THE SOUT 

Beboteti to Agriculture, i 



jorticulturc, anlr the ?^ouseiiolK arts. 



Agriculture is 


the 


nursing 


mother of the Arts. 
Xeiwphon. 


Tillage 
State. 


and Pasturage are 

—SuUy. 


the two breasts of the 




( 




C 


T. 


BOTTS & L. M 


. BURFOOT, Editors. 




Vol. 


III. 








RICHMOND, 


APRIL, 


1843. 


No. 4. 



JERUS.ILEM ARTICHOKE— (iaiZmnaus Taberosus.) 
We know several judicious farmers that place 
a very higli estimate upon this neglected vege- 
table. We observe that M. Boussingaut, of 
France, by actual analysis, has arrived at the 
conclusion, that in consequence of its powers of 
extracting carbon and nitrogen from the air, the 
Jerusalem artichoke is entitled to all the atten- 
tion that it is now commanding in the best cul- 
tivated parts of France. We, therefore, extract 
the following directions for iis cultivation from 
that excellent paper, the "Nashville Agricul- 
turist : 

" From the fact, that many inquiries have 
been made of late in relation to this very re- 
markable and useful plant, I am disposed to 
speak a few things of its culture and uses.— 
The Jerusalem artichoke is a native of the 
warmer parts of America, and of course was 
unknown in Europe till after the discoveries in 
this country by Columbus and his coadjutors. 
Since that time it has been cultivated to consi- 
derable extent on the continent as well as in 
Great Britain, but the reports of its profits have 
considerably varied, in that, as well as this 
country. In the old world some have cultivated 
it to afford shade to the game ; others have con- 
verted the stocks and leaves into fodder for cattle, 
and others again, have encouraged its growth 
for the tubers alone. In this country there are 
two important objects to be kept in mind in rais- 
ing artichokes ; 1st. The improvement of land; 
2dly. The use of the tubers. However, the 
first matter is the cultivation, and I begin with 

"1. Soil. — Almost any kind of land will pro- 
duce artichokes, and it is remarkable, that they 
will grow in the shade, that is, under trees, or 
in fence corners very well indeed. Land, how- 
ever, with a tolerably good sandy mould will 
give the most abundant crop. Low, wet soils, 
and very tenacious clay are not so suitable. 

2. Preparation of Land. — The ground should 
be broken as for corn, that is to say, one good, 
deep ploughing, and a thorough harrowing will 
answer the purpose admirably. 

"3. Laying Out.— Rows laid off four feet 
each way with a bull's tongue or shovel plough, 
in most soils, will be the proper distance. 

"4. Quantity of Seed.— Fwm four to five 
Vol. III.— 10 



bushels will be required to the acre, and unless 
the long roots are broken to pieces of three or 
four joints, or eyes each, this quantity will not 
be enough. 

" 5. ^Manner of Planting. — Drop one root at 
each cross of the plough and cover from one to 
two or three inches with a harrow, hoe, or plough. 

" 6. Cultivation. — So soon as the young plants 
appear, run round them, with a cultivator, har- 
row or light plough to destroy the young weeds, 
and loosen the earth. Keep the ground free of 
weeds and open to the influence of the atmos- 
phere, till the plants are about three feet high, 
when they should be laid by, by the use of a. 
cultivator ; or in the absence of a cultivator, 
and when the land has been ploughed, the har- 
row should pass both ways to leave the ground 
loose and the surface level. Generally, about 
the same cultivation given to corn will answer 
well for artichokes. 

" 7. Digging. — This is the most troublesome 
job in the management of this crop; and if the 
hoe is the dependance, the labor will be very 
tedious. The better plan, is to lay off a land 
as for breaking up the ground, so soon as the 
frost has killed the under leaves of the stocks. 
The plough should run from six to nine inches 
deep and let the hands, big and little, pass di- 
rectly after the plough, to pick up, that none of 
the roots may be covered by the next furrow. 

" 8. Yield. — The produce to the acre is va- 
riously estimated from five hundred to one thou- 
sand bushels, and it is probable the turn out on 
medium land would be nearer the latter than 
the former. 

" 9. Uses. — In England and other parts of 
Europe, the tubers have been considered quite 
a delicacy for man, and without doubt they 
make the most beautiful pickle. But their chief 
importance, in this respect, is their use in feeding 
hogs. From the middle of October to the mid- 
dle of Novernber, the hogs may be turned on 
the artichokes, and with salt alwaj's in troughs 
to which they can have access, they will grow 
and thrive till next spring, particularly, if the 
ground is not too hard for rooting. I have not 
experimented to ascertain the quantity of hogs 
to the acre of good artichokes ; but from the 
observation of two seasons, I am of the opinion 
twenty head will do well on an acre for months. 
As some have complained their hogs would not 
root after them, it may be necessary, as hogs, 



74 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



like men, know not nnuch before learning, that 
they be taught to root after them. This is done, 
by calling the hogs after a plough that will 
throw out the roots, till the grunters learn their 
habitation, which will require but a very short 
time. 

"10. Improvement of Land. — As the stocks 
grow from ten to fifteen feet in height, and have 
thick, porous foliage, much of the food of the 
plant is received from the atmosphere, and there- 
by the soil is not so heavily taxed as by other 
crops, the ground is protected from the killing 
rays of the sun and the stocks and leaves fall 
and rot very soon, — these advantages, with the 
manure from hogs, afford the cheapest, and 
amongst the richest coats in my knowledge. — 
It is my conviction, (in the absence of long ex- 
perience) that artichokes in summer, and hogs 
in winter, will enrich our poor lands cheaper 
and much better than upon any other plan. To 
be sure, a farmer cannot have all his land in ar- 
tichokes, but every one should have enough to 
support his hogs through the winter, and I ven- 
ture those who give this crop a fair trial, will 
reluctantly abandon it. 

"11. General Remarks. — A few farmers of my 
acquaintance have informed me, that they have 
succeeded with corn and artichokes together, 
and it is highly probable this will prove a suc- 
cessful mode of cultivating these two crops ; but 
on the system of ' one thing at a time,' we would 
prefer each crop separately. Some have sup- 
posed the second year's growth on the same 
ground would be more valuable than the first ; 
but this is a mistake. The plants grow so thick 
the second year, that not more than half a crop 
can be anticipated. It might answer, to plough 
out rows and cultivate the second j'ear; but the 
practice of putting artichoke lands in something 
else the second year, is the plan I much prefer. 

"Amongst the arguments which might be 
used in favor of this crop, it should not be for- 
gotten, that there is no labor of digging, but for 
seed ; that more troublesome weeds and grasses 
are completely smothered out; and last, but not 
least, the young plants the second year are more 
easily subdued than almost any weeds known. 
Take artichokes all in all, I think them worthy 
the attention of every farmer who wishes to en- 
rich his lands, or raise his pork with a small 
outlay of grain. T. F." 



For the Southern Planter. 
CHARCOAL. 

After two days close attention to my coal 
kilns, I sit down now at night to make a record. 
I have already burned six kilns, now have two 
on fire, and wood on hand for another. My 
kilns are made about sixteen feel at the base, 
and nine feet high ; which with the fillings in 
the heart as it sinks, contains about ten cords of 



wood. This ten cords will make about five hun- 
dred bushels of coal, dust and all — costing three 
days labor with four hands. But have you ever 
considered that the coal is not all the profit? 
Two or three kilns should be burned on the 
same ground, by which time the covering earth 
will be completely saturated with potash and 
other salts and gases; thus, as I conceive, mak- 
ing it equal in value to the coal. It will take 
about one thousand bushels of earth to cover a 
kiln of the above dimensions, to which add one 
thousand bushels of coal, the produce of two 
burnings, and we have two thousand bushels 
of rich manure. After trying the trough and 
pestle for pulverizing the coal, I have abandoned 
them, and now tramp and beat the coal about 
the kiln — the first time returning it as covering, 
and the last time carting off to the land, or the 
stock yards. For a third or after burning on 
the same ground, the coal should be removed, 
otherwise the covering will be too porous. Thus 
it will be seen that a few days hence, I will have 
made four thousand five hundred bushels of pure 
coal, or nine thousand bushels of rich black 
compost — and I shall never miss the labor thus 
employed. 

As we are informed that the proper place for 
coal is on clay grounds, and that one of the ob- 
jects is to create porosity, I am inclined to think 
that an inch square and less is sufficiently fine. 
I have cast about eight hundred bushels over 
three acres of wheat, which, with dressing of 
meadows, will, I think prove to be the most pro- 
fitable mode of usirig it. 

Za. Drummond. 

February 17, 1843. 



BLUE GRASS. 
Until we are satisfied that there is something 
in our climate, or an irremedial defect in our 
soil, to prevent the growth of the Kentucky 
blue grass, we shall not fail to press its cultiva- 
tion upon the attention of our readers. We be- 
lieve it to afford the best gi'azing in the world, 
and we are satisfied that the greatest defect in 
our farming system consists in too much tillage 
and too little pasturage. We have an abiding 
faith in the wonder-working improvement that 
would flow from the introduction of this valua- 
ble grass, not less valuable for its fertilizing than 
its grazing properties. We entertain too the 
most lively hopes, that whenever the experiment 
is fairly tried, our rich river lands, with an ap- 
plication of lime where required, will prove ad- 
mirably adapted to its growth. We, therefore, 
copy from a Western paper the following article 
upon the subject: 

"After the imagination is completely exhausted 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



75 



in eulogizing the various products of mother 
earth, there is nothing to be compared to the 
old-fashioned blue grass for permanent pasture. 
It is not denied there are other grasses very va- 
luable ; but blue grass comes forward early in 
the spring, will bear moderate grazing through 
the SUB ner, and when not too closely cropped, 
will keep neat stock, such as young cattle, colts 
and sheep, in good condition all the winter. — 
This cannot be predicated of any other grass ; 
and as this is a favorable time, something in re- 
lation to its management may be beneficial. 

"1. Soil. — Almost any land with a moderate 
quantity of vegetable mould will grow it most 
luxuriantly; but experience has taught, that 
the richest limestone soil gives by far the best 
crop. Old fields very much worn will answer, 
if the farmer can have patience till the tender 
plant gets properly rooted. Indeed, land fully 
exposed to the sun is best for every kind of pas- 
ture, if the full set can be obtained. Stock will 
not go into the tallest grass in the shade, while 
a morsel can be procured in the sunshine. How- 
ever, very good blue grass pasture can be ob- 
tained in woodland, if the tim.ber does not en- 
tirely shade the ground, and the farmer will find 
it to his advantage to cut out the under growth 
to let his grass have a little sun. Light, sandy 
and stiff clay soils will not answer for blue 
grass, and we may be sure remarkably poor 
land Will not do. 

" 2. Preparation of Land. — If it is desired to 
sow in woodland, the logs, brush, leaves and 
trash should be taken off. After it is clean, 
harrow the land thoroughly, and sow immedi- 
ately. This is the best plan for blue grass on 
any kind of land. 

" 3. Quantity of Seed. — A bushel or ten pounds 
of well .stripped seed is the usual allowance, but 
if a bushel and a half can be spared, the stand 
will be sooner and much thicker. A gallon of 
clean seed will do as well as a bushel in the 
chaff. Care should be taken that the seeds are 
good. Notice that the straw was not cut when 
too green, or that the seed appear not black and 
smell musty. The chaff should appear yellow 
and smell sweet. The eye and nose, will soon 
tell good from bad seed. Seed properly gathered 
and preserved, will not be injured for years, but 
if they have ever been wet, or the least heated, 
the probability is, that they will not vegetate. — 
As a general rule, the fresher the seed the better. 

" 4. Time of Sowing. — January and February 
are the best months for sowing; but March, 
September and October will do pretty well. — 
Many experienced farmers prefer sowing v/hile 
the snow is on the ground. In this way, most 
of the seeds come in contact wirh the earth, as 
the 3now melts away, and the stand is apt to be 
good. 

"5. After Management. — When the grass 
first comes up, the blades are remarkably small, 



and not unfrequently the strong weeds seem to 
have choked it out ; but be not alarmed, the 
grass is only waiting to send down its roots to 
get better hold, and by and by, it will conquer 
every intruder. Some pasture lightly the first 
year, but we prefer nothing should touch the 
land, till the second year, or immediately after 
the seeds ripen. Then, pasture but lightly. — 
The third year is as soon as a full and vigorous 
stand can be anticipated. Care should then be 
taken to tread the surface close with heavy 
stock, and the grass will be rich and strong in 
proportion to the density of the sod on which it 
grows. The more you pack it, other things 
being equal, the stronger it will rise. 

T. F." 



LICE ON CATTLE. 

A correspondent of the Maine Farmer says : 
" Lice on cattle at this season of the year, are 
on the butt end of the horns. Destroy them 
now, and you will not have it to do in the win- 
ter or spring. Strong tobacco juice or alcohol 
will destroy them." 

Spirits of turpentine, rubbed on at the roots of 
the horns, will also destroy them — and if a tea- 
spoonful of it be put in the cvp formed just back 
of the horns, twice or thrice between this and 
the spring, it will prevent the occurrence of hol- 
low horn. 

A strong brine made of salt and water will 
destroy lice, and it may be said to be the safest 
application that can be made. — Ed. Am. Farmer. 



For the Southern Planter. 
DOUBLE EARED CORN. 

