THE SOUTHERN PLANTER; 

Beboteti to gtgrtculture, horticulture, rnttr the ^ouseftolO &rts. 



Agriculture is 


the 


nursing ] 


mother of the Arts. 
Xenop'iwn. 


Tillage and Pasturage are the two breasts of the 
State.— tS«%. 


A 




C. 


T. BOTTS & L. m 


r . BURFOOT, Editors. 




Vol. III. 






RICHMOND, 


MAY, 1843. 


No. 5. 



PASTURAGE vs. TILLAGE. 

During the last winter we enjoyed the plea- 
sure of a fireside conversation with one of the 
most intellectual and experienced farmers in 
Virginia. We made a note afterwards of the 
most striking remarks of our friend, and it is to 
the benefit of this memorandum that we propose 
to treat our readers. As a conversation, it was 
of course varied and desultory, and he who 
reads what follows with any expectation of 
finding an able and profound essay upon agri- 
culture, will be sorely disappointed. But we 
wish we possessed the power of transferring to 
paper the zeal, the ardor, and interest, with 
which this gentleman, the builder of his own 
fortune, who has grown gray in the pursuit of 
his profession, dilated upon the joys, pleasures, 
and advantages of his favorite pursuit. How 
we who are mewed up in a city, from year's 
end to year's end, longed, while listening to him, 
for what old Gervaise Markham calls " coun- 
try contentments." But it was not so much 
the poetical and sentimental ideas, as the prac- 
tical remarks of our observing friend, that we 
intended to transfer to our columns; to these, 
therefore, we proceed without further comment. 
This gentleman, himself an inhabitant of the 
West, is very familiar with the agriculture of 
the eastern portion of the State, especially with 
the James River cultivation. He thinks the 
great error of the East consists in the want of 
grass and cattle. He is free to admit that 
crops of wheat, corn, and tobacco, will put more 
money in the pocket than grass, but he says the 
cultivation will take more out also, and that 
into the account must be taken the revenue de- 
rived from the superior improvement of the soil, 
from pasturage over tillage. In short, he con- 
tends, that when the cost of production and all 
the proceeds of the system are fairly considered, 
products, which are consumed on the farm, af- 
ford by far the be3t remuneration to the labors 
of the husbandman. He says too, that the 
pronenes3 of mankind to make improvident ex- 
Vol. III.— 13 



penditures of money, for which our Southern 
people are so particularly remarkable, is in a 
measure checked by this system, which creates, 
as it were, a savings bank, in which their pro- 
ducts are deposited ; therefore, all that increase 
of wealth, which accrues from the improvement 
of the farm, may be offsetted, he thinks, against 
twice the amount obtained in money. Men mis- 
lead by the glittering, but false, show of the 
products of tillage crops, coming as it does all 
in a lump, too frequently miscalculate the clear 
profits of the two systems. He does not mean, 
of course, that every farmer should be a grazier, 
but he thinks that the farmers in Eastern Virgi- 
nia would do well to incorporate the grazing 
system with their tillage crops to a much greater 
extent than they do. He himself sells very 
little except pork and beef; he cultivates a farm 
of seven hundred and fifty acres; his annual 
sales average four thousand dollars, and his force 
consists of only six able bodied negro men, and 
a couple of others hired for a month or two dur- 
ing the busiest season of the year. Here is a 
product of six hundred dollars to the hand ; 
where is the tobacco planter that can equal it? 
But this is not all, in doing this our friend has 
converted a wilderness into a garden ; beginning 
originally with two hundred acres of Ohio bot- 
tom, he has so improved hundreds of acres of 
sandy barrens, as to increase their product from 
five, to seventy -five, and a hundred bushels of 
corn to the acre ; they are in fact now consi- 
dered the most valuable portion of the farm. If 
this great increase of wealth be, as it fairly 
should, added to the amount of annual sales, 
and if the outlay be estimated by the smallness 
of the force employed, we do not hesitate to 
say, that the clear profits of this gentleman's 
farming will compare favorably with the pro- 
ceeds of any other regular business whatever. 
All this, and more, much more, he thinks, 
could be effected with its additional facilities 
upon a James River estate. He laughs at the 
idea of this not being a grass country — he has 
seen our lands at all seasons during the extremes 



98 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



of summer heat and winter cold, and he says, 
it is impossible to persuade him, that land groan- 
ing under the weight of its products, as he has 
seen some of the James River low grounds, 
could not, by proper management, be made to 
produce anything. He thinks it likely that 
lime may be wanting in our soil, but where, he 
asks, is the difficulty in supplying it. It is an 
entire mistake to suppose that when our grass 
turns yellow, it has been destroyed by the sum- 
mer heat ; it is then, on the contrary, in its most 
nutricious state ; succulent grass is never whole- 
some, and it is a standing proverb among gra- 
ziers, " the dryer the year, the fatter the cattle." 
When we commenced this article we expected 
it to consist, like the memoranda upon which it 
is based, of a medley of ideas, but we find that 
we have from memory so elaborated our notes, 
as to extend a single subject over a greater space 
than will probably be agreeable to the reader; 
we shall therefore conclude, for the present, re- 
serving the balance of our notes for future oc- 
casions, premising, that we may hereafter in- 
troduce them without any further allusion to 
the source whence they have been obtained, 
which, as we are compelled to conceal the name 
of the author, will detract nothing from the in- 
terest of his remarks. 



TIMBER. 



To the Editors of the Southern Planter: 

Dear Sirs, — In answer to the inquiries made 
by Mr. Whit'l P. Tunslall, whether timber lasts 
better cut in winter than summer, I should say, 
from many years experience, that winter is the 
proper time to cut most timber;* because, if cut 
in the warm season while full of sap, it imme- 
diately turns dark, (or as we term it, mildews,) 
and remains heavy even after seasoning. This 
is particularly the case with the pine. We in 
this section of the State, have been for some 
years in the habit of cutting wood for market, 
and so evident is the difference, that an expe- 
rienced wood buyer will, on first sight, designate 
the wood cut in winter from that cut in summer ; 
the former being light and bright, while the lat- 
ter is dark and heavy, though cut more recently. 
I should say that locust or mulberry is deci- 
dedly the most lasting timber for posts, or any 
thing else for which it can be made to answer ; 
nor is good red cedar much inferior; the next 
that I know of is chesnut, particularly toward 
the top of the tree, which will last much longer 
in the ground than the lower part ; and ihis is 

* Carriage makers say ash (and perhaps there may 
be some other timber) should be cut in May or Octo- 
ber, as the worm will get into it, cut at any other time. 



the only reason why it is said that a post set in 
the ground with the top down lasts longer than if 
the root end is set downwards, because the further 
you go up a tree, the more solid, dry and dura- 
ble the timber becomes. This is especially the 
case with chesnut and oak. All timber placed 
in the earth should, if possible, be first seasoned. 
I should prefer chesnut to oak if it is to be placed 
in the ground. On the subject of the rising 
and falling of the sap, all that I can say is, that 
every year's sap adds a grain to the tree, for in 
all graining timber you can certaininly see dis- 
tinctly every year's growth, and that the sap of 
one year is the next converted into wood, which 
enlarges the tree that much in each year. 
With due regard, yours, 

J. Chowning. 
Lancaster Co., Va., 10th March, 1843. 



For the Southern Planter. 
SORREL ERADICATED BY LIME. 

JMessrs. Editors, — The farmers, as a class, are 
the soundest and most original thinkers in the 
world ; the nature of their occupation not only 
invigorates the mind, but affords them peculiar 
leisure and opportunity for reflection ; the lone 
forest and the solitary field are undisturbed by 
the din and confusion that mark the place of 
congregated men, and the even tenor of their 
lives secures the certain exercise of sober judg- 
ment. Whence then arises the almost universal 
prejudice against the science of agriculture 1 Is 
it, as some would have us believe, only the 
groundless objection of ignorant and conceited 
men ? For my part I am free to admit that I 
know many liberal and strong minded men, who 
turn with disgust from any scientific theory of 
farming. I do not mean to say that this is ex- 
actly right, but I do mean to assert that such 
men do very few things without a reason, and 
that they have grounds, and substantial grounds, 
for their prejudices ; not that they have any 
grounds for prejudice against genuine science, 
which is only another name for truth itself, but 
that they have much reason to be dissatisfied 
with the counterfeit presentment that has been 
so frequently set before them. I am sometimes 
not a little amused at the pomp and solemnity 
with which the theory of some closet professor 
is heralded forth : the agricultural papers laud 
it to the skies, and the sober minded countryman, 
who refuses to embark his labor in it until it is 
established by time and experience, is stigma- 
tized as an ass and a barbarian. What is the 
result? In less than a twelvemonth, the short- 
lived favorite is exploded by the discovery of 
some simple fact overlooked lay the author of its 
being, but the ass is never exalted above the 
professor. 

A few years ago we were told, that as alkalis 
neutralized acids, all we had to do, to destroy 






THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



99 



sorrel, was to apply lime to the land, whereby 
the acid, of the soil should be corrected. What 
a beautiful theory, exclaims the agricultural 
writer. How true says the newspaper editor. 
Well, sir, I had been fooled before by these in- 
genioup theories, and should not have so much 
regarcLi all these exclamations, but actually a 
book, a whole book, was written upon the sub- 
ject ! Then, sir, I could no longer doubt, and I 
thought if there was any one theory in agricul- 
ture well established, it was, that lime neutral- 
ized the acid of the soil and prevented the 
growth of sorrel : my wife was full of the no- 
tion ; we had a morello cherry tree standing in 
the yard, the fruit of which was uncommonly 
sour and very objectionable, she said, because it 
caused the children to make such ugly faces in 
eating it ; lime, says she, will correct the acidity 
of the soil, and smooth the faces of the little 
ones. Lime was accordingly applied. The 
following summer we were disappointed at not 
finding the cherries as sweet as blackhearts, but 
my wife was almost sure they were not so sour 
as they used to be, and I am afraid she bored 
our neighbors a little in persuading them to her 
opinion. Jim, however, made as ugly faces as 
ever, which his mother declared was done in 
pure obstinacy, and she one day forced the little 
fellow to swallow without a distortion, until at 
length the efforts of restrained nature burst forth 
in a mighty screw, from which the poor boy's 
face has not recovered to this day. Ever since 
that period, she has denied the action of lime 
upon sour fruits at least, and when our friend, 
Dr. S., told her a few days since that the oxalic 
acid of the vegetable did not exist in the soil, 
but was formed in the growth of the vegetable, 
from constituents derived from the soil and at- 
mosphere, and when our neighbor, Mr. W., who 
has limed and marled to a great extent, assured 
her that although his land had been greatly im- 
proved, the production of sorrel had been much 
increased by the process, he having frequently 
seen the sorrel growing most luxuriantly through 
the thickest layers of marl, she insisted on it 
that I should inform you of the fact. But as 
she did not tell me particularly to mention the 
story of Jim and the cherries, and as she is a 
constant reader of the Planter, perhaps you had 
better leave that part out. 

Yours, G. P. * * * * * 

We prefer letting our friend " catch it" to 
marring the piece by extracting the story of 
Jirn and the cherries. 



THE CORN CROP. 
We have had occasion before to remark upon 
the incongruity of opinion as to the proper me- 
thod of cultivating the favorite and familiar crop 



of Indian corn. That we can find no two far- 
mers who can agree upon the simplest facts at- 
tendant on the growth of this indigenous plant, 
proves only how little of critical investigation 
has been bestowed upon the subject of agricul- 
ture. One tells you that the roots of the plant 
should never be disturbed, but that the surface 
should be kept clean with cultivators ; another 
says that you cannot plough too deep, and that 
nothing is more invigorating than severing the 
roots. If you want a large return, plant thick 
says A, if you do says E, your corn will fire 
and you will not make half a crop. Pull off 
your suckers, cries one ; sucker not your corn, 
says another, and so we have, upon each and 
every point, the most opposite and discordant 
opinions from the most practical and observing 
men. Much of this difference results, no doubt, 
from differences in soil, season, &c. ; but still 
we find men living side by side, subject to ex- 
actly the same influences, differing totally upon 
points, that one would have thought experience 
and observation should long ago have settled. 
What can we do in this dilemma, but select 
from the heterogeneous mass such articles as we 
think best calculated to present the different 
phases of this many sided question to our read- 
ers? The following is an extract from a letter 
from Mr. Wm. Woodson, of Goochland, to the 
Editor of the " Farmers' Register." The plan 
recommended by Mr. " Woodson" is the one, 
we know, pursued by many of our most expe- 
rienced and successful corn growers. 

