Devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture, and the Household. Arts. 



Agriculture is the nursing mother of the Arts. 

[Xknophon. 



Tillage and P/isturage nre the two breasts oi 
the State. — Sully. 



J. E. WILLIAMS, Editor. 



AUGUST & WILLIAMS, Prop'rs. 



Vol. XX. 



RICHMOND, VA., 



SEPTEMBER, 1860. 

7 



No. 9. 



Fertilizers. 

BY HON. THOMAS G. CLEMSON, LL. D. 

[AbriV</rd from Patent Office Ji>port of 
185H, and divided into three parts —Ed. 
So. Planter.] 

PART II.— LIME. 
[CONTINUED FRuM AU<JUST no.] 

Next to manure, the most common fertili- 
zer used throughout the United States, 
wherever it can be procured, is lime, either 
burnt from HiUestorie or oyster shells, or in 
the state of a sulphate commonly called 
gypsum or plaster of Paris, It appears to 
have been used from remote antiquity, and 
there are few soils which are not benefited 
by its application. It does not seem to be 
of very great importance whether it be 
added to the soil in the shape o\' lime direct! 
from the kiln, slaked, or in the form cf 
carbonate, as it occurs in chalk, marble, or. 
marl. The essential point is extreme tine- ' 
ness. The finer it is, the more easily it en- 
ters into combination and produces its effect, j 
This purpose is always better attained by 
burnt lime, whatever it may be burnt from,; 
whether limes'tone, marble, or shells. Lime' 
has a great affinity for carbonic acid, which 
is one of the ever-present constituents of: 
the atmosphere ; so that, upon the exposure | 
33 



of caustic lime, it soon becomes carbonated. 
Caustic* or fresh-burned lime, when put in 
contact with organic matter, cither animal 
or vegetable, causes immediate action and 
rapii decomposition. Corbonate of lime is 
less active ; and although it has lost its caus- 
tic power by the absorption of carbonic 
acid, still it produces important changes in 
soils. As we have seen, soils are mixtures 
of salts and organic matter, containing air 
and water, in their pores. Here lime acts, 
decomposing the organic matter, and freez- 
ing carbonic acid, ft again acts upon the 
alkaline a id earthy salts, decomposing 
them, and enabling them to form such com- 
binations as the plants require. 

Chemistry has rendered important servi- 
ce-: to agriculture in many ways ; none 
more than by analysis of soils j not by 
informing us of the differ nee between poor 
and rich soils, nor by pointing out the spe- 
cific wants of the farmer, or the particular 
applications to each soil so hoped lor by 
him ; but by showing us that certain combi- 
nations exist in the soil ; that a simple 
silicate of alumina is barren, experience 
proving that the mere application of ma- 
nure to it will not give fertility; though, 
lime being added on common clay, a double 
silicate of alumina and lime will be found, 
which in the course of time, with manure, 






514 






THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



the bi-carbonate, in which the lime has a 
double quantity of carbonic acid, is soluble 
and easily gives off a part of its carbonic 
acid, returning to a carbonate, and to an 
insoluble state. The springs bring up the 
lime in solution, in a state of bi-carbonate, - 
which, upon exposure to the atmosphere, loses 
a portion of its carbonic acid, and is deposi- 
ted in the earth in the shape of limestone. 
The most familiar example of this occurs 
in a tea-kettle, which soon becomes incrust- 
ed with limestone, if limestone water be 



becomes fertile. Lime added to a clay soil 
destroys that sticky, waxen consistence that 
makes it so difficult to work, and prevents 
the baking and hardening so fatal to vege- 
table life. The addition of lime is not so 
beneficial from its mere presence in a soil, 
for generally there is enough for plant food; 
but its good effect is chiefly owing to the 
chemical changes it causes among the sub- 
stances forming and existing in the soil. 

It has been long known that a mixture of 
lime, earth, and rich organic matter, such 

as manure and decomposing vegetable sub- ] used in it, from the cause we have men~ 
stances, causes the production of nitric acid. * ; ' ! 
Such a mixture is used in many parts of 
the world to produce saltpeter, which is a 
nitrate of potash. It is collected from the 
earthy mixture by dissolving it in water, 
which is evaporated, leaving the salt in 
crystals. The same thing takes place in 
the earth : when lime is added to it, nitric 
acid is formed, which combines with the 
alkalies and earths in the soil, forming ni- 
trates. These are all excellent fertilizers. 

The exact manner in which lime acts 
upon the soil is not entirely understood, but 
that it does produce a wonderful effect, 
and a very beneficial one, is well known. 
The limestone formations in the United 
States are of very great extent. Our best 
wheat soils overlie them. By analysis, we 
find no carbonate of lime in these limestone 

clays; yet it does not follow that lime is 
not there in some shape. Accordingly we 

discover it in the state of phosphate and 

silicate. Upon these limestone soils lime 

has been largely applied, and the result has 

been excellent. We owe much to Mr. Ed- 
mund Rufiin, of Virginia, for his practical 

application of lime, and for his publications 

in regard to it. By his efforts in this ; 

respect a revolution has been created in 

agriculture throughout the tide-water re- 
gions of Viriginia. 

Some of the soils in the United States, 

overlying limestone rocks, contain carbonate 

of lime, while others are formed of a de- 
composing limestone, or, as it is called in 

Alabama, "rotten limestone/' Here, of 

course, we have lime largely in the soil. 

This is not the case with soils overlying the 

blue limestone of New York, Pennsylvania, 

Maryland, and Virginia. The composition 

of these soils shows a different origin. The 

numerous and large springs throughout this 

region form a great source to the soil of 

carbonate of lime. This is insoluble ; but 



tioned above. 

By far the largest portion of the soils 
east of the Alleghany and Blue Ridge are 
formed from the older and crystaline rocks, 
and consequently contain less lime than 
soils of a different origin, there being 
neither limestone nor springs from lime- 
stone rocks to impart it to them. All these 
soils, without exception, would be benefited 
by the application of lime. When using 
the word lime, we would not wish to be 
understood as meaning the result of burnt 
limestone or shells only, but in whatever 
shape it may be found, as marls, &c. 
Lime, added in small quantities annually, 
would seem, from experience, to have 
a better effect than when put on the land 
heavily at once. • It is stated, on reliable 
authority, that so small an amount, as a 
bushel to the acre has produced good effect. 
In some parts of the country it is customary 
to add burnt lime in great quantities, as 
high as two hundred and more bushels per 
acre. Utter sterility for sometime has been 
the result of such profusion. Prudence 
and economy would suggest smaller supplies. 
Some care should be used in selecting the 
limestone from which to make lime, as it is 
seldom pure, often containing large portions 
of magnesia and sand, and always mpre or 
less phosphate of lime. The magnesia, if 
not in too large quantities, can hardly be 
objectionable. The phosphate of lime is 
very desirable, and too much of it can 
scaiccly be applied. The sand in limestone 
might be objectionable on the score of 
economy, otherwise its use on a stiff clay 
would be beneficial. Oyster shells might 
naturally be expected to contain phosphate 
of lime in considerable quantity, and these 
are, perhaps, the best materials from which 
to make lime for the farm. 

It must be borne in mind that lime of 
itself will not give fertility to soil. The ma- 













I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



515 



terials upon which it can act must be pre- 
sent, or its greatest effect will be lost. 
There must be organic matter in the soil, 
either as decomposing manure or as vegeta- 
ble mold, upon which it can operate. Lime 
brings into play the constituents of the soil, 
and enables the plant to feed on them, while, 
as a salt, it forms the food of plants, yet its 
great effect is upon the different parts of 
the soil itself. The richer this may be, the 
better will prove the effect of lime; the 
poorer the. soil, the slower and worse the 
effect. It is owing to this cause that lime 
has been condemned in many cases, it hav- 
ing been put upon poor soils, where there 
was nothing for it to operate upon. The 
effect of lime, it will be observed from what 
we have said above, is long continued. Its 
benefits can be seen for crop after crop* 
As long as there is organic matter in the 
soil, it slowly decomposes it, forming new 
combinations and fresh food. Those results 
which we produce in the laboratory, fall far 
short of the endless changes going on in the 
earth. He who undertakes to explain every 
operation of Nature will fail most lamenta- 
bly. There are causes at work we but little 
understand. Who can explain vitality? 
It has muqli to do with the marvelous ac- 
tions and reactions* going on in the earth. 
By it inert matter becomes part of life, ful- 
fils its functions, decays, forms new lite, 
and thus runs on in an eternal round. 

MARL. 

Next to lime, marl has the most extensive 
use, as a fertilizer, in th#eastern part of the 
United States. It has been found from 
New York, along the coast, to the Gulf of 
Mexico. We have heard of none between 
the Rocky and Alleghany mountains, unless 
it might be on the Gulf of Mexico. The 
composition of marls is various, most of 
them abounding in carbonate of lime. To 
this they owe a great cause of their useful- 



ness. The word marl has various significa- 
tions in the United States. In New Jersey, 
the green sand is called marl, while on the 
Chesapeake the calcareous earth, so largely 
used there, bears the same name. In Eu- 
rope, the word marl would appear to be 
applied to substances as often without lime 
as with it, and not by any means confined 
to a class of calcareous earths. The appli- 
cation of marl, or a variety of substances 
under that name, is of quite ancient date. 
Marling was practised by the Greeks and 
the Romans, and Pliny in his Natural His- 
tory, evidently alludes to and mentions chalk, 
under the head of marl. He says the 
Gauls and Britons sunk shafts to the depth 
of a hundred feet for the extraction of 
white chalk. It was used to scqur silver, 
and is the whiting of the present day. 
The same substance, on being put on land, 
produces fertilizing effects for eighty years. 
In England and on the continent, chalking 
and marling are synonymous terms ; and it 
it is probable«that substances of an unctu- 
ous, soapy feeling came into use because 
they were supposed to possess properties 
similar to chalk. 

The pure green sand marl of New Jer- 
sey, according to the analysis of Mr. Henry 
Seybert, contains no lime. He obtained as 
follows : 



Silica, 
Alumina, 
Magnesia, 
Potassa, 
Water, . 
Protoxyd of iron, 
Loss, . 



40.83 
G.00 
1.83 

10.12 

9.80 

. 21.53 

0.89 

100.0 i 



But the substance varies very materially, 
as is shown by the following analysis, copied 
from Prof. Cooke's Report on the Geology 
of New Jersey. We^ive the analysis with 
the decimals abridged from two figures to one ; 





1 


2« 


3 


4 


5 


6 


Protoxyd of iron, . 


. 8.3 


10.8 


21.3 




14.9 




Alumina, 


6.1 


6.6 


8.0 








Lime, .... 


2.4 


12.5 


1.0 


i 






Magnesia, 


.4 


2.6 


2.0 






Potash, . . . 


2.5 


4.9 


7.1 


7.1 


4.3 


3.37 


Soluble silica, 


20.2 


31.2 


45.9 








Insoluble silica and sand, 


49.9 


5.6 


4.0 








Sulphuric acid, 


.9 


.6 


.4 








Phosphoric acid, 


1.4 


1.1 


1.3 . 


.2 


2.6 


6.9 


Carbonic acid, 


.2 


9.3 










Water, 


7.1 


8.9 


8.1 








Soluble in water, 


1.9 


1.4 


1.1 


1.1 


1.9 


4.7 



516 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



[September 



Marl from the State of Delaware, ac-| 
cording to Mr. Booth, does not differ very, 
much from that of New Jersey. But in Dela- 
ware there are two varieties, proximate one to 
the other, and one of which contains as high 
as 25 per cent, of carbonate of lime. Mons. ' 
P. Berthier, professor of Docimacie, in the 
royal school of mines, of France, has an- 
alyzed several varieties, which are more or 
less analogous in composition to the green 
sand of New Jersey. The bluffs called 
Cape La Heve, near Havre, in France, are 
mainly formed of carbonate of lime, through 
which are interspersed nodubs and grains 
of a dark-greenish substance, which yielded : 



Silica, - 
Protoxyd pf iron, 
Magnesia, 
Alumina, 
Potassa, 



50.00 
21.00 

7.00 
11.00 
10.00 



99.00 



The grains of chlorite are found isolated 
and distinct in the limestone at Havre. 
Analysis represents the composition of those 
grains free from the mass in which they 
occur. The analysis of Mr. Seybert ex- 
hibits, as I have understood, the average of 
the deposit as it came from the ground. 
If it be otherwise, and the particles of 
chlorite were selected previous to analysis, 
the green sand of New Jersey would be in- 
finitely less valuable as a fertilizer than is 
indicated by the above analysis. In other 
parts of the United States, other substances 
of an entirely different composition have 
received the name of marl, and been ap- 
plied to the soil with marked advantage. 
Such a substance is found in the environs 
of Pendleton, in South Carolina, w T here it 
has attracted attentiori. It is a variety of 
kaolin, or decomposed feldspar, one of the 
constituents of granite, containing little or 
no lime, but sometimes as high as 17 per 
cent, of potassa. At Fort Hill, *the resi- 
dence of the late J. C. Calhoun, this sub- 
stance was found in digging a well. It was 
used in dressing the lawn in front of the 
dwelling, where its fertilizing effects are 
manifest to this day in a luxuriant sward, 
contrasting vividly with the surrounding 
vegetation on which the application was 
not made. In 1837, some years after the 
experiment, it was pointed out by Mi. Cal- 
houn as an illustration of the adaptability 



of that country to produce luxuriant grass; 
if the soil were properly treated. 

We speak of marl as always containing 
the calcareous principle, in which sand, 
clay, or carbonate of lime may predomi- 
nate, it accordingly receiving the appella- 
tion of sandy or clay marl, as either princi- 
ple may be in excess. Few marls are free 
from admixture with the above named sub- 
stances, and sometimes others are found, 
such as oxyd of iron, sulphuret of iron, 
manganese, sulphate of lime, &c. The ma- 
jority of our soils east of the mountains, 
originate from the old granitic schistose and 
sandstone rocks, which are wanting in the 
proper proportions of lime to make them 
as fertile as those soils having a different 
origin. Animals fed on the grass grown 
upon limestone land, or those artificially 
limed, thrive much better than when pas- 
tured upon lands of a different character. 
It is also known that wheat weighs heavier, 
has a much better appearance, and is in- 
variably preferred by millers when grown 
upon calcareous soils. It is, then, of impor- 
tance to the agriculturist that he should pos- 
sess a knowledge of the presence or absence 
of lime in his soil, and how to make 
examinations, both qualitative *and quanti- 
tative, for that substance or minerals sup- 
posed to contain carbonate of lime. 

No mineral varies more in its physical 
character than marl. It occurs of all col- 
ours, from black to white; and frequently 
in the same bed you have a variety of 
tones, as there may be present more or 
less oxyd of iron y or according to the state 
of oxydation of that metal, you may have 
the red, yellow, brown, bine, and the dif- 
ferent shades which a mixture of these 
would create when variously mixed with 
white, black, &c. Sometimes it is smooth 
and without grit ) at others it has a coarse 
grain, with crystals of other mineral sub- 
stances disseminated, such as sulphate of 
lime and quartz. Chalk is a marl, through 
which nodulos of flint occur, sometimes in 
large quantities, and sometimes the carbo- 
nate of lime disappears altogether, and is 
replaced by silicious matter. Very often 
the bed may be wholly composed of shells, 
broken or entire, or even visible to the 
naked eye, but revealing through the mi- 
croscope the remains of minute organisms 
forming the complete mass. It is some- 
times soft and unctuous to the touch, friable, 
or hard. But it has one general property, 



»*. 



^^ 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



517 



°f falling into powder when exposed to the 
air, or form lag pasty mud when saturated 
with Water, and acts very like lime in 
the process of slaking, without giving off 
heat. 

A marl is valuable in proportion to the 
amount of carbonate of lime that it contains. 
Take a piece of the substance suspected to 
contain the carbonate, large as an acorn, 
throw it into a tumbler or wine-glass, and 
cover in with water ; after the air has es- 
caped from the interstices, add a few 
drops of any acid, say nitric or muriatic, 
or either of these being wanting, strong vin- 
egar may suffice j then, if there should be 
a disengagement of gas, or effervescence, it 
is pretty sure evidence of the presence of 
carbonate of lime. ***** 

Id deposits of marl there are frequently 
different layers, varying in appearance, 
thickness, ai d composition. The lower 
strata are often richer in lime than the up- 
per. An agrillaceous layer sometimes over- 1 
lies one that is sandy or stiff. Sea-sands! 
are, in many cases, applied to the soil with I 
great advantage, and it is not surprizing, 
for they are frequently composed of minute, 
fragments of shells, comminuted corals, and j 
the remains of minute" organisms, which 
are frond inhabiting the ocean — Nature's 
great reservoir of life. 

But the action of marl cannot be entirely 
owing to the carbonate of lime. There are 
effects due to other causes, and it w T ould be 
strange indeed, considering the origin of 
these fertilizers, if they did not contain 
some of the more evanescent principles of 
organic life. Mr. Payen and Boussingault, 
both celebrated chemists, instituted a series 
of inquiries into the composition of marls, 
from different localities, and found nitrogen 
in all. " It were therefore very proper,* in 
analyzing marls, clalk, &c, to have an eye 
to their organic, or azotic, as well as to their 
mineral constituents. There can be very 
little question of the azotized elements be- 
ing at the bottom of the really wonderful 
fertilizing influences of the marls of certain 
districts." — (Boussingault, Rural Econ- 
omy.) 

It would be still more surprising if a sub- 
stance less ephemeral in its nature, and 
not less important, should not be found 
more constantly in limestones and marls 
than former analysis has shown. Phospho- 
ric acid at all times complicates analysis, is 
difficult to appreciate correctly, and has | 



doubtless been largely overlooked. But 
there is higher evidence of its almost uni- 
versal presence than chemical tests, for 
wherever organic remains are found, it is 
a sure indication of that singularly inter- 
esting substance, phosphorus, to which we 
attach as important a role, if not a higher 
one, than that atributed to nitrogen, by the 
celebrated authorities mentioned above. 

Marl, after ext action from the pit, 
should be exposed as long as possible to the 
action of the atmospheric agents. A sum- 
mer's heat and a winter's cold, previous to 
spreading, making its immediate action 
manifest; but its durability is dependent 
upon its contents and the quantity applied. 
According to Mr. Parvis, who has written 
an interesting and useful paper upon marl, 
the quantity to be applied depends upon 
the quantity of lime already existing in the 
soil and the richness of the marl in lime, 
lie says that any soil which contains less 
than nine to ten per cent, of lime may re- 
ceive a dose, or successive doses, until they 
are brought up to that point. Lord Karnes 
mentions a particular instance of the con- 
tinued beneficial effects* of calcareous ma- 
nure for one hundred and twenty years, and 
Johnson quotes the words of an intelligent 
and experienced farmer, that certain lands 
in Scotland " would never forget an appli- 
cation of forty to sixty bushels of lime to 
the acre." 

Lime appears to change the inert organic 
matter in the soil, and give durability to 
their action far beyond what would have 
been the case without the presence of that 
mineral. It also changes the relations be- 
tween the other mineral constituents of the 
soil, and is an essential element of plant 
food j but there are other substances quite 
as necessary to healthy vegetation. It fol- 
lows, then, that whoever may expect to 
harvest large crops immediately from the 
addition of lime to poor land will surely be 
deceived. The proportion of marl or lime 
to be added to a soil should be in accord- 
ance with the amount of organic matter al- 
ready existing in it, or that may be con- 
tributed ; in other werds, the lime should 
progress pari passu ; and by following 
such a course, the land may be brought to 
a state of permanent fertility, to which it 
never could be carried 'by farm-yard manure 
alone. What would be an over-dose of 
lime to one field would be a light dressing 
for another. An over-dose of marl or 



518 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



lime may altogether prevent the appear- 
aDce of vegetation, or cause a sickly growth. 
Mr. Rivffin says that manure is a remedy 
for such effects. Interesting and important 
as the subject certainly is to the farmer, the 
nature of this aiticle will not permit us to 
extend our observations further, and the 
reader is once more referred to Mr. Ruffin's 
work on calcareous manures, in which will 
be found much detail not written else- 
where. 

Limestone is one of the principal rocks 
which forms the solid crust of the globe. 
It has a large development, and is interca- 
lated with the primitive rocks., It occurs 
there in a saccharoidal form of different 
colours — grey, blue, red, &c, but never 
black. A notable fact is, that no fossils of 
any description have ever been discovered 
in primitive limestone. It is often found 
schistose in its structure, from a mixture 
with other rocks, particularly mica schists. 
As we rise in the geological series, the lime- 
stones preponderate, and become by far the 
most important of r( cks> Instead of being 
subordinate and alternating with others, 
they now form independent developments, 
of vast extent, constituting mountain ranges. 
The character of the rock is also changed. 
It occurs of all colours, from black through 
every shade to white. The mixture of for- 
eign minerals is less notable ; but there the 
first appearance of organic remains is a 
most significant and interesting fact. At 
times, no fossils are to be found j and one 
may travel for miles without meeting with 
a single specimen ; when, all at once, they 
occur in prodigious quantities. The fossils 
of this formation are all characteristic ; 
and without giving a detailed list, I will 
mention Orthoceratites, Spiriferes, Encri- 
nites, and Trilobites. In the secondary 
formation, the carbonate of lime may be 
said to constitute the almost entire series of 
superpositions. The secondary formations 
are divided into several series known by 
different names in various parts of the 
world. The lowest of these formations im- 
mediately overlying the intermediary is 
called Zechstein by the Germans, and oc- 
curs compact of a greyish black colour, 
sometimes bituminous, and gives off a fetid 
odour when rubbed ojr receiving the shock 
of the hammer. It is characterized by 
certain fossils, and is separated from the 
formations immediately underlying, as those 
overlying, by arenaceous sandstones of a 



peculiar nature. The red marl or great 
mushelkalk limestone is the next series as 
we travel up. In general this 'stone is 
found less highly, coloured, and contains 
fossils, all of which differ from the Zech- 
stein, and occur in much greater abundance. 
In travelling over Germany we' have often 
spent hours in studying this interesting 
rock through its fossils, which would show 
themselves at different localities on our 
journey. There is one in particular, the 
Encrinites Liliformis, of singular beauty. 
They are rarely found entire, but when they 
do so occur they cannot fail to excite the 
admiration of the observer. Rarely as the 
entire plant is found in one specimen, so 
common are parts of it, that the rock 
at times would appear to be formed of 
them. 

A third deposit now occurs, and is known 
in England by the name of Lias, also char- 
acterized by particular fossils ; and here, 
for the first time, we see Belemnites, and 
Ammonites, and a large number of shells, 
peculiar to that formation. Another de- 
posit, which is known as the Jura limestone 
in France, oolite and coral rag in England, 
and which subdivides again, is, with its 
antedivisions, distinguished, the one from 
the other, by the fossil remains found in 
them. In the upper part of this division 
we have certain varieties of marl, such as 
that at Havre, in which the chloritic grains 
occur, as analyzed by M. Berthier; and in 
England, at , Purbeck and Portland, are 
found marls, where fresh water shells show 
themselves for the first time. The fifth de- 
posit of the secondary series, separated from 
the last described by iron sands, is the 
chalk formation, which may be divided 
into green sand and true chalk. These 
formations contain fossils which are char- 
acteristic and such as are found nowhere 
else. 

The next in order, and superimposed 
upon the preceding, is the tertiary forma- 
tion, so interesting for the number and 
character of its organic remains. Around 
the city of Paris, the student has an op- 
portunity of studying this formation per- 
haps better than at any other locality. 
Montmartre, so celebrated for its geology 
and paleontology, as well as for other rea- 
sons, in really classic ground. The remains 
of extinct animals, buried from incalcula- 
ble time, were frequently extracted by the 
workmen engaged in quarrying out material 



■MM 






I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



519 



for construction. From the study of such 
remains the genius of Cuvier opened a new 
creation. Fragments of bones of extinct 
animals, that were gazed upon by the curi- 
ous, and received no other explanation than 
" lusus nuturse," were classified, each bone 
to its proper place; and each animal ac- 
cording to its habits, which were pointed 
out by its teeth or its osteology, was assign- 
ed its appropriate position in the gradation 
of animated nature. Though extinct, their 
general habits are known as certainly, as 
if they were domesticated under man, 
and belonged to the present time. Science 
has placed a wreath around the brow of 
Cuvier, that will endure to his honour so 
long as civilization shall be in the ascend- 
ant. 

The first plaster of Paris used in Amer- 
ica for fertilization came from the hill of 
Montmartre, and was imported under the 
auspices of Franklin. Above the tertiary 
formations are others of a much more re- 
cent date, and now forming under our eyes. 
Many of these are mainly composed of 
limestone/ made up from the destruction 
of other calcareous rocks. Along our sea 
coast such rocks are forming, and even fur- 
nish building material. Tufaceous depos- 
its are making in our valleys, by the depo- 
sition of carbonate of lime from water issu- 
ing from limestone rocks.* Immense beds 
of shells, such as are living in our waters, 
are found along our coast. In Prince 
George's county, Maryland, the marl-beds 
are well known, and the celebrated lands of 
that region owe their fertility to these re- 
mains of a former life. Among these frag- 
ments, bones and teeth of animals are not 
uncommon ; and whole skeletons have been 
disinterred and set up to be wondered at. 
The remains of the mastodon, (an animal 
of the elephant tribe, but much more gi- 
gantic,) are frequently met with, and an 
almost entire specimen was taken up in the 
interior of the State of New York. 
Sharks' teeth are also common, sometimes 
of enormous size. We have one in our 
possession, taken from a bed in Prince 
George's county, that measures about four 
inches in breadth at its base, and nearly 
five inches in length. It is in perfect con- 
dition, its cutting edges as finely and sharp- 
ly serrated as if just taken from the mon- 
ster's mouth. 

Nor is the limestone formation of our 
continent confined to the recent deposits of 



which we have spoken. The blue limestone 
formation, so celebrated for its excellent 
wheat lands in Pennsylvania, Maryland and 
Virginia, continues through Georgia, comes 
to the surface near Clarksvillc, in Haber- 
sham county, and extends to the Island of 
Cuba, where we have traced it again for 
miles. 

The limestone lands of the State of New 
York are celebrated for their fertility, and 
the magnesian limestone of the great West 
has prodigioiJs extension. 

In closing our observations upon lime, 
we will remark that of all mineral substan- 
ces it is among the most extensively dif- 
fused, so much so that it would be impossi- 
ble to find a soil without it. An amateur 
asked us if we had ever found lime in the 
soil on which we lived ; he thought it ab- 
sent. We answered that, even if we had 
failed to detect it with the aid of reagents, 
there was higher evidence of its presence, 
which could not be contradicted, namely : 
the bones of the animals reared upon the 
pla'ce, the eggs of our hens, and the houses 
which snales carry upon their backs. 

Those who desire details upon the green 
sand marl of New Jersey and Delaware, 
will do well to consult the reports of Messrs. 
Rogers and Booth ; the former was charged 
with the geological survey of New Jersey, 
the latter with that of Delaware. 

PLASTER, OR GYPSUM. 

. It is probable that the " marl" of the 
ancients was plaster of Paris, or gypsum, 
but it was not until near the close of the 
last century that its incontestible utility be- 
came known ; since that period it has be- 
come almost a necessity ; nor is it surpris- 
ing that such should be the case, when we 
consider its efficacy on certain crops, the 
small amount required to produce a great 
increase, and the facility with which it can 
be procured and prepared. The first au- 
thentic experiments of which we have re- 
cord were made by a German clergyman, 
named Meyer. These were repeated in 
France, when it soon grew into extensive 
use. Sulphate of lime, as its name indi- 
cates, is composed of sulphuric acid, lime 
and water. 



Sulphuric acid, 

Lime, 

Water, 



33 

21 



h 



1CX» 



It is usually soft, and may be scratched 



520 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



with the finger nail. When pure, it is gen- 
erally of a whitish colour, but according as 
it is found mixed with foreign matter its 
colour varies. It assumes a variety of 
forms, compact, granular, fibrous, pulveru- 
lent, crystaline, &c. Its crystals are some- 
times perfectly limpid. Gypsum is plen- 
tifully and widely dissimulated throughout 
the crust of the globe, and is confined to 
no age or particular formation. In some 
cases it would appear to owe its. existence 
to the decomposition of the sulphuret of 
iron in contact with limestone or, again, to 
the action of sulphurous vapours upon that 
rock. It is not often fossiliferous; but that 
which is found at Montmartre, in the envi- 
rons of Paris, is an exception. At that 
locality the remains of mammiferous ani- 
mals, of birds, and reptiles, are very com- 
mon. In certain formations the sulphate 
of lime is usually found accompanying 
common salt. It is also a constituent of 
the marls, which oCcur along our sea-coast, 
but only to a limited amount, comparatively. 
In the State of New York it is found in 
large quantities, and also in Nova Scotia, 
whence it is imported into the United States, 
forming by far the greater portion of that 
which is used by the farmers of the At- 
lantic shore. 

Notwithstanding all the experiments that 
have been made, and all that has been writ- 
ten upon the subject, our knowledge of the 
action of gypsum is limited and very unsat- 
isfactory. 

Sir Humphrey Davy analyzed the ashes 
of clover, and concluded, from the presence 
of sulphate of lime, that the application of 
gypsum acted as direct food. But subse- 
quent investigations show that the amount 
of sulphate of lime in the ash of clover, 
grown upon gypsumed land, was not greater 
than the quantity of the same salt, found in 
the ash of clover, grown on ungypsumed 
land. 

Professor Liebig explains the action of 
gypsum, as a means through which ammo- 
nia is presented to the plant. It is known 
that ammonia and nitric acid are found in 
the atmosphere, and that salt and carbonate 
of ammonia are brought down by rains. 
That fact may be easily verified by evapo- 
rating snow, or rain water, to which a few 
drops of muriatic acid have been added ; 
crystals of muriate of ammonia will be found. 
Indeed, without consulting the agency of 
electricity for the formation of ammonia, it 



is a natural consequence of the decomposi- 
tion of animal matters, which is ever pro- 
gressing upon the surface of the globe, and 
many plants emit pungent odors, apparently 
containing more or less of that alkali. Ac- 
cording to the eminent professor, the action 
of gypsum would be confined to the absolu- 
tion of that gas, to be held in readiness, ac- 
cording to the wants of the plant. But his 
ingenious theory is no less satisfactory, for 
it is stated that gypsum has no action what- 
ever on the natural gases, which are stimu- 
lated by organic manures. Nor does it ap- 
pear, from careful experiments made by 
M. Boussingault, that gypsum has the least 
action upon wheat, oats or rye, upon which 
it is known that nitrogenous manures act 
most favorably. Rigaud de Lisle, in a pa- 
per read before the Paris Society of Agri- 
culture, in 1843, maintained that gypsum 
only operates upon vegetation grown upon 
soils without a sufficient amount of carbon- 
ate of lime, and his declaration is borne out 
by the practice in Flanders of applying 
slaked lime, instead of gypsum, with equally 
good results. We have heard* the same 
opinion expressed by practical farmers, who 
knew nothing of the discussion. Having 
limed their lands to the full requirement, 
they would look upon the application of 
plaster as a useless expense. 

SULPHATE OF BARYTES. 

Another assertion, which has its advan- 
tages, gives the entire credit of the action * 
of gypsum to the sulphuric acid which it 
contains; and this appears to be supported 
by the fact that the addition of the sulphate 
of barytes is followed by as strongly marked 
results as those that are derived from the 
application of the sulphate of lime. Ex- 
periments were made some years since in 
Rockbridge county, Virginia, by Dr. Bar- 
ton, upon whose farm a deposit of the sul- 
phate of barytes was found. It was ground . 
and applied. We are informed by an intel- 
ligent observer that the effect was manifest 
five years after. A paper was written at the 
time, and published in one of the agricultu- 
ral periodicals of Virginia. We have not 
had access to the article, but Dr. Barton re- 
ceived the award of a gold medal for his in- 
vestigations. Should tne usefulness of sul- 
phate of barytes be confirmed, it will be a 
notable and important addition to the list of 
fertilizers. It is sometimes called heavy 
spar, owing to its specific gravity, which is 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



521 



100 



almost double that of gypsum- or the sul- 
phate of lime; the first being 4.7, and the 
latter 2.72. Generally it is found white, or 
reddish, yellowish white, grey, and even 
black, compact, granular, crystaiine, itc. In- 
soluble in water, and when decomposed, as 
may be done by calcining together powdered 
charcoal, or sugar, starch, resine, &0. t with 
sulphate of barytes, the bantes will dissolve 
in nitric or muriatic acid, from which it will 
always be precipitated by the addition of 
sulphuric aeid. It will be recollected that the 
sulphate of lime is sensibly soluble iu water, 
more so than lime, for when sulphuric acid 
is added to limewater no precipitate is 
thrown ; whereas, when a few drops of sul- 
phuric acid are added to a solution of the 
nitrate, muriate, or to the oxyd of barytes 
in solution, a white precipitate never fails to 
fall. The carbonate of barytes may be easily 
distinguished from the sulphate by its effer- 
vescing, as it does slowly on the application 
of nitric acrid. It is composed of — 

Sulphuric acid, 34.37 ) _ 

Barytes, 65.63 j ~ 

It is, however, often found mixed with 
different substances, such as sulphate of 
strontian, sulphate and carbonate of lime, 
silex, oxyd of iron, and alumine. It occurs 
in veins in the primitive and secondary rocks, 
and is most always found in veins §f lead, 
copper, silver, and mercury; in the* metal- 
liferous regions of Europe, in the Hartz, 
Saxony, Hungary, Almaden, in Spain; in 
the United States, in New York, Connecti- 
cut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, 
Virginia, Missouri, kc. 

Owing to the great* analogy that exists bet 
tween the characters of the salts of strong 
tian and those of barytes, it would be sur- 
prising if the fertilizing'properties attributed 
to the one were not common to both, partic- 
ularly if the acid were found to be the ac- 
tive fertilizing principle as well in the s 1- 
phate of lime as. that of barytes; other sul- 
phates, such as the sulphate of iron, (green 
vitriol,) when much diluted with water, 
without the presence of lime, have extraor- 
dinarily advanced the growth of plants, in- 
cluding beans, potatoes, rye, Indian corn, 
carrots, <\:c. Weak sulphuric acid has also 
a favorable effect when applied to clover, but 
in both canes it may be argued that the sul- 
phate of iron, (which is soluble.) and the 
sulphuric acid come in contact with lime in 
the soil, and sulphate of lime is then form- 



ed, and may act in that stite-upou crops; 
or the acid, in one ease or the othei) may 
combine with ammonia, already existing in 
and combined with the earth, and form sul- 
phate of ammonia, which is a valuable and 
well-known fertilizer. But we will here re- 
mark that, in our laboratories, the sulphates 
of barytes is found to be one of the" most 
stable of salts, and its combination is in no 
instance decomposed by lime or ammonia. 
Nor does barytes form a constituent of any- 
vegetable or animal organism within our 
knowledge. A small quantity of the nitrate 
of barytes will destroy vegetable life very 
quickly ; yet nitric acid is a strong fertilizer, 
and one of the principal furnishers of nitro- 
gen to plants. 

