^^■^MaMaatanna— — 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER; 



Seboteti 


to 


Agriculture, horticulture, 


ana the j£»cusenolt* 


Arts. 


Agriculture is 


the 


nursing mother of the Arts. 
Xenophon. 


1 Tillage 
State 


and Pasturage are the two breasts of the 
—Sully. 


M 




C. T. BOTTS & L. 


M. BUR FOOT, Editors. 




Vol. III. 




RICHMOND, 


MARCH 


, 1843. 


No. 3. 



TOBACCO. 

(Continued from page 26.) 

Of Stripping and Prizing. 

Stripping- is begun as soon after the plants 
are thoroughly cured and seasoned, as the con- 
venience of the planter will permit. It is taken 
off the sticks in proper season or order, and 
packed in a large bulk for this purpose, and gen- 
erally in higher order than is proper for prizing, 
which enables the strippers to handle it with less 
waste, and to tie it more neatly. There are 
two facts generally believed to exist, in relation 
to the order of tobacco, which are unaccounta- 
ble. One is, that tobacco in order, or in a moist 
state, is no heavier than when dry. The other, 
that if it is taken down and bulked, as it is go- 
ing out of season, that is, as it is passing from 
a moist to a dryer state, it will return in the bulk 
to the highest state of order it had previously 
acquired. These opinions, however, seem to 
have been established more by prescription than 
recent experiment, for I can find no person that 
will absolutely assert the facts upon his own 
experience. But be it as it may, the latter fact 
is so generally believed as to be attended to in 
bulking tobacco. 

In stripping, the best planters make two qua- 
iiiies besides stemmed. For this purpose, every 
plant passes through the hands of the sorters, 
(the most experienced and judicious of the la- 
borers,) who pull off the two first, or ground 
leaves, without looking. Upon examination, 
the remainder of the plant may be found fit for 
the first class — perhaps two more leaves are to 
be taken off, or perhaps the whole is only fit for 
the second class. In this way, the first class is 
obtained, the leaves previously pulled off are 
again sorted for the second class, and what is 
unfit for this is stemmed. 

No definite idea of the quality of the different 
classes can- be well conveyed by description. It 
can only, and soon will be acquired by observa- 
tion and experience. The bundles of each con- 
sist of four or five leaves neatly wrapped around 
the head with another leaf. The stemmed to- 
bacco (about two-thirds of the stem only being 
taken out) is tied in large bundles, and when 
packed in the hogshead for pressing is untied 
and laid loosely, but in strait and uniform layers. 

After stripping, some planters hang up their 
Vol. III.— 7 



tobacco again upon sticks drawn smooth and 
somewhat to a feather-edge, and as it comes in 
proper order for prizing, it is taken down and 
bulked, and closely and effectually covered till 
the time of prizing arrives — the months of April 
and May are thought the best time for this. — 
Others pack their tobacco in double winrovvs, 
that is, lightly lap the tails of the bundles, plac- 
ing the heads on the outside, and thus raise a 
bulk of three or four feet in height. It remains 
in this situation well weighted, but oftentimes 
without cover all the winter, and perhaps gets 
completely dry ; but returns in proper order for 
prizing in the warm weather of April and May. 
It is a matter of much doubt and dispute, which 
of these two modes is the best. Perhaps the 
latter is to be preferred, because it is the least 
trouble, provided the planter has plenty of house 
room, and can so order it as to leave the win- 
rows entirely free from interruption. Other 
planters more careless, carry on the operation of 
stripping and prizing together, without due re- 
gard to the order of the tobacco, which may 
account for the excess of inferior qualities, and 
diversity of prices exhibited in our markets. 

Prizing is the last operation^ but not the least 
important in the care and attention it requires. 
The size of our hogsheads are prescribed by 
law. They must not exceed four and a half 
feet in height, nor thirty-six inches in the diame- 
ter of the heads. In these we generally attempt 
to press 1,500 lbs. but we oftener fall below than 
go over it. The average is perhaps not more 
than 1,350 lbs. Our prizes are of the cheapest 
and simplest construction, generally fixed by the 
laborers who use them, and not exceeding two 
or three dollars in entire cost. The stump of a 
tree is generally used, instead of a post in the 
ground, until it rots, and the hogshead is pro- 
tected by a temporary shed, or a light portable 
roof straddled across the beam. I subjoin a 
sketch of the one most commonly used. This 
you will observe operates by an unceasing sus- 
pended weight, capable of being increased by 
the addition of stones to any required extent, 
and which is suffered to settle gradually to the 
desired point, by which all danger of bruising 
from sudden and violent pressure is avoided. — 
The important points in prizing, are to pack the 
tobacco neatly, in straight and regular laj'ers. 
This is best done by putting in only one bundle 
at a time, pressing and squeezing it closely 



50 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



through the hands as it is done, to make it oc- 
cupy less space, by which it will exhibit a bet- 
ter appearance when it is opened for inspection. 
To make it descend always on a level in the 
hogshead, by never suffering the beam to be de- 
pressed below a horizontal position, and to cause 
the tobacco in prizing, not to leave the inside of 
the hogshead, which can only be effected by 
having different sets of press boards, correspond- 
ing to the different dimensions of the hogshead 
between the bulge and the head. 

Your friend, P. Minor. 



CORN-STALK SUGAR, POUDRETTE AND 
CINDERS. 

To the Editors of the Southern Planter: 

Gentlemen, — While looking carelessly over a 
political paper some time since, I accidentally 
came across an extract from some southern agri- 
cultural journal, relative to the subject of making 
sugar and molasses from the sap of green corn- 
stalks. Since reflecting upon it, I have a desire 
lo try the experiment, merely for the sake of 
gratifying my curiosity. This little extract 
stated that the stalks were ground, but I should 
think "beating" them, in the manner of beating 
cider, would be a good substitute in a small 
way. If you have any knowledge on the sub- 
ject please give us a piece in your next number 
of the Planter, showing the whole process. 

The "Poudrelte" has been discussed with con- 
siderable animation, in our county and I am 
glad to see you design affording us an opportu- 
nity of testing its value. 

I tried an experiment last spring with the 
cinders from the charcoal of a blacksmith's shop, 
and was greatly surprised at its effects. I 
placed thein upon a small red lot, which was 
put in tobacco, and could see the difference, to a 
row, between that and the stable manure. The 
tobacco was larger and heavier where the cinder 
was placed, than the other portion of the lot. I 
cannot attribute it to any strengthening quality 
in the cinder, but it must have changed the na- 
ture of the land, so as to adapt to the wet sea- 
son we had during the whole summer. Do 
you think there could be any intrinsic worth in 
the cinder? 

This is not written for publication, but merely 
to satisfy my own curiosity on the subjects al- 
luded to. I hope the interest I take in farming 
will be a sufficient apology for troubling you. 
There is no subject which the people of Virgi- 
nia should be more anxious to investigate than 
the science of farming and planting, and no 
subject on which the laws of natural philosophy 
would act with a happier and more interesting 
effect. 

Wishing your useful periodical an extensive 
circulation for the good it may do, and as a 



meed for the interest you take in the farmer's 
welfare, 

I am your subscriber 

And obedient servant, 

C. Baskervili.e. 
Mecklenburg, Jan. 16, 1843. 

We have taken the liberty of publishing 
what was "not meant for publication," and 
will, in the first place, assure our correspondent, 
that no apology is needed for " troubling" us 
upon any subject connected with agriculture. — 
It will always afford us pleasure to respond, to 
the best of our ability, to his inquiries, either 
publicly or privately. 

We sincerely hope that the Poudrette will 
receive a fair trial in Virginia this year, not that 
it is, as some have ridiculously imagined, to 
take the place of farm yard manure, but after 
all has been raked and scraped from every 
hole and corner, then we belive it may be 
well eked out with Poudrette. In other words, 
we believe the farmer can make two or three 
hundred per cent, by manuring with Poudrette 
that portion of his land, that Would, otherwise, 
go unmanured. Its effect upon garden vegeta- 
bles is undoubted and most extraordinary. 

The. cinders from the blacksmith's shop, 
we have no doubt, were highly advantageous 
during the wet summer of the last year, in their 
action as mechanical receivers and dischargers 
of the gases obtained from the atmosphere, over 
and above the carbonic acid gas they may have 
assisted in forming. 

With respect to the corn-stalk sugar, we have 
seen specimens of it equal to any we have ever 
beheld. Whether it can successfully compete 
in the market with that from the sugar cane, 
has yet to be settled, and is certainly worthy of 
trial. The following directions for its manufac- 
ture, furnished by Dr. Naudain, of Delaware, 
are the most clear and precise that we have 
seen : 

" The fact that sugar can be made from the 
stalk of corn is one of recent discovery. It has 
already excited a deep interest in the public 
mind, and every thing relating to it is looked 
for with much interest. 

"The writer has become possessed of some 
facts which may materially aid others in the 
present experimental state of ihe business. For 
as yet it is experiment, although enough is 
known to convince the most sceptical that the 
probability is that sugar from Indian corn will 
be, at a future and not very distant day, one of 
the great staples of the country. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



51 



" Without further remark, then, it should be 
remembered that as much corn-stalk as possible 
should be grown. To do this, the corn should 
be planted as broom-corn is commonly planted — 
very close in the row, probably a stalk every 
three oi four inches. The tillage will be the 
same as for broom-corn. When the young ears 
begin to appear it is necessary to pluck them 
off carefully, and to repeat the gathering as of- 
ten as is necessary so as to prevent the formation 
of any grain. Because if grain be allowed to 
form, it takes all the sugar from the stalk. — 
About the time that corn begins to harden, the 
making of sugar should be begun. It is not 
necessary to say any thing about a proper mill 
to crush the stalk and separate the juice, be- 
cause mills of the cheapest kinds only should 
be employed now, until the business would fully 
warrant an expensive outlay. It would proba- 
bly be found that the common cider mill, with 
plain cylindrical nuts, would be quite sufficient 
for a farmer who would raise a fourth or half 
an acre of corn for sugar for his family, and this 
quantity would be quite sufficient for satisfacto- 
ry experiment. 

" When the juice is separated from the stalk, 
about a table spoonful of white wash made of 
the best quick lime and about the consistence of 
thick cream, should be added to each gallon of 
the juice, and then the boiling should commence. 
The scum that rises should be carefully removed ; 
and the juice, if this process has been properly 
and carefully conducted, will be quite clear and 
nearly colorless. Then commences the process 
of evaporation; and when the juice has boiled 
down in about the proportion of eight gallons 
to one, the boiling will be completed, and it may 
be poured out into a shallow tight wooden box 
to grain. 

11 It has been ascertained, although as yet the 
reason is unknown, that if the juice be boiled 
in a deep vessel, like the common cooking ves- 
sels, sugar will seldom be obtained; while if it 
be done in a shallow vessel, so that the juice at 
the commencement of the boiling shall not be 
more than three to five inches deep, sugar would 
be obtained without difficulty. It has been as- 
certained also that the sugar from corn will not 
grain so readily as that from the sugar-cane. — 
And in 3ome instances it has remained more 
than a week after the boiling before the sugar 
wa3 formed, and yet excellent sugar made. 

"It should be particularly remembered that the 
juice should be boiled as soon as separated from 
the stalk. It becomes acid very soon, and no 
sugar can be made if the juice be allowed to 
stand two or three hours before it is boiled. The 
juice will even spoil in the stalk before it is 
ground, if the stalk be cut off a few hours be- 
fore grinding. It is necessary then that every 
part of the process should be done with the 
greatest despatch. The 3talks should be brought 



to the mill as soon as cut, and ground imme- 
diately. The vessel for boiling ought to be pro- 
perly filled in an hour, or at most two hour's 
grinding. And the process of boiling down 
should immediately commence and be continued 
until completed. 

" Excellent syrup, superior to the best mo- 
lasses, will be obtained by observing the above 
directions, and boiling five gallons of juice to 
one gallon. 

" The juice of the corn-stalk is very rich in 
sugar when cultivated in the manner suggested. 
Tested by Beaume's sacbrometer, the instru- 
ment used to measure the strength of syrups, 
the juice of the corn-stalk weighs 10 to 10| 
degrees, which is about the weight of the juice 
of the best cane in the West Indies, and is 
richer than the juice of the cane in Louisiana, 
which is seldom heavier than 8^ degrees. 

"One gallon of juice will produce nearly l£ 
pounds of sugar; and an acre of good com will 
yield, if carefully expressed, from 700 to l,0CO 
gallons of juice." 



From the Farmers' Cabinet. 
HENS' EGGS. 

I notice in the Farmers' Cabinet for 4th mo. 
last, page 275, an inquiry as to the truth of the 
assertion, that hens' eggs which are round pro- 
duce female chickens, and those which are long 
or pointed, produce males. 

When a boy, I was in a situation to be able 
to indulge my fondness for fowls, and often raised 
chickens ; — without ever having heard of the 
above fads, I discovered that the eggs which 
approached the nearest to the roundness always 
produced females, and those which were pointed 
at one end always produced males — I acted ac- 
cordingly, and always succeeded in obtaining 
females or males according as I wished. 

After a lapse of a number of years, being in 
Philadelphia market, I happened to mention the 
fact to one who raised chickens for sale, and 
who preferred the males, because they grew 
larger — the information was received with some 
surprise; but I advised the person to try it, and 
afterwards was informed of the entire success 
of the experiment, all males being produced by 
selecting the long or pointed eggs. 