" Nearly every farmer has his own peculiar 
mode of cultivating corn ; and if you think a 
description of mine will be of any service, I am 
willing to place it at your disposal. My plan 
is to prepare the ground, as near the time of 
planting as practicable, not by ploughing flush, 
but by listing. Three furrows are sufficient to 
form a list, the earth from the two last to be 
lapped immediately over the first, so that no 
hard or unbroken space may remain. When 
the lists are completed, they are checked at 
suitable distances. I prefer three feet each way, 
with one stalk or plant in a hill; and to plant 
the first of April, or as soon thereafter as possi- 
ble. Early planting is very desirable. My 
mode of cultivation is as follows: — As soon as 
the young plants have fairly made their appear- 
ance, 1 cause the wing coulter (an implement 
with a narrow iron wing extending into some- 
thing of a share, attached to a new ground 
coulter, which works deep and leaves only a 
small furrow) to be run very near the young 
corn ; even if the plants are a little loosened, so 



100 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



much the better. The first ploughing is with 
the lists ; and the whole intermediate space is 
broken up, close and deep — as deep as one horse 
can draw. When this operation is finished, the 
next thing is to plough the land crossways; 
and so on alternately, with the same implement, 
during the whole course of cultivation, always 
running as deep as it will go. I continue the 
cultivation as long as practicable, even until the 
corn is tasseling and silking ; and the ground 
should have a thorough working, at least every 
eight or ten days. It cannot be worked too much 
or too deep. When the soil is kept clean and well 
stirred, the breaking of the roots is an advantage 
instead of an injury. The benefit derived from 
a free admission of the air into the soil is incal- 
culable ; and the frequent stopping of the roots 
causes them to throw out numerous rootlets 
which rapidly imbibe the nourishment from the 
earth. In short, the great secret of raising a 
good crop of corn is to work early, work well, 
work deep, and work incessantly. Cultivate 
no more than you can cultivate thoroughly. — 
All beyond that is overcropping, and will not 
yield a profitable return. Fear not to work in 
dry weather, provided the cultivation has been 
conducted with regularity. Stirring clean land, 
however dry, adds vigor to the growth ; but 
ploughing corn in the grass is death to it, in 
time of drought. I have said nothing about 
hoeing: I make no great use of the hoe, but it 
cannot be entirely dispensed with. I do not 
permit the grass to be cut up around the corn ; 
it is better to smother it while young, by draw- 
ing some loose earth over it. This may be done 
by following after the ploughs, in the early 
stages of cultivation ; and the soil will be left 
in a mellow state. The suckers should never 
be pulled up." 



A NOBLE EXAMPLE. 

We were informed by a friend a few days 
since that Mr. Moses H. Carter, of Henrico, 
who has a very fine bed of marl upon his plan- 
tation not only makes liberal use of it himself 
but throws his gates open to the neighborhood 
and invites his neighbors to'share with him in this 
bountiful gift of nature. The gentleman stated 
that as he passed his gate that morning, he ob- 
served seven carts coming out of it loaded with 
the richest marl. We do not know Mr. Carter, 
but cannot help expressing the admiration such 
an act of liberality is calculated to inspire. A 
great many very distinguished advocates of 
agricultural improvement would not do half as 
much to advance its progress as this quiet and 
liberal country gentleman. 



For the Southern Planter. 

Oakley, Mecklenburg, Va., March 16, 1843. 

Messrs. Editors, — Below you will receive the 
report of a committee, appointed to report upon 
the condition of the farm of Richard Russell, 
Esq., which it is requested by our club that you 
publish in your next number of the Southern 
Planter. 

Yours, most respectfully, &c. 

R. A. PURTEAR, 

Corresponding Secretary of the Upper Hole 

and Corner Club of Mecklenburg, 



The Committee appointed to examine Mr. 
Richard Russell's farm, and to inquire into his 
manner of conducting it, have performed that 
duty, and beg leave to report as follows : 

Beginning at the house, we would highly 
commend the ample and comfortable arrange- 
ments about the homestead — his own dwelling 
and out houses, the servants' cabins, stables, &c. 
On leaving the hill, our attention was first at- 
tracted by his hog pen. It contained a fine 
stock of hogs, and there seemed to be every ar- 
rangement necessary for the production of a 
large quantity of manure of fine quality, but 
we were not a little surprised to find that one 
who had been pursuing this plan for two or 
three years, was, up to this time, unprovided 
with either shelter for his hogs or even a cabin 
for the feeder, who must of necessity spend 
most of his time at the pen. We would say 
that this is not in accordance with his other 
movements, and would recommend that he should 
without delay furnish sheds for his hogs and a 
cabin for the feeder. Going a little farther, we 
find a most ample and finely arranged prize, 
barn, and stable, and farm yard for his teams, 
all answering well the purposes for which they 
are intended. We found his farm houses of 
every description in good condition and were 
particularly struck with the neatness and eco- 
nomy with which all his matters were con- 
ducted, even down to the corn stalks and other 
materials to be converted into manure. His 
teams were in unusually good condition, and 
his style of cultivation neat and effectual; his 
ploughs and plantation tools were generally in 
good order, and as an example worthy of the 
imitation of the club, they were either in use or 
housed and carefully protected from the weather. 
He has for two or three years past been pursuing 
the progressive plan of manuring, and proposes, 
as speedily as his means will allow, to manure 
the entire surface of his plantation. This sys- 
tem we cannot too strongly recommend as the 
only feasible means of restoring our exhausted 
country, and furnishing the agriculturist with a 
fair return for his labor. In a word, the farm 
and all of its appurtenances presented the most 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



101 



vmequivocal evidences of a most diligent and 
skilful proprietor, whose example is well worthy 
of the imition of every member of the club, and 
of the community at large. 

P. C. Venable. 
Wm. Haskins. 
~ f _ 

P. S. — To an invitation from the Hole and 
Corner Club of Mecklenburg, No. 1, addressed 



through the medium of the Planter, to all other 
agricultural associations, to hold an annual gen- 
eral meeting, we ask leave to reply, through 
the same channel, that such invitation is ac- 
cepted by us, the members of the Upper Corner 
Club of Mecklenburg, and we would respectfully 
suggest the 4th of July as the time, and the 
town of Clarksville as the place of meeting. 
Very respectfully yours, 

Reuben A. Puryear, C. S. 



FELLING TIMBER. 




At the request of a subscriber, we have had 
an engraving made of a machine which seems 
to have struck his fancy very much ; it is in- 
tended for felling forest trees, and is recommend- 
ed and described by Loudoun in his " Ency- 
clopaedia of Agriculture." Our own opinion is 
that there is no implement for this purpose, that 
ever we have seen, equal to a good axe in the 
hands of a good cutter. Our friend thinks that 
this machine is recommended by the great sav- 
ing of timber it will effect in consequence of 
the cutting point being so near the ground ; it 
is very true that the best portion of the tree is 
nearest the roots, but there is, we think, very 
little timber in this country that would justify 
the expense and trouble of this complicated ap- 
paratus. Loudoun, we presume, never saw a 
common cross cut saw in the hands of two stout 



negroes, or he would not have recommended 
this machine, as he has done, to his readers. 
But far be it from us to set up our opinion as 
the test of right and wrong, or to exclude from 
our columns all that does not meet our approba- 
tion. The following is the description of the 
machine in Loudoun's own words : 

"Sawing machines for foiling timber, of four 
different kinds, will be found described in the 
Highland Soc. Trans., vol. ix. p. 275. The 
most powerful of these appears to be a circular 
saw which consists, first, of a ground frame (a 
a), in form of the common hand-barrow, eight 
feet and a half in length by two feet and a half 
in width ; on one side of which is erected a ver- 
tical frame (b b), of three feet and a half in 
height. The second compartment comprehends 
| a traversing frame or carriage (c c) about five 
i feet in length, and two feet in height ; the ver- 



102 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



tical bar (d) being prolonged upward, and hav- 
ing its top and bottom ends formed into pivots, 
on which the carriage, carrying all the working 
machinery, is made to swing. The saw (e), of 
twenty-four inches diameter, is fixed on the lower 
end of a vertical spindle, and immediately above 
it a bevelled pinion (J'), which is driven by the 
wheel (g); the winch handle, by which the 
power is applied, is fitted upon the same spindle. 
The saw pinion and the wheel (g) are in the 
proportion of one to five, so that, when the han- 
dle is turned with the ordinary velocity of forty 
revolutions a minute, the saw will make 200 
revolutions in the same time. In order to keep 
the edge of the saw in contact with the saw- 
draft, a vertical spindle {h), carrying the pulley 
(i), of one foot in diameter, is placed at the out- 
ward extremity of the carriage; the pulley (i) 
is put in motion by the band (j) passing over a 
smaller pulley on the winch axle. On the spin- 
dle (h) there is also fitted a small drum (£), ca- 
pable of being disengaged at pleasure from the 
motion of the spindle by means of a clutch. — 
The cord (/), which passes round the pulley (m), 
in the ground frame, has one end attached to 
the carriage ; whde the other end, being at- 
tached to the drum, is coiled upon it when re- 
volving along with the spindle, thereby carrying 
forward the saw with a slow and uniform mo- 
tion. When the operation is completed, the 
small drum is disengaged, and the cord is al- 
lowed to uncoil, while the carriage is moved 
backward to prepare for the next cut. For the 
support and guidance of the carriage, an iron 
segment (n) is fixed upon the lower part, which 
slides through eyes in the ground frame ; and 
the machine is kept steady while at work, by 
two iron dogs (grappling irons), the hooks of 
which are driven into the roots of the tree. — 
The certificates accompanying the model of this 
machine bear ample testimony to its successful 
application on the large scale ; and show that 
jt can be worked, and carried from tree to tree, 
by two men. The machine here described is 
calculated for felling trees from eight to twelve 
inces in diameter." 



TOBACCO. 

To the Editors of the Southern Planter: 

Gentlemen, — I take my pen to thank you for 
the favor which you propose to confer on me, in 
the presentation of some tobacco seed of the 
Spanish and Trinidad varieties. I shall take 
great pleasure in testing fairly their respective 
value, and will apprise you of the results of 
my experiments. I will endeavor to get some 
friend to do me the kindness to apply to you for 
them. 

While I am writing I will merely enumerate 
some of the varieties of tobacco with which I 
am acquainted, and the conclusions to which I 



have arrived, as it regards their comparative 
value. 

The Oronoko, (to which family the " Daniel 
Jones" and " White Stem," I think properly be- 
long,) is, I consider, the best tobacco we have, 
for new grounds, or light grey high lands, which 
are not very rich. It matures easily and well 
on lands too poor to perfect some of the other 
kinds. It requires, too, less skill in the curing. 
It cures by the sun alone better than any other 
tobacco, and commands the highest prices when 
cured in this way, for manufacturing purposes. 
As it requires less house room and less labor in 
curing, we are enabled to cultivate a greater 
number of hills of it to the hand, than of any 
other kind. Where fuel is scarce it recommends 
itself peculiarly. But on the other hand, it is 
the most brittle and tender of all tobaccos, and 
is consequently the most liable to injury from 
winds, which either break off the leaves (some- 
times in great quantities) or bruise them so as 
to induce the ripe fire or spot, which causes 
great waste. 

There are two varieties of the Frederick with 
which I am acquainted — the Little and Big 
or Green. The first has nothing to recommend 
it, being small and inferior ; the last is a fine 
tobacco ; one of the richest I know of, and the 
great length of leaf makes it present a most 
beautiful sample. The great objection to it is, 
that the leaves lie down too much on the ground, 
and are apt to get very dirty. 

The popularity of the Marine tobacco which 
was very great a few years ago, is now, and I 
think, justly too, on the wane. It has large 
stems and coarse fibres and offers no claim to 
our regard. 

The Pryor family stands deservedly high. — 
The Yellow and Blue are the kinds with which 
I am acquainted. The last is well spoken of 
by many of our best planters. But the first is 
my favorite of all the tobaccos which I have as 
yet tried, and the one which we principally cul- 
tivate. It is a leafy, rich, silky tobacco, and 
grows best on rich low ground lots, though it 
does well on high land lots if the soil is made 
very rich. It requires, I think, richer land to 
bring it to full perfection than any other kind, 
and consequently, it is useless to plant it on or- 
dinary new grounds, for it will never ripen. It 
sustains less injury from high winds, when 
growing — is less liable to waste with the ripe 
fire, and produces fewer lugs than any other 
variety* The two principal objections which 

* As an instance of the perfect leaf and small 
quantity of lugs which the Yellow Pryor affords, I 
will only mention, that in our crop sold in the spring 
of 1840, consisting of twenty-three hogsheads of this 
tobacco— averaging 1,648 lbs. per hogshead, we had 
only a hogshead and a piece of lugs, all the rest was 
passed by the inspectors and averaged us upwards of 
nine dollars per hundred lbs. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



103 



can be urged against it is, that it is late, and 
that it requires more skill to cure it properly. — 
But when brought to the house ripe, and cured 
in Mr. C. Selden's way, (which is published in 
your number for July, 1842,) it commands the 
highest prices for the English market. His is 
the mod^l ve have uniformly found to be best 
when our tobacco is ripe. But all tobaccos cut 
green, or designed for manufacturing purposes, 
are, I think, decidedly injured by so much heat. 
They are cured up too green and are too bitter 
for American taste ; for these, I much prefer the 
mode of curing recommended by the majority 
of the committee of the "Agricultural Society 
of Powhatan," which report I would highly re- 
commend to the attention of all our planters, 
and which renders it unnecessary for me to fol- 
low Mr. Minor into a consideration of this part 
of his subject. Indeed, Mr. Minor's views are 
very good, and well worth a careful perusal. 