(To be Continued.) 



Sleep. 

There is no fact more clearly established 
in the physiology of man than this, that 
the brain expends its energies and itself 
during the hours of wakefulness, and that 
these are recuperated during sleep ; if the 
recuperation does not equal the expenditure, 
the brain withers — this js insanity. 

Thus it is that, in early English history, 
persons who were condemned to death by 
being prevented from sleeping always died 
raving maniacs; thus it is, also, that those 
who are starved to death become insane ; 
the brain is not nourished, and they can- 
not sleep. The practical inferences are 
these : 

First. Those who think most, who do 
most brainwork, require most sleep. 

Second. That time saved from necessa- 
ry sleep is infallibly destructive to mind, 
body, and estate. 

Third. Give yourself, your children, 
your servants — give all that are under you 
the fullest amount of sleep they will take, 
by compelling them to go to bed at some 
regular early hour, 'and to rise in the morn- 
ing the moment they awake; and, within a 
fortnight, nature, with almost the regularity 
of the rising sun, will unloose the bonds of 
sleep the moment enough repose has been 
secured for the wants of the system. 

This is the only safe and sufficient rule — 
and as to the question how much sleep any 
one requires, each must be a rule for him- 
self — great nature will never fail to write it 
out to the observer under the regulations 
just given'; — Dr. Sj>fc< r. 



522 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



• For the Southern Planter. 

Note's of the Cane-Brake Lands— or the 
Cretaceous Calcereous Region of Ala- 



BY EDMUND RUEFIN. 

(Concluded from the Jlngust Number.) 

The contrast of the constitution of these 
soils, with nearly all of those of the natural 
soils of the Atlantic tide- water region is very 
great. In the latter, there would be no carbon- 
ate of lime — rarely (even in the richer soils) 
more than 5 per cent, of vegetable matter — or 



20 per cent, of pure clay, (of which the larger 
portion is silex in combination) — and usu- 
ally from 75 to 85 per cent, (and sometimes 
more than 90) of pure sand, and much of it 
coarse.* 

One of the remarkable agricultural con- 
ditions of this region, is caused by the im- 
mense number of crayfishes, and their ope- 
rations. These little animals, in lower Vir- 
ginia, are sometimes inhabitants of the wa- 
ter, for months together, in springs and the 
deeper water of rivers; andat other times, or 
seasons, are, as here, solitary inhabitants of 



*I will here add such analyses of the "rotten 
lime-stone" or marl of this region, as are given 
in Prof. Tuomey's Reports. The first one seems 
to be stated as an average ordinary sample of 
the calcareous cretaceous rock, or marl: (1st 
Report, p. 135.) 
" Carbonate of lime, 

Silica, ... 

Alumina and oxide of iron, 

Phosphate of iron, - 



42.25 

23.00 

31.00 

.05 



.30' 



Prof. Tuorney had previously said : ''The most 
striking feature in the rocks under consideration 
is the extraordinary uniformity of their mineral 
composition. I have traced them over a dis- 
tance of 150 miles, and the only important 
change that I can 'discover in the calcareous 
beds, is the occasional predominance of lime in 
some of them over^others." 

The next analyses of specimens of lower or 
firm mirl, from Macon county, are stated in 2nd 
Report, pp. 136, 137, and 187 : 



1 


1st. 


2nd. 


3rd. 


4 th. 


Carbonate of lime, .... 

Carbonate of magnesia, 

Alumina, ..... 

Per-oxide of iron, . . . . * 

Phosphoric acid, . . 

Insoluble matter, (silicious sand and clay, scales of mica,) 


53.66 
.97 
.27 
.22 

44.60 


46.96 
1.19 

.78 
.26 

50.61 


88.82 
2.1 S 

I .94 

.23 

7.20 


51.92 
.61 

1.60 i 
45.71 


, ■ • ♦ 


99.72 


99.80 


99.37 


99.84 


'•> - ■ ■ — - — r 

The next three are of the'" rotten lime-stone" or upper and lighter colored marl — analysed by 
Prof. J. W. Mallet for Prof. Tuorney. Second Report, pp. 187—190. 






LOCALITIES. 


: 


"o 

o 
S 

P 




tf<8 

« q 1 

Q 

q O 

o 

1-5 


" 100 parts consisted of: (Soluble in muriatic acid.) 
Carbonate of lime, 

Carbonate of magnesia, .... 
Per-oxide of iron, .... 
Alumina, 

Phosphate of lime, . . . . 
Silica, . 

Insoluble in muriatic acid. 
Silica, . . . ."'■'.'• 
Alumina, . . ... V 
Per-oxide of iron, .... 
Lime, ..... 
Magnesia, ..... 
Potash, ..... 
"Water, ..... 




75.07 
.72 
1.44 
.79 
.4035 
.14 

11.99 
3.38 
1.84 
1.17 

.0945 
2.49 


64.37 

.79 

2.19 

.75 

.5432 
.059 

19.58 

3.97 

2.49 

.78 

trace. 

.0410 

3.58 


80.48 i 

• .53 
1.24 
.98 
.3710 
.194 

9.04 
2.19 
1.55 
1.01 

.1135 
2.22 




• 99-83 


99.14 


99.92-" 







I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



523 



excavations made in wet low-ground, or water, if it did not find easier entrance 
other ground hiring spring water at the through the natural earth below. Different 
depth of a few feet below the surface, and as might seem to be the habits of these ani- 
rarely on high, and never in dry soils, nials, and their preferred places of residence, 
With us they are harmless — (except to new-' in the different and distant localities named, 
ly constructed covered drains, which they they are directed by the same wants and 
endanger, for a short time, by opening en- instincts. The amphibious nature of the 
trances for rain water from the surface — ) crayfish enables it to live for considerable 
and their borings, with the elevated dome-; lengths of time either under or above and 
like coverings to their habitations, are very out of water. But it needs a dwelling that 
useful indications to the drainer, as they are always affords the choice. Here, the cray- 
certain evidences that injurious water is be- fish digs down to, and a little into, the corn- 
low, and usually at no great depth, and that pact lime-rock; and at the lowest depth, the 
the ground needs under-draining, no matter excavation is enlarged to a spherical cavity 
how steep it may be, or how dry at the sur- of a few inches in diameter. This cavity 
face it may appear.* In Marengo, these ani- receives and retains a little "seeping" rain 
mals are numerous almost everywhere, and i water, which comes in laterally from the 
even on parts of the highest and dryest sur- surrounding earth, or loose marl, immediate- 
faces of the black or calcareous lands. They ly above the firmer blue rock. That supply 
cause much annoyance, and sometimes much of water, and the reservoir containing it, 
loss on small spaces, by cutting down the are necessary to the existence of the cray- 
young plants, especially of cotton. But, al- fish ; and should the water fail, the animal 
together, their workings and depredations must soon perish, if unable to move to some 
are not of much importance. Their great other more suitable locality. But even when 
number, and their inaccessible positions ren- the earth at the surface is parched with 
der their destruction hopeless, on ground drought, the bottoms o^ the cray-fish ho # les 
suitable to their habits. The crayfish digs j therein contain water, though it is sometimes 
a cylindrical and nearly perpendicular hole, at 10 feet or more of depth to the firm rock, 
of such diameter as best suits the then size .This fact is well known, and may be easily 
of the constructor, and for easy passage — tested, by any observer, by dropping^ in a 
and brings up all the excavated earth to the small pebble, and then, with the ear applied 
surface, where it is dropped around the ori-.to the orifice, hearing the splash in the wa- 
fice of the hole. Here, where the surface ; ter at the bottom. As the borings of cray- 
is high, and not liable to be overflowed by fishes in Virginia indicate where under- 
rain water, or otherwise, the excavated earth ( draining is necessary — and their long con- 
would be of no use, and it is scattered jtinuance on ditched ground will inform the 
around in the numerous pellets which were drainer that his work has been imperfectly 
separately brought up. But in Virginia, on executed, and is not effective — so in these 



all such localities, as I have before seen, 
these structures, liable to temporary over- 
flow, the instinct of the cray fish directs 
it to build up the excavated mud around the 
orifice of its dwelling, in the shape of an 
elevated hollow cone, the passage through 
which is afterwards closed at .the top by the 
solitary occupant, when it no longer needs to 
go out. These coverings are very close and 
hard after drying, perfectly impervious to 
rain, and would even keep out overflowing 



* There are some rare cases, however, in Vir- 
ginia, where, on the eminences of hi^h and -even 
hilly land, and where there is below only rain 
water, that crayfishes dig and* live. But such 
places are of very close and stiff subsoil, with 
an impervious under-bed, and in which the 
physical conditions of earth and water are like 
those common in the lime lands of Alabama. 



cane-brake lands these animals offered other 
instructions in regard to water, which 
was still more important to the early set- 
tlers. Before cisterns (for rain water) were 
in common use, and when artesian wells 
were as yet unknown, the early residents 
found in any unusually great number of cray- 
fish holes, in particular spaces, true indica- 
tions of the surest places to excavate u i 
wells," and to obtain the most permanent 
supplies of water. The tillage of the land, 
though continually interrupting or frustra- 
ting the labors of these industrious little 
animals, does not seem to lessen their num- 
bers materially Though they are greatly 
complained of by the planters, I did not 
learn that they commit any considerable de- 
predations, except on very limited spaces, 
and where they are most numerous — and 






524 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



only on cotton plants, or other vegetables, 
during their young and tender growth. 
They are so numerous, and inaccessible in 
their dwellings, that it would be a hopeless 
attempt to destroy them. The thorough 
drainage of the under stratum, (if that were 
possible,) would be the only sure means to 
cause their total disappearance. 

The crayfish is a solitary inhabitant of its 
hole. At night only, they come out and 
assemble in numbers on the surface of the 
land. But it is supposed that one only in- 
habits each hole, except when the numerous 
young of this one are hatched, and before 
they separate. The new borings are seen 
usually, and in great numbers, only in the 
latter part of winter and thence forward into 
the early part of summer. In the remain- 
der of the year, there are no signs of the 
crayfishes; and it would seem that they 
then lie dormant in their holes — or elsewhere, 
perhaps resort to deeper water, where that is 
accessible. ' 

A very general and also important effect 
of the borings of the crayfishes, continued 
through past ages, has been to marl, more or 
les£, the surface of the earth, or to mix the 
marl from below with the upper earth, by 
bringing up the calcareous bottom and de- 
positing it on the surface. This operation, 
continued so long, and probably over the 
much larger space of the general surface, 
must have had very general and great effect. 
On the land where the lime rock approach- 
ed near to the surface, there must have been' 
much of equalizing intermixture thus pro- 
duced. Still more for beneficial and needed 
manuring, though to less extent, was this 
operation on the various covering but thin 
patches of what was formerly entirely non- 
calcareous earth and soil, (the different vari- 
eties of " post oak" and " sandy" lands,) 
which, without these labors of crayfishes, 
would have remained unsupplied with lime, 
and therefore would all have been as poor, 
as the best of them are now fertile. 

By these operations of these little animals 
the thin layers of poor " post oak" or sandy 
earth, lying upon marl within reach of the 
crayfish, would be rendered neutral, or cal- 
careous, and so enabled to become, in time, 
either rich " post oak" land — or, by longer 
continued supplies of lime thus brought up 
from below, might be made highly calcare- 
ous ; and therefore it would lose its former 
character of " post oak" soil. Such soils, 
so changed in constitution and character in 



past ages, would not now be known as u post 
oak" land. It is the opinion of the resi- 
dents that on the land known by this name, 
there are no crayfishes. I infer that in 
such % situations the calcareous rock lies too 
low beneath, for the crayfishes to dig to per- 
manent water; and wherever not too low, 
they had dug, and have there changed the 
character of the soil, and so have caused it to 
be designated differently. 

It is unfortunate for the cultivators that 
the crayfish is solitary in its labors, and that 
each dwelling is separate from all others. If 
they had been generally connected, each with 
the neighouring holes, by deep lateral borings, 
or horizontal galleries, the whole connected 
net-work, in this peculiarly stiff and close 
soil and under-beds, would have effected a 
general and permanent system of under- 
draining, the most perfect that can be con- 
ceived — and more effectual than all that the. 
science, skill and labor of man have ever 
been able to construct elsewhere — or possi- 
bly can effect here, at any amount of ex- 
pense. 

As has been stated, with the exc?ption of 
the level bottom lands bordering on the 
creeks, usually dry, the whole surface of this 
country is high and undulating throughout. 
It is rare that a space of as much as two 
acres in extent of level high land is seen — 
and as rare that any slope is too steep for 
easy tillage, and to be secure from very in- 
jurious washing, where proper guard or grad- 
uated ditches are used, to convey away the 
superfluous or dangerous rain-water. More 
of original forest growth has been cleared 
off, and a larger proportion of the whole sur- 
face of the country is now under tillage, 
(and unfortunately also under unremitting 
tillage,) than there is of cleared land in any 
portion of eastern or middle Virginia. This 
condition opens a broad expanse every where 
to the eye — and the landscape is generally 
beautiful, both in the natural and artificial 
features. It is only where very injudicious 
as well as incessant tillage has already pro- 
duced its certain results, of impoverished 
'soil and washed and gullied slopes, that 
there is deformity, or anything displeasing 
in the view. If under rotation culture such, 
in general character, as is now used on the 
i i proved or improving lands of lower Vir- 
ginia, with broad-cast grain crops, and grass, 
or broad-cast pea-manuring crops alternating 
with the tilled crops of cotton and corn, this 
fine soil would scarcely be damaged by wash- 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



f>2;> 



ing, even under flush or flat culture, and 
Without guard ditches. But as the ohief 
crop here is necessarily cotton — and that 
(though not necessarily,) is repeated on the 
same land year after year — and as that crop 
(like tobacco) requires the most perfect tilth 
or pulverization, and cleanness of the soil — 
it has followed every where that the soil has 
been greatly washed off, and enough so to have 
been as destitute of fertility as formerly in 
middle Virginia and recently in middle 
Georgia, if there had not been much greater 
depth of fertile soil here to be so wasted, as 
•well as much greater power of resistance in 
the composition of the soil. Still, bad as 
have been these effects, the peculiar consti- 
tution and qualities of the calcareous soil 
strongly resist washing; and if cotton was 
not the great crop of the country, I believe 
that even the safeguard of graduated ditches 
might be dispensed with, without more loss 
than benefit being thus induced. 

It has been long and generally asserted by 
many residents, and still is by some, that the 
fertility of the " cane-brake" land, is inex- 
haustible by continued cultivation. The 
grounds assumed for this opinion were the 
great depth of the soil and its extreme rich- 
ness. If the very large proportion of vege- 
table matter stated to be in the twelve spe- 
cimens of soils of Lowndes, are common in 
the calcareous or black soils generally, then 
there was a still better ground for this opin- 
ion than its advocates knew. But it is use- 
less to argue against this doctrine, or with 
such reasoners as those "who maintain it. 
There can be no land that is not exhaustible 
by continual tillage and cropping, unless it 
receives, to replace the waste, new supplies' 
of fertilizing matters, either from natural 
sources, or from artificial manuring of some 
kind. The valley of the Nile, and utimy 
other alluvial bottoms, possess inexhaustible 
fertility, because the rich soil is added to, or 
renewed, by every flood. And all rich and 
well constituted soils require but little man- 
ure, in addition to what the atmosphere fur- 
nishes, to maintain forever their early pro- 



ductiveness. I$jit however small, this aid is 
absolutely essential for the continued produc- 
tion of the land without diminution. The 



richest cane-brake lands possibly may yield 
successive crops for twenty or forty years j 
without perceptible decrease— or for sixty, 
or possibly more than one hundred years! 



without very considerable decrease. But, 
however long postponed, such exhaustion^ 



mast come at some future time — and in a 
much longer time, otter sterility, if no rest, 

or no return of fertilizing material, is afford- 
ed. And Whenever this shall occur on these 
excessively calcareous lands, (lor reason* 
that I formerly urged,) their sterility will be 
the most complete, irremediable, and hope- 
less. 

It would have been both useless, and a 
foolish waste of rae.tns, to givi either rest or 
alimentary manures to this land during its 
early and most exuberent productive!) 
and as long as no diminution of productive- 
ness had been induced. But, as a general 
proposition, I maintain that it is cheaper, 
and more profitable, on any land, for the 
proprietor to preserve than to diminish or 
exhaust its productive power. And such 
preservation is especially easy to effect on 
these lands. From some of the more judi- 
cious planters, who admit that actual and 
considerable exhaustion of some of the best 
lands has already been re lized, I heard it 4 
stated that any putrescent manure, (as cot- 
ton-seed, or stable manure,) produced very 
remarkable and unusual benefit, when ap- 
plied, even in small quantities, to the redu- 
ced or partially impoverished ground, such 
as of the former bald prairies. Yet very 
little attention has been given to preserving 
and properly applying even such amount of 
putrescent manures as must necessarily be 
made on every plantation. Ami such small 
supplies have made .almost the only excep- 
tion to the general rul<> and usage of unre- 
mitting exhausting tillage. With but small 
aid of manure, (and mostly of that which 
might be furnished in the growth of the 
land, or in manuring crops,) and of rest, and 
with the alternation of crops (which will be 
recommended for another object,) these 
highly favored lands might indeed deserve 
that character, which is now falsely claimed 
for them, of their being inexhaustible in fer- 
tility and production. 

Putrescent manure is only needed on these 
best lands where the original abundant stock 
of vegetable (or organic) matter has been 
much exhausted by cropping. But there 
are other great defects in the soils, which so 
far as rare circumstances may permit, it 
would be very advantageous to remedy. 
Besides the want of draining in many oases, 
(elsewhere adverted to,) there is a general 
excess of lime, an universal excess of clay, 
and an universal and great deficiency of 
sand. The evils of excess of lime and of 



526 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



clay can only be counteracted by maintain- 
ing counterbalancing supplies of other parts, 
as vegetable matter and sand. The latter 
material can not be available in many cases, 
or to much extent. But where poor sandy 
land borders on the calcareous, as occurs in 
numerous cases, it would be highly benefi- 
cial to both, to cart the earth from each of 
these different soils, to be placed as the most 
needed manure on the other. And even 
where, instead of sandy soil, there are only 
the ordinary patches of clay " post oak" 
and non-calcareous soil, interspersed among 
the calcareous, the exchange of calcareous 
and non-calcareous earth between these, 
would generally be both cheaply effected, 
and highly profitab'e. Where the bottoms 
or remains of old brick kilns, or any useless 
half-burned bricks, or their fragments, are to 
be had. this material would be good manure 
for any of this land. Clay, by being burnt, 
is converted to artificial stone, gravel, or 
sand, and will serve as well to improve the 
texture of soils superabounding in clay. 

The original first growth still remaining 
is beautiful, and of the same general appear- 
ance as of forests on the rich limestone lands 
of upper Virginia. On the soils designated 
as " post oak lands," and the more as these 
are the more fertile, that particular tree 
(quercus abtusiloba) is the most abundant. 
Red and other kinds of oaks are much more 
common on the poorer lands of this kind 
and name. On the black (or highly calca- 
reous) land, the forest growth is more gene- 
rally of black walnut, ash, cotton-wood, 
shell-bark hickory, and other trees that indi- 
cate the richest neutral or calcareous soils. 
Very little of such land now remains un- 
cleared. On all such forest land there is 
usually very little under-wood, or shrubbery 
of any kind ; and the bodies of the trees 
are straight, and bare of limbs to a consid- 
erable height, so that even where the trees 
stand thickly, the view extends very far be- 
neath the close cover of the united mass of 
branches and foliage. There the many kinds 
of trees, each with a different yet vivid tint 
of foliage, offer to the eye a variety of beau- 
ty which I have not seen equalled except in 
forests on some steep sides of lime-stone 
mountains. The dwellings of the planters 
are mostly on the highest, yet but slight el- 
evations of the surface, or broad knolls. 
There has generally been enough of good 
taste to leave standing around, or near to the 
mansions, a portion of the original forest, 



making groves more beautiful than any that 
taste and art could subsequently produce, 
and nurse to their greatest perfection. 

On every plantation that has been settled 
for twenty years or more, there has already 
been as much land cleared for tillage as will- 
leave barely enough of forest for fuel and 
fencing timber. And of the cleared land, 
nearly all is under the two crops of cotton 
and corn, in the usual proportions, of each 
property, of about two acres of cotton to one 
of corn. The small remainder is not at rest; 
but is under various crops, usually of small 
culture, sweet potatoes, oats, wheat, rye, bar- 
ley — and, as yet, on but few plantations, red 
clover. It is at all times presumptuous in a 
stranger, to condemn the generally establish^ 
ed usages of a newly seen agricultural re- 
gion. Still more, it would be deemed as 
foolish as it would be a hopeless attempt to 
recommend for any cultivators, the designed 
diminution of their great product, and pres- 
ent usual amount of crop, for sale and for 
profit. Nevertheless I will dare to say that 
the great extent of surface kept under cot- 
ton, year after year, though it is the great 
source of income, is the great evil, and sin, 
of agriculture in this region, and also in all 
the, cotton-growing country. I would not 
offer, with any hope of its being adopted, 
such unpalatable advice (however good)* as 
to lessen the general production of cotton on 
each plantation^-but only the space planted 
and tilled in cotton, to diminish which would 
sometimes increase the gross product — and 
always serve to increase the acreable produc- 
tion, and still more the net profit of each 
acre. So precarious has become the produc- 
tion of cotton, on lands long under this cul- 
ture — so numerous have become the insect 
depredators, and so many the diseases of 
cotton, caused by those seen, or other unseen 
causes — and, consequently, so few full crops 
are obtained, (or such as the field can some- 
times and rarely produce,) compared to the 
greater number of short crops in any term 
of years — that, if alternation or rotation of 
crops would seive to remedy this general 
evil, it may perhaps be more profitable to 
omit one cotton crop of two, or at least one 
of three, by substituting some very different 
and improving crop -and- so make as much, 
cotton, and more profit, from partial than by 
the present general culture. If the insects 
and diseases ot cotton were thus prevented, 
or much lessened, and thereby more healthy 
and productive crops were obtained, it might 



^mm 



■M 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



527 



well happen that two such crops would yield 
more net product and profit than three under 
the former and present practice — or even 
one more than two under unremitting til- 
lage. J have long entertained the opinion, 
and have often attempted to urge its impor- 
tance, especially to cotton-planters, that tin- 
chief one of the well established general 
benefits of a judicious rotation of crops, is 
obtained in the destruction of insects, (in- 
visible as well as visible,) caused by the cn- 

t tire changes of growth, and of other condi- 
tions of the land. Having argued this sub- 
ject at length elsewhere, I will here merely 
enunciate the proposition in extended and 
clear terms. I maintain that every different 
kind of plant has its peculiar parasites, or in- 

• sect depredators. These cannot thrive, even if 
able, to live, on other and very different 
kinds of plants — and scarcely can be expec- 
ted to exist under much changed conditions 
of soil, exposure to sun, air, &c, as well as 
of the only suitable material for food. The 
longer that one particular crop is grown on 
the same land, the more (other circumstan- 
ces being alike) must the insect parasites of 
that plant be there increased. If the con- 
ditions of the earth, air, exposure or shel- 
ter, 4.Y.C., caused by the tillage of that crop 
are also the most suitable to the habits and 
propagation of these parasites, they will in- 
crease from year to year, and without limits, 
except that the irregular occurrence of wea- 
ther, or unusual temperature, unfavorable to 
their existence, may sometimes destroy many, 
and for a time greatly lessen their ill effects. 
Further, if the winter climate is not cold 
enough to kill the eggs, or nearly all of the 
parent insects, then there will be still greater 
facilities for their continued and progressive 
increase of numbers. Now all these encour- 
agements for such evils are afforded by con- 
tinued cotton-culture in this mild climate. 
There are many visible and known insoct 
depredators peculiar to the cotton plant, and 
which, most probably, can feod on that only 
— or on some nearly allied plant. There 
may be hundreds of other kinds of para- 
sitic and injurious insects, or invisible ani- 
malcules, whose presence is not known, or 
even suspected, — but which, by their im- 
mense numbers, operate unseen to produce 
most of the many unaccountable diseases to 
which cotton is subject, For all the ills and 
diseases of plants, except the obvious effects 
of poverty of soil, (or want of food,) or too 
much moisture, or the want of it, or of ex- 



- of heat or cold, I ascribe to the at- 
tacks of depredating insects,. or animalcules. 
Now, on these grounds, it is easy t<> see that 
the longer that cotton (or any other one crop,) 
is continued on the same field, the more it 
must be infested by parasites, visible or 
invisible, the more it must be subject to 
different diseases — and the more uncertain 
must be the production, and the more fre- 
quent and considerable the partial failures 
of the crop — and this reduction of product 
will be independent of all caused by any 
possible reduction of the fertility of the 
soil, and its ability to produce other crops. 
Then, under these circumstances, if some 
crop, as different as possible in all its con- 
ditions, were made to intervene with cotton, 
and had entire possession of the field for a 
whole graining season, the insects that could 
live on cotton only must perish, or abandon 
the field, if able to migrate. Such a com- 
plete change of conditions would be pro- 
duced by interposing a growth and cover of 
the southern field pea, between two cotton 
crops. No two of our cultivated plants are 
more different. The condition of the ground, 
and its exposure, would also be greatly 
changed. And it may be inferred that no 
inspect that infests and feeds upon cotton 
could live upon and through the growth, or 
under the cover of a thick 'growth of pea- 
vines. It is believed, from such few cases 
as I have heard stated, that cotton will grow 
well after peas — that is, that there is nothing 
in the preceding gf*owth of a pea crop, or 
the accompanying condition of the land, to 
injure the growth, or impede the tillage, of 
cotton for the next year. Further — the 
soil and climate of this part of Alabama are 
admirably suited to the pea crop — which 
both for manuring and rotation, would be 
here of very far more value than it is now 
known to- be in lower Virginia, where this 
crop is thus grown, and very profitably, 
though under the great disadvantage of a 
more northern latitude, and unfriendly 
climate. Yet the pea crop is scarcely grown 
at all in this part of Alabama — and no- 
where to much extent, or for its best uses. 
It is objected to on the lime lands because 
the production of grain, or seed, is small — 
and also because hogs are killed by eating 
them. The value that I would seek is in 
the production of vines and leaves, and not 
of seeds only — and for the crop to feed and 
improve the land and its future products, 
and not to fatten grazing animals. The 



528 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



Value and uses of the seed are indeed im- 
portant incidental benefits, which I estimate 
Lightly. But if there was no such product 
hero, there would be sufficient profits in 
planting or sowing peas for a rotation 
or manuring crop. The proper use o? this 
crop, (which is Universally too much neg- 
lected,) would be of incalculable value 
throughout all the cotton states. 

The above-mentioned benefit of a change 
of crops, though the most important, is not 
by any means the only one. But as- 1 am 
not discussing the subject of rotation of 
crops, I will say no more on these points. 
There is, however, still another and general 
reason for lessening the present extent of 
cotton tillage on every plantation, which I 
will briefly state. 

By force of different circumstances, — and 
mainly that of having the most favorable 
climate, and rising slave labor — the south- 
ern states of this confederation have almost 
the virtual monopoly of the production and 
supply of cotton for the w<orld. But a few 
years ago (as late as 4851,) the supply of 
cotton had for some time exceeded the de- 
mand of the world, and consequently the 
prices had been very low. Recenth , and 
now, the supply has not quite equalled-the 
demand; and there has been great anxiety 
abroad lest the supply should fall still lower, 
and regularly — and prices have been double 
those of some former times. These facts, 
and all statistical repots to the like purpose, 
will show that a small surplus of production 
beyond the demand for cotton may reduce 
the price greatly — while it would be ad- 
vanced as much, by as small a diminution 
of the general crop, or by its failing short 
of the world's demand. Therefore it may 
well happen that a general crop, on the 
average of years together, which fell short 
by 10 per cent, of the amount of the 
general demand for consumption, would sell 
for much more money than a general pro- 
duct that exceeded the full demand by 10 
per cent. Therefore, if every cotton planter 
would so much lessen his surface under 
cotton as merely to raise all his supplies of 
meat, leather, wool, horses and mules, and 



everything else now bought from the north- 



ern 



and western states, that could be well! 
made at home, there would be two very 
great benefits thereby obtained. First, a 
diminished production of cotton would in-j 
crease the price, and probably enough so 
for the reduced crop to sell for more than | 



the greatest possible crop. Secondly, the 
important benefit would be effected of cut- 
ting down the profits of our worst enemies, 
the abolition " sister" states, by exerting 
our power to oppose and control their malig- 
nant hostility. But as it is impossible for 
such a general change, however beneficial 
for the whole south, to be produced by indi- 
viduals, acting separately, without concert, 
or means for combination, I would have the 
ends in view sought by means of the legis- 
latures of all the southern states adopting 
stringent license laws, which would tasj 
heavily the sale of all commodities produced 
in the abolition states and commonly sold in 
the southern states. It may be true that 
the products of particular states, by name 
or designation, could not legally be so taxed,! 
and the like products of all southern states 
be exempted. But it is entirely legal and 
constitutional for any state to so tax, and to 
any amount, any particular commodity com- 
ing from any or all the other states, and to 
exempt its own like production. And this 
would, in practice, operate just as well for 
the southern states. If heavy license taxes J 
were imposed in each of all the southern 
states on all such imported and specified 
commodities as cotton and woollen cloth, 
shoes, hay, brooms, ploughs, wooden and iron 
ware v , cattle, hogs, horses and mules, or those 
among t esc commodities which come only 
from abolition states, the taxes (or prohi- 
bitions) would operate ,not on any southern 
state, (or to no important extent,) because 
no one is an exporter (to any important ex- 
tent,) of such commodities to another — but 
entirely on the now producing northern and 
north-western states. All these commodities 
could be produced at home, and much more 
profitably for the whole south, if looking to 
public and political as well as private interests; 
and especially to our greatest interests, which 
are involved, the maintaining the price of 
cotton, and the retaining the possession and 
value of our slaves. 

The good policy of this system, by which 
the southern states may at the same time 
hclpthemselves.and retaliate upon and control 
their enemies, can scarcely be denied. The 
legality and constitutional sanction of the 
policy have been affirmed by high legal 
authorities, and are seriously disputed by 
none. Every state in the union already has 
acted more or less on this policy of discrimi- 
nation, and taxing foreign commodities by 
means of license laws. New York, going 



I860.] 



Til E SOUTH BRN PI, ANT KIl 



.029 



still farther, impoeefl such a tax on all foreign 
goods sold at auction; and thus all of the 
ibreign goods so bought for the southern 
states, (and their principal supply,) pay this 
tax for the benefit of New York. As one 
of the numerous other eases, Alabama ini- 
po.ses a license tax of 5U cents on the sale 
of every pack of playing- cards — all of 
which are imported from the north, and (by 
favor of a federal protecting duty) are of 
northern manufacture. A very proper tax 
this is, whether considered in its financial, 
moral, or political aspect and operation — or 
as a counterbalancing protection for home 
manufacture 
bama had an unquestionable 



-and the legislature of Ala- 



;ht to impose 



blue compact mail j and this substance, 
when decomposing, as it does by expoMire 
to air, ami in contact with carbonate of lime, 
forms ultimately the new combination of 
sulphate of lime or gypsum. Besides the 
fact of thi« known source of sulphate of 
lime, I suppose that I frequently saw it 
exposed in visible but very small deposits of 
white powder, on the sides of ditches then 
dry, where the remains of the rain water, 
flowing from the surface of the land, had 
evaporated, and left the before dissolved 
gypsum. The quantity of this seen in any 
one place was too small to be collected for 
testing; but I have observed the same ap- 
pearance elsewhere, which I knew to be 



the tax for any of these objects. And ! of gypsum. Both these salts of lime are 
every southern state has as good a right to 'specific manures for clover, and the sulphate 
impose a license tax of 10, 50 or 100 peri is one of wonderful benefit, 
cent, on the value of every commodity that I Clover is a biennial plant; and if suffer- 
is brought to the south exclusively from ed to ripen its seeds, will thereby fulfil its 
northern and north-western states. If this designed function, and complete its life, and 
policy were resorted to, and fully carried j then usually dies when two years old. In 
into operation, the southern states would some cases, in lower Virginia, when mow- 
right themselves in a year — and defend i ing or grazing has prevented the ripeningof 
themselves effectually from injustic and op- the seeds, clover will live through the third 
pression for all future time. year; and perhaps being added to by the 

The growth of clover on these calcareous later springing of plants from seeds, may 
lands has as yet extended to but few planta- even last longer, but with a rapidly decreas- 
tions — and except on a small proportion of ing number of plants. But usually and for 
these, it is as yet a novel culture, of which useful purposes, the clover crop ends with, 
the great benefits are but little appreciated . the second year. In Marengo county there 
by the residents in general. Notwithstand- was clover i n some few places as tall and 
ing the undoubted obstacles to the growth . luxuriant as is seen anywhere. More gene- 
presented in the warm climate, and in ; rally it was grazed, and then only exhibited, 
seasons of long and severe drought — and j a remarkably close, thick, and unmixed cov- 
the difficulty sometimes of obtaining a stand , er of clover plants, of great vigor, though 
of young plants from the seeding — it is yet' kept grazed down to four or six inches ot 
true that the crop of clover seems more height. Such I saw over eighty acres of 
productive, valuable, and far more endur- the plantation of A. It Calhoun, Esq., and 
ing, than I have ever known on the best I some of this he told me had been sown. 
lands in Virginia. This strange result is ( seven years before. I heard of, but did not 

sec, good clover on the plantation of Col. 
Isaac Croom, in Greene county, that had 
been standing fourteen years, since the first 
and only seeding. Part of the clover which 
I saw on Mr. Calhoun's and Mr. Adams' 
plantations, in Marengo, grew on what had 
been " bald prairie," containing so much 
carbonate of lime, (probably fifty to sixfy 
per cent.) and also had been so much further 
damaged by l«>ng continued former tillage, 
that, before being sown in clover, these pla- 



doubtlcss owing to the peculiar fitness of the 
soil for clover, in its large clayey and cal- 
careous ingredients, and also to the presence 
of both sulphate and phosphate of lime, in 
small but sufficient quantities for clover, in 
addition to the very large amount of car- 
bonate of lime in the black lands. As the 
whole bed of marl is the product of the 
disintegration of ancient marine shells, and 
as shells always contain a minute proportion 
of phosphate of lime (bone earth) so must 
the marl, and the soil impregnated so largely 
with the marl. Also there must be sulphate 
of lime, (gypsum,) because lumps of sul- 
phuret of iron are found frequently in the 
34 



oee were not worth cultivating under cotton 
or corn. 1 he clover on these poor spaces 
was indie! low, but stood thickly over the 
w hole ground, appeared to be a strong and 






530 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



healthy growth, and a good and profitable 
cover, whether for grazing animals, or for 
enriching the poor land, so especially need- 
ing organic matter. These last results would 
direct to put under clover, for many years 
together, or as long as it will stand well, all 
the former " bald prairies" that are poor. 
This is the further needed, because if such 
land is left out of culture, without being- 
laid down in clover, it will produce only 
worthless weeds, and nothing of any value 
for grazing. This I saw on several spots 
which had been left out of the enclosures 
for tillage lands. 

