally admitted in brisk weather. A 
cellar for this purpose should be dug in dry, 
gravelly or sandy soil, with openings on the 
north side for the occasional admission of air 
in weather not excessively cold, and here the 
barrels should be piled in tiers on their sides, 
and the cellar at all times kept as dark as pos- 
sible. Some persons place a layer of clean, 
dry straw between every layer of apples when 
packing them in barrels. The English apple 
growers put their fruit in heaps in cool, dry 
cellars, and cover it with clean dry straw. 
Apples are kept sometimes as potatoes, in pits 
or ridges in the earth, covered with straw and 
a layer of earth, but the other methods are 
better for many reasons. 

The varieties of the apple are very numer- 
ous, there being in the garden of the London 
Horticultural Society nine hundred, and six 
hundred more have been tested there. All of 
these are not superior, however, be it under- 
stood, and indeed most of the European apples 
are inferior in this country, and all inferior to 
some of our native varieties. All fine apples 
even are not so well adapted to all situations and 
climates, and hence the need in this and other 
Southern States of a list of native apples adapt- 
ed to the peculiarities of our soil andclimate. 
The following may be taken as a list of fine 
apples which do well in Virginia : White June- 
ating, Summer Rose, Red Astrachan, Maiden's 
Blush, Herbertston's New Sueh, Gravenstein, 
English Russet, Rambo, Fall Pippin, Michael 
Henry Pippin, Killam Hill, Newtown or Albe- 
marle Pippin, Esopus Spitzenburgh, Baldwin, 
Northern Spy, Swaar, Rhode Island Greening, 
Yellow Belleflower, Lady Apple, Peeks Pleas- 
ant, Herefordshire Pearmain, Horse Apple, 
Wine Sap, Mountain Pippin, Limber Twig, 
Pryor's Red, Father Abram, Berkley Red, 
Winter Cheese, Holliday's Seedling, Albe- 



694 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



marie Annette, Monstrous Pippin, and Vando- 
vere. This list comprises the best apples for 
cooking and eating purposes, but it must be 
extended to include cider apples proper. Of 
such, we mention Hewe's Virginia Crab, 
Harrison and Carthouse. These are used only 
for cider, but other varieties yield excellent 
cider, especially the Wine Sap. 

All these apples, it will be remembered, are 
not equally adapted to every part of this State, 
a part doing well in tide-water proper, and- 
others doing well only in Piedmont, Valley and 
Trans-Alleghany. By which we do not mean 
that they will not grow and produce in any 
part of the State, but that they will not do equal- 
ly well in all parts. Besides those which we 
have mentioned, there are, likely, others of 
which wejiave not thought, or with which we 
are not acquainted ; and we should be pleased 
to receive communications from any gentle- 
man, either calling attention to well known 
varieties, or introducing into wider notice, new 
apples which are known only in a limited 
sphere. In relation to these last particularly 
we take occasion to repeat here our earnest in- 
vitation that where persons know of the exist" 
ence of new and valuable varieties of fruit and 
especially of apples, that they will forward us 
an account of such fruit, and when conveni- 
ent, specimens of such fruit. 

The farmers of Virginia, in general, have 
cultivated the apple only fur making cider, 
vinegar and brandy, and as a consequence, 
there are but few orchards of good apples in 
the State, and those planted at a comparatively 
recent period. Although ninety-nine in a hun- 
dred of our people love good apples, eat them 
with a decided relish, and are not insensible to 
the pleasure which they afford to children and 
guests of the family, are not wholly ignorant of 
the medicinal virtues of this fruit, still they 
have neglected the culture of the finer varie- 
ties of the apple; and you may visit farm after 
farm without finding an orchard of trees 
bearing fruit which would tempt the palate of 
a well fed porker. It is a false idea which 
some of our people entertain, that orchards are 
not. profitable. Doubtless it is unprofitable to 
plant an orchard and then neglect its cultiva- 
tion, as it would be unprofitable to plant a corn 
or tobacco crop and neglect its cultivation, 
but we doubt if anything will yield a richer 



return to the cultivator than a well stocked, 
properly cared for apple orchard. Just con- 
sider that apples are now selling in this mar- 
ket, i. e., in the city of Richmond, at from five 
to six dollars the barrel, the barrel containing 
about two and a half bushels, and that at all 
seasons the fruit commands from three to five 
dollars the barrel, not usually commanding 
less than three nor more than five dollars. At 
these prices the cultivation of the apple for 
market must pay, and pay better than any crop 
which our farmers can cultivate. It is, on 
record, proven by facts which cannot be gain- 
sayed, and which settle the matter beyond all 
peradventure, that at much lower prices than 
these which we have mentioned, the apple 
orchard pays better than the wheat or corn 
field, and our friends have only to try the ex- 
periment to be convinced that we speak the 
words of truth and soberness. 

It is not in our power at this time to approxi- 
mate the value of the apples sold annually in 
this and other cities of Virginia ; but the ag- 
gregate is startling to one who has not con- 
sidered the subject. Until recently, all the 
apples displayed for sale in our family gro- 
ceries, and confectioners' shops, were imported 
from the Northern States, and still it remains 
true that the most are purchased without the 
State. Now why should this be the case? 
Does any one in his sober senses believe that 
Virginia cannot produce apples enough to 
supply her home markets? Not one, we dare 
affirm, will avow such an opinion. Indeed we 
question if there are not, at this time, enough 
apples raised in the State for this purpose, 
only it so happens .that the most are unfit for 
sale in the market. They are not suited either 
for the table or kitchen, and are intended only 
to be crushed in the cider mill for the sake of 
their juices. 

It is not our purpose to deny that apples 
raised solely with the view of manufacturing 
cider, vinegar and brandy, pay the cultivator, 
but we shall take occasion at another time to 
prove that it will pay better to raise finer 
apples, such as can be packed in barrels and 
sold in the markets, and while we would by no 
means discourage the growth of such as are 
specially suited for the cider mill, we are ex- 
tremely anxious to promote the cultivation of 
the better varieties in Virginia. We have 



TH'E SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



095 



again and again avowed our belief that we 
ought, in this State, to be foremost in every- 
thing which can be obtained from the soil. 
Our broad and fertile acres present soil adapt 
ed to the cultivation of every crop, certainly of 
every species of fruit, and we hold it to be 
sound policy to buy nothing abroad which we 
can raise as cheaply at home. Every farmer 
can raise a few apples for market. All buy flour 
and use it, and the barrels when emptied of 
their original contents, might be filled with 
apples and returned to the merchant of whom 
the flour was purchased, and every such barrel 
of Virginia reared apples would be from three 
to five dollars added to the profits of Virginia 
agriculture, and by so much would the value 
of Yankee farms be diminished. 

Formerly there was some excuse for the 
neglect of our farmers to cultivate apples, in 
the known fact that they could not obtain trees 
except from Northern nurseries ; but this 
difficulty no longer exists. There are trees 
enough in the nurseries in Richmond, Peters- 
burg, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Alexandria, 
Norfolk and Wheeling, to supply the largest 
demands of the agricultural public. And we 
take occasion here to say that such trees, 
raised in nurseries here, are far better suited to 
the wants of our people than any grown in 
nurseries out of the State, even when the va- 
rieties are the same. Besides which considera- 
tion, we hold that no farmer should pass by a 
Virginia nursery to seek for tree3 in another. 
Give home productions the preference, other 
things being equal, and you will do much to 
encourage the rearing of choice fruit trees in 
your midst. To all which, we add, that fruit 
trees are now furnished at a price so low, in 
comparison with prices charged for them 
not many years ago, that the poorest is left 
without excuse, if he be found without a small 
number of choice trees. 

To conclude, plant apple orchards, large 
ones if your means will justify, small ones if 
you can do no more, but plant orchards and 
let them be composed of the choicest varieties 
to be found growing in the nurseries in Vir- 
ginia, and let those who have the land and the 
leisure, plant apple seeds and try to originate 
new varieties of the apple, specially adapted 
to the climate and soil of this State, and each 
section of the State. 



The Culture of Celery. 

A correspondent requests some directions 
concerning the culture of Celery, and although 
we have once or twice given hints on the proper 
treatment, we propose now a full and thorough 
discussion of the subject. 