Messrs. Editors, — In the No. of the ' Planter' 
for March, 1842, your correspondent, Mr. Drum- 
mond, asks, " what advantage can there be in 
cultivating double eared corn ?" To satisfy the 
doubts of myself and others, I was induced in 
the autumn of 1839 to compare the produce of 
stalks bearing single and double ears, selecting 
the best of each kind, and, from memoranda 
made at the time, I will give you the results, 
so fa,r as they were ascertained. 

On the 11th of November, I weighed eight 
ears taken from four stalks, which weighed 4 
lbs. 1 ounce, whilst four ears from four stalks 
weighed 3 lbs. 9 oz. — difference 1 lb. 1 oz. in 
favor of the double eared corn. On the 12th, I 
weighed twelve ears from six stalks and six ears 
from six stalks — the whole weight not noted, 
but the difference is stated as 2 lbs. 4 oz. in favor 
of the double eared corn — the greatest weight 
from one stalk bearing two ears, was 1 lb. 10 
oz., the greatest weight from one stalk bearing 
a single ear, was 1 lb. 1^ oz. On the 15lh, I 
weighed the produce of three stalks bearing two 
ears each : the first weighed 1 lb. 10^ oz. — the 



76 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



second, 1 lb. 11 oz., and the third, 1 lb. 12 oz., 
"whilst the largest single ear weighed only 1 lb. 
G oz. 

I have given the above in hopes that it may 
induce others to turn their attention to the sub- 
ject, and report the result of their observation, 
in the Planter. As I have been for several years 
selecting nny seed corn from stalks bearing two 
or more ears, I think it not improbable that the 
general size of my corn may be somewhat di- 
minished. 

The actual weights are given above : the 
double ears were invariably gathered from the 
single stalk, and in every case the largest ears 
were selected from the corn crib as the represen- 
tatives of the single ears : it is possible that even 
they may have grown upon stalks bearing dou- 
ble ears. 

Your obedient servant, 

John Hart. 

Louisa, March, 1843. 



CUTTING WHEAT. 
In the last volume of the Planter we gave 
the results of some experiments made by Mr. 
" Hannam," of England, to ascertain the state 
in which wheat can be cut to the greatest ad- 
vantage. These experiments excited great in- 
terest at the time, and Mr. Hannam's conclu- 
sions were confirmed by the experience of se- 
veral of our correspondents. Since that period 
we have received several contradictory state- 
ments, and one particularly from a high source, 
stating that good flour could never be made ex- 
cept from wheat fully matured. We see from 
the ' Cultivator,' that Mr. Hannam has repeated 
his experiments on a larger scale, and that they 
have resulted in the strongest confirmation of 
his original conclusions, viz : that what he terms 
the "raw" state affords the greatest bulk and 
weight of wheat, and the best article for manu- 
facturing purposes. That our readers may the 
belter judge what is intended to be designated 

by the " raw state" we give a synopsis of the 

experiments. Five different cuttings were made 

as follows : 

No. 1, reaped August 12th, stacked Aug. 26th. 

No. 2, " " 19ih, " " 31st. 

No. 3, " " 26th, " Sept. 6th. 

No. 4, " " 30th, " " 9th. 

No. 5, " Sept. 9th, " " 16th. 

No. 1 was very green, only fully formed in 

the berry, and raw ; No. 5 was fully ripe. No. 

5, in the sample, was bold, but coarse ; while 

Nos. 1 and 2 were finer in the skin, but small, 

showing they had shrunk some. The raw cut 



No. 3, was unexceptionable, being as plump as 
No. 5, and superior to 1 and 2, in thinness and 
uniform cleanness of skin. There was little dif- 
ference between 3 and 4, except that the last 
was more rough than the first. 

It was No. 3, cut a fortnight before it was 
fully ripe that is designated as " raw." From 
the various experiments, which seem to have 
been fully and fairly conducted, it appears, that 
No. 3 is superior to all the other varieties ; giv- 
ing more per bushel than No. 5, by 6^ lbs. of 
flour; and a gain of about 15 per cent, on the 
flour of equal measures of grain. 100 lbs. of 
wheat No. 3, makes 80 lbs. of flour ; while 100 
lbs. of No. 5, yields 72 lbs. showing an advan- 
tage of 8 per cent, in favor of grain cut raw. 

In grinding, it was found that No. 5 ground 
the worst, worse than No. 1. In No. 5, were 
a greater quantity of flinty particles which 
would not pass the bolt, than in any of the 
others. The bran from No. 5 was coarse and 
heavy ; while that from No. 3 was " thin as a 
bee's wing." 

The actual value of flour for the purpose of 
nutrition, depending in a great measure on the 
gluten it contains, a sample of Nos. 3 and 5, 
was analyzed by Prof. Johnston, and he found 
them to contain respectively. No. 3, 9.15 per 
cent, of gluten ; No. 6, 8.9 per cent, of gluten. 
Thus proving that the wheat which gave the 
greatest quantity of flour, gave also the best. 



For the Southern Planter. 
COAL-TAR ON ROOFS. 

Messrs. Editors, — In your Planter for March 
'An Inquirer" wishes to know the value of coal- 
tar applied to the roofs of houses. Some ten 
years ago, having renewed the shingles on my 
dwelling, I gave them a coat of the coal-tar, and 
am weH satisfied that the effect has been benefi- 
cial. It penetrates into the wood about as deep 
as oil, and it has maintained its lustre almost 
unimpaired by the weather. I think it will ren- 
der the roof as nearly fire-proof as any other 
liquid substance. 'J'he only objection to it is, 
that it makes the shingles shrink considerably, 
and inclines them somewhat to crack. This, 
however, is not the direct eifect of the tar; but 
because of the greater power which the rays of 
the sun have on all bodies of a black color. I 
would recommend that the shingles be not more 
than 4^ to 5 inches wide; that they be nailed 
on during a dry season and made to fit close ; 
and that the tar be applied when they are per- 
fectly dry. The roof should have two coats. — 
The tar should be warmed over a fire in order 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



77 



to make it more fluid, and the first coat particu- 
larly should be well worked in between the 
shingles. It gives a black, glossy color to the 
roof, and cannot fail to add to its durability. 

T. S. P. 



NEW a ^THOD OF GROWING ASPARAGUS. 

The Editor of the Horticuhural Magazine, 
recommends a trial of the following method of 
growing asparagus, which is practiced at Nice, 
and of which a high account is given in the 
London Gardeners' Chronicle. Take a quart 
wine bottle ; invert it over the head of a stalk 
of asparagus just rising from the ground, and 
secure it by three slicks so that it cannot be 
knocked over. If left in this state, the aspara- 
gus will grow up into the interior of the bottle, 
and, being stimulated by the unusual heat and 
moisture it is then exposed to, will speedily fill 
it. As soon as this has taken place, the bottle 
must be broken, and the asparagus removed, 
w'hen it will be found to have formed a thick 
head of tender delicate shoots, all eatable, and 
as compact as a cauliflower. 



Stockley, JS'ansemond Co. Feb. 21, 1843. 
To the Editors of the Southern Planter: 

Gentlemen, — I notice in your valuable perio- 
dical that Mr. James Gordon look the premium 
offered by the Henrico Agricultural Society last 
year, for the best acre of sweet potatoes, viz: 
644| bushels to the acre, which we Nansemond 
planters think an enormous yield. The sweet 
potatoe crop is one of our chief staples, and we 
pride ourselves more on the quality than the 
quantity of the article. I do not think the aver- 
age crop in my neighborhood has exceeded 75 
bushels per acre, during the last five years. The 
object of this communication is to beg the favor 
of Mr. Gordon to give us his ^^ modus operandi" 
through the medium of the Southern Planter, 
the quality of his land, quantity and kind of 
manure used, &c. &c. 

Whilst my pen is in hand, I will give my 
limited experience with regard to the mooted 
point of suckering corn. After a trial of five 
years, I have satisfied myself that irreparable in- 
jury is done the corn by pulling off the suckers. 
I think that in consequence of the wounds in- 
flicted on the growing plant, the crops of fodder 
and corn are both greatly diminished. I will 
cite one year's experience, (1840). My corn 
was planted 4| by 4 feet, and two stalks allowed 
to remain in the hill. In July it was not unusual 
to see four suckers on many stalks. I directed 
twenty rows through the middle of the field to be 
suckered ; balance left with all the suckers on ; at 
gathering time, very many of the suckers had 
each a full ear on them, growing from the side 
of the stalk, many of the parent stalks produc- 
nig two large ears. The suckered, produced 



no more than the unsuckered parent stalks. The 
latter furnishing me an additional quantity of both 
grain and fodder, independent of the labor saved. 

D. H. Hatton. 



In an experiment of sowing corn broadcast, 
on the 1st of June, at the rate of one and a half 
bushels per acre, on rich land, Gen. Harmon, of 
Wheatland, Monroe county, New York, ob- 
tained 18 tons of green stalks per acre. The 
stalks were small, and almost entirel}' without 
ears, and so full of saccharine matter, that the 
cattle ate them perfectly clean when dry, though 
they were not cut up fine. The yield was esti- 
mated at six tons dry fodder per acre, and was 
raised on a clover sod turned over and sown the 
last of May, and the corn cut September 1 5. 
The saccharine matter, which goes to supply 
the corn in the ear, is retained in the stalk when 
not suffered to ear, and materially adds to its nu- 
tritive properties. — American Agriculturist. 



For the Southern Planter. 
TO DESTROY IVY, &c. 

Ivy and laurel may be useful, but until I as- 
certain their value, I shall continue to eradicate 
more or less of them every year. One induce- 
ment to destroy ivy is for the purpose of adding 
to rny arable and pasture fields; and another is 
the preservation of my sheep from this poison. 
The use of the grubbing hoe for this purpose is 
a tedious business, and I have determined to try 
an implement which I shall call a Grab. I have 
no doubt but that an implement can be made of 
iron, which will tear up by the roots every ivy, 
and dogwood, and other stole and brush rooted 
shrub. Those of much height should be cut 
off a few feet above the ground, and the grab 
fastened toward the top, and immediately under 
a knot or limb. A yoke of oxen hitched to the 
grub, by means of a chain, will do the work; 
but in some cases, it may be necessary to assist, 
by cutting a root at the off side. What think 
you of an implement after the fashion of a 
blacksmith's tongs, much stronger of course, 
with the handles widely extended, and the grab 
end curved inward and somewhat sharp ; or 
what think you of an implement after the fash- 
ion of dividers or compasses ; one side being 12 
inches long with a ring attached, and the other 
9 inches long and terminating in a hook ? Now 
if a chain be drawn through the ring and dropped 
over the hook I think we shall have a severe 
grab. The inner edge of this should also be 
sharpened, and the plates should be 2^ or 3 
inches broad and about 1 inch on the back. 

1 would be very thankful to any one who 
will insert in this paper, the model of a grab on 
a belter plan than either of the above. 

D. D. 

February 18, 1843. 



78 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



We noticed in an agricultural store in Boston a very simple and efficient implement, that we 
think would probably meet the views of our correspondent. We will endeavor to represent 
it in the following drawing. It may be called 



A GRUBBING HOOK 




Three bars of iron, two inches wide and a half inch thick, about two feet long, are welded 
together at one end, where they terminate in a ring through which a chain may pass. The 
other ends, which are hooked or bent as represented in the engraving, are separated, the two 
outer ones diverging three inches, each, from the centre bar. A hole is dug on one side of 
the bush or shrub to be eradicated, and the prongs of the hook are inserted under the roots. 
The team (oxen are best) is then hitched to the chain passing through the ring, and with one 
crack of the whip the work is done. 

For mere shrubs, a m.uch smaller and lighter hook than the one described would be more 
handy and equally efficient. 



GARDEN VEGETABLES. 

Early Cucumbers. — The following has been 
found by the writer, an easy and successful way 
to raise them. Place small pieces of dead turf, 
as large as one's hand, just below the soil in a 
hot bed, and plant the cucumber seeds upon 
them. When the stems are two or three inches 
long, the pieces of turf are removed, plants, 
roots, and all, to rich garden soil, and they will 
advance rapidly in growth and produce fruit two 
or three weeks earlier than those planted in open 
ground. Suitable turf is easily obtained where 
grass has been inverted the previous summer or 
autumn. The young plants should be set out 
as soon as they will probably escape frost. 

Early Tomatoes. — Where there is no hot 
bed, these have been succesfully started in pots 
kept in a warm room, and the fruit ripened a 
weekortwo in advanceof those otherwisetieated. 

While the fruit is yet green, I have much ac- 
celerated the ripening, by removing the larger 
leaves from dense bunches of the fruit, and plac- 
ing white boards behind them, so as to reflect 
the sun's rays strongly upon them. They soon 



became red, while the rest remained unchanged 
in color. Would not planting them, as well as 
many other of the smaller garden fruits, against 
a white washed fence or wall, prove of great 
advantage? It is estiniated in England, that a 
good wall for fruit is equal to an advance of six 
degrees towards the equator ; why then is this 
powerful means of producing early fruit, so gen- 
erally overlooked in this country? 

Early Potatoes. — It is well known that 
the eye end of a potato will yield a crop earlier 
by some days, than ihe root end. This appears 
to be owing simply to the earlier growth of the 
sprouts from the eye end. Earlmess will be 
greatly increased by placing the seed potatoes 
in a box of moist sand, early in spring, in a 
warm place in the house; and then planting 
them when the shoots are about two inches 
long, taking care not to break them off. 