I since find the fact was mentioned by a 
writer over two thousand years ago. 

L. H. 



GOOCHLAND FAIR. 
We alluded in our last to the proceedings of 
the fall meeting of the Goochland Agricultural 
Society, a report of which was transr 
us by the Secretary just after the e/jJsStbh o^-v 
our December number, with a requ^ 



!St 



Pthat 



we 



CI LIBRARY w 



62 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



would hand it over to the daily papers of the 
city, that it might be published before the pe- 
riod for our next issue. We accordingly com- 
plied with this request, and, much to our regret, 
the paper was misplaced, and we never regained 
it until just as our February number was going 
to press. 

Our limits will not admit a circumstantial 
detail of the proceedings of agricultural meet- 
ings, but we are always happy to receive their 
reports in full, because from them we are fre- 
quently able to extract matters of great interest 
to our readers. This meeting seems to have 
been one of peculiar interest, and it is not even 
yet too late to note some of its most prominent 
proceedings. For instance, we observe that the 
premium for the best cultivated farm was award- 
ed to Mr. Tarlton Fleming. 

We have seen Mr. Fleming's farm more than 
once, and we think all that have had an oppor- 
tunity of judging, will bear us out in saying, 
that the committee would probably have made 
the same award, if the whole Union, instead of 
the county of Goochland, had entered the lists. 
At any rate, we have never seen a farmer, at 
the North or the South, who excelled Mr. Fle- 
ming in the cleanness, neatness, and closeness 
of his cultivation. The second premium was 
awarded to Mr. John M. Vaughan, and the 
third, to Mr. Henrv Shelburn, "a poor man, 
who in early life had the misfortune to lose both 
his feet, and, with no other aid than a small boy, 
performed all the labor on his farm, which exhi- 
bited remarkable neatness and good manage- 
ment." 

To Dr. William L. Wight was awarded the 
premium ' : for the best piece of cloth for men's 
winter wear." With this premium we were 
particularly pleased, because we go very far for 
the protection of domestic industry, and we be- 
lieve the very best mode of encouraging home 
products, is the substitution of them, by indivi- 
duals, for articles of foreign growth. We have 
said we carried the doctrine of " protection" very 
far ; with farmers, especially, we would carry it 
to their own farms and their own firesides. If 
there is an exception on earth to the general 
rule of the value of a divison of labor, whereby 
one man devotes all his labor to one production, 
it is afforded by the peculiar nature and circum- 
stances of the farmer's occupation. The changes 
of the seasons, the complicated nature of his 
pursuit, the isolated character of his situation) 



the necessary redundancy of labor, at the 
South, compel him to combine many divisions 
of labor, and no matter how tempting the cheap- 
ness of "manufactured" products may appear, 
we believe as a general rule, with very few ex- 
ceptions, it is true, that he that makes most 
" within himself" and purchases least, is best off. 

We were very happy to see that the ladies 
came in, not only for a large share of the pre- 
miums, but also of the compliments of the So- 
ciety. To the latter, from what, we ourselves 
once saw at a fair in Goochland, we know they 
were pre-eminently entitled. 

We will now proceed to review 

DR. WIGHT'S ADDRESS. 

This is a very ingenious, scientific, and well 
written document. The Doctor after explaining 
the received theory of the parts performed by 
the soil, the atmosphere, and solar light, in the 
production of plants, lays great stress upon the 
value of the green ray, which is reflected. That 
plants are generally flourishing, when they look 
green, is what we all know, but to say that 
their vigor is owing to the reflection of the 
green ray, is no more reasonable, it seems to us, 
than to say that the reflection of the green ray 
is owing to the healthiness of the plant, which 
would be nothing more than to say, what has 
been familiar to every body for ages, that when 
a plant is healthy, it looks green. Again, why 
not say, that the vigor of the plant is owing to 
the absorption of the other six rays, rather than 
to the reflection of the green ray, which it rejects. 

Lime, the Doctor urges, is beneficial to plants 
by enabling them to reflect the green ray to 
greater perfection ; this he tested by growing 
plants in cotton, watered with rain water, hold- 
ing more or less of carbonate of lime in solu- 
tion. Those plants receiving the dissolved car- 
bonate of lime, gave off, through their leaves, 
more oxygen, and reflected more strongly the 
green ray. That carbon is necessary to the 
growth of plants, analysis has proved long ago, 
that carbonic acid gas is absorbed by plants un- 
der certain circumstances, and that the carbon 
is appropriated and the oxygen given off, is 
well known, and that carbonate of lime, which 
is composed of carbon, oxygen, and lime, in- 
creases the vigor of plants, has been satisfacto- 
rily ascertained, and that the increased vigor 
will be attested by increased greenness, is pro- 
verbial, and was, we should say, confirmed by 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



53 



the result of the Doctor's experiments. He also 
notices the fact, attested by Mr. Ruffin, Mr. Pur- 
vis, and Sir John Sinclair, that the atmosphere 
incumbent upon limed lands is always a healthy 
one. 4fie calls to mind, also, the well known 
circumstance, that low, wet lands, where the 
cultivated plants present a pale, sickly appear- 
ance, are also the generators of that class of 
diseases, known as bilious. From these cir- 
cumstances, the Doctor infers that the healthi- 
ness of the atmosphere is intimately connected, 
in some way, with the power of plants to reflect 
the green ray of light. We would again re- 
spectfully inquire, if the old idea, that the vigor 
of the plant, evidenced by its greenness, promotes 
the wholesomeness of the atmosphere by its in- 
creased consumption of the deleterious carbonic 
acid expelled from the lungs of animals, is not 
as reasonable as the more novel hypothesis of 
Dr. Wight. 

But we have probably already devoted greater 
space, than will be agreeable to our readers, to 
this theory of the Doctor's. We will, therefore 
conclude by extracting what the Doctor, whom 
we know to be a practical man, declares to be 
the practical rules, to which his observations and 
experience have brought him: 

"1st. That as the growth and nourishment of 
plants appear to be alike dependant on the re- 
sults of the decay of organic, or animal and ve- 
getable matters, and upon those inorganic sub- 
stances which increase their action upon the! 
light, we are thus admonished of the necessity, I 
the absolute, indispensable necessity, of periodi- 
cally restoring to the soil, an amount of both 
those elements corresponding with that which , 
is taken from it by cropping. If one of those i 
elements only be returned, the productive powers j 
of plants will not be developed to the extent of j 
which they are susceptible. If both be with- 
held, the soil must, and will deteriorate, because' 
plan's are thus deprived of the means by which ' 
they live, and grow. Both, then, are essential i 
to the corruption of decayed plants, the leaven I 
of the salts must be added, to give rise to forms | 
of the highest beauty and usefulness. The su- 
periority of animal, or putrescent manures, as 
they are termed, over those of vegetable origin, 
is owing solely, it is conceived, to the alkaline 
salts, which the former contain. But as in these, 
the arnmoniacal, or volatile salts predominate, 
their effects are necessarily transient, and hence 
the utility and economy of using those of more 
fixed Character, as lime and ashe3. As regards 
the quantity of alkaline earths, or salts of lime, 
to be applied to an acre of land, my own expe- 
rience does not enable rne to decide. But is it 



not reasonable to suppose, that this question, as 
far as it relates to the action on the light, should 
be determined by their solubility? It is well 
known that plants can take up nothing except 
in the form of solution, and we have abundant 
evidence going to show that the effects of fifty 
or a hundred bushels of lime or ashes, have 
been distinctly visible for an equal number of 
years. Hence it would appear that the quan- 
tity of rain, which falls upon an acre of land, is 
not adequate to dissolve more than a bushel of 
these substances. If it were otherwise, if more 
were dissolved, plants would certainly take up 
a larger quantity, and the effects would neces- 
sarily be less permanent. If, then, this mode of 
reasoning be correct, a bushel of either of these 
salts enumerated, or what would be far prefera- 
ble, as they all have their peculiarities of action, 
a bushel of each will be fully sufficient for the 
attainment of their direct influence. To secure 
their indirect benefits in loosening the soil, and 
rendering it more permeable to atmospheric in- 
fluences, thus alleviating human toil, a much 
larger quantity will, of course, be required. Is 
the question here asked, whence is the magical 
influence of plaster compared with the other 
salts of lime if they act upon the same general 
principle? — the answer seems to be that it is 
referrable to its superior power of increasing the 
action of plants upon the light. Thus the ex- 
periments of Sir Isaac Newton have shown that 
bodies of an unctuous, or sulphureous nature, 
have a greater relative refractive power, than 
others, or than their densities indicate. Plaster 
is a sulphate of lime, consisting of sulphur, oxy- 
gen and lime. May we not hence fairly infer 
that it is the subtle influence of the sulphureous 
principle, upon that all important agent, light, 
which enables plaster to produce an effect ap- 
parently so vastly disproportioned to the cause* 
Consistently with this view the acknowledged 
pre-eminence of plaster and clover in the rapid 
improvement of land may be explained by the 
superior refractive power of the former acting 
through an appropriate medium in the broad 
leaf of the latter. Hence it is also that its 
powers are still more conspicuous in the tobacco 
plant and the pumpkin vine; its apparent bene- 
ficial effect being proportioned to the extent of 
surface through which its influence is exerted. 
Indeed, without the aid of those substances, 
which increase the action of plants upon the 
light, the broad leaves may be supposed to be 
less adapted to the purposes of profit and im- 
provement than the narrow leaved, since the 
operation of nature, a constant and close relation 

* Even admitting with Liebig that on the applica- 
tion of plaster a double decomposition ensues, whence 
results carbonate of lime and sulphate of ammonia, 
still the singular properties of plaster may be as- 
cribed to the increased action in the light which the 
sulphureous principle is known to impart. 



54 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



obtains between the size and structure of the 
leaf, and the amount of these elements in the 
soil. Thus when a piece of land has been im- 
poverished by injudicious culture and left to re- 
cover by its own natural resources, it invariably 
clothes itself with a growth remarkable for the 
narrowness of its leaves. The pine presents us 
with a familiar illustration of nature's mode of 
adaptation of plants to soils, and conveys to us 
at the same time another lesson for imitation in 
returning good for evil. 

" 2dly. The essential elements of fertility, or- 
ganic matters and the salts of lime, having been 
supplied, the next object will be to counteract 
the operation of antagonist processes. Of these 
the chief are the presence of plants other than 
the proper occupants of the soil and an habitual , 
excess of water. The remedy for the first is 
through cultivation, and for the second through 
draining. By thorough draining is meant, the J 
deanston, or furrow system, which has conferred 
such distinction on the husbandry of Scotland. 

"The two preceding rules appear to compre- 
hend the distinguishing of the new or improved 
system of husbandry. These are, 1st. The al- 
ternation of crops, or the introduction of the ar- 
tificial grasses and of root culture into every 
system for the purpose of feeding stock or of 
ploughing into the land — the ultimate object 
being to replenish the earth in the most econo- 
mical manner, with the food of plants — with 
manures. 2dly. Draining and the application 
of lime, ashes, plaster, marl, &c. Draining and 
the application of the alkaline earths and salts ! 
are classed together, because their action is con- 
ceived to be identical — both enabling plants to J 
attract more food from the atmosphere, and at i 
the same time to adapt it more completely to their 
wants. This twofold purpose they effect through 
the formation of a substance whose subtle influ- 
ence upon light gives health, and vigor, and 
beauty to the vegetable creation. 

" Having already, I fear, trespassed too long 
on your patience, I must beg you to bear with 
rne a few moments longer. We have associated 
ourselves for the advancement of a cause, not 
only noble in its object, that of augmenting the 
means of human subsistence and human enjoy- 
ment, but moreover, eminently conducive, if 
rightly pursued, of that elevation of mind which 
should be the end of all our studies. The far- 
mer's life is a daily contemplation of a process 
which ceases to be realised as a miracle, and 
thus fails of its due impression, because we do 
not consider that the succession of events of 
which it is made up is nothing less than a bene- 
ficent adaptation to our present state of being — 
that it is an arrangement in perfect harmony 
with the dispensation under which we live. — 
Let us then resolve that henceforth we will 
rightly pursue it — that with diligence and hu- 
mility we will study those laws which Infinite 



Wisdom has ordained for the government of the 
visible Universe, and bring them into subser- 
viency to the happiness and virtue of mankind, 
by obeying, and thus 'honoring these laws 
when we see them clearly, and adoring their 
profundity when beyond our reach. If the 
works of nature be thus contemplated, the world 
from henceforth becomes a temple, and life itself 
one continued act of adoration.' " 



BLACKSMITHS' WORK. 