There are two kinds of Celery raised here- 
abouts, one being called white solid, and the 
other red solid, the former being much more 
liable to rust than the latter, and for that rea- 
son we have always preferred the red. It is 
easily distinguished by the fact that the ribs 
and glands are tinged with a slight pink, and it 
is far more robust than the white. The main 
reason why we esteem it more than the white, 
is because it stands the sun better. 

The seed of either kind should be sown as 
soon as the frost disappears in spring, on a 
moist and shady border, where the ground has 
been well pulverized by spading to the depth of 
from twelve to sixteen inches. The plants will 
appear above ground in a fortnight or three 
weeks, and are at this period very tender. They 
must be kept constantly clear of weeds, and if 
they stand too thick, should be thinned. They 
are allowed to remain thus, only kept clear of 
weeds and grass, until the last of July or the 
first of August, which is the proper season for 
transplanting them. 

The number of plants required to supply a 
family, will vary from five hundred to one thous- 
and, according to the size of the family and 
some regard must be had to this in the forma- 
tion of the bed. 

There are two modes of preparing Celery 
beds, both of which we will give. The first is 
to plant in single rows, which is the most trou- 
blesome, but gives the finer Celery. The other 
is to plant in beds of six or seven rows in a 
bed, which is the most economical, so far as it 
concerns ground and labour. 

According to the first method, the ground is 
laid off, one foot wide for the row, and two feet 
wide for the alley. The row is dug out to the 
depth of six inches, placing the earth on the 
alleys, half on each side of the row, and mak- 
ing the bottom of the trench or row perfectly 
level. Then take good old manure of any kind, 
and place it in the rows to the depth of four 
inches, and spade it in deep, incorporating it 
thoroughly with the soil and making the soil 
as fine as possible. Rake it over now, until it 



696 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



is gotten very fine and perfectly level, and the 
ground is ready for planting. The first rainy 
soason draw the plants carefully from the bor- 
der where they were raised, aDd after drawing 
them shorten the roots, and remove all the top 
leaves, leaving only the stalk. Then plant them 
from ten to twelve inches apart in these drills, 
and if the season is not very wet or it does not 
rain soon thereafter, give the plants water, co- 
piously, which will close the earth round the 
roots and establish them at once. If the sun 
is very hot at that time, it will be well to cover 
the rows with bushes, boards, sticks, or any- 
thing that will shelter the plants for a few 
days, until they show that they have taken root 
and are growing. The rows must now be kept 
clean of weeds ; and should any of the plants 
die, replace them with others from the plant 
beds. We have stated July or August as the 
proper season for planting, but they may be 
planted until the middle of September, and per- 
sons who plant earlier than the time we have 
indicated, give themselves much needless trou- 
ble, as the plants rarely grow much until the 
heavy dews begin to fall. 

About the middle or last of September, be. 
gin to earth or hill up the plants in the follow- 
ing manner. Work up the earth in the alleys 
with the spade, &c, making it fine, and take 
the plants, gathering the leaves all closely to- 
gether in the hand, being careful not to bruise 
them, draw a little earth about them to keep 
the leaves in this upright position, and then 
put two or three inches of the fine soil round 
the plant. This hilling should only be done 
during the middle of the day or at least after 
the dew is off the plant, and be very careful 
not to get any earth inside of the leaves to the 
bud, as that would retard and prevent the 
growth of the bud. It becomes necessary now 
to watch the growth of the bud, and as it is de- 
veloped to continue this hilling process, and 
every time that this hilling is needed, the outer 
leaves must be drawn together, and earth drawn 
to them^with the hand as before directed before 
throwing the earth to them with the spade. In 
favourable seasons it will be necessary to re- 
peat this process every ten or fifteen days, until 
the last of October, by which time the trenches 
will not only have been filled up, but have been 
considerably raised by earth taken from the 
alleys. Sometime about the first of Novem- 



ber, before any killing fro^t comes, this process 
of earthing should be finished, by earthing up 
in the same manner all of the stalks above 
ground, leaving only two or three inches of the 
leaves uncovered to indicate where the plant is. 

In making the ridge, be careful not to make 
it in a pyrimidical form, as in that event the 
frost would be likely to penetrate the earth and 
injure the plant. So pile the earth about the 
plant, as to make the ridge square, giving a 
thickness of several inches on either side of the 
plant, which will effectually screen it from the 
cold of winter. As an addkional security 
against the frosts, cover these ridges with corn 
stalks, vines, wheat straw, pine tags, leaves or 
anything of the sort, to the depth of several in- 
ches, so as to prevent if possible the freezing of 
the ground. Where this precaution is neglect- 
ed, the ground in severe weather sometimes 
freezes so hard, that it is impossible to get at 
the Celery. 

The Celery is in its prime season about Christ- 
mas and so on through the winter, until it be- 
gins to grow the ensuing spring. Dig it out of 
the ridge carefully, taking care not to break 
the stalks, break off the outside leaves which 
are not bleached, wash in clean water, until 
perfectly clean, peel off the outside bark from 
the root and place in clear water until wanted 
at the table. 

The next spring, when the growing season 
arrives, removethe earth slightly, so as to allow 
the bud to grow. This will soon send up the 
seed stalk, and thus the cultivator can raise his 
own seed for the next sowing and also for sea- 
soning for pickle, etc. 

We have described only the process, where 
the Celery is raised in single rows, and this is 
the method which we would advise all to adopt 
who wish to have superior Celery. 

The other method, which is that usually 
adopted by gardeners, and all who raise it for 
market in large quantities, differs chiefly in the 
size of the beds, which are of course much lar- 
ger. The beds are laid off five feet wide, and 
the alleys five feet wide. They are dug out 
and manured as before described, and the 
plants are set across the bed, instead of length- 
wise, and six or seven plants put in a row, and 
the rows ten to twelve inches apart, and in all 
other respects the treatment is as before de- 
scribed. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



G97 



Directions for Making Pickles. 
In a former number of the Planter we ad- 
vised that our lady friends put up pickles for 
sale in the markets, and gave such data as we 
could gather, tending to show that it could be 
profitably done. Shortly afterwards we re- 
ceived several letters requesting directions for 
making pickles. We addressed the enquiry 
to several ladies, and now have the pleasure of 
laying before our readers the following recipes, 
which have been kindly furnished by Mrs. 
Cox, of Henrico county, whose pickles have, 
on several occasions, taken the premium at the 
exhibitions of the State Agricultural Society. 
The delay in furnishing this information to 
our correspondents has been owing solely to 
the fact, that our letter of inquiry did not 
reach its destination until lately, and we were 
unwilling to publish any recipe which did not 
have the stamp of high merit, such as those 
which we now present to our readers. While 
acknowledging the kindness of our correspon- 
dent in furnishing this information, we take 
occasion to say that we shall be highly grati- 
fied if other ladies to whom this may come, 
will furnish us with other recipes for making 
either the same kind, or other kinds of pickles, 
and at the same time desire to avow our readi- 
ness to answer any inquiry which may be ad- 
dressed to us concerning any of the topics dis- 
cussed by us in the Planter, or cognate topics, 
and where the proper answer lies not within 
our knowledge, will procure the information 
desired from those better informed than our- 
selves. With these remarks we submit the 
several recipes for pickles : 

TO PICKLE DAMSONS. 

To 3 lbs. of Damsons add 2 lbs. of sugar, 1 
pint of good strong apple vinegar, a tea spoon- 
ful of mace, a table spoonful of beaten cinna- 
mon, 2 doz. Allspice, and 1 doz. cloves. 

The su^ar, vinegar, mace, cinnamon, all- 
spice and cloves, are to be boiled together and 
poured over the Damsons while hot. The 
syrup, thus made, is to be poured off from the 
Damsons every morning, for nine mornings, 
boiled and poured back over them, while hot. 

TO PICKLE PEACHES. 

Peel the Peaches, and then to 14 lbs. of 
them add 7 lbs. of sugar, 2 oz. of cinnamon, 1 
oz. of mace, 1 table spoonful of Allspice, 2 doz. 
cloves, and a heaping tea spoonful of salt. 