But with these remarkable, and even un- 
precedented good returns from clover, com- 
pared to the best within my previous person- 
al observation, still, to obtain the best profits 
of clover here, it will be necessary that it 
should remain long on a field, before being 
substituted by a tillage or other crop. It 
will not therefore serve (as in Virginia^ and 
for what is so much wanting here,) as an 
ordinary or regular alternating or rotation 
crop. Even if it were not the case that 
economy requires its long continuance, clo- 
ver, when ploughed under, might not serve 
well to be followed by corn, and would still 
less suit to precede cotton. Wheat is always 
the best crop to follow the ploughing under 
(in summer) of a clover sod — and that 
practice I would recommend here. But 
though the quality of the wheat made here 
is excellent — often weighing 64 lbs. to the 
bushel — still the crop is raised on but a 
small scale, and therefore would seem not to 
be deemed profitable. The great profit of 
the crop of clover will be found in its re- 
markable and rare power, only shown here, 
of keeping full possesion of the land for a 
long time; and it should be used for man- 
uring or grazing as long as it will cover the 
land and yield well. The great crop for ro- 
tation, and especially for preceding cotton, 
will be found in the southern or field pea — 
which here will be as much superior to its 
growth in lower Virginia (profitable as we 
find it there,) as the best clover of Alabama 
would be inferior to our best, if there was 
no superiority in the soil of Alabama, and 
with all the existing difference of climate. 

In riding over these lands, I was all the 
time ldoking out for the very rare appear- 
ances of pine trees and of broom grass. Of 
pines, I saw not one on the truly calcareous 
soils — and but very few on the " post oak" 
lands. These few were ali of thep/m<s va- 



riabilis, or short leaf timber pine of Virgi- 
nia. I had been told that broom grass grew 
well on the calcareous lands. I saw it grow- 
ing in several cases; but it was always con- 
fined to the " post oak," or non-calcareous 
lands, which were erroneously supposed by 
the residents to be calcareous. In one case, 
on such ground, exhausted, and therefore 
left uncultivated, and where broom grass 
grew vigorously, the growth ceased entirely 
where the soil changed to black and calca- 
reous. Thus both these classes of facts, 
which, in exceptions (real or apparent) to 
the general rule, I had before heard addu- 
ced to oppose my doctrine of marl, or lime, 
being injurious to or destructive of these 
growths, when fully examined, served most! 
strongly to sustain these long asserted opin 
ions of mine. On the sandy lands border- 
ing on the black and calcareous, pines grow 
generally, if not always. But in no case 
did I find pines on soil that was ever so 
slightly calcareous, except once. On the 
broad bottom land bordering on Chehatchee 
creek (Dallas county,) and which is very 
near the beginning of the main body of san- 
dy and pine-covered high land, this flat, 
which is rarely overflowed by the highest 
freshes of the creek, is underlaid with the 
ordinary firm marl, or " rotten limestone," 
at 8 to 10 feet beneath the surface of the 
land. Among the large forest trees of usu- 
al low-land growth, there were thinly inter- 
spersed pines of three different species, lob- 
lolly, p. tsoda, short-leaf, p. variabalis, and 
cedar pine, p. inop)s, and some of all these 
kinds, were large trees. There were of the 
cedar pine larger trees, with larger and 
straighter trunks than I had ever seen be- 
fore anywhere, — and one of them was fully 
3 -J feet in diameter. This, and most of the 
other large pines had died, without any 
known cause. It was near one of these 
large pines that I took a specimen of soil 
for subsequent testing — and, to my surprise, 
found it to indicate a very small proportion 
of carbonate of lime — probably not exceed- 
ing two per cent. Elsewhere (in Virginia, 
and at Rocky Point, N. C.,) I have seen 
large pines of other species, standing on soil 
not calcareous, but the upper earth lying on 
rich dry marl at from four to six feet be-l," 
neath the surface of the soil, and into which 
marl the main perpendicular roots of the 
trees certainly penetrated — though the more 
numerous horizontal roots were in the bed 
of non-calcareous earth above. I have also 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANT ER. 



531 



Meti Case*, (though they were rare,) of both 
young pines and broom grass growing vigo- 
rously i>n well marled surfaces, h.itt of which 
the subsoil still remained, as the soils had 
been previously to the marling, non-calcare- 
ous ami acid. It would seem, from such 
facts, that provided these plants have a suf- 
ficient layer of a»id or non-calcareous earth 
from which to derive their specific aliment, 
they are not greatly damaged by striking- 
other roots into a highly calcareous bed. 
But all such caics are but rare exceptions, 
and often but apparent and really deceptious 
exceptions, to the general rule, that a soil, 
throughout calcareous, or containing carbo- 
nate of lime, is inimical, and generally de- 
structive, to the growth of the ordinary 
southern pines, and to broom-grass. Of 
these, as of all agricultural facts, we should 
reason and decide upon general rules, and 
not upon their exceptions. 

Of the still more reliable indication of 
acid, on non-calcareous soils, sheep-sorrel, 
(rumex acetosut,} I did not see a single 
plant. Its growth here is probably forbid- 
den by the warm climate, (as it is very rare 
even in lower South Carolina) — as it would 
certainly be prevented by this calcareous 
soil, even if the climate were entirely favor- 
able to its growth. But there is such full 
proof, elsewhere, that this plant, even where 
most favored by climate, cannot grow on a 
calcareous soil, that he who requires more 
proof of that fact is cither uninformed of 
the proofs, or incapable of being convinced 
of error, and past the hope of being instruc- 
ted in truth, in cases where prejudice had 
obtained prior possession of his mind. 



Grooming' a Horse. 

11 "What do you give your horses to keep 
them in such fine condition V* asked a young- 
farmer of his neighbor, whose team of bays 
was the pride of their owner, and the admi- 
ration of the village. " Oats, carrots, and 
plenty of brush" was the reply. There is 
little need of insisting on the necessity of 
good food, and plenty of it, to have a horse 
remain vigorous. Every one knows that 
bone, and sinew, and muscle are manufac- 
tured from hay, oats, corn, etc., and that the 
raw material must be supplied to produce 
the strong limb, elastic step, and noble spirit, 
which make a fine horse the universal favor- 
ite he is. But the important part which the 
skin bears in the animal economy, and the 



:ty of properly cleansing and keeping 
it in healthy condition, arc pot fully appre- 
ciated. Hough staling coats, " grease" or 
" scratches," inflammations, and a whole cat- 
alogue of diseases find their origin gin neg- 
lect of proper grooming. 

The skin of the horse, like that of other 
animals, not only affords protection to the 
parts within, but by the pores affords an out- 
let to a large part of the waste of the body. 
In outdoor life, the natural state of the 
horse, this membrane becomes thickened 
and tough, capable of resisting changes of 
temperature; and by continual exercise, the 
pores are kept open, giving free exit to all 
the exhalations. But this alone will notgive 
the smooth glossy coat which adds so greatly 
to the animal's beauty. Confining the horse 
to the stable, as is generally done for at 
least part of the year, renders his skin 
tender, especially when he is kept warmly 
blanketed. Expose him now to great 
change of temperature; take him out and 
drive him until heated, return to the stable, 
and let him stand uncared for over night, 
even for an hour, the sensitive skin is rapid- 
ly chilled by the evaportion of the sweat, 
the pores are suddenly closed, and often a 
cold, a rheumatic stiffness or other disorder 
results. Proper grooming prevents this, by 
toughening the skin, keeps it in healthy ac- 
tion, equalizing the circulation, removing 
obstruction from the pores, and what is of 
great importance, by rousing the action of 
the muscles at the surface, in some measure, 
compensates for the want of exercise conse- 
quent upon stable life. 

Currying and brushing should not be 
done in the stable ; the dust and scurf will 
be scattered in the manager to mix with 
the horse feed, besides keeping the stable 
uncleanly. Take the animal into the open 
air, tie him securely, and handle him so 
gently that he will enjoy, rather than dread, 
the application of the comb and brush. A 
sharp currycomb, roughly scraped over the 
tender skin, is anything but pleasant, as 
the shrinking and resisting animal will soon 
show. Apply this instrument lightly, and 
depend mainly upon the free use of the 
brush. Begin at the head, and pass the 
comb lightly up and down until the dan- 
druff is all loosened, remove it with the 
brush. Be particular around the edges of 
the fore-top, and the mane. It is a good 
plan to sponge off the head and ears usiDg 
I but little water, smoothing the hair down to 



532 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



[September 



its natural position. In going over the 
back, quarters, loins, etc., use the comb in 
one hand and the brush in the other, work- 
ing lightly and quickly. Take much pains 
■where the skin lies in folds, as at the union 
of the Tegs with the body — let every part 
be made thorughly free from dandruff. 
Finish by rubbing down vigorusly with 
wisps of straw, until the hair " shines like 
a bottle" — an extra smoothing touch may 
be put on with a woollen cloth. Do not 
fear all this trouble ; it will be more than 
repaid in the extra looks and spirit of the 
horse. — Cor. Amer. Agricul. 



trom the Ohio Valley Farmer. 

Will it Pay to Build a Barn? 

BY R. D. G. 

This question is often asked among far- 
mers, and we think it should be ascertained 
whether it will pay or not. We will give 
our experience, and some observations on 
the subject. Men, who have not a barn, 
will say : " We can get a Machine, that will 
thresh our grain and clean it all at once; and | 
our barn will be of but little use to us nine j 
months of the year." Now, what does this 
lead to ? Just as soon as harvest is over, 
every machine in the country is running- 
over with business; threshing and hauling 
to mill is the order of the day ; prices run 
down to the lowest point. Then, when they 
can't stand the price any longer, they coax 
the millers to take it in on receipt, for their 
grain is .stacked out, and probably spoiling. 
It must be threshed oui, and they have no 
barn to put it in. 

The millers generally have a limited time 
set when they must sell their receipted 
wheat. Now the farmer who cannot see 
how they manage to keep the price down 
till the time expires that they have to sell 
their receipted wheat, is very far from 
being posted. And it is no advantage to the 
consumer to have the trade, thrown so en- 
tirely into the hands of the miller. 

Now we would say, never put a bushel of 
wheat in a mill on receipt — cither sell, or 
keep it at home. You run the double risk 
of fire and the miller failing — in either case; 
you could get nothing. Besides, we think 
this is not half of the loss; fur when grain 
has to be stacked, it is often hauled out into 
the woods, where the straw will be out of 
the way; or, if not, it is stacked probably 



in the middle of the field, and, as soon as 
it is threshed, the straw is burnt. 

Now, when a man has no barn it is diffi- 
cult to convert his straw into manure, or 
use it for his stock in the winter, as he 
could do, if he had a barn. It is well 
known that where several hundred bushels 
of grain are threshed, and, the straw all put 
in one pile, it will take several years for it 
rot, and even then it will scarcely make the 
ground rich that it was piled upon. It 
wastes about as fast as it rots. 

1 bought a place about ten years ago, 
myself, that had no barn on it. I put in 
but little small grain, because I had no 
place to put it. Five years since, I built a 
barn fifty-six by forty feet. One of my 
neighbors said I never could fill it. I told 
him, if I did not soon fill it I would leave 
the farm. The first year, I had six hun- 
dred bushels of wheat to put in it. Two 
years ago I had all the mows full, and piled 
enough on the barn floor to make two hun- 
dred bushels more. 

Before I built my barn, I made a dozen 
or so loads of manure ; now, I can manure 
from eight to ten acres every fall. 1 hon- 
estly believe that my barn has paid for 
itself, or that I have made enough more 
than I could have made without it, and in 
this way — by keeping grain when it was 
low priced, till it was higher; making more 
manure; saving fodder, etc. Manuring 

IS THE FOUNDATION OF A FARMER'S 
WEALTH. 



Methods of Analysis. 
By Prof. S. W. Johnson, Chemist of 
the State Agr'l Society of Connec- 
ticut. 

The general method of analysis for 
guanos, superphosphates, &c, whose com- 
mercial value lies almost exclusively in am- 
monia and posphoric acid, is as follows : 

1. Of the well averaged and pulverized 
sample, a quantity of 2 grams is weighed 
off and dried at a temperature of 212 deg. 
until it ceases to lose weight; the loss is 
water. If loss of ammonia is feared, a 
known quantity of oxalic acid is added 
before drying. 

2. The dried residue of 1, is gradually 
heated to low redness in a porcelain cup, 
and maintained at such a heat, until all or 
ganic matter is burned off. The loss is or 
ganic and volatile matter. Usually the 



1800.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



583 



substance is directly heated to redness with- 
out separately estimating the water. 

'S. The residue of 2, is pulverized if 
need be, and digested for sometime with 
moderately concentrated hydrochloric acid. 
The diluted solution is filtered off and 
washed, the residue weighed as sand and 
insoluble matters. 

4. The solution 3, is brought to the bulk 
Of three or four liquid ounces mixed with 
rather more than its volume of strong- 
alcohol and enough sulphuric acid to unite 
with all the lime which id thereby complete- 
ly separated as sulphate. The liquid is fil- 
tered off, the sulphate of lime is washed 
with dilute alcohol, dried and weighed; 
from it Is calculated the amount of lime. 

5. The solution 4, is evaporated until the 
alcohol is removed, then without filtration, 
to it is added an excess of a liquid made bv 
dissolving in 2 quarts of water, 30 grams 
of sulphate of magnesia, 41 grams of chlo- 
rid of ammonium, 371 grains of tartaric 
acid, and 40 grams of carbonate of ammo- 
nia, (see W. Mayer, in Liebig's Annalen, 
Vol. 101, p. 108,) and finally excess of am- 
monia. After five to six hours, the precipitate 
of ammonia-phosphate of magnesia, usually 
mixed with some brown organic matters, is 
collected in a filter and washed three or 
four times with ammonia water ; it is then 
dissolved from the filter by dilute hydroch- 
loric acid, and again thrown down by am- 
monia, after addition of a little tartaric acid. 
It is now pure, and is finally washed and 
weighed as usual for the estimation of phos- 
phoric acid. 

6. 1 gram of the manure is burned in 
the usual way, with soda lime. The result- 
ing ammonia is collected in 20 cubic centi- 
meters of a fifth-solution of oxalic acid, (12.6 
grams of pure oxalic acid to a liter of 
water,) and estimated by titrition with a 
dilute potash solution. 

7. The soluble phosphoric acid of a ma- 
nure is estimated by washing 2 grams of it 
with several ounces of water and treating the 
solution as in 4 and 5. 

8. To determine actual ammonia, one or 
two grams an; mixed in a flask, with a pint 
of water; a piece of caustic potash is added, 
and three-fourths of the water slowly dis- 
tilled off through a Liebig's condenser into a 
standard. oxalic acid. The ammonia is then 
estimated by titrition. 

In complete ash-analysis of manures, or 
in examining organic bodies, e. g. ; cotton- 



seed cake, the usual and approved methods 
are employed. 

Faults Pompey Couldn't Remember. 

A clergyman, wishing to he rid nf his 
horse, and try for a hotter one, directed the 
old negro man to sell his heast for what ho 
would bring, or to exchange him for another, 
adding, at the same time, an anxious caution 
not to deceive the purchaser, and even enu- 
merating the faults of the animal, lest one 
should he overlooked. 

"Remember, Pompey, he has four faults." 

" Oh, yes, Massa, I remember." 

Pompey jogging along the road, and count- 
ing over the list to himself, as the old lady 
over her luggage, M Big box, little box, band- 
box, bundle," was overtaken by a man on 
horseback, who entered into conversation, and 
among other topics, made some inquiries 
about the horse. 

Pompey told his story, tmd that his master 
had charged him to tell the horse's faults to 
the purchaser without reservation. 

" Well, what are they?" said the stranger, 
who had a mind to swap. 

" Dere is tour, Massa," said Pompey, "and 
I don't remember them all very well just 
now, but — " 

" Well, tell me those you do remember." 

11 Well, sar, one is that the horse is white, 
and de white hairs get he Massa's coat, and 
dat don't look well for a clergyman." 

M And the next?" 

" I don't anyhow remember de oders," said 
Pompey, peering into the clouds with one eye, 
reflectively. 

The stranger concluded to strike a bargain, 
and exchange his own horse, which had not 
quite so gentle an air as the parson's, for this 
j nearly perfect animal. It was not long be- 
! fore the clerical steed stumbled and threw his 
rider into a ditch. Picking himself up as 
jwellasjie could, he examined his new pur- 
chase a little more closely, and discovered that 
the horse was entirely blind. Finding Pom- 
pey again, without much difficulty, his wrath 
burst forth in a torrent of reproaches : 
j "You black rascal, what does this mean? 
This horse is broken-kneed, and as blind as a 
mole !" 

"Oh, yes, Massa/ 1 said Pompey, bland'y, 
" dem's de oder faults dat I couldn't remem- 
ber !" 



Phosphorus— Source and Nature. 

Phosphorus js but sparingly diffused as a 
component of minerals, — it is to the animal 
kingdom that we turn for our supplies — to 
bones and fluids of the body. These are our 
magazines of phosphorus, from which it i-» ex- 
tracted in large quantities now required for 
matches and the other manufactures iuto which 
, it enters. 



534 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



The leading characteristic of phosphorus is 
its extreme combustability. Place a small 
fragment of it in a glass tube, apply heat and 
ignite it, when, on impelling a current of air 
through the tube, the phosphorus burns with 
great rapidity. The combustion having ter- 
minated, two different residues are produced, 
one a red coloured substance and the other a 
white one. The latter, or white, is an acid 



Countesses, I was utterly astonished at the 
idleness of American fine ladies. No English 
woman of rank, (with the exception of a few 
parvenues,) from the Queen downward, would 
remain for one half-hour unemployed, or sit in 
a rocking chair, unless seriously ill. They 
almost all (with hardly an exception) copy the 
letters of business of their husbands, fathers^ 
or brothers ; attend minutely to the wants of 



compound of phosphorus with oxygen. The I the poor around them, and even take part in 



former was long imagined to be a combina 
tion of phosphorus with oxygen also, but in 
a lesser ratio than necessary to constitute an 
acid. Within the last few years, however, M. 
Schrotter, of Vienna, demonstrated that the 
red compound in question was merely phos- 
phorus. No combination has taken place to 
form this compound, but the phosphorus has 
assumed a second, or allotropic condition 
just as sulphur does under the operation of 
heat. 

Common phosphorus has to be kept in 
water, for the purpose of guarding against 
spontaneous combustion ; allotropic phospho- 
rus, however, may be kept unchanged in at- 
mospheric air ; indeed it may be wrapped up 
in paper, and carried in the pocket even with 
impunity. Common phosphorus readily dis- 
solves in the sulphuret of carbon, whereas al- 
lotropic phosphorus does not. 

Phosphorus exists in all grains, and it forms 
a minute portion of every loaf of bread we 
eat. It exists in the human brain, but the 
greatest quantity of it is found combined- with 
lime, in the bones of animals. The phosphate 
of lime sells at high prices, as a fertilizing 
agent, simply because it is a substance diffi- 
cult to obtain large quantities of. Unlike sul- 
phur aud lime, which are obtained most abun- 
dantly from the mineral world, all our phos- 
phorus is obtained from organic creation. 

Scientific American. 



Sister's Love. 
Beautiful is the love of a sister; 'the kiss 
that hath no guile, and no passion ; the 
touch is purity, and bringetli peace, satis- 
faction to the heart, and no fever to the 
pulse. Beautiful is the love of a sister; 
it is moonlight on our path— it hath light, 
but no heat; it is of heaven, and yet sheds 
its peace upon the earth. 



English Women — Their Good Sense and 
Practicality. 

The following extract from a recent letter of 
an English traveler, who has had the best op 
portunities for observation, may surprise some 
of our fine ladies : 

" I can assure you that, having lived all my 
life about in the different castles and manor 
houses of Great Britain, and been accustomed 
to the indu.strious habits of Dutchesses and 



their amusements, and sympathise with their 
sorrows; visit and superintend the schools; 
work in their own gardens ; see to their house- 
hold concerns ; think about their visitors ; look 
over the weekly accounts, not only of domestic 
expenses, but often those of the farm and the 
estates. 

" The late Marchioness of Lansdowne was 
so well acquainted with the cottagers in her 
neighborhood that she used to visit and look at 
the corpses of the dead, because she found that 
her doing so soothed and comforted the be- 
reaved. 

" I have known her to shut herself up with 
a mad woman in her poor dwelling, who used 
to lock the door, and could not be induced to 
admit any one else. Lady Lansdowne's only 
daughter used one hundred guineas (given her 
by her father-in-law, Lord Suffolk, to buy a 
bracelet,) to build pigsties, with his permis- 
sion, at her husband's little country residence. 
She educates her own children without assist- 
ance, teaching the boys Latin and the girls all 
the usual branches of education. 

"The late Duchess of Bedford, I acciden- 
tally discovered when on a visit to Woburn, 
had, for thirty years of her married life, risen 
at six o'clock, summer and winter, lit her own 
fire, made some tea for the Duke and herself, 
and then, as he wrote his own letters of busi- 
ness, she copied them, and came down to a 
large party of guests at ten o'clock, to dispense 
breakfast, without saying one word of their 
matutinary avocations ; so that you might have 
been a visitor of the house without finding out 
that the Duke and Dutchess had transacted the 
necessary business cf the day — before, per- 
haps, you had risen/ 7 

We add to the foregoing, the following from 
Col. Hiram Fuller's new work : " Sparks from 
a Locomotive:" 

" The English Women — It is very evident 
that a large foot is not considered a detriment 
to female beauty in England ; as the ladies 
make no effort to diminish the size of their 
feet by wearing pinching slippers. ^ On the 
contrary, they wear clumsy gaiters, with heavy 
soles, which make their steps anything but 
fairy-like. And in this they show their good 
sense. One half of the consumption cases 
among the American woman are owing to the 
wafer-soled shoes, which render walking both 
difficult and dangerous, and so they sit pining 
in satin chairs, in their overheated rooms, suck- 
ing cough candy and waiting for the doctor, 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



535 



and his shadow, the undertaker; while these 
buxom English beta tie* are tramping about 

in their water-proof hoots, or darting through 
lanes and parks in their saddles. To appear 
delicate or lackadaisical, is no part of an Eng- 
lish woman's ambition. Health and vigor of 
body are considered of primary importance, 
not only for comfort's sake, but as the most 
essential qualifications for satisfactorily and 
successfully performing the duties of wives 
and mothers. And they dress, and eat, and 

exercise accordingly. On calling on Lady , 

the other morning, one of the most beautiful 
and accomplished ladies in London, I found 
her dressed in a plain purple-colored woollen 
robe, made of cheap and coarse material, and 
yet so tastefully fitting her figure, that I was 
struck with the elegance and comfort of the 
ensemble. An ultra fashionable belle of the 
Fifth avenue would hardly ' come down' to her 
visitor in so simple a costume; or if she did, 
it would be with a confusion of apologetic 
words and blushes." — Southern Cultivator. 



From the Spectator. 

Stories about a Horse-Trader. 

There are certain men who seem to be 
born for horse-traders. From their earliest 
childhood nothing engages their every 
thought so much as horses. To a horse 
everything in nature is subordinate in their 
eyes. It is even quite common to hear 
people born with this idiosyncracy exclaim, 
when they see a pretty woman, "She is 
almost as pretty as a thorough-bred mare." 
To this class belonged the famous Monsieur 
Gervais, of Norfolk, Va. 

The French are not generally remarkable 
for skill in the science of live horse flesh — 
though, to do them justice, they are said to 
excel in preparing it for the table. Our 
hero, however, was a finished hand at jock- 
eying. He had been keeper of a livery- 
stable in his youth for a regiment of cavalry 
quartered near Paris, and became after- 
wards riding-master to the same under the 
great Napoleon, the god of his idolatry. 
After his fall, the army was reduced and 
Gervais left to shift for himself. Disgusted 
with fes sacres chfens, let Bourbons, he de- 
termined to come to America, and settled in 
Norfolk. 

Many are the stories told of him there, 
where he w r as looked upon as the- King of 
Horse-Traders. It is our purpose to rescue 
from oblivion a very few of the evidences 
of his genius, out of many which are told 
of him in his adopted city. It is said that 
no one was ever known to trade with the 



Frenchman without being deeply bit ; yet. 
such were his talents, that it seemed that 
almost every day he did up pome one brown- 
er than any of his victims who had suffered 
before. The first story we shall tell of Ger- 
vais will be the famous one of Brtakee d§ 
Buggee. We must premise that our horse- 
trader understood our language perfectly, 
and when it served his purpose he spoke it 
very well; but when his object was to chisel 
any one, he always managed to employ 
broken English in such a way as most effec- 
tually to cheat his victim. Now for our 
story : 

Mr. S. wished to purchase a horse for his 
buggy, and went to Gervais' livery-stable "to 
buy one. Our hero had a few weeks before 
gotten for a small sum a very showy horse ; 
but a vicious horse he was, and had been 
sold by his former owner because he had 
kicked his gig to pieces, and came near 
killing himself and wife. The eyes of Mr. 
S. were attracted by the first appearance of 
the animal, and enquired of Gervais how 
much he would take for him. The French- 
man expatiated on his fine points, exhibited 
them with gusto, and wound up by saying, 
"As he is ver fine horse, I charge you a 
hundred and seventy-five dollars for him, 
and he cheap as dirt at dat." Now this 
was an enormous price in those days for a 
horse intended for any other purpose than 
the turf. Mr. S. did not care about the 
price, if he could get a horse to suit his 
purpose. Before purchasing, however, he 
questioned Gervais as to his temper, and 
asked if he had been "broken to a buggy." 
The Frenchman answered, " Breakee de 
buggee ? By gar, he breakee de buggee 
fuss-rate. He breakee de gig, breakee' de 
cart, breakee eberyting you put him to — I 
answer for dat." He said these with a pro- 
nunciation quite unintelligible, but accom- 
panied with a thousand gestures, conveying 
the impression that he was praishuj the 
temper of the horfte. Mr, S. thinking more 
of his manner than of the words he made 
use of, paid him one hundred and seventy- 
five dollars, and ordered him to be sent up 
to his stable. That afternoon he had him 
hitched to his buggy, and his servant led 
I him out into the street. Mr. S. got in; but 
so soon as he tried to start, the beast flung 
both heels into the front of the vehicle, 
stove it into shivers, broke the traces, and 
trotted off to Gervais' livery-stable. Luck- 
ily Mr. S. was not materially hurt, but his 



536 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



buggy was ruined. When Gervais saw the 
animal return with his trappings dangling 
about him, he understood at a glance what 
had happened. So, with consummate impu- 
dence, he wrote a note to Mr. S., in which 
he "wished he would confine his horse at 
the manger until he got used to his new 
lodgings." As he expected, in a few min- 
utes Mr. S. was at his stables complaining 
about Gervais having so grievously cheated 
him in his steed. With the most impertur- 
bable gravity Gervais replied, "I ttlled you 
de truth, sare. You ask me about de horse 
— I telled you he breakee de buggy, de gig, 
de carriage, de cart, eberyting; and you no 
right to complain now, for de horse do just 
as I telled you he would." Mr. S. saw how 
he had been sold. He threatened he would 
sue, but all to no purpose. Gervais had 
taken good pains to have witnesses at hand 
to prove the bargain, and to swear to his 
very words, which showed that the horse 
would break everything he was hitched to. 
Accordingly Mr. S. determined to make the 
best of a bad bargain, and sold the horse at 
the foot of the market for as much as he 
would bring, R. . 



Condensed Food for Cattle. 

Mr. Lawes, of Rothamstead, has, it appears, 
attacked the condensed food for cattle, and evi- 
dently on the same principle that he attacked 
Liebig and others, viz., under the supposition 
that his knowledge of chemistry and natural 
law generally, was perfect and faultless. The 
present state of chemical knowledge is not such 
as to enable its professors to arrive at exact 
facts in relation to the value of food for cattle, 
and whatever may be the short comings, if any, 
of these new compounds, they at least are not 
proved to be valueless by the facts offered by 
Mr. Lawes. We therefore give place to the 
following communication, although we are not 
prepared to endorse the claims made by the 
proprietors of Thorley's Food for Cattle. — [Ed. 
Working Farmer. 

From the Working Farmer. 

Dear Sir: — In the April number of the 
Working Farmer, I observed under the head of 
" Feeding Statistics," an article copied from 
the London Farmer's Magazine, written by J. 
B. Lawes, of Rothamsted, England, on the sub- 
ject of alimentary and condimental compounds 
for the seasoning of the food of live stock, and 
wherein he says : 

" Being largely interested in the feeding of 
stock for profit, and having devoted a great deal 
of time and money in inquiries to obtain fixed 
data relating to the feeding of animals, the 



conclusion to which I have arrived is, that no 
proof has yet been given that these new foods 
have any practical value whatever in an eco- 
nomical point of view. Nor does a knowledge 
of the composition of these foods add anything 
to what was previously known on the subject 
of feeding." 

In reply to this, I have first to observe that" 
the experiment is exceptional as to character, 
next, a failure, and lastly that one failure can 
never overthrow the ninety and nine successes 
that exist in favor of cattle food. The subject 
under this head is not one of chemistry ; but 
in the ordinary business of farming, so that 
farmers are better judges than chemists and 
manure manufacturers, (to which class Mr. 
Lawes belongs) and farmers will readily per- 
ceive that a failure in the general management 
of Rothamsted pigs has extremely little, if 
ought to do, with the feeding and general man- 
agement of their own horses, cattle and sheep. 
Are we, therefore,' # to regard Rothamsted exper- 
imentalism as an infallible rule? Are we to 
have Rothamsted infallibility ? Your readers 
will excuse me for protesting against any- 
thing of the kind. Nothing can be more im- 
pudent or absurd, in a commercial point of 
view, than to hold up any individual as an in- 
fallible rule to others — even the most success- 
ful, for the most exemplary farmer is familiar 
with the fact, that his balance sheet differs 
widely, the one year with the other, the small- 
est fractional difference on the one side, produ- 
cing a corresponding difference on the other — 
how much more absurd should it be, to lay 
down the unsuccessful example as the rule! 

I must now examine the article under notice 
somewhat more closely. Are not the absurd 
rules the " fixed data" to which Mr. Lawes 
refers in the second paragraph quoted, the 
"facts connected with the subject of feeding 
which have been established by the results of my 
own experiments" in the third paragraph ? Is 
Mr. Lawes so innocent as not to perceive the 
amount of arrogant presumption which such 
statements exemplify ? Is he not aware that 
his own balance sheet, in all his experiments, 
is but the balance sheets of Rothamsted exper- 
imental ism, and nothing more? 

A member of the Royal Agricultural Socie- 
ty, of England, says, " that commercial con- 
clusions deduced from commercial premises, 
can never establish 'fixed data' in physical 
science. In other words, you may affirm that 
all the laws of physical science are already es- 
tablished for the guidance of farmers by an 
infallible Au'rnoRiTY who is jealous of His pre- 
rogative in this respect? Is Mr. Lawes so ig- 
norant as not to know that the table he has 
given of the so-called ' feeding statistics/ does 
not belong to statistical science, but to the 
wildest, darkest, and most stormy regions of 
speculation, each of the twenty-five conclusions 
being deduced from blundering premises? 
Never did the pen of an agricultural writer 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



537 



attempt to pass current among farmers twenty- 
five Absurdities so gross, for established facts 
in physical science, or even in statistical sci- 
ence, as the twenty-five Kvthameted ' fixed data' 
in question." 

1 would now wish to state bhnt Mr. Lewes' 
experiments or observations cahnot apply to 
Tborley'a F» »< »* 1 for Cattle, and that even if they 
did apply, hie judgment is unworthy nf credit, 
as his mode of calculating the value of cattle 
food is err. neons, and which most be placed 
smongst the false deductions made by him in 
relation to the doctrines of Liebig — that the 
proper use of my food leaves a clear profit of 
cent per cent to the purchaser, the food having 
■ twofold value — the one nutritive the other 
condimental — that Mr. Lawes' experiment is 
un exceptional one ; a failure from mismanage* 
ment, and that the conclusion he draws from 
this Jv'thamsted blunder is absurd, and similar 
to the many hasty conclusions drawn from 
guano failures. 

Mr. Lawes' feeding statistics are only hypo- 
thetical data deduced from very questionable 
premises, and that the table of twenty-five ar- 
ticles — cotton seed-cake, (of which Mr. Lawes, 
by the by, is a vendor) being at the top — con- 
sequently does not belong to the science of sta- 
tistics, and therefore can be no safe guide to 
farmers. To talk of the manuri.il value of 
condiments, as he does, is ridiculously absurd ; 
for the very use of condiments is to enable cat- 
tle to work up more of their food into carcase 
•weight, and consequently to reduce the quan- 
tity of manure. 

