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THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

from the ammonia of the atmosphere, is very happy and pregnant with results. It is also probable that the absorption of saline bases is in direct ratio to the power of saturation of the acids formed in plants. These two views are a real gain to science, and it may be expected that his work will also have the merit of ex-

citing others to make correct experiments on the nutrition of plants. But he has endeavored to introduce into vegetable physiology a series of most erroneous notions, and his unbecoming outbreaks against other physiologists, have proved him to be very little acquainted with the subjects on which his book is written."

HAY PRESS

Instead of being an importer, the city of Richmond ought to be an exporter of hay, and that to a great extent. When the Yankees behold the beautiful and fertile flats that border the James River, the Appomattox, the Chickahomi-ny, and the thousand streams that intersect and water the State, they smile at the idea of their sending us hay, and confess they would almost as soon think of sending coals to Newcastle.— The adaptation of the country to the production of the grasses and the profit of the hay crop, begin to be pretty generally understood, and many who formerly purchased their hay in the Richmond market, are now preparing to sell where they used to buy. But to render this product marketable, it is absolutely necessary that it should be compressed into bales, and whereas ten years ago there were probably not a dozen hay presses in the State of Virginia, we have now frequently applications for as many in a month. We are not very conversant with the article, but we know there are a great va-

riety of them, and we presume there is great choice amongst them. At the last exhibition of the American Institute in New York, we observed a model of a press, which struck us as probably the simplest and best we had seen, and which we heard highly commended by some of the spectators, who professed themselves experienced in the use of it. We have endeavored to represent it in the engraving. The power consists of two toggel joints, which are straightened by chains passing from the ends of the long arm of each, round a windlass. From the wheel of the windlass a rope is drawn by a capstan, at which a horse or hands may work, as is most convenient. As these joints are straightened by the revolutions of the windlass, the follower is of course forced up, and the hay compressed. As the angle made by the two arms of the toggel joint become greater, that is, as they approach a straight line, the power becomes greater: this is just as it should be, for the more solid the mass becomes, the more need

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is there of power to compress it. There are various fixtures and conveniences for strapping the bale, lowering the follower, &c. that it is impossible to describe.

We took the address of the inventor and manufacturer of this press, and find it to be, L. Dedrick, Kinclerhook, Columbia County, Neiv York. The price was stated to be from $100 to $120.

CORN.

To the Editor of the Southern Planter:

Sir, —In the November number of your work you state that you have been informed that I had raised one hundred bushels of corn from an acre of land, and you desire me to furnish you with the mode of cultivation, &c, and I proceed to answer your inquiries, but being very much occupied and at the same time very unwell, you must excuse me if the details are not as full and interesting as you would expect.

I have been a cultivator of the corn crop for fifteen years, and during that time have never failed, I believe, to make such crops as attracted much attention ; yet, I have always thought, that on our rich lands are made too much stalk and too little corn, and have annually complained of my overseers for not planting my corn thick enough.

This year I determined to make an experiment of my own, uninfluenced by the advice of overseer or friends, several of whom remonstrated against the extravagance of my proposition.— For this purpose I selected a lot, which I considered very good land, though not of the first order, as it had no previous preparation for the purpose, having been indifferently used for many years, as a horse lot, watermelon patch, cabbage patch, turnip patch, and sometimes cultivated in corn: about one-third of it, it is true, was used a part of the preceding fall for a short time as a cow pen—which, by the bye, I have always had reason to believe was perhaps the best possible mode of improving land that can be adopted, to the extent that it can be carried; upon the balance of the lot I had my stacks of top fodder. In the month of May I had this land ploughed as deep as a large two-horse plough could turn it, and after having it harrowed perfectly level and fine, I had rows opened with a coulter two feet apart, and on the 18th of May the corn was planted at the distance of nine inches in these rows of two feet. A simple arithmetical calculation will show that this would give you 105 rows and 280 stalks in a row, which would make 29,400 stalks to the acre; and if each stalk would bring one good ear, estimating five hundred ears to the barrel, which with large corn is an ample allowance, the product would

be fifty-nine barrels and three bushels to the acre. Well, that I had no expectation of making to be sure, yet I thought, that by making every allowance for those stalks that would make no corn, there must still be a much larger yield (if it made anything) than we had been accustomed to.

It has been my habit for many years never to plant corn without first soaking it well, and then rolling it in plaster and ashes, a practice that I recommend with great confidence to your readers, as it not only gives the corn an early start, but preserves its color even in the dryest seasons. In this case, however, the corn was soaked and then rolled as usual and then left until the land was ready to receive it, which being a few days later than I had contemplated, occasioned it all to sprout; when it was brought out to be planted I found the sprouts generally from onedralf to an inch in length. I was at first doubtful whether I should plant it or not; at length, I concluded, as the whole affair was but an experiment, I would let that go along with it as another experiment, that might lead to some practical result, intending to examine it on the second or third day, and if I found it dead to replant it; it was planted on Friday evening—on the following Monday I examined it, and was surprised to find the corn ready to shoot out of the earth, and in many instances it had protruded; on the next day (Tuesday) it might be seen from one end of the row to the other.

When the corn was about eighteen inches high, I made a parcel of children about the house, under my own superintendence, drop about a tea-spoonful of plaster in the bud of each stalk, through about half the field ; but I was never able to see that any advantage resulted from it, which might perhaps be owing to the fact, that in rolling and laying in the plaster, the grain itself had absorbed as much as was necessary, or as much of the plaster had adhered to the grain as was necessary for the roots; for many have derived great advantage from this mode of administering the plaster, when it has not been rolled. When the corn reached the height of about two feet, I ran the coulter very deep and close to the corn on each side. I then ran what we call a skimmer between the rows, and had the earth thus loosened pulled with the hoes about the stalks as well as I could, in order to give some support to the corn, in the form of a hill. From this time the corn was never worked or touched ; it grew off so rapidly as in a short time to shade the whole surface of the field, so as to preserve the moisture and at the same time to check the growth of grass and weeds; and at the time of gathering, it was the only part of my corn land not covered with crab grass; but on that there was not a spire.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

The fodder was pulled at the usual time, which was an enormous yield, though I did not have it weighed; the tops were also cut as usual, and then I invited several gentlemen to come and see the corn gathered and measured. Four of them came, to wit, Mr. Peter W. Grubbs, Mr. Fendall Griffin, Dr. Miles George, and Mr. Samuel Perrin. Two of these gentlemen first measured the land accurately, which was less than an acre; the corn was then gathered, shucked, and measured in their presence, which yielded, as you have heard, one hundred bushels to the acre. I have never obtained a certificate of the facts from these gentlemen, as it was not my purpose to make any parade in the papers about it, (though I confess I think it the duty of every farmer to give to his brother farmers the results of such experiments, whether successful or otherwise,) and as you will probably have an opportunity of seeing them, or most of them, before I shall, I wish you would obtain it, and publish it in connection with this communication.

It should be remembered that the season was what would generally be called a good one— there was an abundance of rain, but it did not fall in such proportions, or at such times, as I thought best calculated to advance the crop; there were only two days, however, throughout the season (and that at a critical stage) that it showed signs of suffering from drought, but of course it did suffer for some days before it began to give way.

Thus far I have dealt in facts, but if you will bear with me a little while, as I have pen in hand, I will now indulge a little in speculation. The result of this experiment has served to satisfy me, that it is practicable to make one hundred and fifty bushels to the acre on our best corn lands, properly prepared, and with a good seas0 n—though with a very dry season it might bring very little. In the first place, I am convinced that this lot would have yielded me much more than it did if it had been planted with any other kind of corn than that which was planted. Some two or three years ago, I was persuaded by my neighbor Burton, who was a good practical farmer, to try what is generally known in that neighborhood as " Gooch's corn," which he represented as remarkable for producing regularly two ears to the stalk on common land— which my experience has taught me is a quality peculiar to that description of corn, and will for that reason answer a good purpose on very poor land; but it is the most indifferent corn in use for good land—for on the best land I have never been able to get more than the same two short ears, measuring about eight inches in length—and for this it must have proper room— while with the large eared gourd-seed corn on land of the same quality the yield has been more than double. By some mistake or negli-

glence on the part of my overseer, who prepared the corn for planting, this was the corn selected, although I had determined never to plant another grain of it on any quality of land that I had. This was the only piece of corn I had of that description.

Again, the ears made were small, generally of the size of the Baden com, which when I tried it, usually took 900 ears to make a barrel— and estimating 900 of these ears to the barrel, it would show that there were 18,000 stalks that produced, on an average, though some of the stalks had two ears, and by the calculation before made, there were 11,400 stalks that did not produce, which no doubt diminished in a great degree the product of the balance, as they served not only to draw heavily on the soil, but to crowd and prevent the free circulation of air. Now if these 11,400 stalks are taken out, and the remaining 18,000 are properly distributed, they would produce much larger if not a greater number of ears—so that by planting in rows three feet apart, at the distance of ten inches, it would give you 17,640 hills or stalks of corn, at which distance it must be obvious from the experiment already made, that every stalk would bear (for in that case the same number did bear, when crowded up with 11,400 that did not bear) a full ear; then estimating 6G0 ears to the barrel, which would be ample, and you would have twenty-nine barrels and two-thirds of a barrel; which with the extra ears, (for many of the stalks would produce two) would overrun the thirty barrels.