Lime. — Its tendency to diminish the growth 
of leaves and stem, and increase that of seed 
and fruit, is well known. It had been applied 
two years before to the strawberry bed, at the 
rate of about half a bushel to a square rod. A 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



79 



similar effect was observed on tomatoes, when 
the manure they received, which was well rotted, 
had a small quantity of lime thoroughly mixed 
with it. The growth of their stems was mo- 
derate, and the product in fruit, very abundant. 
Others, manured withoat lime, grew abundantly 
in stem{ .md the product of fruit not quite so 
great. Slacked lime was used. The difference 
might have been owing to other causes ; at any 
rate, more experiments are needed. 

Early Lettuce. — This wasobtained at least 
three lueeks earlier than other lettuce sown in the 
hot bed, by taking up plants, sown the previous 
autumn in open ground, and transplanting theim 
into the hot bed as soon as it was made. They 
were urged forward in growth rapidly, by the 
new heat they received, and formed heads four 
or five inches in diameter, while the other lettuce 
was hardly an inch high. — Cultivator. 



For the Southern Planter. 

King William, Feb. 15, 1843. 

Messrs. Bolts & Burfoot, — I send you below 
a condensed statement of some of the experi- 
ments reported to the King William Working 
Agricultural Society at their fall meeting. You 
are aware each member is bound by the con- 
stitution to report an experiment made by him- 
self to every meeting under the penalty of one 
dollar. The day of our meeting at tMulberry 
Hill Tavern was not very favorable, neverthe- 
less, it was well attended and some specimens 
of superior butter, articles of domestic manufac- 
ture and animals were exhibited. On such of 
these as were thought worthy premiums were 
awarded, and an interest in the Society excited 
which we hope will be increased and lead to 
valuable results. 

Respectfully your friend, 

W. GWATHMEY. 

Lewis Littlcpage's Experiments. 

1. Impressed with the opinion that fall fal- 
lowing for corn was more injurious to the land 
than spring, about 25th of March this year, he 
prepared the land and planted in corn, which 
proved a very short crop — the fallow was in 
clover — the cut worm very destructive. His 
conclusion is that the loss of corn is greater 
than the benefit to the land. 

2. The ro^^^'s on which com was shocked, in 
his wheat field, were sown in oats in spring — 
and clover seed sown over the field. That on 
the oat rows grew much more luxuriantly, and 
when the same field was fallowed for wheat, the 
effect was very apparent in that crop also. 

George R. Tram's Experiments. 
1. Soaked seed corn in copperas water two 
days, (half pound to the gallon of water.) It 



was not pulled up by the crows or destroyed by 
cut worm. Other corn adjacent, without cop- 
peras was destroyed. 

2. In 1841, sowed clover seed after corn, the 
last time it was worked. They came up and 
the crop succeeded very well. 

Corbin Braxton's Experiment. 
Planted harvest beans which did not mature 
in time for ruta baga. 

Edward Hill's Experiments. 

1. On peas planted with corn. Two rows of 
corn planted in peas, every other hill, j'ielded by 
accurate weight one pound of corn less than 
the two next adjoining without peas, both cul- 
tivated alike, 

2. On drilled wheat. An acre drilled nine or 
ten inches apart, cut and threshed carefully, 
yielded only a few gallons more than an acre 
sown broadcast, immediately adjoining. Consi- 
ders it not worth the additional trouble of drilling. 

William S. Fontaine's Experiments. 

1. On harrowing in clover seed th^ last of 
March on wheat, alternate rows were left un- 
harrowed. The harrowed wheat, to the eye, 
for a fortnight appeared benefitted. The clover 
to this time is better set. 

2. Ten acres of purple straw wheat was cut 
in the dough state — product about 60 bushels, 
very much shrivelled, and unsaleable if it had 
not been mixed with the rest of the crop. Ten 
acres, rather better land, fully ripe, gave me 82 
bushels wheat, plump to the eye, and weighing 
57 lbs. to the bushel. 

From a partial experiment he is induced to 
believe that wheat after corn, produces more in 
single than double beds. 

Richard Gwathmey's Experiment. 
Discovering rust in his late crop of wheat, 
he commenced harvesting, and continued six 
days. Having carefully slacked the first and 
last days, cutting separately, he selected a dozen 
bundles from each, and threshed them ; and on 
weighing, he found the product of the first dozen 
to be three-fourths of a pound heavier than the 
last. He afterwards sowed ten grains of the 
green parcel, each of which sprouted readily 
and put up a vigorous spire. 

William Gwathmey's Experiments. 
1. Lime applied on low light land with black 
soil, (150 bushels to the acre,) will not destroy 
sorrel. Six rows of this limed land without 
any other manure than the natural grass, yielded 
763 ears of corn, measuring 7 bushels. Six of 
the same adjoining, liberally top-dressed with 
stable manure, when the corn was well up, 
yielded 1,000 ears, measuring 10^ bushels. — 
Six, of land adjoining, top-dressed with the ma- 
nure alone, yielded 777 ears, measuring 7^ 
bushels. 



80 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



2. To ascertain the effect of covering up the 
vines in cultivating the sweet potato, he had the 
vines covered in two rows, and designated by a 
stake. The two rows adjoining, planted with 
similar seed and cultivated (as the crop,) with 
the earth drawn up, leaving the vines uncovered, 
yielded three pecks more, of larger potatoes. 

Reported by request of the Society. 

W. GwATHMEY, Secretary. 

The very interesting address of the President, 
Dr. Corbin Braxton, which, by the unanimous 
vote of the Society was requested for publica- 
tion, (and promised) has not yet been furnished. 



THE LOCUST TREE. 

There are probably but few trees more beau- 
tiful and ornamental than the locust. It is also 
valuable for timber, being of a close, solid tex- 
ture, and as durable for most purposes, as oak 
or walnut. The trees often attain a large size, 
and at the proper season of inflorescence, the 
yellow locust, is festooned with clusters of white 
flowers, which give it a most beautiful appear- 
ance. We have several of these trees growing, 
and in many sections of our Slate they are be- 
ginning to become quite common, and are pro- 
pagated both for ornament and use. The great 
ditficulty, however, experienced in causing the 
seed to vegetate, operates as a discouragement 
with many; it requiring to be prepared before 
planting in order to soften the hard and shelly 
pericarp or hornlike envelope in which nature 
has deposited the germ. This is performed in 
the following way. Having first separated your 
seed from the pods place them in an iron por- 
ringer, and pour over them a quart of water, 
previously healed to the boiling point. Set the 
porringer aside, and suffer the water to cool gra- 
dually. After twenty-four hours decant the 
water from the seed, and select such as have 
opened for immediate planting. If any yet re- 
main hard, let them undergo a similar submer- 
sion, and at the end of the next twenty-four 
hours, select again such as have opened, and 
continue this process until all that are capable 
of vegetating have opened, and been planted 
out. Another plan and perhaps a somewhat 
more economical one, so far as time is concerned, 
is to subject the seed to the action of nitric acid^ 
mixed in the proportion of half an ounce to two 
quarts of water. The seed should be steeped 
in this mixture for twenty-four hours before 
planting, and the water kept tepid or slightly 
warm by means of a stove or oven. In this 
case it is not necessary to repeat the process as 
the good seed will at once evince signs of vita- 
lity and germination, while that which continues 
to be unaffected at the expiration of the twenty- 
four hours is probably foul or imperfect and 
should be thrown away. Seed, thus prepared, 



if planted in a rich, warm soil, in April, will 
take a vigorous start, and the plants be fit for 
transplanting in the course of the second or third 
year after. The trees should never be suffered 
to stand nearer than fifteen feet apart in any 
soil, and should they be consigned to one thin 
and light, the distance should be tiventy. As 
they increase, care should be taken to clear out 
all dead wood from the tops, and to keep down 
the shoots, where the soil is rich, which will 
sometimes issue from the roots. 

Maine Cultivator. 

So valuable has the locust become, not only 
for posts, but for its uses in ship building, that 
its growth would probably afford the very best 
use to which many of the light lands on our 
water courses could be applied. Facility of 
water transportation is an indispensable requi- 
site to the profitable produce of any kind of 
timber. The locust is said to be a great im- 
prover of the soil, inasmuch as it returns more 
than it draws from it, its deciduous offal being 
particularly enriching. No man ever saw a 
locust tree without a peculiarly luxuriant growth 
of grass underneath it. 

The crop would be a slow but sure one. 



For the Southern Planter. 
BURNING COAL. 

Messrs. Editors, — As it seems that the far- 
mers are about to commence binning coal for 
agricultural purposes, and as they are generally 
ignorant of the process, I will add my mite to 
what I conceive to be a good cause, by giving 
some directions. 

Seasoned wood is best, because it burns more 
thoroughly in less time, consequently requiring 
less atienlion and producing more coal. Regu- 
lar colliers cut their wood into cord length, but 
the farmer may save time by cutting his six 
feet. On level ground kilns are generally made 
circular; on hill sides they may be made an 
oblong square, the length being up and down 
hill. A kiln of sixteen feet diameter is a good 
size ; and now for its construction. Drive down 
a peg for the centre, around which draw a circle 
at the distance of eight feet ; on which circle 
drive pegs, or what is better, cut amarrow trench 
with a grubbing hoe. Cut blocks of wood three 
feet long, with which build a pen on the centre 
nine feet high ; around which set i)p your wood, 
with the large end downward, and about two 
feet from the pen. As the wood is packed, fill 
underneath with short pieces; and as the pack- 
ing advances fill throughout with other short 
pieces, for the purpose of giving a slope for 
covering. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



81 



The pen, and filling near the heart of the 
kiln, should at any rate be of seasoned wood, 
otherwise the fire will start badly. 

When the foundation is complete, the next 
thing may be to arrange the air holes. These 
are made at the bottom of the kiln and about 
six feet sf^ irt, by laying two blocks of about 
two and a half feet long, and six or eight inch(!s 
thick, with one end against the kiln, and twelve 
or fifteen inches asunder; over which lay broad 
pieces of wood. Now proceed to cover by cast- 
ing on leaves or shavings and earth. When 
the earth has ^been packed three or four feet 
high, stand thereon and cut off any spur ends 
which may be likely to obstruct a neatly finished 
covering; which spur ends with olher blocks of 
three to one foot long are to be packed on and 
around the upper portion of the pen and on the 
foundation ; and thus rounded off neatly for co- 
vering. Now proceed to cover till nearly closed, 
when a few armsful of seasoned wood must be 
cast to the bottom of the pen, then fire, and 
more dry wood till filled. When the dry wood 
is fairly on fire lay some billets of wood across 
the top, and cover with leaves and earth. 

The air will enter the kiln through about half 
of the air holes, and the smoke, or rather steam, 
issue from the remaining half; and so soon as 
the kiln is fairly on fire every crevice above the 
air holes should be closed. In ten to twenty 
hours after being under way, the heart of the 
kiln will have become hollow, when blocks of 
wood should be filled in, and again closed. — 
Where the steam strikes, the fire is extinguished, 
consequently when the wind continues at one 
point, that side burns first which is to the wind, 
and on this side in windy and dry weather it 
■will be necessary to close the air holes by de- 
grees as the kiln sinks; but those on the oppo- 
site side should be kept open ihrotighout, that 
the steam may pass off as quickly as possible. 

Once in three or four hours the kiln, or kilns, 
should be attended, and the whole body beat or 
stamped down, so that the pores may be kept 
closed, and any point likely to break, detected 
and timely repaired. One man can attend five 
or six kilns. When the steam ceases to issue 
the wood is charred, and the sooner the coal is 
drawn the better. For this purpose a rainy or 
snowy day is preferable, or if water is conve- 
nient the coal maybe extinguished with this ; 
otherwise it must be done by casting on the 
dusty particles of the covering. 

For drawing down the coal the hoe is best, 
and for dusting the shovel is best. Large kilns 
will require drawing at two or three different 
times, at intervals of eight to twelve hours. 

Two cautions and I have done. Have you 
put out the fire? you say yes — well, go around 
and put it out again ; and after starting off, go 
back and put it out once more. And lastly, 
mind bow you stamp about the top of a kiln 
Vol. III.— Jl 



when the heart is hollow, for there is some dan- 
ger of fallmg in. 

A Collier. 

Amherst, March, 1843. 



ADVICE ON THE CARE AND MANAGE- 
MENT OF TOOLS. 

From a new edition of the Cabinet Maker's 
Guide, we quote the following: 

" The goodness of saws, chisels, and other 
edge tools, depends upon the quality of the steel, 
which should be uniform throughout, and it is 
always belter to have ihem tempered too hard 
than too soft, for use will reduce the temper. If 
at any time you wish to restore the temper, and 
to perform the operation yourself, the best me- 
thod is to melt a sufficient quantity of lead to 
immerse the cutting part of the tool. Having 
previously brightened its surface, then plunge it 
into the melted lead for a few minutes, till it 
gets sufficiently hot to melt a candle, with which 
rub its surface; then plunge it in again and 
keep it there until the steel assumes a straw co- 
lor, (but be careful not to let it turn blue,) when 
that is the case, take it out, rub it again with 
the tallow, and let it cool; if it should be too 
soft, wipe the grease off and repeat the process 
without the tallow, and when sufficiently hot, 
plunge it into cold spring water or water and 
vinegar mixed. 

"By a proper attention to these directions, 
and a little practice, every workman will have 
it in his power to give a proper temper to the 
tools he may use. 

" If a saw is too hard, it may be tempered by 
the same means ; if you are near a plumber's 
shop, you may repeat the process conveniently 
and without expense, when they are melting a 
pot of lead. 

"In other cutting tools you must wait till the 
steel just begins to turn blue, which is a temper 
that will give it more elasticity, and at the same 
time sufficient hardness." — American Mechanic. 