Ever since 1 knew anything about cattle, ex- 
perience has satisfied me that health was the 
true index to profit; and this is equally true, 
whether the animal is a horse, a cow, a sheep, 
or a pig. The greater the degree of health, 
the stronger the horse, and the more work he 
returns for his food. The more healthy the 
cow, the greater the quantity of milk she 
yields, and the richer its quality. The better 
the health of the fattening, ox, sheep, or pig. 
the wore rapid the increase of weight, and the 
finer the quality of the carcass. 

Again, I have always found a cool, soft, sleek 
skin, and a bright eye, the best index to health 
and quality. I need not stop to prove the 
soundness of this proposition, as all my rend- 
ers must be familiar with the importance which 
farmers, butchers, dealers, and others engaged 
in the management and commerce of cattle 
place upon " handle." Were any amateur to 
place his fat beast in the scales, and to tell the 
butcher the weight, the practical man of busi- 
ness, -who was purchasing for the purpose of 
serving his customers and realizing a fair pro- 
fit, would naturally laugh at the ignorance of 
the novice and his scales, and proceed to judge 
from the index "handle." My readers will 
readily believe me that the amountof handling 
in the markets is something considerable. 
There is no weighing in scales there, nor in 



any fat stock market where " practice, with sci- 
ence" is brought to hear upon the subject. 
Much less (foes the intelligent farmer require 
scales and weigh tA to know when his cattle are 
thriving, laying on fat evonlv, and paying for 
their condiment and their food generally, all 
that he needs being a handle. 

Mr. Lawes ii wrong in respect to the price, 
as he does not take into consideration the med- 
icinal and nutritive value of cndiinental food. 
1 will, therefore, now offer a few extracts from 
a little work just published in England, viz., 
"Cattle Cookery,"* by William Burness, Esq., 
whose opinion 1 consider of more value than 
Mr. Lawes. 

"The condiments for cattle now being man- 
ufactured, possess both nutritive and medi- 
cinal properties of value. They differ very 
much from each other in this respect, but they 
all have a common object in view — to improve 
the health of man and beast, and to economize 
the food of both — and therefore it necessarily 
follows that however different they may be, the 
principal value of each depends upon its own 
medicinal properties. Their nutritive values 
in money may be estimated according to some 
standard to which their analyses approximate. 
Let us suppose, for the sake of argument, that 
according to this standard their nutritive prop- 
erties may be worth £11 per ton. Next their 
medicinal values should be estimated accord- 
ing to the effect produced by their medicinal 
properties. We must, therefore, quote an ex- 
ample for illustration. We shall take Dr. 
Brown's cow, whose daily yield of milk was 
inetfased from two quarts to four quarts, by 
its food being seasoned with three penny worth 
of Thorley's Condiment at £56 per ton. Now, 
estimating the milk at three pence per quart, 
a small sum for the rich milk of a small family 
cow, equal to London cream ; but say only six- 
pence the two quarts, this would bring the 
medicinal value of Therley's Condiment to the 
enormous sum of £112, and its total value to 
£123 ; this being the sum of the nutritive and 
medicinal values when added together. Dr. 
Brown's profit would therefore be £67 per ton, 
according to his own experiment, thus proving 
that the nutritive and medicinal properties of 
a condiment determine its cheapness, and 'not 
its money price : in other words, the highest 
priced cattle food in the market, is the cheap- 
est to the farmer and cow keeper." 

Then again Mr. Burness says: 

" As to objections, many have been advan- 
ced against cattle foods; but they are so ground- 
is to render refutation almost superfluous. 
There appears to be, in not a few cases, a total 
misconception of what they really are, or the 
grand object for which they are manufactured ; 
for some of them, although unfit to be given as 
food alone, have actually been so given to steak 



* A copy of which I will give yonr readers 
free, on applying for same at 21 Broadway. 



538 



T.HE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



[September 



alone, and then, as a matter of course, con- 
demned because they did not answer!" 

And now I leave your readers to decide be- 
tween Mr. Lawes and 

Yours, truly, 

J. Thorley, per e. m. f. 
New York, 1860. 



Concrete Houses. 

These houses, as our readers well know, 
are built of- a mortar made of lime, gravel, 
and small stone or pebbles, laid up in one 
mass between moulds of board, so as to form 
one solid mass of concreted mortar when 
dried. 

When a good foundation, unmovable by 
frost or undisturbed by water, can be found, 
these houses are very cheaply built, and in 
some sections are becoming quite abundant. 
We like, however, a new method of using 
this concrete for houses, patented not long 
ago by Samuel T. Fowler, of Brooklyn, N. 
Y. It is a combination of the wooden frame 
and concrete. The frame may be a light one ; 
it is erected, and then imbedded in the con- 
crete by plastering it up on all sides. We 
find an account of this mode of building in 
the last number of Foivler's Life Illustrated, 
from which we abridge the following. 
_ This improvement consists in the introduc- 
tion of a frame work for holding the green 
mortar to its place, and to afford convenient 
and reliable hold for screws, with which to 
fasten the moulding planks securely and ex- 
actly in their places, plumb and level. This 
is done by erecting a row of timbers, (com- 
mon joist would do,) of appropriate size and 
form in such manner as to secure them in 
their places, and by fastening a rib to the 
same on each side, at the top of each layer of 
mortar, for the purpose of tying the wall to- 
gether, that an opening may be made therein 
by setting a short board or plank near the 
centre, between the timbers, and about one 
inch from the inner rib, and one or more 
inches from the outer ones, reaching to within 
two inches of the upright, and raising the 
same at each laying of the mortar. 

The advantages of this plan are stated to 
be the following: The openings and timber 
in the wall answer as a cut-off to exclude the 
passage through the wall of heat, cold, and 
moisture, thereby securing the comfort of dry 
rooms, cool in summer, and warm in winter, 
without the expense of furring, lathing, and 
plastering; the openings also give ample fa- 
cilities for ventilation and the distribution of 
heat. This plan also renders the walls fire- 
proof by perfectly encasing the wood in the 
mortar, and by extending the same principle 
to the over-head walls and roof, (as he pro- 
poses to do,) they may also be rendered fire- 
proof. 



The following additional particulars are 
given by the writer : 

The combination of the frame-work with 
the concrete body gives great strength, be- 
cause the frame becomes to the concrete body 
a universal tie, and the concrete a universal 
brace to the frame. 

The frame-work also facilitates the work, 
and gives security to the wall, by sustaining 
not only the weights necessary in the prosecu- 
tion of the work ; and the concrete protects 
the wood by excluding it from the atmos- 
phere. 

As this plan does away w.ith the necessity 
of furring, lathing, and plastering, to obtain 
the comforts of a dry house, cool in summer, 
and warm in winter, and as it also furnishes 
the facilities for securely fastening the mould- 
ing planks or plates in any desired position, 
the walls may be cast with any desired finish, 
outside and in, including the ceiling, simply 
by the use of appropriate moulding plates, 
and the proper management of the mortar. 

Thus a much harder and handsomer sur- 
face may be obtained without the use of the 
trowel than with it, and that of any devised 
form you choose to make the moulding plates, 
and to this may be added never-fading colours, 
as taste may dictate, by using a proper min- 
eral base with suitable metalic or mineral pig- 
ment. 

The comparative cheapness of this plan is 
very evident, as one half the mortar required 
by the ordinary mode will, in this way, make 
a wall twice as strong, while all the labour of 
lathing and plastering is avoided ; the cost of 
ornamentation is but a trifle in comparison 
with the mode heretofore used, for, with suita- 
ble moulding plates and frescoe painting, the 
most beautiful effects can be produced. — Maine 
Farmer. 

Remarks. — We have no faith in the fore- 
going patent or plan of working concrete ; 
our own experience having taught us a much 
cheaper and better method. Instead of this 
Dutch frame-work that Mr. Fowler proposes 
to imbed in the wall, we put up similar stan- 
dards, both outside and in, for our intended 
wall, (usually using the joist and scantling in- 
tended for subsequent finishing,) and far 
enough apart to admit the curbing boards in- 
side of them, and at the right distance apart 
for the thickness of the walls-; thus we ob- 
tain a much better support for our curbing 
boards than when we have to screw or nail 
them on to studs inside of them. Our mould- 
boards are simply slipped up and down inside 
of these standards, which of course must be 
set by a line, both straight and plumb. Thus 
when our walls are up, we take these studs, 
or standards, away, and use them for rafters, 
or ordinary partition studs, &c. &c, and the 
mould-boards for sheeting the roof, and in 
that way loose no lumber in the operation. 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



539 



Mr. Fowler's, on the other hand, however 
light his frame may be, will be found to re- 
quire considerable material, and that costs 
money in the prairie country. 

Then, the next advantage claimed in the 
way of a hollow wall, the saving of inside 
lath and plastering, outside finish, &c, is. ac- 
cording to our experience, all erroneous. If 
such a wall is made hollow, it must have a 
good deal of additional thickness to give it 
the requisite strength; and without which 
strength it is very apt to crack and shatter to 
pieces. The idea of laying it up smooth 
enough inside for a good house, is just about 
as practicable as to saw the lumber in a saw- 
mill smooth and good enough for window and 
door casings, without plaining and jointing — 
sheer absurdity of course. The same with 
the outside also; it can be made neither 
smooth enough to look well, nor solid enough 
to turn water perfectly without being troweled 
down at least ; and to make either a good job, 
or a good looking one even, it should be hard- 
finished and blocked off like stone ; and, bet- 
ter still, to be a right good job, it should be 
painted outside, although this last, if well 
hard-finished, may be omitted. The idea of 
moulding it into fresco, without great outlay 
in preparing moulds, is also impracticable, 
as every experienced builder knows. It is a 
pretty fancy and that is all. 

The inside furring and lathing for plaster- 
ing is a very small expense, and much the 
best way for a hollow wall. The less wood in 
the wall the better, as it weakens it where it 
divides it ; and, besides, it is apt to shrink, 
and swell, and cause cracks. 

Wo fill our concrete walls as we put them 
up as full as possible with rough, fiat stones, 
such as abound in a shell state in many of the 
prairie knobs. These stones we imbed in 
very thin mortar, so close that they touch 
each other, if possible. We built a concrete 
and stone house in this way last season, of 
pretty good size, and it has stood perfectly 
well, not a crack in it that we know of. We 
laid the walls up from the cellar bottom in 
the same way, and to keep them from ab- 
sorbing moisture where they came against 
the banks, we gave them two good coats of 
coal tar, up to the water table, before .filling 
the earth in around them. The result is a 
perfectly water-proof wall and dry cellar. 
Such a coat all over a hard finished building 
would render it decidedly impervious to mois- 
ture, but its black colour would not be comely 
in appearance. 

Our concrete house walls cost us only about 
one half the price of brick, and about one- 
third the price of rubble-dressed stone work : 
thus being a decided economy in first cost. 
But comparatively they are not so good as 
good brick or stone. Still, if they are well 
put up they are very good. But they are the 
last kind of a wall that a bungler should at- 



tempt — ten to one he will make both a fright 
and a failure of it. We see a great many 
silly things said about this kind of building, 
in oor exchanges; usually by those who, ob- 
viously, know little or nothing about them. 
We seldom notice them, but thought we 
would not let this one pass in silence. 

Ed. Wisconsin Farmer. 



Grand Exhibition of Mowers. 

On Monday afternoon, June 11th, about five 
hundred of the substantial farmers of the 
township of Lawrence, in Mercer county, as- 
sembled at Hutchinson's Mill, near Baker's 
Basin, to witness an exhibition of the relative 
working abilities of several mowing machines. 
The day was fine, and the assembly was com- 
posed of the substantial farmers of Lawrence 
township and from the adjoining townships. 

Upon our arrival we found the following 
machines on the ground : 

Dunham & Staats' Mower and Reaper. 

Pennock's Iron Harvester. 

Champion Mower and Reaper. 

Buckeye do. do. 

New .Jersey do. do. 

Kirby's American Harvester. 
- Each of these machines were constructed for 
mowing and reaping. 

After the people had generally assembled, 
Dr. White called them to order. 

Mr. Henry D. Phillips, of Lawrence, was 
appointed President of the meeting. On 
motion, E. F. Hendrickson, of Ewing, a com- 
mittee of three was appointed to get the names 
of the machines on the ground, and arrange 
the order of their entry into the field. 

The President appointed E. F. Hendrickson, 
Samuel .Nicholson and John Phillips. Mr. 
Hendrickson withdrew and Mr. James A. 
Hutchinson was appointed. 

The following gentlemen were appointed 
Judges : Jacob Taylor, A. T. Burroughs and 
Gideon Corwine. 

All the preliminaries being now ready, the 
machines were unlimbered and hitched to good 
strong horses and prepared for action. They 
entered the field, (about three acres in size,) 
led off by the "New Jersey." This machine 
was less inviting in appearance and rather 
smaller in size than the others, but still it 
moved off with great effect, getting into the 
grass at a fine rate. 

The other machines, all new and in excel- 
lent order, went into the field with effect, and 
cut away, right and lett, turning over swarth 
after swnrth. But soon it was discovered that 
there was a difference in the cutting, and 
especially in the facility of throwing off or 
distributing the grass. As the work pro- 
gressed, the farmers began to look at another 
matter — the lightness of draft, the simplicity, 
durability and convenience in construction 
and operation. The test was made by two 









540 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



horses, then with one horse, md then with 
four men. 

The opinions of the people Acquainted with 
the suljeot, we found to be quite varied. The 
fact is, that all the machines were good, and 
performed their work well. 

After the whole field had been cut down, 
the Judges got together and made up their de- 
cision as follows: 

"AH the machines on the ground are first- 
rate workers. 

" We give the preference for draft and work 
to Kirby's American Harvester. 

" We give our second preference for draft 
and work to the Buckeye." 

The committee did not go farther in their 
expressions of preference, but concluded this 
to he sufficient. 

The spectators were favorably impressed 
with the " Champion, " and with Pennock's 
Iron Harvester, and some liked the New Jersey. 
The American Harvester, Buckeye and Cham- 
pion, cut the grass very well, and spread it 
much better than either of the other three. 

One thing was quite apparent, those ma- 
chines driven by persons who make a business 
of it at every exhibition, had the best chance. 

Take the whole affair together, it was a very 
pleasant meeting. The farmers enjoyed <jt 
greatly, and although a little out of our line 
of business, we confess we were highly grati- 
fied. — New Jersey Farmer. 



From the British Farmer s Magazine. 

Description of a Traction Engine, and of 
the Implements to be Worked There- 
with, in the Application of Steam 
Power to Tillage and other Operations 
of Agriculture. 

BY JOHN EWART, LAND SURVEYOR, AND 
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER, NEWCASTLE- 
UPON-TYNE. 

It is not less feasible, and certainly not 
less important, that steam-power should be 
applied to cultivation, than to the staple 
manufactures of the country, to steam navi- 
gation, and to railway communication. For 
some years past the attention of many me- 
chanical engineers of eminence, and of prac- 
tical agriculturists, has been directed to the 
application of steam-power to cultivation ; 
but hitherto without that success which 
might have been expected in so important 
an object. 

This failure of success has arisen not only 
from a defective application of the power 
itself, but also from a persistence in the use 
of implements, as a medium of the applica- 
tion of the power, which, from their action, 



are ill adapted to the purpose. On this 
subject, Mr. Hoskyns in his able article on 
" steam culture " in u Morton's Cyclopedia 
of Agriculture," published in 1855, remarks 
that " it is true that no demonstration has 
ever been attempted of any special inapti- 
tude of steam power for the work of culti- 
vation. The impediments it has had to en- 
counter have been those of delay, rather 
than denial, or even mistrust, of its ultimate 
possibility; and the delay itself has been 
clue rather, it would seem, to error than neg- 
lect — the error so long persisted in, of re- 
garding the plough as the sine qua non of 
field cultivation, and the necessary medium 
through which the steam-engine was to be 
applied to cultivation." 

It will not, it is hoped, incur a charge of 
presumption in any individual, who, having 
given the subject of application of steam- 
power to cultivation long and attentive con- 
sideration, in offering a few suggestions by 
which so desirable an object as that in ques- 
tion may be promoted ; nor will apology for 
craving space in the pages of your valuable 
miscellany with that view be required. 

With the above-quoted remarks of Mr. 
Hoskyns, the writer of the present paper 
entirely concurs j and he might, if any doubt 
can exist of the truth of the action of the 
plough being inefficient in its purpose, espe- 
cially in its not being " the necessary me- 
dium through which the steam-engine was 
to be applied to cultivation," quote the ob- 
servations on the subject of steam culture, 
in a lecture to the Manchester Royal Insti- 
tution, March, 1849, and contained in the 
article already adverted to; but the admira- 
ble text-book on all topics in any way relat- 
ing to agriculture referred to, being, he sup- 
poses, in the possession of most persons in- 
terested infield culture, it will be unnecessa- 
ry to trespass here by any further quotation 
from the article in question. 

The principal cause of failure in the use 
hitherto of steam power to the purpose in 
question has been in the persistence in the 
use of implements, in which the action is 
simple traction through the soil. Although 
it is intended to reserve lengthened remarks 
on the implements to be used with the steam- 
engine in the tillage operations of agricul- 
ture until after having first treated of the 
motor for the purpose, yet it may be here 
remarked that the power of steam can never 
be applied to cultivation with complete suc- 
cess unless a considerable breadth of ground 



MMMMtfl 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



T4 



be efficiently operated upon at once, with 
the least amount of resistance from friction 
in the working of the implements. In this, 
Bin pie traction must be superseded by a re- 
volving action. 

In considering the subject of the applica- 
tion of steam-power to tillage operations of 
agriculture, it will readily be perceived that 
there are two modes by which the steam- 
engine may be available for the purpose, 
viz. : — by traction of the implements to and 
fro, by means of chains or ropes, by station- 
ary engines, but which are advanced at 
right angles to the line of traction, as the 
breadth of grounjl worked at once by the 
implements is operated upon ; and by loco- 
motive engines, to which the implements 
used in the operation are directly and im- 
mediately attached. 

In the first of the above-mentioned modes 
of applying the steam-engine to cultivation, 
the pressure of the weight of the engine on 
the soil is confined only to a portion of the 
ground to be worked, that is, to the head- 
lands ; but, on the other hand, such engines 
and their working gear are necessarily of a 
somewhat complicated construction ; and a 
considerable amount of force of the moving 
power is absorbed in the strain required to 
produce motion in the implement — particu- 
larly in fields of considerable extent, in 
which the ropes used are of great length. 

In the other mode, the principal defect 
consists in the pressure of the weight of the 
engine travelling on the ground to be 
worked; but this objection, if it cannot be 
entirely obviated, may be greatly mitigated, 
by distributing the whole weight on as many 
points of bearing and on as great a surface 
as possible. On the other hand, nearly the 
whole torce of the engine is available to the 
working of the implements, from their being 
directly and immediately attached to the 
moving power. Under all circumstances, 
this principle of action n theengi-ne is quite 
as favorable, if not to be preferred to the other, 
for the purpose of applying steam-power to 
tillage operations of agriculture ; besides, 
which, it is not to tillage alone that such an 
engine may be applied, but also to drawing 
carriages on fields and on roads. 

In designing an engine with a view to the 
successful and to the most extensive appli- 
cation of steam-power to tillage operations, 
whichever of the two principles already de- 
scribed may be adopted, the following are 



the most important matters for considera- 
tion : 

1st That its construction should be as 
simple as possible, consistent with efficiency 
in its operation. 

2nd. That its working parts should be as 
little as possible liable to derangement and 
requiring repair ; and when repairs may be 
necessary, ether from accident or from long 
use, such repairs may not be of an expen- 
sive nature. 

8rd. That it should be easily managed by 
agricultural laborers of ordinary intelligence. 
4th. That it should be of as moderate 
cost to purchase as may be consistent with 
efficient working; of sufficient power with 
a moderate quantity of fuel for the purpose 
it may be required ; and that it should be 
durable. 

The foregoing remarks are general, rather 
than specially addressed to the subject of 
the present paper; but as they elicit the 
views of the writer on the subject of the 
application of steam-power to cultivation 
generally, such trespass on the presentfocca- 
sion may, it is hoped, be excused. 

The special and direct object of the pres- 
ent paper, is to submit to the consideration 
of mechanical engineers and the agricultural 
public a description of an engine for the ap- 
plication of steam-power to tillage and other 
operations of agriculture, which, perhaps, 
may be found to possess the properties no- 
ticed as being requisite in an engine for cul- 
tivation by steam-power. 

From a previous remark it may perhaps 
be inferred, that the writer is in favor of the 
I locomotive principle of action. After long 
'and attentive consideration of the subject, 
' and many discussions thereon with nieehan- 
I ical engineers of experience, the writer 
! would decidedly recommend locomotive ac- 
' tion for the purpose in question. 

The locomotive action being assumed to 
be that adopted, the breadth of ground ope- 
rated upon at once by the implements will 
limit the size and construction of the en- 
Igine. For if the breadth of ground Ope- 
rated upon at once by the implement be less 
than the breadth of the engine, a portion of 
the ground will either be left uncultivated, 
; or a portion of that cultivated will be in- 
jured by the pressure of the wheels on (me 
iside of the engine. In the latter-mentioned 
case also, the engine, from the wheels sink- 
ling deeper on one side than on the other, 
I will be out of its transverse horizontal posi- 



542 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



[September 



tion j that is, it will be as if moving across 
the slope of an inclined plane, which would 
be a position of obvious disadvantage and 
inconvenience. Besides the size of the en- 
gine being thus limited, in order to obtain 
room and convenient arrangement of pur- 
chase gear, by which to multiply the power, 
a vertical boiler will be that to be adopted. 

In the engine about to be described, the 
framing will be best of I iron, and form- 
ing beams with hollow sides, 6 wide by 9 
inches deep, and the thickness of the iron 
i inch. Such a beam will be sufficient to 
bear a much greater weight than that of the 
engine, but should additional stiffness be ne- 
cessary, the hollows in the sides of the beams 
may be filled in with oak timber of a scant- 
ling of 8 inches by 2f inches, and secured 
in their places by through bolts at frequent 
intervals. 

The wheels, it is proposed, should con- 
sist of a pair of driving wheels, 5 feet in 
diameter, placed in the mid-length of the 
framing, and a pair of steering wheels, 2 
feet o inches in diameter, near each end ; 
the last-mentioned wheels being so small in 
their diameter in order that they may lock 
completely under the platform of the ma- 
chine. The whole of the wheels will be 
best made of malleable iron, felloes and arms 
being hollow, the latter cast into cast-iron 
bosses or naves, and the felloes made in seg- 
ments; the tires should be hoops of mallea- 
ble iron, 12 inches broad and f inch thick, 
which, being put on the felloes hot, will, by 
contraction, keep the several parts of the 
wheel firmly in their places, and the whole 
will be of great strength combined with 
lightness and durability. The axle of the 
driving wheels should be 3 inches in diam- 
eter, those of the steering wheels 2 inches 
in diameter, the whole made of the best 
forged scrap iron. 

The arrangement of the position of the 
wheels should be such, that from the out- 
side of one driving wheel to the outside of 
the other should be the extreme breadth of 
the machine ; the hinder pair of steering 
wheels should be just clear of and within 
the track of the driving wheels; and the 
front steering wheels should have the same 
relative position to the hinder steering wheels 
that the latter have to the driving wheels. 
So that were the wheels all of the same 
diameter, and placed upon the same axle, 
they would form two cylindrical rollers, of 
three parts each, on the same axle, with an 



interval of a few inches, at mid-length of 
the axle, between them. 

By such arrangement, the whole weight 
of the machine will be distributed over six 
wheels, each 12 inches in breadth, or an ag- 
gregate breadth of six feet, and none of the 
wheels following in any part of the track of 
the others, the pressure of the weight of the. 
machine on the land will be reduced to a 
minimum. 

The boiler, as it has already been stated, 
is a vertical one. It is proposed that the 
height of the principal part or cylinder 
should be 8 feet, with a further height of 
about 1 foot 3 inches, and % of 2 feet diame- 
ter, as additional steam chamber. Inside 
the main portion of the boiler is the fire 
box, 3 feet in height, having a hemispherical 
dome 3 feet in diameter, with a flue 1 foot 
in diameter, rising from the said dome, and 
passing through the steam chamber. As to 
the diameter of the boiler, it should be as 
follows, viz : — Fire box 3 feet ; water space 
round the fire box 3 inches ; thicknesses of 
the plates, | inch each, in the whole lji 
inch ; making 3 feet 7J inches as the out- 
side diameter of the boiler. The outside 
shell, fire box, and so much of the flue as is 
within the boiler, should be made of the 
best Yorkshire or Derbyshire plates, | inch 
thick, and put together with f inch rivets, 

2 inches apart, centre to centre. The chim- 
ney above the boiler need not exceed the 
thickness of No. 7, on the Birmingham 
wire gauge ; and in the chimney there 
should be a damper, with the necessary 
means for opening and closing it, within 
the perfect command of the stoker. The 
boiler should be fitted with safety-valve 
loaded with Salter's spring balance, steam 
pressure gauge, glass water gauge, steam 
whistle float, blow-off and sludge cocks, and 
every other appliance for safety and conve- 
nience of the most approved construction. 
In order to bring the centre of gravity of 
the boiler as low as possible, and also to 
bring its top to a convenient height above 
the platform of the machine, the boiler 
should be slung from the sides of the frame 
by saddles or inverted brackets of plate-iron, 

3 feet in length, riveted to the sides of the 
boiler, and bolted to the frame by 3 bolts at 
each side, so that the fire grate may be 2 
feet below the level of the platform of the 
machine. 

The engine should consist of three ver- 
tical cylinders, the pistons of which may be 






I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



543 



each of them 4J inches in diameter, with a 
stroke of 12 inches. These, with their 
steam chests, should be firmly bolted tc the 
boiler near to its top. The connecting rods 
will work three cranks at equal distances, 
or 120 degrees apart, by which only one 
crank would ever be on a dead point at one 
time, whilst both the others would always 
be on either the ascending or descending- 
stroke, and by which a fly-wheel would be 
dispensed with. This arrangement may be 
looked upon as unscientific, not only in dis- 
pensing with an equalizer of the stroke, but 
also in increasing the friction. In answer 
to such objections, it may be remarked, that 
in the case in question a fly-wheel would be 
found most inconvenient, if not inadmissi- 
ble, from the danger of its velocity; and its 
•weight not only being a considerable addi- 
tion to that of the machine, but also in 
increasing the height of the centre of gra- 
vity; besides which, the difficulty, or rather 
the impossibility of placing this great equal- 
izer of the motion of the engine in its pro- 
per position, without sacrifice of convenience 
of arrangement of most of the other parts 
of the machine; and the additional friction 
of the three cylinders is trifling to the 
advantages which, in the particular case in 
question, would be derived from the arrange- 
ment of the engine as described. The en- 
gine should be fitted with a governor, and a 
feed pump. 

An engine of so short a stroke as that 
just described, and supplied by the quantity 
of steam capable of being generated by the 
boiler previously recommended, will give at 
least 120 double strokes of the pistons per 
minute, which, if communicated directly to 
driving wheels of five feet in diameter, 
would produce a traveling velocity in the 
machine of more than 21 miles per hour, or 
more than six times that at which the ma- 
chine need or ought to travel when working. 
Therefore to bring down the rate of travel- 
ing to the proper working speed, and there- 
by to obtain a six-fold force of traction, the 
crank shaft should have, on it, beyond the 
cranks, pinions, say of nineteen teeth, work- 
ing into spur-wheels having 37 teeth on an 
intermediate shaft; on this last-mentioned 
shaft, to the outsides of the spur-wheels, 
should be pinions of 19 teeth, working into 
spur-wheels having 59 teeth on a third 
shaft, which should extend beyond the out- 
sides of the driving-wheels. The motion of 
the last^mentioned shaft should be commu- 



nicated to the driving-wheel axle by means 
of an endless flat chain on each side of the 
machine, passed over sheaves on both shafts. 
The sheaves may cither be round, with pro- 
tuberances on their peripheries, to suit small 
links in the chain, or they may be canted, 
and the links of the chain so arranged as to 
hinge over the angles of such sheaves. 

The steerage of the machine, both be- 
fore and behind, is proposed to be effected 
in the following manner, viz: by turn-tables 
like those used on the four-wheel axles of 
four-wheeled carriages, the lower circular 
plate of which to have spur teeth on half 
its periphery, into which the teeth of a 
pinion is to work. The proportion of the 
radius of the semi-circular toothed segment 
to that of the pinion, is proposed to be about 
three to one. On a spindle from the pinion 
in question, at a height of two to six inches 
above the level of the platform of the ma- 
chine, it is proposed to have a horizontal 
tangent wheel and screw, in proportion of 
four to one; and 'on the axis of the screw a 
winch handle, the crank of which to be 
three times that of the diameter of the 
the barrel of the screw. The upper or 
fixed circular plates to have small friction 
rollers on their faces, to prevent the oppos- 
ing surfaces of *he plates rubbing against 
each other. A mitre-wheel on each of the 
pins or spindles passing through the centres 
of the fixed, from the lower or movable 
plates, working into another mitre-wheel on 
a short axle, carrying a small pulley, con- 
nected by a round band with another pulley 
of the same size, on a short axle, supported 
by a bearing on the framing of the tangent 
wheel and screw, will give motion to a 
pointer keyed on to the axle of the upper 
pulley, to indicate, on a semi-circular dial, 
the amount of steerage. Such steerage 
being at both ends, and worked in contrary 
directions, will bring the machine round 
nearly on its centre; and the great power 
of the gearing proposed for the purpose, 
will render but a very small force necessary 
in steering. 

Between the fore-steering gear and boiler 
longitudinally, and between the purchase 
gear on each side of the machine transverse- 
ly, it is proposed to have a cistern, to con- 
tain from four to five hours' supply of water 
for the boiler; and also to have five hours' 
supply of fuel (coke) piled on the platform 
of the machine behind the boiler. 

A suitable machine for applying steam- 









544 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



power to field cultivation having now been 
described, in most of the principal points of 
its construction, with sufficient perspicuity, 
it is hoped, to be understood without the aid 
of diagrams for elucidation, it may not be 
out of place to offer some brief remarks on 
the economy of its use. 

As to the dimensions of the irachine : 



Its length is proposed to be - 
Its breadth is as follows, viz : 

ft; in. 

Outside diameter of boiler, 3 1\ 

Breadth of side beams of 

frame, 6 in. on each side, 1 

Intervals between driving- 
wheels and frame, 1 in. 
on each side, - - 2 

Breadth of dr'ving-wheels, 

1 foot each, - -20 



ft, in 
15 



Extreme breadth of machine, 



6 9* 



As to the weight of the machine — 

Boiler, engine, and purchase gear, 
with water in boiler, and fuel in 

the fire box, - - - 41 cwt. 

Frame, wheels, and water tank, - 22 " 

Water in tank, - - - 10 " 

Coke on platform, - - . 3 " 



Total weight of machine, 



76 cwt. 



The foregoing statement is fully the total 
weight of the machine, including a supply 
of water and fuel for half-a-day's consump- 
tion. The following comparison with a 
wheel carriage passing over the ground may 
convey an idea of the pressure on the soil 
by the weight of the machine. A single- 
horse Scotch cart with its load is seldom less 
than 24 cwt., that is, 9 cwt. for the cart, and 
15 cwt. for the load. It may be said that a 
portion of this load is borne on the back of 
the horse; but in answer to such exception, 
it may be replied that the horse bears a 
much less portion of the load than his own 
weight, besides which, the trampling of the 
horse is more injurious to the tilth of the 
soil than the weight of the cart-wheels; 
and therefore, in the comparison about to 
be instituted, there need not be any deduc- 
tion from the whole of the load of 24 cwt. 
being borne by the pair of wheels of the 
cart. Supposing the hoops of the wheels 
of a single-horse cart to be each 3 inches in 



breadth, there is a weight of 24 cwt. sup- 
ported on a breadth of G inches; whilst in 
the engine there is a weight of 76 cwt. sup- 
ported on a breadth of 72 inches. That is, 
in the cait 4 cwt. per inch of breadth of 
the wheels, against little more than 1 cwt.. 
in the engine; or, in other words, the press- 
ure of the engine is only about one-fourth 
of that of a loaded single-horse Scotch cart. 

The engine described in the present pa- 
per, with a pressure of steam on the pistons 
of 40 lbs. per square inch, may be consid- 
ered as six-horse nominal power; but by the 
purchase gear, the machine becomes equal 
to 36-horse power. Allowing 12-horse pow- 
er to be absorbed in propelling the machine 
itself on tilled land, which must be allowed 
is an ample deduction for that purpose under 
the most unfavorable circumstances, there 
remains 24-t.orse power available for the 
traction of implements, which amount of 
force will scarcely ever be required in till- 
age operations, except when ascending planes 
of considerable inclination. 

The machine being simple in its construc- 
tion, may be easily managed by agricultural 
laborers; it is not, if well made, liable to 
be out of repair; and when, by accident or 
otherwise, repairs may be required, these 
may be readily effected at a moderate cost. 

Besides the use of the machine for loco- 
motive traction, by having the ends of the 
crank axle extended somewhat beyond the 
side framing, it may, on removal of the pur- 
chase gear, be used as a fixed engine, for 
driving fixed machinery up to, or even be- 
yond, six-horse power. 

Before proceeding to specify the construc- 
tion of the implement to be used as a means 
of applying steam-power to cultivation by 
the engine previously described, it may be 
well to state the operations of tillage that it 
may be required to perform. 

In the first place, a more or less frequent 
inversion of the soil, according to circum- 
stances, is indispensable. In the second 
place, a complete comminution of the soil, 
so that the greatest number of particles may 
be acted upon by air and moisture, and, at 
the same time, a commixture of the parti- 
cles with manuring substances, applied to 
maintain and increase fertility, must be tho- 
roughly effected; and another most impor- 
tant end to be obtained by this means, is a 
complete removal of all weeds. And lastly, 
when the soil has been thoroughly under- 
drained, the subsoil may be broken up, and 



18G0.] 