As many of our farmers have blacksmith's 
shops of their own, the following directions for 
working steel and making edged tools, plain 
and simple as they are, may be of great value 
to them if carefully enjoined upon their smiths, 
who are frequently great bunglers in this kind 
of work : 

" Working Cast Steel. — We have recent- 
ly obtained information on this subject, from the 
most skilful and celebrated workman in the 
United States, Capt. J. Hill, of Billerica, Massa- 
chusetts. We were a little surprised to learn 
the difference in the management of cast steel, 
from that of the German. There is something 
yet remaining mysterious with regard to the na- 
ture and management of this article, which no 
cyclopedia or other vehicle of intelligence have 
as yet developed. The process of manufactur- 
ing cast steel, it is not our purpose at present to 
describe ; but it is evidently composed of refined 
iron and carbon in very nice proportions. In 
the process of shaping it into cutting blades and 
other articles, it is heated and hammered in the 
manner of other steel : when tempered for this 
purpose, it is first heated to a full cherry red, 
and plunged into water till cold. It may then 
be held over a moderate charcoal fire, until the 
color of any part which has been filed or made 
bright after hardening, changes to a reddish or- 
ange color. This is the temper for cutting tools; 
but if a spring temper is required, it is heated 
over the charcoal till the color approaches a 
blue: or rather, blue inclining to red. In either 
case when the steel is brought to show these 
colors, it is to be plunged in oil — common lamp 
or linseed oil — which will not affect the color. 
If the steel is to be rendered soft for turning or 
cutting, it must be heated to a full red, and left 
to cool in partially ignited charcoal ; in this way 
it may be made so soft as to be cut or turned 
into shape as easily as copper, or even common 
pewter. But the most curious and peculiar pro- 
cess is that of welding. In welding iron, a 
white heat is indispensable, as every body knows: 
but not so with cast steel. When the steel is 
to be welded to iron, neither are to be heated 
above a full cherry red. The two parts are to 
be previously lashed or griped together, and in 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



55 



that condition heated : they have then only to 
be immersed in calcined borax ; or to have the j 
prepared borax (borate of soda) sprinkled over 
the joint, and are ready to adhere by being 
hammered together. The borax for this pur- 
pose, i%p be prepared by being previously heated 
to a full red, -and kept heated till it becomes a 
soft powder like flour. What the chemical 
effect of the calcined borax on the metalic sur- 
faces is, is not perfectly understood, farther than 
that its affinity for oxygen is such as to deprive 
the jointed surfaces of any portion of oxygen 
which might prevent a ready union of the sur- 
faces. When small pieces of steel are to be 
welded, they are to be heated to the full cherry 
red, and immersed in the calcined borax, and j 
are then to be hammered together. The most; 



extraordinary point in the process is the factj 
that if the steel is but a little overheated, it will 
immediately crack into fragments; but by a 
shifted process, and with the use of borax, the 
cracks and defects may be healed and rendered 
sound and solid. We have witnessed the fact, 
that by a judicious management, a fine tem- 
pered cutting edge of cast steel may be bent, 
warped and hammered, and its shape materially 
changed, without breaking, or affecting the tem- 
per. More may be said on this subject in a fu- 
ture number ; but we close for the present with 
the remark that, even Anderson & Co. the cele- 
brated manufacturers of cast steel, are evidently 
unacquainted with all the merits of its peculiar 
properties. — American Mechanic. 



WINGED COULTER. 




The engraving represents an implement very 
highly recommended by Mr. James M. Garnett, 
in his report to the Board of Agriculture, for 
opening corn furrows. We have known it used ; 
for several years past greatly to the satisfaction 
of some of our best farmers. It is in fact no- i 
thing but the old-fashioned coulter, made some- : 
times in one shape, sometimes in another, with 
the addition of the wings, that may be placed 
higher or lower, or altogether removed, at plea- 
sure. The coulter is sometimes made with a 
double point, so that in case of wear or accident 
to the front, it may be reversed, and the other 
point brought into play. Mr. Garnett thus de- 
scribes the one figured in the sketch above : — 
" The letter A represents the bar of the coulter, 
1 foot long, and made out of inch square iron. 
At the end D, it has a point which fits into a 
hole in the heel of the coulter B. This is 6 
inohea long from heel to point, which is sharp, 



and about an inch and a half broad. The up- 
right part of the coulter should be about one 
and a half inches wide, and three-quarters of 
an inch thick. The letter C represents two 
small mouldboards of wood, about 6 or 7 inches 
long, and 4 wide. They are fastened on with 
screws or nails, and are to be used only for open- 
ing a furrow to plant corn, or any thing else 
planted in the same way. The advantage of 
this fixture is, that the furrow will be opened 
only to the required depth, whilst the coulter, 
which works several inches deeper, pulverizes 
the earth below the seed, and thus forms a soft 
bed for the reception of their roots. In using 
the coulter to prepare new grounds for the 
plough, or for other purposes, the mouldboards 
should be taken off. The letter E represents 
the screw bolt which fastens the end of the bar 
to what may be called the helve." 



56 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



For the Southern Planter. 
GRASS, RUTA BAGA AND ROLLERS. 

Messrs. Editors, — I observe in the Planter of 
this month, that Mr. William Carter, on the 
Chickahominy, (a stream clear to me) had tried 
the mode called new, of renovating grass lands 
as practised in the East somewhere, and found it 
to answer to his entire satisfaction ; and, that he 
was convinced of the utter inutility of a cleans- 
ing crop where grounds required .reseedmg in 
grass. 

Now, I saw this done as far back as 1817, at 
Ricohoc, in the county of King & Oueen. The 
land had been put in herdsgrass by Col. Smith, 
and the then occupant of the estate broke up 
that portion of it for the purpose of planting in 
corn, but before it could be properly prepared, 
the grass made its appearance between the fur- 
row slices, plainly indicating that the effort to 
obtain a grain crop would be attended with 
more labor than could be bestowed on it, and 
upon being abandoned, a fine growth of grass 
ensued. On the Bordley meadows in the same 
county, it has been the uniform practice for se- 
veral 3'ears, but the harrowing is omitted, the 
rains, snows and frosts doing this part of the 
business pretty effectually. The ploughing is 
done from soon after harvest until late in the 
winter, and the seed, if requisite, sown from De- 
cember to February, on the surface, to be forced 
in place by the action of frost, rain and snow. 

'En passant,' I have seen ruta baga made with 
less work than our anti-silk-stocking friend prac- 
tises. The ground intended for it is put in good 
heart the preceding fall and winter, and covered 
with a good coat of litter, no matter how coarse, 
and remains until the time for planting arrives ; 
then, season or no season, it is thoroughly bro- 
ken up, harrowed, and the seed dropped thin 
from a drill, by slakes, and well and firmly rolled 
in. A thin sprinkling of lime follows, and the 
crop rarely, if ever fails. The subsequent work- 
ing consists in the repeated use of the cultivator, 
and occasionally the hand-hoe, till the leaves 
have attained a size which will endanger their 
breaking. The thinning is done by degrees, as 
taking away the superabundant plants loo fast 
will cause them that are left to fall, and often 
perish. 

I have no hesitation in saying that this crop 
is generally sowed too early in our climate, and 
that the gathering of it at once is wholly use- 
less. Every other row may be used out, and 
the remainder secured by dipping a plough pret- 
ty deep on each side of them. 

Speaking of rollers, I have lately seen one 
that certainly is preferable to all others that have 
come under my observation. A shaft twelve 
inches square is pierced by three sets of arms, 
to which are attached felloes of suitable dimen- 
sions ; upon these are strongly nailed slats three 



inches wide, one and a half thick; inch and 
quarter winged gudgeons are inserted in the 
ends of the shaft, and the frame, which is so 
close behind as to keep the cylinder clean, has 
hounds and tongue like a wagon. The driver's 
seat is on the hinder part of the frame — the ma- 
chine stands four feet six inches, -carries a five 
foot row, and is an easy draught for two good 
horses; they should, however, be relieved occa- 
sionally during the day, in fact, an all-day's work 
is too much for any team to any ponderous ma- 
chine through ploughed ground. 

Oberlin. 

Query. Will M'Cormick's reaper answer to 
mow grass ? Has any one tried it 1 

We thank our unknown friend for his com- 
munication, nameless as it is. We have no doubt 
his roller is an excellent one. 

M'Cormick's reaper, as at present constituted, 
is not exactly adapted, we should imagine, to 
mowing grass. We mentioned the subject to 
the inventor, when he was with us, and he ex- 
pressed to us his confidence in his ability to 
make such alterations as would render it perfect 
in this respect — he promised to try the experi- 
ment, if possible, during the approaching harvest. 



FEEDING POULTRY. 

Professor Gregoiy, of Aberdeen, in a letter to 
a friend, observes, " As I suppose you keep 
poultry I may tell you that it Las been ascer- 
tained, that if you mix with their food a suffi- 
cient quantity of egg-shells or chalk, which they 
cat greedily, they will lay, cccteris paribus, twice 
or thrice as many eggs as before. A well-fed 
fowl is disposed to lay a vast number of eggs, 
but cannot do so without the materials for the 
shells, however nourishing in other respects her 
food may be; indeed, a fowl fed on food and 
water, free from carbonate of lime, and not find- 
ing any in the soil, or in the shape of mortar, 
which they often eat on the walls, would lay no 
eggs at all, with the best will in the world." 



INDIAN CORN AND OLD FIELD PINES. 
To the Editors of the Southern Planter: 

Gentlemen, — I have been a subscriber to your 
paper ever since it has been published, and I 
have noticed that nearly all your correspondents 
upon the subject of Indian corn agree, that the 
rows should be four and a half or five feet dis- 
tant. This is no doubt the proper distance for 
all the corn east of the Blue Ridge, but I once 
happened to be present, in the south-western 
part of Virginia, at corn planting time, and was 
surprised to observe the farmers laying off their 
rows from three feet, to three and a half, wide. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



67 



I told them they would make no corn, and in- 
sisied that the rows should be wider. One gen- 
tleman told me to lay off a few rows in the old 
Virginia style, and I, being accustomed to the 
plough handles, laid hold, and run off a few 
furrows' irough the centre of the field, four and 
a half feet apart. In the succeeding August, 
I visited the same field, and, to my utter asto- 
nishment, the rows I had lain off were destitute 
of grain, and the fodder burnt entirely up. whilst 
the narrow rows were excellent and the fodder 
green to the ground. So, I concluded that the 
proper width of rows depends upon the nature 
of the soil. I noticed that the lands in Western 
Virginia dried much sooner after heavy rains 
than they did east of the Blue Ridge; this is 
the case in all limestone countries, where the 
corn must be planted thicker, for the purpose of 
shading the ground, and retaining the moisture 
in summer. 

I congratulate neighbor Drummond on his 
conversion to early planting. I have tried the 
experiment myself, and find that corn planted 
early will not grow as tall, but will yield more 
grain, and that of better quality, for it will 
weigh more to the bushel than the late planting. 

A writer on " Forest Trees," in your August 
number, 1842, observes that old field pine is "of 
little value." Now 1 consider a grove of such 
pines exceedingly valuable for garden posts, or 
posts of any kind ; if properly prepared, they 
will last as long as locust or any other timber. 
My mode of treatment is as follows : I take a 
drawing knife and draw off the bark as the tree 
stands, as high up as I want to use it: in this 
situation the tree, which will not die, remains a 
twelvemonth, when, in consequence of the sun's 
having drawn the rosin to the surface, it will 
have become a solid bulk of lightwood and will 
be ready for use. 

Your obedient servant, 

J. H. Fuqua. 

Amherst, January, 1843. 



ECONOMICAL PAINTING. 

The following cheap but durable method of 
painting, has recently appeared in a foreign 
journal, and as it appears rational in its princi- 
ples, we have no doubt of its being useful to 
many in the country, especially in these econo- 
mizing times: 

Take skimmed milk, one quart — fresh slacked 
lirne, six ounces — oil of linseed, four ounces — 
Spanish white, say whiting, five pounds. Put 
the lime into a vessel of stone ware, and pour 
upon it a sufficient quantity of milk to make a 
smooth mixture ; then add the oil by degrees, 
stirring the mixture with a small wooden spa- 
tula ; then add the remainder of the milk, and 
finally the Spanish white. Skimmed milk, in 
summer i3 often curdled, but this is of no conse- 
Vol. III.— 8 



quence, as its fluidity is soon restored by its con- 
tact with the lime. It is, however, absolutely 
necessary that it should not be sour, for in that 
case it would form with the lime a kind of cal- 
careous acetate susceptible of attracting mois- 
ture. The lime is slacked by plunging it into 
water, drawing it out, and suffering it to fall to 
pieces in the air. For painting wiih the ochres, 
the commonest lamp oil may be used. The oil 
when mixed with the milk and lime, disappears, 
being entirely dissolved by the lime, and forms, 
with it, a calcareous soap. The Spanish white 
must be crumbled, and gently spread on the sur- 
face of the liquid, by which it is graduall}' im- 
bibed, and at last sinks. It must then be stirred 
with a stick. This paint is colored like distem- 
per, with charcoal, levigated with water, yellow 
ochre, &c. and applied to the woik in the usual 
method by brushes. — Mechanic. 



TIMBER. 



To the Editors of the Southern Planter: 

Gentlemen, — Will you be good enough to ask 
through your valuable journal, whether timber 
lasts better, cut in winter than summer? If so, 
I should like to hear the rationale. I know the 
old theory that the sap is out of the tree in win- 
ter and has gone down to the root. Upon this 
I am very skeptical — seeing that the roots are 
full of sap in summer, and therefore they cannot 
well hold during winter their own and that of 
all the branches likewise. So let us hear what 
is the most lasting timber for posts 1 Does ches- 
nut under ground decay sooner than oak 1 
In haste, yours truly, 

Whit'l P. Tunstall. 