With these hasty thoughts, gentlemen, I con- 
clude, wishing you that success which your 
noble enterprize so well merits, 

I remain yours, respectfully, 

N. A. Venable. 

We have very frequent applications for to- 
bacco seed, and would be much obliged to our 
country readers for such parcels of the different 
varieties as tbey can spare, that we may be en- 
abled to accommodate our friends, and do' some- 
thing for the cause of agriculture, at the same 
time. 



For the Southern Planter. 

Messrs. Editors, — Permit me, through the 
medium of your journal, to call the attention of 
agriculturists to a system not in general use. — 
1 would respectfully ask for it the consideration 
of the James River farmers, in especial. The 
merit of the innovation, if merit it possesses, be- 
longs to Mr. Isaac Medley, of Halifax, Virginia ; 
it has been adopted by some few of his neigh- 
bors, and by all with the most perfect satisfac- 
tion. Instead of narrow beds 10, 15, or 20 feet 
wide, we make them 40 or 45 feet. And in- 
stead of the headland, with its transverse furrow 
to receive the water from the main furrows, each 
main furrow is made to convey its own water 
into the ditch, direct. The advantages of this 
method over the old plan, are, in the opinion of 
those who have tried it, economy of time and 
labor, greater facility, of draining, and far greater 
comeliness in appearance. The first, because it 
does away with the headland and furrow, both 
objects of care and trouble ; the second, because 
having only one-third the number of furrows, 
we can afford to bestow three times the labor 
on each ; the last especially, inasmuch as it 
does away with the unsightly headland, which 
disfigures the field so much. 



I have heard one objection to this system, 
urged with much unction by those who had 
not tried it, and if you will pardon the necessa- 
ry tediousness of detail, I will endeavor to rebut 
it. It was said I could not plough near enough 
to a ditch bank, without the headland. I an- 
swer boldly, I can plough as near without, as 
with it, and thus; commencing on the centre of 
the bed, on arriving within, say, twenty feet of 
the ditch, instead of turning to the left as usual, 
we take the gee turn, that is, we turn to the 
right, and go back on the same bed, not on a 
different one ; and so continue until there is left 
unploughed on each side of the bed a space of 
feet in width. We then, on arriving at the 
ditch, cut a furrow parallel to it, and equal in 
length to the width of land, ploughed upon the 
bed. Pursuing this course, till the bed is com- 
pleted, we will have reached as near to the ditch 
as can be done in any way whatever, always 
too turning the earth from it, a circumstance of 
no small moment to the planter. These are 
some of the general advantages pertaining to 
this mode of culture ; for the hoe crop, it pos- 
sesses another, which I conceive to be a beauti- 
ful feature in the system : thus, after ploughing 
our fallow land as directed, in the spring, we 
run our corn and tobacco rows across the beds, 
at right angles to them, and so work the crop 
throughoutwith the hoe; each hand as he reaches 
a furrow draws the earth carefully out, taking 
heed to preserve it perfectly straight. 

Experience has given me confidence in this 
mode of culture, yet I fear I have practised upon 
it too indifferently to have rendered these advan- 
tages apparent. I can only ask that the expe- 
riment be made. It presents, when well exe- 
cuted, an appearance infinitely more pleasing 
to the eye than the old sj'slem, and surely it is 
entitled to the favor of every lover of beauty, 
for as much as it supersedes that eye-sore in 
agricultural landscape, the "headland." 

I was never more forcibly struck with this 
deformity than in a late visit to a portion of 
James River above Richmond. Here, with al- 
most every thing else to admire, we were con- 
stantly disturbed with the unsightly headland. 
To the surprising excellence of cultivation that 
we witnessed, permit me here to offer my most 
willing homage, a tribute as freely rendered, as 
it is richly merited. Striking the river at Elk 
Island, in company with a friend, we saw for 
the first time that superb estate, the finest per- 
haps in all Virginia : we were especially de- 
lighted with the highly improved condition of 
the lower half; without the labored finish that 
we witnessed afterwards, yet, as far as it went, 
the execution could not be excelled. All that 
was attempted was made perfect. The plough- 
ing and draining were irreproachable. It was 
with the most sincere regret that we heard a 
few days afterwards of the burning of the man- 



104 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



sion house ; it was one of the most beautiful 
and classic country seats I ever beheld. Fol- 
lowing the banks of the canal, our admiration 
was particularly excited by Mr. Boiling's island 
estate, Mr. Fleming's highly cultivated grounds, 
Mr. Warwick's 'Beaverdam,' and several others. 
But it was not until we reached Mr. Richard 
Sampson's, that our admiration reached its ze- 
nith ; with but one objection, I can imagine no- 
thing finer than the appearance his farm pre- 
sented. Indeed, it is the opinion of those fami- 
liar with the countries of Europe, that there are 
few portions of it that can produce any thing 
superior to the better cultivated farms on James 
River, and I think we may safely so affirm, and 
I would pronounce that cultivation perfect, did 
not the ghost of that most hideous headland, 
rise before me, and forbid the decision. 

Banister. 



CABBAGE LICE. 
We are requested by Mr. Jos. C. Burton, whose 
name is well known to the Agricultural Society 
of Henrico, to state that for several years he 
has been in the habit of freeing his cabbage not 
only from lice but from the ravages of the yellow 
worm, by simply mashing a clod of dirt between 
his fingers, and sprinkling the dust over the 
cabbages, in the morning before the dew has 
been evaporated. Mr. Burton leaves it to phi- 
losophers to explain the fact, but he says many 
of his neighbors are ready to join him in vouch- 
ing for it. 



For the Southern Planter. 

Messrs. Editors, — 1 have been reading with 
much interest the several communications upon 
the cultivation of tobacco from the pen of Mr. 
N. A. Venable ; I have been struck with some 
of his positions with regard to the mode of cul- 
tivation to prevent fire, (or rot, as he terms it.) 
The cause to which he attributes it, that is too 
much rain, I think correct ; but to prevent its 
ruinous consequences, 1 resort to precisely the 
opposite course, namely, ploughing deep and 
thoroughly, so as to admit the rapid absorption 
of the water, which by his mode will either be 
altogether prevented or effected only at the ex- 
pense of a gulley between each row, which 
must carry off all the strength of the manure 
deposited in the hill ; if he will, on the first in- 
dications of the spot in tobacco run his coulters 
deep and well, both ways, so as to break the 
ground thoroughly, disturbing the roots of the 
plant sufficiently to cause it to flop in the sun, 
he will, nine times out of ten, arrest it altoge- 
ther, and greatly increase the product of the crop. 
This I never fail to do after the crop is nearly 



all topped, taking the heat of the day, and sub- 
stituting a pair of light stretchers, instead of the 
swingletree. I have been able effectually to 
divest myself of that troublesome insect, the 
cut- worm, by letting my hogs run in the tobacco 
lots for a week or ten days previous, to the last 
ploughing, before bedding or hilling ; it will be 
found effectual in all cases, for I speak from ex- 
perience. 

This being the first time I have taken pen 
in hand, I shall not touch on some other subjects 
relative to the tobacco crop until I see the fate 
of this, as I have no vanity to gratify, only a 
wish to be useful. 

Yours, A Planter. 

Nelson, April 7, 1843. 

It is always with reluctance that we publish 
any statement upon the faith of an anonymous 
signature ; especially does it look unfair to an- 
swer a gentleman who writes over his own 
name, from behind a mask : but the author of 
the above has furnished us with his name, which 
he withholds from the public only, we believe, 
from feelings of diffidence, which he has no 
cause to entertain. 



For the Southern Planter. 
A CHEAP PAINT. 

Take one bushel of unslacked lime, and 
slack it with cold water ; when well slacked, 
add to it 20 lbs. of Spanish whiting, 17 lbs. of 
salt, and 12 lbs. of sugar. Strain this mixture 
through a wire sieve and it will be fit for use 
after reducing it with cold water. This is in- 
tended for the outside of buildings, where it is 
exposed to the weather. In order to give a 
good color, three coats are necessary on brick, 
and two on wood. It may be laid on with a 
whitewash brush. Each coat must have suffi- 
cient time to dry before the next is applied. — 
For painting inside walls, take, as before, one 
bushel of unslacked lime, 3 lbs. of sugar, 5 lbs. 
of salt, and prepare as above, and apply with a 
brush. It is well calculated to preserve brick 
walls ; and is far preferable to oil paint. This 
paint will preserve rough boards much longer 
than they would be from dressing them and co- 
vering them with oil paint. You can make 
any color you please. For straw color, use 
yellow ochre instead of whiting ; for lemon co- 
lor, ochre and chrome yellow ; for lead and slate 
color, lampblack ; for blue, indigo ; for green, 
chrome green. These different kinds of paints 
will not cost one-fourth as much as oil paints, 
including the putting on. 

A BRILLIANT WHITEWASH. 

Many have heard of the brilliant stucco white- 
wash on the east side of the President's house 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



105 



at Washington. The following is a receipt for 
making it, with some additional improvement, 
obtained from experience. Take a half bushel 
of nice unslacked lime, slack with boiling wa- 
ter, covering it during the process, to keep in 
the stearr. Strain the liquid through a fine 
seive or St.ainer, and add to it a peck of salt, 
previously well dissolved in warm water, three 
pounds of ground rice boiled to a thin paste, 
and stirred in boiling hot, half a pound of pow- 
dered Spanish whiting, and a pound of clean 
glue, first soaking it well and then hanging it 
over a slow fire in a small kettle, within a large 
one, filled with water. Add five gallons of hot 
water to the whole mixture ; stir it well, and let 
it stand a few days, covered from dirt. It should 
be put on quite hot. For this purpose, it can 
be kept in a kettle on a portable furnace. It is 
said that about one pint of this mixture will 
cover a square yard upon the outside of a house, 
if properly applied. Brushes more or less small 
may be used, according to the neatness of the 
job required. It answers as well as oil paint for 
wood, brick, or stone, and is cheaper. It retains 
its brilliancy for many years. There is nothing 
of the kind that will compare with it either for 
inside or outside walls. Coloring matter may 
be put in and made of any shade you please. 
Spanish brown stirred in, will make red or pink, 
more or less deep according to quantity. — 
A delicate tinge of this is very pretty for inside 
walls. Finely pulverized clay well mixed with 
Spanish brown, before it is stirred into the mix- 
ture, makes a lilac color. Yellow ochre stirred 
in, makes a yellow wash ; but chrome goes fur- 
ther and makes a color more generally admired. 
In all these cases, the darkness of the shade 
will of course be determined by the quantity of 
coloring matter used. It is useless to give par- 
ticular directions on this point, because it is al- 
together a matter of taste. It would be best To 
try experiments on a shingle, and let it dry. I 
have been told that green should not be mixed 
with lime ; the lime destroys the color, and the 
green ha3 a tendency to make the wall crack 
and peel. 

When walls have been badly smoked and 
you wish to have then a clear white, it is well 
to squeeze indigo plentifully through a bag in 
the water you use, before it is stirred in the 
whole mixture. If a larger quantity than five 
gallons is wanted, the same proportions should 
be observed. 

Messrs. Botts & Burfoot : 

Gentlemen, — While on a trip to Maryland a 
few weeks ago, I met with the above recipes, 
which if you think worthy a place in your pa- 
per, you are at liberty to use. I think you 
would do well to urge your readers to use more 
lirne on their hou3e3 and fences ; it not only adds 
greatly to the neatness, but is extremely pro- 
Vou III. — J4 



motive of health. There can be no sort of 
doubt that it is a great preserver of timber, and 
the labor of putting on is but a small matter 
compared with the advantages derived from its 
use. 

I saw several beautiful carpets manufactured 
of wool dyed of the most beautiful colors, the 
recipes for dyeing which I obtained and will 
send you if desired. 

Geo. W. Craven 

We esteem a good household recipe given in 
a few lines as frequently of more practical va- 
lue than pages of fine spun abstract theory. — 
We hope Mr. Craven will not fail to supply us 
with the recipes for dyeing, and any other mat- 
ters of household economy with which he may 
be acquainted. 



For the Southern Planter. 
MANURE. 

Messrs. Editors, — I am pleased to see that 
your paper continues to stand high (deservedly 
so too) in the estimation of the farming commu- 
nity. Periodicals treating of agriculture, have 
generally contained too much theoretical and 
too little practical information, and my appre- 
hensions were, when the Planter was first esta- 
blished, that it would, ere long, be devoted to 
the theories of wild and speculative minds ; but 
so far, I am gratified to see, that such theories 
only are published as are capable of being 
tested by practice, which course I hope you will 
continue to pursue ; since, I think it will prove 
more beneficial to j t ou as it undoubtedly must 
to your subscribers. Although not a subscriber 
myself to your paper, since it is taken by a 
member of our family, justice requires me to 
say that I have read it with interest and profit, 
and as its pages are open to all interested in 
agriculture, I have taken the liberty of request- 
ing your opinion on the subject of which I am 
about to treat. 