Put them all in ajar together and pour over 
them strong apple vinegar, enough to cover 



them. The next morning pour it off, boil it 
and while hot pour it back over the Peaches. 
This do for nine successive mornings. 



TO PICKLE GREEN TOMATOES. 

Cut the Tomatoes in slices .about i of an 
inch thick, and to 16 lbs. of them add 7 pints 
of strong apple vinegar, 6 lbs. of brown sugar, 
?} lb. of white mustard seed, a tea cup full of 
flour of mustard, 1£ lbs. of onions, cut up fine, 
£ oz. of mace, 2 oz. of cinnamon, J lb. of beaten 
black pepper, 1 oz. of allspice, £ oz. of cloves, 
and 5 oz. of salt. All of the materials are to 
be put in a porcelain skillet, and boiled for an 
hour and a half. 



TO PICKLE WALNUTS. 

The Walnuts are to be gathered about the 
15th of June, and all the outer bark peeled off, 
dropping them in cold water as they are peeled. 
Take them out of the cold water, put them in 
a jar, and pour over them strong, boiling salt 
water, sufficient to cover them. At the expira- 
tion of three days pour this off, and add fresh 
boiling salt water, repeat this for four times. 
Three days after it has been done the fourth 
time, pour off the salt water and put the wal- 
nuts in plain cold vinegar, where they are to 
remain for two weeks. Then pour the vinegar 
off and throw it away, and to every 5 gallons of 
walnuts add 15 lbs. of sugar, 12 oz. of beaten 
cinnamon, 3 oz. of beaten mace, J lb. of beaten 
black pepper, 4 oz. of beaten ginger, 2 oz. of 
allspice, 1 oz. of cloves, and 2 table spoonsful 
of salt. The sugar, spices and salt, are to be 
put in a porcelain skillet, have 4 pints of strong 
apple vinegar added and boiled for half an 
hour. When cold add 6 pints more of strong 
apple vinegar, stir them well together, and 
pour over the walnuts. 



TO MAKE GREEN PICKLES. 

The Cucumbers are to be put in brine strong 
enough to bear an egg, and remain there until 
they become yellow. They are then to be put 
in strong solution of alum water in a brass 
skillet, covered with grape leaves and scalded 
until they become green. After they are thus 
greened put them in cold vinegar, where they 
are to remain for two weeks, when the vinegar 
is to be poured off and thrown away. To 
every 5 gallons of the Cucumbers the same 
seasoning as that directed or the walnuts, 
with the addition of 2 oz. of celery seed is to 
added, and proceed in the same way as directed 
for the walnuts, except only half of the sea- 
soning should be added the first time, and the 
remainder in about ten days or a fortnight 
afterwards. 

In making pickles of every description care 
should be taken to get vinegar of the best 



698 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



quality, and after the pickles are made they 
should be kept in jars well secured. 



TO PICKLE MARTINAS. 

Put them in strong brine and let them re- 
main one week; then wash them in clean water 
and put them in plain vinegar, in which they 
may be kept until you are ready to pickle them. 
When thus ready, lay them out to drain ; scald 
in a gallon of vinegar, a large handful of horse 
radish, a tea-cupfull of alspice, half a tea-cup - 
full of black pepper, half tea-cupfull black 
mustard seed, two table-spoonsfull of cloves, 
two pounds of brown sugar, four onions, and 
a pod of red pepper ; fill the jar with cold vin- 
egar. The spices to be beaten, but not fine, 
the horse radish and onions to be sliced. This 
receipt is for two gallons of martinas. 



The Currant— Two of the Newer 
Varieties. 

The currant needs no eulogy. Its hardiness, 
productiveness, ease, of culture, time of matu- 
rity, its many uses by way of jellies, jams and 
tarts, and its refreshing qualities eaten fresh 
on the table, place it above any other summer 
fruit, for universal cultivation. Yet very few 
ever see the currant in perfection. No fruit is 
more generally neglected in culture. Grown 
in thick grass sod, never pruned, never ma- 
nured, and the bushes allowed to assume the 
character of a mass of stunted brush, the ber- 
ries are not more than one-fifth the size, (as we 
have found hj actual measurement,) which 
they attain when well cultivated, the old wood 
cut away, and the vigorous young shoots only 
allowed to bear. The old red and white cur- 
rant, by such treatment, may be made larger 
than the new mammoth sorts will grow with- 
out it. This improved management is very 
simple and easy, and does not require more la- 
bor annually than every good farmer gives to a 
row of potatoes of equal length. 

The old varieties will be wonderfully im- 
proved by this course — but there are some new 
sorts which, so far as size is concerned, may be 
made greatly to exceed them. Nothing of the 
kind could grace a tea-table better, than a mix- 
ture of the Cherry and White Grape currants, 
new varieties, which, with good culture, will 
average in the berries, the latter nearly, and 
the former fully half an inch in diameter. 

The White Grape is the largest white cur- 
rant, being distinctly larger than the White 
Dutch, and fully equal to it in flavor. The 
bush is rather a slow grower, and spreading 
and somewhat irregular in form. The figure 
accompanying this article gives the exact" di- 
mensions of bunches grown on bushes with 
moderate cultivation in a clean, garden soil ; 
the larger berries being nearly or quite half an 
inch in diameter. We have cultivated it many 
years, and found it uniformly productive, hav- 



ing procured it originally of Ellwanger & 
Barry, of Rochester, who have now, in their 
immense nursery, nearly an acre of saleable 
plants, of this variety alone. 

The Cherry currant is the largest known red 
currant, the berries, with high culture, measur- 
ing five-eighths of an inch in diameter, half 
an inch being very common. The bush is a 
strong grower, with the shoots short and thick, 
and easily distinguished in appearance from 
other varieties. Its flavor is not equal to that 
of the Red Dutch, being rather acid, and it is 
not generally so productive as some others, 
although heavy crops are sometimes seen. 

Those who procure these large varietiea, and 
give them no attention, will be disappointed to 
find them but little larger than older sorts. — 
Country Gentleman. 



Fall Management of Sheep. 

BY JAS. D. LADD. 

As soon as the pastures are injured by frost, 
place a few troughs in your fields ; which may 
be made by setting a board, six inches wide, 
upon edge ; lay one seven inches in width 
upon it, in such position as to form a right- 
angle ; nail the edges together ; lay them on a 
level surface, with the base of the angle down ; 
take two pieces of two inch stuff, eighteen 
inches long and twelve or fourteen inches 
wide ; place them against the ends, which are 
represented thus ^, with one edge upon the 
level on which the boards rest, and mark the 
outer edges of the angle. This, you will per- 
ceive, will describe a right-angle triangle, 
which saw out. Now turn the whole structure 
over ; let the trough rest in the spaces cut out, 
placing the supports eighteen inches or two 
feet from the end, and drive three nine-penny 
nails through into them on each side ; place 
the triangular pieces cut out in the ends, and 
secure them in the same way, and you have a 
cheap, convenient trough, that, with some 
care in handling, will last a long time. Have 
enough of these in each field to allow twenty 
sheep to eat out of twelve feet in length ; and 
give them every morning half a bushel of oats, 
or three gallons of corn, to the hundred head, 
and it will fully supply the failure of the grass 
for one month ; then, as the weather becomes 
more inclement, increase the amount of grain 
until you get equal to half bushel of cOrn per 
hundred head. In the meantime, during the 
second month of this feeding (which in this 
latitude, will probably be from the 15th of the 
11th mo. to the 15th of the 12th mo.), when a 
cold rain or snow squall is approaching, put 
them in shelter, and gave them a little hay ; 
let them remain until the storm is over. If 
you have to choose either horn of a dilemma, 
keep them from drinking forty-eight hours, 
rather than let them get soaked in a cold rain — 
the chilling wet will injure them much more 
than the suffering from thirst. — Ohio Cultivator. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



699 



Receipts of Tobacco for 1856. 