We believe the most approved doctrine of 
modern times is, that the sap of trees becomes 
spissated, or thick, during the winter months, 
and ceases to flow, the vital energies of the tree 
being dormant, as it were, until called into ac- 
tion by the genial heat of summer. Under this 
view, many contend that the timber should be 
cut in the summer, rather than the winter, be- 
cause the sap, which is considered so injurious 
to the lasting properties of the wood, can be 
more readily expelled in a fluid state. Others 
contend, that the pores of the wood are more 
open in summer than in winter, and a great 
many talk a deal of nonsense upon the subject. 
We knew a very old experienced timber getter 
who asserted, that there was but one day in the 
year upon which timber should be cut, and that 
was the 28th day of August. To determine 
the matter by experience, requires a greater de- 
gree of exactness and a more extended obser- 



58 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



valion, than usually falls to the lot of men en- 
gaged in the business. 

We should be very much obliged for any in- 
formation that will assist our esteemed corres- 
pondent. 



From the Farmers' Cabinet. 
THE POTATO. 

Mr. Editor, — It is, perhaps, not generally 
known to the subscribers of the Farmers' Cabi- 
net, that in the potato there are two parts, which, 
if separated and planted at the same time, one 
will produce tubers fit for the table eight or ten 
days earlier than the other. This fact has fallen 
under my own observation, and is the plan I 
now pursue in order to obtain an early supply 
for my table, fine and very mealy. The apex 
or small end of the potato, which is generally 
full of eyes, is that part that produces the ear- 
liest — the middle or body of the potato produces 
later, and always large ones. The butt or navel 
end is worthless, except for feeding stock, and, 
if planted, produces very indifferent small ones, 
and often none at all, the eyes, if any, being 
imperfectly formed. The potato being cut two 
weeks before planted, and spread on a floor, that 
the wounds may heal, separating the small end 
from the middle, then cutting off the navel or 
butt, the body or middle of the potato is then 
divided into two pieces lengthwise, taking care 
to have always the largest and finest selected, 
being convinced that if none but large potatoes 
are planted, large ones will be again produced — 
small things produce small things again, and 
therefore no small potatoes should be planted ; 
this practice is too prevalent, and may account 
for the many varieties and small potatoes met 
with in our markets. Who would not prefer 
a large mealy potato to a small one, that will 
take hours to boil soft, and then may only be fit 
to feed the cattle with ? 

For several years past I have adopted the 
plan of putting potatoes into the ground late in 
the fall, covering them with manure, sometimes 
with tanners' waste bark, and always have suc- 
ceeded in raising a fine early crop. Last fall I 
had taken up some as fine and large Mercer po- 
tatoes as anyone could wish; they were co- 
vered with tan six inches thick the preceding 
fall ; many weighed sixteen ounces. No parti- 
cular care or attention was bestowed upon them 
through the summer, the tan not permitting any 
weeds to trouble them, or to draw out the nour- 
ishment from the earth, they had therefore all 
the benefit of the soil, kept moist and clean by 
the tan, for tan will keep the ground moist and 
clean, and in an improved state in the driest 
season. I have found the great advantage of it 
to rny asparagus and strawberry beds, which 
are annually covered with it. 



The potato I consider so valuable and indis- 
pensable a vegetable, and having never seen a 
suggestion in print of separating the potato and 
planting each by itself, that I have been induced 
to send you this imperfect and hastily drawn up 
communication. Perhaps you may think it 
worthy a place in the Farmers' Cabinet, and if 
so, should be pleased to hear that some of its 
patrons will try the experiment of planting se- 
parately each part of the tuber, believing that 
the potato may be much improved by a due re- 
gard to the above suggestions. 

J. F. H. 

Lancaster, February 26, 1842. 



NEW HORSE SHOE. 

A simple but most ingenious invention has 
been laid before us in the shape of an improve- 
ment in the horse shoe. It is that of making 
that part of the shoe which is now solid con- 
cave ; by which the foot is enabled to take a 
grip, which with the ordinary shoe, is impossi- 
| ble. The principle is, in fact, that of the fluted 
; skate ; and whilst the shoe is, of course, lighter 
than when manufactured on the usual principle, 
| it is equivalent in slippery weather, or on wood 
j pavement, to one that is roughed. The conca- 
vity runs entirely round the shoe, having a 
strong rim in form, equal in thickness to the 
hoof of the horse's foot, and another at the 
back, of half that thickness. This mode of for- 
mation, whilst it involves the use of a smaller 
quantity of iron, and consequently less weight, 
gives a far greater purchase, and is much more 
[ in accordance with the nature, form, and texture 
of the horse's foot. By preventing the necessity 
' of turning up the shoe behind, it places the foot 
[in a more natural position, and thus assists in 
i bringing into operation the frog, instead of plac- 
| ing it out of action, and straining all the oiher 
parts of the foot. — United Service Gazette, Eng- 
land. 



For the Southern Planter. 
SOAP-STONE AND COAL-TAR. 

Messrs. Editors, — If yourselves or any of your 
numerous readers can give me any information 
relative to the application of oil and soap-stone 
to the roofs of buildings with a view to making 
them fire-proof, I would be very thankful for it. 
Having seen in agricultural papers so many 
puffs of what, afterwards proved to be worse 
than useless, I repose but little confidence in 
theories which have not been submitted to the 
touch-stone of experience. 

Will the mixture of oil and soap-stone, there- 
fore, render the roof of a house fire- proof ? and 
will it last long? or will it require frequent re- 
newal ? 

I would also inquire, gentlemen, whether 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



59 



either of you, or your readers, has had any ex< 

perience in the application of coal-tar, and if so, 

what is the result of that experience? 

Very respectfully, 

An Inquirer. 

P. S. — If I mistake not, I think I have seen 
both of the above applications objected to. 

An Inquirer. 

We should be glad to receive any information 
upon the subjects alluded to above. 



GARDENING. 

Gardening time is upon us. And why should 
not farmers have as good gardens as villagers ? 
We always expect when we see a large enclo- 
sure attached to a village residence, that a well 
cultivated garden will be found within it ; and 
why should we not expect the same on every 
farm ? There is no good reason why. But 
sadly different, in many instances, is the case ! 
You see often the large farm and the small farm 
well cultivated, and the garden almost entirely 
neglected. Is the latter of less importance in 
its place than the former? By no means. Do 
the farmer and his family relish the products 
and fruits of the garden less than others, when 
they have them? Not at all. Then why this 
neglect? It proceeds entirely from a mistaken 
estimate of horticulture. The products of the 
garden are deemed of little moment, and those 
of the farm every thing. All hands are hurried 
and driven day after day on the farm, and the 
garden, which perhaps has only a wretched lit- 
tle bed or two, is often permitted to go to weeds, 
unless cultivated by the poor women, who gen- 
erally find their hands full with their children 
and domestic labors. Never was there a greater 
blunder than this in the cultivation of the earth. 
There is nothing furnishes a richer amount of 
healthful and delightful sustenance to a family 
than a good vegetable garden. Indeed, some fa- 
milies with verysmall garden spots, who carefully 
cultivate them, receive from them their chief sup- 
port. Go into their dwellings when their tables 
are set and you may see a profuse display of vege- 
tables ; and perhaps on entering the house of a 
neighboring farmer about the same time of day, 
and though there be an abundance of meat and 
bread, the display of vegetables will be lean and 
stinted ! 

A little judicious expenditure of time would 
entirely correct this incongruity, and furnish to 
every farmer a rich and delightful table of ve- 
getables through the year. In the first place he 
mu3t have his little garden spot fenced off with 
rails, if he is not yet able to do it with pickets. 
It must be a separate enclosure from the rest of 
the farm, and kept so faithfully. He must ap- 
propriate a day to ploughing and preparing and 



sowing his earliest beds — no matter what the 
hurry of business. After these are done well, 
as the season advances, and the time arrives for 
putting in the later vegetables, if he cannot 
spare time in the morning, let the team stop in 
the course of the day, and let them be well 
finished also, and the business is done until 
weeding time. When this comes, an hour in 
the morning early for two or three mornings in 
a week for a very few weeks, will keep the beds 
perfectly clean, until the vegetables are fit for 
the table, and then what will be presented ? — one 
of the finest spots on the whole farm — a luxu- 
riant garden, from whence a rich and healthful 
treat may be gathered — rendering comparative- 
ly but little animal food necessary, and furnish- 
ing decidedly the most economical as well as 
pleasant living for a family. 

To those farmers who have been in the habit 
of getting along for years with a dwarfish half- 
cultivated bed or two for a garden, we say, try 
the recommendation here given for one season, 
and we are sure you never need be urged to it 
again — for the advantages will be so sensibly 
felt, that of the two, the work of the farm will 
be rather suspended for a day, or a part of a 
day, if necessary, than the garden should not 
be seasonably and thoroughly attended to. 

A spot on the north side of the garden may 
be advantageously kept as a temporary nursery 
for choice fruit trees, (such as cherries, plums, 
and pears,) as they may be obtained from lime 
to time from neighbors and acquaintances, until 
permanent places may be selected for their future 
location. Having paid a good deal of attention 
to trees and agriculture, we write from observa- 
tion and experience. — Baptist Register. 



THE HARD TIMES. 

" It is an ill wind that blows no good," and 
we heard a shrewd old farmer observe the other 
day, that the low price of agricultural produce 
was already inducing many farmers to pay 
great attention to the improvement of their lands, 
who were formerly tempted to " skin" them for 
the large returns the market afforded. 

The idea is not an unreasonable one ; such 
is the cupidity and short-sightedness of human 
nature, that extra prices will alwaj's excite ex- 
tra production at the expense of improvement. 
It is true, that money making is the great ob- 
ject of agriculture, but it by no means follows 
that the most certain way to effect it is to im- 
poverish the land for the sake of a single crop. 
There is no state of the market in which a far- 
mer may not prejudice his own interest by rob- 
bing hi3 land, but it frequently happens, as at 
present, that prices of produce are so low, that 



60 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



the best investment a farmer can make of his 
labor, is, to devote it to the improvement of his 
land, whereby, for the crop he would take from 
it now, he will receive twofold hereafter, when 
prices are better. 

If we have succeeded in extracting any com- 
fort out of the present state of things, we con- 
ceive we deserve at least as much credit as the 
man, who 

"Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, 
Sermons in stones, and good in every thing." 



BABBIT'S ANTI-ATTRITION METAL. 

Mr. Choate, from the Committee on Naval 
Affairs in the United Slates Senate, has reported 
in favor of a bill authorizing the Secretary of 
the Navy to purchase for the" United States the 
right to use Babbit's anti-attrition metal. The 
metal is used in machinery — especially in steam 
engines. The improvement which the inventor 



has secured by patent consists in the substitu- 
tion of a soft, unctuous metal, for the hard brass 
or composition heretofore used to sustain the 
journals and other moving parts of machines. 
This soft metal is enclosed in a new, improved 
manner, in ribs or ledges of harder metal, to 
prevent its being spread by the weight of the 
shafting or by pressure. The Committee con- 
sider that the improvement is one which the 
government ought to possess the right to use. 
It secures a great diminution of friction, and a 
consequent saving of fuel, and saves one half 
or more than one half the oil heretofore neces- 
sary ; lessens the cost of the original construc- 
tion of the brasses which receive the journals — 
since they may be made much lighter than be- 
fore ; lessens the expense of repairs, because the 
soft metal wears longer than the haid, and the 
ribs and ledges maybe relined at small cost: 
communicates increased efficiency to the engines 
by the diminution of friction, and prevents the 
heating of the journals, crank-pins, and other 
moving parts of the machinery. 



A CLOVER BOX 




A, Leather strap. B, Clover box. 

In the engraving above is represented a box, 
for sowing clover seed, no doubt familiar to many 
of our readers. Indeed, we had supposed it too 
well known to need description, else its ex- 
cellence would long ago have commended it to 
our notice; but within the last sixty days, we 
have been so frequently asked if we knew any 
implement which would sow clover seed evenly 
and regularly, that, late in the season as it is, 
we have concluded to describe this simple con- 
trivance, that is by far the best and cheapest we 
know for the purpose. 

The engraving is intended to represent a box 
eight or ten feet long, about four inches wide, 
divided into partitions six inches long. The box 



is tying on one of its sides, so that the interior 
with a view of the bottom, is presented to the 
spectator. In the bottom of each partition is 
an opening of about three inches square, in 
which is inserted a piece of tin or parchment, 
or stiff paper, perforated with a number of holes 
of sufficient size for the clover seed to pass 
through. In each partition the seed is placed. 
To the box is fixed a strap, which is passed 
over the shoulders of the sower, and, carrying 
the box before him, he walks over the field, agi- 
tating the box by his hand if it requires more 
movement than it receives from his walk. Small 
slides may be made to cover the holes in the 
bottom, to prevent the seed from dropping out 
before the sowing commences. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



61 



Any good carpenter can make the box in a 
few hours, and it will be found extremely valua- 
ble for sowing, broadcast, any small seed. 



From the New England Fanner. 

MANAGEMENT OF SWINE. 

In the first place, there must be a good piggery. 
There is a greater failure in this respect than 
any other. The swine are loo cold in cold wea- 
ther, and too warm in warm weather. The 
owners of these animals do not sufficiently con- 
sider that they require to be comforiable, in order 
to thrive and do well. It is a lamentable fact, 
notwithstanding so much has been said and 
written on the proper management of swine, 
that many have hogs that are continually scold- 
ing and crying; not so much on account of 
being scantily fed, as for the want of a comfort- 
able piggery. I went by one of these miserable 
pens the other night, where the inmates were 
whining out something like the following: 

Oh! cruel master, why do ye 
Confine us in this piggery 1 ? 
Oh! here we lie, without a bed, 
Dirty and wet, from foot to head; 
Boreas comes in, from every crack, 
And bites our ears, our legs and back: 
Thus we shiver all the night; 
"We scold, we whine, and sometimes bite. 
Hard master! shall it always be, 
To have no better piggery? 