February 13, 1843. 
Messrs. Botts & Burfoot : 

Gentlemen, — An illness from which I am just 
recovering has prevented me, until now, from 
asking you for as much room in your paper as 
will suffice to notice a very abusive attack upon 
myself, signed "Vindicator," which was one of 
the first things I saw upon opening your .Tanua- 
ry number. Your sense of justice, I hope, will 
grant my request, especially when I assure you, 
that I shall strive to be as brief as possible ; and 
shall have nothing more to say to Mr. Vindica- 
tor, even although he should repeat similar 
abuse in your next number. 

This writer presents himself to your readers 



82 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



in the imposing character of a volunteer cham- 
pion of Virginia husbandry ; and the first speci- 
men he has given us of his powers in that ca- 
pacity, is, not only to accuse me of " most 
grossly misrepresenting" the agricultin'e of my 
native Slate, in a letter addressed to the Corre- 
sponding Secretary of the New York State 
Agriculiiiral Society, at his own request ; but 
to assert, as of his own certain knowledge, that 
I am a man so fond of my joke, as not to scruple, 
at any time, to sacrifice the truth to it. These 
are not his identical words; but 1 take it to be 
the plain English of the expression, "that he 
will indulge it (his joke) at the expense of 
things dearest his heart:" in other words, he 
will tell a falsehood, if he can make people 
laugh by it. This truly, is a very pretty cha- 
racier for one whom he calls "confessedly a 
Virginian, every inch of him!'' His argument 
to disprove what I have stated as facts, is, that 
he has never seen what / have stated that / 
have seen; therefore, such things can never 
have been seen by any body. \\'hat I have 
uttered as mere matters of opinion, and espe- 
cially in relation to the average produce of corn 
and wheat per acre, in the tide water portion of 
Virginia, which latter opinion he styles, "a 
charge of still greater import," he treats as if 
equally demanding a refutation. Such as he 
attempts to give, if thrown into the form of syl- 
logism, would stand somewhat thus. All the 
people in the tide water part of the State must 
be in a starving condition, if the average pro- 
duce of corn per acre be only fifteen bushels, 
and of wheat only five bushels. 

But they are not in a starving condition. 

Ergo, — my opinion as to the average produce 
of our corn and wheat per acre, must be utterly 
wrong Quod erat demonslranlum.. 

Now, if the character for truthfulness and 
fair dealing which I have been striving through 
a long life to aiiain, can be destroyed by such 
an attack as Vindicator lias made upon it, then 
is the effort to sustain it no longer worth mak- 
ing. Cut I confidently trust that it will remain 
what it has been for years past, notwiihslanding 
this most unwarrantable assault ; and that none 
who have any knowledge of me will ever ques- 
tion my facts, however they may dissent from 
the opinions I deduce from them. Had Vindi- 
cator been equally intent upon doing justice 
both to me, and to the cause which he professes 
to have espoused, as he seems to have been on 
defaming me, he would have given your readers, 
at least the substance of what I said in favor of 
our agriculture, in the letter which forms the 
subjpct of his animadversions. 'J'hen, vour 
readers — very few of whom will probably ever 
see my letter — would have had an opporlunitj' 
of forming a tolerably just opinion of it. l-iit 
as Vindicator has managed the matter, they are 
all left to suppose, that the whole of this let.er 



contains nothing but ridicule and abuse of Vir- 
ginia husbandry. Such must be the impression 
left on the njinds of all who have read only Vin- 
dicator's representation of it. Permit ire, there- 
fore, to quote a short paragraph which, I confi- 
dently trust will suffice to acquit nie full}', with 
every impartial man, of all the charges which 
this self-created chanipion of Virginia husbandry 
has brotight against me. 

In one part of my letter to the Corresponding 
Secretary of the New York Stale Agricuhural 
Society there is the following passage; 

"From the low averages which 1 have given 
you of the staple crops in middle and lower Vir- 
ginia, you will probably form but a poor general 
estimate of the progress of husbandry in our 
State. Nevertheless, I can assure you, that in 
the aggregate, it has been very great in the last 
ten or twelve years; and that during the last 
two or three, it has advanced almost at a geo- 
metrical ratio. But this advancement, where it 
is most conspicuous, is still so partial and con- 
fined to particular neighborhoods, and so slight 
elsewhere, that strangers who have no personal 
knowledge of our Slate, cannot form a correct 
opinion, merely from hearing what is supposed 
to be the general average of our agricultural 
products per acre. To judge well of the whole 
extent and amount of our progress in husbandry, 
they should know the past as well as present 
condition thereof. They should see the best as 
well as the worst of our farms; they should 
examine those around our towns, on some of 
our navigable rivers, in the Valley of Virginia, 
and in several of the counties immediately be- 
low our first range of mountains. Then, in- 
deed, they could decide, as our Congressmen 
say, ^understandingly' on the subject; and such 
an examination, I am confident, would discover 
to them many farms as well nnanaged, in every 
resjiect, as any in the United States; although, 
in proportion to our whole territory, the mmiber 
would probably be smaller than in fome of the 
States north of the Susquehannah." 

I will quote no more, but leave it to every 
impartial man to decide, whether there is even 
a shadow of propriety or justice in calling a 
letter which contains such staiemenls, "a most 
gross misrepreseniaiion of Virginia agriculture." 

After having had so much cause lo condemn 
and to resent the conduct of Vindicator towards 
myself, I am erraiified to find, that there is at 
least one thing for which I can and will thank 
him. It is, that he — an entire stranger to my 
family — not having the most distant connection 
wiih them, so far as I know and believe, .should 
have proved himself so much more sensatively 
alive lo the agricuiiural fame of my paternal 
•riandfather, than /, his naughty grandson, have 
done. My only excuse — if indeed, svch a deed 
admits of any — is, that I had the story from 
my .own father, who, I presume to say, was 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



83 



probably quite as good a son as Vindicaior him- 
self; that the o!il genileman did not enjoin me 
to secrecy ; and, therefore, that I thought my- 
self at liberty to repeat it, particularly as there 
could be no stronger proof of the condition of 
our husbandry in lower Virginia. Whether it 
was inf r oiU of place for me lo say any thing of 
such a remote period, I shall leave it to others to 
decide. 

I remain, gentlemen, 

Yours, with regard, 

James M. Garnett. 

There is nothing we have so earnestly endea- 
vored to avoid as the admission of personal 
controversies into the columns of the Planter, 
and yet, notwithstanding our utmost vigilance, 
they have on one or two occasions insidiously 
crept in. When we received the article of " Vin- 
dicator," which was delivered in person, we 
scanned it with a careful eye, and seeing nothing 
in it but a critique upon a. public document, mixed 
with a little raillery to be sure, we gave it ad- 
mission that the public might judge between 
the author and Mr. Garnett. We are extremely 
sorry to find that Mr. Garnett takes an entirely 
different view of the article, and exhibits an irri- 
tation that we conceive it by no means calcu- 
lated to excite. If a gentleman writes a public 
letter, he has no right to object to its being cri- 
ticised, provided the criticism is free from insult- 
ing personalities. To find fault with the pro- 
duction, without attaching some blame to the 
author, is impossible, and for us to declare that 
we would admit no piece that inculpated an in- 
dividual, would be to say, that we would admit 
no comment upon any article that was published. 
The facts adduced by one individual may be de- 
nied and controverted by another, the arguments 
of the one may be replied to and refuted by the 
other, but no personal abuse, ungentlemanly 
language, or charge of dishonorable motives, 
shall be indulged in the Planter, whil.st we have 
charge of its conduct. Our general course, and 
particular and often expressed respect for Mr. 
Garnett, will, we hope, satisfy that gentleman 
that we conceived the article of " Vindicator" 
free from those objections. Thinking so still, 
hard as it is to resist an appeal such as Mr. 
Garnett makes, and coming from such a source, 
we would have refused to publish his communi- 
cation, had we not received a request from " Vin- 
dicator," to whom we sent if, that wc would do 
so, with an assurance that Mr. Garnett had 
wholly misunderstood the spirit of the article, 



which was written in a pleasant mood by one 
of his warmest personal friends and admirers, 
and, we will add, by a gentleman who never 
entertained an unkind feeling towards him in 
his life. 



From the New York Central Farmer. 
ON DITCHING. 

As I agreed to give you a description of my 
mode of ditching, 1 will now redeem my pledge. 
About twenty years ago, 1 purchased iny farm 
in Whitesboio', and on this farm was about 130 
acres on the Mohawk flats, and about 60 acres 
of that was covered with black ash timber, al- 
ders and bogs, and the water stood on it nearly 
the whole year ; the 60 acres were not worth 
as much for any use then as 5 acres are now. 
Not being acquainted wiih farming much, I did 
not know how to commence right, but my first 
object was to injprove my low grounds. 1 com- 
menced by making small ditches which would 
soon fill up. I then made a bank or dike with 
a small ditch on each side, but that did not alto- 
gether answer the purpose intended for a ditch 
and fence. About three years ago I commenced 
in a different way, which seemed to answer 
all the purposes intended, that is, to drain the 
land effectually, and at the same time make a 
good fence. 1 make my ditches six feet^\ide 
at the surface of the ground, and three and a 
half or four feet deep, as the land may require, 
with a slope so as to bring it about one foot on 
the bottom, and take the turf from the top of 
the ditch and lay it up on each side with the 
sam.e slope as the diicb, about one and a half 
feet high, leaving a lip of about four or five 
inches on each side of the ditch ; on placing the 
rows of turf that distance back from the ditch, 
to prevent its caving in by the frost till the bank 
becomes solid. I make small sluices in the 
lowest places, through these side banks, for the 
water to draw off" from the top of the ground. 
The raising of the banks on each side makes 
the ditch about eight feet on the lop, with slope 
bank, so that horses or neat cattle cannot easily 
get over it ; si.eep will run over it. I lay out 
my lots from twenty to twenty-four rods wide; 
three ditches drain the land effectually. 1 have 
raised a very good crop of corn on some of the 
lowest of this land this year, and it has been a 
very wet season. 

I will now say a few words about my mode 
of cultivating these low grounds; they are most 
profitable for meadow — I theiefore seed them 
down as soon as they are subdued by ploughing, 
or the ground is smooth, they may be brought 
into a good quality of grass hy sowing on seed 
and harrowing. I find it very profitable lo give 
these lands a ihin dre.ssing with manure; it im- 
proves very much the quality and quantity. 



84 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



Managed in this way, I gel three or four tons 
of hay from each acre ; I have taken four tons 
from 140 rods of ground, well dried. The best 
time to put on manure is soon after mowing; it 
will not need it more than once in four or five 
years. 

I have made nearly 500 rods of these ditches ; 
the}' cost about five shillings per rod ; they are 
the cheapest fence I can make, and by cleaning 
out the dilches, you can keep the fence in good 
repair. 

Yours, Julius Watkins. 

Whitesboro', JVov. 19, 1842. 



For the Southern Planter. 

TO IMPROVE A PINY OLD FIELD. 

First belt the trees and cut down the bushes. 
The following year cut and burn every thing 



into coal which is large enough, and scatter the 
burnings. That which is not large enough for 
coal should be spread on gullies and galls ; and 
this should be completed by the middle of March. 
Now mark off the ground with a coulter, sow 
oats, (and grass seeds, if you please,) and cover 
with the same inriplement. For the purpose of 
making equal distribution of the manure, and 
to avoid cost in carriage, the kilns should be 
placed at about fifty feet distant ; and that 
they may be of about equal size wood should 
be moved as required. Or if there be a surplus, 
the wood or coal can be moved elsewhere. At 
fifty feet distant, we have about eighteen kilns 
to the acre, which, if producing only one hun- 
dred bushels of burned earth and coal to the 
kiln, is one thousand eight hundred to the acre, 
,vhich 1 would apply to the spot, and then comes 



the blessing. 



Old Flu. 



For the Southern Planter. 



GATE. 




I 









Messrs. Editor?^ — In No. 1 of the Southern 
Planter for 1843, 1 noticed an article on the sub- 
ject of engravings, in which you express a wish 
that your friends should forward you sketches, 
&c. with description of implements or fixtures 
which are of a novel or interesting character. 
I have taken the liberty to furnish you with one, 
which, whatever may be its merits in regard to 
interest or novelty, I cannot but flatter myself 
will be found useful to farmers. I therefore send 
you the abovesketch,theobjeclof which is to give 
you an idea of securing gale posts so firm as 
not to be moved by frost or otherwise ; it can be 
used either for post and rail or the common 



worm fence. The only thing necessary repre- 
sented above, is the brace from the top of the 
back post of the gate to the first corner of the 
fence. All that is necessary is that it should be 
secured at both ends, as the weight of the fence 
at the corner is sufficient to keep the back post 
in a perpendicular position ; therefore, if you 
think it desirable to publish it, you may, with 
the assurance that it will answer an excellent 
purpose, as experience has proved it without 
doubt. I will here remaik that it would be ne- 
cessary to place the first pannel of fence in a 
straight line with the gate when shut; when 
the gate is open, the brace will not act as repre- 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



85 



sented, but the dnvation of that posiiion will not 
be for any lengih of time ; if so, there can be a 
pebble or soaieihing else subsiimted that is con- 
venient to be placed under the outer stile of the 
gate. 

Yours, &c. William Rice. 

Bnt^-ewater, Feb. 1, 1843. 



From the American Agriculturist. 
CONE'S DYNAMOMETER. 

Gentlemen, — I send you a rough drawing and 
description of a very cheap, simple, and effec- 
tual dynamometer. Every farmer can have one 
if he chooses ; the only thing is to hit upon 
some plan to have them uniform throughout the 
Union. 