My want of experience in the practical opera- 
tions of farming (this being my third year) will, 
I feel assured, be a sufficient apology for any 
incorrect opinions w hich I may advance or ad- 
vocate. My sole object is to elicit information, 
which no one, even with the experience of years, 
should hesitate to ask. The science of agricul- 
ture is rapidly engrossing the public mind ; in- 
deed it offers so extensive a field for investiga- 
tion that the chemist in his laboratory, the phi- 
losopher in his varied pursuits, and the states- 
man in the legislative halls, are now forced to 
give it that consideration which its importance 
demands. The particular subject appertaining 
to agriculture, of which I propose to speak, is 
the mode of making and applying manure. — 
The manner in which manures act, the best 



106 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



mode of applying them, their relative value and 
durability, I am aware, admits of much discus- 
sion, and in fact have already produced much, 
both in this country and in Europe ; they will 
ever be debateable until the chemist has fully in- 
vestigated the subject and his theories have 
been established by practical results. As it is 
not my purpose to enter into any arguments to 
refute or establish any of the different theories, 
which have been from time to time advanced, I 
shall merely state the method pursued here gen- 
erally, and my reasons for adopting a different 
one. As I shall use the word fermentation fre- 
quently, it may be best before proceeding far- 
ther to state briefly its definition. Berzelius de- 
fines it to be that spontaneous destruction which 
vegetable substances undergo when exposed to 
air and water. Sir H. Davy gives the same 
with the addition only " of a certain tempera- 
ture." Liebig defines it to be that change which 
a compound organic substance undergoes when 
separated from its organism, and exposed to the 
influence of water and a certain temperature ; 
indeed chemists generally have given in sub- 
stance the same definitions, which may be stated 
as changes (with names corresponding, as vi- 
nous, acetous, &c.) which organic substances 
undergo when exposed to air, water and a cer- 
tain temperature. The last of these changes 
or putrefactive fermentation we shall only speak 
of. It is acknowledged by chemists that plants 
can only be nourished by substances soluble in 
water, (elastic fluids excepted) the roots being 
then capable of appropriating substances so pie- 
pared to the nourishment of the plant. The 
chemical process above defined is that which 
renders vegetable substances soluble, and which 
we should ever bear in mind when preparing 
our manure heaps. Our principal sources of 
manure are wheat straw, corn stalks, and leaves, 
all of which are from time to time hauled to 
our farm-pens and stables, and trodden in the 
former until required for use, but piled from the 
latter at each successive cleaning. Our object 
here being to manufacture manure for our to- 
bacco crop only, we have heretofore made only 
so much as we could, during the winter, com- 
mencing, say, in the last of October, and ending 
in April, laboring, as I conceive, under a great 
mistake, since double the quantity could be col- 
lected by littering our farm-yards during the 
summer, provided, however, such a course would 
not prove too disastrous to our stock, which, a 
little experience will very soon prove. The far- 
mers here have pursued the above course, it 
seems to me, either from immemorial custom, or 
regardless of the process of fermentation, upon 
which the whole action of manure almost de- 
pends. Whether then would it be better, in 
view of the chemical changes, so far as ascer- 
tained during fermentation, to pursue the old 
custom, or throw the farm-yard manure into 



heaps long enough before using it to induce a 
certain degree of fermentation, and that from 
our stables into such as to retard it as much as 
possible ? The latter mode I am in favor of, 
and am now adopting. I have left enough 
of my farm-yard untouched to try the relative 
value of the two methods. My objections to 
the old method, are, that we lose all the liquid 
manure from our stables by excessive fermenta- 
tion, and the farm-yard is not sufficiently decom- 
posed to afford nutriment to our tobacco when 
first planted. It seems to me both of them 
couid be avoided by pursuing the plan I am 
now adopting. My stable manure is thrown 
into such heaps as not likely to produce much 
heat, and of course not liable to undergo decom- 
position ; after my farm yard had been well lit- 
tered during the winter, and the litter as well 
trodden as possible, I determined a few weeks 
since to have it piled, and found upon examina- 
tion many leaves entirely whole, even in the 
dampest places, though impregnated, I suppose, 
with the various excrements of the cattle, parti- 
cularly the liquid. Seeing then so much vege- 
table matter undecomposed, and of course, unfit 
to be appropriated by the roots to the plant, my 
object was to form such heaps as to prepare 
enough by fermentation to give aid to the to- 
bacco early in May ; for which purpose, I di- 
rected several heaps to be made with layers of 
the coarsest at the bottom, as most likely to re- 
tain the liquid, upon which was thrown stable 
and farm-yard manure, intimately mixed, until 
a sufficient quantity had been thrown together, 
the whole of which was covered by fine ma- 
nure; all of this was done for the purpose of 
producing fermentation, but not to excess. The 
chief losses in this method (as in almost all 
others I have seen recommended) consist in the 
escape of gases, the danger of too great fermen- 
tation, and the loss of the liquid manure. These 
may be, in a great measure, if not entirely ob- 
viated. The first by covering each heap with 
earth, say to the thickness of two inches. — 
Would not lime answer better ? Much carbonic 
acid being evolved, the great affinity between it 
and lime would cause them to unite, and it 
would do equally as well as earth with respect 
to other gases, though this, we believe, is the 
most important one. The second is attended 
with great difficulty, indeed, to limit the degree 
of fermentation, we must make practical expe- 
riments, by a succession of which we may per- 
haps be enabled to come to some definite con- 
clusion. The third and last, though of great 
importance, might be obviated by placing some 
good absorbent for the foundation of every heap, 
for example, saw dust. 

It appearing to me all-important that tobacco 
should in its infancy have everything to favor 
its growth, as well as enough to sustain it Avhile 
approaching perfection, I think the above method 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



107 



will enable us to attain both results. The so- 
luble matter obtained by slight fermentation will 
give it a good start, and the undecomposed ve- 
getable matter by gradually becoming soluble 
under the earth, will nourish it until it attains 
its full growth. The plan here recommended, 
with ih'if alteration, to scatter the manure from 
my stable over the litter in the farm-yard, I shall 
commence in April, using the lime and saw- 
dust as above hinted at. 

I have thus, I must confess, very unsystema- 
tically given my humble opinion with respect to 
making and using manure on tobacco, and shall 
be pleased to receive any modification or addi- 
tion to this which you may see fit to advance. 
Very respectfully yours, &c. 

Wm. H. Jones. 

Mecklenburg Co., Va., March 19, 1843. 

That a certain degree of decomposition is ne- 
cessary to the action of vegetable manures, and 
that too great a degree is hurtful to their ferti- 
lizing properties, we conceive, with Mr. Jones, 
to be a settled point. That stall manure thrown 
into piles for too great a length of time, becomes 
too much decomposed, and that the vegetable 
matter of the farm-pen is not sufficiently so, we 
know to be frequently the case. Therefore, we 
think Mr. Jones is very right in throwing his 
farrn-pen manure into heaps, whereby heat and 
decomposition will be produced, before carrying 
it out. To prevent excessive decomposition, 
and to retain the precious gases set loose in the 
operation, we know nothing better than the in- 
terposition of layers of earth between layers of 
the manure. 

As to the lime it is both a septic, and an anti- 
septic ; that is to say, in small quantities, it pro- 
motes decay, and in larger ones, it prevents it. 
With respect to its chemical action, that of 
course depends upon the gases and acids with 
which it is brought into collision. These may 
vary extremely in different heaps. It is per- 
fectly idle to talk about chemical action, until 
we settle the presence of all the chemical agents. 
As regards the carbonate of ammonia, now con- 
sidered the most valuable product of the decom- 
position of vegetable matter, the lime would, we 
should fear, especially if by the heat rendered 
caustic, have such an affinity for the carbonic 
acid of the ammonia as to resolve it into its 
gaseous and irretainable form. Yet we know 
many experienced farmers, who think that the 
best mode of using lime, is to mix it in with 
their compost heaps. 



To the Editors of the Southern Planter: 

Gentlemen, — It has been remarked by one of 
the most observant planters in this section of 
country, that "clover without the assistance of 
plaster, so far from being an improver, is an ex- 
hauster of the soil.'' If this idea is correct, — of 
which I have no doubt, — would not our sandy 
ridge lands be more benefitted by turning under 
a thick coat of weeds while in the flowering 
state and well powdered with charcoal, than by 
the heaviest covering of clover which they would 
produce by the application of plaster? We 
have an inexhaustible resource in our piney old 
fields for the best kind of charcoal, the advan- 
tage of which, on our farm-pens and stable-floors 
has been fully and satisfactorily tested, not only 
by solidifying the ammonia, and thereby en- 
hancing the value of the manure, but in the 
improvement of the comfort and health of the 
stock in consequence of its correcting all disa- 
greeable effluvia. But I have not heard of its 
being applied broadcast on the growing crop of 
clover or weeds, as a substitute for plaster. Our 
distance from market and the great weight of 
the article, render the general use of plaster too 
expensive for our small farmers. Will Mr. Za. 
Drummond give us another one of his excellent 
communications on the subject, or any other 
connected with it? 

In confirmation of the idea suggested by Mr. 
Venable in his last remarks on the culture of 
tobacco, that the crop was injured by plough- 
ing, after the plants were large enough to take 
the rot, I would state, that my crop last year suf- 
fered less from the rot or spot, than that of any of 
my neighbors, (although raised on light sandy 
land,) which is solely attributable to its not hav- 
ing been ploughed after the commencement of 
the wet weather. 

A Young Planter. 
Pittsylvania, April 4, 1843. 



THE GRASSES. 
We lately heard a gentleman, upon whose 
extensive experience we would rely with more 
confidence than upon the analysis of some che- 
mists, state that cattle preferred and fattened on 
first timothy and herdsgrass, then orchard grass, 
and then clover which is probably the least pro- 
ductive of solid fat of any of the cultivated 
grasses. He moreover declared that instead of 
laying off pasturage grounds into separate lots, 
and shifting the cattle from one to the other, 
the whole should be thrown into one field, in 
which the stock should be allowed to range at 
pleasure. By this latter arrangement the cattle 
obtain free access to the grass in any particu- 
lar stage of its growth that it may be preferred, 






108 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



and when this is the case the natural saga- 
city of the animal leads him to correct the 
evil effects of the young and succulent grass 
with a bite of that, that is older and better cured. 
On the contrary, when they are suddenly intro- 
duced to a lot of untouched grass, all of the 
first growth, scours and distemper necessarily 
ensue, 



By the bye, on mentioning this last statement 
to a practical farmer in our neighborhood, he 
said that he had long remarked, that when 
he changed his cows from the exhausted com- 
mons, in summer, to a choice grass lot, they 
were peculiarly liable to be attacked with dis- 
tempers, for which he had never been able to ac- 
count, before. 



TOBACCO PRIZE 




The engraving represents a tobacco prize, a 
model of which was presented to us a few days 
since. We understand that it has given great 
satisfaction in Louisa, where it is beginning to 
be extensively used, and where they certainly 
know " a thing or two" about tobacco. The 
contrivance is so simple and so well illustrated 
by our excellent, artist, Mr. Hall, as to render 
a description useless — the principle is very much 
the same with one described by Mr. Richard 
Morriss in the first volume of the Planter. The 
inventor thinks that there is considerable advan- 
tage in having the power to come down evenly 
and squarely upon the hogshead, as is here ef- 
fected by the levers at both ends. He says too, 
that its portability is a great advantage, as it is 



frequently more convenient to convey the press 
from one house to another, than to transport the 
tobacco. 



For the Southern Planter. 

Messrs. Editors, — I see in the last number of 
your valuable periodical, a communication from 
'An Inquirer," asking information about the use 
of oil and soapstone as a fire-proof paint for the 
roofs of houses. 

In painting my house a few years ago, this 
preparation was suggested for the roof, by a 
friend, who had used it a few months before, 
and as I was sometimes alarmed from fire, I 
procured the soapstone finely ground, and deter- 
mined to make the experiment. While the paint 
was mixing, I had two loose shingles painted 
over, — one with the oil (linseed) and soapstone, 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



100 



and the other with paint prepared in the usual 
way, in order that I might fairly test the differ- 
ence between them in resisting fire. Having 
painted each over twice, and allowing them to 
become thoroughly dry, I had an equal number 
of fire coals heaped on each, and the result was 
that the,' ne painted with common paint, burnt 
through a few minutes before the other, and that 
the fire laid on the other a good deal longer be- 
fore it produced any impression on it. So much 
for the fire-proof qualities. 

As an enduring paint, I doubt whether it is 
as good as the common paint, and I do not be- 
lieve, from the present appearance of the roof of 
my house, that it retains long its powers of re- 
sisting heat. When first put on, a good deal of 
the stone is left on the surface of the shingle, 
and it is that fact which gives it its fire-proof 
qualities, but as time advances, this becomes 
drier and drier, and finally having lost its con- 
sistency, it is easily washed off by the driving 
rains, and exposes the shingle. 

I am, in haste, yours, &c. 

A Subscriber. 



For the Southern Planter. 

COMMENTS ON THE JANUARY AND FEB- 
RUARY NUMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN 
PLANTER. 

JANUARY. 

Culture of Tobacco. — The remarks of Mr. 
Minor are generally very good, but I desire to 
put in a word or two. Why cover a plant bed 
before the second treading? It is mischievous 
and surplus work. After such clean raking, 
and so many coulterings and picking roots, I 
should never think of making a hill. If the 
nature of the ground requires raising, then the 
plough can be used ; otherwise by marking off 
with a coulter, and making a chop and a clap, 
the job is done. As to hilling for the purpose 
of improvement, by enlarging the surface, I 
must enter my protest, for at this season of the 
year evaporation begins, and consequently loss 
must be the consequence. Walloon tobacco is 
often seen on high and dry land. It is the pro- 
duct of an acid, not water. There is no use 
for grubbing after cut-worms or abandoning the 
crop, where the ground has been ploughed in 
the winter, for such ploughing destroys the 
worms. 