Til E so IT II i: 11 X PLANTEK 






niter having boon fixed bj the action of air (form, tln-v >hould be rhomboidal, having 
ami moisture Of Supporting V6ffCtatien, it their opposite acute angles 56 degrees; Mid, 
may be mixed with the surface soil, b y j to keep the arms firmly ill their places, eir- 



which the staple may he deepened, and th 
enlarge the pasture of plants. It n tor the 

purposes just mentioned that the imple- 
ments about to be described are suggested 



eular east iron plates, of the same diameter 
and 1 inch thick, should he bolted to the 
naves over the tenons of the arms. Tl.' 
naves, arms, and blades, should be k< , 
for the consideration of the agricultural I to an axle o£ the beet forge scrap iron 8 in 



public. 



ches in diameter, so that the sides of tin; 



It has already been stated, when treating blades may touch each other, and so arran- 



of the motive power, that whatever implc 
Vents may be employed in steam culture, 
simple traction should be superseded by a 
revolving action. The advantage of revolv- 
ing action over simple traction is much the 
same as that of the action of a wheel over 
the action of a sledge. And it has also 
been stated, for the reasons given, that 
whatever implements may be used with a 
locomotive engine as the motive power in 
steam culture, the implement should operate 
at once on a greater breadth of ground than 
the extreme breadth of the engine. 

For an invertion of the soil, the writer 
suggests a revolving implement of the fol- 
lowing construction, viz.: — Let a circle be 
described of a certain radius, to which, at 
the extremities of two diameters intersect- 
ing each other at right angles, let tangents 
be drawn. Then with a certain radius from 
the points of contact of the tangents with 



ed that the obtuse angle of one blade may 
join the acute angle of the next, and the 
cutting edges of the mouths form a continu- 
ous diagonal line ; and if seven of these 
blades form the working part of an imple- 
ment, its length will be 7 feet, and form a 
horizontal spiral, about 3 feet in diameter, 
with a pitch of 14 i'eet or double the length 
of the implement. The blades, and also the 
concave cutting edges of the arms should be 
of steel. 

The working part of the implement de- 
scribed above, should be mounted on an iron 
travelling frame, having a pair of wheels 
towards the back, and a pair of leading 
wheels on swivels in front; and provision 
should be supplied for raising the working- 
part out of the soil when turning, or travel- 
ling out of action, and for regulating the 
depth at which the implement may be re- 
quired to be worked in the soil. The last 



the circle, describe arcs cutting the tan- j mentioned provision may be effected by 
gents; and these arcs will be the curves of means of' a pinion working into a toothed 



the blades or spades. 

The working part of the proposed imple- 
ment should consist of a cast-iron nave, 12 



sector, with the axle of the working part 
bearing in a radial arm' or bar opposite to a 
bisection of the arc ; and such purchase 



inches in diameter, and 3 inches thick, into should be further assisted by screws workin 



which should be sunk four tenon beds, ar 
ranged parallel to tangents to the axle, after 
wards to be mentioned. These tenon beds 
should be 2 inches deep and 2 inches wide, 
and slightly dovetailed or tapering towards 
the circumference. From the Oaves just 
described four arms should protrude 12 in- 
ches beyond theircireum'erenees, and which 
will be the limit of the depth to which the 
implement will work in the soil. Tnese 
arms, to which the blad dea are to 

be attached, should be nearly flat, about | 
inch thick in the middle, with cutting v<\'_n>< 
of a concave form, and should have tenons 
to fit accurately into the tenon beds previ- 
ously noticed, and the flat part of the arms 
should shoulder on the circumference of the 
naves. The blades or spades should be 12 
inches in breadth, by IS inches in length. 
and instead of being rectangular in their 
35 



into wheels on the pinion axle, to which mo- 
tion should be given by a winch handle on 
each side* 

A complete invertion of the soil being 
obtained, whenever it may be required, by 
the implement above described, the commi- 
nution and aeration of the soil, and, at the 
same time, the thorough removal of w* 
may then be effected by the revolving culti- 
vator as made by Mr. Matthew Gibson, of 
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which, for being work- 



* The iden.of this implement was taken fiom 
a paper on " New P roe eases, Rotary Forking and 
Digging," read nt the Central Farmcra' Club, 
i. by Mr. Choke. and which appeared in 
Express, February I3tb, 
The writer of the present artirle has had b 
del made pf the working part of the implement 
stedj by which lie finds it will efficiently 
m the purpose required. 






546 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



ed by steam-power, may be described as fol- 
lows, viz. : — tt consists of a number of cast 
iron discs or naves, 12 inches in diameter 
and 3 inches thick, with a further thickness 
on each side of f incli and 4 inches in di- 
ameter, revolving independently of each 
other on a round iron axle 3 inches in diam- 
eter. On the periphery of each disc are 
fixed, alternately on each side, ten strong 
iron curved teeth, of a length to penetrate 
vertically 12 inches into the soil, with points 
of a diamond form and steeled; and between 
each disc is a bar of flat iron, with the edge 
downwards, and curved with a convexity to- 
wards the teeth as they emerge from the soil, 
to keep the teeth clear of weeds grubbed 
out of the soil, and, at the same time, to 
break any clods of soil that may be lifted by 
the teeth. The last-mentioned bars, for 
their support, and also to prevent soil from 
entering and shearing the axle, should em- 
brace the discs at their joints with each 
other, and their other ends supported by 
bars, extending across from the lifting sec- 
tor on one side to that on the other. In or-» 
der that the implement may cover a greater 
breadth of ground at one operation than the 
breadth of the engine, the number of the 
discs on the working part should not be less 
than twenty. The implement now being de- 
scribed will work to any depth in the soil 
that may be desired, not exceeding 12 in- 
ches below the surface; the depth being 
regulated, and the working part being re- 
moved from the soilwhen turning, or travel- 
ling when out of action, by the same means 
as has been previously described for the pur- 
pose, when treating of the implement for 
inverting the soil.* 

The most important application of steam- 
'power to cultivation would be in the opera- 
tion of subsoiling or breaking the under-soil 
without bringing it in its crude state to the 
•surface, preparatory to deepening the staple 
at a future time. In this, three operations 



* This is the revolving cultivator as first made 
by Mr. Matthew Gibson, of Newcastle-upon- 
Tyne, in 1803. Revolving implements for til- 
lage were suggested by the writer of the present 
article in the Farmer's Magazine for October. 
1848. The implement as made by Gibson is 
most efficient for its purpose; but owing to the 
great horse-power required to work it, it never 
came extensively into use; but if used by a 
ateam-engine as the tractive force, the same ob- 
jection to its use will not exist, and it would be 
found to be the most valuable implement for its 
purpose that has probably ever been invented. 



are required to be simultaneously performed. 
Opening a trench or furrow in the surface 
soil ; breaking or forking the sub-soil ; and 
fillingvthc trench or furrow in the surface 
soil as the work proceeds. To effect these 
operations of the same breadth at once, 
which has been recommended to be done in 
the other operations of tillage, previously 
treated of, would require a much heavier 
implement than would be manageable ; and 
besides which, the nature of the operation 
does not necessitate the implement being 



wider than the 



without taking into 



consideration the much greater force requi- 
red in working an implement for the pur- 
pose in question. Perhaps 3 feet at once 
would be as great a breadth as an implement 
for the purpose could be easily managed. 
In conformity to the recommendation of a 
revolving action in the implement, its con- 
struction may be described as follews, viz. : 
Three cast iron cylinders of 2 feet in diam- 
eter, 1 foot in length, and 2 inches in thick- 
ness, formed in the manner of wheels, with 
arms of malleable iron in pairs, cast into a 
nave in the centre and into the cylinder. In 
the periphery of the cylinder should be 12 
rows of mortices across the length of the 
cylinder, three in each row, and tapering 
slightly towards the inside. The size of 
these holes to be 2 inches by 1 inch, the 
larger dimension to be in the direction of 
the circumference of the cylinder. In the 
mortices should be slightly curved teeth, the 
points of which to be diamond shaped and 
steeled, and project fully 12 inches beyond 
the circumference of the cylinders. These 
teeth should be 1 inch thick, 3 inches wide 
at the shoulders, tapering to 1 inch wide at 
the points, and keyed through slots in the 
tenons within the cylinders. This portion 
of the implement is intended to roll in the 
bottom of a trench in the surface soil, form- 
ed by another portion of the implement, 
presently to be described ; and from what 
has already been said, its action will be rea- 
dily understood to be precisely that of three 
pronged forks. The arrangement of the 
cylinders just now described, is one in the 
centre and in front, and two behind, one on 
each side, mounted on a suitable frame, 
with apparatus for raising and lowering a 
pair of travelling wheels, by which to raise 
the cylinders from the soil when being turn- 
ed, or travelling when out of action; and to 
give power to such action there should be a 
swivel wheel in front to act as a fulcrum in 







1800.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANT EJl. 



54' 



lifting the impleuicut. In frcm^ of the lead- 
ing cylinder, should bo a dourt&Mnonl board 
plough -head, to open a furrow 12 inches 

wide, and lav the surface soil to each side, 
and furnished with a lifting screw to regu- 
late the depth it may be required to be 
worked. Then iu IVutit of each of the other 
cylinders should be cylinders 12 inches long 
and (') inches in diameter, OB which should 
be spirals, slightly curved forward, to take 
up and deposit the surface soil into the fur- 
rows formed by the doublc-mouldboard 
plough-head. The helices on the last-men- 
tioned cylinders should he 9 inches deep, 
and those portions of the implement should 
St furnished with lifting screws to regulate 
their working to any less depth that may be 
required. These last-mentioned cylinders 
must have their revolving motion in the con- 
trary direction to that of the larger or sub- 
soil cylinders, which may be effected by 
means of cross bands, from pulleys on the 
nave of the leading subsoil cylinder to 
sheaves on the axles of the two small cylin- 
ders behind.* 

When the under soil may be of clay, free 
from stones, steam-power may be applied to 
draining; and with some modifications in 
the means to obtain a proper action, no im- 
plement appears better suited to the purpose 
than that described, and of which a side el- 
evation is given in " Morton's Cyclopedia of 
Agriculture," vol. i. p. 707, invented by Mr. 
Paul, of Thorpe Abbots, near Seole, Nor- 
folk. 

Before dismissing the topics treated of in 
the foregoing remarks, the writer ha.- dis- 
tinctly to disclaim any original invention on 
his part, as there is not anything he has >ug- 



* The principal Working portion of* the imple- 
ment described ui the text wag the invention <>l 
one Robert iJall, a shoemaker, at Prudlice, on 
the south bank of die Tync, in Northumber- 
land, in IS2.2; an.l although but little known, it 
is nevertheless trie oeit implement ever invent- 
e I for the purpose. The writer has seen it 
worked 12 inches deep in a tilly sub-soil, below 
a furrow made by a common plough in the sur- 
face soil 6 inches deep, by three bOFSOS, two 
going in the furrow in length; and one on the 
unploutdied ground abreast the hindermost 
horse in the furrow, with the naoftt perfect effect. 
In returning, the common plough opens another 
furrow - to be subsoiied, and covers with surface 
soil a furrow which ha (J previously been subsoil- 
ed. So great is the effect of the operation, that 
the volume of the broken or forked sub-soil is so 
increased as nearly to fill the furrow, G or 7 in- 
ches deep, in the surface soil. 



i in the present paper that is m w ui 
principle, and that has not been applied to 
the same purposes by the power of hetst 
labour. With the exception of the lasf 

mentioned implement, {he sdCnrcefefrom taM h 

the different implement.- for Hfcc various put- 
poses have been derived have been acknow- 
ledged in foot-notes to the t.-xt in which the 
description of each occurs ; and the merit, 
if any, in the present instance is confined to 
designs for adapting previously well-kno>.\n 
principles as the means of the application of 
steam-power to the cultivation of the soil. 

If steam-power were efficiently applied to 
the tillage operations of agriculture, and the 
power and means obtained at a moderate 
cost in their purchase, great indeed would 
be the advantages, not only to those imme- 
diately concerned, but to the public at large. 
For not only would a cheapening of produc- 
tion of the fruits of the soil be a valuable 
result in a national point of view; but even 
a still more important object would be ob- 
tained from despatch, by which it would be 
in the power of the husbandman to choose 
his time for his tillage operations, which un- 
der the present system of field culture can 
seldom be done, as the stock of working cat- 
tle is never greater than can be fully and 
constantly employed all the year round j and 
it frequently occurs that operations com- 
menced under favourable circumstances, as 
to the state of the soil, have to be continued 
and finished under adverse conditions, from 
not having an opportunity of waiting for a 
proper condition of the soil, without clash- 
ing with others of equal, or perhaps greater, 
importance. 

It may be urged that the application of 
steam-power to the cultivation of the soil 
will ever be limited by particular circum- 
stances, such as tillage farms of great ex- 
tent, and flat ground. But if steam culture 
were succc'ssfullv introduced, might not it 
become a profitable busipess to let the power 
and means for hire to the tenants of farms 
oi' moderate, and even small extent, as is 
now very commonly the practice in many 
distriets with portable steam thrashing ma- 
chines t And might not flat grounds be 
rendered so much the more productive, by 
improved cultivation, that the steeper 
grounds, whereon the difficulty of applying 
steam cultivation may be insurmountable, he 
applied to pastures ? And if even a small 
portion of the horses now employed in agri- 
culture could be dispensed with, by their 



548 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



[September 



labour being superseded by steam-power, 
might not a considerable amount of produce, 
now consumed by working stock, be availa- 
ble to the sustenance of man ? These arc 
questions of great importance, and deserving 
the. consideration of all classes of the com- 
munity — to the landowner, in maintaining 
the revenue from his estates: to the tenant 
farmer, in increasing his profit j to the la- 
bourer in husbandry, in increasing the com- 
forts of life ) and to all other classes of so- 
ciety, in the cheapening the production of 
the fruits of the soil. All classes of society 
are more or less' directly interested in the 
promotion of the application of steam-power 
to the tillage and other operations of agri- 
culture* 

In conclusion, the writer has to remark 
that he has not been actuated in giving pub- 
licity to the foregoing suggestions from any 
expectation of any particular benefit to him- 
self; but a conviction of the feasibility of 
his suggestions, at a cast of power and 
means, much less than any hitherto brought 
before the public, and the great national in- 
terest of so important a matter, have prompt- 
ed him to publish, through the medium of 
the columns of a serial of such widely-ex- 
tended circulation as the Farmer's Magazine, 
in the hope that by doing it may induce 
others more competent to the task than him- 
self to stimulate the attention of the inge- 
nious and enterprising to bring to perfection 
an object which, notwithstanding its great 
national importance, has hitherto made such 
slow progress. It is matter to excite wonder, 
in this age of invention and improvement in 
every other department of the industry of 
the nation, that to that of the very first im- 
portance, steam-power should still remain so 
imperfect in application, especially when the 
advantages to be derived thereform are so 
obvious, and so important to ajl classes of 
society. Should any reader, into whose 
hands this paper may come, desire any fur- 
ther information or explanation on the sub- 
jects treated of, the writer will be most hap- 
py, on application to the under-written ad- 
dress, to afford any that he may possess or 
can obtain. 



51, Newgate Street, Ncv.-eaxtlc-iqwn-Tyne, 
August 1, 1859. 



The Keeping of Cattle: How to Save 
Most in the Operation. 

Mr. Alderman Mechi, of Tiptree Hall, Eng- 
land, who has for some time filled so large a 
place in the public eye, at least in that of the 
agriculturists, has adopted and earnestly re-, 
commends for the keeping of farm stock, when 
confined or shut up, a peculiar form of floor, 
which has been variously named the "board- 
ed," "spaced," or "sparred" floor, along with 
certa'in appurtenances to he named. The plan 
he credits to a certain Mr. Huxtable; but a 
writer in the Stock Journal declares that it 
was known to be in use in the west of England 
some thirty-five years ago, before the time of 
Mr. H., and that he has seen it in use for hogs 
in our Western States^ 

Mr. Mechi has first of all prepared below 
each of his floors, a vault that will contain the 
droppings of the animals on it, together with 
needful absorbents, as muck or charcoal, until 
the proper time for removing the manure. He 
makes his floors for cattle, of 3x4 inch bars, 
with If inch intervals; for calves, 2x3, with 
If inch spaces ; for grown sheep and hogs, 
l]x3, with I4- inch spaces; and less for lambs 
and* pigs. The wood he employs is hard and 
well-seasoned, and the strips run lengthwise of 
the stall. It has been suggested that the ma- 
nure being removed twice in each winter, a 
total depth below the floor of about four feet 
would be needed for the vault, the floor for 
convenience to be a foot or more above ground; 
and that, in case of the droppings freezing 
between the strips, a hoe with a witta blade for 
cleaning on the strips, and a narrow one for 
working between them, would be desirable. 

It is claimed that spaced floors are sufficient- 
ly clean without litter, and, indeed, that with 
any kind of litter they are more damp and un- 
comfortable. For warmth, reliance is phiced 
in excluding currents of air from below, mak- 
ing the vault tight on all sides. As 'it is the 
animal that furnishes the heat to be desired, 
and heated air rises, a colder body of air in 
the vault will rest there, and not rise about the 
animal. To "economize heat still more, Mr. 
Mechi stalls his oxen or cows in pairs. The 
ardent advocates of the new plan estimate 
that, by means of the saving secured in feed 
and in litter, hoentyfive per cent, more stock 
can be wintered well on the same stores now 
consumed ; some say even fifty per cent, more. 
The advantages as summed up in the Stock 
Journal are these: 1st, One-fourth more stock 
wintered; 2d, With this increase of animals, 
and the same feed, forty to -fifty per cent, of 
e.fft'dice manure; 3d, A great saving of labor 
in cleaning the stalls; 4th, From the increase 
of manure, twenty-five per cent, more of farm 
produce; 5th, and finally, All these gains 
equivalent to a corresponding increase of land 
or of working capital. 
Having thus presented the plan of spaced 



«m 



_ 



--~ 







I860.] 



THE SOUTH KKN PLANTER. 



549 



floors, and the arguments in their favor, we 
fl el compelled to suggest, or to repeat, as the 
iimy be, some very strung points against 
their adoption. In Mr. Merhi's plan, the con- 
tents of tin 1 vaults find their way into a tank, 
in which they are liquified, and from this the 
liquid manure is distributed through pi pea t<> 
the fields. This furnishes a means of realizing 
the total value of the manure accumulated, 
which American farmers must long fail to 

But besides this, any plan that interferes 
seriously with the comfort of the animals 
must, we believe, prevent their thriving in the 
highest decree; any cause that affects their 
healthfulness unfavorably, must certainly do 
so. If, then, this mode of keeping is unhealth- 
ful or very uncomfortable, the condition of 
the stock must be lowered, and while their 
progeny would suffer accordingly, the crea- 
tures themselves must be less fit for service. 
If they are thus kept for milk, or for slaugh- 
tering, the actual wholesomeness of the milk 
and flesh must be lost in greater or less 
degree, no matter how plump and fair the 
animals may appear. But that the new floor 
makes the animals both uncomfortable and 
unhealthy is a conclusion easily established. 

In one word, the plan is the very antipodes 
of the natural condition of the animals. The 
leaves, earth or grass on which they always 
choose to lie, are soft, and better retain their 
warmth ; these slats are rigid, unyielding, and 
conduct away more of their heat. On these, 
too, they are in the midst of a larger space 
that their bodies must lose heat to; for if the 
cold air under them will not rise, still their 
bodies radiate heat into it, which they are not 
likely to recover. If we depend on fermenta- 
tion and warmth of the manure under them 
for heat, this cause must also keep up about 
them an atmosphere loaded with vapors, and 
gases arising from the decaying mass. This 
air, instead of their rightful allowance of pure 
out-door atmosphere, they must perforce in- 
hale, and that, to prevent the entrance of too 
much cold, over and over again! In fact, if 
we aim to prevent such charging of the stall 
with offensive vapors, how, except in mild 
weather, or in weather that would freeze the 
contents of the vault, is our preventon to he 
sufficient? AY'hat absorbents are likely to be 
used that will successfully prevent the animals 
from continually inhaling poisonous exhala- 
tions ; safe, of course, in weather that allows 
a free circulation of the out-door air through 
the stalls. 

But again, the slats would not remain clean. 
If they did, what use of the hoe? Liquid 
manure will run from them ; but the semi- 
solid will only coat over them. Who would 
for a moment think (if resting and refreshing 
his over-driven favorite trotter or coach horse 
in this way ? AVhat keeper of a livery-stable 
will on this plan attempt to recruit his jaded 



>pans for the morrow's labor? Not one, we 
arc confident. And this bring >tl>er 

objection — the most vital of all. This plan 
does not even contemplate a natural condition 
for the animals. It is not devfeed for miy 
such purpose or object. It does not seek to 
recruit or to restore and invigorate, the ani- 
mals perpetually, so mut:h as it seek- to 

restrain and hamper them, to -repress their 
natural desire movement, and so to convert 
them into mere machines by which a crafty 
greed of gain fancies it can bring about the 
laying-on of so much more flesh from a given 
weight of food, and the hcaping-up of a cer- 
tain sum of manure. The animals do not like 
to walk about on these floors set with crevices. 
They slip or catch their feet, get hurt, and 
reluctantly find it discreet to give up trying, 
to lie and chew their cud and snore. Their 
natural evacuations are somewhat checked for 
want of exercise. The lungs, the skin, fail to 
perform their functions ; the kidneys and in- 
testines may do a little more than duty. But 
the tissues are not duly changed by exercise, 
and so, the total excrement is imperfect, as 
well as too small ; the blood is not purified : 
more flesh, or rather fat, and juices accumu- 
late, but they cannot be healthy; and of 
course such animals become sources of impu- 
rity and disease to the blood of the person that 
feeds on them. This cardinal principle of 
keeping the animal quiet, seems, during tie 
present discussion, to be kept in the back- 
ground. But it must be considered, and it 
ought to have great weight against the new 
mode, unless it can be explained away or 
obviated. 

It is for the reason last stated, also, that we 
believe the practice of .soiling cattle — confining 
in stalls or yard in summer, and feeding with 
cut green crops — may easily be carried to a 
hurtful excess. AVe wonder not a little that 
the clear head of Miss Martineau could bring 
itself to see this kind of confinement to be for 
the subjects of it quite as well as a free range 
over a good pasturage! In behalf of the soil- 
ing system, it is claimed that it will effect a 
great saving in the need of fences; 60 utilizing 
mueh land on which fences now are ; that it 
gives an improvement in the growth of stock, 
more gentle cows and more uniform supply of 
milk, and the saving and increase of good ma- 
nure. The practice of soiling, however, must 
have its limits, or entail losses in the long run. 
Animals that have three or four hours run 
daily, will bear it better; and this may, per- 
haps, suffice for perfect health ; but witli lest 
than this, their case is doubtful. Again, there 
are seasons at which soiling is for the animal 
a decided gain. This is so in the spring, 
"between hay and grass," arid in midsummer, 
if the fields get dry, or whenever the pasture 
is too short. For these seasons, the farmer 
will gain greatly by having a patch of early 
corn, or other green crop that can be put in at 



550 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



the earliest moment, and will yield soonest. 
This can be sowed, or better, drilled; and its 
due use will save the condition and strength of 
animals; increase the supply of milk, diminish 
the cost of subsequent keeping, and soon. Later 
in the season, sorghum, or corn put in later, 
the hungarian grass, clover, turnips, &e., will 
come admirably in place. But in all our plans 
for economy and profit through the raising and 
management of animals, let us remember that 
they arc not like plants, fixtures to any spot; 
that nature has fitted their functions to a stace 
of locomotion and activity, and endowed them 
with feelings also of comfort or pain, through 
which their well-being must be affected; and 
that just so far, therefore, as we aim entirely 
to shut them up and reduce them to thevege- 
tative condition, we must impair their stamina 
and damage, for our own purposes, the product 
of food, for which a large share of them are 
intended. — United States Stock Journal. 



Meeting of the Agricultural Society of 
Virginia, June 18th, 1818. 

The President, John Taylor, Esq., [Au- 
thor of AratorJ delivered an address, 
of ichich the following is the concluding 
puff; 

ADDRESS. 

* * *■ * * . * As every country must ac- 
quire Agricultural knowledge by its own 
exertions, or remain ignorant, it ought to 
consider whether ingenious discoveries or 
skilful experiments will not be generally lost 
by changes of property, or buried in the 
tombs to which their authors are devoted, 
unless they are recorded and circulated by 
the same means which have saved science 
from oblivion, and spread civilization wher- 
Gver it exists. Is there a man who would 
wish to carry out of the world, a useful dis- 
covery he has made in it, or who would not 
feel pleasure from the reflection that he 
may be doing good to mankind after he is 
dead? He who shrinks from publishing 
whatever may have this effect, commits an 
act he abhors and loses the satisfaction aris- 
ing from disinterested benevolence. 

No censure of the genius of our country 
is intended by the observation, that it does 
not appear with much splendor in the 
science of Agriculture; since the mind oi 
man is not constructed for the comprehen- 
sion of abstruse subjects, without study, nor 
for the attainment of skill without practice. 
An incitement to exercise its powers, must 
precede a display of its talents. The human 
mind Is enfeebled by idleness and rendered 



vigorous by exertion. By compositions con- 
cerning Agriculture, the writer will improve 
his own knowledge, awaken the understand- 
ing of others, and cultivate the only mode 
by which perfection is attainable. Without 
them, whatever may be the genius of Vir- 
ginians for the acquisition of accomplish- 
ments by which they are adorned, it will be- 
come dormant as those by which they must 
live. 

The study of Agriculture, and a habit of 
j writing upon the subject, will bestow upon 
I the wealthy farmers no small portion of 
pleasure, by furnishing them with the means 
of escaping from the irksomeness of too 
much leisure, and from the regret of having 
wasted time in unprofitable employments. 
Those placed above the necessity of bodily 
labour, must recompense themselves by 
mental, or sink into a state of apathy, un- 
friendly to health, happiness and virtue. 
What subject can be better fitted for substi- 
tuting activity for langour than one which 
can gratify self-interest, provide for the 
exercise of benevolence, and awaken the love 
of our country ? 

The strongest reason which invites us to 
become attentive to the encouragement of 
Agricultural publications, remains to be 
noticed. Agriculture, commerce and manu- 
factures are the three great objects of indi- 
vidual' interest, and national solicitude. To 
preserve them, each ought to understand its 
own rights; to lose them, ignorance will 
suffice for either. Though Agriculture may 
need no charter, require no bounties, claim 
no monopolies, and ask for no legal aug- 
mentations of the prices of her commodities, 
she may yet feel an unpropitious legal provi- 
dence, and languish under injustice. Though 
she may flourish in the enjoyment of equal 
rights with her compeers, she may be stunted, 
or even stifled by an unequal pressure. Com- 
merce never confines her knowledge to the 
structure of her ships and the properties of 
the magnet; nor manufacturing to the 
powers of steam and the fabrication of 
tools. Both are politicians. Both write, 
publish and petition, to gain improvement, 
justice, or favor. Both sift the laws by 
which they are affected. Why should Agri- 
culture confine her attention to vehicles and 
lose sight of cargoes? why should she be 
careful of her lands and her tools, and care- 
less of her crops? Both her sisters shun 
this strait road towards impoverishment, and 
renounce the recreation to be expected from 



I860.] 



THE SOU THE UN PLANTER. 



551 



the soups of charity. Every human interest 
inhabits a human heart, and every human 
heart pants for wraith or competency. 
Ought Agriculture to be indifferent to bless 
inge considered by her sisters as essential 
for human happiness, or remain ignorant of 
the extent to which their wishes may be 
gratified, without injury to her rights; may 
she not at least be permitted to consider, 
whether bounties to expel competition un- 
like premiums for exciting it, arc likely to 
beget industry, perfection and economy; or 
idleness, want of dexterity and profusion ? 
whether the English policy of forcing their 
manufactures into a competition with those 
of all the world, or the policy of protecting 
ours against a competition in industry even 
with Agriculture, is most likely to compass 
the end which both countries have in view ? 
Every social interest to flourish, must know 
whether it buys benefits or scourges. If 
Agriculture has determined whether an 
equal or an unequal distribution of rights 
among men, or between interests composed 
of men, is most suitable to her nature, or 
most likely to advance her prosperity, she 
has solid ground to stand on for making this 
enquiry. If her political ignorance is like 
a narcotick administered to a confiding 
virgin, no physician who wishes to see her 
vigilant in the preservation of her treasure, 
can disapprove of her acquiring an intimate 
knowledge of her own interest, and an acute 
discernment of such measures as may ad- 
vance or obstruct k. How can she gain a 
capacity for this discrimination, so essential 
to her prosperity, but by an industrious ex- 
ercise of her best talents through the medi- 
um of the press ? 

In a struggle for empire, even among the 
true, sound and virtuous social interests, 
ought Agriculture to relinquish her pre- 
tensions to equality, if not to pre-eminence, 
and tamely yield up a prize, to gain which 
she so largely contributed? Perhaps a free 
and candid discussion of her claim to justice, 
may disclose some less worthy competitor, 
whose prowess may evince the necessity for 
a coalition between those interests, founded 
in principles of mutual right and pure 
friendship. Are not the consequences of 
such an union to private happiness and pub- 
lic prosperity, worthy of a dilligent en- 
quiry ? Laws may affect Agriculture as 
well as commerce or manufactures; and 
hence, as powerfully require the attention 
of a Society confined to that special object, 



as lawB affecting commerce or manufactures 
require the attention of • for their 

improve meat. Would not a resolution by 
a Society for promoting commerce, manu- 
factures or internal improvements, to disre- 
gard legal favor, justice or injury, and to 
repose in legal ignorance, be a renunciation 
of. the source of success, and prophetic of 
its fate? The patriotic advocates lor inter- 
nal improvements, far from confining them- 
selves to mathematical discussions, contend, 
that legislation constitutes the source of 
their prosperity or decay, and laboriously 
investigate its influence upon inferior ob- 
jects. Are these enquiries irrelative, or 
ought the cardinal internal improvement to 
be prohibited by its advocates, from acquir- 
ing a species of knowledge, even necessary 
for the prosperity of her handmaids? Is 
not a fair competition in industry under the 
shield of equal laws between the interests 
which cover all, as necessary to excite emu- 
lation and to produce improvement, as such 
a competition among associated individuals? 
Supposing that the maxim "ne sutor ultra 
crepidam" is as applicable to a science as 
to a cobbler, and that the votaries of Agri- 
culture ought to stick to the plough, and 
continue to " whistle as they drive it for 
waut of thought," whilst her friends and 
her foes are encouraged to become deeply 
learned in the subtleties of legislation ; yet, 
as one denies to them the knowledge and 
skill necessary to make good crops, because 
all eat, it is superfluous to consider whether 
verbal communications and local examples 
or essays and books constitute the best 
means for effecting the end, since all may 
be united, and each may operate in its own 
sphere. Agriculture has certainly flourished 
most in those countries where the press has 
been most extensively employed as an aux- 
iliary to example. Its great efficacy may 
possibly be owing to a quality of the mind, 
neither unfrequcnt nor inoperative. It is a 
quality often offended by the wisest lecturers 
and the brightest examples; but soothed 
by the appropriations it can make from 
reading, and delighted by a display of ac- 
quirements drawn from the common reser- 
voir of knowledge. To copy example, it 
looks upon as a species of plagiarism ; and 
therefore, the most beautiful agricultural 
experiment unrecorded, would be frequently 
M ephemera] as the tints of the butterfly. 
To yield to verbal lecture, it abhors, as a 
confession of ignorance; and the excellence 



552 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



of advice is apt to strengthen its opposition. 
But the activity of this quality, unre- 
strained by the fear of degradation, and ex- 
cited by the hope of applause, may be en- 
listed through the press, and become highly 
useful in the improvement of Agriculture. 
Whatever it can thence acquire, it will 
practice as its own, and propagate with zeal; 
and its great share both of talent and in- 
dustry, renders it a coadjutor worthy to be 
conciliated. 

Great social ends are effected by seizing 
a crisis in public opinion. During the pre- 
dominance of a temper for emigration, in- 
flamed by the cheapness and proximity of 
new land, neither precept nor example could 
demonstrate the propriety of improving the 
old, or subvert the ruinous habit of killing, 
because we could flee from the corpse. But 
now when this habit is checked by the 
general appropriation of good new land, by 
its high price, and by its increasing remote- 
ness from commerce, the public begins to 
look for prosperity in the true place, and to 
disclose some ardor to discover a remedy 
for an evil, which emigration will soon cease 
to furnish. As we cannot much longer fly 
from worn-out lands, and recompense our- 
selves for unequal laws, by retiring to more 
fertile regions ; we shall soon turn our eyes 
towards the means by which we may be en- 
abled to live at home. Let not this new 
temper stop at hope or evaporate in theory. 
Let it not be neglected by a Society for pro- 
moting Agriculture. Enlivened by writing, 
printing, example and experiment, excited 
by rewards, and encouraged by political 
justice, it is able to recover the fertility 
which has been lost and to prevent the ruin 
of the State which is impending. Neglected, 
it will gradually sink into despair, and the 
favourable moment for effecting an object, 
filled with gratifications for all classes of 
society, may possibly be lost forever. 



From the American Farmer. 

Guano versus Coprolites. 

Laboratory of St. John's College, } 
Annapolis, 14th May, 1800. } 

Coprolites are fossil, or petrified excre- 
ments of turtles and other animals. 

Guano is the excrement of birds, &c. 

Coprolites differ in solubility from guano, 
although composed of the same elements in 
the same proportions — being more dense, or 
specifically heavier, and having their parti- 



cles so closely united to each other as to ex- 
clude solvents except from their outer sur- 
face. The finest powder that can be pro- 
duced by mechanical trituration or grinding 
will not bring coprolites to that atomic state 
of division which characterizes the phos- 
phates in guano and bones that have not 
been petrified or converted into stone. 

There are four phosphatic compounds in- 
spected and sold as guano in the Baltimore 
market. 1st. The guano now obtained from 
the Pacific coast, resembling the Mexican. 
2d. Guano that has been concentrated by 
exposure to the weather, still however re- 
taining its porosity and solubility — such, for 
instance, as the Nevassa guano: 3d. Guano 
that has undergone certain changes which 
have, in a remarkable degree, improved its 
solubility and value by the interposition of 
sulphate of lime (gypsum) between its par- 
ticles ; the American guano represents this 
class. 4th. Coprolites, or fossil phosphates, 
that are* now sold under the name of guano, 
and used extensively for making manipu- 
lated guano, as a substitute for the genuine 
article above described. In England, cop- 
rolites are ground and mingled with oil of 
vitriol, in order to increase their solubility ; 
but even under these circumstances they 
are not as valuable as guano or bones simi- 
larly treated, for the reason above stated, 
viz : because each particle is compact and 
solid, while guano is full of pores, however 
small the particles. It must be manifest, 
then, that manipulated guano made with 
coprolites is not as valuable to the farmer as 
that made with guano. 