Mr. Cone exhibited his plan at the Genesee 
Cattle Show and Fair, in October. The time 
was so short, however, after the ploughing 
match was over, that it could not be applied to 
any of the ploughs. It was sufficiently iried, 
however, to satisfy any one as to its accomplish- 
ing all that could be required of the most per- 
fect instrument. 

Take the beam of any patent scales that will 
weigh as high as 10 or 12 cwt. Suspend it by 
the upper hook, and put sufficient weight upon 
the lower hook to balance the beam. Then 
hang upon the small end a one pound weight, 
and put sufficient weight upon the lower hook 
to balance. Ascertain the number of pounds 
upon the lower hook requisite to balance the one 
pound. The beam used by Mr. Cone required 32 
lbs. on the weight hook to balance one at the 
small end. Hitch the lower hook to the clevis of 
the plough, and the team to the upper hook. The 
small end rims out upon the land side, at right 
angles to the plough. From the small end of 
the beam bring a wire near to the handle of the 
plough; attach to this wire the upper end or 
hook of a common spiral balance, and make the 
other end of the balance fast to the plough. — 
T/ffi apiral balance becomes the index to the force 
reqv.ired to move the plough. Thus if the index 
of the balance marks fourteen pounds, then the 
force exerted on Cone's scale would be 14 X 
32 = 448 pounds. 

You perceive at a glance, that the principle 
is perfect. It brings the index directly under 
the eye of the ploughman, and it is easy of ap- 
plication to any other subject, when it is desira- 
ble to ascertain the force necessary to move a 
ponderous body. 

In applying it to a plough, it should be so 
constructed as to work perpendicularly instead 
of horizontally. This could be done by having 
a guide made fast to the beam in which the beain 
of the dynamometer should play. The balance 
cotdd then be made fast to the upper .'^lat or round 
of the plough, and be more convenient for obser- 
vation ; besides it would not be effected by any 
inequalities on the surface of the ground. 



Unless soiTie person takes i.;p the subject, I 
fear we shall not have a uniform scale. I wrote 
to Mr. Ellsworth, the Commissioner of Patents, 
asking him to give the dimensions, and then we 
should have it uniform throughout the Union. 
If no other person does it, I will prepare one by 
the first of February. 
Sincerely yours, 

T. C. Peters. 

Darien, JV. Y., December, 1842. 



For the Southern Planter. 

A TABLE, 

Shelving the number of corn hills and other plants 

in an acre of ground. 

Feet. Feet. No. of Hills. 

20 by 20 108 

19 by 19 120 

18 by 18 134 



17 by 17 
16 by 16. 
15 by 15. 
14 by 14- 
13 by 13. 
12 by 12. 
11 by 11 
10 by 10. 

9 by 9 

8 by 8 

7 by 

6 by 

6 by 



-150 
-170 
-192 
-222 
-257 
-302 
-360 
-435 
-5-37 
-680 
-888 



6 1210 

5^—1320 



Feet. Feet. No. of Hills. 
5 by 4 2178 



by 3— 
by 2— 
by 1-- 

hy^- 

by 4— ■ 
by 3— 
by 2— 
by 1 — 
by3i- 
by 3— 
by 2— 
by 1 — 
by 2-1- 
by 2— 
by 1 — 
byl- 



—2914 
-4356 
-8712 
—2151 
-2722 
-3630 
— 6445 
-10890 
-3555 
-4840 
—7260 
-14520 
-6969 
-10890 
-21780 
-43560 



H by 

5 by 5 1742 

Messrs. Editors, — I send you the above as a 
very useful and convenient table that I have 
compiled for the "Planter." The calculations 
are, I believe, entirely correct. 

Permit me to congratulate you on the March 
nurrjber. It is worth all the money I ever paid 
you. 

Yours respectfully, 

Ph. B. White. 



From the Farmers' Cabinet. 
FENCES. 

Messrs. Editors, — As materials for fencing 
are becoming more scarce exery year, in this 
part of the Slate, our farmers have been turning 
their attention for some time to the means of 
lessening the expenses which are continually 
occurring, to keep their farms in stjitable repair. 
Our fences are either the worm, pcst-and-rail, or 
ihorn. Unfortunately for us, the thorn has been 
attacked by insects, which have injured it ex- 
ceedingly — in some instances it has been almost 
destroyed. The post-and-rail fence has now 
become very expensive, m consequence of the 
scarcity of while oak timber — the best of which 



86 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



is purchased to be cut into scantling and ship 
stutf. The plan now coming into use for the 
wonn fence, is to set it upon a good sized stone, 
elevated at least six inches from the ground, as 
hereiofoie. 

The rads are first prepared in the following 
manner: — A measure — say of shingling lath, 
of the length of the rails, is procured, and holes 
bored about half an inch in diameter, and four 
inches from the ends; it is laid upon the rails, 
and holes bored in them corresponding wiih 
those in the measure. When a number of rails 
are so prepared hy boring, and ready to be put 
into fence, an iron rod suitable to the holes so 
bored, is set upon the stone or block, on which 
the fence is to stand, and then the rails are to 
be inserted on the rod until the panel is com- 
pleted. The rod is to be bent about one and a 
half inch at the stone, so that when the fence is 
completed, it may be clenched or bent over the 
bottom rail — the panel is secured by making a 
hitch with a chain or rope, over the joint, and 
then bending or clenching the iron rod on the 
top rail — some prefer driving a small wedge at 
the side of the rod, instead of clenching it, so 
that the fence might the more easily be removed, 
if at any time it should be found necessary. — 
The most expeditious and convenient way for 
making such a fence, is for two persons to be 
engaged at it at the same time — one at each 
end of the rail boring the same simultaneously, 
and then assisting each other in placing it in 
the fence. A man can bore many hundred holes 
in a day, and the expense in preparing and set- 
ting up a panel, including the rod of iron, would 
not exceed the expense of preparing and setting 
up a panel of posi-and-rail fence. A great ad- 
vantage to the farmer in this method of using 
the iron rod is, that it holds the rails so com- 
pletely firm at the joint, that no wind as yet, 
has been of such violence as to move it from 
the foundation; such a fence, made of good ce- 
dar or chesnut rails, will endure until it wears 
out with old age. 

In the ordinary worm fence, each joint re- 
quires two stakes, which of cedar or chesnut, 
cost with us considerably more than the rod of 
iron. The oak post undressed, is worth about 
fifteen cents — the two slakes for each joint of 
the fence, worth twelve and a half cents. Now 
counting all the expense of boih kind of fences, 
I am well convinced that the iron rod fence is 
cheaper by fifteen cents a panel than the post 
fence — besides, the posts rot out, and it will be 
necessary to obtain a new set every twelve or 
fifteen years — and then there will be a loss of 
at least ten per cent, in supplying the place of 
broken rails and re-sharpening ihem and others. 
The iron rod will cost about seven cents — for a 
five-rail fence, it should be cut about four feet 
nine inches. The lap of the rails need be no 
more than about four inches, and the worm 



about four feel — such a fence, with this worm, 
will stand the heaviest blows that we are accus- 
tomed to in this climate, especially if the rod be 
well clenched on the top rail. There may be a 
saving of one, or even two rails to the panel, in 
substituting blocks of wood cut short, and bored 
so as to suit the rod through which it is to be 
inserted. 

If the above communication may be consi- 
dered worth inserting in the Cabinet, it is freely 
at your service. 

An Old Farmer. 

Salem County, JV. J., Dec. 22, 1842. 

We have our doubts about the value of this 
mode of fencing, although there is something 
novel and ingenious in it. We incline to our 
old opinion, that post-and-rail, when properly 
made, is the cheapest and neatest fence that can 
be constructed. However, a writer in a subse- 
quent number, in whom we think we recognise 
an old and experienced friend, lauds the plan very 
highly whilst he suggests some improvements, 
which will be found in the following extracts 
from his communication : 

"In the first place, then, I find that a worm 
or angle of three feet, is sufficient for the purpose 
of perfect strength; producing an elegance of 
curve, far more pleasing to the eye than the 
straight fence, for any situation, and requiring 
but ver}' little more ground space than it : while, 
at that angle, the loss in the length of rails in a 
panel of eleven feet, is nine inches only ; a fact, 
which would scarcely be credited, were it not 
proved by demonstration. But in the directions 
given in the Cabinet, there are some things 
which, I think, can be improved upon ; for it 
must be very difficult to bend the rod of iron at 
the stone and clinch it over the bottom rail, if 
the rod he of a size to give sufficient strength 
to the fence, without shaking and injury to the 
work; neither can 'an inch and a half of bar 
be sufficient length for the purpose. And then, 
what is to keep it in its proper place on the 
stone, unless that be broad, in proportion to its 
height? Now, in my plan, I have overcome 
this difficulty and objection, by merely letting 
the iron rod into the stone about an inch and a 
half, and fixing it there with melted lead ; a la- 
bor and expense not worth the naming, when 
compared with the service rendered It seems 
to be intimiated also, that a panel at a time can 
be finished; but it will be found that the rails 
must follow each other singl}', for a considerable 
length of space, before one panel can be finished, 
as the ends of them must lap one over the oiher — 
but this is of no importance. Not so, however, 
with the proposal to clinch or bend the rod over 
the top rail — a work which I should deem al- 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



87 



most impossible, without destroying the fence 
by siiaking: it to pieces. And then, in the event 
of any of the rails failing, or a wish to remove 
or repair the fence, how are these clmchings to 
be raised up, without breaking them off, and in- 
juring 'he fence? Now, for this trouble and 
diiiiculiy, I have substituted the very simple 
plan, of punching a key-hole within half an 
inch of the end of each rod ; and when the top 
rail — which should be stout and half round — is 
placed, I shall procure a piece of iron hoop, say 
six inches in length, punch a hole in the middle 



five cents a pound. The rod will consequently 
cost about fourteen, instead of seven, cents, to 
the panel. 



For the Southern Planter. 
THE PREPARATION OF THE LAND AND 
THE CULTIVATION OF THE TOBACCO 
CROP. 

NO. II. 

JMessrs. Editors, — In accordance with the 



plan proposed in my last cominunication, I shall 
of it for the reception of one end of the rod ; in- 'follow IVir. Minor in "the Preparation of the 
sert it, and drive a key through the hole and Land and the Cultivation of the Tobacco Crop." 
clinch it; and then bend the ends of the hoop jThe preparation which he recommends for new 
to fit exactly, and embrace the end of the top'giounds, is much better, and more ihoiongh, 
rail. Thus, 1 have a fence erected in a much than that which is usually practiced; and I 



shorter time than would be required for the fix- 
ing a po3t-andrail fence, that can be removed 
in a quarter part of the lime ; and the first cost 



should be glad lo see it universallj' adopted. — 
But our writer when he comes to speak of lot 
lands, remarks that "In general it is considered 



cannot be one half as much; while the inser- iarf economy to manure land for lubacco, ho\h be 
tion of the rods into the stones will constitute it ! cause the quantity required for that crop is 
one of the strongest that can be devised ; as the ' greater than for any other, and because the qna- 
angles, acting on the principle of the arch, pre- jlity of the product, as well as that made on low 
sent a resistance that cannot be overcome by grounds, is coarser in fibre and less marketable." 
any common occurrence. 'rhis is the erroneous opinion to wliich I alluded 

" Unless the stones are of considerable thick- in ihe close of my last number. And I fee! fully 
ness, I would advise a block to be put under the I assured that if we have made no other improve- 
first rail ; and before placing the top rail, a block | ments in the last twenty years in the growth of 
of sufficient thickness to raise it to the required , lobacco, we certainly have in this particular.— 
height for pinning or keying down tight upon And I think it would not be difficult to show, 
the~ iron hoop, must be supplied ; this will re- ! 'hat the practice founded upon this opinion, has 
quire care and a little practice, but neither art ,tlone more to injure the planting section of Vir- 
or much labor. When the fence is finished, the gima, 'o lay waste its lands and timber and im- 
top rail ouirht to range so as to form a perfectly poverish its people, than any one whatsoever, 
level line; "and this is to be obtained by seeing ,Y">-i see at once, that on this principle, the axe 
that the tops of all the rods are of the same 'must of necessity be appealed to every year for 
height, before placing the first rail. It is need- ; a crop, and ("as it is considered bad economy 
less to advise, that these blocks of wood be of i^o manure,") the lands thus cleared are after a 
the most lasting and enduring nature, and not few years worn out and exhausted. And thus 
liable to split. And I would take the present | the unhappy planter, as if haunted by ihe ge- 
opportunity to urge upon your readers, the great |nius of poverty and pressed bard upon by gul- 
importance of cutting all wood designed for : lies and hens-nest grass and pines, betakes him- 
fences, and indeed for every other purpose, in self year after year with fancied security to the 



May ; strip oflF the bark and split it to the size 
required, and expose it to the sun's rays, by set- 
ting it on end. I have long satisfied myself, 
that such limber will last — hoiumany times longer 
I can't say — but I went some time ago to see a 
post which ha;l been cut in full leaf, and placed 
in its position in the revolutionary war, and 
there it remains, firm and sound at the present 
day ; and at the same time I brought away 
portions of a part of a fence, which had already 
stood out two other sets of rails cut in the au- 
tumn and winter — that having been cut in May 
or June, and placed immediately in fence." 