The annexed table of the receipts of Tobac" 
, at Richmond, during the past twelve 
lonths, by canal and railroads, was prepared 
ir the monthly statements published in the 
Vhig, and was intended to be embraced in the 
ecent Annual Statement ; but as it conflicted 
ith the more reliable exhibits of the inspec- 



tions of the year, we determined to present it 
independently, with explanatory remarks. The 
difficulties under which we labour in procuring 
information from the depots, in this city, are 
understood by our readers ; but the results 
given in the table below, were mostly derived 
from official sources, and therefore carry the 
presumption of accuracy : 



h 



)ct. 1856, 
ov. . , 

>ec. . . 

an. 1857, 

P. . . 

larch, . 
ppril, . 
wlay, . . 
tune-, . 
iuly, . . 
■August, . 
Kept. . . 



Canal. 

. 431 

. 94 

. 313 

(closed) 

. 731 

1,475 

1,189 

1,713 

2,063 

522 

1,308 

. 578 



R. & P. 

193 

178 

185 

310 

838 

653 

826 
2,308 
2,132 
1,471 

933 

315 



R.&D. 

234 

131 

161 
88 

906 

616 

730 
3,428 
2,175 
1,393 
1,259 

613 



Va. Cen. 

27 

44 
104 

90 
1.626 
826 
670 
900 
240 
113 
171 
120 



■t Season, 



ncrease, 
decrease, 



10,417 
14,954 



4,537 



10,402 

8,276 

2,120 



11,734 
12,494 



760 



4,931 
5,100 



169 



R. F. & P. 
15 
17 

39 
5 
236 
110 
141 
415 
137 

56 

41 

22 

1,234 

1,326 



92 



Total. 

900 

464 

802 

493 

4,337 

3,680 

3,556 

8,764 

6,747 

3,565 

3,712 

1,708 

38,718 
42,150 



3,432 



I By comparing the results thus ascertained, 
jvith the inspections for the same periods, the 
bllowing differences are found to exist : 



L855-'6, , 
L856-7 . 



Inspections. 

36,696 
. 30.534 



Receipts. 
42,150 

38,718 



Difference, 6,162 3,432 

From this comparison it would appear that 
he receipts exceeded the inspections. The 
opposition is legitimate that the difference 
mould be the other way, as a considerable 
quantity is inspected which is received by 
wagons, and much loose Tobacco is prized in 
jbhis city, and re-inspected in hhds. The unin- 
spected stock, on 1st October, 1856, was only 
36 hhds. It may be, however, that some of 
the Tobacco brought to the city in hhds., is sold 
to the manufacturers without inspection, as is 
the case at other points. At Danville, for in- 
stance, a great deal of Tobacco, mostly loose, 
[is sold, yet, last year, only three hhds. were in- 
jspected. In this way, we can readily account 
for the disparity between receipts and inspec- 
jtions. 

! Presuming that the table is correct, it pre- 
sents several interesting facts. Firstly, that 
more Tobacco was brought to the city last 
year, by the Richmond and Danville road, than 
by the Canal, or either of the other railroads. 
Secondly, that the only line on which the 
transportation of Tobacco this year exceeded 
that of the previous year, was the Richmond 
and Petersburg road. These tioo facts are 
partly explainable by the further fact, that in 



July, the navigation of the Canal was sus- 
pended for some time, and the Tobacco which 
would have been forwarded to this market by 
the water line, was sent by the South Side 
road to the Junction, or to Petersburg, and 
thence to Richmond. In support of this view, 
we may state that the receipts by Canal, last 
July, were only 522 hhds. ; same month in 
1856, 1,903 hhds.— Richmond Whig. 



Influence of Agricultural Pursuits on 
Health. 

BY PROF. CLEVELAND. 

While much has been written and published 
in Agricultural periodicals, in regard to the best 
means of preserving the strength of the soil, the 
preservation of the health of domestic animals, 
and of the various fruit trees and plants that 
the farmer cultivates ; and while very benefi- 
cial results have followed these efforts, there 
has not, apparently, been as much attention 
paid to the health of man, — of the farmer 
himself, and his family, and those in his 
employ, — by conductors of and writers for 
Agricultural periodicals, as the subject de- 
mands. 

It is not to be supposed that this want of at- 
tention to the subject of the health of human 
animality is owing in any degree to want of 
interest, or want of thought, on the part of the 
conducters of, or contributors to the periodicals 
devoted to the interests of those engaged in 
these pursuits : but it is doubtless mainly ow- 
ing to the fact, that physicians seldom write on 



700 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



these subjects except for journals specially de- 
voted to the interests of their profession. 

If a farmer cannot reasonably expect either 
profit or pleasure from unhealthy domestic an- 
imals, much less can he anticipate that disease 
either in his own person, or in the members of 
his household, can be conducive to his or their 
happiness, or to the advancement of their 
interests ; and it may be well, from time to 
time, to ask attention to these matters. All 
those who are engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
are subject to certain influences unfavourable 
to health, and those who are active labourers, 
are particularly exposed to the vicissitudes of 
the weather — more so, probably, than any 
other class of people who reside in the coun- 
try, except perhaps the physician. The far- 
mers are under the necessity of caring for their 
cattle, their fences, and their crops, without 
regard to the state of the weather, and they 
are therefore particularly liable to suffer from 
colds, coughs, fever, rhumatism, ague, &c. ; 
and they are likewise liable to exhaust their 
system by over-exertion, either from too severe 
labour continued for a few hours, or from that 
which is too long continued, as in the hot days, 
and exhausting labour, of the haying and the 
harvest season, when many persons become 
completely exhausted. 

In matters of food, every intelligent farmer 
knows that on it the animal depends for all 
his vital powers : and he is therefore careful 
to supply the horse, or the ox that works, food 
suitable in quantity and quality, and properly 
prepared, to meet the wants of the system : 
but in regard to himself, and the "rest of 
mankind" in his household, he often betrays a 
degree of thoughtlessness that is truly wonder- 
ful. The farmer's food has not variety enough, 
is generally composed of too great a propor- 
tion of salted meat, especially of salt pork, 
and even that is often improperly cooked. 
Many suppose that little art is required to 
cook a piece of salt beef or salt pork, or to 
boil vegetables, and as the severe labour and 
pure atmosphere of the farmer produces a 
vigorous appetite, he is inclined to content 
himself with but little variety in his food, and 
he is not over particular as to the manner it 
has been cooked. 

It has been said that " bread is the staff of 
life ;" but if that which often goes by the 
name of bread, is the staff referred to, it may 
be doubted if such a staff does not aid in the 
road to death rather than to continued life. 
There are many persons who have never enjoy- 
ed the luxury of good bread ; and until they 
do know what that is, they will continue to 
partake of too large a proportion of animal food. 
As a general thing, as little attention is usu- 
ally paid to supplying the table of the farmer 
with a proper amount and variety of vegeta- 
bles, as there is to good bread. 

In regard to the location of their dwelling 
and out-buildings, too many farmers display as 



little care and taste as in the culinary depa 
ment. If it be more convenient, the fan 
yard is immediately adjoining the parlour, 
the cook room ; and sometimes the swine aiL 
permitted to refresh themselves in a pond I 
mud from the drainage of the sink, so that t;j | e 
whole house becomes perfumed therefrom; jju 
all the wash and slops from the kitchen a [ 
allowed to accumulate and ferment near ti^j 
windows of the bed-rooms, where, surround^ 
by a rank growth of poisonous weeds, th^ 
continue undisturbed to distill disease ai fi 
death. This, and the odor and malaria arisii la 
from the accumulations of matter about tl | 
premises, are allowed to assail the nostrils 
all, and to poison their systems, without r 
straint and without thought. 

Yet, with all these sources of disease, ar.At 
others not enumerated, which press with gre U 
force on the vital powers of the farmer, ar 
which we might suppose would make hi:i|a! 
more liable to disease and death than almo 
any other person having a different empio; 
ment, we find that in reality such is not tfl 
case, and it is a well-established fact, that i 
a class, farmers are amongst the most health 
and longest lived people in the community. 