A Fence. — I fear this neat fence is rather 
slender for old Virginia negroes and hogs.* 

Mud. — I go in for the mud, and every thing 
friend Morriss says about it. If the dung is on 

* If necessary, a middle rail may be used, and 
then this fence, from the crossing and interlacing, 
will be so strong that even a thick-sculled negro may 
butt his head against it with impunity, (to the fence 
we mean.) — Eds. 



the route, I carry the mud to the dung ; if the 
mud is on the way, I carry the dung to the 
mud ; if matters are inconvenient, I spread mud 
alone. 

Pumpkins. — I think well of this communica- 
tion and intend to try the plan. 

Plaster. — ' Rusticus' is informed that sulphate 
of lime is not carbonate of lime, therefore, can 
be profitably used on it. 

Mud, again. — T. M. S. says that " bog mud 
is too light and spongy to get out on land alone." 
In answer, I say, that for every load of spongy 
mud he will send me, I will give him two or 
three of heavy quality in return. If friend S. 
will only lay up his mud for a time, so as to 
suffer its poisonous qualities to escape, it is then 
ready for use, on any land of different quality. 

FEBRUARY. 

Tobacco. — Mr. Minor has too much handling 
of tobacco in the field. The handlers should 
pick up with both hands until full, and two may 
lay their hands together ; and it is not necessa- 
ry, except to save from frost, to put any tobacco 
into shocks. I have tried the plan of putting 
tobacco into the house immediately after cutting, 
and letting it remain crowded until of the color 
of a hickory leaf, but shall never try it again. 
Except in windy weather it will certainly house- 
burn. The continual hard firing is also objec- 
tionable, as any purchaser will tell you. This 
essay is generally good, but behind the age. 

Clay Lands. — The spreading of undecayed 
vegetables and turning under matured crops, on 
clay grounds, as recommended by Mr. Allen, is 
well ; but I greatly prefer for this purpose, dung 
of the most heating and fermenting kind. I 
have tried both often, and know that there is no 
danger of suffering loss by evaporation when 
the manure has been ploughed down and mixed 
with the earth. The remainder of this para- 
graph from Mr. A. is excellent, and will bear 
me out in every assertion. When speaking of 
the adaptation of particular crops to his peculiar 
mode of fall ploughing, I must confess that I 
do not understand him ; but we perfectly agree 
as to the action of ashes. 

Corn Hay. — The broom corn is far preferable 
to maize for this purpose, under any and every 
consideration. 

Foot-Rot. — I never knew or heard of a case 
of foot-rot in Virginia. 

Cultivation of Corn. — Mr. Young, of Ken- 
tucky, plants his corn invariably from the 20th 
to the 25th of March ; but I guess he must va- 
ry now, for his day has come, and the ground 
is covered with snow, and stiff frozen. His 
corn rows are three feet by three, with four 
stalks in a hill, making 19,360 stalks to the 
acre — too thick for old Virginia ; plants so thick 
that only one ear grows on a stalk — that is 



110 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



right; covers six inches deep — sandy land, I 
suppose; knows nothing about re-planting — 
neither do I ; runs the harrow over his com 
rows — the front tooth out, I suppose ; has rich 
land and makes great crops. This is the best 
part of the record. 

Value of Urine as a Manure. — In Scotland it 
may be well to scrape up the loam from a field, 
then cart it to the feeding stalls, to be saturated 
with urine, then cart back to the field again ; 
but in America we have abundance of lighter 
matters, which may thus be profitably used, and 
consequently a heavy item of expense avoided. 
Moreover 1 do contend that no ground should 
be scraped over, except for the purpose of level- 
ling ; for by scraping, the acid or raw earth is 
approached, which is mischievous to vegetation. 

Com Fork. — Where there are no stones, clods, 
or litter, this implement may answer a good 
purpose ; but I should never think of mangling 
the roots of any corn at its last working by 
sending the fork so deep into the ground as re- 
commended. 

Value of Seasoned Fire Wood. — This is a va- 
luable communication and should be attended 
to. 

Founder. — A sweat is more efficacious, and 
less troublesome than the remedy mentioned. A 
Thompsonian sweat. 

Cutting Food for Cattle. — Cut food is not only 
more valuable for cattle, but as manure it is rea- 
dy at once for the shovel, the land, the plough, 
and the crop. 

As my object is improvement, I may in my 
next comment on my comments, and hope I 
shall give no offence. 

Investioator. 

March 20, 1843. 

We think we speak the sentiments of our 
readers when we say, it gives them great plea- 
sure to hear from " Investigator" at all times, 
and that no form of communication is more 
agreeable than the one he has now assumed. 



For the Southern Planter. 

BUCKWHEAT. 

Messrs. Editors, — I have been a reader of 
yourvaluable periodical for nearly twelve months, 
and have during that time examined the pages 
of every number with much anxiety to find 
something from some of your numerous and 
able correspondents, upon the subject which 
stands at the head of this communication ; but 
I have looked in vain. Whilst almost every 
variety of subjects connected with agriculture 
and horticulture has been discussed by those 
who have contributed so largely to the mass of 
important matter contained in the Planter, buck- 



wheat has been, I believe, untouched. Is it be- 
cause gentlemen are not fond of buckwheat 
cakes, but rather prefer the old-fashioned Virgi- 
nia hoe-cake? I think, Messrs. Editors, that if 
many of your readers could sit down at the ta- 
ble of a Dutchman upon a cold frosty morning, 
they would not slight the hot smoking buck- 
wheat cakes so much in practice, as they have 
in theory. 

I have addressed you this communication not 
so much with a view to impart information in 
relation to this valuable grain, as to seek it ; for 
I honestly confess I know but little about the 
manner of cultivating it. I would be much 
obliged to some of your correspondents if they 
would tell me in the first place what kind of 
land is best adapted to its growth. 2dly. How 
it should be prepared. 3dly. The quantity of 
seed to the acre. 4thly. The time of sowing. 
5thly. The time of cutting, and how much it 
will turn out to the acre. I have understood 
that it would kill blue grass and greatly improve 
the soil ; whether this is true or not I am unable 
to say. As the time for sowing must be near at 
hand, and 1 am so fond of the cakes, any infor- 
mation which might be given would be thank- 
fully received by 

Your obedient servant, 

Edw'd G. Ship. 

Madison Co., April 4, 1843. 

We have very little practical knowledge upon 
the subject on which our correspondent asks for 
information ; but in the course of investigations 
made in his service, we met with the following, 
which we extract from the "American Farmer," 
one of the most practical and reliable papers 
with which we are acquainted : 

"Buckwheat should not be sown before the 
last of June, and may be sown any time during 
the month of July. Its time of sowing should 
be graduated so as to bring its blossoming on at 
the period of early fall, when the weather *be- 
gins to get cool, as it will not fill well in hot 
weather. When sown in the spring, the chances 
are against its yielding any grain, or, at most, 
but very little, and should, therefore, never be 
sown at that period, unless wanted, to be 
ploughed under as a green dressing, for which 
it suits most admirably, as it extracts a very 
large portion of its food from the atmosphere, 
and hence it is, that it will yield fair crops from 
very poor ground. If sown on suitable ground, 
loam, or moderately good sand, and the seefson 
proves propitious, it sometimes yields from fifty 
to sixty bushels to the acre. This quantity, 
however, is rarely produced, and it is safer to 
anticipate from twenty-five to thirty bushels to 
the acre. It is greatly assisted in its growth, 
and the maturing of its grain, by having a 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



Ill 



bushel of plaster to the acre sown, and ploughed 
in with the seed. 

"A very great advantage from the culture of 
buckwheat, arises from the lateness of the sea- 
son at which it may be sown. It can be seeded 
after the wheat and rye crops are harvested, on 
the stubt es ploughed in and harrowed ; thus 
enabling the farmer whose small grain crops 
may have proved light, or whose corn crop may 
promise badly, to grow a very excellent grain, 
and thus repair his losses. 

" It should be cut when about half the grains 
on the heads appear ripe, and as it is easy to 
scatter, it is best to get it out with flails, on I 
sheets, in the field, to prevent loss. 

" Half a bushel to the acre is the proper 
quantity of seed to sow." 



formed that if cattle are kept always fat their 
horns will be perfectly smooth, and that wrin- 
kles instead of denoting the years of life only 
mark the years of suffering and of poverty. — 
They are probably stamped by nature as an in- 
delible monument of the cruelty and negligence 
of a bad farmer. Human wrinkles too arise in 
a great measure from a similar cause, and al- 
though not upon the same authority, we think 
we may venture to say that the best way to 
fight them off, or to delay them at least, is to 
laugh and grow fat. 



For the Southern Planter. 
TOBACCO. 

Messrs. Editors, — My attention was attracted 
by an editorial at the 95th page of the last 
Planter, in which you give to your readers some 
ingenious views derived from a visitor, with re- 
spect to the character and nature of the tobacco 
crop. That the cultivation of tobacco induces 
a clean tilth, is undoubtedly true ; and that bet- 
ter means for saving and using manure, may, 
and must be resorted to, if we would preserve 
the fertility of our fields, I am not prepared to 
question ; but that tobacco is not an exhauster, 
I am not ready to admit. Your friend argues, 
that because the tobacco is a broad leaf plant, 
and does not mature its seed, that, therefore, by 
all the rules of agricultural science, it must 
draw its sustenanoe from the atmosphere, in- 
stead of the soil ; but he should have remem- 
bered that it is only prevented from maturing its 
seed by the artificial means of topping. It is a 
bold, vigorous plant, with a large and heavy 
stalk, remaining in the ground even beyond the 
time of perfect maturity, and nature, who can- 
not be always dragged into a co-operation with 
man, undoubtedly prepares, for the maturity of 
the seed, the sustenance, which the continued 
growth of the plant justifies her in believing 
will be required. 

Our country has no doubt been much injured 
by careless and improvident management, but I 
cannot help thinking that the present state of 
barrenness, to be witnessed in many parts of it, 
is mainly attributable to the cultivation of this 
exhausting crop. 

Your obedient servant, P. 



WRINKLES. 
We have a recipe to prevent wrinkles, not 
upon the human face divine, fair reader, but 
upon the horns of cattle. We are credibly in- 



For the Southern Planter. 
VEGETABLE AND ANIMAL SUPPORTERS. 

There are 5,500 species of plants in the ve- 
getable kingdom, differing from each other in 
their organization, roots, stems, branches, leaves, 
flowers, fruits, odors, aliments and medicinal pro- 
perties. This immense mass of vegetation, 
which adorns and beautifies the earth, is formed 
by the combination of five or six agents mar- 
vellously modified by the hand of God. Che- 
mical analysis proves that all vegetables, from 
the largest oak, down to the smallest blade of 
grass, are composed of air, water, light, heat, 
carbon and metalic, earthy, or alkaline salts. 

We propose making a few concise remarks 
on those great agents in the order they are 
named. 

Atmospheric air is composed of every prin- 
ciple from the earth capable of assuming the 
gaseous form. These gases after being com- 
mixed, result in oxygen, nitrogen and carbonic 
acid gases ; forming the fluid mass which sup- 
ports the vegetable and animal kingdoms. This 
element is compounded of two opposite principles, 
the one the source of flame, animal and vegeta- 
ble life, the other destructive to both, and pro- 
ducing by their different combinations the most 
diversified and beneficial effects. Atmospheric 
air effects the germination of seeds, the evolu- 
tion and growth of plants — is the cause of fer- 
mentation, combustion and animal heat — pre- 
serves water in a liquid state — sustains the 
clouds, bears up the feathered race — the cause 
of winds, the vehicle of smell and sound, and is 
the source of all pleasurable sensation derived 
from harmonious music ; it is the prime mover 
in most machinery — impels ships, blows fur- 
naces, winnows and crushes grain — insinuating 
itself into the pores and sap vessels of plants, 
and produces respiration in all living beings — 
whilst it is at the same time actively engaged 
in decomposing all inanimate matter. So that 
this fell destroyer, and life preserver, is continual- 
ly acting on the vegetable and anin al kingdoms, 
producing their evolution and growth, and per- 
forming many thousand agencies of minor im- 



112 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



portance. It is elevated many leagues above 
the earth, and fills the deepest subterraneous 
cavities — being invisible, insipid, inodorous, pon- 
derous and elastic — of extreme rarefaction, obe- 
dient to the slightest motion, the least percussion 
deranges it, and its equilibrium, which is con 
tinually destroyed, is continually endeavoring to 
restore itself. Philosophers have made, with 
success, a number of experiments on the elasti- 
city of the air, and it has been applied to the 
greatest advantage in the arts. Atmospheric 
air is navigated and journeys of one hundred 
miles performed in an hour ! The time proba- 
bly is not far distant when aerial voyages will 
be made across the Atlantic ; such an idea is 
only absurd because the journey has not been 
performed. Should such an event occur, it will 
cease to be a novelty, and will not be regarded 
more than steam navigation or the growth of 
our crops. There is more mystery in the evo- 
lution and growth of plants, by the agency of 
air, than there could possibly be in a line of 
balloons wafted by this element from continent 
to continent. And why ? Because we are ac- 
quainted with the laws of aerostation. Bal- 
loons inflated with hydrogen gas, twelve times 
lighter than atmospheric air, will rise, and no- 
thing is wanting but air rudders to direct their 
course. Now I would respectfully ask, if we 
have as much information as it regards the 
growth and evolution of plants by atmospheric 
agency? Mr. Holland, a gentleman of scien- 
tific habits, has strikingly signalized aerostation 
of our day, for he traversed the continent of Eu- 
rope in eighteen hours. His balloon rose from 
Vauxhall Gardens (London) November 7, 1836, 
at half after 1, P. M. and passed over Kent, 
Canterbury, the British channel, and reached 
the continent three thousand feet above the level 
of the sea. Thence, passing over France, Italy, 
Germany, &c. he alighted in safety at half past 
6 the following morning, two leagues from Well- 
burg in the grand Dutchy of Nassau. See 
Blackwood's Magazine for 1836. 