At all events, this is the experiment I mean to make next year, and from it, with a good season, I anticipate 150 bushels of corn—and I wish this communication may have the effect of inducing others to try it, if it is only upon a quarter of an acre. I have already laid off my lot and am preparing it for the trial.

Yours, &c. Jno. M. Botts.

Washington, Dec. 27, 1843.

This communication was received too late for the January number for which it was intended. We have not been able to comply with Mr. Botts' request by obtaining the certificate he alludes to, because we have seen only two of the gentlemen ; but they corroborate his statement to the fullest extent: that is as good as if a thousand had certified to it.

MANUFACTURE OF CHARCOAL.

A new process commended in the Journal des Forets, for this purpose, is to fill all the interstices in the heap of wood to be charred with powdered charcoal. The product obtained is equal in every respect to cylinder charcoal; and, independent of its quality, the quantity is very much

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greater than thatoblained by the ordinary method.

The charcoal used to fill the interstices is that left on the earth after a previous burning. The effect is produced by preventing much of the access of air which occurs in the ordinary method. The volume of charcoal is increased a tenth, and its weight a fifth.

For the Southern Planter.

REPORT OF THE UPPER HOLE AND COR-. NER CLUB OF MECKLENBURG.

The Committee appointed at the last meeting of the Club to report how far the existence of the Club has been beneficial, and what are its prospects of usefulness to the members and the community, report,

That the great object of all agricultural associations is to give an impulse to agricultural improvement, and to elicit agricultural information. That an impulse has been given to improvement among us, there can be no doubt, and chiefly through the instrumentality of this humble association. Men are so constituted as to need constant stirring up, in any good cause, and agriculture, more than any other interest, stands constantly in need of those stimulants that are found in a constant and faithful comparison of plans and their results; and so varied are the branches connected with this interesting pursuit, that there is no man, however well informed in it, who may not gain some information by mixing and comparing notes with his brethren. We have in this Institution not only the means of deriving light from writings on the subject, but we can once a month become eye witnesses of our neighbors' improvements. It is not only the giving an impulse to improvement, but keeping up that impulse, and keeping alive our interest, that is important—and we know of no plan so well calculated for both these purposes as ours. When we ride over each other's farms, every thing that is calculated to save labor or facilitate any of the operations of the farm, strikes us at once, and by comparison we find out our own faults, which is indispensable to improvement. The remarks made on our management by the members and enforced more fully by the reports of the committees, are not likely to be soon forgotten, and however plain and pointed they may be, they should ever be regarded by the subject of them, as any thing but kindnesses; for among those who constitute our Club, there can never be any other but kind motives in such remarks. Many of the Club think they have been benefited not only by seeing the operations on the f,i.rrns of others, but by having their zeal and interest constantly awaken ed.

Your Committee feel persuaded that if our Club only has the effect to give an impulse to

the interesting and important cause of agricultural improvement, it is well worthy of our persevering efforts. But when they really do believe that general good is resulting from it, and that it is disclosing itself on almost every farm in the vicinity, and that it is kindling up more and-more the spirit of improvement, they cannot but look forward with the most confident assurance, of its future usefulness. Every step that we take serves to convince the members of the Club that we have only to pursue the even tenor of our way to insure for this portion of the agricultural community enviable success and distinction in the accomplishment of our great object.

But there is another view in which the Committee feel called on to speak of the beneficial influence of the Club of no less interest or importance than agricultural improvement, and that is its bearing on the improvement of the social feelings and relations; and in this view we feel assured there can be but one opinion.— Have not all of us been made to feel that we live not alone for ourselves ? Have we not felt like brothers of one great family ? Is there not a drawing together, a feelings that there exists among us a common interest? And do we not entertain a warm-hearted sympathy for and with one another? This is as it should be, and we should be bound together like a band of brothers—make common cause in behalf of agriculture and social happiness, and suffer no trifling cause to cool our zeal or mar our good feelings. We have need to be united in these feelings; for agriculture has to bear the brunt against the hostility of every other pursuit; as if instead of being their " nursing mother," she were their deadly enemy—but we will not pursue these reflections farther lest we tread upon the forbidden ground of " politics."

There is one more view in which the Committee feel themselves called on to notice the good effect of this Association. It has driven the strife of party politics from the field. All of this Club know full well how often the harmony of neighborship is interrupted by the strife of party. The patriot heart is often made to bleed over the desecration of our noble institutions to purposes of party; but the demon of party is not allowed to enter here. Here we can shake each other by the hand and no rankling spirit of opposition embitters our intercourse, and here we can honestly feel that our great object is the general good.

With these views the Committee leave the subject with the Club, hoping that every man present feels with them on the subject, and is resolved that we shall hold many anniversary meetings, and that with every year of its existence we may find added reasons for its continuance. A. C Morton,

H. L. Jeffries.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

HOW TO RAISE A BLISTER.

The Lancet gives the following quick and simple mode of raising a blister:

"The surgeon cuts a piece of brown paper of the size and shape he intends vesicating. This being well damped or moistened wilh water, is placed on the limb affected, a smoothing iron, (such as is used by washer-women,) being previously well heated, is applied over the moistened paper; this plan produces a vesicated surface almost instantaneously, being effected by the steam generated by the contact of the hot iron and moistened paper. This method of blistering, being more speedy and less painful than that commonly adopied, is now generally used in all cases where it is a matter of importance to procure immediate vesication."

keep them from wilting and fading in summer, when cut from the plant, they should be immediately immersed in clean water, by which the pores will be filled with water, and exhausiion prevented, and the flowers will remain in a fresh state. To continue them fresh, the water should be occasionally changed, cut off half an inch or an inch, of the stem, according to its length. This will again open the pores and a renewed freshness will arise.— Jimerican Flower Garden.

For the Southern Planter. CURE FOR TETTER WORM, &c.

JVLr. Editor, —I have been a subscriber to the Southern Planter for two years, and I have been much pleased and benefitted by reading it. I now feel a desire to throw in my mite, by informing the public the result of my experience in the cure of tetter-worm of six or seven years standing, ring-worm, shingles, scald-head, and two cases which were both pronounced to be cancer. I am prompted to this from no other i motive but a desire to be instrumental in alle-' viating human suffering. Should you think ' this communication worth a place in your valuable paper, 3'ou will give it room. I could get the most satisfactory certificates as to the efficacy of the plaster which I will hasten now to describe.

Take strong soft soap, country made, and add gunpowder, made very fine by grinding or beating, until it forms a plaster; spread it on the sore something like one-fourth of an inch thick ; put a piece of cloth over it to press it close down to the sore; let it remain twelve hours; take it off, wash the sore clean with soapsuds, and repeat, say two or three times. In no case have I known it applied more than three times, and in every case it has proved effectual in curing. I confess that I am not sufficiently acquainted with the rationale of the process to say which of the articles composing the plaster possesses the quality of effecting the cure; or whether a combination of the whole is required. This I must leave to some of your readers who are better qualified than I am, to decide.

Thos. A. Hope.

Louisa Co., Va., November, 1843.

For the Southern Planter. ASHES WILL NOT PREVENT RUST.

JWr. Editor, —Having occasion to send an experienced friend some of the Red May wheat for seed, I accompanied it with a long extract from the article in your August number upon the value of ashes in preventing rust. In return, he writes me, " Being aware of this theory, I applied ashes and lime liberally last year. Finer wheat I never saw ; but just while it was in the milk state, a warm, rainy spell set in, and ruined the crop. Ashes and lime will do almost any crop some, and in many instances, much good, but so far as my knowledge goes, if it is warm and damp while the wheat, or any other small grain, is in the milk state, it will rust, certain. Nor is it confined to grain, but my weeds, and even my blackberry bushes, do not escape."

Your obedient servant,

J. H. Lownes.

Brookland, Henrico, November, 1843.

MANAGEMENT OF CUT FLOWERS.

To preserve cut flowers, such as the dahlia and succulent kinds, in a fresh manner, and to

For the Southern Planter. RIPE BREAD.

Mr. Editor, —Mrs. Dorothy Dumpling is right in commending bread several days old. Both science and experience prove it to be far whole-somer, as it is unquestionably more economical, than bread just baked. Yes, economical, in saving not only flour, but doctor's fees and time lost by sickness.