I wish to call the attention of the agri- 
cultural community to this fact, and caution 
them against purchasing coprolites, that are 
now ground and sold as guano or " manipu- 
lated guano." Any novice or tyro in chem- 
istry can make an estimate of the compara- 
tive solubility of the articles referred to. 
For instance, take § oz. of the coarse Ne- 
vassa guano before it is ground, and com- 
pare it with the same weight of the fine 
powder that is sold as guano, and vaunted 
as the best in the market; throw each sam- 
ple on a small filter suspended in a wine- 
glass, that has been about half filled with 
nitric acid, diluted with about nine parts of 
water. After about two or three hours it 
will be found that the Nevassa guano is 
more soluble in the proportion of 5 to 21, 
viz : the Nevassa guano yields 21 parts of 
phosphate of lime to cold dilute acid, while 



._„ 



I860.] 



T1IK SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



553 



the eoprolitce yield only 5 parts. A boiling 
temperature, or prolonged digestion or < v. n 
infusion, gives a different result, and this is 
the reason why mere than a dozen of the 
chemists in the United States have en- 
dorsed the ceriifeates obtained from Europe 
calling coprolites guano, and recommending 
these petrifactions as comparable with guano 
/// proportion to the phosphate of lime they 
contain. I made the Bams mistake once in 
comparing the phosphorite mineral of New 
York with bones; or rather, I endorsed the 
opinions of some of these very gentlemen. 

Why is it that the Maryland State Agri- 
cultural Society does not employ its own offi- 
cer to estimate the relative value of the ma- 
nures sold or offered for sale in Maryland ? 
I mean the money value to the farmer, not 
the commercial value, which depends on the 
supply and demand, but the estimate of the 
actual value, and also the relative value of 
each. The above may be considered an il- 
lustration of my mode of estimating .the re- 
lative value of they>"/r phosphatic manures. 
It will be noticed that it is not the province 
of the State Inspector to recognize any such 
distinction j and it will be remembered that 
1 was actually employed in this manner be- 
fore my appointment as Chemist of the Ma- 
ryland State Agricultural Society, and dur- 
ing the infaney of the Society. In Eng- 
land, Scotland and even in Massachusetts, 
where this interest will not compare with a" 
tithe of that in Maryland, the chemist of 
the agricultural society is expected to report 
as above to the /'inn. r or agricultural so- 
ciety If I am allowed a page in one of the 
.agricultural journals of Maryland, next 
month, 1 will sketch the outline of what I 
suppose the farmers should have, instead of 
the garbled extracts from chemists that are 
published. 

When Columbian guano was unsaleable, 
and the agency was declined by one of the 
best merchants in Baltimore because it 
would not sell at $17 per ton, when other 
chemists were hesitating, I pronounced it 
by far the richest and most valuable source 
of phosphates thus far discovered. Now 
that it is exhausted, I make the same re- 
mark with regard to Nevsssa guano, having 
obtained my samples direct from State In- 
specter, and under his official seal. I do 
not accuse any one of fraud ; but there are 
several valuable manures now sold in Balti- 
more at $10 per ton, that are not, on an 
average, worth more than half the money, 



except according to the notion that a thing 
u is worth what it will bring. Farmers 
seem to forget what "poor Richard" said 

about " paying too dear for the whistle." 
A chemist may be perfectly satisfied that a, 
manure is exceedingly valuable, and more 
universally successful than any other. More- 
over, he may be sure that it will pay better 
at $20 per ton than any other on an aver- 
age j but if a certificate of this kind create 
an enormous demand lor the article, the 
merchant must do one of three things, viz: 
double the price, dilute the supply, or limit 
his ci stomers. Under these circumstances, 
our Baltimore merchants usually do a.> far- 
mers do when their crops are large or of 
superior quality, while others fail, so as to 
create a demand for good seed or even bread. 
This is not considered fraud in either case, 
and it may be questioned whether the chem- 
ist has any right to limit the price of ma- 
nures except in relation to the price of grain, 
and that would be impracticable. 

I have endeavored to give a popular ex- 
planation of the difference between coprolites 
and guano; there arc several other matters 
of practical importance to the farmer, that 
any one can understand who comprehends 
the above. I have not attacked, nor will I 
attack any one, but merely express my own 
opinions; I do not seek controversy, nor will 
L engage in it, as the statements I have 
made do not rest on authority, but the proof 
of their accuracy is in the hands of every 
one who is willing to think for himself. 

• Be not like dumb, driven cattle, 
Be a hero in the suite !" 

DATID STEWART, M. P., 
Cktm. of Md. State Agri. S 



Valuation and Inspection of Guano and 
other Fertilizers. 

NUMBER TWO. 

Written L>/ Pit. Stewart, Ckemisi Mary- 
land State Agricultural Society, for the 
America* Farmer. 

There are seven modes of estimating the 

value of manures. The Inspector gives the 
porportion of phosphoric acid in guano, and 
this fixes its relation to an arbitrary stand- 
ard, called A or I> — according to the lav: — 
but M do regard is had to the solubility of 
the phosphoric acid in articles Bold under 
the name of guano, this must be an arbitra- 
ry or unreasonable valuation — and the in- 









554 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



spection only enables the farmer to guard 
against the reception of one variety of dam- 
ay cd and adulterated guano. As coprolites 
and bones are not guano, they can.be adul- 
terated ad libitum —but if the bones of tur- 
tles, or a petrifaction " as hard as marble,"* 
is ground and called guano, it must be in- 
spected according to law and stamped or 
stencilled by State authority, and delivered 
to the fanner as guano. The name, guano, 
sells it, and it cannot be sold under the 
name of guano unless it is inspected, conse- 
quently all this extra expense is put upon 
the poor farmer, upon the same principle 
that "American brandy is put up in French 
barrels, exported and then imported again, 
in order to obtain the Custom House vouch- 
er for its French origin. " This is "paying- 
dear for the whistle ;" but in this case the 
expense falls on the consumer, whereas, in 
the case of guano, it rests on the farmer 
exclusively. 

If, as 1 suppose, the dealer is an honest 
man, who adopts the name guano because 
sustained by the best authority, as in the 
case referred to, (coprolites,) then it is just 
the case I want " to show* up" as it exhibits 
facts without attributing bad motives — espe- 
cially if I proved that the article is neither 
guano nor as good as guano ! ! 

Phosphoric acid, as it naturally exists in 
guano, may be soluble in pure water — or it 
may be comparatively insoluble, except the 
water be acidulated, as, for instance, that of 
bones and some varieties of phosphatic gua- 
no — or it may be difficult of solution even 
in acid'ulated water, except by the aid of 
heat or prolonged infusion, as, for instance, 

* Since writing the above paper, I have re- 
ceived two letters from Baltimore, with regard 
to the article in the last American Farmer, head- 
ed " Guano vs. Coprolites." The request is made 
that I should distinctly state the names of those 
articles now sold .in Baltimore under the name 
of guano that are not as soluble as guano and 
that I pronounce to be coprolites. 

I will give a test by which any one can, with- 
out chemical reagent or manipulation, see for 
himself. With the aid of a good pocket lens, or, 
.-till better, a microscope, the Sombrero guano 
will be found compact and dense as one of the 
secondary marbles, whereas Nevassa guano will 
appear porous and evidently composed of '■'■or- 
ganic, matter." I have proposed, however, under 
these circumstances to examine all the varieties 
of guano, or articles sold as guano, provided I 
can secure samples of the State Inspector that 
have never passed through the hands of inter- 
ested parties, but sent to me directly by mail, 
under the official seal of the State Inspector. 



that of coprolites or petrified excrements o' 
animals, that are now ground and sold under 
the name of guano — the Inspector being 
sustained by the best authority for branding 
them guano, and it being his duty so to do, 
according to the law as it now stands — (but 
this I explained in the last number of Ame- 
rican Farmer)— and I will only mention 
one more class in which phosphoric acid is 
very insoluble, even when boiled in acidu- 
lated water, viz : phosphate of iron and alu- 
mina or earth, and mineral phosphates that 
are sometimes ground and sold as manure, 
and their value estimated, by the best author- 
ity, by the proportion of phosphoric acid. 

Now, it will be observed that these four 
classes embrace all phosphatic manures — 
also the classification is rational and not ar- 
bitrary and itwreasonable, as arc the distinc- 
tions or classifications of the Inspector, and 
which he is bound by law to adhere to. 

My fourth class is less than one-fourth 
the value of the first, and the first is double 
the value of the second, to any farmer. 

It .matters, not where the article comes 
from, my classification by four numbers gives 
the farmer a distinct idea of the relative 
value of the article he buys ; whereas the 
present mode of inspection does not, as the 
bag must be branded according to the ipse 
dixit of some interested party, who sends it 
to the Inspector under the most saleable 
name — this being, of course, a double lie 
when the article is neither guano nor from 
the locality designated by the brand. 

It will be observed that I classify all phos- 
phatic manures together and value them in 
proportion to the solubility and the per cent, 
of phosphoric acid that they contain. Two 
items, just as two items are made the basis 
of valuation in Peruvian guano, viz : am- 
monia and phosphates — the one worth 17 
cents per pound, and the other 2 cents 
in Peruvian ; the one worth 4 cents per 
pound and the other 2 cents in phosphatic 
guano. 

For' instance — if any phosphatic com- 
pound is founi to contain over one per cent, 
of phosphoric acid soluble in pure cold rain 
water, it is classed as No. 1, and marked A, 
B,'C, just in proportion as the quantity of 
soluble acid varies, upon the same principle 
that Peruvian guano is marked A, B, C, in 
proportion as its quality varies. 

If any phosphatic compound is found to 
contain lets than one per cent, of phospho- 
ric acid soluble in water, then brand it No. 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTKII. 



555 



2, A, B, or C, in proportion to the per cent. 

of phosphates soluble in cold acidulated wa- 
ter 

If any phosphatie compound or guago 
contains less than one per cent, soluble in 
cold acidulated water, then brand it No. o, 

A, B.C. 

And so, upon the same principle. No. 4 
would be stamped A, B, or C, or X, NX, 
XXX, in proportion to the phosphates, solu- 
ble in boiling acidulated water, (that were 
insoluble in cold acid percolating through 
them in the proportion of 10 to 1.) 

There are other details of my plan for the 
inspection and valuation of manures, that I 
must reserve for the next number of the 
Farmer, and I will only add that by my 
plan all manures sold in packages — whether 
imported or manufactured — should be weigh- 
ed, numbered and sampled, so as to dimin- 
ish the expense to the farmer to one-half 
the preseut tax for inspection, — consume 
only one-half the time, and double the se- 
curity — making the inspection seven -fold 
more definite and reasonable, instead of the 
present arbitrary and treasonable mode. 

I have no reason to suppose that the pres- 
ent Inspector does not carry out strictly the 
provisions of the present law under which 
he acts. I know him to be a polite and 
obliging officer — several interesting speci-t 
mens of guano that I have obtained fori 
comparison, and for our cabinet, I have re- \ 
ceived from him out of his reserved samples, i 
and under his seal, per mail. But if the, 
next Legislature changes the law, I am will- 
ing tQ offer the result, of ten or fifteen years' 
experience and observations to aid them in 
improving the present law ; provided I am 
requested so to do by the proper authority — 
and in the meantime I will endeavor to ex- 
pose some of the errors in the inspection 
and valuation of manures. 

David Stewart, M. D., 

Prof, of Ayr. and Gen. ('Item., <IV., 

St. John's Col., Annapolis, Md. 

* • • • » - 

Reaping Machines on the Prairies. 
The Chicago Times and Herald says that an 
idea of the amount of ground in wheat may 
be gathered from the statement of a respon- 
sible gentleman of Jancsvillc, who says that, 
with the assistance of a spy-glass, he .-aw 
one hundred and forty-six reapers at work 
at one time. This is on the line of the Chi- 
cago and North-western railroad.' 



From the British Farmers' Magazine. 

Top-Dressing- 

ltV CITJIHEKT W. JOHNSON, ESQ., F. U.S. 

In this unusually late spring the <|u»'- 
tion of top-dressing lias become of more 
than ordinary importance. And this re- 
mark is not confined to the grasses, how- 
ever essential to our live stock may be an 
early and rapid growth of green food. The 
entire question of top-dressings both for 
grasses and corn lands will indeed well re- 
pay our anxious and extended examination. 
The mode of the action of several sub- 
stances usually employed as dressings; the 
latest period at which these or a portion of 
them may be applied ; their practical utility 
for the seeond crop are only amongst the 
chief sections of this most important re- 
search. In the present scarcity of food for 
stock another question imports itself into 
the inquiry, viz., the degree of rapidity 
with which the commonly applied spring 
dressings operate. The most prompt of 
these in their action are cubicpetre and Pe- 
ruvian guano. It was on a recent oppor- 
tune occasion that Mr. Caird remarked, 
when briefly speaking on the late scarcity 
of spring feed, and the use of stimulating 
dressings: n The most sure in its action on 
the grasses, either in dry or wet weather, 
and probably also the most rapid, is nitrate 
of soda. T shall use it," he adds, " pretty 
largely at the rate of 2 cwt. per acre. No 
outlay can pay better. The addition of 1 
cwt. of Peruvian guano or 2 cwt. of the 
best superphosphate of lime will materially 
increase the produce." 

Every reader of this magazine is aware 
that the effect of these fertilizers is mate- 
rially accelerated if they are sown in wet 
weather. And this fact leads us to another 
suggestion, well worthy of careful examina- 
tion, viz., the advantage of applying these 
dressings in as wet a state as possible, either 
by the water-drill, or by mixing them with 
wetted ashes, or other friable substances, 
and also having this done as near sunset as 
possible. Kven when water cannot be add- 
ed, it is very desirable that the ashes should 
be used. It was in the last number of the 
Jonrna] of the Royal Agricultural Society 
that Professor Yoelckcr observed, when 
speaking of the application of top-dressings, 
u I cannot refrain from observing that all 
artificial manures — such as nitrate of soda, 
siuano, or a mixture of nitrate of soda and 



;)00 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



salt — should not only be first passed through 
a fine sieve, but they should also be mixed 
with three to five times their own weight of 
line red ashes, dry soil, or sand, before sow- 
ing them broad-cast by hand, or, what is 
much more convenient and better, by the 
broad-cast manure distributor. Chambers' 
or Reeves' dry manure distributor cannot 
be too highly recommended for sowing, in 
a most uniform and expeditious manner, 
top-dressings of every description." 

I certainly seem to incline very strongly 
to the opinion, that the maximum benefit in 
applying cubicpetre to grass, is obtaina- 
ble by applying it in solution. Some ex- 
periments of the late P. Pusey on a small 
scale decidedly support this view of the 
case, {Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc , vol. xiv., p. 
376.) 

The recently reported field experiments 
of Professor Voelcker on top-dressing wheat, 
are valuable on several accounts. They not 
only were conducted with the careful accu- 
racy of the chemical philosopher, but they 
tend to elucidate more than one difficult 
question to which I have just alluded. In 
the opening sentence of his essay he ob- 
serves, {Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc, vol. xx., p. 
386.) : 

" There is no lack of experiments made 
with guano, nitrate of soda, soot, shoddy, 
gas-water, and other nitrogenized substan- 
ces, which are occasionally used as top- 
dressings upon wheat. Experience has 
shown that all these manures ma}' be used, 
with more or less advantage, for the wheat 
crop ; and that, generally speaking, they 
are the more effective the more nitrogen 
they contain. Thus Peruvian guano or ni- 
trate of soda, which are both very rich in 
nitrogen, are justly considered more power- 
ful wheat manures than soot or shoddy — 
two materials much poorer in this element. 
Whilst I consider the relative proportions 
of nitrogen in different fertilizers, intended 
to be used for wheat or other cereal crops, 
to be an important element in estimating 
the comparative commercial and agricultu- 
ral value of artificial manures, such as Pe- 
ruvian guano, nitrate of soda, or sulphate 
of ammonia, I am of opinion that the form 
or state of combination in which the nitro- 
gen is contained in the manure materially 
effects its efficacy. Any one who has tried 
side by side nitrate of soda, Peruvian 



guano, and shoddy, must have felt surprised 
at the different degree of rapidity with 
which the effects of these three fertilizers 
are rendered perceptible in the field. I 
have noticed more than once that, under 
favourable circumstances, the effects of ni- 
trate of soda became visible in the course 
of three or four days in the darker green 
colour and more luxuriant appearance of 
the young wheat, whilst it took eight or 
ten days in the case of guano to produce a 
similar effect. On wheat dressed with 
shoddy no apparent effect was produced 
even after the lapse of four or six weeks. 
So slow is the action of the latter that a 
superficial observer might well doubt the 
efficacy of shoddy as a wheat manure, for 
it often produces no visible improvement in 
the wheat crop, and it is only after thrash- 
ing out the corn that it can be ascertained 
that shoddy has had some effect upon the 
yield of corn. These examples appear to 
indicate that nitrogen in the shape of nitric 
acid has a different practical value from 
that which it possesses in the shape of am- 
monia, and that it has again another value 
in the form of nitrogenized organic matter. 
It must be confessed that our knowledge of 
the comparative efficacy of nitrogen, in its 
various states of combination, is extremely 
limited, inasmuch as we scarcely possess 
any sufficiently accurate and trustworthy 
comparative field experiments which are 
calculated to throw light on this subject. 
As yet the sure foundation on which an ex- 
plicit opinion as to the relative merits of 
nitrogen — in the shape of nitric acid, am- 
monia, or organic matter — can be given, is 
altogether wanting. It is true the experi- 
ence of practical men affords certain useful 
indications to the scientific observer, but 
nothing more. In the absence of clear, 
unmistakable, and sufficiently extensive prac- 
tical evidence, no definite answer can be 
given to the question so frequently address- 
ed to the agricultural chemist, Shall I ap- 
ply nitrate of soda or guano upon my 
wheat V 

As Professor Voelcker's top-dressings 
were applied to the wheat on the 22d of 
March, 1859, they do not serve to indicate 
at how late a period in the spring such 
dressings may be applied. The following 
table gives the manures applied by him 
and the produce per acre of both seed and 
straw, the first being given in bushels, the 
straw in tons and cwts. : 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLA'NTKK 



557 



Sr.Ml. 

Soil simple 27 

2& ctot. Peruvian gnauo, I 1 ' 1-lQth. 

Ijf cwt. nitrate of soda, . 

180 lbs. of nitrate of soda, ) ... r . n .\ 

} 40 0-10ths. 
I cwt. common salt, . . ^ 

I cut. Proctor's wheat 

manure, 39$ 

fi cwt. ditto ditto, M l-5th. . 

Chalk marl -1 tons, 27 



Straw. 



There are some recent reported trials by 
Mr. Dove, of Eccles Newton, Kelso, which 
rather encourage us to the hope that certain 
top-dressings may be applied with advan- 
tage much later in the season than is usu- 
ally the practice. In his trials, (Tram. 
High. Society, 1860, p. 229,) the dressings 
to the grass were generally applied on the 
13th of May. The following arc the re- 
ported results; those described in italics, 
however, had the dressings divided into 
three portions, a third being applied on the 
13th of May, the others on the 27th of 
May and the 23d of June, the cost of each 
manure being £1 17s. per acre, and the 
produce given in tons and cwts. : 

Tons. • Cwts. 

Soil simple, 1 4 

3 cwt. guano, 2 

3 cwt. guano, 1 15 

2 cwt. nitrate of soda, 1 17 

2 cwt. nitrate of soda, 1 19. 

The same experiment repeated on another 
portion of the field : 



Tons. 

1 



Soii simple 

3 cwt. guano, 2 

3 rwt. guano 2 

2 cwt. of nitrate of soda,. ... 1 

2 cwt. nitrate of sorta, 2 



Cwts. 
10 

1 


18 

1 



The practical observations of Mr. Pove 
are well worthy of our earnest attention. 
He tells us, when commenting upon the re- 
sult of his own experiments, (ibid, p. 220,) 
that he has generally found application to 
grass of 3 cwt. of guano per acre to be 
equal to 2 cwt. of nitrate of soda, but that, 
when a dry season occurs nitrate of soda 
has a decided advantage, lie says, "Even 
if guano is applied on a wet day, and appa- 
rently well washed in, if it should iinmedi -j 
ately after set in for some weeks of dry! 
weather, I have always observed that it lias, 
not nearly the same effect as it has when] 
the weather continues damp for sometime 
after; while nitrate of soda, if once washed 
in, never loses its effect. Taking this into 



consideration, along with the fact that it 
requires loss rain to wash it in, I consider 
nitrate of soda decidedly preferable to 
guano as a manure for grass. Guano should 
only be used when the weather is favoura- 
ble for getting it applied in April : when 
this can be done, it answers very well to 
apply a moderate quantity of it, and after- 
wards a little nitrate of soda sometime in 
May. 

In top-dressing potato oats on. the 15th 
of April and the 23d of May, the produce 
per acre in Mr. Dove's trial was as fol- 
lows : 

11 stones of nitrate of soda and } 

2 cwt. of common salt on the > 50 bushel*. 
15th of April, ) 

11 stones nf nitrate of soda and } 

2 cwt. of common salt on the > 62 bushels. 
23d of May, > 

In the very elaborate and valuable ex- 
periments at Kothamsted, by Messrs. Laws 
and Gilbert, on top-dressing old pasture 
land, other very important objects of in- 
quiry have been steadily and successfully 
pursued. The results of these important 
researches have been reported in volumes 
xix. and xx. of the Journal of the Royal 
Agricultural Society, and these will be ad- 
vantageously reperused by the farmer, for 
they contain much more valuable matter 
than may appear at the first reading. The 
main object of these laborious inquiries was 
to determine the effect of certain nitrogen- 
ous and mineral substances applied for suc- 
cessive seaso?is to the same plots of natural 
l>ast)ire • and to ascertain not only the 
amount of hay and aftermath produced by- 
each, but also the different kinds of gra>s 
whose giowth might be encouraged by the 
continued application of these different 
dnssings. These natural grasses they di- 
vide in their elaborate report into three 
classes, viz. : 

1. The Graminaceous Serbqge. — In this 
is included the common rye grass, the 
woolly soft grass, the tall oat-like grass, the 
sweet scented vernal grass, the bout u 

the quaking grass, the crested dog's-tail 
grass, the rough cock's-foot grass, the 
smooth-tailed meadow grass, the soil brome 
grass, the meadow oat grass, &c. 

2. The Leguminous Herbage. — In this 
class they specify as present in the Rothain- 
sted grass land the meadow vetchliDg/the 






558 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



bird's-foot trefoil, the perennial red clover, 
&c. 

3. The Miscellaneous Herbage, chiefly 
Weeds. — In this the reporters include, as 
found in their plots, the rib-grass or plan- 
tain, common carraway, the milfoil or yar- 
row, the sheep's-sorrel or dock, the silene 
or catchfly, various species of ranunculus or 
crow's-foot, the germander speedwell, and 
the bed-straw or cheese-rennet. 

The soil of the half-acre plots of natural 
pasture at Rothamsted, on which these 
trials were made, in a somewhat heavy, 
loam, with a heavy clay subsoil resting on 



chalk. These plots were yearly dressed in 
February or March with one and the same 
kind of manure. But each plot had a dif- 
ferent kind of manure : two plots, however, 
for the sake of comparison, were left un- 
manured. After three years' experience, 
during which their produce had been care- 
fully ascertained., these plots were, in 1858, 
botanically examined. The result of these 
lengthened trials and observations was as 
follows, {Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc, vol. xx., 
p. 250.) 

The effect of these manures on the pro- 
duce per acre of hay will be found in Jthe 
subjoined table, which I thus abridge : 



Plot, 
Nos. 

1 

o 

3 

4 
5 

6 

7 



MANURES. 

(Per Acre, per Annum.) 

Series 1. — Without Direct Mineral Manure. 

Unmanured 

Unmanured (duplicate plot,) 

-.2,000 lbs. Sawdust, 

200 lbs. each, Sulphate and Muriate Ammonia, 

•200 lbs. each. Sulphate and Muriate Ammonia, and 2,000 

lbs. Sawdust 

275 lbs. Nitrate of Soda, 

550 lbs. Nitrate of Soda. ." 



ANNUAL PRODUCE. 



1856. 


1857. 


s. cwts. 


tns. cwts. 


1 2 


1 5 


1 


1 3 


1 


1 


1 15 


1 13 


1 15 


1 13 


— 


— 



1858. 
tns.cwts. 

1 2 

1 10 

1 

1 15 

1 17 

1 • 

1 11 



Series 2. — With Direct Mineral Manure. 



9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

1-1 
15 



xed Mineral Manure," 

xed Mineral Manure," and 2,000 lbs. Sawdust,. . 

xed Mineral Manure,", and 200. lbs. each, Sulphate and 

Muriate Ammonia, 

xed Mineral Manure," and 200 lbs. each, Sulphate and 

Muriate Ammonia, and 2, >00 lbs. Sawdust, 

xed Mineral Manure," and 200 lbs. each, Sulphate and 
Muriate Ammonia, and 2,000 lbs. Cut Wheat Straw,. . 
xed Mineral Manure," and 400 lbs. each, Sulphate and 

Muriate Ammonia, 

xed Mineral Manure," and 275 lbs. Nitrate of Soda,.. . 
xed Mineral Manure," and 550 lbs. Nitrate of Soda,.. . 



1 10 


1 12 


1 13 


1 15 


2 16 


2 17 


2 16 


2 17 


2 8 


2 14 


3 2 


3 1 


— 


— , 



Series 3. — With Farm-yard Manure. 

1 4 tons Farm-yard Manure, 

14 tons Farm-yard Manure, and 100 lbs. each, Sulphate 
and Muriate of Ammonia 



2 7 
2 13 



1 16 
1 19 

3 4 



3 7 

1 17 

2 10 



1 17 

2 7 



The estimated average annual amount of 
hay per acre from the aftergrass from the 
17 plots was as follows : 

Plot 1 produced of hay in lbs. 539 



do 


2 


do 


do 


do 


617 


do 


3 


do 


do 


do 


503 


do 


4 


do 


do • 


do 


594 


do 


5 


do 


do 


do 


594 


do 


6 


do 


do 


do 


823 


do 


7 


do 


do 


do 


823 


do 


8 


do 


do 


do 


689 


do 


9 


do 


do 


do 


689 


do 


10 


do 


do 


do 


800 



Plot 11 produced of hay 



do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 



do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 



do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 



lbs. 800 
do 937 
do 1,067 
do 823 
do 823 
do 638 
do 638 



After then three years employed in these 
experimental grounds, the first four general 
conclusions to which the authors of these 
reports arrive, with regard to the influence 
of the fertilizers upon the growth of the 
natural grasses, are : 



^- 



- -- ■ -"- 



180C] 



THE SOUTHERN PLAXTEK. 



560 



"1. That, whether the produce of hay 
be considerably increased by means of 
farm-yard manure alone, farm-yard manure 
and amnioniac.al salts, or artificial mixtures 
of suitable mineral manure and ammoniacal 
salts, the proportion of the whole which 
will be graminaceous will be very much in- 
creased. 

" 2. That the produce will be by far the 
most graminaceous when the ' artificial mix- 
tures' are employed. In fact, when the in- 
crease of hay is obtained by artificial ma- 
nures containing hoth the necessary mineral 
constituents and ammoniacal salts — and it 
is then greater than under any of the other 
conditions — both the leguminous and the 
weedy herbage are nearly excluded, and the 
produce is then, therefore, almost wholly 
graminaceous. 

"3. That the graminaceous produce it- 
self } when grown by farm-yard manure, is 
less complex in character than that grown 
without manure ; whilst that grown by the 
most active artificial manures, is less com- 
plex still. 

" 4. That, up to an equal period of the 
season, the graminaceous produce, grown 
by the active artificial manures, will be in 
larger proportion in flowering and seeding 
stem, than that grown without manure; and 
that the produce grown by farm-yard ma- 
nure will be in still larger proportion in 
that condition." 

Such are only a few of the important 
practical questions relating to artificial dress- 
ings which will well repay the most patient 
and repeated examination. It is needless 
to remind the skilled agriculturists who 
read this widely circulating magazine, of 
the increasing value of every improvement 
in the growth of food for stock. As there 
is yet time in many places during the sea- 
son to try the effect of late top-dressings, I 
would earnestly commend such trials. There 
is no need, I again repeat, to risk either 
much time or money in this search after 
knowledge and power — a very small plot of 
grass will tell the effect, make the same re- 
sponse to such an inquiry as the adjoining 
broad acres. Nature is indeed ever ready 
to respond to questions of all sizes. These 
dressings of small experimental plots it 
would be well to carry on till after the time 
of the removal of the first crop of grass. 
AYe all know how possible it is for the land 



to produce in the >.imi. leasop three or four 
crops of grass of even increasing weight; 
this is regularly and extensively accomplish- 
ed in certain favoured Idealities by the 
owners of sewage-irrigated nicads, both in 
Scotland, the southern water meads ot Eng- 
land, and on the continent ; and it is yet 
to be determined to what extent the pas- 
tures of our island may be increased in 
their produce by the use of more copious 
and oftcner-repeated dressings than those 
we have hitherto applied. 



Horace Greeleys's Endorsement of the 
Agricultural Press— How Government 
Clogs its Wheels instead of Aiding it. 

There are at present some fifty or sixty pe- 
riodicals published in our country djvoted to 
Farming — as many, I presume, as in all the 
world beside. They have been built up at 
great expense of talent, labour, and money ; 
for when Col. Skinner started the first of them 
at Baltimore, some forty or fifty years ago, 
the idea of teaching farmers anything in that 
way was hooted by them as ridiculous, and 
he found it hardly possible to give his early 
numbers away. Hundreds of thousands of 
dollars have been spent on these publications ; 
and they are this day, in my judgment, doing; 
more to promote the true growth of the 
country, and the substantial, and enduring- 
welfare of our people, than Congress, the 
Army and the Navy, fur the support of which 
they are taxed some forty millions per annum. 
Their publishers are asking nothing of the 
Government, wishing nothing but the common 
rights of American citizens. Yet Congress 
pays annually for gathering and compiling 
the material for a publication necessarily ri- 
val to theirs, of which the House has just 
ordered 300,000 copies, and the Senate, I be- 
lieve, 50,000 — all to be printed, bound, envel- 
oped, and conveyed to the recipients in every 
part of the country at public cost — that is, 
at their cost and mine — and thus distributed 
in most unfair competition with the Agricultu- 
ral journals, and to enable penurious and easy- 
going farmers to say, "Oh, I don't want to 
take one of these— I get a Patent-Office Re- 
port from our member of Congress every year, 
and that will do for my boys to chew upon till 
another comes around!" Thus Congress is 
doing its worst to undermine and destroy the 
Agricultural Press, by a policy which you 
heartily support — which, I grieve to say, has 
been practically supported by a majority of 
the Republicans in both Houses throughout 
the late Session, while opposed by a majority 
of the Democrats. I am very glad of any 
chance to do honour to my political oppo- 
nents ; and I must say that, on this qncstion 
of abolishing the Franking Privilege, they 






_ 



560 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



•appear to great advantage in contrast with 
most of the Republicans. 

Greeley to Senator Wilson. 

Remarks. — "We publish the foregoing en- 
dorsement of the agricultural press, by Horace 
Greeley, not because within the line of* our 
calling, but because we believe it. It has 
been a well settled conviction of our minds 
for a long time, that the agricultural press of 
the country, with its weekly and monthly is- 
sues, teaming with all that is suggestive, in- 
structive, or useful, opening as it does a 
ready channel of inquiry between all the 
reading farmers of the State or nation, be- 
comes a more direct and efficient agent of 
thought, action, and progress than any other 
one or a dozen instrumentalities that can be 
mentioned. 

Still, we are aware that it is an opinion 
not generally entertained. We have often 
heard Governors in their messages, and law- 
yers in their agricultural addresses, talk 
learnedly of other great agencies, in the way 
of agricultural schools, &c, &c.,- that were 
advancing the agricultural world, and at the 
same time wholly ignore the great agricultu- 
ral press of the country, as entirely as if it 
did not exist at all. All very natural, to be 
sure, as such men seldom read anything but 
political papers, still they are employed as 
expounders in agriculture, not because they 
know anything about it, but merely because 
they can talk, (so can a parrot, if some one 
will put the ^prds into its mouth.) 

The agricultural journals, as a whole, are 
but poorly sustained. We do not believe that 
one-third of them pay their publishers one 
penny for their labours. True, a few, at a 
favourable location, with good luck, or great 
talents, pictorial illustrations, or clap-trap, 
get up a large circulation, and, possibly, make 
something out of it ; but the great mass, 
whistle as they may to keep up their courage, 
are making but a small fortune for old age. 
The legal advertising, often so profitable for 
political papers, they know nothing about. 
True, some very generous county agricultu- 
ral society will occasionally put them on 
sparingly as premiums, provided they can 
get them at cost or a little less, but thick- 
headed, penurious farmers, (and there are lots 
of them,) who have to take them instead of 
some ragged dollar bill, not unfrequently 
deem themselves very badly used. 

Agricultural journals that are worthy of 
their high mission, eUouM be sustained to a 
much greater extent than they are by the 
agricultural societies, and in the way of pre- 
miums, it would operate as a double benefit; 
first, by putting sueh reading in the hands of" 
many men and their families as would not 
have the liberality to subscribe for it. Sec- 
ondly, such patronage upon an ordinary lib- 
eral plan, would in some measure sustain and 



warrant the publication of good and useful 
journals. The School Journal of our State 
has a subscription list of five thousand, or 
thereabouts, from the treasury, which sustains 
it; but, alas! for too many of our agricultu- 
ral papers, what its tardy subscribers do not 
pay, must be lost by the publisher or cheated 
out of his printer. Will those who believe 
with Horace Greeley in the usefulness and 
high mission of agricultural journals, think of 
these things, and do what they can in their 
day and generation, for a worthy but a suffer- 
ing cause? 



The Talent of Success. 

Every man must patiently abide his time. 
He must wait. Not in listless idleness,. not in 
useless pastime, not in querulous dejection, 
but in constant, steady, cheerful endeavor, 
always willing, fulfilling and accomplishing 
his task, " that when the occasion conies he 
may be equal to the occasion. " The talent of 
success is nothing more than doing what you 
-can do well, without a thought of fame. If it 
comes at all, it will come because it is not sought 
after. It is a very distressing and troublesome 
ambition which cares so much about fame, 
about what the world says of us, to be always 
looking in the face of others for approval — to 
be always shouting to hear the echoes of our 
own voices. — Longfellow. 