We find by the " Report of Births, Ma 
riages, and Deaths," in Massachusetts, thi 
during the twenty months preceding the 1st < 
of January, 1850, there were reported in tin 
State the death of 4,974 farmers, and the! 
died at the average age of 63.83 years. Of mei 
classed as labourers, 2,283 were reported t| 
have died during the same period of tim( 
These were, in good part, men who were erl 
gaged on farms as house-servants, and in an 
chance employment where they could earn, 
day's wages : and doubtless they had leal 
healthy habitations and food than the farmers 
They died at the average age of 45.39 years 
or nearly 18 J less than the average for farmers 

In the report for 1850, there were recorde< 
the deaths of 886 agriculturists, who had at 
tained the average age of 65.13 years, or abou 
1£ more than those reported the previous year 
In this report are also recorded the deaths o 
707 labourers, at an average of 44.14 years, o 
over a year less than that attained by the sannj 
class as recorded in the previous report. Ar 
J each of these classes was equally exposed td 
the same general causes of disease, these re, 
ports prove that the comparative relative con 
dition of these two classes of people had un- 
j dergone quite a change in that short space ol 
time. 

As a contrast between the salubrity of dif- 
ferent occupations, or to show the influence oc- 
cupation has upon the health and life of those 
engaged therein, it may be well to present 
other results gathered from the above reports. 
During the year 1850, there were reported the 
deaths of 263 shoemakers, whose lives averaged 
44.37 years, and 26 tailors, who averaged only 
1 41.33 years, showing that they who follow 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



701 



lese occupations, although labouring under 
lelter, unexposed to the inclemencies of the 
'feather, and as a general thing, Avith less 
ours of labour for a day, are nevertheless ob- 
oxious to otfier causes, which tend to reduce 
r lives to more than 20 years less than 
lat attained on an average by farmers. 

The reports that have been made since that 
ear have fully sustained the conclusions drawn 
•om them ; and the comparison might be ex- 
mded to all classes of occupations, and with- 
ut any exception, they will be found to pro- 
uce results favourable to those engaged in 
gricultural pursuits. 

To present the matter in different form, it 
lay be proper to consider that individuals do 
ot usually enter upon the active duties of any 
ccupation, so as to be entitled to be classed 

ith those who follow that occupation for a 
.velihood, before they arrive at 18 years of age; 
nd we find that the farmers live as farmers 
fiber this period 47 years, while shoemakers 
nd tailors do not, on an average, survive but 
bout 25 years after commencing their occu- 
ation. 

It is true these estimates are based on the 
eports of a New England State ; but there 
an be no donbt similar results would obtain 
u regard to the West, had we any reports as 

basis for our calculations. 

As I have pointed out many sources of dis- 
ase to which the farmer is exposed, — some of 
fhich, however, he can readily remove, — it 
night be doubted if these tables of mortality, 
mieh show that they are remarkably long- 
ived, could be correct. 

One of the most prominent causes of this ex- 
mption from disease is the fact, that farm 
abour is performed where the lungs are well 
upplied with 'pure air, and the whole body is 
.llowed to enjoy the direct rays of the sun. 
With a pure air for the lungs during labour, 
vhen the inspirations are deepest and most 
requent, and with the blessed sunshine to 
varm and vitalize the whole frame-work and 
ill the fluids of the body, a man becomes pre- 
)ared to resist the ordinary injurious impres- 
lions that would otherwise produce sickness or 
leath. 

The farmer's labour is of that character 
vhich gives play to all his muscles, and not to 
i few only, as is the case with other occupa- 
ions, and therefore he is less liable to have 
mpurities collect in his system as a source and 
;entre for disease. His mind is free from anx- 
ety, turmoil, and trouble attendant on trade, 
>r in a profession. He is not obliged, like 
nany mechanics, to dispose of the products of 
' ais labour, as soon as produced, to procure 
Dread for his family; his food is mainly obtain- 
ed from the land, and is not subject to the 
changes in the money market. Neither is he 
subject to the pangs of conscience, which must 
it times harass those whose " business it is to 
^heat each other for a living;' 7 consequently 



his appetite and digestion are good, and his 
sleep undisturbed and refreshing. 

But there are other causes of no small po- 
tency in producing the farmer's great exemp- 
tion from disease. Almost all who follow 
farming for a livelihood are the offspring of 
parents of the same class of people, and their 
parents have been too busily occupied during 
their childhood to spend time in dosing them 
with Tincture of Rhubarb, Paregoric, Godfrey's 
Cordial, Hot Drops, Soothing Syruy^ &c, &c, 
after they have crammed their stomachs with 
cakes and confectionary, or half-decayed fruit, 
which forms so large a part of the aliment 
and ailment of the children of the cities. 

Being exempt from these influences, their 
systems have become well developed, and they 
are therefore able to endure fatigue and expo- 
sure, which would destroy persons of a less 
hardy constitution ; and if they would but re- 
move the other sources of disease, they would 
become the most healthy, and happy, and in- 
dependent people on the earth. — Ohio Valley 
Farmer. 



The Laundry. 

BY HETTIE HAYFIELD. 

Perfection in this branch of housewifery 
does not contribute so much to sensual enjoy- 
ment, as skill in the management of culinary 
concerns. Granting that the vulnerable point 
of good will lies in the stomach, it follows that 
the censorious will be- less severe if the table 
linen is not snowy white and smooth, than if 
the same qualities were wanting in the break- 
fast rolls and cakes. Yet the fame and grati- 
tude, springing from our contributions to ap- 
petite, are circumscribed to the circle of cur 
intimate friends, while the merits or demerits 
of our laundry are carried as an advertisement 
on our husband's bosoms, flaunted in every 
crowd wherein our daughter spreads her crino- 
line, and flutters out of every window of our 
houses like an auction flag, challenging notice. 

WASH HOUSE. 

Even in the smallest establishment this house 
cannot be comfortably dispensed with, and we 
verily believe that one half of the dirt and dis- 
content that mars the happiness of our homes, 
is traceable to the custom of washing in our 
kitchens. It is too much for woman-nature to 
look upon heaps of foul linen, sloppy floors 
and all the abominations of wash day, and not 
feel disgusted, at its close associations with her 
table preliminaries. And yet she is thrice 
blessed if the finale is not in her own particular 
chamber. If her own sanctum is not turned 
into a pandemonium of rough, dry clothes, 
sweating maids, thermometer at blood-heat and 
momentary danger of making a rueful wreck 
of your matchless baby face, by coming in con- 
tact with a hot iron. 

We think that there are few wives, after a 



702 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



little experience, who would not convert one of 
the double parlors and its rose-wood furniture 
into a snug wash house. 

Husbands would probably demur, for they 
know little of the discomforts of wash day, 
save the cold dinner and wife's vinegar aspect, 
that scandal associates with it, and we are sorry 
to add, pride is stronger in our land than a 
rational love of home comforts— ergo — well 
furnished parlors are had at any cost, and a 
wash house now and then as a special conces- 
sion to a very dear, capricious wife. Our 
limits do not allow us to specify plans but we 
suggest that a well ventilated room, capable of 
summer warmth in winter, with a capacious 
closet for the furniture necessary for washing 
and ironing will do. There should be a wide 
fire place, or furnace, for at least two large 
kettles. In or near the house there should be 
a full supply of good water, and a pipe for 
leading off the dirty water. In the slave States, 
where extensive beef, hog, and wool crops have 
to be handled, the wash house is convenient to 
use for such purposes, in which cases the dry- 
ing and ironing should be provided for in a 
separate room, appropriated solely to such uses. 
If the floor, wood work, and outside of the 
vessels are painted, it will be much easier to 
keep them clean. 

FURNITURE. 

There should be one or more large kettles. 
Copper is best, as it precludes the possibility of 
iron mould. Buckets and tubs, with wooden 
handles, are best, as careless washers often let 
clothes be ruined by contact with iron hoops 
and handles. A stout bench, on which to set 
the tubs, saves from the fatigue of stooping. 
Each washer should have a grooved wash-board 
and a cup of soap. There should be clothes 
horses for hanging clothes in bad weather, or 
rings on opposite sides of the wall, from which 
lines can be stretched. (There should also be 
posts in some sunny, grassy spot, fur the same 
use in fair weather.) There should be clothes 
pins, starch canisters, barrels of soap, a kettle 
for making starch, clothes baskets, ironing ta- 
ble, skirt and bosom board, irons of several 
sizes, stout blankets and sheets, iron stands 
and holders, not omitting soft old towels for 
wiping the irons. There must always be on 
hand first rate soap, starch, ox gall, gum ara- 
ble, salt, spermaceti, bees wax and indigo and 
materials for any washing fluid you use. All 
these things should be kept on hand and locked 
up to prevent waste or misplacing. 