Ripe bread, besides parting with the poisonous carbon, and imbibing nutritious oxygen in the clean cupboard, (as pointed out by Mrs. Dumpling,) promotes health for another reason. It is eaten more slowly, because it cannot easily be swallowed without perfect chewing. In this process it becomes thoroughly mixed with saliva (spittle). Moreover, each mouthful goes to the stomach so deliberately, that the gastric juice has time to mingle perfectly with it before another mouthful goes down to interfere with the combination: and the mingling of this juice with the food, is the chief essential to digestion. The gastric juice is a liquor, powerfully solvent, issuing in small drops from the inner coating of the stomach, whenever food enters it. If the

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food goes down too fast, or badly chewed, the juice, which exudes in very small quantities, and at intervals of forty or fifty seconds, cannot mix with it, at least for too long a time: so that it lies too long undigested in the stomach, and lays the foundation of disorder in that organ.— Now, it is ascertained that the time which the gastric juice requires to mingle with a moderate mouthful of food, is precisely that which is requisite to chew it well. And ripe bread, both by the small mouthfuls and the thorough chewing it enforces, most happily meets that requirement of the stomach. Chewing the food is important, not only in making it finer, and so causing it to mix more readily with the gastric juice, but in blending saliva, which is nature's preparative for digestion.

These considerations, fortified by universal experience in Great Britain and our own eastern States, make the superior wholesomness of bread some days old, perfectly manifest. The number of days is not very material, from one to seven.

It is a pity that physicians do not bend their attention to this and other points of Hygeine; to prevention of disease, by proper diet, clothing, exercise, &c, rather, than merely to its cure.— But if they will not, then the farmers (who may almost be called the community,) should themselves take heed to these things, as a part of domestic economy. Surely, the worst prodigality is that of health.

Respectfully, yours,

Medicus.

January, 1844.

BARN YARDS.

It is generally recommended by intelligent fanners to make barn yards with a hollow in the middle, that they may receive in the centre and there retain all the liquid manure and rains that run through the manure, as the liquid matter from yards of a different construction runs away, and is often wasted, or applied to lands already sufficiently rich. This plan, though good in point of economy, as it saves manure, is liable to an important objection; a pond of manure and water in the centre of the yard is very inconvenient, the cattle are running into it, and sometimes it is frozen over, so that cattle are liable to injury on the ice.

The Scotch method of constructing barn yards obviates this objection. The yard declines from every part toward one side, that all the liquid may run in that direction; then adjoining the yard is a depression, which is made the receptacle of liquid from the yard, and here are placed various substances to absorb it. In the yard should be placed prjat, mud, muck, turfs, loam, litter, and other substances, as may be convenient, to absorb liquid manure. Some farmers

e sand when they intend to apply the manure Vol. IV.-5

to moist, heavy soils, and clay when the manure is to be applied to light soils.

For convenience in passing in the yard it is best to have the manure removed in the fall, and when laid in heaps in the field it may be saved from waste by covering it with loam. When carried to the field late in the fall, and applied to the land and covered in the soil early in the spring, there will be but little fermentation in this cold part of the year, consequently but little waste.— Boston Cultivator.

GENUINE GOOD SEED CORN.

We extract the following from a letter received from Mr. J. S. Skinner, the original Editor of the American Farmer. We will take it as a personal favor, if any of our friends having the variety of corn described by Mr. Skinner, will send a bushel or two of it to our office, that we may forward it to him. Mr. Skinner's long and devoted attachment to the cause of agriculture, entitles him to such a courtesy from every farmer in the Union.

:i Do you know of any one who still cultivates the old-fashioned genuine yellow gourd-seed corn—from whom a bushel or two could be had in the ears— long narrow grain shrivelled at the top, with very often from twenty to thirty rows on an ear ? I have seen them with forty!! that being the result of a selection of seed for a series of years, with exclusive reference to the number of rows. The farmer may cultivate into great excess and extravagance any particular quality or part of vegetables, as he can of domestic animals. It was thus, I dare say, that sheep have been reared to have tails weighing fifty pounds.

In great haste and in great respect,

Your obedient servant,

J. S. Skinner."

For the Southern Planter.

APPLICATION OF MANURES.

Hanover, Jan. 11, 1844.

Mr. Editor,—I send you below a translation from a treatise on gardening, published in France in 1805, which I accidentally got hold of a few daj's back. My object in giving vou this extract, is to show that the application of manure by exposing it on the surface of the soil during the winter, (a mode which I am fully satisfied, is, next to top-dressing in the spring, the best way to apply manures of all kinds,) was recommended in France as far back as the commencement of the present century. The author's reasons in favor of it are brief, but clear and correct.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

It may also call the attention of your readers to the great advantage of adapting peculiar manures to peculiar soils.

Your obedient servant, X.

" However rich a soil may be by nature, it insensibly becomes impoverished by continual cultivation; the principles of vegetation diminish ; the plants having less nourishment are sickly and ill-grown, and the soil becomes weary of affording the particles for the sustenance of the same kinds of plants; it is necessary to change the plants and not to sicken the soil.

" When a soil becomes exhausted by a continued course of production, its labors are insufficient.

" To sustain and perpetuate the fertility of a soil, the salts of which it has been deprived must be returned to it by manuring. All that the earth produces or nourishes can be converted into manure. Vegetables, the excrement of animals, animals themselves whether aquatic or terrestrial, are suitable to foster and augment the fertility of the earth when their parts decompose by corruption, mix with the earth, or rather return to earth, amalgamating with the soil and returning to it the salts and juices of which they had been formed or nourished. Among the minerals themselves, salt, marl, chalk and all matters the salts of which can become detached and dissolved, fertilize the earth. The manures best known and most generally employed for the amelioration of land, are the excrements of animals properly rotted and decomposed. But what kind of manure is suitable for the different kinds of soils'? When and how should they be employed? For not only do all manures furnish salts to the soils, but some serve to give warmth, quickness and action to them, and some soils require more salts than others, whilst others only want heat to render them active. The excrement of the horse, when new, produces a heat equal to that of fire; this is very suitable for correcting the defects of compact, cold and slow soils; and if this should prove not sufficiently efficacious it will be well to substitute the dung of sheep, or to mix them a little. Poudrette would be still better. The dung of kine, which has less heat but is rich and unctuous, suits light and warm soils, the particles of which being too thin and dilated, require binding and cohesion to preserve their freshness and moisture. Bury manures too deep and you render them useless, you place the nutritious particles beyond the reach and extension of the roots of the plants.

" Winter is the true time for applying manure. Stir the soil deeply and leave the manure upon the surface, there to remain during the winter. Being thus spread out during the winter, it becomes entirely decomposed, and the rains de-

taching the salts mix them and incorporate them into the particles of the soil. In the spring, work the soil less deeply, burying the manure. Many insects deposite their eggs in the manure ; it being exposed on the surface during the winter, the frosts and rains cause the most of them to perish, whilst were they preserved by being covered in the winter, they would hatch in the spring, and the worms that were produced would create much havoc."

We shall be most happy to receive from our correspondent the "selections" to which he alludes in his private note, having the most entire faith that they will redound to the entertainment and instruction of our readers.

ROOTS FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES.

In a communication recently made by Dr. Houlton, he states that all roots should be taken up at the time that their leaves die, as they then abound with the proper secretions of the plant. This rule has no exception—it applies to the roots of trees, shrubs, herbs, root-stocks, bulbs, cormi, and tubers, and it includes that curious plant, colchicum, whose flowers only appear in the autumn, and its leaves and fruit the following spring and summer. Biennial roots must be taken up in the first year of their duration; as, when the leaves decay in the second year, their roots are either decayed, or merely dry woody fibre. Roots intended to be preserved should be dried as soon as possible after they have been dug up; the large tree roots, especially the more juicy, dry better in their entire state than when sliced.— Medical Gazette.

For the Southern Planter. PATTERN FARM AT THE UNIVERSITY.

JYIr. Editor, —In looking over an old volume of the American Farmer, in some remarks on a lecture of Dr. Rush, on the diseases of domestic animals, published in that number as far back as October, 1822, Mr. Skinner, the then proprietor and editor, of that work, makes the following remarks. Will you let us know how far his fond anticipations have been fulfilled 1

" That illustrious and revered philosopher and philanthropist, more than thirty years since recommended that agricultural exercises and competitions should be made a part of scholastic amusements; and we rejoice to learn that those who may be justly denominated the wise men of Virginia (the noblest of titles) have it in contemplation to establish a Professorship of Agriculture at their University near Charlottesville ; comprehending in their plan a pattern farm where every operation of husbandry and horticulture will be exhibited upon scientific princi-

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pies, and causes and effects philosophically explained and illustrated. Such a scheme is worthy of men who have honored, while they enjoyed the highest honors of their country.— Should it receive from the agricultural community of that enlightened State the countenance it deserves we venture to predict, with confidence, that the young men of Virginia will turn to the study of agriculture as to an honorable and elegant science. That Physic and the Law will no longer be exclusively regarded as the only learned professions, and their votaries will cease, like worms and locusts to cumber the earth, as they were threatening to do."

Will you let us know if time has proved these ardent hopes and predictions to have been the foreshadowing of coming events—or, was it a

fancy sketch ?

S.

We served our own apprenticeship to learning at this University, about fifteen years ago, where we believe we obtained a smattering of every thing else upon the face of the earth, except of the great business that occupies the time and constitutes the profession of seven-eighths of the sons of Virginia. We doubt very much if there was ever a man within the walls of our Alrna Mater, who could turn a furrow, or who would not have starved if he had had to rely upon a " pattern farm" for a support.

TO CATCH RATS.