Who can suppose that swine will do well, 
when so uncomfortable and restless, and nature 
forces them to whine out such heart-rending 
complaints 1 A moment's reflection must con- 
vince every one that swine ought to have a dry, 
comfortable nest. Furthermore, it is highly ne- 
cessary that it should be so, that they can bask 
in the sun in cold weather, and have the benefit 
of the air and shade in the warm. There is no 
doubt but a third may be saved by good accom- 
modations. 

In the second place, there must be suitable food 
and good attendance. Sows that have pigs, ought 
to have different keeping from what hogs gen- 
erally have. In order to have their offspring do 
well, they not only must have meal, but a good 
supply of milk, or whey. This is soon imparted 
to their progeny, and, generally, (wiih good at- 
tendance) produces what the owner so much 
desires. Parturition having taken place, care 
should be taken for a few days not to over-feed. 
After which, the sow ought to be fed five times 
a day, and have about what the appetite craves. 
In other cases, roots, especially the potato, can 
be used to great advantage. This, I think, is 
the most natural for swine, and can be raised 
(all thing3 considered) wiih the least expense. 
Not only roots, but meal, ought to be cooked. 
I very well know that there is some expense 



about it — but where the accommodations are 
good, there will be undoubtedly a great gain. — 
Weaned pigs and swine that we are fatting, 
ought to be fed three times a day, and about 
such a time. Punctuality in this respect is 
highly important. Some contend lo feed twice 
per clay is as well, or belter, than oflener. But 
against this practice, reason and experience raise 
a powerful voice. Nature teaches that they re- 
quire not only a breakfast and supper, but a 
dinner. The food must be of good quality and 
dealt out liberally, but not to cloy. Meal should 
be made of a mixture of grain ; it is more pa- 
latable, and has a better effect upon the recipi- 
ents. By feeding swine three times a day, in a 
proper manner, the slomach may be duly dis- 
tended, but not so as to produce disease ; where- 
as, if the food that they have at three times, be 
given at two, it. will so distend the stomach as 
to have this effect. 



SETTING GATE POSTS. 
An experienced carpenter, who has put up a 
great deal of fencing in bis time, tells us, that 
he has found great advantage from reversing 
the posts, or setting them bottom upwards. He 
asserts that this simple arrangement will cause 
them to last doubly as long, and accounts for it 
by supposing that the pores of the wood are 
more closed and better protected from the mois- 
ture of the atmosphere, when their natural po- 
sition is reversed. 



For the Southern Planter. 
THE APRICOT. 

Messrs. Editors, — Thisdeliciousfruit is scarce- 
ly ever grown in the middle couniies of Virgi- 
nia, and is rarely found in the tide water coun- 
try. It is owing to the frequent failure of the 
tree to bear. It blooms early, and the young 
fruit is blighted. This evil may generally be 
corrected by planting the tree some five or six 
feet from the north side of a wall. The blossom 
is thereby retarded until the severe frosts are 
over. By this means I have as often succeeded 
with this excellent fruit as with peaches in or- 
dinary locations. Not the least recommendation 
of the apricot is i< ripens in July, when other 
fruit is scarce. Mine are said to be the only 
bearing trees in the couniy. 

I hope this communication will not be too 
late for those who may be induced to avail 
themselves of the present season for planting 
this valuable fruit. 

Yours respectfully, 

Thomas Meaux. 

Amelia, Jan. 25, 1843. 



62 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



THE TOMATO. 

The celebrity of this plant has become asto- 
nishing. A few years since, prejudice reviled at 
its excellences with its most vindictive tauntings. 
Noiv, it is an article of so general popularity, 
scarcely a garden, or an apology for one, is to be 
found where it is not cultivated, and almost eve- 
ry voice is loud in proclaiming its excellences. 
The tomato has three kinds or varieties, to wit: 
the large common, the egg, and the golden drop. 
We prefer the two last kinds for culture, as they 
are firmer, or more solid in their texture and 
more delicate in their flavor. The tomato may 
be started in a hot-bed, or in boxes in the house 
in March. Then by care, large thrifty plants 
will be ready for putting out as soon as the sea- 
son of frost is passed. They do not require a 
rich soil ; this causes them to run too much to 
vine, but rather an excitement to push forward 
to perfection. We know of no more sure effec- 
tive to produce this, than to put say half or a 
third of a common shovel full of hen or pigeons' 
dung in the hill. It is admirably calculated for 
pepper or for tomatoes. 

After the early frost had killed the vines last 
fall, a friend of ours, of close observation and 
exact calculation, experimented feeding the to- 
matoes that remained to her cow. They were 
readily eaten, and the quantity of milk was in- 
creased. This certainly adds another to the 
thousand and one uses to which they have been 
applied. W. B. 



him to death for any other use. We will guar- 
antee that the animal has more sense than the 
man, and, if he could be consulted, would tell 
you, that if you are going to kill him, it is \eiy 
immaterial to him whether you convert his car- 
cass into beef or into corn and wheat. Now, if 
we were not afraid of shocking the delicate sen- 
sibilities of some people, we would recommend 
our farmers to proceed straightway to convert 
three-fourths of their dogs and cats into good 
wholesome vegetables in the way recommended 
by Mr. Drummond, and would even venture to 
urge, that there was no more impropriety in 
raising them for the express purpose, if they 
I could find their profit in it, than there would be 
in raising and fattening a nice young pullet for 
the table. 



We have received a communication com- 
menting in pretty severe terms upon what the 
writer was pleased to term, " the barbarity" of 
Mr. Drummond's plan of killing his old and 
useless horses, cattle, &c. for his compost pit. — 
In contrast with this inhuman conduct, is cited 
the treatment Dr. Parish, of Philadelphia, be- 
stowed upon an old and favorite horse of his. 

We hardly waited to finish this epistle, to 
throw it in the fire, and should not stop to no- 
tice it now, but that we have observed " stuff" 
of a similar character in some of the journals 
of the day. If any gentleman has a horse to 
which he has formed an attachment, in the name 
of common sense let hirn indulge his fancy in 
keeping and cherishing him as long as he 
pleases. And so, we can respect the feeling 
which preserves a favorite tree because it is 
linked with dear and cherished associations, but 
is this any reason for going without fire-wood, 
and leaving the forest untouched 1 We scorn 
the sickly sensibilit}', which will kill an old hard 
working ox for the purpose of converting him 
into beef, and cannot bear the idea of putting 



A NEW SPECIES OF MANUFACTURE. 

We learn that Mr. Stearns, of Woodstock, 
Vermont, is about to establish, at the State Dam 
in this city, a manufactory of satinet out of 
woollen rags and the usual amount of cotton 
warp. Flannel rags, old woollen stockings, old 
carpets, and every kind of woollen rags, except- 
ing broadcloth and cassimere, will be used. — 
These rags are converted, by a certain process, 
into a substance resembling wool, and are then 
spun into yarn. Rags of broadcloth and cassi- 
mere cannot be used on account of their being 
deprived of the adhesive quality necessary to 
form a firm thread. — Troy Whig. 



Patent Office, Jan. 25, 1843. 
To the Editors of the Southern Planter: 

Gentlemen, — I take pleasure in transmitting 
a very beautiful sample of " Kloss's White Blue 
Stem" wheat and refer to the Hon. John Snyder's 
letter for a description of its origin and proper- 
ties. The same letter will inform those desirous 
of a larger quantity, where to apply. I also 
send a sample of Valparaiso wheat, just received 
from South America. 

I am, most respectfully, yours, 

H L. Ellsworth. 



Hon. Henry L. Ellsworth, 

Commissioner of Patents : 
Dear Sir, — The bushel of wheat I have sent 
you is the product of my county — Union, Penn- 
sylvania. Its origin is briefly this: My neigh- 
bor, Christian Kloss, saw, in his field of Blue 
Stem wheat, a single top-proud head ; he was 
struck with the contrast between it and the 
wheat of the whole field, this being the only 
white head in it, and much the largest. At 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



63 



harvest time he secured the head and seeded it 
in his garden the coming fall ; (I do not recol- 
lect the time, perhaps six years since;) he di- 
vided the next years' produce amongst his neigh- 
bors, and last fall there was perhaps 1,000 
bushels -if this seed sown ; one farmer had 4C0 
bushels : it is called Kloss's White Blue Stem. 
The wheat I send is the growth of last year ; 
it will be recollected our country was filled with 
rust and smut, — this wheat escaped, yet, it is 
not quite as full in the grain as the crop of the 
preceding year ; it weighs G5 lbs. per bushel. — 
We have the Mediterranean wheat in our coun- 
ty — the White Blue Stem is considered far su- 
perior. Hoping it may prove useful to the agri- 
culturist, it being Pennsylvania staple, I hazard 
nothing in recommending it as the best wheat 
in the northern part qf the State, and quite the 
best I ever saw. 

Truly, yours, 

John Snyder. 
January 18, 1843. 

We beg leave to return to Mr. Ellsworth the 
thanks of our farmers for his constant and dis- 
interested endeavors to promote their interests. 

The samples sent have been made up into 
little packages of twelve grains each, and are 
ready at our office for general distribution. 

To our friend Mr. R. B. Haxall, the well 
known proprietor of the Columbia Mills, we 
have exhibited the specimens received from the 
Patent Office. The Valparaiso wheat he une- 
quivocally condemns ; he says it is an old ac- 
quaintance, has been frequently tried, and as 
often proved to be totally unsuited to our climate. 
The " Kloss' White Blue Stem" is a fine, plump, 
heavy grain, (although he hardly thinks it would 
weigh sixty-five) well worthy a trial, and cer- 
tainly extremely valuable, if in any way invul- 
nerable to smut and rust. 



the air through one aperture and exhaling it 
through a smaller aperture, ihus retaining one 
quarter of each inspiration, which tends to ex- 
pand the lungs. 

This instrument is the invention of Dr. J. S. 
Rose, of Philadelphia, a man of great talents 
who makes that, wide-spread disease, consump- 
tion, his sole study, and who, if his directions 
are followed, promises almost to banish from the 
land this baneful and inveterate foe to the hu- 
man race. He has written a treatise on con- 
sumption, which all who have weak lungs 
should procure and read. — Boston Bulletin. 



IMPORTANT INVENTION. 

We have been much interested in the effects 
of a small instrument having the appearance 
of a child's whistle, but performing the important 
operation of inflating and distending the lungs, 
and giving them a healthy action. It almost 
performs miracles. A friend who has just re- 
turned from Philadelphia, and who used one of 
these little tubes for a fortnight, measures about 
four inches more around the chest than when 
he commenced its use: his voice is fuller and 
stronger, and there is every indication of perma- 
nent improvement. This important little agent 
in removing consumption is formed on very sim- 
ple principles; the patient breathes entirely 
through a tube for four or five minutes, inhaling 



For the Southern Planter. 
TOBACCO. 

Messrs. Editors, — I have read with attention 
the extract in the last number of the Planter, 
from a pamphlet, published by Peter Minor, Esq. 
in 1822, on the "Cultivation and Management 
of Tobacco, from the Plant Bed to the Prize." 
It is interesting as well as instructive, thus to 
go back and learn the views and modes of ma- 
nagement which were entertained and practiced 
even twenty years ago ; especially, when we 
find them recorded by a practical man, and one 
who seems familiar with his subject. It is thus 
alone, that we are enabled to ascertain with ac- 
curacy the improvements which experience has 
brought to light. In the remarks which I am 
about to offer, I shall avail myself of your invi- 
tation, and attempt a review of some of the opi- 
nions advanced in the extract before me, as well 
as to point out some of the improvements which 
the experience of twenty years has, in my view, 
established. 

Our writer's remarks on the selection of a 
spot for a plant bed and the propriety of early 
and hard burning, are, I think, judicious. One 
great advantage of burning before Christmas 
(by which I mean late in the fall or early in the 
winter) is, that it enables you to burn your land 
harder, and thereby impart greater fertility to 
the soil, which, if done late in the winter, will 
make your plants late and inferior, and if fol- 
lowed by a dry spring, cause a failure. The 
rationale of this I have never seen attempted, — 
but may it not be owing to the soil becoming 
surcharged with so many caustic ingredients, 
(as the potash, the pyroligneous and other acids 
generate in combustion,) as to require exposure 
to the atmosphere and rains for several months, 
in order to become sufficiently neutralized to act 
beneficially on the plants'? Another advantage 
of early burning is, that, with the same amount 
of fuel, you can burn your ground much harder. 
At that season of the year your land is generally 
in better order, and is not as cold as it subse- 
quently is, and hence it requires less wood to 
produce the desired effect. So it is economy 



64 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



boih of labor and fuel to burn early. I would 
add, that, labor and fuel would be still farther 
economized, if, instead of heaping the brush in 
your new grounds and burning it out of the 
way, you would pile if. on the spot selected for 
your plant patch, which, weighted with a little 
refuse wood, I have found to burn well, and an- 
swer every purpose. 