WASHING. 

The evening previous to washing, all the 
clothes should be gathered up and assorted. 
Woolens, colored clothes, unbleached cottons 
and linens, and fine clothes, each into their re- 
spective baskets. Except woolens and colored 
ciothes, all other kinds should be put to soak, 
the night previous to washing, the very dirty 
parts having soap rubbed in them. If you use 



fno washing fluid, the next morning wring ou 
the clothes, and proceed with soap and warn 
water to wash them carefully, through two wa 
ters, then boil them in a clean lather briskly 
no more than a half hour. Wash them out o 
boil, and then rinse in two waters. The las 
rinsing water should have a delicate tinge o 
blue and a small quantity of starch for al 
kinds of cottons or linens ; reserve those whicl 
should be stiffer for the last, and mix mor» 
starch in the water. Skirts, shirt bosoms, col 
lars and so on should be dipped in stiff starcl 
when dry. Muslins and laces are dried, thei 
dipped in starch and clapped with the hand 
until dry enough to iron. White gronndet 
lawns and calicoes are washed like any whit 
material, omitting boiling, until the yellov 
tinge they acquire makes it absolutely neces 
sary. Unbleached cottons and linens, follov 
the fine white clothes through the same waters 
but in no case must be washed or boiled wit] 
them, as they continually discharge a portioi 
of their color and so discolor the white clothes 
In directing the preparation for washing fmi< 
we give the process employed with them, bu 
colored clothes, in our experience, can b« 
washed with none of them without injury t< 
the color. 

Calicoes, colored lawns and colored cottons 
and linens generally, are washed through tw< 
suds and two rinsing waters, starch being usee 
in the last, as all clothes look better and kee] 
clean longer if a little stiffened. Many calicoei 
will spot if soap is rubbed on them. A spoon 
ful of ox gall to a gallon of water, will set the 
colors of any goods if soaked in it previous t< 
washing. 

A tea cup of ley, in a bucket of water, wil 
improve the color of black goods. Nankeer 
should lay in ley a while before- being washec 
to set the color. A strong tea of common haj 
will preserve the color of the French linens s( 
much used in summer, by both sexes. If tht 
water in which potatoes are cooked be saved 
and boiled down, it stiffens black calicoes as 
well as starch and saves them from the dusty, 
smeared look they often have. Vinegar in the 
rinsing water for pink and green calicoes will 
brighten them. Pearl ash for purples and 
blues. 

Flannels should be washed through two suds 
and one rinsing w r ater. Each water should be aa 
hot as the hand can boar, unless you wish to 
thicken the flannel. Flannels washed in cold 
water, or luke warm, soon become like fulled 
cloth. The Avhite and colored flannels must be 
washed separately, and by no means be washed 
after cotton or linen goods. There should be a 
little blue in the rinsing water. .Allow yoiS 
flannels to freeze after washing in winter ; it 
bleaches them. Broad cloths, cassimers, &c, 
should be spread out on a table and cleaned 
with a brush. Ammonia mixed in water will 
clean pretty well. Camphene will clear, but 
leaves a disagreable odor. A beef's gall and a 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



70^ 



quarter of a pound of salaratus, dissolved in 
two gallons of water, will do it more thoroughly. 
Scour the garment with* a brush dipped in this 
liquid; if this does not cleanse it, wash it in 
the liquid and hang out to dry without wring- 
ing, after rinsing in fair water. 

Silks should have spots extracted before 
washing. Wash them in a luke warm lather, 
rinse in luke warm water and hang up with- 
out wringing. Making the rinsing water 
slightly sour with sulphuric acid if you have 
yellow or red in wash. 

Laces. Ordinary laces are done up like fine 
muslins. Fine thread lace shoull be wrapped 
round a bottle filled with water. Saturate the 
lace with the best sweet oil, then stand it in a 
kettle of clean, cold lather, heat it gradually. 
When it has boiled a half hour, drain off the 
suds, stretch the lace with your hands, and pin 
it on a clean pillow to dry. Or it may be washed 
in the usual way and dipped in rather weak 
coffee to give it the peculiar color desired. 

Blonde Lace. Is fastened around a bottle 
and laid in a vessel of cold lather, which should 
be changed every morning for a week. Rub 
your hand around the lace tenderly every morn- 
ing before changing the water. The vessel 
should be kept in the sun. 

Black lace is washed in warm water with ox 
gall and rinsed in fair water. Laces, crape, 
gauze and silk goods, should be stiffened in a 
solution of transparent ising glass or fine gum 
arable. 

Silk gloves and stockings should be washed 
in clean lather and rinsed in water slightly 
colored with blue, or carmine, if the pinkish 
tint is preferred, and stretched on frames to 
dry. If pressed, it should be on the wrong 
side, but stretching and rubbing with a roll of 
linen is best. 

IRONING. 

All clothes iron best if taken from the line 
when just sufficiently dry to smooth easily. If 
too dry they should be sprinkled and rolled 
into tight bundles and laid in a basket. Color- 
ed clothes should not be sprinkled until ready 
to iron ; it injures the colors to lie damp. 
There should be a largo table, covered with a 
thick blanket doubled, and a stout clean sheet. 
The skirt board and bosom board should 
have two or three layers of soft woolen cloth 
tacked on them smooth, then be covered with a 
close fitting case of stout, white cotton. Silks, 
worked muslins, tucked skirts, and all raised 
figured goods should be pressed on the wrong- 
side — likewise black cotton goods, if possible. 
Most other clothes are ironed on the right 
side. The most particular parts of a garment 
should be ironed last. Pantaloons should have 
the fold up front of the leg. Dress skirts at 
the sides. Bed and table linen should be 
mangled or ironed in great perfection. Velvet 
should be damped and have the wrong side 
run over the face of the iron. Clothes should 
bj perfectly dried before putting away. 



MATERIALS FOR WASHING. 

We proceed to give, as concisely as possible, 
directions for manufacturing these at home. 
We have not space to describe the ash hopper, 
but there should be straw at the bottom for a 
filter, and clean, strong ashes should be packed 
in and well damped as they are being put up. 
After standing some days you should begin 
tending the hopper with boiling water, one 
bucket of water an hour. After the hopper 
becomes exhausted let one bucket each day be 
of strong lime water. Soap grease may be 
used up as gathered, and is best kept in a 
covered tub of ley, but soap is far nicer, if 
you will boil the soap grease in moderate ley, 
until it floats clear on top — when cold it can 
be cut off, and the bones, dirt, lean flesh and so 
on will be a sediment, good for your compost 
heap. 

Cold Soaps. — Boil your ley until it will strip 
a feather of all down ; pour it into kettles or a 
strong hooped barrel that stands fairly in the 
sun ; to six buckets of ley allow one of soft 
grease. Stir it every day, and after a week, if 
too thin, stir in grease, a little at a time. It 
will make in about a mouth. 

Soft Brown Soap. — When the boiling ley 
will strip a feather, put one and a half pounds 
of soft grease to a gallon of ley. When incor- 
porated thoroughly, try it with a feather again, 
and if it barely eats, there is enough grease ; 
boil until it is as thick as you like it when 
cold. 

Hard Soap. —When the boiling ley will strip 
a feather, put in three-fourths of a pound of 
soft grease to two gallons of ley. Boil it, (try- 
ing whether it has enough grease with the 
feather) until it becomes very thick, then throw 
in a pint of salt for every four gallons of soap. 
Boil it a while longer ; set it off, and when cool 
cut it in bars, scrape off the sediments, and put 
it on a shelf to drain. The ley, &c, in the 
bottom of the kettle is good for scouring. 

To Refine Soaps. — Make a kettle of brine — 1 
pint of salt to 1 gallon of water. In 5 gallons 
of water boil 15 pounds of hard soap for an 
hour. When cold cut in bars and scrape from 
sediment; put on a sloping shelf to drain, ex- 
posed to the sun for a week or two. 

Toilet Soap.-— Strain your ley ; use clarified 
tallow in making hard soap — refine the soap 
with care, and after it has bleached, melt and 
perfume with any oil you like and color it with 
paint. Mould it to your fancy. 