Thirty-six rats have been taken in one night by the following plan:—Take a smooth kettle, fill it to within six inches of the top with water, cover the surface with chaff, or bran, then place it in the evening where the rats harbor.

For the Southern Planter.

CORRECTION.

Mr. Editor, —I wish to correct an error in 3'0ur last number which ascribes to Mr. Fea-therstonaugh the authorship of an article inserted in the " Farmer's Encyclopedia." The truth is, the paper <! On the Influence of Climate upon Fruitfulness of Plants" was not written by a stranger, a citizen of the North, or by any one who could be suspected of being in the least degree influenced by feelings inimical to the South. In the " Cultivator" for November, we have expressly stated that the able article referred to, was an original communication made several years since by a citizen of South Carolina, who had been born and educated altogether in the South, where he owned large possessions, situated chiefly in the States of Alabama and Mississippi. Hailing myself from the South of Mason and Dixon'3 line, where I have some in-

terests at stake, and still more, those of an extensive connexion of relatives and friends, I think I ought to be exonerated from any suspicion of design to depreciate Southern interests. It is one of the last things I should choose to do.— Had there been a feeling of the kind in me, either latent or avowed, one might expect to meet with evidences of it in various parts of an extensive work embracing 1,165 pages, in which the productions of the South are frequently treated of at considerable length. But if there be a single treasonable passage under the heads of Corn, Cotton, Tobacco, Rice, Sugar, &c. it is entirely unknown to me. Not but that a mischief-maker might so disjoint a passage or pervert its sense as to impose a wrong meaning.— But little art is required to do this. The paper which, it appears, I have been denounced for republishing, may contain some errors, but after reading it again I cannot help saying that I should feel proud in being able to avow myself its author. It is, as you well know, a common thing to find the best friends submitting without the least umbrage to language and treatment which w r ould be resented from strangers or persons supposed to be unfriendly. The intention it is that constitutes the harm.

Before closing this communication, permit me, Mr. Editor, to offer you my sincere thanks for the courtesy which distinguishes your remarks, as well as for the kind manner in which you have on several occasions spoken of and commended the Farmer's Encyclopedia, a work now completed, and which has been extremely well received from one end of the Union to the other. It must, I think, prove of great value to the intelligent and educated portion of my countrymen, spread over a land teeming with the sources of agricultural prosperity, which only require intelligence and industry for their development. With the exertion of these, there is nothing to prevent even the thousands of acres now abandoned to commons, from rivalling and even excelling the original fruitfulness exhibited in the davs of our ancestors.

Yours, respectfully, Editor of the Farmer's Encyclopedia.

For the Southern Planter. TOBACCO.—LIME.

Mr. Editor ,—A difference of opinion exists among planters relative to the greater loss of tobacco in the process of sun and fire curing.— To satisfy my own mind upon this subject, I determined to make an experiment which would fairly test the two modes ; and as it may be of service to the public, to communicate the result to you, to be published in the Planter.

In the month of September I selected eighteen plants of tobacco, cut the same day, of nearly

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

the same size and appearance as possible, divided them into two parcels of nine plants each, and then weighed each parcel separately. The first weighed 16^ pounds, and the second, 16-J pounds. The former was put on a stick, marked and put in a secure place in the sun, to cure— the latter was also put on a stick, marked, carried to a tobacco-house and placed on the ground tier of a house, then ready for curing, and the process commenced immediately. The stick which was in the sun, when cured, was put in the house; and about a fortnight ago, both sticks of tobacco were taken down, in good order, stripped, and tied into bundles by my overseer and myself and carefully weighed. The fire cured weighed 3 pounds and f of an ounce,

and the sun cured weighed 2 pounds 8 ounces. From this experiment, it appears that there is a difference of about 20 per cent, in favor of the fire curing process.

In January last I made an experiment with lime to ascertain if it would be a preventive to rust in wheat. I had about eighty bushels to the acre spread on a part of a field then in wheat, on another pari of the same field about twenty bushels to the acre, and on the residue, none.— The whole field rusted badly, the limed as well as the unlimed, nor was I able to discover any difference whatever. Respectfully,

Richard G. Morriss.

Buckingham, Jan. 3, 1844.

For the Southern Planter.

CHURN.

JMr. Editor, —In accordance with the request contained inan editorial in the December number of the Planter, I furnish you with the above plan (though not an original one) of a churning apparatus. The great ease with which it is worked, together with the cheapness and simplicity of the construction, are its recommendation. In the above plan, a front view of the posts, roller and handle is given, also a lateral view of the beam with the churn staffs hooked to each end, and the handle attached to the: centre. This handle has several holes bored ! through it to admit of a wooden pin. The I

roller has an iron pin driven into each end ; these pins rest upon brass castings let into the top of the posts, or it may be made entirely of wood, which would be cheaper, but not so durable.— There is a mortise cut in the centre of the roller through which the beam is passed, securely pinned and braced to the handle. The posts are 7 feet high, 3 feet apart, and firmly braced. The beam is 7 feet long and the handle 5.—■ The churns should stand upon a level plank set between the posts under the beam. The length of the staffs should be so regulated that when the machine is at rest, the dashers will hang in

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37

the centre of each churn. The handle, roller, and beam, must be as light as they can be made to give them sufficient strength. To put the churn in motion it is necessary to stand between the posts, put a pin through the handle and move it to and fro which will give the staffs the requisite perpendicular motion.

F. L. H. Louisa, Dec. 12, 1843.

DUTCH METHOD OF PRESERVING MILK FOR A LONG VOYAGE.

Take any number of bottles you wish to have filled, scald them thoroughly, turn them upon the nose in the sun until they are perfectly dry ; then milk from the cows into the bottles, and cork thern tight; the bottles are then put in a kettle, packed with straw or hay, and water poured in until they are covered. After being boiled, the milk is fit for use, and may be preserved sweet for months.

The gentleman who communicated the above to the Yankee Farmer, says that he has tasted of milk thus prepared, which had made a voyage from Amsterdam to Batavia and back, and from thence to New York—the milk was as sweet as when first drawn from the cow.

LIME.—STRAW CUTTERS. To the Editor of the Southern Planter:

Sir, —Agreeably to my promise, though long delayed, I now proceed to give you the result of my experiments with lime. In 1840 I applied lime broadcast upon clover in its second year's growth; when about ten inches high I strewed it upon different lots, according to my estimates, ten, fifteen, twenty and twenty-five bushels per acre. All of these lots were then ploughed with a four-horse plough and turned tinder seven or eight inches; the land was then prepared in May, hilled and planted in tobacco. At housing time. I could perceive no superiority in the size of the plants over previous crops grown upon the same lots. I have no doubt I erred greatly in top-dressing and ploughing so deep. In October these lots were well prepared and well seeded in wheat; at harvest it stood well; although very tall, none fell down, which was remarkable, as portions of it generally fell of previous years. I think it fairly ascribable to the lime; my scythemen said it cut harder than common, and I thought the enamel, or exterior coat of the straw, was thicker, and contained more silex, an immense advantage in our low-ground wheat, as portions of it are apt to fall.

In 1842,1 fallowed a large square of low-grounds in clover, (the ploughing as before stated) harrowed it down, and shovelled over it from the tail of a cart, by rny estimate, sixty-

four bushels of lime to the acre'; the ground looked as if covered with snow. It was then well harrowed under—at the proper season it was prepared and planted in tobacco, which lived well and grew off well, much better than the previous year with no better seasons; at housing time, I saw the plants were larger and ripened unusually well. Your readers will remark the difference in quantity of lime as well as the difference in the mode of application. In October, this land was fallowed and put in white May wheat, two bushels to the acre, and although a rust season, and the red wheats were much injured, the grain of my wheat was perfect, and weighed sixty-two pounds per bushel; the yield per acre was twenty-five bushels. I have seeded of this kind of wheat, the white May, the past season, about six hundred bushels, which will enable me to supply many farmers upon James river.

In 1842, I composted lime, straw, and earth in alternate layers, in heaps of ten or twelve feet long, and about four feet high, making the surface concave and inserting stake holes, which catch and conduct the rain water down through the mass and expedite decomposition. This mode is not equal, perhaps, to Mr. Bommer's process, about which, however, I have not heard much favorbly said of late ; I hope it will not prove a humbug, which in these times is a prevailing epidemic. This compost in May was spaded down and well mixed, and applied to young com, a double-handful to a hill, and earthed over immediately, the sooner the better. It acted promptly, and although it did not add much to the growth of stalk, it forced out good ears. This application was in an upland field, and upon the poorest part of the field. I judged it augmented the quantity of corn about twenty per cent. I am decidedly of opinion, that the most beneficial way of using lime, is in compost, and this mode I shall in future pursue.— Now is the season to prepare it upon the farm-pen, which should be small, even if the stock be large in number—cover it over entirely with corn-stalks, rake around your straw-ricks for the refuse straw, and scatter it over; and it will fall in the interstices between the stalks, and form a good bed for your cattle ; all over this mass strew fifteen or twenty bushels of lime, and add every week a re-lay of straw, leaves, shucks, top fodder, and whatever else is upon the farm that will decompose, together with soil from hedgerows, ditch banks, and swamp mud, the liming to be repeated if to be procured, otherwise, use plaster. Manage your stable and hog-house in the same manner; the latter will make half as much manure as the former. If leaves can be procured they are to be preferred, as straw is liable to produce the mange, especially in white haired hogs. In March, clean out your stable and hog-house, and upturn yo/

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER,

farm-pen with strong three-pronged hoes, making one or two heaps, the larger the better, to receive the rains and bring on fermentation. In April, commence hauling out, which is, and ought to be, a heavy job, for labor in making and applying manure is more profitable than any other work done upon a farm.