The weight of this fluid on every square 
yard of earth, is not less than twenty thousand 
pounds, and its pressure on our bodies twenty 
tons ; which would crush us to atoms, but for 
its internal spring or re-action. Without air, 
the vegetable and animal world is extinct ; there 
could be neither rain or refreshing dews to mois- 
ten the face of the earth, and the globe again 
would become a chaotic mass. 

Galen. 



REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OP 
PATENTS. 

Mr. Ellsworth has introduced a new fea- 
ture into the annual reports of the Commissioner 
of Patents. He has undertaken to collect and 
furnish to Congress some agricultural statistics, 



from which we propose to make a few extracts, 
Although we give Mr. " Ellsworth" entire credit 
for the labor and industry he has exhibited, so 
very deficient and erroneous do we conceive his 
estimates of different agricultural products in 
different States to be, that we esteem it labor 
lost, and lay it aside as rather calculated to mis- 
lead, than to enlighten. " With all means and 
appliances to boot," it would be next to impos- 
sible to ascertain the amount of the varied pro- 
ducts of this vast country. The miserably de- 
fective reports of the census takers of 1840, are 
taken as the basis of Mr. Ellsworth's calcula- 
tions, and though his ingenuity and research 
have enabled him to detect some of their grossest 
blunders, we verily believe it would require a 
lifetime to correct one half their errors. 

But over and above these statistics Mr. Ells- 
worth embodies information upon several sub- 
jects of general agricultural interest, from which 
we extract some views upon the subject of 

SILK. 

Mr.EUsworth thinks that the prejudice against ■ 
this product, resulting from the multicaulis ma- 
nia, is rapidly yielding to sober judgment, and 
that the business is yet destined to be an impor- 
tant one to the country. The difficulties inci- 
dent to all beginnings are rapidly yielding to 
information and experience. The energy and 
intelligence of our people are proverbial, and if 
circumstances favor us, as Mr. Ellsworth thinks 
there is no doubt, that the Yankees will grow 
and manufacture the article in its highest per- 
fection. The production, it appears, doubles 
annually. The South, says Mr. Ellsworth, on 
account of its climate, affords peculiar facility 
for conducting its culture, and there is little doubt 
that it will one day, and that an early one, form 
one of our great staple productions. 

" The American raw silk, it is perfectly estab- 
lished, is in quality superior to the foreign arti- 
cle. A person for many years, as he declares, 
engaged in weaving of silk in different establish- 
ments in London, having had (as he says) for 
fifteen years from 250 to 300 lbs. of silk of every 
grade and name passing through his hands, 
weekly, expresses the following opinion as to 
the silk, &c. of our country." 

"I am qualified to affirm, from various expe- 
riments I have tried, that the silk is superior to 
any I have seen, from Italy, China, France, 
Piedmont, or Valencia ; where the worms are 
fed upon multicaulis, or Italian. Its brilliancy, 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



113 



strength, and scent, are superior. I am aware 
that exposure to the saline air, in the passage 
across the ocean, may be the cause of the loss 
of fragrance to imported silk : but the brilliancy 
is peculiar to American silk ; if reeled in proper 
manner,/ 'ith cleanliness." 

That tbe silk business has proved a disas- 
trous failure with several of our acquaintances, 
judicious, managing men too, we know; but 
this by no means proves that it may not be ul- 
timately made very profitable. The truth is, 
that induced by expectations of exorbitant gain, 
men rushed into the business without experience, 
skill, or information, what was to be expected 
when they had to contend with those that had 
all three ? 



We make the following extract from a letter 
received from a correspondent : 

GRUBS AND COLIC. 

It may be of interest to some of your readers 
to know that the remedy spoken of in one of your 
numbers for last year, (not having the paper at 
home I cannot refer to it) recommending rubbing 
the big vein in the neck with spirits of turpen- 
tine for either the colic or bots in horses, has 
been tried by me in a very violent case, with 
entire success, giving relief in about thirty mi- 
nutes. I rubbed the spirits also between the 
upper lip and the gums. I believe the disease 
to have been the bots. 

I read, with interest in your December num- 
ber, the reasons assigned for abolishing the bear- 
ing-rein in work horses, and mean, so far as I 
am concerned, to abolish it forthwith as being a 
useless and painful appendage. 

In haste. M. L. Spencer. 



BOMMER'S MANURE. 
The claims of Mr. George Bommer to the 
discovery of a process, by which masses of ve- 
getable and other matter can be readily and 
cheaply converted into manure of the most fer- 
tilizing qualities, has attracted much attention 
in the agricultural world, for the last twelve 
months. We were disposed, at first to ridicule 
it, as one of the numerous humbugs of the day; 
we never doubted the value, if we could have 
been assured of the authenticity, of the disco- 
very. When, therefore, we were at the North 
last fall, and heard Mr. Bommer spoken of as a 
scientific gentleman, and any thing but the char- 
latan we had imagined him to be, we were in- 
duced to inquire farther into a subject which 
was likely to prove so interesting to our readers. 
We met with many who had purchased the 
Vol. III.— 15 



right, and who anticipated the most beneficial 
results, but with none, who had had an oppor- 
tunity of reducing the experiment to practice. 
After our return, attracted by various favorable 
notices in the northern papers, we were requested 
frequently by our subscribers to ascertain the 
particulars of method, price, &c. Accordingly, 
we opened a correspondence with Mr. Bommer, 
the result of which is, that he has appointed us 
his agents for the State of Virginia, and we are 
now prepared to dispose of the right of using 
this invention, with full and particular directions, 
upon the terms indicated below. 

Manure is the farmer's sheet anchor, and he 
who affords facilities, whereby its production 
may be increased, is certainly in a fair way to 
rival him, " who causes two blades of grass to 
grow where only one grew before." But hi 
increase of quantity is not all ; the capability of 
getting up a pile of manure in a few days, just 
where it is wanted, presents advantages almost 
incalculable in its consequences. The foreign 
substances (by which we mean those that the 
farmer would have to purchase) necessary to 
convert one thousand of straw into four thou- 
sand of manure, will not cost more than fifty 
cents. 

We make the following extract from Mr. 
Bommer's statement with respect to his inven- 
tion: 

This invention is the fruit of many years of 
exertion and chemical labor, and the result of 
repeated and various experiments. 

The secret of the invention to make the ma- 
nure, is accurately described and specified in 
my method secured by patent. The preparation 
of said manure is very simple and easy, and 
every farmer, by following my method, can ex- 
actly count upon certain success. 

This manure is a composition of animal, mi- 
neral, and vegetable substances, consequently 
designed by nature for the nutriment of plants. 

We may, therefore, abandon for the future, 
the partial use and application of every kind of 
merely stimulating manure, such as lime, plaster 
of Paris, ashes, &c. 

The merit of my method essentially consists 
in the following important points: 

1. In being able to reduce in a short time all 
kinds of straw and ligneous weeds to a rich, 
unctuous and durable manure, such as wheat 
straw, barley, rye, buckwheat, and other black 
grains; stalks of Indian corn, rice, and other 
plants ; dried or green potato tops, leaves, stalks, 
and roots of all kinds of plants ; green or dried 
seeds, green rushes, sea-weeds, sea-rushes, hea- 



114 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



ther-broom, stubble, in fact, every thing belong- 
ing to the vegetable kingdom, and a great many 
other things lying about farms which are often 
allowed to go to waste. Even the ground itself 
may be converted into the best manureor compost. 

2. In the combination or alliance of fecun- 
dating substances, the use of which, when se- 
parated, would not and could not produce the 
desired effect. 

3. In the production of a very considerable 
quantity of factious water, which, when com- 
bined with other ingredients, forming lees, fur- 
nishes the farmer with a fertilizing liquid, the 
commixture of which in either vegetable or mi- 
neral substances, gives a manure of the richest 
kind. 

4. In the production of a quantity of nitrate 
of lime and caustic potash ; of ammonia and 
saltpetre — four substances which modern che- 
mistry has found to contain the most fecundating 
properties possible. 

N. B — Nitrate of lime and caustic potash 
are formed by the mixture of ingredients com- 
posing the lees, as chemical analysis will easily 
demonstrate. Ammonia and saltpetre are pro- 
duced by the lees combined with hj'drogen and 
azote thrown off by the high fermentation of 
the mass. The existence of the first is made 
known to the senses by the strong smell of am- 
monia when the heap is opened. 

From all this it is clear that my method em- 
ployed on farms, offers the following advantages : 

1. That those who have straw will be able 
to change the same into manure immediately 
after the crop is housed, or at any required time. 
Those who have not straw may use any green 
or dry substance instead; and that those who 
have neither straw nor the substance above 
mentioned, may change the very soil itself into 
a very good earth manure, and in any spot they 
may choose. 

2. That a farmer can make with the greatest 
ease, in a few days, earth manure, or compost, 
which will answer all the purposes of animal 
manure, and excel in their fecundating properties 
all other ordinary composts, which by other 
means can be had hardly in one year, more fre- 
quently only in three years. That this earth 
manure may be used in the spring to quicken 
the growl h of seed that has suffered from the 
rigors of the winter; to manure wheat previous- 
ly sown without manure ; it will be a great be- 
nefit in planting Indian corn ; for top dressing 
of artificial and other meadows ; it is of the 
greatest use in gardens, mulberry and other fruit 
trees, keeping at once the ground moist and 
producing rapid vegetation. 

3. That the farmer will have the advantage 
of being able to make his manure heaps when, 
where, and as he pleases; he will be able to 
open them when they are in heat without losing 
any of the fecundating moisture. 



4. By means of the lees, which this method 
will inform him how to make, it will be easy for 
him to give to his farm-yard manure more invi- 
gorating properties, and he may increase its bulk 
at pleasure. Farm-yard manure, in fact, should 
be used only as the leaven to make the different 
heaps required. 

5. By the great quantity of moisture entering 
into the materials, the weight of such of them 
as are dry, will be increased fourfold ; that of the 
others is more than doubled. 

6. This method enables the farmer to control 
entirely his manure heaps ; that is to say, he 
will be able to make them in all their parts 
equally good and fertilizing. The lees, which 
distribute the saline and soluble particles in a 
regular and uniform manner, will produce an 
even crop throughout the field. 

7. By the high degree of heat to which in 
that course of making it attains, the germinating 
power of all weeds found in the materials thus 
submitted to decomposition will be utterly de- 
stroyed. Hence manure made after this method 
never re-produces weeds. 

8. The farmer will also be able to graduate 
his manure. He may have it of any degree of 
strength he wishes. This will enable him to 
forward the growth of plants in a manner hither- 
to unknown. 

9. By means of manure thus graduated at 
will, market gardeners will have their produce 
much earlier in the market than heretofore. — 
They will be able also 10 heat their hot-beds 
anew by means of the lees without disturbing 
the frames. 

10. In fine, the lees by which the manure is 
made, are prepared cold and without any pre- 
vious chemical preparation ; the majority of the 
ingredients may be found at hand on almost 
every farm, and cost nothing ; and water, which 
is the basis of the system, is of no more expense. 
All here concur to render the method truly eco- 
nomical. Such are the principal grounds on 
which the system is recommended. 

My method rests solely upon facts which are 
the results of numerous experiments. I have 
explained it in simple terms, without making 
use of any technical expressions ; it is as easy 
to understand as 10 put in practice. Thus 
clearly and simply detailed, I present it to the 
public, having proved, by repeated public expe- 
riments in presence of enlightened farmers, that 
all I have said is true, and that the advantages 
to be derived from its adoption are real, and not 
visionary. 

To conclude — as this method is my property, 
secured to me by patent, I hereby give notice, 
that the pamphlets of my "Method," are all 
signed in my own hand-writing, and sealed, and 
can be obtained only of myself or my agents, 
authorized for this purpose, and that every me- 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



115 



thod circulated or sold by any other persons, I 
declare false and counterfeit. 

To facilitate the purchase of the Method, the 
price is fixed at the following exceedingly mo- 
derate rates : 

For gardens of any extent, $6 

For farms, under 200 acres, 10 

For fai. is, from 200 to 400 acres, 15 

For farms, over 400 acres, 20 

For plantations of any extent, 25 

For this small sum, the method becomes the 
property of the purchaser, for his own use forever. 
The application of this system is very simple, 
and the process plainly explained in my method ; 
but if any one of the purchasers should meet 
with any difficulty in its application, or should 
not realize the results that this method offers, 
they may apply to me for the instructions ne- 
cessary in order to a complete success in the 
operation. If there should be a final failure, 
which has never yet occurred, the purchase mo- 
ney shall be restored. 