The cost of the iron rod is either misprinted 
or under estimated. Half inch round iron weighs 
about ten ounces to the foot, and is worth about 



forest. He puts forward his veteran knights of 
the grub-hoe lo wage a war of extermination 
upon the dogwood and chinkapin bushes— and 
while "up by the roots" is their watch word — 
they of the axe follow in quick succession, and 
attack the sturdy Spanish oak, fore and aft, front 
and rear. With the like zeal and intrepidity, 
they are followed by the heavy armed knights 
of the maul and wedge, who march slowly and 
stearlily to the conflict — seeing the forms of their 
stately victims lie prostrate before them, iheir 
limbs mangled and severed from the body, with 
savage ferocity they attack the limbless trunk — 
"drive home," they shout, and sever every liga- 
ment. This wasting warfare is thus prosecuted 
with a zeal worthy of a better cause, until the 
poor planter is routed by a hoarde of creditors; 
his knights, seized with their arms upon them. 



88 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



are channred to some olher service, wliile he, 
lookiiiij wnh iriuaii)h on the ruin he has wrought, 
winds his way to the fur West. 

Bui to be more serious. The expense of 
clearing an acre of well timbered foiest land, is 
much greuier than is coinmonlj supposed. If 
any one will take the trouble to estunate it ac- 
curately, as I have done, he will find ii to cost 
him by the time he gets his ground ready to 
plani, about twenty dollars per acre. This alone, 
it seems to me, ought to be sufficient to deter 
planters from adopting clearing as a system. — 
For I am well convinced, and I appeal with 
confiiience to all who have fairly tried both the 
clearing and manuring systems, for confirmation, 
that a planter who has lands which were origi- 
nall}' preity good and not g-uUied, if he will keep 
slock enough to consume the ofTal of his wheal 
and corn crops, and haul corn-stalks, weeds and 
leaves or other vegetable matter to his stable- 
yards and cow-pens, can manure two acres with 
less expense than he can clear one — and further, 
that he can make, at the lowest estimate, twice 
as much tobacco on his manured acre, and get a 
higher price for it per hundred. These are not 
theoretical but practical facts. The manuring 
system is comparatively in its infancy, and none 
of ns have done one-fourth of what we might 
and ought to do. And that man, or set of men, 
who, by their efforts and example, should be in- 
struuienlal in breaking down the clearing sys- 
tem and establishing the manuring on its ruins, 
■would deserve to be considered the greatest be- 
nefactors to the tobacco growing section of our 
Stale. 

Bj' the adoption of the manuring system our 
estates, instead of being constantly cut down 
and worn out, or (as a facetious friend of mine 
observed) " Re- Pining" under our operations, 
would be enhanced in value. Our principal 
would be rapidly increasing, while we were at 
the same time drawing ihe heavier interest. — 
Under this system, too, all descriptions of labor 
on the farm can be usefully employed. The 
old and the young can collect litter and spread 
it on the land, while only a portion can cut or 
maul, or hill new grounds. And lastly, the crop 
on old lands can be culiivaied mostly with the 
plough, and here we have a great saving of 
that most expensive of all labor — hoe-labor. 

Wiih regard to the preparation of lot lands 
before the manure is applied, there are two modes 
practiced by our best planters. The one is to 
coulter the land close both ways, and the other 
to use the turning plough. The first I should 
consider best for high land ; where there is but 
little vegetable matter on the siuface, and espe- 
cially where the soil is thin or exhausted. The 
last is preferable on flat lands, which should be 
thrown into four or eight row beds. When the 
manure is applied the land should be thrown 
into single beds three and a half feet apart. — 



Where we have old loss well set in the artificial 
grasses, I think it a matter of great importance 
lu fallow them in Julj^, or when ihe vegetation 
IS at ils mool luxuriant slate. We thus secure 
the greatest amount of vegetable matter in the 
soil — it fernjenis and rots with greater facility 
and the land works easier and produces better 
the ensuing season. 'I'here is a difference of 
opinion among some judicious planters whether 
it is best to plant in hills or beds. On rough, 
stiff, or flat lands, the hill is unquestionably pre- 
ferable — but on light, soft, high lands, the bed 
answers well and is a great saving of labor ; I 
have tried both, and much prefer the hill if I 
have time to make them, inasmuch as it ensures 
a better preparation of ihe soil, and enables us 
to plant when it would be too wet to plant in 
the bed. Should the season be late and unpro- 
piiious, I would never lose the opportuniiy of 
plaining by waiting to hill, if I had my lands 
bedded. 

Passing over the time of planting, priming, 
topping, &c. on which our writer is sufficiently 
explicit, we come to the casualties or diseases to 
which ibe crop is subject. The first mentioned 
by our writer and bj' far the most serious, is the 
spot or firing, or more properly the rot. This is 
caused by loo much rain, and is more liable to 
occur on sand}' soils, and less so on those that 
are stiff, red, or thirsty. It is of much rarer oc- 
currence of late years than it was formerly, 
which is ascribable, doubtless, to the improve- 
ments in management and cultivation which 
experience has suggested. The mode formerly 
practiced was to cultivate the crop almost level, 
and to keep the soil beiween the hills loose and 
well broken; under this mode of culiivaiion, 
immese losses were sustained almost yearlj' by 
fire. But by adopting just the reverse of ihis, 
by scraping up carefully with the hoe all ihe 
loose earth among the hills, as deep as the 
plough has gone, and throwing it on ihe hills, 
and leaving the ground among the hills as hard, 
if possible, as a path, — the leaves of the plant, 
when it is large enough to take the rot, will 
shield the hill from the rain, and throw the wa- 
ter off on the hard ground, which soon runs off, 
and the crop is protected. A sufficient quantity 
of vegetable matter turned into the soil will also 
do much towards preventing ihis disease. This 
is proved by ihe well eslablished fact, that the 
first crop on a clover and herd?grass fallow where 
the land is very .sandy, does not fire, whereas 
the second or third are almost certain to do so 
unless some vegetable substance is turned into 
ihe soil, and hence such lands (sandy loam river 
or creek flats) should not be cultivated two or 
three years in succession, let them be ever so 
rich, without applying some vegetable matter 
or other. These are matters of the greatest im- 
portance, for there is no disease more destructive 
to the tobacco crop than the one we are consi- 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



89 



dering, and I verily believe, if we could have 
cultivated oui" crop last j'ear in this way, as un- 
favorable as the season was, we should have 
escaped the disaster. But the summer was so 
unusually wet, we were unable to cultivate our 
crop in our usual way, and it is the first lime 
ve hav^ suffered wiih the disease. I would 
:ot be understood to say that it can always be 
Drevented, but 1 do believe that it can be gener- 
illy done, and in the way I have above indicated. 
r will only add that I very much question the 
propriety of ever ploughing the crop afrer the 
plants have got large enough to take the roi, 
on account of the loose earth ihat is thrown up. 

Another enemy of the tobacco crop is the cut 
loorm. This is not, as stated by Mr. Minor, the 
larvce of the black bug, but of a fly resembling 
the candle fly. This fact was first established 
by a friend and relative of mine, Mr. Thomas 
F. Venable, of Prince Edward, who is an accu- 
rate observer; he imprisoned the worm in a 
close vessel, and fed him until he passed from 
the chrysalis to the fly state. But as it reganis 
the mode of preventing or destroying them, I 
must request you, gentlemen, or some of your 
correspondents, to give lis some practical infor- 
mation on the subject. This catching them one 
by one on the hill, and destroying them, is too 
slow and tedious and ineffectual, if we could do 
better. We have tried several experiments on 
this subject, but have not succeeded. We are 
now in the midst of another. We broke np 
our tobacco lots last summer according to cus- 
tom, which were thick set in grass, we are now 
re-ploughing them, to see if exposure to the 
frosts will not interfere with the hatching out of 
the worm. If we succeed, I rnay drop you a 
line; till then believe me 
Yours respectfully, 

N. A. Venable. 

Lunenburg County. 



find killing an innocent bin!, or trouncing a poor 
frog, I will have no mercy on him. 

Wickedness excepted, there is a time for all 
things, except one — and I would ask the lazy 
lubber, what is that? 

Argus. 

Amherst, March, 1S43. 



For the Southern Planter. 
SHORT HINTS. 

Stop there! that's a live tree, therefore, it 
shoulil not be injured or disfigured by sticking 
your axe into it. And that fire too! nobody of 
thought would build a fire against a tree. 

If you wish your son to be a successful far- 
mer, you must cause hirn to understand that 
farming is an honorable business. 

Sow your seeds in time, and lake time to sow 
your seeds. 

Boy, don't count your licks ; but make each 
lick count fojr itself. 

The most graceful sight in the world, is a 
buzzard saihng at a great elevation, but when 
he comes down, I grow melancholy, and begin 
to charge rnyself with some fault. 

O y^z ; take notice ! that the first bad boy I 
Vol. Ill— 12 



PEDDER'S FRANK. 
From our respected friend, Mr. Jas. Pedder, 
of Philadelphia, we received a few days since a 
bundle containing, amongst other things, a copy 
of Frank, or "Dialogues between a Father 
and Son on the subject of Agriculture." This 
little work, which is dedicated particularly to 
the juvenile class of the agricultural communi- 
ty, is replete with the soundest truths of morality 
and agriculture. To cherish the gentler feel- 
ings of our nature, to elevate the farmer into 
tl5e kind neighbor and generous friend, whilst 
he is instructed in the principles of his profes- 
sion, is exactly the task for which Mr. Pedder's 
disposition and information most eminently qua- 
lify him, and in this little work, these objects 
have been attempted in a style and manner ihat 
do equal credit to the head and heart of the au- 
thor. We should be very happy, if we could, 
by extending the sale of his valuable book, re- 
pay, in part, the many favors and polite atten- 
tion, for which we stand indebted to Mr. Pedder. 



For the Southern Planter. 
TIMBER. 

Messrs. Bolts 6f Burfoot, — Although I am 
no theorist, I fear nevertheless, that any informa- 
tion at ray command, derived from experience, 
or observation, will fail to shed much light upon 
the inquiries submitted by Mr. Tunstall in your 
last number. Still I am unwilling to withhold 
any facts in my possession, bearing upon the 
matter, to which he refers. The aim of the 
planter being the communication of practical 
knowledge, rather than the utterance of specu- 
lative opinions, I will very briefly detail some of 
the results of rny limited experience. 

About nine years since, I made an aqueduct 
of chesnut logs about six hundred yards in 
length. The logs, being about a foot in diame- 
ter and the bore about two inches, were laid 
down in a green state with the bark on, and 
from two to three feet below the surface of the 
ground. At this day they are in a sound state, 
being only a little decayed on the outside, ex- 
cept one of them, so far as I am aware, which 
was partially decayed, when put down, and 
which will have to ba renewed. There are 



90 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



about one hundred and forty of these logs. I 
was advised to use chesnut in preference to 
other timber, not only as being more lasting, 
when placed below the surface of the earth, but 
as not being liable to the obstructions, occasioned 
by the formation, or growth of small roots, or 
fibrous matter within the conduit, effectually 
checking the passage of water, and to which 
oak and pine are peculiarly liable. The year 
following the construction of mine, a friend also 
made an aqueduct of oak logs, several of which 
he has been compelled to take np, but for what 
cause I have failed to learn of him, which I 
now regret. Oak, too, imparts a very unplea- 
sant taste to the water. But all this is somewhat 
apart from the point of Mr. T.'s inquiry. The 
durability of chesnut as a material for fencing- 
rails is universally known ; and it is a fact, per- 
haps, not so generally known, that no timber of 
the valuable kinds decays with greater rapiditj^, 
when in immediate contact with the surface of 
the earth, where it is exposed to the combined 
action of the elements, as moisture, heat, &c. 
When chesnut is used for posts, there are only 
two methods, I am acquainted with, to guard 
against rapid decay at the part just referred to. 
The first is, to fill up the post-hole with stones, 
so that the rain-water may pass, as it falls, into 
the earth ; and the direct contact with earth and 
water in a measure be avoided, and thus the 
action of the sun, which follows, is beneficial, 
instead of being injurious. This plan is suited 
only to high and rolling land, and not to flat 
and low ground, when the water must collect 
around the post in greater or less quantity. One 
fact should be specially borne in mind ; no kind 
of timber, whether locust, walnut, chesnut or 
other, made into posts, ought to be set up in 
fence, for at least nine months after being cut. 
If not well seasoned, and particularly if green, 
the process of decay, which otherwise is scarcely 
perceptible, becomes very apparent in a few 
years. The other method, and it is the better, 
(though it is practicable to unite the two, but I 
have never seen it done,) is to cause the posts 
to be VI* ell charred for several inches above and 
below the point where they touch the siuface. 
In hewing them, the workman should take care 
not to reduce them too much at this part, viz: 
at and below the first mortice, so that in burning, 
the danger of weakening the post may be 
avoided. In short, both oak and chesnut posts, 
prepared in this way, will last very many years ; 
and all kinds should be kept from nine to twelve 
months before being put in the earth. Besides 
the kinds already mentioned, sassafras, chinka- 
pin, white walnut as well as black, mulberry, 
box oak, and I believe, catalpa, (sed quaere de 
hoc,) are excellent for posts ; and all should be 
seasoned, but oak and chesnut require charring 
to the depth of half an inch as before remarked. 
The other inquiry, as to the season of the 