Washing Fluids. — One-half pound of sal 
soda, two pounds hard soap, boiled 20 minutes 
in two gallons of soft water. Mix this in as 
much water as will cover 10 dozen clothes, 
soak the clothes a night ; pour in warm water 
and wash them out ; boil in suds and rinse as 
usual. 

English Receipt. — One pound of soda, one 
pound of brown soap, six ounces unslacked 
lime, boiled in one gallon of soft water. 
Having soaked the clothes over night, wring 



704 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



them out and throw them into a kettle of 12 
gallons of soft water into which the above 
compound has been mixed. Boil and rinse 
through two waters. 

Harvest Wash. — Four table spoons full of al- 
cohol, four spirits turpentine, one pound brown 
soap scraped up into one quart of hot water. 
Proceed as directed in the English Receipt. 
This is first rate for the clothes of harvest 
laborers, but injures the fabric too much for 
constant use. 

STARCH. 

The raw material may be made of wheat 
bran. Mix a gallon of flour in a half- 
tub of bran, fill the tub with water. 
When it shows signs of fermentation, strain 
it through a seive pressing the bran very 
dry. Strain the liquid next through a stout 
linen cloth, then through a close flannel cloth, 
repeating it until not a particle of bran is left 
in it. The starch will then settle to the bottom. 
Next morning drain off the water, pour on 
some fresh, and wash off gently the scum from 
the starch cake, drain off again and pour on 
some fresh water, stir up the starch thoroughly 
and leave it to settle — repeat this every morn- 
ing until the starch is faultlessly white. The 
last water used should have a slight tinge of 
blue infused. When you take out the cake 
crumble it up in trays and expose to the sun 
until perfectly dry. 

Potato Starch. — Potatoes being pealed and 
grated, you proceed as with wheat bran, only 
the pulp need stand a few hours before strain- 
ing. It is exquisite for line muslins and laces, 
and also for puddings and nice cakes. 

Stains, mildew or iron rust may be removed 

by dipping in acid water, covering with salt 

and exposing to the sun. We use citric acid, 

and have to repeat the process several times. 

[ Valley Farmer. 

The Great Seaboard Retreat of the South. 

We transfer from the National Intelligencr the 
following letter from the pen of the Hon. A. Dud- 
ley Mann, who passed the summer at Old Point. 
He has had extensive experience at the most cel- 
ebrated watering places in Europe, as well as in 
this country; and being a gentleman of accom- 
plishments, intelligence and taste, his opinion of 
Old Point is entitled to consideration. — Enquirer. 

Old Point Comport, Sept. 14, lb57. 
To the Editors of the National Intelligencer : 

Gentlemen — Having just enjoyed the invigo- 
rating bath at this favorite resort for the sixty- 
ilr.st and last time during the present season, I 
shall proceed homeward this afternoon in as per- 
fect health as ever mortal enjoyed. 

1 have been for the last fifteen years an occa- 
sional visitor at the more distinguished watering 
places in Europe, and prior to my going abroad 
I repeatedly sojourndd For a week or two in mid- 
summer at Newport, Nab ant and Saratoga, bul 
never quilted die sea-side on the mineral spring 
so reluctantly as I quit this time-honored histori- 



cal spot — the virtues of whose baths and genial 
atmosphere have endeared it to me by new in- 
dissoluble bonds. Willingly would I prolong my 
stay till the middle of October, if my engage- 
ments did not command my presence at home. 
I can well imagine how delightful September 
must be in such a climate, with such a gentle 
invigorating sea-breeze as generally prevails. — 
Of the ordinary tropical diseases there are none, 
while there is a total absence of the bleak winds 
of the North, which drive the health and pleas- 
ure seeking world in that quarter from the sea- 
shore at the latest by this time. 

Old Point Comfort assuredly has a brilliant fu- 
ture. I believe that it is destined, and at no dis- 
tant day, to become the most attractive resort for 
searchers after health and pleasure in the Union. 
The home-leaving Southerners will repair to it by 
thousands in summer and early autumn, as also 
many Northerners, when they become familiar 
with the excellence of its properties. May it be 
careful not to depart from the refined, elegant 
simplicity of manner by which its social inter- 
course is distinguished. 

Since my arrival here in June, I understand 
that the number of visitors has amounted to 
about five thousand. Nearly all of them are now 
in the mountains. • In regard to the time of visit- 
ing our watering places, we differ materially from 
the inhabitants of other countries. The season 
of recreation in Europe terminates at Ostende or 
Boulogne instead of at Baden Baden or Hamburg. 
This is the better habit, as it tends to secure a 
sufficient amount of health to carry the visitor 
safely to another summer. Medical men will 
generally recommend that the system be purified 
by the medicinal properties of the mineral 
fountain first, and then fortified by the salt bath 
and bracing breeze from the broad Atlantic. 
If this recommendation were adopted, Old Point 
Comfort would not be abandoned at the very pe- 
riod its atmosphere becomes most delightful and 
its salt water delicacies have attained perfection. 

The region around the Point is as healthy as 
any in America, and even Norfolk is remarkable 
for its freedom from disease. If good quarantine 
regulations had existed her terrible afflictions of 
1855 had doubtless never "been experienced. It 
was the infectious malaria conveyed by the 
Franklin which caused her temporary devasta- 
tion. Philadelphia or New York would have 
suffered similarly under like influences. 

The u Hygeia ; ' Hotel is excellently kept. The 
fare is everything that could be reasonably de- 
sired. An abundance of the finest fish and oys- 
ters grace the table at every meal, fresh from the 
Bay. In short, the living is of the rarest kind. 
The proprietor, Jos. Segar, Esq., is a gentleman 
of the most enlarged and liberal views. He has 
been for many years a distinguished member of 
the Legislature of Virginia, and is the father of 
the internal improvement system which is des- 
tined to give this State that place in the scale of 
the Union which she so conspicuously enjoyed in 
by-gone days. From his singleness of purpose 
in ih is respect he has Avon for himself an envia- 
ble fame. Me commenced his labors as far back 
as 1S3G. Success to such noble spirits, whatever 
the enterprise in which they engage! It 



SOUTHERN PLANTER— ADVERTISING SHEET. 



1\/Lir m Lefetovre's School, 

Corner of Grace and Foushee Streets, RICHMOND, VA. 

The next Session of this Institution will open on the FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER, 1857, 
and close on the First Day of July, 1858. 

TERMS FOR THE SCHOLASTIC YEAR, 



For Board, - - - $200 

Fur Washing, - - 20 

For Lights, - - 6 

For English Tuition, - - 40 

For Modern Languages, (each,) - 20 
For French, when studied exclusively of 

the English branches, - - 40 

For Latin, - - - 20 
For Music on Piano, Harp, Guitar, Or- 
gan or Singing : 

For one lesson (of an hour) a week, 40 

REFERENCES: 

The Patrons of the School. — Right Rev. Bishop Meade, Right Rev. Bishop Johns, Right Rev. 
Bishop Elliott of Georgia, Right Rev. Bishop Cubbs of Alabama, Rev. Moses D. Hoo-e, D. 
D., Rev. Charles H. Read, D. D., Rev. T. V. Mo re, D. D., Rev. B, Gilderslevc. The Clergy 
of the Episcopal Church in Virginia. 

3P A G XT X, T IT . 
HUBERT P. LEFEBVRE, A. M, Principal. 



For two lessons (of an hour) a week, 
For three lessons (of an hour) a week, 
For four lessons (of an hour) a week, 

For the use of Piano, 

For Drawing, from Models, 

For Drawing, from Nature, 

For Painting in AVater Colors, 

For Oil Painting, 

Primary Department — for Children un- 
der 11 years of age, 



> 80 

120 

100 

6 

20 

40 

40 

50 

30 



Rev. H. S. Keppler, 
William G. Williams, a. m 
John P. Little, M. D. 
R. A. Lewis, M. D. 

Eliodoro Camps, 



John A. Calyo 
C W. Thilow, 
W. F. Grabau, 
Mrs. A. E. J. Gibson, 
Miss Mary Gordon, 
MAD'ELLE L. VILLEMET, French Governess. 
All letters to be directed to Hubert P. Lefebvre, Richmond. Va. 