I will now give you an experiment upon land run down by long continued cultivation in tobacco. I have a little paddock of ground containing eight thousand tobacco hills, that has been cultivated in tobacco sixteen years successively with a light dressing of manure annually ; fourteen of which crops were tolerably good, the fifteenth, a failure. The sixteenth year I determined to try it again, to ascertain whether I could not restore back to the land that particular food the plant required, by successive application of manure of different kinds. On one division was applied stable and hog-house manure—on the second, farm-pen—on the third, mineral compost—on the fourth, leached and unleached ashes; the whole was an entire failure, which evidently shows the great importance of a rotation of crops, and proves, that land in such condition, cannot be restored or rendered fertile by quantity or quality of manure; I mean, for the same crop ; for had the land been in corn, I think it had sufficient fertility to have produced fifty bushels to the acre.

In conclusion, Mr. Bolts, permit me to say, that after having purchased a variety of straw cutters, the celebrated Green's, amongst others, 1 procured one of yours, amongst the earliest made, and after a trial of four years, I do not hesitate to say, that, in my opinion, they are infinitely preferable to any that I ever saw, and as such, I unhesitatingly recommend them to the farmers of the southern country. It is the only cutter I have ever seen that is perfectly manageable in the hands of negroes.

Yours, respectfully,

Chs. Yancey. Buckingham, January, 1844. P. S.—You see that I have left a blank in which you may insert anything with respect to the cutter you think proper, for I do not well know how too much can be said in its praise.

C. Y.

We prefer leaving the blank to be filled by the imaginations of our readers.

been fed exclusively on milk, I was induced to look into the composition of an article which is thus capable of supporting animal life, without any other food, and of building up such carcasses, composed of bones, meat, fat, skin, bristles, hoofs, &c.

Chemists say that cows' milk is composed of the following articles, viz:

Cheese, - - - 4-48 per cent. Butter, - 3-13 "

Sugar of milk, - - 4-77 " Salts and mucus, 0-60 "

Water, - - - 87-C2 "

From the Farmers' Cabinet. MILK.

Having recently seen a litter of fine pigs of four months old, that have increased in weight, a pound a day, each, since their birth, and had

100 00

And the above articles, when analyzed, are found to be composed of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and various saline and earthy substances.

A French chemist states, in treating on the phenomena presented from microscopic observation, in the transformation of cream into butter, that the cream consists of the globules of the milk, which rise to the surface from their lightness, and which contain the butter in the form of pulp, enveloped in a white, thin and elastic pellicle. The action of the churn, he says, produces nothing more than the rupture of the pellicle, and it is the fragments of this pellicle which whiten the liquid called buttermilk.

When cows are fresh and are fed with nutritious food, the quantity of butter contained in these pellicles is greater, and the covering is thinner, and consequently less agitation in the churn breaks them, and the butter comes much sooner than it does when they are fed sparsely on articles containing but little nutriment.

The sugar of milk is obtained by evaporating the whey to the consistence of honey; the saccharine matter remaining dissolved in the whey after the curd is formed. A.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SOUTHERN PLANTER AND ITS READERS.

The first number of the Planter for 1844 is at hand, and I greet it with renewed pleasure as an acquaintance and companion. Some years since this paper was an infant, and consequently had not the grave and majestic appearance and gait of maturity. I then contributed to its nurture, hoping that it would soon arrive to gigantic manhood, and walk forth in every direction to execute its office; and that hope has been realized. I wish the Editor prosperity, and especially do I wish the country prosperity; and to this end it should be remembered that zeal and ability are required on the part of the Editor, and contributions of money and essays are required on the part of the community. From a slight personal acquaintance

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39

with the Editor, and intimate acquaintance with the Planter, I believe that said Editor is both willing and able to perform his part well; and I do hope that the community will come forward with liberal support. The Southern Planter is the only agricultural work now published in Virginia, and I pronounce it, without fear of contradiction, the most valuable to a Virginian of any work of the like kind now extant.

I am glad to see that no communication is rejected by the Editor merely because the name of Mr. Clubfist or Mr. Anti-Syntax is at the bottom. The diamond is valuable although in the rough garb of nature ; and so of much information which can be obtained from illiterate yet reflecting and industrious men. By the above remark I do not intend to signify that there are not abundance of learned farmers in the Commonwealth, for the contrary is known, the world over. The Southern Planter is now handsomely supported in any and every sense, but I am not half satisfied. I desire to see its every page filled with valuable communications and intercommunications, so that as improvements occur we shall be enabled to reap their benefit, without waiting for their natural slow travel to us. Labor is to man both a curse and blessing, and although it is obvious that without incurring the curse there will no blessing ensue, yet if in the act of securing the blessing, the curse may by the ingenuity of man be palliated, then it is tantamount to an increase of blessing; for it is evident that if the ingenuity or inventive power of man can, in part, be substituted for labor, then a part of the curse is remitted ; and if by a combination of ingenuity and industry, a double crop can be produced, then the blessing is doubled, and man blessed indeed.

If my efforts shall be considered worth promulgation, I shall continue to write ; and if my ability equalled my zeal, I would never cease to write until the eyes and ears of my fellow-craftsmen should be extensively opened to their own interest and that of our beloved common country. Virginia was once great, and if I had a few more drops of my " Uncle Toby's" blood in my veins, I would say that ere long she shall not only be great again, but shall be the greatest of the great. Who will come to the rescue? Let no false pride cause a great man to withhold his experience and name from the public. Let him not be ashamed to see his name written in the same book with that of Bob, or Dick, or Dorothy Dumpling, or his humble servant.

In addition to the late subscription I send the Editor two dollars for new subscribers.

Za. Dbummond,

Amherst, Jan. 10, 1844.

We are grateful to Mr. Druminond not only for his kind wishes, but for his ardent support.

He has ever shown himself the able, zealous and steadfast friend of the Planter, and the devoted promoter of the agriculture of his native State.

RECIPES.

For Burns. —Burns or scalds may be relieved, and speedily cured, by an application of ink and raw cotton, to take out the fire, and a salve of lard and Jamestown weed, to heal the wound. The salve is made by stewing the leaves or seeds of the weed- in lard, and straining through any thin cloth. This is an excellent article for sores of any kind. Fresh cuts are soon healed by its use, and if you have a horse with galls or sore back this is a superior remedy. Every family would act wisely to always have the salve in readiness.

Another. —Another good remedy for burns is a preparation, one part of laid, one part of rosin, and a half part of turpentine, simmered together till all are completely melted. The burns, with an application, should be washed daily and dressed with fresh ointment.

For Chopped Hands and Lips. —Wash two or three times in the day with tincture of lobelia, or steam-doctors' No. 6. Honey mixed with water is said to be good.

For Croup. —Roast an onion, slice it, and press out the juice; mix this with honey or brown sugar, forming a syrup, and a tea-spoonful every fifteen minutes till your child is relieved. This is convenient and a good remedy.

For Corns. —Keep them closely trimmed, wear large shoes, and you will never suffer much pain ; by perseverance you will, perhaps, outlive your corns.

For Tetters and Ringworms. —Procure the roots of ,lhe yellow or narrow-leaf dock, bruise them and soak them in good apple vinegar, and rub the tetter or ringworm three times in the day till a cure is effected. This is a certain remedy, except where the nails of the fingers are diseased.

Another. —Bruised mullen leaves and vinegar constitute an excellent remedy. It is said to be a sure restorative of the nails, particularly if the patient does not become weary in welldoing.

For Cross Words and Bloody Deeds. — If you find yourself angry, pause long enough to count ten before you speak, and if you think there is danger of your doing violence, think of the "judgment" and offer up a short prayer before you strike the first blow, and you will feel a brave and delightful relief.

For Head-ache. —Examine the cause. If it is cold feet, put on woollen stockings and

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER,

thick shoes. If the cause is a foul stomach, take a vomit, and do not gormandise when you eat.

To Select a Good Wife. —Choose a woman who has been inured to industry, and is not ashamed of it. Be sure she has a good constitution, good temper, and has not been accustomed to "dashing" without knowing the value of the means, is not fond of novels, and has no giddy and fashionable relations, and you need inquire no further— she is a fortune.

To Select a Good Husband. —Let the man of your choice be one who is punctual in his promises, and is industrious, sober and frugal. He should not smoke cigars, read "fashionable" books, or visit balls and theatres. Let him be dignified and have common sense, and all is well.— Tennessee Agriculturist.

For the Southern Planter. RUTA BAGA.

Mr. Editor, —I think you have fully and fairly earned the dollar paid you by me, for the third volume of the Planter, and I think, also, that I have been benefited at least a score of them by reading it.