year in which timber should be cut, involves a 
mooted point and leads lo some little specula- 
tion. The return of the sap into the roots in 
winter is a very ancient and a very common 
fallacy, as Mr. T. intimates. What then be- 
comes of it ? Why, if I dare utter Latin again, 
it is functus officio ; or in vulgar parlance, it is 
used up. Possibly the necessary answer to a sin- 
gle question may satisfy him. How does he 
account for that umbrageous foliage beneath the 
refreshing influence of which he has so often 
reposed, while luxuriating in the beauties of na- 
ture, as they evolved before him in all their ex- 
pansive loveliness, to the charms of which, one 
of his refined taste and keen sensibilities is ever 
alive? or whence those concentric circles, trace- 
able by the naked eye, when the tree is sawed 
asunder, one of which is added every 3^ear, and 
denotes its age with such unerring certainty ? 
Now I submit, with all deference, that the sap 
is the material of which, in part at least, the 
leaves and new wood are formed ; in a word, 
the food of the plant, and to form which must 
require a large amount, The pores being cer- 
tainly the conduits, are we to be taught to be- 
lieve, that the sap is the mere agent by which 
the nutriment, forming the new growth, is con- 
veyed, and that it does not enter into organic 
combination ; whose office is analogous to the 
expanded leaves, which are said to act as lobes 
in supplying the plant with atmospheric air? 
But even upon this latter idea, may not the dis- 
appearance of the sap be explained upon the 
ground, that having performed its office, it has 
passed by evaporation from the body of the tree, 
just in the same manner as aqueous particles 
are passing off momentlj' from the surface of 
the human system, when in health ; except that 
in the former case, it is periodical ; in the latter, 
without intermission. The other, however, seems 
to me to be the better opinion. For wood, as 
we all know*, is a compound substance of which 
water is a component part, but in what propor- 
tion I am not chemist or botanist enough to tell. 
We know that the formation of the leaf and 
wood begins with the first signs of vegetation. 
When the operation ceases is a little more doubt- 
ful. The leaves are fully developed long before 
the arrival of summer; but the growth of the 
wood goes on actively to a much later period ; 
probably to the first of August. After which, 
if I might hazard an opinion, timber may be 
cut with safety. With few exceptions, any 
kind may be destroyed in August, root and 
branch, without danger of sprouting, by simply 
cutting it down, which seems lo show, that the 
sap is exhausted and all power of reproduction 
effectually paralj^zed. 

It is an express order, I believe, of the Navy 
Department, to have all the timber for the con- 
struction of our ptiblic vessels felled between the 
20th October and the 20th of February, and for 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



91 



most uses, among practical men, the period for 
cutting is from August to March. I presume 
for the reason, that the quantity of sap and 
moisture in the wood is so great, from March to 
August, that the timber, when split is very apt 
to spring or warp, and also to crack ; both of 
which effects injure it. Nor is this all. Being 
very green and sappy, it is very difficult to rive. 
The process of growing imparts increased tena- 
city to it, owing to the formation of what la- 
borer's call hen^s teeth in the outer grain of the 
wood. Later in the season, or in winter, none 
of these objections occur. In speaking of ' oak,' 
in the preceding remarks, white oak is meant. 

I am assured by observing men, that rails made 
from black, red, and chesnut oaks, after the 
bark is stripped off for the tanner, decay rapidly. 
Trees, the bark of which is for the use of the 
tanner, are always cut in this latitude in May, 
when the sap or juices abound ; and further, 
that as scon as new wood, or sap^ indurates, 
which is believed to be about the last of June, 
or first of July, the timber then cut will soon 
cast the bark, and the white rim, or sap^ becomes 
as hard and as durable as the heart itself. Af- 
ter all, a series of experiments, carefully made 
throughout the year in different kinds of timber, 
can alone settle the question as to the best time 
for cutting it. This might easily be done, though 
it would require time to perfect it, as time is an 
essential ingredient in the question, Tanners 
must have bark; but if the opinion here indi- 
cated be correct, ought not all other descriptions 
to be cut, as soon as the new wood is perfectly 
formed, or the precise period is clearly ascer- 
tained, by cutting in May, June, July, &c. and 
the rails, if made into rails, kept under the eye 
of him making the experiment. 

James M'Ilhany. 

Loudoun^ March 3, 1843. 



For the Southern Planter. 

Patent Office, March 1, 1843. 

Messrs. Editors, — I hasten to inclose you a 
small quantity of tobacco seed, with a copy of 
Mr. Ellicott's letter, hoping that this new expe- 
riment will prove highly useful. 
Very respectfully, 

H. L. Ellsworth. 



Patuxent Iron Works, Anne Arundel Co. JVfd. ) 
February 27th, 1843. j 

Hon. H. L. Ellsworth : 

Sir, — The tobacco seed you gave my brother 
Andrew, which you represented to be from 
Spain, has produced plants mostly having leaves 
on them fourteen inches wide, which is suffi- 
cient size for wrappers ; which is not the case 
with Havana plants. 



The tobacco appears to be of very superior 
quality, a sample of which I shall send you ; 
also some of the segars as soon as I have them 
made up. 

I send you nearly all the seed I have saved, 
believing tobacco from this seed will be equal to 
ihe best Havana. 

Yours, with respect, 

Elias Ellicott. 

Two very small parcels of tobacco seed, one 
marked as " Ellicott's," the other as " from Con- 
sul at Trinidad," were received wiih the above. 
We keep them for Mr. N. A. Venable, as a 
small return for his valuable communications to 
the Planter. 



THE FARM HORSE. 
We have received from Mr. Cocke, who in- 
herits a love of the horse, a request to insert an 
advertisement of his horse, " Black Hawk,'' 
admirably adapted, as he conceives, to the pro- 
pagation of an active and powerful race of 
roadsters. In the veins of Black Hawk, runs 
the blood of the imported " Sarpedon" and Gen. 
Cocke's " Roebuck," whose stock for stoutness 
and game, upon the road, is celebrated in Vir- 
ginia. We take the liberty of inviting Black 
Hawk to the exhibition of the Henrico Agri- 
cultural Society this spring. Accompanj^ing 
the advertisement we received the following 
communication : 

To the Editors of the Southern Planter: 

Gentlemen, — I send the inclosed notice of my 
horse for publication on the cover of your paper, 
(with suitable figure) to appear, if possible, wuh 
the forthcoming number — i. e. on 1st of JMarch, 
to be continued for two months thereafter. 

I will state in connection with the notice of 
the horse, that having, in common with m.ost 
Virginians, a strong love of horses, but never 
having indulged a taste for the sports of the 
turf, my partialities led me some years since to 
commence breeding that noble animal for the 
more useful purposes of the saddle and harness, 
with the view of uhimately propagating a dis- 
tinct race of roadsters, which, like the English 
Hunter, should be unrivalled under the saddle 
and in the light draught of pleasure vehicles. 
My plan has been to select mares of good blood, 
size and useful qualities, and otherwise particu- 
larly adapted to my mode of breeding — and to 
put them to the largest and best of the thorough 
bred horses of the State, and to cross and re- 
cross upon this stock until animals of the de- 
sired qualities shall be produced. I have at 
present some twenty or more mares — colts and 
stallions— from which I am breeding upon the 



92 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



above plan. Many of the colts are very fine 
and remarkable for size — especially those of the 
second cross — and I have every indication so 
far of the final success of this plan of breeding, 
which was commenced and is prosecuted chiefly 



for the gratification of a passion for fine horses, 
but at the same time not without the hope that 
it may in the end prove of some public benefit. 
Very respectfully yours, 

Philip St. George Cocke. 



STRAW CUTTER . 




Experience has long since demonstrated 
that there was no implement upon the farm 
productive of greater saving than a good 
straw cutter. Repeated experiments made at 
the North and reported with the grealest accu- 
racy, have shown a saving of one-third to the 
farmer who cuts up all his long feed. Impressed 
with the absolute necessity for one of these ma- 
chines upon every well managed farm, we have 
paid great attention to its construction, and had 
some months ago brought it to such a state of 
perfection, as not on\y to entirely satisfy our- 
selves, but, what was much more difficult, to 
satisfy the numerous purchasers of the article. 
In this satisfaction our northern friends partook 
in a very large degree, as was manifested by 
the award to us, last fall, of the first premium 
of the New Haven Agricultural Society, the 
third premium at Alb.iny, where it was broken 
and out of order, the first premium at Philadel- 
phia, where it was exhibited in competition with 
the very implements that were preferred to it at 



Albany, and again the first premium and a sil- 
ver medal at the great exhibition of the Ame- 
rican Institute in New York, where it again 
met and defeated its Albany rivals and dozens 
of other competitors. 

For this cutler, with the numerous testimo- 
nials of its durabiiil}'', efficiency, and ease of 
management in our possession, we claim, with- 
out arrogance, the palm over every 01 her made 
in Europe or America. But there is still one 
difficulty. To make so perfect a machine, with 
every facilily of labor-saving machinerj'', with 
every disposition to accommodate our prices to 
the times, we are unable to furnish the cutter 
for less than t/iirtij dollars, whilst we continue to 
make it up in a manner to sustain its well 
earned reputation ; but we are constanlly beset 
by small farmers, who think they cannot afford 
to give so much for a straw cutter, with the in- 
quiry, " Can't you make us a cheaper cutter, 
which, if not so good, will yet answer our pur- 
poses ?" To answer this demand, we have just 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



93 



gotten up and patented an ariicle upon an entirely 
new principle, which works to a miracle. It is 
represented in the engraving: it differs not very 
greatly from the usual form of guillotine straw 
cutter, in which a gate is made to work up and 
down l!_ means of a lever, except in this, that 
the gate, instead of moving perpendicularly up 
and down, moves ohliquely to the straw, so as to 
enter and run, as it were, with the grain of the 
straw. By this means, the greatest ease of cut 
is obtained. Let the reader go out to his wood 
pile, and throw his axe first perpendicularly and 
then obliquely into a log of wood, and he will 
have a pretty good idea of the advantage of 
this mode of cut. Again, when the gate moves 
perpendicularly up and down, there is a constant 
tendency, especially when the knife is dull, to 
force it off from the bed plate against which it 
cuts. By this means a wear and play in the 
gate is engendered, by which the cleanness of 
cut is entirely destroyed. If the gate moves 
obliquely the other way, that is, makes an acute, 
instead of an obtuse, angle with the straw, the 
mode in which we first tried it, this difficulty is 
greatly increased ; but when the gate moves as 
in this cutter, the knife is drawn in by the grain 
of the straw, technically called "eating," and a 
constant cleanness of cut is ensured. These 
two advantages render this knife, which we can 
sell for ten dollars, superior, we believe, to any 
cheap cutter in use. 

If thought desirable, a board may be set up 
in front at any required distance from the knife, 
as a guage, against which the straw, which is 
fed by hand, may be pushed, so as to regulate 
the feed to any lengih required. 

To grind the knife, it is only necessary to 
turn a single screw, when the whole gate may 
be slipped out, and the knife may be ground 
without being removed. To small farmers and 
private stables in cities we believe this knife 
will prove to be exactly what has been long 
wanting. 

BoTTS & BURFOOT. 



For the Southern Planter. 

SOWING CLOVER SEED. 

Messrs. Editors, — You will please to order 
me four barrels of poudrette ; 1 should like to 
gel it this month. If yon have any on hand, 
please inform me forihwiih. I wish lo try ex- 
periments with it during the present season, and 
should it answer my expeclalions, I shall deal 



move largely in the article in future. Your cut- 
ting box has saved me during the past winter, 
the price it cost me. Two hands can cut shucks, 
hay, or fodder enough for fifteen or twenty 
horses in ten or fifteen minutes with it. Your 
last number contains a drawing of a box for 
sowing clover seed, which I consider an useless 
piece of lumber. I follow the plan of my neigh- 
bor, Mr. Hewlett, which is to mix the qunntity 
of clover, or any other seed, you may wish to 
sow to the acre with one bushel of moist (not 
wei) sand, and let the seedsman sow froin his 
apron as he would wheat. It thus comes up 
uniformly and regularly. 
Yours truly, 

Rob. FI. Nelson. 
March 9, 1843. 

For the practised and skilful sower, the plan 
recommended by Dr. Nelson is better than any 
implement that can be devised, but with any 
other hand, the box is invaluable in securing an 
even^and equal distribution of the seed. 

As to the Cutter, we could add a hundred 
equally flattering testimonials to that of Dr. 
Nelson, who has been using his now for two or 
three years. 



CREDIT aUOTATIONS. 

We quoted from TuU^ under the head of " Se- 
lections," in 5ih number of our paper, on the 
subject of "Pulverising the soil." We find this 
same article in a December niimber of ihe New 
England Farmer, quoted from the Southern 
Agriculturist, which paper credits it to the Sou- 
thern Planter as original. We protest against 
thus robbing the dead of its righiful dues. 

American Agriculturist. 

If the Messrs. Allen are as desirous to do 
justice to the living, as they are scrupulous of 
"robbing the dead," they will please state, that 
the article alluded to, was marked in the South- 
ern Planter as a quotation. 



For the Southern Planter. 

PREMIUMS 

For the next Meeting of the Agricultural Society 

of Henrico, luhich will be held the last week in 

May. 
For the best stallion calculated to produce 

stock for the saddle, harness or draught, 

the property of the exhibitor, $15 

For the best brood mare, do. do. 10 

For the best male saddle horse, do. 10 

For the best mule raised by the exhibitor, 6 
For the best work horse, do. 5 

Committee of Jitoard — Augustus Mordecai, D. 
W. Haxall and Poiteaux Robinson. 