George Bommer. 

The following commendatory notice of this 
valuable discovery, is from Professor Eli Ives, 
M. D , one of the Vice Presidentt of the United 
States Agricultural Society: 

"I have examined the pamphlet of Mr. Bom- 
mer on the subject of manufacturing manure. 
His method is founded on correct philosophical 
principles, agreeable to those recently advanced 
by Liebig. If the farmers can be induced to 
purchase the right, and thoroughly execute his 
plan of making manure, in my opinion, it will 
very much increase the value of their farms. 

E. Ives. 

New Haven, Feb. 11, 1842." 

The Connecticut Farmers' Gazette for De- 
cember, published at New Haven, contains the 
following certificate: 

" I hereby certify that, having made repealed 
trials of Mr. George Bornmer's method of mak- 
ing manure by fermentation, and having tested 
its effects in the rapid decomposition of the mass 
to which it has been applied, and having also 
witnessed the influence of the manure made by 
this process, in promoting the growth of vege- 
tation, I am prepared to regard the invention as 
an important accession to the farming interest ; 
and, although, having tried other modes of mak- 
ing manure with varied success, I am free to 
acknowledge that I have never been acquainted 
with any system of the kind that would com- 
pare with this for utility. 

Erastus Dudley. 

JYorlh Guilford, Mv. 23, 1842." 

The Editor adds — "We are well acquainted 
with Mr. Dudley, the author of the above certi- 
ficate, and we know him to be a man of sterling 
integrity. He is an intelligent farmer, and not 



likely to be imposed upon by every neiu thing. 
Inasmuch as he has tried Mr. Bornmer's method, 
and gives his unqualified testimony in its favor, 
we have no hesitation in commending his state- 
ment to the confidence of the public." 

Certificates from intelligent farmers might be 
greatly multiplied, but we consider them unne- 
cessary. 



For the Southern Planter. 
THE SEASON. 

JWessrs. Editors, — Perhaps you would like to 
contrast this present spring weather of yours 
with that which we are now enduring. 

Fancy if you can, that as I sit and write, I 
look forth upon one broad expanse of snow — no 
sudden fall of a few inches, but some good old 
substantial stuff that has been with us since the 
middle of November. Such a winter was never 
known here before, since white men knew the 
country. And the severity of it has been fatal 
to great numbers of cattle. Food of every de- 
scription for slock is nearly exhausted, and no 
immediate prospect of relief. Oats for seed are 
already sown in the insatiate maws of our starv- 
ing beas's, and when it does come seed time, 
many will be unable to sow. It is also feared, 
that the great burthen of snow that fell upon 
the wheat before the ground was frozen has 
smothered the greater part of that. If so, it 
will be a heavier blow than the loss of cattle, 
for wheat is our great staple. 

Please give us the sunny side of the picture, 
in contrast to this. Let us hear that there is a 
land where grass grows in the spring. 
Most respectfully, &c. 

Solon Robinson. 

Lake C. H., la., April 7, 1843. 

Matters are not quite so desperate wilh us as 
described by our respected friend in Indiana. — 
Although we had some spells of uncommon 
cold, we had a great deal of mild and beautiful 
weather during the winter. But our spring has 
been extremely backward ; until within a few 
days past, the elements have amused them- 
selves with spouting snow, sleet and rain, darting 
a few rays of the sun between, at lengthened 
intervals. The season is fully six weeks behind- 
hand ; oats, which should have been in- the 
ground in February, are now (the 25th of April) 
just sown. We presume that with a majority, 
corn is not yet planted, and some have hardly 
had an opportunity of breaking up their corn 
land. From what we can hear, however, the 
wheat is not unpromising, and the corn may yet 
do well: the oat crop, we should think, must 
necessarily be a short one. 

But now for the other side of the picture. 



116 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



The dallying spring has come at last, arrayed 
in all her charms ; the grass has sprung, the 
buds have burst, the blackbird is rocking on the 
tops of the poplar trees, carolling and revelling 
in the soft beauty of a summer morning : all 
nature is vivified and refreshened, and you see 
the joyousness of returning spring impressed 
upon the glowing countenances of men. We 
sincerely wish that our friend's eye, suffering so 



long from the glare of his northern snow, could 
be relieved by a view of the beautiful green 
with which, within a few days, nature has 
clothed our woods and fields. 

We shall always be pleased to hear from so 
distinguished a friend to agriculture, as Mr. Ro- 
binson, if it is only to be chilled by a record of 
the weather in his inhospitable region. 



EXALL & BROTHER'S THRESHING MACHINE, 




The above engraving represents one of Exall's 
Geared Horse Power Threshing Machines. It 
is complete and ready for use. It is made in 
the very best manner, of the best materials and 
warranted to do as good work, and as much of 
it, as any other Machine in the State or out of 
it, with the same power. It has all the real 
improvements of twenty-five years' experience 
of one of the concern, with the addition of one 
or two important and acknowledged improve- 
ments recently made by the other. The whole 
arrangements of the gear and frame, and all 
other parts, have been well studied and carefully 
adjusted, to make it substantial and durable. 

Some of the improvements to which we claim 
the patent right, and not used by any other 
Machine makers, are the following : 

1st. The Horse Wheel (B) has the flange 
covering the top ends of the cogs to prevent 
their breaking. It gives great strength and is 
a decided improvement. 

2d. The Drum is driven by a spur wheel, to 
the pinion of which, at (C) is a ratchet, which, 
let the horses stop as suddenly as they please, 
allows the Drum to run down in its own time, 
without dragging with it the Horse Power and 
Horses, as is the case with other Machines. 

3d. The Drum frame is of cast iron, with oil 



boxes and friction rollers — oiling itself for a day 
at a time, without admitting the dust to the 
bearing's. The friction rollers are large and 
well fixed, coming up through the bottom box, 
so that while the Drum is provided with good 
bearings, these rollers greatly relieve the friction 
and consequently the horses. The cylinder is 
the brace tooth, with bed to correspond, which 
is set on springs to relieve itself when over-fed. 
The teelh are wide so that they may be sharp- 
ened, and by reversing the ends of the Drum 
may be used on both sides and thus last twenty 
years. The Drum is set on a separate frame, 
so that it may be removed into a barn, if de- 
sired, and be driven by a band from the spur 
wheel at (C) which is in one minute made a 
band wheel by putting on it a hoop or tire 
(which is provided) to a pulley on the opposite 
end of the drum at (A). Thus it is adapted to 
suit all. 

PRICES OF MACHINES. 

The price of this Machine, payable in Rich- 
mond, is, for a 4 Horse Power which will thresh 
300 bushels, $200 ; for a 2 Horse Power which 
will thresh 175 bushels, $175; delivered on 
boat, car, or wagon in Richmond. For a 4 
Horse Power alone, $125; 2 Horse Power 
alone, $110; 4 Horse Drum alone, $75; 2 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



117 



Horse Drum alone, $65. Stationary Machines 
put up on corresponding terms. 

CERTIFICATES. 

"Aylett's, King William, Va., 1843. 
"I have made many Threshing Machines 
within fifteen years past, and now thresh 2,000 
bushels ' nd upwards of grain per annum, for 
myself and neighbors ; and I take pleasure in 
saying that I have never used, or seen, so good 
a Threshing Machine in all its parts, as one of 
Exall's, which I recently examined at their Ma- 
chine Manufactory in Richmond. It possesses 
more good qualities than any Machine I have 
ever seen ; while I cannot point out a single de- 
fect. The work is all good, and the Machine 
is cheap. John Sizer." 

"Little Dover, Goochland, April 5, 1843. 

" My father, Dr. Joseph Trent, bought one of 
Exall's Threshing Machines more than twenty 
years ago, which was stationed in his barn at 
this place, and also one of his Portable Machines 
about ten years ago, and I take pleasure in saying 
that they have both proved all they were repre- 
sented to be, and threshed out the crops of last 
year clean and well. Jos. G. Trent." 

Mr. William Miller, who was sent by the 
Henrico Agricultural Society to Albany, to at- 
tend the great State Agricultural Fair held there 
last fall, and examine such implements, &c, 
testifies that no Machine was there exhibited 
equal to the above, though many were presented; 
he having threshed his crop with one of ours, 
previous to his departure. 

Many certificates might be added if space 
would allow. We solicit a share of patronage 
from the farming public, as we intend to devote 
the whole of this year to the manufacture of 
Threshing Machines. Those who favor us with 
their orders are requested to send them in early, 
so as to allow sufficient time to finish them be- 
fore the threshing season commences. 

Exall & Brother. 

0^=* We will also furnish a good Machine, 
with Drum and Band complete, 4 Horse Power, 
for $150 ; and do. 2 Horse Power for $125 ; 4 
Horse Power alone, $100; 2 Horse Power, 
$75. The last is on a different plan, very sim- 
ple and warranted to work well, fast and easy. 

Shop on 12th Street, between D and E. 

E. &B. 

Richmond, April, 1843. 

The subscriber will receive and execute orders 
for the above. C. T. Botts. 



AGRICULTURAL CLUBS. 
It is impossible to estimate the benefits that 
these neighborhood associations are privately 
and imperceptibly conferring upon the cause of 



agriculture. We have lately received several 
orders for new implements, &c. from such asso- 
ciations, who have purchased them for the pur- 
pose of testing their merits. This alone is an 
invaluable feature in their organization, which 
we esteem far beyond any society, whose object 
is public exhibition, no matter how extensive or 
how magnificent. One club in Albemarle has 
ordered one of Barnaby & Moer's ploughs; 
from another, in Mecklenburg, we have received 
an order for Poudrette. How much better op- 
portunity will these gentlemen enjoy, at home, 
cf testing an implement fully and fairly, and 
how much more satisfactory to the community 
will be their report, than any that could ema- 
nate from a committee, who are directed to de- 
cide in half an hour, frequently, upon the most 
complex piece of machinery. 

This advantage alone, we repeat, by which 
the expense of purchasing and testing a new 
thing may be divided amongst a neighborhood, 
is calculated to have a wonderful effect upon 
the progress of agriculture, and ought to secure 
the establishment of such clubs in everj 7 squad 
of farmers. It is by means of this union and 
co-operation that information has been engen- 
dered and diffused in other occupations, and it 
is the growing popularity of this system, that 
encourages the hope that agriculture will not 
long be behind the other arts. 



PRESERVATIVE COMPOSITION. 

For a composition for coloring and preserving 
gates, roofs, and timber generally, from the wea- 
ther, melt twelve ounces of rosin in an iron pot 
or kettle, add three gallons of train oil, and three 
or four rolls of brimstone ; when they are melted 
and become thin, add as much Spanish brown, 
(or red or yellow ochre, or any other color you 
like, ground as usual with oil,) as will give the 
whole the shade wanted. Then lay it on with a 
brush as hot and as thin as you can. Some days 
after the first coat is dried, lay on a second. It 
is well attested that this will preserve plank for 
years, and prevent the weather from driving 
through brick work. — Exchange paper. 



For the Southern Planter. 
OLD FIELD PINES. 

Messrs. Editors, — In the March number of 
the Planter there was a communication, from a 
gentleman of Amherst, on the subject of Old 
Field Pines, with which I was very much de- 
lighted. He states, that if the bark is stripped 
off while the trees are standing and suffered to 



118 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER, 



remain a twelvemonth, they will make as lasting 
posts as locust or any other limber. Having fre- 
quently observed pine trees accidentally skinned, 
coated over perfectly with turpentine, and know- 
ing too, from experiment, that they could not be 
killed by belling, the first year, 1 was convinced 
of the truth and value of the statement in the 
Planter; and forthwith commenced the opera- 
tion of skinning, and did not cease until I had 
literally "skinned alive" some two or three hun- 
dred trees. In a conversation with some of my 
neighbors, a few days since, I mentioned the j 
subject and to my chagrin found they were per- j 
fectly incredulous, and disposed to laugh at me 
for my folly. Now, I should like to hear from 
the gentleman of A mherst, (Mr. Fuqua) whether 
he can avouch the truth of his statement, or 
whether he merely "told the tale as it was told 
to him." Has he tested the thing fairly? 

If you can spare a corner for the above, you 
will much oblige 

Yours, respectfully, J. R. G. 

Henrico, Jipril 5, 1843. 

P. S. — In cutting the mortices in posts for 
fencing, after the auger, a light axe, with a long, 
narrow blade, is greatly preferable to the mallet 
and chisel. I am sure it expedites the work a 
third if not a half. J. R. G. 



THE AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
This excellent periodical has just commenced 
its second year, with its typographical depart- 
ment much improved. As to the matter, it did 
not need, hardly admitted of, improvement. Mr. 
Alien, the Editor, is probably one of the most 
knowing slock men in America, and as a writer, 
his pen is particularly flowing, graceful, and 
easy. We commend this publication to breeders 
of stock, especially. 



From the Plymouth (Eng.) Herald. 

PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE PLACE 
AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DUNG-HEAP. 