Out of the many advantages that I have derived from reading the work, I will relate only one, as that is fresh in my mind. I was induced, from reading Mr. Bement's communication in your February number, to try a small patch of ruta bagas the past summer. 1 accordingly, prepared a piece of ground fifty-seven yards in length, by thirty in width, and planted it in turnips: I have this day had ihem gathered and housed, and the product is eleven four-ox loads; all heaped up, equal at least to four hundred and fifty bushels. The cart will hold forty-five bushels of shelled corn.

I am, respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

James Semple.

Miller's Tavern, Essex, Bee. 9, 1843.

LOCK-JAW IN A HORSE.

Loraine gives an account of successful treatment for this disease. A mare, from severe treatment, had a violent attack of the lock-jaw, and after it had continued nearly a day, the animal was incapable of rising, and seemed to be in the agonies of death. Dr. Devves was consulted, who having been informed by Dr. Rush that he had cured a horse of the lock-jaw by dashing cold water over him, recommended this treatment. Thirty or forty buckets of water were dashed over her head and body with despatch. But little effect was produced, and in about two hours the bathing was repeated, and then the clenching of the jaws was a little re-

laxed. A third was tried and she bit the grass around her, though unable to swallow it. A fourth enabled her to eat, and the next day she was well, and for three years, the time the account was given, she had been as healthy and active as ever.— Farmers' Gazette.

For the Southern Planter. TOBACCO PRIZE.

Mr. Editor, —I have received the last number of the Planter for 1843, and for the great value I set upon the work, I wish it continued. I consider it my duty to say to you that the dollar paid you for this volume, is the best spent money I ever laid out. I would not take five hundred dollars for what it has done for me. Amongst other valuable information, is a description of a tobacco prize, which, with some little alterations, I find to be the most complete thing of its kind I have ever seen, and indeed it is admitted to be so by, I may say, one hundred and fifty persons at least who have seen it in this neighborhood. It is entirely simple, and can be built for ten dollars. It is no small consideration that would induce me to forego my new prize and substitute for it any other I have ever seen. It avoids all the hard labor and danger, and makes prizing an easy job. 1 have in the presence of some eighteen or twenty of my neighbors taken off my weights, hoisted my beam, taken out my blocks, and prized them in thirty seconds, by a watch held by Robert Mitchell, Esq., the Clerk of our Court. The whole labor can be performed by boys.

Yours, respectfully,

Albert G. Williams.

Bedford, Dec. 10,1843.

The prize alluded to, is, we presume, the one engraved and described in the May number of our last volume, the same referred to in the last number, as the invention of Mr. Wm. Thompson, of Louisa. From all we hear from other sources, we doubt not that this prize is worthy the encomiums bestowed on it by Mr. Williams.

TO CURE SHEEP SKIN WITH THE WOOL ON.

Let the skins be taken from the carcass without flesh adhering, and it is best to have two at the same time. Pulverise alum and saltpetre in equal portions, and sprinkle the mixture lightly on each skin, then lay the flesh sides together and hang them up to dry. When they have hung three or four days, take them down and rub the flesh side with a blunt knife till the skin be thoroughly broken, and the work is completed.— Tennessee Agriculturist.

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41

For the Southern Planter.

MANAGEMENT OF TOBACCO.

Mr. William Baker, of Louisa, penned the following instructions for curing tobacco, merely for the use of a friend in Missouri, who had requested him to do so. When he was about to send off his letter, another planter,struck with the fullness and clearness of the directions, asked a copy of thern for publication, which Mr. Baker reluctantly suffered to be taken. They are respectfully submitted to the Editor of the Planter, for the benefit of his readers. The value of Mr. B."s ideas on this subject may be judged from the fact, that he obtained last summer, for part of his tobacco crop, forty-one dollars a hundred, the highest price of the season, if not the highest ever paid in Richmond, to a planter. He has ever been known both in that market, and in his own county, as a successful cultivator of the " Virginia weed."

MR. BAKER'S METHOD OF MANAGING TOBACCO.

" I am raising a kind of tobacco called Oro-noco, which is preferred for manufacturing purposes, but it is not admired by the shippers. I would, therefore, advise you to cultivate the Green Frederick, or some other kind for shipping. It is important in the tobacco crop, in order to raise it of superior quality, that it be planted as early in the season as possible. To accomplish this, you should select your best land for plants, burn it well, prepare and sow your seed as early in the winter as practicable, say by the last of February, at all events. I deem it unnecessary to say anything to you about preparing your soil, presuming you understand that part of the business as well as 1 do. Commence planting as soon as your plants are of sufficient size and finish by the 10th of June, if you can. As your soil in Missouri is richer and more productive than ours in Virginia, I have no doubt your tobacco will bear topping higher than we generally top ours. I have topped mine for the last four years to eight leaves, and have made more and the quality is better than when I topped it higher. I have no doubt yours will bear topping to ten or twelve leaves. Be sure you top it high enough to prevent the top leaves from whetting against the ground ; because the value of tobacco is often very much impaired in that way. You should be as particular in guarding against the other extreme, that of topping too high, by which you will injure your tobacco in several respects, as by making it thin and poor and the leaves very narrow. You should see that it is not disfigured by the horn worm, if you have- any, and that your negroes do not break the leaves when pulling off the suckers. In fact, great care should be used when handling your tobacco through the whole course of ma-Vol. IV.-6

nagement, from the time you commence topping until it is ready for market, that they do not break nor bruise it while it is green, nor crumble it when dry, after it is cured, nor deface it in any way whatever. You should not cut your tobacco until it is well matured, unless you are forced to do so from its firing, or a danger of its being bit by frost. When you cut it, great care should be used to prevent it from sun-burning. Do not let it remain on the ground until it becomes limber, but have it carefully taken up and secured as soon as it will bear handling ; or in other words, as soon as it has commenced falling. In every instance, move it to the houses as soon as possible after it is cut, in order to secure it in case of rain. If it is large, you should not hang more than from eight to ten plants on a stick, the space between the tiers in your tobacco house being four feet. A space of six inches between the sticks on the tiers in 3 r our tobacco house will be necessary while the tobacco is green. After it is cured, it may be stored closer. You should build your houses with round poles or frames planked up, or in any way to suit your convenience or fancy, so you have them tolerably tight. The bodies should be high enough to admit of not less than three clear tiers below the joists. You may have the roofs of slates, planks or shingles, just as you like; it is best to have them close, so they will not leak. The curing process should commence in some four or five days from the time your tobacco is cut, if the weaiher is hot, or as soon as it has partially faded. This is done by raising small fires on the floor of the house. You can have four rows of fires in a house of the size I have named, extending from one side to the other. Fire your tobacco from three to four hours every day (Sundays excepted) until the leaf is cured ; after which time, it will only be necessary to fire it in damp weather or when you see mould on the stems near the stalk. You should bulk it down in tolerably soft order, so that you can strip it in any still weaiher during the winter. It should be carefully bulked with the tails lapped, not laying any stalks on the inside of the bulk. My reasons for wishing you to bulk it in this way, are that the leaf may not be damaged by any moisture the stalks might contain, and also to enable you to examine it successfully at all times, by pulling out from either side of the bulk. Strip your tobacco in damp weather, when it will not speedily dry from exposure. Tie from four to six leaves in a bundle, and see that the leaves are pretty nearly of the same length and quality in the same bundle. Bulk your tobacco every evening when stripping, in the same way that you do before it is stripped. Let it remain in the bulk until March or April, (unless it should be likely to injure before that time,) then hang it on the sticks and raise it in the house. Let it hang

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER

until the stems are perfectly dry. Then take it down the first give, as soon as the leaf has softened a little, before the stems have limbered at all. The stems should be dry enough to break short off from one end of the leaf to the other; then it is in shipping order, and if you choose, you can pack it in large double bulks and weight them. Before you commence prizing, it will be best for you to sort over all your good tobacco and arrange it for the hogsheads, so as to have the tobacco in each hogshead as near of the same length and quality as possible.— Commence prizing about the middle of May, or any time thereafter when it may best suit your convenience, so as to put your tobacco in market by the middle of August. Its order, when dry enough to ensure its keeping, will vary according to the heat or cold of the atmosphere. Have your hogsheads fully up to the gauge; with rived or sawed staves, just as you like. Have thern set up smooth and nice, with planed plank headings. Prize 1,500 lbs. in each hogshead ; see that your tobacco is packed perfectly smooth and straight in the hogsheads. " I will try to tell you something more about curing. You should have moderate fires in every instance, bearing in mind, that all people who fire tobacco are more inclined to have their fires too hot, than not hot enough. If you raise your fires too hot, you will coddle the tobacco and make it worth but little ; besides, there is a risk of your burning it. A yellow piebald is generally most admired by all merchants, though any color from a nutmeg up to a bright yellow will command a fair price, if the quality is good in other respects. You must not expect to cure it all of the same color. It is almost impossible to do that; nor should } 7 ou consider it of little value because it cures of different colors. If it is uniformly good on the hill, so it will be in market, if you manage it well. You cannot make it good after it is cut: it must be good before,—and then, by good management, you may keep it so."