Our writer in speaking of the preparation of 
the plant bed, recommends ihat the ground be 
"broken up about two inches deep with the 
grubbing-hoes," &c. I feel fully persuaded he 
has fallen into an error on this point; for it is 
well known, that plants are very liable to suffer 
from drought in the spring; by breaking up the 
ground then as deep as practicable with the 
grubbing-hoe, (being careful always not to turn 
up any subsoil) you ensure a better supply of 
moisture. Some of the best planters I am ac- 
quainted with use the coulter altogether for this 
purpose, which not only saves hoe labor, but 
enables them to break their land deeper, which 
they think a matter of great importance. It 
would not be out of place to mention here, that 
there is a method of preparing plant patches 
adopied by some of our most successful planters, 
which I consider a great improvement, and as it 
seems to have been unknown to our writer, or 
at any rates not mentioned by him, I will at- 
tempt to describe it. I refer to the practice of 
underlaying wilh tobacco stalks. This is, no 
doubt, familiar to many of your readers, though 
probably not to all. After the patch is tho- 
roughly hoed up, chopped fine, and raked, com- 
mencing at one edge, a trench is made along its 
entire length with a broad hoe, the width of the 
hoe and about two and a half inches deep. The 
bottom of this trench is then covered with stalks, 
laid in with the hand one course thick, lengthwise 
and straight. When this is done, another trench 
is made similar to the first, and as near the first 
as possible without interrupting the stalks laid 
down ; the earth taken out in order to form this 
second trench, is placed on the stalks, and fills 
up the first trench ; the earth out of the third 
trench, in like manner, is placed on the stalks 
laid down in the second, and so on. By this 
means the whole patch is underlaid with stalks. 
The operation is simple and expeditious, and the 
plants are thus furnished with a manure better 
suited, both to their tastes and wants, than any 
other which can be found. It is best to select 
spots on alluvial branch flats to underlay, and 
the same spot may be burned and underlaid 
every 3 T ear for a score of years, and it will be- 
come better and better — the stalks enriching and 
preventing the soil from becoming close. It is 
only necessary for any one, who has never tried 
this plan, to try it, and he will be convinced that 
it is greatly superior to any which is practised, 
both for quantity and quality of plants. 

Seeding. — There is a very common mistake 



made, I think, in sowing our beds too thick, 
whereby the plants are small, yellow and sickly. 
The quantity of seed spoken of by our writer, 
viz: "a table spoonful to the hundred square 
yards," is the proportion I got from a successful 
planter, and have always adopted with good 
results. The first of February is recommended 
by our writer as the best season for sowing ; I 
think, however, we have succeeded best when 
we have sowed before Christmas. I have 
thought when we came to transplant, that the 
plants from early sowing had better roots; I 
suppose the tobacco seed, like oiher seeds, in the 
first stages of germination, shoots its root down 
into the soil, some time before the stalk makes 
its appearance above the surface. This fact we 
have often noticed in corn, snaps, &c. and it may 
be, that the tobacco seed, by having more time 
allowed it, becomes better rooted. Of one thing 
I am fully satisfied — that flies do not destroy an 
early sowed patch as readily as one which is 
later sowed. I have frequently seen the plants 
eaten by the fly, or more properly, Jtea, (for they 
have no wings, and seem to be the smallest of 
the grasshopper tribe, of a dark brown color,) 
until you could scarcely see a leaf left, and the 
early sowed, would put out from the bud and 
do well, while the late sowed would be so much 
crippled as to die. This I have attributed to 
the former being belter rooted, and consequently 
better able to resist injuries. Our practice is to 
sow when we burn, any time after the first of 
December ; before that time, it might be unsafe, 
as a warm spell might cause the seed to sprout 
too early, and render them liable to be killed by 
the frosts of winter. We then cover thick with 
naked brush, as soon as the ground is trod, 
which covering is never taken off at all until 
about two weeks before we transplant, unless 
the spring is unusually wet, or the patch hap- 
pens to be on land disposed to be springy — in 
either of which cases, we do so, that the sun 
and air may dry the soil. A thick coat of brush 
answers the double purpose of protecting the 
plants from the frosts as well as from the drought 
of spring. We manure our plants the first time 
when they are about the size of a ninepence, 
with fine stable manure, which should be kept 
carefully dry for the purpose, and then, in about 
two weeks, give them another top dressing of 
the same. The first dressing should be light, 
to avoid smothering the plant, and neither should 
be put on when the plants are wet with either 
dew or rain. The practice of manuring with 
stable manure early, when the horses are fed on 
hay, is inadvisable, on account of the grass seed ; 
but if put on after the plants have grown to the 
size above mentioned, the grass will never inter- 
fere. We never find it necessary to take off the 
brush, either to top dress or hand weed. These 
can both be done about as soon as the brush 
could be removed and replaced. We find no 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



65 



difficulty in walking on the brush with baskets 
of manure and in scattering it broadcast over 
the surface ; it treads and bruises the plants less 
than if the brush was removed ; and where the 
land has been properly burned there is but little 
hand weeding necessary. By treating our plant 
patches j.s above described, we have never had 
our plants killed by frost, nor have we ever had 
Occasion to water them, and further, we have 
never failed to have an abundance in good time. 

You will, I trust, gentlemen, pardon the 
length at which I have dwelt on this part of the 
subject, when you recollect that a very large 
proportion of the failures in our tobacco crops, 
are to be ascribed, either to scarcity of plants at 
the proper season, or to small, sickly, indifferent 
ones, which cannot survive the shock of trans- 
planting. Our lands, owing to long cultivation, 
are not as free as they were formerly, and it re- 
quires rather earlier planting for the crop to come 
in ripe before frost. Good plant lands, too, are 
scarcer than they once were, and we must make 
up in cultivation and attention what we have 
lost in fertility. Having strong, large, vigorous 
plants, is half the battle. They resist drought, 
cut-worm, and all other enemies to which they 
are exposed, much better than small, delicate 
ones. 

Should this communication (which has grown 
much longer than I intended) be deemed worthy 
of a place in your columns, gentlemen, I may 
feel encouraged to follow Mr. Minor in the cul- 
tivation of the tobacco crop, — the diseases or 
accidents to which the crop is exposed, and the 
modes of prevention as far as I am acquainted 
with them. There is, I think, an error in his 
remarks on this subject, which must be regarded 
by the best planters of the present day as fun- 
damental. To this, should I write again, I will 
endeavor to call your attention. 
Yours, very respectfully, 

N. A. Venable. 

Lunenburg County. 

The great object we had in view in publish- 
ing Mr. Minor's pamphlet, over and above its 
intrinsic merits, was to call forth such comments, 
from just such a source, as those furnished us 
by Mr. Venable. We sincerely hope he will 
continue his review, and whilst his remarks are 
so entirely practical, he need not fear to weary 
either us or our readers by the clearness, and con- 
sequent length, of detail. If the readers of the 
Planter are not thoroughly instructed in the im- 
portant art of tobacco making, it will not be our 
fault. 



north and south, in order to admit the sun's rays 
every day on both sides of the row. 



Experienced agriculturists tell us that all 
plants, whether in the garden, field, or forest, if 
in rows, should be placed in the direction of 
Vol. III. — 9 



ROOT CROPS. 
In a conversation with Mr. Dicken, who is 
an old fashioned Virginia corn grower, and not 
much given to " new fangled notions," he ex- 
pressed to us the opinion, that the farmers of 
Virginia were much indebted to Mr. Bement 
for his excellent essays upon the cultivation of 
roots, published in our columns. He says that 
for rearing calves he has never tried any thing 
equal to the ruta baga ; the finest he ever raised, 
was fed upon nothing but pasturage in the sum- 
mer, and chopped ruta baga in the winter. He 
entertains not the smallest doubt that every far- 
mer in Virginia should raise a crop of roots for 
the winter use of his cattle. 



For the Southern Planter. 
POUDRETTE. 

Gentlemen, — In running over the articles in 
the last number of your valuable paper, I was 
particularly struck with the one from your cor- 
respondent Za. Drummond, Esq. — it made every 
cord in my heart vibrate, and I felt, for one, that 
l was ready "to go hand in hand" with him, if 
not for " twenty-five years," at least to the close 
of my earthly existence, in attempting to im- 
prove that part of the Old Dominion which I 
call my own. I believe it was General Miller 
who, during our revolutionary struggle, when 
asked by his superior officer if he could storm a 
certain fortification of the British with an infe- 
rior force, modestly answered, " I will try sir" — 
he made the effort, and history has recorded the 
result. I have adopted this as my motto — I am 
determined to " try" what can be done. I re- 
member to have promised you some time ago a 
short account of my method of preparing ma- 
nures from human excrements. I will now re- 
deem that promise, hoping that it may be useful 
to many of your subscribers. First, I collect 
the slercoraceous matters separately in large 
vessels or hogsheads, after the urine has become 
putrid, which will require but two or three days 
in warm, and ten or fifteen in cold, weather. I 
then add sulphuric acid to the urine slowly ; if 
the urine is putrid, a powerful effervescence 
will immediately take place; the acid must be 
added until effervescence ceases. By this pro- 
cess, the carbonic acid in combination with the 
ammonia, is disengaged and driven off, and sul- 
phate of ammonia is formed, which has no vola- 
tility, except at a very high temperature. Thus 
you secure the ammonia formed by putrefaction, 
which, otherwise would escape. I then add the 



66 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



liquid to the solid excrements, incorporating them 
well together, until a very thin batter is formed ; 
into this mass 1 stir in finely pulverized charcoal, 
according to my judgment, without regard to 
any precise quantity ; this done, I spread the 
mass upon boards made tight, in the open air — 
stir frequently until the whole is dry, then pul- 
verize with a spade, and barrel it up for the use 
of crops. 

My drying boards are protected from the wea- 
ther by a shed open to the south, so as to re- 
ceive the benefit of the sun. Manure made in 
this way I call Poudrette, and of its value I can 
speak in the highest terms. When properly 
made, it is inodorous, and the application to crops 
easy, and the effect powerful. I made an expe- 
riment with it last season upon sugar beet, in 
comparison with bone dust, bone dust and stable 
manure mixed, and stable dung alone. The 
beets manured with poudrette, came up quicker, 
grew faster, and maintained a decided superiori- 
ty to the last, making the largest and best beets ; 
the quantity of poudrette was only a small train 
to each drill. I used it also upon corn with en- 
tire success. In this experiment I subjected it 
to a very severe test ; I selected a very poor 
spot, put only one and a half gills to the hill as 
a top dressing, at the time of planting, and the 
result was truly astonishing, proving it to be 
beyond all doubt a manure of great strength 
and power, perhaps surpassing all others now 
known. 

It must in all cases be used as a top dressing ; 
such is its strength when planted with seed, the 
germ is destroyed, and consequently does not 
come up. 

I shall make about one hundred barrels this 
season, which I intend to use chiefly on corn 
the coming spring, from which I anticipate the 
best results. 

When I commenced I intended to say some- 
thing about what, I have been doing in bone 
dust, dead horses, pigs, dogs, cats, &c. but I am 
reminded in your editorial what great severity 
your correspondents may expect at your hands, 
and as my piece is already much longer than 
my " hand" I shall close. 
Sincerely yours, 

George Woodfin. 

February 6, 1843. 

Mr. Woodfin will please to recollect that al- 
though we may be a little squeamish about the 
length of our communications, we place no limit 
upon the quantity. 



THE FARMERS' REGISTER. 
We have received the first number of this 
well known work issued under the auspices of 
the new Editor. From this specimen we do 



not hesitate to express our confidence in Mr. 
Pleasants' ability to sustain the well earned re- 
putation of the " Register ;" to add to it, would 
be difficult and superfluous. Mr. Pleasants is an 
accomplished gentleman and handsome writer ; 
not only on his account, but for the honor and 
interest of Virginia, we hope the Register may 
live and flourish for a thousand years. 



For the Southern Planter. 
CORN CULTURE. 

Messrs. Editors, — Your February number 
contains two most excellent pieces on the cul- 
ture of corn, and while I subscribe most heartily 
to Mr. A. Shriver's close planting, I object to his 
four ploughings, and more particularly to his 
" thorough hoeing" " that is, chopping away the 
old hill and giving it fresh ground, cutting up 
every spear of grass." This is too much work. 
Mr. Shriver thinks wheat succeeds corn to ad- 
vantage. Now, wheat will not grow after corn 
in this part of Virginia. 

Again, Mr. W. C. Young's notions of "plough- 
ing in the fall" — "cross ploughing in the spring, 
and early planting, deep covering and anti-re- 
planting" system, is admirable. But, he too has 
too much work : " four ploughings and one har- 
rowing? We in this part of the Stale have 
a great deal of worn out old fields, which are 
much improved by ploughing, say once in two, 
three, or four years. Now, why not plant double 
the quantity in corn, and give it two ploughings 
instead of four. I know we shall make more 
corn, and I am persuaded our lands will be be- 
nefitted thereby, which should be with us the 
great desideratum. 

Yours, &c. 