Farmers have generally found out the advan- 
tage of having a dung-pit instead of a dung- 
heap ; but still the rich drainage of the dung is 
much of it allowed to run away ; the urine 
from the stables, &c. does not half of it run into 
the dung, though it is the best part, the essence 
of the whole ; and the privy manure, which is 
better still, is mostly neglected altogether. 

All drainings from the stables, cow-houses, 
and styes, should run into the pit, and the over- 
flowings should be caught in another pit, to 
throw back in dry weather. 

The following is a cheap and effectual method 
of doing all this: — When convenient, the pit 
should be on the north side of a wall, or of 



some trees, to shade off the sun ; or under a 
shed, to keep off both sun and rain ; but these 
advantages cannot always be had without too 
much cost. 

Having selected the best place for your pit, 
first lay in way soil, peat, or any soil as different 
as possible from that of your farm, and give it 
a hollow surface, like a great tea-saucer. Upon 
this lay potato stalks, and any other vegetable 
matters, easy to ferment, and thereupon a layer 
of dung. Next a layer of vegetable matter, as 
peat, turf, bark, rotten weeds, ferns, leaves, or 
any kind of dead vegetable, to increase your 
quantity ; and so every week, cover your dung 
from the stables, styes, &c. with three or four 
times as much dead vegetable matter; thus 
making up your heap in alternate layers. The 
urine should all run into the pit from stables 
and all, by narrow drains, where it will not be 
much exposed to evaporation ; and another such 
drain should lead from it to a lower pit, to catch 
the overflowings when there are any ; and keep 
them to throw back upon the dung in dry times. 
This lower pit should be deeper and smaller 
than the other, and must never be allowed to 
overflow, as that would be waste. It may con- 
tain cabbage stumps, and other things difficult 
to work, which may be thrown back upon the 
heap as they rot. 

The lower pit may be used as a store of liquid 
manure, for watering young corn, in May or 
June ; which gives it a start, and much strength- 
ens its growth. In leaky ground, the bottom of 
the pits should be staunched with clay ; and 
stones or gravel stamped in, to harden it. 

The privy should discharge into the large pit, 
if possible, or else into the small one ; and coal 
ashes (but not wood ashes,) are good to throw 
where this comes out. Saw-dust or turf-dust 
from the stacks do very well. House- washings, 
as soap-suds, &c. should also be thrown on the 
heap; but the wash of the country, and heavy 
floods of rain should not be allowed to enter it, 
but be led into the meadows by other channels. 

In wet seasons, the top should be slanted to 
turn off the rain. 

Each layer of dung being covered with a 
layer of peat or other dead vegetable matter, 
the whole heap, when finished, should be crusted 
over with way soil, or other earth, to retain the 
vapors. 

The fermentation will be slower or quicker, 
as it is more or less covered and compressed. 

Wherever your heaps are made, whether in 
the yard or the field, give them a bed of some 
sort to absorb the drainage, and crust them over 
with soil, and mix all up with the dung before 
spreading. The drainage carries down the 
strength of the heap; sometimes enough to 
kill the seed in the place where the heap stood ; 
whilst it would have been of the greatest benefit 
if spread out with the dung. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER 



119 



MOLASSES FROM APPLES BY STEAMING. 

The following excellent method for making 
use of apples, for the twofold purpose of making 
molasses from them and converting the remain- 
der into excellent food for farm stock, has just 
been discovered to us by a friend. The apples 
are placi in a hogshead made tight for the pur- 
pose, and subjected to the operation of steam. 
The saccharine juice soon begins to ooze from 
them, anil drops down to the bottom of the hogs- 
head into the vessel covering the bottom, placed 
there for the purpose, from which it passes off 
to proper receivers. The juice is subsequently 
evaporated by boiling. Sour apples onlj' have 
been operated upon in this way. The quantity 
of molasses obtained from them is ten gallons j 
for every fifteen bushels of apples, or a gallon ! 
from a bushel and a half. This molasses differs 
from sweet apple molasses in possessing a pe- 
culiar tart flavor. The apples remaining in the 
hogshead, being softened and well cooked, are 
mixed with bread or meal and this constitutes an 
excellent article of food for cattle. 

Boston Cultivator. 



written a treatise on consumption which all who 
have weak lungs should procure and read. 

Boston Evening Journal. 



For the Southern Planter. 
CURE FOR POLL EVIL. 

As soon as the place comes to a head cut it 
open and place in the wound a small lump of 
arsenic. This will entirely destroy what is de- 
nominated proud flesh. This being removed, 
rub the sore with some simple healing ointment. 
This is a certain cure. W. 



AN IMPORTANT INVENTION. 

We have been much interested in the effects 
of a small instrument having the appearance of a 
child's whistle, but performing the important 
office of inflating and distending the lungs, and 
giving them a healthy action. It almost per- 
forms miracRs. A friend who has just returned 
from Philadelphia and who has used one of these 
tubes for a fortnight, measures about four inches 
more around the chest than when he commenced 
its use ; his voice is fuller and stronger, and there 
is every indication of permanent improvement. 
This important little agent, in removing consump- 
tion i3 formed on very simple principles ; the pa- 
tient breaths entirely through a tube for four or 
five minutes, inhaling the air through one aper- 
ture, and exhaling it through a smaller aperture, 
thus retaining one quarter of each inspiration, 
which tend.s to expand the lungs. This instru- 
ment is the invention of Dr. S. S. Bose, of Phi-' 
ladelphia, a man of great talents, who makes 
that wide-spread disease, consumption, his sole 
study, and who, if hi3 directions are followed, 
promises almost to banish from the land this bale- 
ful and inveterate foe to human life. He has 



SODA BREAD. 

A correspondent of the Neivry Telegraph gives 
the following recipe for making "soda bread," 
stating that "there is no bread to be had equal 
to it for invigorating the body, promoting diges- 
tion, strengthening the stomach, and improving 
the state of the bowels." He says, "put a 
pound and a half of good wheat en meal into a 
large bowl, mix with it two teaspoonsful of 
finely powdered salt, then take a large teaspoon- 
ful of super-carbonate of soda, dissolve it in 
half a tea-cupful of cold water, and add it to 
the meal ; rub up all intimately together, then 
pour into the bowl as much very sour butter- 
milk as will make the whole into soft dough (it 
should be as soft as could possibly be handled, 
and the softer the better,) form it into a cake of 
about an inch thickness, and put it into a flat 
Dutch oven or frying-pan, with some metalic 
cover, such as an oven-lid or griddle, apply a 
moderate heat underneath for twenty minutes, 
then lay some clear live coals upon the lid, and 
keep it so for half an hour longer (the under 
heat being allowed to fall off gradually for the 
last fifteen minutes,) taking off the cover occa- 
sionally to see that it does not burn. This, he 
concludes, when somewhat cooled and moder- 
ately buttered, is as wholesome as ever entered 
man's stomach. William Clacker, Esq. of Gos- 
ford, has ordered a sample of the bread to be 
prepared, and a quantity of the meal to be kept 
for sale at the Markethill Temperance Soup and 
Coffee Rooms. — Farmers' Magazine. 



EMBOSSING ON WOOD. 

The following method of embossing on wood, 
invented by Mr. Straker, is extracted from the 
Transactions of the Society of Arts ; it may be 
used either by itself or in aid of carving, and 
depends on the fact, that, if a depression be 
made by a blunt instrument on the surface of 
wood, such depressed part will again rise to its 
original level by subsequent immersion in water. 
The wood to be ornamented having first been 
worked out to its proper shape, is in a state to 
receive the drawing of the pattern; this being 
put in, a blunt steel tool, or burnisher, or die, is 
to be applied successively to all those parts of 
the pattern intended to be in relief, and at the 
same time is to be driven very cautiously with- 
out breaking the grains of the wood, till the 
depth of the depression is equal to the subse- 
quent prominence of the figures. The ground 
is then to be reduced by planing or filing to the 
level of the depressed part, after which the piece 
of wood being placed in water, either hot or 



120 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



cold, the parts previously depressed will rise to 
their former height, and will thus form an em- 
bossed pattern, which may be finished by the 
usual operation of carving. 



From the Albany Cultivator. 

TO STOP BLEEDING. 

A few years ago, a valuable carriage horse 
of mine, took suddenly ill on a journey. A 
professed farrier in the village in which I was 
compelled to stop, advised bleeding in the mouth, 
which was done accordingly. But unfortunate- 
ly, after the animal bled more than a gallon, it 
was found impossible to stop the blood. We all 
thought the horse would bleed himself to death. 
At this crisis, a farmer happened to pass by, 
and directed an application of the fresh excre- 
ment of the swine. A small portion of this was 
immediately held on the wound made by the 
farrier's instrument, and in two minutes the blood 
was completely stopped. I have tried this simple 
though not very pleasant remedy, several times 
since, in similar cases, and with the same re- 
markable success. J. H. Young. 



MOLASSES FOR HORSES AND HOGS. 

From the Report of the Essex (Mass.) Temperance 
Society. 

From various persons we have facts fully sus- 
tained by their experience, " that three gallons 
of molasses, such as is not used for families, but 
sold only by the importers for fermentation and 
distillation, is worth as much as a bushel of 
corn. 

An experienced and good farmer says, "I 
had rather have one bushel of corn and three 
gallons of molasses for my hogs, than two 
bushels of corn without the molasses. I find 
also a good use for food of those apples that I 
used to suffer to go to decay, upon the earth. I 
refer to those, that through the defect by worms, 
or the action of the wind, fall from the trees. I 
now pick them all up, put them into a boiler, 
with potatoes, squashes, &c; and when boiled 
and become cold, — the life of the worms being 
destroyed by the process of boiling, — I then feed 
my hogs with this mixture, pouring over it a 
few quarts of molasses, very much in the same 
manner as we use the good molasses in our fa- 
milies, with bread, rice, hasty pudding, &c. — 
thus making a nutritious food, and dispensing 
entirely with the use of antimony, or any other 
regulating medicine for the animals." 

Another, who has had much experience as to 
the useful and noble animal — the horse — writes : 
" I now use molasses quite freely as food for my 
horses. If the hay is a little defective, I pour 
molasses upon it, and it is relished by the ani- 



mal. If I use oats, barley, or corn, I find the 
same process useful. It not only gives a relish 
to the fodder, — but is a good regulator of the 
bowels ; and since I have used molasses with 
their fodder, I have not lost a single horse by 
the ' worm of the maw,' generally known as 
the ' botts.' And the same is true in relation to 
other animals, oxen, cows, &c. They appear 
to thrive much better, by the use of molasses 
with their food." 

It is also among the reminiscences of a well 
known trader in horses in this country, that 
when he wishes to prepare for a speedy sale, 
those horses that he had purchased in a poor 
state, his method was to feed them somewhat 
plentifully with molasses; and in connection 
with other food, they were found to thrive with 
much greater rapidity than they otherwise were 
wont to do. 



CONTENTS OF NO. V. 



Grazing — An extension of the grazing system re- 
commended to the fanners of Eastern Virginia, p. 
97. 

Timber — Should be cut in winter, p. 98. 

Lime — Its effects upon sorrel, p. 98. 

Corn — Mr. Woodson's mode of cultivating, p. 99. 

Liberality — An instance of, p. 100. 

Report—Of the Hole and Corner Club of Mecklen- 
burg, p. 100. 

Timber — A machine for felling, with a cut, p. 101. 

Tobacco — The character and qualities of different 
kinds, p. 102. 

Ploughing — Remarks on, p. 103. 

Cabbages — To free from lice and worms, p. 104. 

Tobacco — To prevent its firing, p. 104. 

Paint — Recipe for a cheap paint, p. 104. 

Whitewash — Recipe for a brilliant whitewash, p. 104. 

Manure — Proper management of farm-yard and sta- 
ble manure, p. 105. 

Grasses — Comparative value of timothy, herdsgrass, 
orchard grass and clover, p. 107. 

Distemper — Induced by change of pasture lots, p. 107. 

Tobacco Prize — Description of one, with a cut, p. 108. 

Comments — On the January and February numbers 
of the Planter, p. 109. 

Buckwheat — Directions for the cultivation of, p. 110. 

Tobacco — An exhauster, p. 111. 

Wrinkles — Preventive of, p. 111. 

Vegetable and Animal Supporters — Essay on, p. 111. 

Report — Of the Commissioner of Patents, p. 112, 

Silk — American capabilities, p. 112. 

Grubs — Value of remedy confirmed, p. 113. 

Bommer's Manure — Description of, p. 113. 

The Seaso?i — In Indiana, p. 115. 

Threshing Machine— Exall's described, with a cut, p. 
116. 

Agricultural Clubs — Their value, p. 117. 

Composition — For preserving wood, p. 117. 

Old Meld Pines— Inquiry, p. 117. 

American Agriculkirist — Notice of, p. 118. 

Dung-Heap — Directions for managing, p. 118. 

Molasses— To be obtained from apples, p. 119. 

Poll Evil— Remedy for, p. 119. 

Lungs — Invention for exercising, p. 119. 

Soda Bread — Directions for making, p. 119. 

Engraving on Wood — Easy method, p. 119. 

Bleeding — To stop, p. 120. 

Molasses — Value of, as food for horses and hogs, p. 
120.