[circular.] 
American Pomological Society. 

The Eighth Session of this Institution 
will be held in the city of Philadelphia, com- 
mencing on the 21th of September next, at 
10 o'clock, A. M., and will be continued for 
several days. 

This Society, the first National Institution 
for the promotion of Pomological Science, 
was organized in the year 1848. Its ses- 
sions have brought together the most distin- 
guished cultivators of our country ; its trans- 
actions have embodied their various resear- 
ches and ripest experience, and its Catalogue 
of Fruits has become the acknowledged 
standard of American Pomology. 

Its example has created a general taste for 
this science, inspired promologists with great- 
er zeal, and called into existence many kin- 
dred associations. Its progress has been re- 
markable and gratifying, but it still has a 
great work to perform. Its general cata- 
logue should, from time to time, be enlarged 
and perfected, and local catalogues formed, 
embracing the fruits adapted to each State 
and Territory of the Union. The last of 
these suggestions was made by the Chair. 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



561 



man of the General Fruit Committee, at the 

seventh session of the Society, in the year 

1858. This lias been carefully considered. 
and is deemed worthy of special attention. 
It is, therefore, earnestly recommended that 
each State Pomological, Horticultural, or 
Agricultural Society, charge its Fruit Com- 
mittee with the duty of collecting informa- 
tion, and presenting the same, with descrip- 
tive lists of Fruits adapted to their location. 

The importance of this subject, and the 
increasing value of the fruit crop of the 
United States, call for a prompt and cordial 
response to this request, — for a careful pre- 
paration of said list, and for a full and able 
representation, at the approaching session, 
from all parts of the country. 

The various State Committees of this So- 
ciety are expected to submit accurate and 
full reports of the condition and progress of 
fruit culture, within their limits, together 
with definite answers to each of the follow- 
ing questions. These reports, it is desirable, 
should be forwarded to the Chairman of the 
General Fruit Committee, Hon. Samuel 
Walker, Roxbury, Mass., if possible, as ear- 
ly as the 1st of September, or to Thomas 
W. Field, Esq., Secretary, Brooklyn, New 
York. 

What six, twelve and twenty varieties of 
i the Pear are best for family use on the 
Pear stock ? What varieties on the Quince 
stock ? What varieties, and how many of 
each of these are best adapted to a Pear or- 
chard of one hundred or of one thousand 
trees ? 

What are the six and twelve best varieties 
of the Peach ? What are the best varie- 
ties, and how many of each, are best adapt- 
ed to a Peach orchard of one hundred or of 
one thousand trees ? 

Answers to these questions should be made 
from reliable experience, and with reference 
to the proximity or remoteness of the market. 

Held, as this convention will be, in a city 
easily accessible from all parts of the coun- 
try, it is anticipated that the coming session 
will be one of the most useful the Society 
has ever held. Societies, therefore, in every 
State and Territory of the Union, and the 
Provinces of British America, are requested 
to send such number of delegates as they 
may choose to elect. Fruit-growers, Nurse- ' 
ry-men, and all others interested in the art 
)f Pomology, are invited to be present — to 
f oecome members, and to take part in the de- 
berations of the Convention. 
36 



In order to increase as much as possible 
the interest of the occasion, members and 
delegates are required to forward for Exhi- 
bition as large collections of fruit as practi- 
cable, including specimens of all the rare 
and valuable varieties grown in their re- 
spective districts, and esteemed worthy of 
notice; also, papers descriptive of their 
mode of cultivation — of diseases and insects- 
injurious to vegetation — of remedies for the 
same, and to communicate whatever may aid 
in promoting the objects of the meeting. 
Each contributor is requested to make out a 
complete list of his contributions, and pre- 
sent the same with his fruits, that a report 
of all the varieties entered may be submit- 
ted to the meeting as soon as practicable af- 
ter its organization. 

Societies will please transmit to the Sec- 
retary, at an early day, a list of the Dele- 
gates they have appointed. 

Gentlemen desirous of becoming members 
can remit the admission fee to Thomas P. 
James, Esq., Treasurer, Philadelphia, who 
will furnish them with the Transactions of 
Society. Life Membership, twenty dollars ; 
Biennial, two dollars. 

Packages of Fruits may be addressed to 
Thomas P. James, 630 Market Street, Phil- 
adelphia. 

Marshall P. Wilber, President. 
Boston, Mass. 
Thomas W. Field, Secretary. ■ 

Brooklyn, New York. 



For the Southern Planter. 

" Science a Witness for the Bible.'' 

Science a Witness for the Bible. By Rev. 
W. N. Pendleton, L>. D. Philadel- 
phia: J. P. Lippincott <fc Co. 1860. 
Pages 350. 

We think a notice of this valuable scien- 
tific work will not be out of place in the 
columns of an agricultural paper. No class 
of men should be, and we believe are, more 
interested in all the grand discoveries of 
science, which so eminently distinguish our 
day, than the Farmers of Virginia; and 
there is no branch of science that so par- 
ticularly addresses itself to the agriculturist 
as Geolog^t and whatever pertains to the 
exploration of the component elements of 
the great subject of his labors, Mother 
Earth. In our observation of men, and the 
distinctive classes into which they are di- 
vided, for vigorous research and strong 



562 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



^wholesome thought and reflection — in a 
-word — for all the great purposes for which 
mind is required, the character of their ed- 
ucation and pursuits well adapts our South- 
ern Planters to rightly appreciate the im- 
portance of the subjects treated by Dr. 
Pendleton in the work whose title heads this 
page. We think it an advantage on the 
side of the Farmers of our country, that 
their minds have not been subjected to mere 
professional or technical training, but that 
things rather than words, or the names of 
things, furnish the great staple of their 
mental pabulum; and while the mind of the 
so-called scholar is going its round in the 
tread-mill of academic or collegiate studies, 
and following out the same system in the 
more advanced stages of scholastic learning, 
they, in more direct communion with nature 
and her laws, are engaged in the great prac- 
tical business of life; and thus have their 
intellectual faculties, uncramped by the 
mere artificial sj stems of men. Therefore, 
is it most appropriate that such a class — a 
class who, under such influences, has fur- 
nished a Washington to the world — should 
be called to pass upon — as Judges, both of 
the law and fact — the important questions in- 
volved in the theories, the learned author 
makes the subject of his investigations, and 
we will, now, without more preamble or 
apology proceed to criticise — for the benefit, 
or it may be the amusement, of your read- 
ers — the work in question. 

In the last twenty-five or thirty years a 
man appeared in Scotland, who was, in the 
circumstances of his life and education, a 
brilliant illustration of the idea we have 
above endeavored to commit to paper. With 
little, or none of the learning of the schools ; 
with no advantage of parentage or patron- 
age, Hugh Miller, while doing his duty in 
that humble state of life in which it pleased 
God to place him, and working faithfully 
at his daily task as a stone-mason, displayed 
powers which, in their operations and devel- 
opment, have produced effects but little less 
than those of the greatest benefactors of our 
race. 

The Cromortie stone-mason, from his own 
observations in the quarries in which he 
worked, had his attention aroused towards 
those wonderful manifestations of the Crea- 
tor's power as declared in " the testimonies 
of the rocks," and having, in common with 
the youth of Scotland, been taught " to 
know his Bible true, if nothing more," his 



active mind set itself to the task of recon- 
ciling the wonders of creation, as evidenced 
by the records of Nature, graven on the im- 
perishable granite, and those wonders of 
creation and redemption, as described or 
foreshadowed in the books of Moses and the 
other sacred writers. The great question of 
the day was, whether the world we inhabit, 
as laid open by the hand of Science, is the 
same as that whose creation is described in 
the book of Genesis; whether it had but ex- 
isted the 6,000 years, as commonly held by 
Bible readers, or had existed, self-created, 
vast ages ago, — a question which, in its pro- 
per solution, involved the mightily issue of 
the Scriptures being true or false, — the Bi- 
ble being the word of God, or a cunningly 
devised fable. 

The author of "the double record" is 
justly entitled to the leadership in the great 
battle of the Evidences that has been rag- 
ing for years past on the field of physical 
science against those falsely called philoso- 
phers who, from a superficial observation of 
the laws and layers of the material universe, 
and a comparison therewith of the Mosaic 
account of creation as understood by them- 
selves, have made deductions tending to 
shake the faith of some. 

This contest, however, like all that have 
gone before it, has resulted in the complete 
overthrow of u the fighters against God " 
by the establishment of the axiom, that Na- 
ture and Revelation, proceeding from the 
same infinite mind, must be consistent — that 
God's words and works must agree. A con- 
viction similar to that which put in motion 
the mighty energies of a Hugh Miller, has 
enlisted the vigorous pen of our author in 
the cause of what we believe to be Divine 
Truth. On page 18, ct scq., he says : 

" It is this conviction which induces us to sub- 
mit the views which we are about to present 
concerning the actual relations between the dis- 
closures of the Bible and the progress of scien- 
tific inquiry. Of the correctness of these views 
we have not the slightest doubt, nor of their 
tendency to remove prejudices which now hin- 
der alike the material and the moral elevation 
of our species. We would contribute our mite 
toward the harmonious development of that 
wisdom which makes man triumphant over na- 
ture, and of that which fits him for heaven. * 
* # # * # 

" That there is, in truth, an entire harmony 
between the moral and the material agencies 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



663 



thai have been mentioned, between tin- triumphs 

of Science ami' the teachings of* Scripture; nay. 
mere, that they are so thoroughly intertwined 
and blended in their relations to the human 
mind, as to prove their common origin in the 
Sootce Of all wisdom, it wili he our finrt endea- 
vor to show. Perfectly clear is it to our view, 
that discoveries in the wondrous plan of nature, 
made by rightly-directed inquiry, have aided 
the human faculties to a better understanding 
of the documents of inspiration, and a firmer 
grasp of the precious verities they disclose. 
Nor is it less evident to us, that influences pro- 
ceeding from Revelation have opened the way 
to those right methods of investigation which 
constitute the basis, and have resulted in the 
miracles of modern Science. 

"Indeed, it must, we think, be to all obvious, 
on reflection, that, addressed as are Natural and 
Revealed truth, to the same creatures, and to 
faculties in them altogether inseparable, recip- 
rocal relations of action and reaction cannot 
but exist in the mental processes by which they 
are respectively realized. Hence may it be 
conceived how Revelation, though embracing 
in its plan no direct instruction for mankind, in 
regard to things naturally cognizable, has, nev- 
ertheless, through its influence upon the cogni- 
tive faculties, incalculably promoted that amaz- 
ing scientific progress which we witness in 
Christendom, and nowhere else. And hence 
may be understood the service which scientific 
discovery is rendering the interpretation and the 
evidences of the sacred records. 

"These views we now proceed to expand 
and illustrate. We shall endeavor to establish 
the position that mankind are largely indebted 
to influences derived from the Scriptures for 
that intellectual revolution in modern Christen- 
dom which has emancipated the mind, as it was 
never liberated before, and which has placed 
the keys of nature eyen in the hands of chil- 
dren. And then it will be our aim to point out. 
as only second to this, a debt on the other side. 
to the all-wise Author of nature, for the scien- 
tific methods to which he has adapted the fa- 
culties of creatures made in his own image. 
To exhibit the reciprocal influence which 
Science exerts in correcting inadequate appre- 
hensions of things revealed ; and in placing 
Divine truth in a fortress so strong that enemies, 
however inveterate, must forever assail it in 
vain, ami so lofty that the celestial light thence 
emanating shall at length reach every eye that 
will behold. 



"We maintain, then, in the first place, that, 
for that simple and humble process of inquiry 
into facts, ami that systematic ascertainment 
and application of natural laws, which consti- 
tute what we mean by Science in its every de- 
partment, man owes, incalculably more than the 
mere scientific reason supposes, to influences 
connected with Christianity. And in support 
of the position, we appeal to the nature of 
things, and to the evidence of history. " 

The writer, then, in the first chapter — 
"Science and Revelation" — gives a hur- 
ried synopsis of the whole subject of his 
disquisitions, and shows clearly that the 
race who has clone most for the moral and 
physical advancement of man, is the same 
who has ever held fast to the Bible as the 
^reat teacher of the world's past history, as 
well as the true exponent of man's future 
destiny, and then concludes the subject of 
the entire harmony of Science and Revela- 
tior in the beautiful language of Dr. Mc- 
Cosi, tlvit— 

{ ' It is, assuredly, no useless or profane work 
that is engaged in by those who would, with 
proper humility, endeavor to remove jealousies 
between parties whom God had joined together. 
and whom no man is at liberty to put asunder. 
. . . We are not lowering the dignity of science 
when we command it to do, what all the objects 
it looks at and admires do, when we command 
it to worship God. Nor are we detracting from 
the honor which is due to religion when we 
press it to take science into its service. . . . 
Let not science and religion be reckoned as op- 
posing citadels, frowning defiance upon each 
other, and their troops brandishing their armor 
in hostile attitude. Each has its own founda- 
tion. These, let them unite, and the basis will 
be broader, and they will be two compartments 
of one grand fabric reared to the glory of God. 
Let the one be the outer and the other the inner 
court. In the one let all look, and admire, and 
adore; and in the other, let those who bava 
faith kneel, and pray, and praise. Let th- 
be the sanctuary where human learning may 
present its richest incense as an offering to God ; 
and the other, the holiest of all, separated from 
it by a vail now rent in twain, and in which, 
on a blood-sprinkled mercy-scat, we pour out 
the love of a reconciled heart, and hear the ora- 
cles of the living God."' 

u The Human Family," the second sub- 
ject of discussion, (for wc cannot trespass 



564 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



[September 



on the patience of your readers longer than 
to give a mere outline of the contents of 
the book,) presents the general considera- 
tions and the special scientific processes by 
which the Humboldts, Prichard, Bunsen, 
Linnaeus, Cuvier, Lepsius and Owen, have 
been brought to the conclusion, fully agree- 
ing with the established sentiment of Chris- 
tendom, that men, under all varieties, are 
but of one stock — that the human race is in 
fact one family — from a common ancestry, 
in accordance with the Mosaic account of 
the origin of the race, and the great truth 
declared by Paul to the Athenians nearly 
2,000 years ago, " that God hath made of 
one blood all nations who dwell on all the 
face of the earth." 

The alternative doctrine, that men were 
created in nations and not by descent from 
a single pair, (see Types of Mankind, p. 
82,) is fully met, the learned doctors of this 
theory not agreeing among themselves, or to 
the number of parent stocks, p. 67. *" Vi- 
rez supposing he had ascertained two species, 
Desmoulins eleven, Borey thirteen, and oth^ 
a still greater number of original kin 
among men." 

« The Chronology of Creation ," the 3rd. 
subject treated by the author, presents the 
grounds on which it is now conceded that 
the Bible does not fix the age of the earth, 
nor the length of time, (humanly speaking) 
in which the Almighty was engaged in the 
work of creation. The rigidly literal mode 
of Scripture interpretation which some would 
insist upon, as only consistent with a becom- 
ing reverence for the Bible as the word of 
God, is the same by which the grand ideas 
of Columbus and Galileo were in their day 
opposed. 

"Of the evils occasioned by errors of this 
kind," he says. " the considerate inquirer is well 
aware. How they prejudice men of mere sci- 
ence against the Bible, and men of exclusive 
piety against science ; and furnish the excuse of 
perplexity to the uninformed and indifferent on 
either side. To guard against such harm, there- 
fore, he deems a duty of supreme importance. 
Hence, in the great question, now pending be- 
tween the record of creation as read from the 
rocks and that given in Genesis, as commonly 
understood, he regards it as a serious obligation 
to trace, if possible, the whole truth, that its har- 
mony may be discerned, and its excellence vin- 
dicated. What, then, the monumental masses 
beaeath his feet, freely and fairly examined, and 



what the inspired narrative, thoroughly studied, 
really do teach, severally and unitedly, respect- 
ing the antiquity of our world, and the course of 
its pre-Adamite changes, becomes to him an in- 
quiry of deep significancy. 

''The very nature and history of the question 
at once satisfy him that its edequate solution is 
not to be reached by any superficial views, hasty 
conclusions, vague generalizations, or arrogant 
dicta as to the meaning of Scripture, or of the 
rocky archives of the world. A faithful and 
large induction is,. he well knows, the only key 
that can open the secrets of the earth's primeval 
history. Everything short of this, therefore, he 
promptly rejects. The Scripture language, he 
also sees, must be phenomenal, in order to be 
true always and for all men, since the great ap- 
pearances appeal to all senses alike, while phil- 
osophic expression must vary with degree of 
culture; yet so constructed must that language 
at the same time be, he cannot but judge, since 
truth cannot be at war with truth, as essentially 
to violate no ultimate disclosure of science. To 
trace under the phenomenal form this deeper 
construction, so as to find the true meaning, as 
evinced in its being every way consistent, is a 
task not to be performed, he is sure, by an im- 
patient, unfurnished, or fanciful mind. From 
such guidance he instinctively turns in seeking 
the truth. He sees the largest, freest, best fur- 
nished men mainly agreed respecting the rank 
and conclusions of geological science. The Cu- 
viers and Brogniarts, the Chalmerses 'and Pye 
Smiths, the Bucklands and Lyells,the Sedgwicks 
and Murchesons, the Mantells, Sillimans, Agas- 
sizes, and Hugh Millers, most of them equally 
eminent as Christians and as explorers of natu- 
ral truth. Individuals of less callibre and at- 
tainments, he finds, either admitting their own 
ignorance while- depreciating geology, or exhib- 
iting in extravagant schemes of reconciliation 
between it and assumed meanings of Scripture, 
strange deficiency of knowledge and judgment 
To the dicta of these, however positive, his 
mind cannot satisfactorily yield. He is obliged 
to look for something more clearly and consis- 
tently adequate. And the question recurs with 
redoubled force, What is true on the subject? 
What is the consistent and reliable explanation of 
the petrified and of the inspired documents? 

"The simple answer is, in our judgment, con- 
tained in the period-day reading of Genesis i 
We believe that the six periods (Heb. Yoms) of 
the creative history, are really intended to be 
read not as l; days" but as "ages." This read_ 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



ww 



iiig is, we are satisfied, beyond comparison, most 
accordant with the entire range of facts that 
have been elicited from the monumental records 
within the earth, and with the structure of the 
sacred history, as well as with striking intima- 
tion* in other parts of the Bible. Reasons for 
this judgment we shall briefly give, using, as 
occasion requires, some of the best authorities 
on both branches of the argument, the biblical 
and the scientific." 

" The Age of Mankind," the 4th subject 
of investigation — is introduced by the re- 
mark (p. 199,) that "we are entering upon no 
superfluous task ... in endeavoring to trace 
what science really does teach as to the age 
of mankind, and what the scriptures under 
the scrutiny of learned criticism disclose on 
the same subject;" and then, after a tho- 
rough examination of all the probabilities 
bearing on this subject, from fossil remains 
of what are supposed to be parts of the hu- 
man skeleton dug up in different parts of the 
world, the writer concludes, that the ques- 
tion as to the age of our race is left very 
much where it was before, aud that the pro- 
babilities suggested by science, still remain, 
that the human term has been about what 
the sacred books interpreted, with neither 
rigidness on the one hand, nor violence on 
the other exhibit j and certain it is — in the 
language of Professor Owen — " that man is 
the latest, as he is the highest creature known 
to have been called into being on this 
planet." 

Astronomy, too, as well as Geology, con- 
firms the truth of the sacred record, as to 
the time of man's appearance upon the earth. 
(See Prof. Mitchell, p. 260, as to the inscrip- 
tion on the coffin of an Egyptian mummy in 
the London museum,) and they, as well as 
history, both sacred and profane, which are 
all examined by the author, agree in putting 
about 6000 years between us and our first 
parents. 

" The Monuments of Lost Races '" — the last 
chapter, — contribute their testimony to the 
common parentage of the whole human fam- 
ily, and a further corroborative fact of the 
truth of Scripture is furnished by " the mon- 
umental story" throughout, showing the ex- 
istence of a far higher condition of intelli- 
gence, and adaptation to art, among primi- 
tive man, than some contend for. The ear- 
lier races in general were certainly far from 
being the savage creatures — at some stage 
bordering on the brutes that perish, — suppo- 



sed in anti-scriptural theories. The old mon- 
uments show that man was made in the im- 
age of God with original dignity and high 
endowments, and whether in India, in Egypt 
or Peru, 'tis clear that the first age of our 
race is just what might be inferred from the 
sacred scriptures, — the oldest records that we 
have, of his past history, — " For thou bast 
made him a little lower than the angels, thou 
hast crowned him with glory and honour." 
Thus have we endeavored to intro- 
duce to the Farmers of our land, a work 
treating of subjects not at all beyond their 
comprehension, or their care, for in our 
Southern country, at least, we know that no 
small portion of intelligence and cultivation, 
is to be found among the country gentlemen, 
whose desire for information and fondness for 
reading and whose leisure time, — in part the 
result of our " peculiar institution" — are not 
entirely satisfied by reading the papers, or 
occupied in talking politics ; to them, we 
think, Dr. Pendleton's labors will be partic- 
ularly acceptable, in furnishing in a brief, 
but yet complete form, the result of scientific 
investigation down to the present time, and 
giving them " all the points," by which 
" science is proved to be a witness for the 
Bible." 



From the New York Observer. 

What may be Learned from a Tree. 

Under the u shady shadow of our umbra- 
geous trees," we have been vastly entertain- 
ed and instructed by a remarkable book just 
from the press of the Appletous. The 
name of the author, Harland Coultas, 
is a new one to me, but he has previously 
written " Organic Life, the same in Ani- 
mals and Plants," and now teaches us what 
may be learned from a tree. The life of a 
tree is traced from its vegetative period from 
infancy to puberty: its history told by the 
marks left by the young branches ; the 
anatomy and physiology of the different 
species of cells are shown, and the conical 
principle on which a tree is constructed, and 
the oscillations of growth exhibited as du- 
rably impressed on its organism. When the 
philosophy of the subject is fully presented, 
the author states a series of facts respecting 
trees which would be incredible if not well 
authenticated. A Chcsnut tree is now 
growing on the side of Mount Etna, in Si- 
cily, the trunk of which is hollow, and 180 
feet in circumference : one hundred horse- 
men can be sheltered at once within its in- 



-■- -- - 



566 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



terior. There is a walnut tree near Bala- 
klava, in the Crimea, that is at least a thou- 
sand years old: The cedars of Lebanon are 
the remnants of the forest from which Solo- 
mon built the Temple more than 3,000 years 
ago. There are oaks now growing in Eng- 
land which were planted before the Norman 
conquest. The yew trees are still older. 
One in the churchyard of Braburn, in Kent, 
is now more than 3,000 years old. The 
same cypress which sheltered the troops of 
Fernando Cortcz in Mexico is standing now, 
and others are there like it, which are 4,000 
years of age. The mammoth pines of Cali- 
fornia are the most wonderful trees in the 
world, growing four hundred feet high, and 
attaining a circumference in proportion. 
These trees are two or three thousand years 
old. One of them required five men, twen- 
ty days, to bore it full of pump auger holes, 
the only way to fell it, and then it was so 
nicely poised that it stood till the same men 
spent two days more in driving wedges with 
a battering ram into one side of the cut to 
topple it over. The expense of cutting it 
down was $550. It is by no means impro- 
bable that some of the olive trees near Je- 
rusalem are the same that stood there when 
the Saviour was on the mount and in the 
garden. A tree is always venerable. It 
stretches out its arms with such sheltering 
care, inviting us to take refuge under its 
shade, that I wonder the pagans have not 
worshipped living trees instead of idols. 
The growth of a tree is curious : it is from 
the leaves outward and onward : it does not 
grow from the root upward, but from the 
branches on. I was amused some few months 
ago by a beautiful description which one of 
our popular writers gave of his visit to 
" Sunnyside '.' a few days after the death of 
Irving. The incident that amused me was 
this. He says, I went out upon the grounds 
to a tree under which I sat and carved my 
name on its trunk many years before; now 
my name was away up among the branches, 
and I climbed up to see it. But if the poet 
had carved his name on the trunk of the 
tree at first, it would never have been any 
higher up, though the tree should outlive 
the cedars of Lebanon ! The book of Coul- 
tas is full of sentiment, and the thought is 
suggestive of more, leading into the deep 
things of nature, and revealing the wisdom 
of the Creator whose power and providence 
the author observes in every fibre, leaf and 
stem. 



Advantages of Pulverizing the Soil. 

The effects of pulverizing or stirring the 
soil are numerous. 

1. It gives free scope to the roots of veg- 
etables, and they become more fibrous in a 
loose than in a hard soil, by which the 
mouths or pores become more numerous," 
and such food as is in the soil has a better 
chance of being sought after and taken up 
by them. 

2. It admits the atmospheric "air to the 
spongioles of the roots — without which no 
plant can make a healthy growth. 

3. It increases the capillary attraction or 
sponge-like property of soils, by which their 
humidity is rendered more uniform : and in 
a hot season it increases the deposit of dew, 
and admits it to the roots. 

4. It increases the temperature of the 
soil in the spring, by admitting the warm 
air and tepid rain. 

5. It increases the supply of organic food. 
The atmosphere contains carbonic acid, am- 
monia and nitric acid— all most powerful 
fertilizers and solvents. A loose soil attracts 
and condenses them. Rain and dew, also, 
contain them. And when these fertilizing 
gases are carried into the soil by rain-water, 
they are absorbed and retained by the soil 
for the use of plants. On the other hand, 
if the soil is hard, the water runs off the 
surface, and instead of leaving these gases 
in the soil, carries off some of the best por- 
tions of the soil with it. Thus, what might 
be a benefit becomes an injury. 

6. By means of pulverization, a portion 
of the atmospheric air is buried in the soil, 
and it is supposed that ammonia and nitric 
acid are formed by the mutual decomposi- 
tion of this air and the moisture of the soil, 
heat also being evolved by the changes. 

7. Pulverization of the surface of soils 
serves to retain the moisture in the subsoil, 
and to prevent it from being penetrated by 
heat from a warmer as well as from radiat- 
ing its heat to a colder atmosphere than it- 
self. These effects are produced by the po- 
rosity of the pulverized stratum, which acts 
as a mulch, especially on heavy soils. 

8. Pulverization, also, as the combined 
effect of several of the preceding causes, 
accelerates the decomposition of the organic 
matter in the soil, and the disintegration of 
the mineral matter; and thus prepares the 
inert matter of the soil for assimilation by 
the plants. — Gen. Farmer. 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



507 



From the Jlmcrican Rurulist. 

A Chinese Gentleman's House. 

The commercial connection between Chi- 
na and Japan and this country, which must 
become stronger and more widely extended 
in future years, is awakening a peculiar in- 
terest in the manners and habits of those 
secluded people. Our readers will be pleas- 
ed with an introduction to the house of a 
Chinese gentleman : 

" He first took us to his country-house, 
now uninhabited. It was the perfect resi- 
dence of a Chinese gentleman. There was a 
very large garden, with bamboo hedges, and 
large fish tanks, edged with walls of blue 
bricks and perforated tiles. His pigs were 
in admirable condition, and as beautifully 
kept as the Prince Consort's at Windsor. 
About the grounds were nutmegs, mangos- 
teens, plaintains, cocoa-nuts, dariens, and 
small creepers trained into' baskets and pa- 
godas. Inside the house, the drawing-rooms 
and doors sliding across circular openings. 
*\Ve then went on to this good gentleman's 
private residence, entering by a Chinese tri- 
umphal-gate. He tells me he has ten miles 
of carriage road round his estate. It is on 
a fine, undulating tract of land, reclaimed 
from the jungle, and laid out with rare taste. 
In the outskirts a tiger killed a man the 
other day. In his garden I found Jacko, 
living in a cane cage, next door to a porcu- 
pine ) there were also some rare birds. 
Further on were some very small Brahmin 
bulls, a Cashmere goat, and a family of young 
kangaroos. There were all sorts of unknown 
beautiful flowers placed about in enormous 
China vases. 

Here I first saw the tea-plant growing. 
It is of the camelia tribe, three or four feet 
high, and bears a small white flower, like 
the opening dog-rose; also, I was shown the 
" moon flower," a kind of rounded convol- 
volus, that only opens at night. There was 
a bower of " monkey-cups," the pitcher- 
flower, which collects water, and from which 
Jacko refreshes himself in the jungles. The 
fan palm, a beautiful tree, on the lawn, pro- 
duced water of a clear, cold quality by being 
pierced with a pen-knife? Several minute 
creepers were trained over wire forms to imi- 
tate dragons, with egg shells for their eyes ; 
and there were many of the celebrated 
dwarf trees, the first 1 had seen, little oaks 
and elms about eighteen inches high, like 
small, withered old men. The house here 



was superbly furnished in the English stylo 
but with lanterns all about it. At six o'clock 
the guests arrived — mostly English, all 
dressed in short white jackets and trousers. 
The dinner was admirably served in good 
London style, and all the appointments, as 
regardei plate, gloss, wines, and dishes, per- 
fect. The quiet, attentive waiting of the 
Chinese boys deserved all praise. After 
dinner we lounged through the rooms, which 
were decorated with English prints of the 
royal family, statuettes, " curios " from eve- 
ry part of the world, rare objects in j ode- 
stone and crackle-china ; also a portrait of 
our host's son, who is being educated in 
Edinburgh. He was in English dress. 
Albert Smith's " To China and Back." 




RICHMOND, VIRGINIA. 



Office of the Va. State Agricultural Society. } 
Richmond, August, 18GO. ) 

Dear Sir : — The attendance of a full delega- 
tion at the next annual .meeting of the Farmers 
Assembly is felt by the Executive Committee to 
be of vital importance to the welfare of the Vir- 
ginia State Agricultural Society. They would 
therefore, earnestly invoke your active co-opera- 
tion in promoting, by all suitable means, the at- 
tainment of so desirable an object. 

The existing constitution has signally failed 
in its practical operation. Important and radi- 
cal changes, suggested by the experience of the 
last five years, are manifestly necessary to adapt 
it to a more efficient subservience to the pur- 
poses and objects for which the Society was ori- 
ginally founded, and so munificently endowed. 
Notice was give.i at the last Assembly of some 
of the most important of the proposed changes, 
to bring them within the scope of the constitu- 
tional provision, requiring a vote of two-thirds 
of the members in attendance to pass an amend- 
ment thus notified in advance. All other chan- 
ges which may be proposed, will lie under the 



5G8 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



disadvantage of requiring a unanimous vote to 
secure their adoption when offered. 

The failure to form a quorum next Fall would 
Frustrate all present purposes of amendment, 
and the consequent postponement of action to 
another year, and perhaps to an indefinite future 
period, would prove extremely disastrous to the 
Society. Hence the great importance of an ear- 
nest and concerted movement on the part of the 
friends of the Society, to secure the election of 
persons in every district competent to the effi- 
cient discharge of the representative trust, and 
who will pledge themselves, if elected, duly to 
attend the meeting of the Assembly. 

As there is a most encouraging prospect for a 
very fine exhibition, to be effected through the 
united counsels and efforts of the State and Cen- 
tral Societies, it will not be difficult, if the effort 
is faithfully made, to secure from amongst the 
numbers who will .attend the fair from your 
county, the attendance of gentlemen well quali- 
fied to work out the deliverance of the society 
from the embarrassments arising from the de- 
fects of the Constitution. 

Ch. B. Williams, Secretary, 
In behalf of the Executive Committee. 
To the Members of the State Agricultural Society. 



Poor Land— What shall We Do with It ? 

Perhaps there is no question in which so 
many farmers are, or ought to be, interested as 
in the satisfactory solution of the one under 
consideration. Poor land, the chief heritage 
of many, must be improved, or the owner will, 
year by year, become more and more a suf- 
ferer, both in body and mind, and acquire an 
increasing and more intimate association with 
harrowing cares, gloomy prospects, pressing ne- 
cessities, and unprofitable pursuits, until at 
last the unfortunate "tiller of the soil" finds 
his efforts to attain wealth, health, and prosper- 
ity unavailing, and his hopes of all these ben- 
efits finally threshed out of his heart, leaving lit- 
tle room for aught save weariness and despair. 
And who is it that is brave and strong enough of 
heart, to keep his courage up when crop after crop 
fails, and no rich field " in living green" appears 
to bid him hope for a "better time coming," 
when the worthy labourer shall reap his well- 
earned hire; but when labour is almost thrown 
away in pitching a crop upon an ungenial soil, 
and the future opens a view of — ruin? This is 
a dark picture, certainly, but its shadows will 



fall on many a face among the " sovereigns" of 

this " great and prosperous country." 

• 

That so much undesirable and worn-out land 
can easily be found in all quarters of our old 
States, is not altogether the fault of the present 
generation. Imperfect tillage, rapid cropping,, 
grazing, and an utter indifference to the neces- 
sity of manuring, together with ignorance of 
many a truth, since revealed to us by chemistry, 
all conspired to make our forefathers bad far- 
mers. But along with poor land, unfortunately, 
they have left their sons, in many instances, a 
mistaken pride as to the number of acres which 
they deemed necessary to make up the home" 
stead of a respectable farmer. There can be 
no doubt that one of the greatest obstacles in 
the way of the rapid improvement of our lands, 
is to be found in the fact, that nearly all of our 
agriculturists have too great a disposition to ac- 
quire land, rather than to improve their present 
possessions with reference to a large yield from 
a small surface, and to benefit each field in a 
well devised rotation as it comes under cultiva- 
tion. In consequence of this error, we find on 
many farms a great deal of worn-out waste 
land, useless to the owner, unless the number 
of his acres give him pleasure and satisfaction 
to feel that they add to his yearly tax bill, if not 
to his income. Good policy would suggest the 
expediency of getting rid of such an incubus ; 
thereby lessening the expenses and the labori- 
ous oversight of the farm, and rendering it as a 
whole, more compact, easily managed, and 
productive. Thus, a farm containing one thou- 
sand acres of indifferent land might, with ben- 
efit to its owner, spare five hundred acres to- 
wards improving the remaining half, by being 
sold off. This plan being followed, would raise 
a considerable capital for many a man who, un- 
der the present custom, cannot obtain the funds 
to improve with. Capital judiciously expended, 
is as sure a benefit to agriculturists, as it is to 
merchants and others. We cannot apply, or 
obtain manures of any kind, without expense. 
Without manure, we need not expect to make 
crops. We must have it, and we must pay for 
what we get. In ours as well as other profes- 
sions, " 'tis money makes the mare go." How 
often do we hear a farmer say, in reference to 
some work which it is evident would benefit 
himself and his farm if it were done, " If I 
could afford it, I would have it done at once." 
If he has more land than he can work well, 
which lying idle runs him to expense every 







1*G0.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



569 



year, he can afford it by acting on the hint 
above. 