We are much obliged to our correspondent for this extract. Mr. Baker is so celebrated as a lobacco maker, that we have been requested over and over again to procure the details of his management for the columns of the Planter— we are, therefore, much indebted to the politeness which enables us to gratify so many of our readers.

From the American Agriculturist.

SOAPSTONE GRIDDLES.

As the season of pancakes is coming on, it may be interesting to some of j'our readers to know, that a griddle made of soapstone is greatly superior to the ordinary kind made of cast iron.

They require less greasing, and are not subject to the frequent changes of heat and cold which occur to the ihin iron ones. They should be of any size required, and about three-fourths of one inch in thickness. I have one in use, and the cakes baked on it are better than from the ordinary kind, and it is giving greater satisfaction to those in the culinaiy department.

C. S., Jr.

For the Southern Planter. HENRICO AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Henrico Agricultural and Horticultural Society, on Wednesday, the 6th December, 1843, it was

Resolved, That the next exhibition take place some lime between the 20th May and the 5th June next, the precise day to be hereafter determined, depending upon the season—when the following premiums will be awarded:

1. For the best stallion calculated to produce

stock adapted to the saddle, harness or draft, the property of the exhibitor, $10

2. For the best brood mare, of the same

description, the property of the exhibitor, 5

3. For the best saddle horse, the property

of the exhibitor, 5

4. For the best work horse, the property

of the exhibitor, 5

5. For the best mule, raised by the exhi-

bitor, 5

6. For the best pair of mules, the proper-

ty of the exhibitor, 5

7. For the best bull, the property of the

exhibitor, 10

8. For the best cow, of native stock, 5

9. For the best cow, of improved stock, 5

10. For the best pair of oxen, 5

11. For the best boar, the property of the

exhibitor, 5

12. For the best sow and pigs, the property

of the exhibitor, 5

13. For the best buck, the property of the

exhibitor, 5

For the best lot of three ewes, the property of the exhibitor, 5 For the best specimen of domestic cider, produced by the exhibitor, 5 For the best specimen of ploughing, to be performed by the farmer himself, with his own plough and team, with two horses, mules or oxen, 20 For the second best do. 15 For the third best do. 10

19. For the best threshing machine, with

horse power, 10

20. For the best corn sheller, a diploma

21. For the best cutting machine, a diploma

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

43

22. For the best lot of farming tools, axes,

hoes, spades, &c. $5

23. For the best farm wagon, 5

24. For the best farm carr, 5

25. For the best specimen of poultry, geese,

ducks, turkeys and bens and chickens, 2

26. For the best specimen of rare and beau-

tiful shrubs, plants and flowers, 10

27. For the second best do. 6

28. For the third best do. 4

29. For the best specimen of early fruits, 6

30. For the second best do. 4

31. For the third best do. 3

32. For the best specimen of butter, not

less than 5 lbs. 6

33. For the second best specimen of but-

ter, not less than 5 lbs. 4

34. For the third best specimen of butter,

not less than 5 lbs. 3

35. For the best market garden, not less

than one acre, 20

36. For the second best market garden, not

less than one acre, 15

37. For the best specimen of vegetables,

regard being had to variety as well

as quality, 6

38. For the second best do. 4

39. That the sum of five dollars be awarded, in

whole or in part, to different specimens of vegetables deemed worthy of premiums, and which have not taken either of the two last premiums.

40. That James Bosher, Jacob F. Earnes, Sam'l D. Denoon and William Mitchell, be a committee to procure the exhibition of such specimens of the productions of the mechanics of Richmond and Henrico as are suited to the place and circumstances of the next meeting, the articles to be designated by them; and that the sum of twenty-five dollars be placed at their disposal, to be awarded at their discretion, on premiums upon such of the articles as they may adjudge to be worthy of premiums.

Resolved, That be a committee to

select and arrange a place, and to conduct the exhibition.

Resolved, That Governor McDowell be appointed to deliver the address before the Society on the first day of the exhibition, and that Jas. M. Wickham, Esq., be appointed the alternate.

Resolved, That the following premiums be awarded on farm crops, at the anniversary meeting of the Society, to be held next fall:

1. For the best crop of wheat, not less than

five acres, $10

2. For the best crop of grass, not less than

five acres, 10

3. For the best crop of oats, not less than

five acres, 5

4. For the best crop of ruta baga turnips,

not le3s than half an acre, 5

5. For the best crop of white turnips, not

less than half an acre, $5

6. For the best crop of cabbages, not less

than half an acre, 5

7. For the best crop of beets, not less than

half an acre, 6

8. For the best crop of sweet potatoes, not

less than half an acre, 5

9. For the best spring crop of Irish pota-

toes, not less than half an acre, 5

10. For the best fall crop of Irish potatoes,

not less than half an acre, 5

11. For the best crop of parsnips, not less

than one-quarter of an acre, 4

12. For the best crop of carrots, not less

than one-quarter of an acre, 4

13. For the best crop of pumpkins, not less

than one acre, 5

14. For the best crop of corn, not less than

five acres, 10

15. For the best orchard of peaches, 5

16. For the best orchard of apples, 5

17. For the neatest and most substantial

counterpane, the production of the exhibitor, 5

18. Do. do. mattress, 5

19. Do. do. comfort, 5

20. Do. do. bedquilt, 5

21. Do. do. carpet, not less than 10

yards, 5

22. Do. do. hearth rug, 5

23. -Do. do. stockings or socks, each 2 Resolved, That Committees on Farm Crops

be required, in all instances, to ascertain, by weighing or measuring, the actual average product per acre of such crops.

Resolved, That successful competitors for premiums on farm crops be required to hand to the Secretary a detailed account of said crops, embracing the preparation of the land, the quality of the soil, the kind of seed used, the lime of planting, the mode of culture, together with whatever else may furnish information as to the rearing and value of such crops. This account must be handed in before receiving the premiums, and preserved by the Secretary for the information of the Society.'

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to make a tour of inspection through the county, commencing in the spring, and report to the Society at the fall meeting generally and specially upon the state of agriculture within the bounds of the Society ; to suggest such means as to them may seem most expedient, for raising the standard of agriculture, and especially for diffusing information and improving and encouraging the proprietors and cultivatois of small farms—that this committee be authorized to recommend premiums on such farms as they may deem worthy of premiums, subject to the decision of the Society.

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER,

Resolved, further, That this committee be instructed not to report upon any farm without the consent of the proprietor.

Resolved, That this committee be authorized

to add to the number, and to assign portions of the county to different portions of the committee, as may be found necessary to the examination. (Signed) J. H. Turner, President.

For the Southern Planter. CHEAP BUILDING.

'"'r", uW/JJ/J/* '__ " " 7

" - -^ *-***!>

J\/Ir. Editor, —I send you a hasty sketch of a block of buildings similar to one I have just-erected on one of my estates, for poor tenants. The block consists of four separate dwellings containing six rooms. Each room is twelve feet square; the chimneys are so disposed as to admit a fire-place to each house in the lower story, and a stove-pipe hole to each and every room in the block. The houses are composed of \\ inch hemlock strips, lathed and plastered on both sides, the mortar meeting and making a solid wall, or lattice plastered partition, in every part of the house. The plasterer says the block is as stiff as a stone house; all the partitions being of lattice. The only timber used is for the posts for each division, the flooring, joists, sills, &c. &c. There are no studs in the building; the walls or partitions take up but little room. The first story is 8 feet high in the clear, the next 7, and the upper story 6 feet. The roof is tinned, the floors are laid in tin over the joists, and boarded over with spruce boards. The joists are all plastered separately, so that there is no room nor hiding places for vermin or insects. There is not an inch of room

wasted nor an inch of wood subjected to the action of fire. These houses are fire-proof within and without, and proof against the approach of vermin or insects. The cost is $8G0. The houses are let for $40 each, per annum, and should you know of any one who wishes to build in like manner, to secure their tenants from accident by fire, let them write to my carpenter, William Kline, Mt. Airy, Germantown Road, Pennsylvania, and they may obtain a faithful man who will build for them on similar terms. I have been experimenting for several years, endeavoring to build fire-proof houses in a cheap and substantial manner, and I believe that I have at length succeeded. Yours, respectfully,

E. J. Pierce. Philadelphia, Dec. 26, 1843.

P. S.—The cellars are seven feet deep, the middle walls dividing the cellars are merely piers, allowing openings for closets; the cellars are plastered and finished off as nicely as any part of the houses. There is nothing superfluous in this block ; convenience, comfort and

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER

45

economy alone are studied. The tin used in this block is the leaded tin prepared exclusively for roofing, 14 by 20 inches, price $16 per box of 240 sheets. I have made no drawing of the cellar doors and windows, although each house is provided with such conveniences. You will perceive that the gable-end is represented as it appears before it is plastered. E. J. P.

INVESTIGATOR. Repeated inquiries have been made for this popular correspondent of the Planter and many hopes expressed that he would resume his comments.