Miss E. Bartlett, 
Mrs. M. Taylor, 
Mad'me M. Estvan, 
Mad'elle Lacy, 
Charles II. Roseen, 



[July '57— ly 



A 



THE WORLD UNANIMOUS. 




HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT. 

THE GREAT COUNTER IRRITANT!! 



'he virous of disease often makes its way to 
internal organs through the pores of the skin. 
penetrating Ointment, melting under the 
hand as it is nibbed in, is absorbed through the 
same channels, and, reaching the seat of inflam- 
mation, promptly anil invariably subdues ir. — 
whether located in tin; kidneys, the liver, the 
lungs, or any other important organ. It pene- 
trated the surface To the interior, through the 
■ountless tubes that communicate with the skin, 
is summer rain passes into the fevered earth, dif- 
using its cool and regenerating influence. 
Skin Diseases and Glandular Swelling:. 
Every species of exterior irritation is quickly 



reduced by the anti-inflammatory action of this 
Ointment. Angry Eruptions, such as Salt Rheum, 
Erysipelas, Tetter, Ringworm, Scald Head, Nettle 
Rash, Scabies, (or L'ch) &c, die out to return no 
more, under its application. Hospital experience 
in all parts of the world proves its infallibility in 
diseases of the skin, the muscles, the joints and 
the glands. 

Wounds, Bruises, Burns and Scalds. 
In cases of the fracture of the bones, injuries 
caused by steam explosions, Bruises, Burns, Scalds, 
Rheumatism, Stiffness of the Joints, and contrac- 
tion of the sinews, it is employed and warmly 
recommended by the faculty. This marvellous 
remedy has been introduced by its inventor, in 
person, to all the leading Hospitals of Europe, 
and no private household should be without it. 

CAUTION! 

None are genuine unless the words " Holloway, New 
York and London" are discernible as a Water-mark 
in every leaf the book of directions around each pot or 
box ; the same may be plainly seen by holding the 
leaf to the light. A handsome reward will be piven 
to any one rendering such information as may lead to 
the detection of any party or parties counterfeiting the 
medicines or vending the same, knowing them to be 
spurious. 

ITIF* Sob! at the Manufactory of Prof. Holi.oway, 
80 ftlaiden Lane, New York, and by all respectable 
Druggists and Dealers in Medicine throughout the U. 
States and the civdized world, in boxes at W5 cents, 
62£ eents, and $1 each. 

t^ 5 " There is a considerable saving by taking the 
larger size. 

N. B.— Directions for the guidance of patients in 
every disorder are affixed to each box. Nov 57 



SOUTHERN PLANTER.— ADVERTISING SHEET. 



SOUTHERN FEMALE INSTITUTE, 

RICHMOND, VA. 

The Principals of the Southern Female Institute, with this announcement of its 8th Session, 
tender their thanks to the public for the liberal and increasing patronage they have received at its hands. 

As this Institution had its origin in individual enterprise, and has been fostered neither by aid from the State 
nor by denominational influence, it is with pride that they point to the appended list of patrons, believing as 
they do that it evinces the estimation in which their labours in the cause of female education are held by men 
of eminence and high character. 

Tbe Principals are Virginians, and were educated in Virginia. They selected teaching as a Profession, and 
have devoted themselves earnestly to it for a number of year? in their native State. Relying upon the sup-.^ 
port of the Southern people, they established, six years ago, this Institution, Southern in every feature, and 
in all its teachings. No expense has been spared to make it worthy of patronage, and they hope to be sup- 
ported in the effort to make the South independent of Northern schools and teachers. 

The Boarding Department will hereafter be under the immediate and sole control of D. Lee Powell who has 
taken a large new house on the south east corner of 1st and Franklin Streets, for the purpose of accommo- 
dating a number of young ladies as Boarders. 

The Principals are determined that the opportunities offered for acquiring a thorough knowledge of the 
French and other Modern Languages in their School, shall be equal to those of any institution in the coun- 
try. One or more Parisian ladies will reside in the family of Mr. Powell, who will be required to converse 
habitually in French with the Boarders. 

The most experienced and accomplished teachers of music, vocal and instrumental, in the city will be em- 
ployed, and every effort will be made to secure improvement in this valuable accomplishment. It will be 
the duty of one of the teachers to see th it the music scholars practice regularly and properly. 

TERMS. 
Board for 9 mos., washing and lights extra, $200 j Preparatory Department, - - $40 

Music on Piano, Harp or Guitar at Professors' Modern Languages in classes, each, - 20 

charges, Tuition in English, - - 50 ( Drawing and Painting, each, from $20 to 50 

Use of Piano per month. 

We beg leave to refer to the following list of patrons who have now or have had daughters in the Institution. 

His Excellency, Henry A. Wise, Governor of Virginia. Lieut. M. F. Maury, Nat. Observatory, N.' 

Beverley Tucker, Thomas Green, Rev. D. S. Doggett, Washington, D. C. Dr. Beverley R. Welford, 

A. A. Morson, Esq., Conway Robinson, James Lyons, Joseph R. Anderson, P. R. Grattan, Rev. Charles Hrf 
Read. Rev. Geo. YVoodbridge, Hon. A. R. Holladay, Col. Geo. W. Muniord, Charles Ellett,Jr M Charles Genl 
hett, Lewis D. Crenshaw, Win. Ri Hill, Capt. Charles Dimmock, S. J. Rutherfbord, Richmond, Va. Col. 
H. B. Powell. Loudoun co. Va. Rev. P. Slaughter, Warrenton. R. E. Scott, Esq., P. St. George Cocke, 
Poichatan co. Va. Richard Baylor, Essex. Wm. H. Clark, J. R. Edmunds, Halifax. Mrs. I. R. Harrison, 
Lower Brandon, Va. Hon. Geo. H. Lee, Clarksburg, Va. Thomas B. Barton, Esq., Thomas F. Knox, Win. 
H. White, Fredericksburg, Va. Dr. A. Mason, Falrnouth. Dr. Wm. Cochrane, Middleburg, Loudoun, Va. 
Dr. H. A. Buttolph, Trenton, New' Jersey. 

For further information, apply to the Principals: , D. LEE POWELL. 

Richmond, Aug. 1857.— tf R. J. MORRISON. 

THIRD ANNUAL EXHIBITION 

OF THE 

SEABOARD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, 

Will be held at the Fair Grounds, near the City of Norfolk, on the 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th 
Novemher next. 

Extensive preparations are being made to render this exhibition one of the most attractive and interest*? 
hig ever held south of the Potomac. 

The various Railroad and Steaml oat lines leading to this City will convey stock and articles for exhibi- 
tion free of charge, and ample accommodations will be provided for the comfortable entertainment of visi- 
tors to the Fair. By order of the Executive Committee. 

Oct 57— It G. F. ANDERSON, Scc'y. \ 



TRY THE PIANO FIRST! 
PAY FOR IT AFTERWARDS!! 

No one can object to the above, as it affords to 
the purchaser an opportunity of deciding for 
himself in place of depending upon the state- 
hmmiIs of the seller, for whilst we can truly say 
that we would not knowingly make any misrep- 
resentations respecting the quality of our Pianos, 
yet. in view of the fact, that every dealer is an 
interested party, nothing that he can say will 
have the 1 same effect that actual trial of the in- 
strument would do. E. P. NASH. 

Book and Piano Seller; 

Nov 57 Petersburg., Va. 



R. H; Meade.) (T. R. Baker. 

Graduate Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. 

MEADE * BAKER, 
Apothecaries, Chemists & Pharmaceutists, 

186, N. W. Comer of Main and \0th Sts. 

Diagonally opposite the Farmers and Virginia Banks' 

and just above the new Custom House. 

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. 

Offer to Farmers, Physicians and Families, a new 
and perjectly fresh stock of Pure Drugs, Chemical*;: 
and Medicines; Surgical Instruments; Spices ; Im- - 
ported Cigars ; Chewing and Smoking Tobacco \ 
Fancy Articles, Perfumery, Soaps, Brushes, &,c.,; on 
as good terms as any other House in the Country 

Sept. 1857— ly 



f