A. Bailey, Jr. 
Rough Chreek Church, Va., Feb. 9, 1843. 



EMIGRATION TO VIRGINIA. 
We are happy to see that the natural gifts of 
the Old Dominion begin to be appreciated by 
northern emigrants. To good managers we 
have no doubt that every thing considered, the 
climate, the facilities of market, the society, &c. 
&c. the cheap, exhausted, but grateful soil in 
many parts of Virginia, offer the fairest oppor- 
tunity of investment that can be found in the 
Union. And now that the golden visions in 
the West have vanished, the less glittering, but 
more substantial advantages of the older States 
begin to be understood. The emigrants to the 
county of Fairfax, alluded to in Mr. Rives' ad- 
dress, are, we understand, highly delighted with 
their purchase, and are daily gaining accessions 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



67 



to their numbers from the county of Dutchess, 
probably the richest and best cultivated portion 
of the State of New York. In allusion to this 
emigration, Governor Hill, in the last number of 
the "Y'^itor," remarks: 

" We have fully satisfied ourselves of the fact, 
that there are many thousands of acres of land 
in the States along the Atlantic seaboard now 
lying useless that may be purchased and culti- 
vated to better advantage and profit than the 
best lands offered for sale at the West. The 
Dutchess county farmers who have taken up 
land for improvement in Fairfax county, Virgi- 
nia, if their history for the next twenty years 
could be written, will turn out to be more uni- 
formly successful than an equal number with 
the same means who have removed to the far 
West. The new western lands may be more 
easily brought into cultivation ; but Commodore 
Jones has demonstrated, and the emigrants from 
Dutchess county will prove that the best and 
most profitable investment of all will be the ju- 
dicious expenditure and labor bestowed in re- 
claiming the worn-out lands of Fairfax county, 
Virginia." 

In this connexion, we will take occasion to 
mention, that we are authorized to sell a tract 
of land of 1,700 acres, lying in the county of 
Prince William, (the adjoining county to Fair- 
fax). The situation is remarkably healthy, the 
water excellent, and the wood abundant; the 
whole affording fine pasturage for sheep. It 
would afford a capital stand for a tavern and 
store. The whole tract can be purchased for 
three thousand one hundred dollars, cash, or for 
two dollars an acre, on a reasonable credit.-^- 
This is probably one of the greatest bargains to 
be had in Virginia, and northern Editors would 
no doubt be conferring a favor upon their sub- 
scribers by disseminating information of the op- 
portunity it affords. 



For the Southern Planter. 
M'CORMICK'S REAPING MACHINE. 

Messrs. Editors, — I find that you did not ap- 
prehend the purport of my 4th inquiry relative 
to C. H. M'Corrnick's reaper. When I asked 
"can the reaper be convenienily used unless the 
wheat ripens in large bodies," I did not mean to 
inquire whether it would be advisable to pur- 
chase one unless the farmer had large fields to 
reap, but simply to learn whether the machine 
could be conveniently used to cut small lands, 
when the grain ripens not in "large bodies," but 
irregularly in patches, as it sometimes does, or 
whether from the inconvenience of turning, you 



must embrace several a' res in a land to work 
the reaper to advantage ? 

As this inquiry is fully answered in a letter 
received by me from an intelligent practical far- 
mer, (Mr. Abraham Smith, of Rockingham,) 
and as he speaks in terms of high commenda- 
tion of the reaper, I shall take the liberty of 
sending you an extract, thinking that the expe- 
rience of this gentleman in the use of the ma- 
chine for three harvests, may be acceptable to 
many, who, like myself feel an interest in its 
success. 

Very respectfully, 

George A. Smith. 

February 8, 1843. 

"Dear Sir, — Yours of the 18th instant came 
to hand on yesterday. I shall endeavor to an- 
swer your inquiries respecting C H. M'Corrnick's 
Reaping Machine in the order in which you 
have made them. 

1st. I have used one of them for three har- 
vests, and have found no reason to alter my cer- 
tified opinion. 

2d. I never cut wheat with dew or rain on it, 
consequently cannot answer your question on 
that subject. 

3d. It cuts grain on land not more inclined 
than six or eight degrees as well as on level 
land. Indeed I have worked it on land much 
steeper, and found that it did not do so well. It 
was inclined to run in or out of the grain. If 
above, it would run in, if below, run out. 

4th. You must cut a way with the cradle to 
start it, and when a square is nearly finished, 
you will save time by finishing it with the cra- 
dle — too much turning with the machine is too 
great a loss of time. It is not profitable to in- 
clude less than three or four acres in a square ; 
for instance, if I wish to cut a twenty acre field, 
I would start through the middle of it, and cut 
backwards and forwards until it got too wide for 
profitable work — after which I would make two 
cuttings of the field. 

5th. I have never seen it work upon bedded 
land, but have been informed that it has been 
worked on the James River lowgrounds, which 
is generally bedded, with advantage. 

6th. I have never found the ground too wet 
on my land yet. I would suppose that when it 
was so miry as to let the wheels sink much, it 
would not work well. 

7th. The cutter has a sickle edge, and if a 
good one, will cut well ten or twelve days ; I 
have two for my machine; the sickle can be 
ground. 

8th. In wheat three feet high, and upwards, 
or if tangled, it will save grain better than any 
way 1 have ever seen — in fact it saves all. 

9th. It will reap from twelve to fifteen acres 
a day, if well tended. It requires two active 
boys to drive and rake it alternately. 



68 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



10th. The machine can be drawn by two 
horses, and is not liable to get out of order. All 
that is necessary is to have careful hands to 
work it. It must be kept off stumps, sprouts, 
and stones that are too large for the wheels to 



run over. I cannot say that mine is more liable 
to get out of order than the cradle. It matters 
not what machine you have, it must be kept in 
order or it will do badly." 



For the Southern Planter. 
HUSSEY'S REAPING MACHINE 




Being apprehensive that an impression pre- 
vails amongst farmers of the lower section of 
Virginia unfavorable to my Reaping Machine, 
and believing, as I do, that that impression has 
been formed in many instances from a want of 
correct information, I wish to occupy a small 
space in your valuable journal to correct as far 
as I can such erroneous impressions. To do so, 
it will be necessary to account for the apparent 
failures, or what has been called such. It can- 
not be denied that my first machines were very 
imperfect, but the work was always well done, 
the chief difficulties being the liability to get 
out of order, the failure to cut wet grain, and 
the severe labor on the shaft horse. The first 
has been obviated, so far as strength and 
good workmanship will do it; the second mea- 
surably so, and the third is entirely removed ; 
but carelessness and bad management in the 
field cannot be guarded against. My machine 
originally worked with two horses abreast, and 
rested on foufwheels ; it was afterwards changed 
to shafts, like a cart; the machines used on the 
James River were of the latter kind. The diffi- 
culty arising from the imperfection of these ma- 



chines was much increased by circumstances for 
which the machines should not be held account- 
able. In many fields where they were used the 
land was cultivated in ridges, with furrows much 
deeper than some farmers have since found ne- 
cessary, who have cultivated their fields with 
reference to cutting with the machine ; but this 
difficulty has been in a great measure obviated 
by improvements. Another cause of difficulty 
has been the entrusting the machine to incom- 
petent hands. The machine has in many in- 
stances been entrusted to a gang of negroes in 
one part of the field, while the overseer was at- 
tending on the cradlers in another part ; the 
consequence has been, the oil has been forgotten, 
the screws have been neglected, which were 
liable to shake loose, until some accident has 
happened ; but this liability is now guarded 
against. Besides this, farmers have sometimes 
not found so many acres cut as they expected ; 
this is not always to be attributed to the fault of 
the machine, but to a want of a reasonable pro- 
gress ahead, owing to that well known propen- 
sity of slaves to improve all possible opportunity 
to stand still. It has been my constant aim, for 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



69 



years, to discover, and guard the weak points, 
and I think my present machines strong and 
durable. With your permission, I will insert 
some short extracts from letters which I have 
received The first is from Col. Edward Lucas, 
of Jefft son county, Virginia, writing for his 
brothers, he says, "I have now the pleasure to 
communicate to you the result of our experi- 
ment with your grain cutters, which have been 
highly satisfactory, indeed, they have exceeded 
our most sanguine expectations, and this too af- 
ter a fair trial of some eighteen days cutting 
with thern this year, and in comparison with 
cradles in the same field, we found the cutters 
(meaning the machines) much less liable to 
break, or be injured by running over rough, and 
hilly ground, and coming in contact with ob- 
structions, such as rocks, stones, and stumps, 
than we had anticipated. My brothers say 
they would not be without them for any consi- 
deration. They had four hundred and forty-five 
acres of heavy wheat, some of it unusually so, 
and much of it lodged and twisted, and sixty 
acres of oats, all of which, except forty or fifty 
acres, was cut by the cutters (two machines) in 
less than fifteen days, making as high as twenty 
acres some days, and could have gone up to 
twenty-five acres to the cutter, if the grain had 
stood up, and the mules had been urged to their 
fastest walk." Mr. William H. D. C. Wright, 
of Q,ueen Anns county, Maryland, in a letter, 
says, "The machine fulfilled its object to my 
satisfaction. Where my wheat was heaviest it 
gave full employment to fourteen binders." 

I could multiply such testimonials to fill your 
journal, if admissible. Many farmers say that 
the machine has made an additional saving of 
at least its cost in one year. As to rny own 
opinion, 1 arn aware that it will amount to litlte, 
but I will say this much, that I am ready to 
engage to cut thirty acres in one day with one 
machine, with good horses, in good wheat and 
on good ground, and the field shall be better cut 
than any cradled field that can be produced. — 
The machines used by Col. Lucas had shafts 
and rested on two wheels ; that used by Mr. 
Wright had a tongue and rested on four wheels. 
The restoration of the tongue and the necessary 
wheels, combined with my other late improve- 
ments in other respects, is found to be advan- 
tageous; it relieves the horses of an objectiona- 
ble weight, and adds much to the steadiness of 
the machine, the speed, and quality of the work 
being the same. 

I see in your last Planter an account of an- 
other reaper in your State, which is attracting 
some attention ; it shall be rny endeavor to meet 
that machine in the field, in the next harvest. — 
I think it but justice to give this public notice 
that the parties concerned may not be taken 
unawares, but have the opportunity to prepare 
therr.13elve3.for such a contest, that no advantage 



may be taken. Those gentlemen who have 
become prudently cautious, by being often de- 
ceived by humbugs, will then have an opportu- 
nity to judge for themselves. 
Respectfully, 

Obed Hussey. 
Baltimore, Jan. 30, 1843. 



VIRGINIA MANUFACTURES. 

The Messrs. Barnes have sent to our office, 
for the inspection of our country friends, some 
of the most splendid specimens of agricultural 
and other edge tools we have ever seen. Are 
the farmers of Virginia aware that we are sell- 
ing axes made by these gentlemen, for $1 25 
apiece, or $14 a dozen, and warranting them to 
be equal to any made in the United States ? 



For the Southern Planter. 
BROOM-CORN HAY. 

Messrs. Editors, — For the last three years I 
have been in the habit of sowing the broom-corn 
seed, broadcast, mixed with the common field 
peas, which has made an excellent hay, when 
properly cured. The spring of 1842, through 
the middle of my patch I sowed a strip of about 
ten feet wide with Indian corn ; the whole being 
managed precisely in the same way, and to my 
surprise, when ready to cut, the broom-corn on 
each side of the Indian corn, looked like two 
walls — the broom-corn about five feet high, while 
the Indian did not much exceed two feet. Of 
course, it was all seeded very thick, and it must 
be thick, or it will be too coarse for good hay. 
So, I conclude that the broom-corn is much to 
be preferred. I have some of the hay on hand 
that is now two years old. My practice is to 
house it ; my stock eat it kindly. I try to sow 
it thick to prevent the stalk being large. I es- 
teem it best when the stalks are about the size 
of large oat-stalks, and from three to four feet 
high ; it should be cut just after the broom or 
head makes its appearance ; that, which is cut 
in the forepart of the day, should be shocked up 
after four o'clock ; it need not be spread the next 
day, but the day after, it may just be upset and 
opened — at evening it should be shocked up 
again, and if not too coarse, in a few days, it 
will be ready for the house. You need not fear 
rain while in the shocks. 

One word about the land and seed. Very 
rich land is not so good ; land that will produce 
from four to five barrels of corn per acre, is rich 
enough ; if the land is very rich, it will grow 
too large in spite of you. I think one bushel 
of broom seed and a half bushel of peas, clay- 
red or black-eyed, will make it thick enough ; it 



70 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



may be sowed any time in May, upon land that 
water will not remain on long. 

I am now carting out the finest marl perhaps 
you ever saw ; my land has the greatest supply 
of it, and very convenient. It is as fine as 
wheat-bran, and after being exposed, becomes 
much whiter, little or no foreign matter in it. 
Yours, J. Bunch. 

Chuckatuck, Va., Feb. 8, 1843. 

P. S. — I find so many good things, and prac- 
tical ones too, in the Southern Planter, I wish I 
could pay back something for interest, say no- 
thing about principal — O, by the bye, I had like 
to have forgotten my cart-wheel composition ; it 
is the best (blacklead excepted) of anything I 
have ever used — it is both simple and cheap. I 
am now, and have been using it for some time ; 
try it before you condemn it. It is clean wood 
ashes mixed with any kind of common grease 
or train-oil, if you please. J. B. 