We mu.-t contrive to raise larger crops to the 
acre titan we have been in the habit of doing, 
i r we shall not be able to compete for labour 
crs with the Southern States, and must lose 
the greater part of our negroes. We cannot 
afford to raise ten or fifteen bushels of wheat, 
or four barrels of corn to an acre of land, while 
a good negro man will hire for from $100 to 
$150 per annum. When wheat was consid- 
ered high at $1 per bushel, we could hire a 
labourer for a year at from $40 to $f)0. Labour 
is so much more remunerative in the cotton 
an I sugar growing States at present, than it is in 
our own section of the Union, that at the pres- 
ent ratio of exportation of negroes from our 
midst to a more Southern clime, it will take 
but a short period to deprive us of our present 
stock, ami to raise the price of labour to a rate 
ruinous to farmers. 

The only way we can get out of the diffi- 
culty, is to raise a much larger crop on the sur- 
face which we at present cultivate, thereby 
reducing our expenses, and increasing the 
profits to each hand. This can only be accom- 
plished by a judicious and economical use of 
manures, and by giving proper attention to the 
ploughing, draining, and cropping of the fields. 
We hope to present views on this subject which 
will prove of service to our readers — theories 
which they are at liberty to pass by unheeded, 
if they do not stand inspection in the light of 
common sense. 

Supposing, then, that a farmer has reduced 
his farm to that size, which will put it in the 
power of his "force" to work it thoroughly, we 
would suggest as the first step towards improv- 
ing it, that he should plough the land deeply, 
breaking up the subsoil below the bottom of the 
old furrows, and disintegrating the "hard pan,' 1 
as it is usually called. This pan is formed by 
the deposition of the fine, partially dissolved 
earth, which is carried to the bottom of the fur- 
row by rain water. When it dries up, it forms 
a close, compact layer, which is almost air and 
water proof, and injurious to the crops growing 
over it in two ways, viz: by arresting effectu- 
ally any rising from the subsoil of moisture, 
and inorganic plant food — and preventing the 
surface water from sinking below its depth, of 
course tending to greater washing of the land, 
and a more speedy evaporation of its moisture 
after rains. We have all seen the effects of 



shallow cultivation in 6om fields, especially 
during a dry Mimnicr, and how much grei 
and fresher the crop appears in the h. 
dry est weather when planted on soil broken up 
by the four-horse plough. Thii beneficial 
may readily be accounted for, and results not 
only from the fact that the corn roots have a 
deep furrow of soft nielluw earth to expand in 
without difficulty — but, also, that there is a 
gradual sinking of the rain water, with atmos- 
pheric air accompanying it. 

The next step to be taken for a course of 
improvement, is to make upon the farm as 
much putrescent manure as possible ; to hus- 
band and apply it well. Also, to use as a con- 
venient and ready adjunct, such of those con- 
centrated fertilizers which the present commer- 
cial market supplies, as have proved trustworthy 
and effective, in such a manner as to lessen the 
risk of pecuniary loss, if the crop to which they are 
applied should fail. One of the greatest benefits 
which the use of guano can confer on the far- 
mer, is the increased facility which it affords 
him of adding to his stock of putrescent ma- 
nure by giving him a large bulk of straw which 
may, with great benefit to the land, be used as 
cattle food, stable litter, or as a top-dressing to 
his grass lots, or to the field turned out to rest. 
We have ourselves effected a very considerable 
improvement of our own land by ploughing in 
as much wheat straw as we could whirl under 
with a large plow, on stiff clay intended for 
corn, and using lime along with it. The straw 
rotted sufficiently (before the corn was planted) 
to become very short, and to act mechanically 
on the soil by rendering it friable and loose — 
promoting aeration, besides returning to the 
soil, the chemical salts in its composition. 

Tobacco planters are, we believe, almost the 
only cultivators in Virginia, in any considerable 
number, who have used their straw to lighten 
and loosen the ground before planting. Expe- 
rience has, with them, proved its efficacy. 
Why should it not be used for other crops, for 
similar purposes? 

To avoid making our article too long for the 
present number, we must reserve for our next 
the continuation of the subject. 



Let it not be forgotten that the United Fair 
of the State and Central Societies occurs on the 
22nd, 23rd, 21th, 25th. 26ih, and 27th of Oc- 
tober. 



570 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



[September 



Loudoun Agricultural Society. 

We return our thanks to N. Berkeley, 
K.-q., for nu invitation to visit the Exhibition to 
be held under the auspices of this society* at 
Leeeburg, on the 4th, r>th. 6th and 7th of Sep- 
tember. If it is possible for us to do so, we 
shall, with great pleasure, accept it. 



''Share's Coulter Harrow." 

We call attention to the advertisement (in 
our present number) of Messrs. Treadwell & i 
Pell, who have sold the Patent Right, for this 
implement, for the State of Virginia, to Messrs. 
George Watt §• Co., of this city. 

We have already expressed, in the Planter, 
our opinion that this is an admirable instrument 
for pulverizing the ground, and for covering 
grain when sowed broadcast. 

We refer to it now, because Messrs. Tread- 
well & Pell, as well as ourselves, unintentionally 
trod on the toes of the Messrs. Watt, in publish- 
ing the advertisement of the harrow in our Au- 
gust number. The present advertisement sets 
the matter all straight, and covers up the inad- 
vertence of the August advertisement as thor- 
oughly as the harrow will a grain of wheat. 



Manipulated Guano Again. 

In our remarks, to which the following letter 
from Mr. Kettlewell is a reply, we did not in- 
tend to depart from the neutrality of our position 
as hitherto maintained in relation to the paternity 
of the manufacture of what is called "manipu- 
lated guano," but simply to apprise our readers 
that however honorable it might be, to be the 
acknowledged "father of the theory," that yet 
the claim to that honor had not been established 
"beyond contradiction." We are not called on 
now to recede from our former position, or to 
take sides with any of the contestants, but 
we cheerfully accord to Mr. Kettlewell the 
privilege of asserting his claim, through our 
columns, promising that any suitable reply, 
which others may desire to make through the 
same channel, will have an equal claim upon 
the courtesy of the [Editor. 

Baltimokk, August 14th, 1800. 
To J. E. Williams, Esq., Editor of the Southern 

Planter: 

~Dv.au Sin — The August number of your valua- 
ble journal contains a most sensible and admi- 
rably written article upon " .Manipulated Guano," 
in which you express yours If as follows: 
" We regret that we cannot give the name of 



the father of this theory to our readers, beyond 
the possibility of doubt or contradiction." Now, 
had you expressed this in different language, 
the doubt could have been most satisfactorily 
answered ; for while the THKOUY is in conformity 
with the opinions of nearly all who have written 
upon agricultural chemistry — at this time with- 
out an exception- -the Origination of the Manipu- 
lated Guano is yielded to myself, with a unanim- 
ity and fairness not customary amidst the rivalry 
of conflicting interests. Your own article, re- 
ferring to its beneiits, affords the best solution of 
the anxiety with which I desire to retain a just 
and true connection with an enterprise, the 
origination of which has. not only proven to be 
a great public good, but which cost me the devo- 
tion of some of the best years of my life, sub- 
jected me to pecuniary sacrifices and difficulties, 
and also a patient toil of which no man can 
know but myself. If others are sharing the 
beneiits of this effort, exclusively my own, it is 
more a subject of gratulation than of regret, for 
whilst it is a demonstrative vindication, I am 
sure they would be the last to refuse me what I am 
justly entitled to, viz: the credit of being "The SOLE 
and exclusive originator of Manipulated Guano, in 
name and substance. You wi Iff therefore, not be 
surprised at my requesting you to publish the en 
closed certificates and letters from among the 
first men and agriculturists of Maryland, who 
can be reached by mail in a single day, and to 
further add, that I will present a fitting testi 
monial to any charitable institution of your 
State, if any other party can make the sai/ie 
claim, equally authenticated, antecedent to the 
date of the enclosed letters and certificates up 
to the period of time to which those letters and 
certificates refer, of having used and sold Ma- 
nipulated Guano, manufactured by machinery. 
Most truly your friend and ob't serv ; t, 

John Kettlewell. 
ffigg*' See certificates referred to above in the 
advertising sheet. 



Notes on the Cane-Brake Lands of 
Alabama. 

This invaluable treatise on the cretaceous 
region of Alabama, by Edmund Ruflin, Esq. 
commenced in our August number, is completed 
in this. We have also published a phamphlet 
edition, that those who may wish to possess 
themselves of the most interesting and accurate 
treatise on the peculiar geological structure of 
this highly interesting portion of our country, 
which has yet appeared, may be accommodated 
at a cheap rate. It will be forwarded by mail, 
prepaid, to any part of the country, on the receipt 
of four postage stamps, or it will be sent by ex- 
press, prepaid, to any person ordering 100 copies, 
on the receipt of six dollars. 



Mr. J. W. Randolph has laid upon our table 
■Southern and South-Western Sketches 11 — Fun, 



1800.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



571 



Sentiment, in I Adventure. Edited by ■ 

(i.iiticin-.in in Richmond, pp. 190. 

"The peealiar humor of the Booth, and it- 
cfaaraeteristic generosity, are happily illastrated 
in many of these sketches. Those who love 

that innocent mirth Which leaVOI no pain, ami 
can relish the honey of wit without the poison 

which it sometimes leaves, will iiml," says the 

Editor, "in these page* ample sources of enter- 
tainment." 

The Practical Miner's Own Book and Guide; 
comprising a set of trigonometrical table-. 
adapted to all purposes of mining-surveying; 
also, a treatise on the art and practice of Assay- 
ing Silver, Copper, Lead and Tin, with tables 
which exhibit at one view the value of assayed 
ores. Rules for calculating the power of steam 
and water engines, together with a collection of 
essential tables, rules and illustrations, exclu- 
sively applicable to mining business. Also, re 
marks on the ventilation of mines, with some 
remarks upon the middle division of Eastern 
Virginia Coalfields, &C, being an improvement 
upon an English work, by J. Budge, on the same 
subject. By Job Atkins. 

The work will, no doubt, be found of great 
value as a manual to those who are profession- 
ally related to the subjects of which it treats. 
We hope Mr. Atkins will reap a rich reward 
from its publication. We wish it, not only be- 
cause we deem his work to be very valuable in 
itself, but because the compiler is onu of our 
naturalized citizens, who, in the midst of the 
excitement of the John Brown raid, stood up in 
New York, and in the face of all opposition, 
boldly vindicated the character and institutions 
of the South, amidst the tumultuous hisses and 
other demonstrations of contempt by English 
and Yankee abolition fanatics, who attended 
his lectures. 

Virginia will own him as one of her chil- 
dren, true to his adopted mother. 

Messrs. J. W. Randolph & Co., No. 121, Main 
Street, Richmond, will issue in a lew days a new 
and original work, entitled : 

"Anticipations of th.e Future to Serve as 
Lessons for thi IY.ks.knt Timk." 

The work is in the form of a scries of letters, 
purporting to be written by an Englishman, resi- 
dent in the United States, post dated and ex- 
tending from 1SG4 to 1S70, and addressed to 
the London Times newspaper. 

The object of the author in speaking of sup- 
posed future occurrences, as if of events already 



trtfhtpireri, i- not only to it ibject with 

the eharm of novelty, and thereby to render it 

more attractive and impress! re, but it i- 

his ;iiin to meet " eiirn-nt ami popular objections 

of opponents, bj 

and principal consequences of the secession of 

a Southern portion of these, now United States, 

incidents, which are not luch as the wiiu-i 

deems to be either necessary, legitimate or pro- 
bable result*." Nevertheless, as objectors al- 
lege that the remaining Northern States will 
make war on the Southern States to compel 
them to abide the terms of the present union, 
he treats of the war as thus waged by the North 
against the seceding States, and traces before- 
hand what be supposes would be the legitimate 
consequences of such warfare to both of the bel- 
ligerant parties. But, as the book is so soon 
forthcoming, we will not further anticipate its 
contents. 



We acknowledge the receipt of the following 
pamphlets: 

Regulations and list of premiums of the an- 
nual exhibition of the Philadelphia Agricultural 
Society, to be held at Powelton on the :25th. 26th, 
27th and 28th days of September, 

Rules, Regulations and Premium List of the 
fifth exhibition of the Macon County Agricul- 
tural Society, to be held near Decatur, Illinois, 
on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and Gth of October, 
1860. 

T. C. Maxwell & Bro.'s Descriptive Cata- 
logue of Fruit and Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, 
Roses, &c, &c. Rochester, N. Y. 

Central Nurseries, York, Pennsylvania, Ed- 
ward J. Evans & Co.*s Trade Catalogue of Fruit 
and Ornamental Trees, Vines, Roses, Bedding 
Plants, &c., for autumn I860, and spring 1861. 



The Seth Wright Sheep. 

.1 few /acts bearing unfavorably upon fh>> 
Darwinian hypothesis respecting the origin 
of tpeci 

BY E. EMMONS, M.D. 

Rather more than half a century ago, a 
male lamb was added to the flock of Seth 
Wright of Vermont, whose configuration 
excited the special attention of its owner 
and his immediate neighbors. This lamb 
was low in stature in consequence of its 
short, bow legs, with a rather l#ng body, its 
I whole organization rendering it incapable of 
leaping fences, or even the ordinary stone 



572 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



walls common in that section of country. This 
fact suggested to Mr. Wrightand his neighbors 
the idea that if a breed could be propa- 
gated, certain advantages would be se'cured, 
especially the certainty of confining the 
flock within the pasture ranges. This ob- 
ject seemed to furnish reasons for attempt- 
ing to carry it into practice. The attempt 
was successful, and there arose a new variety 
of sheep, which became for a short period 
quite widely distributed in Vermont and 
Massachusetts. About this time, however, 
the merinoes were introduced, and as this 
breed was much more orderly, and less dis- 
posed to ramble than the old long-legged 
sheep, and was moreover much more valua- 
ble than either the long or short-legged, the 
latter was neglected and soon disappeared. 

Now, the manner in which this short, 
bow-legged sheep appeared, has a very sig- 
nificant bearing upon the Darwinian hy- 
pothesis. This hypothesis sets forth the 
doctrine, that breeds or varieties, and finally 
species, originate in principles wlrch its au- 
thor calls natural selection and a struggle for 
existence. I leave the reader to make out 
the meaning and import of the phrases the 
best he can, as we have not time and space 
to illustrate them. It is important, how- 
ever, to say that the changes induced by 
struggle for existence, and through the ope- 
ration of which an existing type is changed, 
first to a variety, and finally to a species, 
are extremely slow, and upon this fact the 
doctrine mainly hinges. It is maintained 
that a prolonged exercise of the faculties 
concerned is necessary before a distinct de- 
parture from the original type becomes 
visible. Let us now see how this doctrine 
tallies with what we know of the origin of 
varieties. The bow-legged sheep of Seth 
Wright came into existence at once; and so 
constant is this fact, that wherever and when- 
ever varieties have appeared, the parentage 
is ushered upon the stage unexpectedly. 
The progenitor of the five-fingered race 
of men was born five-fingered, so that 
whenever varieties marked by changes of 
form or qualities originate, they are not 
the result of the slow operation of causes, 
such as are implied by the term, struggles fur 
existence. They are sudden and unexpected 
developments. If so, this fact strikes at 
the root of^this fanciful Darwinian hypothe- 
sis. There are no struggles prior to the 
fact ; but the struggle for existence comes 
afterward, and herein has Darwin erred in 



placing his cause before the fact; whereas, 
the struggle, if any, has to be maintained 
after the variety appears. This is very 
clearly seen in Seth Wright's sheep. It 
was ushered into the world without the 
struggles contended for, and the moment 
man ceased to bring his knowledge of 
causes to bear upon its preservation, it be- 
came extinct. Even the varieties of pigeons 
which Darwin employs to illustrate his 
doctrine, are all originally sudden develop- 
ments. The fantail pigeon did not acquire 
its tail by a gradual metamorphosis, or ad- 
ditions; it was hatched a fantail, and it has 
been preserved a fantail by influences which 
man has brought to bear upon it. Darwin's 
principles, implied in the terms, natural} 
selection and the struggle for existence, are 
totally different from the modes pursued by 
man for the improvement and perfection of 
breeds. The Bakewell sheep, the Durham 
short-horns, are called varieties among sheep 
and cattle. They stand out somewhat 
separate and distinct from the breeds of the 
classes to which they belong, and man has 
been instrumental in thus isolating them; 
nevertheless, the parents of these breeds 
possessed an individuality at birth, and it 
was entirely independent of selection or 
struggles. We do not propose to consider 
at this time other reasons and arguments 
equally fatal to Darwin's views of the origin 
of species; it is sufficient to show, that all 
of our knowledge of the subject goes to dis- 
prove the assumption, that prolonged periods 
have anything to do with the origin of 
varieties. What is true of the animal is 
equally true of the vegetable kingdom. 
Time is not an element of change; is not 
called for in the developments of breeds or 
kinds; they spring up at once, and are pre- 
served by the fostering care of man, and 
without his knowledge would generally 
perish with the individual. — N. Y. Ob- 
server. 



From the Farmer and Planter. 

Domestic Economy, Recipes, &c. 

An Excellent Liniment. — Take the whites 
of two eggs, beaten to a froth, a wineglass 
of vinegar, a wineglass spirits of turpentine, 
and a wineglass of alcohol, beating it all the 
time. This liniment must be put together 
in the order mentioned above, or it will not 
be thoroughly incorporated. We find this 



I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 






very superior in all cases of sprains, braises, 

&c., on man or beast. 

Potato Apple Dumplings. — Boil any 
quantity of white, mealy potatoes; pare 
them and mash them with a rolling pin; 
then dredge in flour enough to form a dough; 
roll it out to about the thickness of pie- 
crust, and make up the dumplings by put- 
ting an apple, pared, cored and quartered, 
to each. Boil them one hour. 

Spruce Bee?-. — For three gallons, take 
one quart of molasses, twenty drops oil of 
spruce, fifteen drops oil of sassafras, fill the 
pail with hot water, mix them well together, 
let it stand till blood warm, then add a pint 
of yeast, let it remain ten or twelve hours, 
then bottle it. In three hours it will be fit 
for use. 

Indian Cakes. — Six well beaten eggs, one 
quart of milk, warmed, a small lump of 
butter, a teaspoon of salt, one of soda, two 
tablespoonfuls of sugar, one pint and one- 
half Indian meal. Bake in buttered tins 
about two inches thick. Better than sponge 
cake for tea. 

Vinegar Pie. — Take a gill of cider 
vinegar, one quart of water, a teacup of 
molasses, or sugar enough to make it sweet, 
stir in half a dozen spoonfuls of flour, put 
it on the fire and let it boil. Bake with two 
crusts, or put the top crust on in strips if 
it is liked better. 

Neicton Short Gingerbread. — Eight cups 
flour, three cups sugar, one of ginger, one 
of butter, six eggs, one teaspoonful of soda. 

Baked Apple Pudding. — Boil one pound 
ind a half of good apples with a gill of 
water, and half a pound of brown sugar, till 
reduced to a smooth pulp; stir in one gill of 
sweet cream, a tablespoon ful of flour or fine 
bread crumbs; flavor with a little lemon 
juice, or grated lemon, and bake forty 

minutes. 

• 

Cheap Sponge Cake. — Two eggs, one 
cup of flcur, one cup of sugar, one spoon- 
ful of sweet milk, half a Bpoonful of soda, 
one teaspoonful of cream of tartar, and a 
little salt; grate in some rind of lemon, and 
add part of the juice, and a teaspoonful of 
butter. Bake fifteen minutes. 

To Restore Sour Mi'k or Cream. — Milk 
or Cream, when it has turned sour, may be 
restored to its original sweetness by means of 
a small quantity of carbonate of magnesia. 



When the acidity is slight, ha!i" a teaspoon- 
ful of the powder to a pint of milk. 

Orange Tart. — Squeeze two oranges and 
boil the rind tender, add half a teacup of 
sugar, and the juice and pulp of the fruit, 
an ounce of butter, beat to a paste. Line a 
shallow dish with light puff crust, and lay 
thc paste of orange in it. 

Loaf or Tea Cake .— -One cup of sour 
milk, one cup sugar, one teaspoonful rose- 
water, a little nutmeg, one tablespeonful of 
butter, one teaspoonful of soda, one and a 
half cups flour. 

Lemon Dip.— -Thin two tablespoon sful of 
flour with water; stir it into a pint of boil- 
ing water; let it boil once; take it up and 
stir in four tablespoonfuls of sugar, a little 
butter and the juice of one lemon. 

Deborah's Batter Pudding. — Sixteen 
tablespoonsful of flour, one quart of milk, 
six eggs, salt; beat the eggs to a froth on a 
plate, and after it is mixed beat it fifteen 
minutes. Either boil or bake. 

Hire Pudding. — Quarter of a pound of 
rice, one quart of milk. Stir well while 
boiling. When nearly cold, add one-quarter 
pound of butter, same of sugar, six egg?, 
spice to taste. Bake one hour. 

Salem Cookies.-— Three and a half pounds 
of flour, one and a half of sugar, one of 
butter, one teaspoonful of caraway seeds, 
one and a half cups of mirk, and a tea- 
spoonful of soda. 

Tea Cake.— -Three cups of sugar, three 
eggs, one cup of butter, one cup of milk, a 
spoon of soda and four cups of flour, well 
beat up. If it is so stiff it will not stick 
easily, add a little more milk. 

To Broun Coffee. — Coffee should be 
browned gradually, and only to a light 
ohesnut brown, BO that when it is ground it 
will be lively and fly around the sides of the 

cup. 

Potato Pudding.— -Two pounds of pota- 
DOiled and sifted, three-fourths of a 
pound of sugar, one-half pint of cream, 
seven egg8 and nutmeg. 

To Preserve Egg*. — Set them away in a 
dry cellar, standing on their ends, and turn 
the other end up once a week. They will 
keep fresh a year. 

Boiled Pudding.— One quart of milk, 



574 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 



nine eggs, seven spoonfuls of flour, a little 
salt. Put in a bag and boil three-quarters 
of an hour. 



A Funny Speech. 

The Wisconsin Legislature have formally 
considered a proposition to abolish all laws 
for the collection of debts. The mover of 
the bill, Mr. Elmore, is a great wag, as is 
evidenced by the following extract from his 
speech upon the subject: | 

"The speaker proceeded to review the] 
present system of collecting debts. It was ' 
all a humbug and a cheat, a matter of tech- 
nicalities and legal shuffling. Lawyers gave 
advice in order to obtain a fee and encour- 
age litigation. Judges made blunders and 
mistakes. He had but little experience in 
law, and that was rich, (Laughter.) He 
would give a history of it. The speaker 
then related how he had purchased a yoke 
of oxen, about fifty years ago—paid fifty 
dollars for them-— a few clays after, the son 
of the man, of whom he bought the oxen, 
caire to him, and said the oxen were his. 
He insisted on having pay over again, and 
commenced a suit before a justice. The 
jury didn't agree. Finally, through the 
blunders of the Bushwood justice of the 
peace, the case went against him. He ap- 
pealed it to the Circuit Court in Milwaukee. 
'There/ said he, 'I lost again, and said to 
my lawyer: I will give you ten dollars to 
quote Pennsylvania law to Judge Miller, 
and have a new trial ordered. (Great Ap- 
plause.) He took the ten dollars, and per- 
formed the duty. 

"'A new trial was then granted, and 
venue changed to Walwouth county. Judge 
Irvine was then the Judge. Any man who 
wanted to gain a cause in his court, had 
either to go hunting with him and let the 
judge claim all the game that was shot, or 
else pat his dog. Well, I patted the dog. 
(Laughter.) The case was decided in my 
favor. When I heard the decision I thought 
to myself the dog had followed me about 
long enough. I turned around and gave 
him a kick. (Laughter.) The yelp of the 
dog had hardly subsided ere I heard the 
judge say, 'Mr. Clerk, this judgment is set 
aside and a new trial granted.' (Great 
laughter.) Mr. Speaker, that kick cost me 
$200! (Convulsive laughter.) You have 
no doubt seen a suit in a justice's court in 
the country. There is time spent by the 
jurors and hangers-on, besides other costs, 



at least fifty dollars, besides the ill-feelings 
and dissentions caused by it. It is all a 
cheat. The litigants had better sit down 
and play a game of old sledge to decide the 
case. It would be more sure to settle the 
disputes justly/" 

Japanese Industry. 

The Japanese are an industrious and in- 
genious people. Nearly all the useful me- 
tals are worked by them with great skill, es- 
pecially iron, copper, gold and silver; and 
they possess an art, in the combination of 
metals, for beauty and effect unknown to 
other people. Their sword blades are admi- 
rable. They also manufacture astronomical 
instruments, and clocks and watches, copied 
after European models, probably introduced 
by the Dutch. 

Their mirrors are metalic, and very beau- 
tiful. Their carpenters' and cabinet-ma- 
kers' tools are also equal to any of European 
manufacture. They are said to be quick in 
observing any improvement introduced .by 
foreigners, make themselves masters of it, 
and copy it with skill and exactness. Their 
coinage is well stamped, as they are good die 
sinkers. In wood, no people work better, 
and in lacquering they excel the world. 
Other nations have attempted in vain to im- 
itate and equal them, owing chiefly to the 
materials necessary in preparing the wood, 
which is the gum of a tree known only to 
themselves, called the varnish tree. Occa- 
sionally, specimens of their lacquer-work 
have, through the Hutch residents of Hezi- 
ma, found their way to this country; but it 
is said the best samples are never sent out 
of the kingdom. They manufacture glass, 
both colored and uncolored, and their porce- 
lain is delicate and beautiful, beyond all 
rivalry. Paper they produce in abundance, 
principally from the bark of the mulberry 
tree. It is of different qualities ; and some 
of it is as soft and flexible as our cotton 
cloth, for which it might be mistaken, and 
is used for handkerchiefs, and other domes- 
tic purposes. They make silk, the best of 
which is superior to that of China, and is 
said to be woven by criminals of high rank, 
who are confined upon a small, unproductive 
island, deprived of their property, and com- 
pelled to support themselves by their labor. 

The exportation of these silks, it is said, 
is prohibited. As a substitute for cotton 
cloths, as before remarked, in the manufac- 
ture of which they have little skill, they use 



18G0.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



575 



their coarse, spongy paper — which is quite 
as useful ami durable. As they have no 
sheep or goats, the manufacture of woolen 
is unknown among them. Very little leather 
is produced in Japan, owing to a Bod hist 
uperstition, which makes those manufactur- 
ing or vending it outcasts from the rest of 
the population. It is never used for shoes 
m other covering for the feet, such being 
made from plaited straw, for the lower class- 
3S ; the nobility and dignitaries wear slip- 
oers made of fine rattan slips, neatly plaited. 

The ragged appearance of their feet fre- 
juently affords a ridiculous contrast to the 
splendor and richness of the other portions 
)f their picturesque costume. 

We had alluded to the ingenuity of the 
Fapancse; take the following as an example 
n clock making. It is in the description of 
)ne given by a former Governor (Dutch) of 
)ezima, an island of the Dutch Company, 
md to which they are exclusively confined : 

I 1 The clock is contained in a frame three 
bet high by five feet long, and presents a 
air landscape at noontide. Plum and cher- 
y trees in blossom, with other plants, adorn 
he foreground. The background consists 
f a hill, from which falls a cascade, skill- 
iilly imitated in glass, that forms a softly 
owing river, first winding around rocks 
laced here and there, then running across 
he middle of the landscape, till lost in a 
ood of fir trees. A golden sun hangs aloft 
n the sky, and turning upon a point, indi- 
ates the striking of the hours. On a frame 
elow, of beautiful finish, the twelve hours 
f the day and night are marked, where a 
lowly creeping tortoise serves as a hand. 
i. bird perched upon the branch of a plum 
ree, by its song and the clapping of its 
ings, announces the moment when the hour 
xpires, and, as the song ceases, a bell is 
eard to strike the hour, during which ope- 
ation a mouse comes out of a grotto and 
uns over the hill." — Amrrican RuraJUt. 



Draining*. 

The great advantage of land drainage, 
part from that circulation of the feeding 
gent through the soil which it promotes, 
epends no doubt on the immediate penc- 
ration of the spring and summer showers, 
nd their conveyance of the atmospheric 
^mperature into the soil and subsoil, which, 
without some such agency would retain the 
.'inter season for the roots of plants,while 



their leaves and stems were rejoicing in the 
summer sun and air. This influence is 
hardly injured by any merely surface i 
ing which evaporation may produce, and the 
probability that drained land ezperiei 
during summer, even more of this surface 
cooling than land that is undrained, is thus 
no difficulty in the way of our understand- 
ing the immense influence of land drainage 
on fertility. 

The Origin of "Hail Columbia." 

In the "Recollections of Washington," 
just published, occurs the following anec- 
dote : 

" The song of Hail Columbia, adapted in 
measure to the President's March, was writ- 
ten by Joseph rjopkinson, of Philadelphia, 
in 1798. At that time war with France 
was expected, and a patriotic feeling perva- 
ded the community. Mr. Fox, a young 
singer and actor, called upon Mr. Hopkin- 
son one morning, and said : " To-morrow 
evening is appointed for my benefit at the 
theatre. Not a single box has been taken, 
and I fear there will be a thin house. If 
you will write me some patriotic verses to 
the tune of the President's March, I feel 
sure of a full house. Several people about 
the theatre have attempted it, but they have 
come to the conclusion that it cannot be 
done. Yet I think you may succeed." Mr. 
II. retired to his study, wrote the first verse 
and chorus, and submitted them to Mrs. H., 
who sung them to a harpsichord accompani- 
ment. The time and the words harmonized. 
The song was soon finished, and that even- 
ing the young actor received it. The next 
morning the placards announced that Mr. 
Fox would give a new patriotic song. The 
house was crowded — the song was sung — 
the audience was delighted — eight times 
was it called for and repeated, and when 
sung the ninth time the whole audience 
stood up and joined in the chorus. Night 
after night ' Hail Columbia' was applauded 
in the theatre ; and in a few days it was the 
universal song of the boys in our streets. 
Such was the origin of our national song, 
1 Hail Columbia.'" 



The bark of a willow tree, burned to 
ashes, mixed with strong vinegar and applied 
to the parts, will remove all corns or excres- 
cences on any part of the body. 



576 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



[September 




Will Wood of the Farm. 

BY B. W. PEARCE. 

The bright Spring days have come, Will Wood, 

The cold, bleak weather is past, 
The husbandman speeds his plough once more, 

The Frost King's gone at last. 
The fields have cast their mantleof white, 

And are donning their carpet of green, 
The cattle e'en now on the hill-side graze, 

And the green bursting buds are seen. 

My mind's eye wanders to the farm, Will Wood, 

The farm with its meadows and trees, 
Where in years gone by — brightboyhood's years — 

Our hearts were light as the breeze; 
The house by the road, where years it has stood, 

Unscathed by the hand of decay, 
The peach and the pear trees, 'neath whose shade. 

We went in the sunshine to play. 

The hand that planted them is cold, Will Wood, 

And is laid 'neath the white marble stone; 
But the trees he left, bright monuments stand, 

To tell of the patriarch gone. 
That old well sweep you've taken away, 

And a *' new-fangled" pump, in its stead, 
Brings to your hand the pure cooling draught 

From the well that our good s:re made. 

And don't you remember the oven, Will Wood, 

We built 'neath the buttonwood tree? 
And how in that oven the apples we baked, 

And none were so happy as we? 
A score of years have passed since then, 

But the oven remains there still, 
Though the soft green moss now covers its sides, 

That oven close under the hill. 

There isone gentle voice now hushed, Will Wood, 

That we all so delighted to hear; 
Her form lies cold in the embrace of death, 

That was wont the dwelling to cheer; 
But her memory lives in the hearts of those 

Who joyed in her presence then; 
She'll mingle no more with the scenes of earth, 

But anon we shall meet her again. 

We're scattered all hither and yon. Will Wood 

We ne'er again .-hall meet 
Around the board In the old farm-house, 

With kindly words to greet; 
But our hearts cling fondly around that spot, 

Where we neve- knew BUgUI of harm, 
Aii'l we joy to grasp thy hard brown band, 

Will Wood of the homestead farm. 



Be Gentle With Thy Wife. 

Be gentle ! for you little know 

How many trials rise, 
Although to thee they may be small, 

To her of giant size. 

Be gentle! though perchance that lip 
May speak a murmuring tone, 

The heart may beat with kindness yet, 
And joy to be thine own. 

Be gentle ! weary hours of pain 

'Tis woman's lot to bear; 
Then yield her what support thou canst, 

And all her sorrows share. 

Be gentle! for the noblest hearts 
At times may have some grief, 

And even in a pettish word 
May seek to find relief. 

Be genie ! for unkind ness now 

May rouse an angry storm, 
That all the after years of life 

In vain may strive to calm. 

Be gentle ! none are perfect — 
Thou'rt dearer, far, than life; 

Then, husband, bear and still forbear — 
Be gentle to thy wife. 



The Maiden's Choice. 

BY MRS. F. D. GAGE. 

Oh ! give me the life of a farmer's wife, 

In the fields and woods so bright, 
'Mong the singing birds and lowing herds 

And the clover blossoms white : 
The note of the morning sky lark 

Is the music sweet for me ; 
And the dewy flowers, in their morning hours 

The gems I love to see. 

Oh ! ask me not, to your city lot, 

Or your pave, where Fashion throngs 
Thro' ihe live long day, in vain display, 

As the idlers pass along; 
Where the sickly hum of piano 

By nerveless fingers played, 
Tell the morbid life of maid or wife 

In the blighting city shade. 

Oh ! give me the breeze from the waving trees 

And murmur of summer leaves, 
And the swallow's song as he skims along, 

Or twitters beneath the eaves; 
The plowman's shout as he's turning out 

His team at the set of sun, 
Or his merry good night, by the fire-ily's light, 

When his daily work is done. 

And give me the root, and the luscious fruit 

My own hands reared for food ; 
And the bread so light, and honey white, 

And the milk so sweet and good : 
For sweet is the bread of labor 

When the heart is strong and true, 
And a blessing will come on the heart and home 

If our best we bravely do.