94 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



For the best bull, the property of the exhi- 
bitor, $10 
For the best milch cow, do. 10 
For the best milch cow, raised by the ex- 
hibitor, 10 
For the best pair of oxen, property of ex- 
hibitor, 5 
Committee of Award — Jacob Shook, Albert G. 
Hobson and Benjamin Franklin. 
For the best boar, raised by exhibitor, $5 
For the best brood sow, do. 5 
For the best boar, the property of exhibitor, 5 
For the best brood sow, do. 5 
Committee of Award — Charles Marx, John N. 
Shields and L. W. Chamberlayne. 
For the best buck, the property of exhibitor, $5 
For the best lot of three ewes, do. 5 
Committee of Award — Thomas S. Dicken, C 
W. Gooch and William Carter. 
For the best specimen of domestic wine, not 
less than one gallon, the production of 
exhibitor, $5 
Committee of Axoard — R. B. Haxall, James 
Lyons and William D. Wren. 
For the best specimen of ploughing, to be 
performed by the farmer himself with 
his own plough and team of two horses, $10 
To which Messrs. Botts & Burfoot add a 
straw cutter at $30 and a plough at $10, 40 
Committee of Award — Hill Carter, Randolph 
Harrison and Richard Hill, with authority to 
fill vacancies. 

For the best corn sheller, Diploma. 

For the best cutting machine. Diploma. 

For the best threshing machine, including 

horse power, $10 

For the best specimen of farming tools, axes, 
hoes, spades, &c. 5 

Committee of Avmrd — Corbin Warwick, H. 
L. Carter and George W. Bassett. 
For the finest specimens of poultry, such 
as geese, ducks, turkeys, hens and chick- 
ens, a premium of $2 50 for each spe- 
cimen. 

Committee of Award — Thomas B. Bigger, A. 
Robinson, Jr. and Edwin Hill. 

Stock and articles which have heretofore re- 
ceived premiums are excluded from competition. 
^^ There is another list of premiums to be 
added to the above, chiefly for horticultural pro- 
ducts, which we could not obtain at the time of 
going to press, — Eds. S. P. 

We have long entertained the opinion, which 
we have frequently expressed, that a thorough 
knowledge of the mechanical part of his pro- 
fession, was wanting in the southern farmer. — 
From a long experience in mechanical business, 
we are peculiarly aware of the advantages pos- 
sessed by any proprietor who is thoroughly in- 



structed in those arts practised by his subordi- 
nates. Although it may not be necessary for 
the wealthy farmer to submit himself to the 
di'udgery of manual labor, we all know how 
important it is that his hands should be skilled 
in their several occupations. Even if he has a 
practical overseer, it is all important that the 
proprietor should be able to superintend his su- 
perintendent. 

The captain of a ship prides himself on being 
able to handle a rope better than any man 
aboard, and scorns to give an order that he 
could not execute. So a farmer, from the driv- 
ing of a nail to the turning of a furrow, should 
have no superior; this, with his better educa- 
tion and higher intellect, the master, with a little 
practice, will soon accomplish. Impressed with 
these opinions, and satisfied that no better test 
of a good farmer can be obtained than his abi- 
lity to excel in that art which lies at the foun- 
dation of good husbandry, we have put at the 
disposal of the Henrico Society a cutter and 
PLOUGH, to be disposed of as advertised above. 
We are happy to say that already some of our 
most respectable farmers haveentered their names 
for the contest, which will be, we are inclined to 
think, one of the most animating and interest- 
ing that has ever been witnessed in this coun- 
try. One gentleman, a distinguished writer and 
a celebrated farmer, says he would enter, if the 
time of trial could be postponed, so that he 
m\^\. learn to 'plough. 



TOMATOES FOR COWS. 

It is not generally known (says the L. C. 
Advocate) that this vegetable is a superior arti- 
cle of food for milch cows. We have tried it 
two summers, and it is decidedly superior to any 
other vegetable we have yet tried. They add 
greatly to the quantity as well as to the rich- 
ness of the milk, and give a rich golden color to 
the cream and butter, which is at least pleasant 
to the eye, even if the flavor is not so improved. 
We do not know, however, that they impart 
any richer flavor to the butter. 

We have known a cow to refuse them when 
first offered, but soon became very fond of them ; 
others, we believe a large majority, eat them 
greedily from the first. Thus far we have fed 
them only in the raw state ; but if boiled with 
corn meal, say half and half, or two-thirds to- 
matoes, they will doubtless be far better. 

To one who has a dairy farm, the cultivation 
of an acre or two in tomatoes would be repaid 
by greater profit than any vegetable we know. 
From one acre not less than eight bushels may 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



95 



be gathered daily from July until frost. There 
is some trouble in picking them, but then nearly 
every farmer has children ; his little boys — ay, 
and his big ones, too — would not be the worse 
for a little work. We should be glad to see the 
experiment tried on a larger scale than ours, 
and to Ib^vn the result. 



SWEET POTATOES. 
We observe that a correspondent of the " S. 
Western Farmer," in Mississippi, declares, that 
from a thorough trial he is fully satisfied that 
sweet potatoes, as a food for stock, are far supe- 
rior to ruta baga, and that he believes they as 
far excel the sugar beet. Our early subscribers 
will remember that a northern emigrant declared, 
in the first volume of the Planter, that if the 
northern people could raise the sweet potato, 
they would abandon all other roots. 



TO PRESERVE FLOWERS FRESH FOR A 
LONG PERIOD. 

Procure a flat dish of porcelain ; into which 
pour water sufficient to nearly fill it; in the wa- 
ter place a vase of flowers : over the vase place 
a bell-glass, with its rim in the water. This is 
similar to a " Wards's case," in principle, al- 
though different in construction. The air that 
surrounds the flowers being confined beneath 
the bell-glass, is constantly moist with the water 
that rises into it, in the form of vapor. As fast 
as the water becomes condensed, it runs down 
the sides of the bell-glass into the dish ; and if 
means be taken to enclose the water on the out- 
side of the bell-glass, so as to prevent its evapo- 
rating into the air of the sitting room, the at- 
mosphere around the flowers will remain con- 
tinually damp. This plan is designated the 
" Hopean apparatus." The experiment may be 
tried on a small scale, by inserting a tumbler 
over a rose bud, in a saucer of water. 

Gardeners' Chronicle. 



TOBACCO. 
We were struck with the views of a distin- 
guished planter of Cumberland, who was speak- 
ing to us a few days since upon the subject 
of the tobacco crop. He thinks, under the 
system that is now prevailing, it is destined to 
be the great renovator of our worn out lands, 
and that it will yet accomplish for Virginia 
what turnips have effected for the coimty of 
Norfolk, and British husbandry in general. He 
contends that it is not an exhauster, but that, 
being like the turnip a broad leaved plant, and 



being removed before it matures its seed, it 
draws its sustenance, in a great measure, from 
tlie atmosphere, and is, according to all estab- 
lished principles, an ameliorating crop. That 
the lands of our planters have grown poor, he 
thinks, proceeded from other causes than the 
abstract cultivation of tobacco. In the first place, 
our ancestors were too prodigal of the gifts of 
nature, and the treasures of the barn-yard were 
too long permitted to waste their sweetness upon 
the desert air. Secondly, when their successors 
were driven by necessity to the collection and 
use of manure, the tobacco planters concentrated 
all of theirs upon their tobacco lots, which, on 
account of their superiority, were immoveably 
devoted to this valuable staple, and that so far 
from the tobacco having exhausted, it is a noto- 
rious fact that the best part of every plantation 
is that which has been devoted to its growth. 
It is in fact the corn and oats, cultivated by this 
system without manure, that have exhausted 
the land. But, says our author, there is no 
crop, not even the turnip itself, that from the 
saving of manure that it induces, and the high 
degree of tillage it requires, forms as good a 
preparation for succeeding crops ; and all that 
is wanting, as he contends, to demonstrate its 
value, is the new system, which makes every 
portion of the farm that is to be improved a to- 
bacco lot, alternately ; thus making a rotation, 
of which tobacco shall form a constituent part. 



From the Connecticut Farmers' Gazette. 

FOR CORN— A RECIPE. 

Mix plaster, unleached ashes, and quick fine 
lime together, in the following proportions : — two 
parts plaster, two parts ashes, and one part lime, 
and apply a small quantity of the mixture to 
each hill of corn immediately after the first hoe- 
ing, and see if it don't go a " leetle" ahead of 
any thing you ever tried to make corn grow. — 
Be sure to leave one row without the applica- 
tion, "jest" to see the difference. 

Novice. 



THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES. 
This valuable hebdomadal has come to us this 
week accompanied by a spirited and faithful 
portrait of W. R. Johnson, Esq., which in after 
days will be worth a year's subscription to the 
paper. In this age of cheap literature, the Spi- 
rit of the Times stands " solitary and alone," a 
monument of what an Editor can afford to do 



96 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



when he is liberally remunerated by his sub- 
scribers. The diversified character of this paper 
and the ability with which it is conducted, render 
it acceptable to all amusement-seeking classes 
of the community; the literary selections are 
made with great taste, and in some of the flash 
epistles of the sporting department, we have 
met with veins of humor as rich and genuine 
as are to be found in any cotemporaiy in the 
Union. High as the price is, we will venture 
to say, that the subscribers to this paper get 
more for their money than many, who think 
economy requires them to limit their patronage 
to a cheaper(?) work. 



after which their doom to the payment of $1 50 
will be irrevocable. 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 

We have received and were desirous of ptib- 
lishing in this number a communication from 
Bannister, and sent it to the printer for the 
purpose, but he has just returned it, saving, 
they had no key in the office to " Bannistei's" 
hieroglyphics. There are two or three lines 
that stump ws, but we will try and copy it for 
the next number. 



CONTENTS OF NO. IV. 



TO STOP A FIT OF COUGHING. 

A correspondent of the London Medical Ga- 
zette, stales that to close the nostrils with the 
thumb and finger during expiration, leaving them 
free during inspiration will relieve a fit of cough- 
ing in a short time. 

In addition to the above we can state frorn 
personal knowledge that to press the finger on 
the upper lip just below the nose will make the 
severest premonitory symptoms of a sneeze pass 
off harmless. We have found the remedy use- 
ful many a time in creeping on game in the 
woods. 



The following prescription may be relied up- 
on. It comes from a source entitled to the highest 
respect. The old gentleman, w-ho furnished it, 
says that he has known it cure travelling horses 
in a few minutes so that they were able, in half 
an hour, to resume their journeys and perform 
as well as ever : ! 

" Infallible Cure for a Foundered Horse. — If 
your horse founders over night, in the morning 
take a pint of hog's lard, put it in a vessel and 
make it boiling hot, clean his hoofs well, set his 
fool in the lard. Heat it for each foot, boiling 
hot ; take a spoon and put the fat over the hoof 
as near the hair as possible, and he will be fit 
for use in three hours if it is done early in the 
morning. It is better to remove the horse's 
shoes, but I have made several cures without. 
I have tried this on many horses during a period 
of fifty years, and have never known it to fail." 
Louisville Journal. \ 



EDITORIAL. 



OUR SUBSCRIBERS. 
A few of our subscribers are still delinquent, 
and two or three still owe us for last year. — 
About the 15lh of April we shall make out bills, 



Artichoke — Value of Jerusalem, and directions for its 

cultivation, p. 73. 
Charcoal — Its value for agricultural purposes, p. 74. 
Blue Grass — Its value, with the mode of management, 

p. 74. 
Lice — To free cattle from, p. 75. 
Corn — Advantage of cultivating double eared stalks, 

p. 75. 
Wheat — Experiments upon the proper time of cutting, 

p. 76. 
Coal Tar— How to use on roofs, p. 76. 
Asparagus — New method of growing, p. 77. 
Sicect Po<(7/o«— Inlbrmation asked, p. 77. 
Corn — Result of an experiment broadcast p. 77. 
G-rnlbhig — A grab and a grubbing hook described, 

with a cut, p. 78. 
Cucumbers— To obtain early, p. 78. 
Tomatoes — To obtain early, p. 78. 
Potatoes — To obtain early, p. 78. 
L';ttiice — To obtain early, p. 79. 
King William. Agricultural Society — Report of various 

experiments made by the members, p. 79. 
Locust — The value of the timber, with directions for 

the cultivation of the tree, p. SO. 
Charcoal — Directions for burning, p. 80. 
Tools — Directions for tempering, p. 81. 
Agriculture of Virginia — A letter from J. M. Gamett, 

Esq. in answer to " Vindicator," p. 81. 
Ditching — Directions for making, p. 83. 
Pimi Otd Fields — Directions for improving, p. 84. 
Gate — Plan for stead}'ing the post, illustrated with a 

cut, p. 84. 
Dynamometer — Description of Mr. Cone's, p. 85. 
A 'iVAfe— Showing the number of hills in an acre at 

different distances, p. 85. 
Fencing — A new plan of, p. 85. 
Tobacco — A review of Mr. Minor's pamphlet, No. 2, 

p. 87. 
Shart Hints— By Argus, p 89. 
Peddefs Frank — Notice of, p. 89. 
Timbe" — Essay on, p. 89. 

Tobacco — Seed received from Patent Office, p. 91. 
Straw Cutter— New plan, with a cut, p. 92. 
Ch)ver Seed— How to sow, p. 93. 
Henrico Agricultural Society — Premiums offered for 

spring meeting, p. 93. 
Tomatoes — Good food for cows, p. 94. 
Sweet Potatoes — Value of as food for stock, p. 95. 
Flowers — To preserve, p. 95. 
Tobacco — An improver, p. 95. 
Seed Corra— Directions for preparation of, p. 95. 
Spirit of the Times — Notice ol, p. 95. 
Coughing — To stop, p. 96. 
Founder — Cure for, p. 96.