THE MANNER OF APPLYING MANURE. 
"We have received a communication from Mr. 
S. T. Redd, of Cumberland, on this important 
subject. After dilating upon the absolute ne- 
cessity of an improved system of husbandry, 
whereby we may restore to our lands the fertility 
of which the skinning system of our ancestors 
has deprived them, Mr. Redd goes on to remark, 

" I am clearly of the opinion, from my own 
experience, that all the manure raised during 
the last summer and fall, should at suitable times 
be carried on the land and scattered in the month 
of February. Although I expect many will 
differ from me, thinking that certain properties 
may be lost by exhalation ; but the fact is, being 
spread on in this month, the sun shines with 
such little heat, none of the properties are lost. 
It has time to saturate the soil in order to lighten 
and quicken it, so that whatever is planted upon 
the land, grows off instantly. One of my neigh- 
bors has been trying the plan for the last five or 
six years ; he is delighted with it, and thinks 
the manure acts better and the land produces 
more abundantly. Not only is there this ad- 
vantage in it, but it so quickens the soil, that 
the young tobacco plant will start to grow as 
soon as it would in new ground or second year's 
land, which is of considerable importance ; the 
young plant making such a quick start, soon 
gets out of the reach of what is commonly called 
among us the cut-worm, which is so very de- 
structive in cutting down the young plants when 
slow in starting. Your land should be fallowed 
previously to carrying out your manure, and it 
should be spread as carried out. I made an ex- 
periment last year upon two pieces of land of 
the same quality. I had manure spread upon 
one piece in the month of February, and the 



other at the usual time, just before planting ; the 
difference was very considerable. I have more- 
over frequently seen it tried with the same result. 
There are these advantages. The tobacco grows 
faster and generally larger — ripens much earlier, 
and makes generally richer tobacco. All I ask 
of those who differ with me is, to make a fair 
trial." 



POUDRETTE. 

We feel particularly anxious to call the atten- 
tion of our farmers and gardeners to this conve- 
nient, stimulating, and valuable manure. We 
had our own interest very much excited by the 
astonishing, and we guess, rather exaggerated 
accounts, we heard of its effects whilst we were 
at the North last fall. That it is one of the 
most powerful fertilizers known, and that it 
should be at least fairly tested by every farmer, 
who has an opportunity of obtaining a barrel, 
we do not hesitate to assert ; and this, because 
the experiment can be made at so small an ex- 
pense, and if it is all they say of it, it will prove 
the most important addition that has ever been 
made to the farmer's resources. That it is ever 
to supersede stable manure, or that the day will 
ever come when it will be to the farmer's inter- 
est to neglect his farm-yard and compost heap, 
we consider all humbug and nonsense. But 
that after the farmer has put out all the dirt, 
dung, and compost, that he can rake and scrape, 
that he may then purchase poudrette for the 
balance of his land, that would otherwise go 
unmanured, with a prospect of realizing two or 
three hundred per cent, on the outlay, we are 
strongly inclined to believe. 

All chemists agree in according to this sub- 
stance the very highest fertilizing properties. — 
Prof. Johnson, than whom none stands higher 
in the scientific world, says, 

" Wight soil' is probably the most valuable, 
and yet in Europe at least, the most disliked 
and neglected, of all the solid animal manures. 
It varies, no doubt, in richness, with the food of 
the inhabitants of each district — chiefly with 
the quantity of animal food they consume — but 
when dry, no other solid manure, weight for 
weight, can probably be compared with it in 
general efficacy. It contains much soluble and 
saline matter, and as it is made up from the 
constituents of the food we eat, of course it con- 
tains most of those elementaiy substances, which 
are necessary to the growth of the plants on 
which we principally live." 

We have heard it estimated that. one bushel 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



71 



of poudrette contained at least as much fertiliz- 
ing power as ten bushels of stable manure, 
whilst the facility of putting it out, was much 
more than ten times as great. It has been ap- 
plied in *his country with great success to wheat 
and com. Upon potatoes, peas, turnips, and 
other garden vegetables, it is described as pro- 
ducing the most astonishing effect in hastening 
their maturity and increasing their products. — 
In a letter to the " United States Farmer" Mr. 
Jos. Tyrrell, of New Jersey, states, 

11 In March last I planted six rows of early 
peas, four of the rows were manured with pou- 
drette sprinkled liberally over the seed. These 
came up five or six days before the others, they 
grew more luxuriant, came in blossom ten clays 
sooner, and yielded much more abundantly than 
those which had no poudrette. I have tested 
its merits as a manure for cucumbers and melons, 
and prefer it to any other for those articles." 

Mr. Lemuel Soper, of Long Island, makes the 
following statement : 

" I have used poudrette on corn at the rate of 
a gill to the hill, which produced as good corn 
as where I put a shovel full of yard manure in 
the hill. The worms were not as troublesome 
where poudrette was used as where other ma- 
nure was used. I also used it on wheat, at the 
rate of forty, sixty and seventy bushels to the 
acre. Where I used forty bushels to the acre, 
I got as good wheal as where I used forty wagon 
loads of barn-yard manure, and equally as good 
as where I used sixty or seventy bushels of 
poudrette to the acre. 

" I also used it on all kinds of garden vegeta- 
bles, and never had better success. I consider 
it better for corn in the hill than bone." 

Mr. W. F. Blydenburgh says, 

" ' On grass lands, in the month of May, it has 
a decidedly beneficial effect as a top dressing. I 
should think twenty bushels to the acre would 
double the crop for one year, but doubt whether 
it would show much on the second.' Mr. Bly- 
denburgh has used it on nearly all the variety 
of crops raised on Long Island, and with a view 
of testing its relative value with other manures. 
He says, 'I applied the article, last summer, to 
Indian corn, melons, and other vines, and ruta 
baga. On corn, a gill was put in the hill, 
against eight times the quantity of hog-pen ma- 
nure, and against five times the quantity of fish 
manure, the latter a compost of ' sting Rales' 
and earth, prepared the previous autumn, with 
results much in favor of poudrette for the first 
six weeks, after which its superiority became 
less manifest, until the general appearance and 



crop became so nearly equal that no difference 
could be perceived. * * * * In conclusion, 
I would say that for the hills of corn, poudrette 
has no rival, so far as the labor and expense on 
the one hand, and produce on the other, are to 
enter into the account. A gill to the hill is bet- 
ter than a larger quantity, unless the first four 
weeks after planting should prove to be very 
wet, or unless the ground is low emd moist. I 
have seen a striking instance of the good effects 
of poudrette on a field of oats, applied by one of 
my neighbors at the rate of fifteen or twenty 
bushels to the acre, on land of middling quality. 
The yield was increased at least 70 per cent." 

For the information of those who have alrea- 
dy ordered the article, as well as those who may 
conclude to do so, we copy the following direc- 
tions for its use, furnished by Mr. D. K. JWinor, 
of New York : 

" I recommend the use of 20 to 25 bushels to 
the acre for corn, on ordinary land. When the 
ground has been ploughed, and lays in furrows, 
I would spread by hand, at broadcast, about 14 
or 15 bushels to the acre, and then harrow cross- 
wise of the furrows, mixing it thoroughly, with 
the soil. I would then mark out the rows with 
an ox chain, drawn on the ground, and drop the 
corn, and put about half a gill in the hill, and 
cover it up with the corn. This would require 
near 8 bushels, making about 23 bushels per 
acre, — or three-fourths of a gill may be put in 
the hill at planting, and an equal quantity spread 
on at broadcast, and well worked in at the first, 
or second hoeing — or, if not obtained in time for 
planting, the whole may be spread on, and tho- 
roughly worked into the soil, at the hoeing. It 
is undoubtedly most effectual when applied at 
planting; but still, very important benefit will 
be obtained from its application when applied at 
the rate of 15 or 20 bushels to the acre at the 
first or even second hoeing. 

"For wheat, to be followed by grass, I would 
spread on at the sowing from 15 to 20 bushels 
to the acre, to be harrowed in with the seed. — 
This will give it a vigorous growth in the fall, 
and enable it to stand the winter. I would also 
spread ten bushels more upon it in the spring, 
and pass a light harrow and roller over it. — 
When used as a top dressing for wheat or grass, 
without being harrowed in, it should ahuays be 
just previous to a shower. 

" It is found to act very favorably on grass 
seed, especially on clover. I have reports from 
Dutchess and Westchester counties, which say 
that where poudrette was used on wheat in 1839 
and 1840, the grass, especially the clover, is much 
better than where other manure was used in the 
same field, so much so indeed, that it is readily 
perceived on going into the field. 

" For turnips, 25 or 30 bushels is a good 



72 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



dressing. If the seed is sowed at broadcast, the 
poudrette should be applied in the same way 
and harrowed in with the seed. For buckwheat, 
10 or 12 bushels ; and for oats, 15 to 20 bushels, 
according to the condition of the land, may be 
used, always to be harrowed in with the seed. 
For potatoes, a gill to the hill, to be put in with 
the seed, is sufficient on ordinary land ; a larger 
quantity will be likely to make more vines than 
are useful. 

" For cucumbers, melons, and other garden ve- 
getables, it may be used in small quantities at 
planting, and on melons, cucumbers and squashes, 
it will be found a preventive to the striped bug 
and other insects, if sprinkled over them in 
small quantity after they are fairly up. {t5°" I 
find the same prejudice and dislike, on first ac- 
quaintance with it, among insects, as among 
some men. On applying it to cucumbers anH 
melons, I was amused to see the yellow bugs, 
and other like fastidious insects turn their backs 
upon me, as I have often been to see gentlemen 
of delicate nerves turn up their noses at the men- 
tion of 'Poudrette' ! ! This circumstance, how- 
ever, may not render this valuable fertilizer, of 
less value, any more than the opinion of gentle- 
men of ' delicate nerves' renders the enterprise 
one of doubtful propriety. I am satisfied from 
my own experience, that it will be found very 
valuable on all garden vegetables, not only in 
producing a rapid growth, but also as a guard 
against insects." 



CORRECTION. 

A very intelligent gentleman has called our 
attention to the article on " Urine," at page 35 
of the last number of the Planter. It is there 
stated that a pit of certain dimensions can be 
filled with loam, in Scotland, for about £41 16s. 
Our informant states that he is in progress of 
trying the plan recommended, and that, even in 
this country, where labor is so much higher, he 
is satisfied that the pit can be filled for about 
$22, which is the sum at which he has seen it 
estimated in other papers. He concludes that 
it is a misprint, and fears the error may deter 
some from trying what he conceives to be an 
invaluable experiment. 



WHITE CARROTS. 

This is a new species of that valuable root, 
and from its uncommon productiveness must be 
an important acquisition in the field root culture. 
For milch cows, and any other slock, it is a 
cheap and rich food. From our own experience 
we are enabled to say its growth excels the 
common orange carrot in its yield. Unlike 
others, it projects several inches out of the 



ground, like the sugar beet, or long turnip. In 
rich soil with deep tilth, the production is enor- 
mous. Twenty-two tons are said, by the Ame- 
rican Agriculturist, to have been raised per acre 
this year in Massachusetts. — Farmers' Cabinet. 

This is the root, our readers will remember, 
so highly recommended by Mr. Bement in his 
communication to the Planter. Since the pub- 
lication of the article, we have had frequent ap- 
plications for the seed, and we take this oppor- 
tunity of saying that we are in daily expecta- 
tion of a large supply from the North. 



CONTENTS OF NO. III. 



Tobacco — Of stripping and prizing, p. 49. 

Sugar — Directions for making from corn-stalks, p. 50. 

Cinders — From blacksmith's shop, a fertilizer, p. 50. 

Eggs — How to tell male from female eggs, p. 51. 

Goochland Fair — Notice of, p. 51. 

Address — Dr. Wight's reviewed, p. 52. 

Plaster — New theory of its operation, p. 53. 

Cast Steel — Directions for working, p. 54. 

Winged Coulter — An implement for cultivating corn 
described, with a cut, p. 55. 

Grass — The "new" method of seeding, an old one, 
p. 56. 

Rata Baga — Remarks on the cultivation of, p. 56. 

Roller — Directions for making one, p. 56. 

Poultry — Laying hens to be fed with egg shells or 
chalk, p. 56. 

Corn — Proper distance for planting, p. 56. 

Old Field Pines — How to convert them into valuable 
posts, p. 57. 

Painting — Cheap and durable method of, p. 57. 

Timber — When should it be cut? p. 57. 

Potato — Mode of planting, p. 58. 

Horse Shoe — A new improvement in, p. 58. 

Soap-Stoneand Coal-Tar — Inquiries concerning, p. 58. 

Gardens — Should not be neglected, p. 59. 

Hard Times— -The means of improvement, p. 59. 

Anti- Attrition Metal — Babbit's recommended, p. 60. 

Clover Seed — Box for sowing described, with a cut, 
p. 60. 

Hogs — Management of, p. 61. 

Gate Posts — Manner of setting, p. 61. 

Apricots— How they should be preserved from frosts 
in the spring, p. 61. 

Tomato — Varieties of, p. 62. 

Satinet — A new species of, p. 62. 

Wheatr— Kloss's White Blue Stem, p. 62. 

Consumption — Important invention for its cure, p. 63. 

Tobacco — Mr. Minor's pamphlet on, reviewed by Mr. 
N. A. Venable, p. 63. 

Root Crops — Mr. Bement's opinion of, corroborated 
by Mr. Dicken, p. 65. 

Poudrette — Experiments of Mr. Woodfin on, p. 65. 

Farmers' Register — Notice of, p. 66. 

Corn — Culture of, p. 66. 

Virginia — Emigration to. p. 66. 

Reaping Machine — Inquiries concerning M'Cormick's 
answered, p. 67. 

Reaping Machine — Hussey's represented, with an en- 
graving, p. 68. 

Axes — Messrs. Barnes' recommended, p. 69. 

Broom-Corn — Cultivated for hay, p. 69. 

Manure — When it should be hauled out and applied 
to the soil, p. 70. 

Poudrette — Its qualities as a manure tested by practi- 
cal experiments, p. 71. 

Carrots — The white, preferred, p. 72.