BOMMER AGAIN. At the risk of being thought a little tedious, we have determined to place before our readers what has transpired upon this important subject since we penned the leading article for the present number. In the " Cultivator" for January we find the following;

best quality for almost every kind of cultivated crop. Of the French method, as described in the specifications, we are not competent to judge, having never witnessed its effects ; we should, however, prefer purchasing Mr. B.'s book, in which the whole process is detailed.

LETTER FROM MR. ELLSWORTH.

Washington City, Patent Office, Nov. 3, 1843. Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker,—I noticed in your last number of the Cultivator, just at band, a particular notice of Bommer's piocess,—also his advertisement announcing 'Bommer's manure method, secured by letters patent,' and referring to 'documents recorded in the Patent Office,' to prove his rights. This advertisement has greatly increased the burden of answering requests for copies of 'Bommer's Patent.' Whilst I have studiously avoided expressing an opinion on cases pending or decided, yet as special reference is now made to the bureau to sustain the advertisement, and fearing that the public may be misled by my silence, I hasten to state the facts as they appear of record. Mr. Bom-mer, on the 12th of May, 1843, presented an application for a patent for making manure.— This application was duly examined, and re-

We invite the attention of the readers of the Cultivator to the annexed letter of the Hon. Mr. Ellsworth, chief of the Patent Office at Wash- Jjected for want of novelty. No appeal was

ington, on the subject of patents, and the claims of Mr. Bomrner in particular. There is no subject in the whole range of agriculture, of more interest to the farmer, than that of manures; and any improvement in its manufacture, by which its quantity and quality may be increased, will be received by them with favor. That manures made in the way recommended by Mr. Bornrner, or according to the patent claimed by him, are of superior quality, no one acquainted with that method can doubt. But if, as Mr. Ellsworth seems inclined to suppose, it is only the French method, with some unimportant additions, so far as the making of the manure, or it3 quality is concerned, that method should be generally known, that all may avail themselves of its advantages, and we thank Mr. Ellsworth for enabling us to give the specifications a place in the Cultivator. We have given the large pamphlet, just published by Mr. Bommer, and containing an ample account of bis method and

taken. The application was withdrawn, and twenty dollars, the usual sum allowed on withdrawals, paid to Mr. Bommer on the 6th of July last. No other application has been made by Mr. Bommer for a patent for similar purposes. It may not be improper to state that Messrs. Baer & Gouliart, in June, 1843, obtained a patent for an alleged improvement on the method of making manure, patented in France by Juaf-fret, which said method, however, bas not been patented in the United States, and is, therefore, free to the public. How far the public are restricted in the use of foreign inventions, may be ascertained by referring to the claim of the American patent, which, you will perceive, is restricted to the preparation of the heap and the mode of applying the lye to the same; the ingredients —in other words, the lye itself, not being claimed. That no injustice may be done to the parties concerned, I send you a copy of the American patent, and only add that Mr. Bommer

its advantages, a copy of which he has kindly has become an assignee for several States, under pla< 1 in our hands, an attentive perusal, and this last mentioned patent.

can safely say there are few if any publications on the subject there discussed, whatever may be their pretension.?, which combine such a mass

Yours, &c.

H. L. Ellsworth.

Then follows the specification of the patent

of practical instruction on the preparation and j gran ted Messrs. Baer & Gouliart, which it is use of manures. Of the legality of the patent unnecessary t0 copy . Suffice it to say, that under which he is acting, we do not express an

opinion ; but we know that the method used by him, and described in the pamphlet, a copy of which is furnished every purchaser of a right, will make manure in any quantity, and of the

whilst the French plan is referred to, and particularly described, the American patent is obtained for a different, and we doubt not, much improved mode of constructing the heap. We

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER

think the Editor of the Cultivator speaks unadvisedly in saying that Mr. Ellsworth is inclined to suppose that this patent covers only "some unimportant additions" to the French mode. The Commissioner of Patents is a sworn officer, and under the present law, we believe, he is required to refuse any application that does not contain some substantial and valuable improvement upon what is already known. Indeed, it appears that Mr. Bommer's application was refused for want of novelty, but the application of Messrs. Baer & Gouliart, it seems, in the opinion of the Commissioner, lacked neither novelty nor the merit of being a substantial and valuable improvement upon the French plan.— It frequently happens that all the principles of a great invention remain known and useless even for centuries, until, at length, some slight devise, some simple arrangement in the practical detail, gives utility to that which was impracticable and useless before. The power of steam and its application to the purposes of navigation were suggested long before the days of Fulton, but it was by a difference in construction, so slight that it is at this day hardly discernible that he bore away the palm from all his prede; cessors and rendered practical that which had been an airy vision of the imagination before. The reciprocating motion of the steam engine is said to have lain dormant for years for the want of the simple device of a fly wheel to carry it over the dead points. The improvement of Messrs. Baer & Gouliart may stand to the original invention in the same relation that the fly wheel does to the steam engine, and from the increased impetus that it has undoubtedly given to the process, we think it fair to infer that it does. Mr. Ellsworth states, and correctly too, that the ingredients, or lye, is not patented— but the patentees distinctly assert that the lye they use is not the same as, but much superior to, that of Jautfret, the Frenchman. They very properly prefer keeping this part of the process secret to patenting it. It is exactly one of those things for which a patent gives no protection, and the only mode of securing the benefit of an improvement, which, if spread upon record, might be used without the possibility of detection, is for the discoverer to keep it secret as long as he can.

After many encomiums bestowed upon the process and the most unequivocal proof of its success at the North, together with a statement

of Mr. Bommer's claims, we find the Editor of the "New Genesee Farmer" making the following remark:

" In view of all this, our readers will be somewhat surprised, as well as amused, to learn that J\ir. Bornmer has never obtained any patent right for his pretended discovery, and that he is not the original author or inventor of the 'Method' which he has made so much noise about .'"

Now, we think the Editor misapprehends the thing, or he would not have penned a paragraph so fraught with injustice to an individual, and so calculated to mislead the public. Mr. Bornmer has as substantially obtained a patent right for this invention, as if the letters patent had issued in his own name. It was by agreement between Gouliart & Baer and Bommer, that the second and corrected application was made in the name of the former, with the understanding that Bommer was to have the right for the Northern States, whilst they retained the Southern States.

This letter of Mr. Ellsworth's has excited a great deal of interest in the North, and has drawn forth several communications and editorials in our exchange papers; whilst some of them heap opprobrium upon the head of Mr. Bommer in no measured terms, one and all seem to agree about the incalculable value of the process. Now, for aught that we can say, the improvements of Messrs. Gouliart & Baer, which are known by the name of the Bommer process, may be frivolous, insubstantial, and useless ; but to suppose them so, would be to infer negligence, carelessness, or ignorance upon the part of the Commissioner of Patents, and this, from our knowledge of that excellent officer, we will never presume. We know r enough about patent rights to know that it is much cheaper to pa}' for the labor of inventors, than to seek to evade a patent, or strike out a new path for yourself; therefore, we heartily concur with the Cultivator in advising every farmer, who desires to use the process, to pay the additional price for Gouliart & Baer's patent, otherwise called Bommer's pamphlet. We think we may venture to say, if this process possess the merits that seem to be almost unanimously attributed to it, the additional information contained in this pamphlet will be worth to the operator ten times its cost.

Our desire to present this interesting subject

THE SOUTHERN PLANTER.

47

to our readers in all its bearings has induced us to devote to it more space than we are wont to allow to any one topic.

THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES.

The intrinsic merit of the paper, not less than the kind and liberal spirit of the Editor, induces us to call the attention, not only of the sporting public, but of the agricultural community, to this splendid "weekly." We are sorry to see from an editorial notice that it stands much in need of the assistance of its friends. The day has been, when a love of the sports of the turf would have sustained such a paper in Virginia, alone. Although this exciting and noble amusement has from bad management lost much of its popularity, the love of fine stock remains unabated amongst us, and is destined at no distant day to exhibit itself again in the re-establishment of our race courses, under better auspices. The Virginian and his horse, like the fabled Centaur, are inseparable. Apart from the exhilarating and healthy influence of this manly amusement, over and above the policy of sustaining the popular sports of the country, we unhesitatingly assert, that every lover of the horse, every individual who has occasion for the services of this useful animal, (as who has not ?) is deeply interested in the regeneration of the sports of the turf. Whilst it is universally acknowledged that the thorough bred possesses the greatest superiority in wind and endurance, it has been contended, that the system of racing as heretofore pursued in this country, has had the effect of producing a speedy but light and leggy race, unfitted for the road, and much more unsuited to the heavy draft purposes of the farmer. Be it so, (and we are inclined to believe it, and think, moreover, that it is one of the circumstances that has had the greatest influence in alienating the public mind from this national pastime,) it only proves that we have heretofore established an improper test of the powers of the horse. The great object of racing should be to encourage and secure those properties of the animal that are most prized and demanded in the daily services he is required to perform. These are wind, activity, strength, and endurance; and we doubt much if the ability to carry a light weight four miles, with great speed, is the best test of the proper combination of these qualities. But if that is not, some

other is, and what we now desire to do, is to call the attention of the lovers of the turf to this view of the question. Depend upon it, racing must rest upon a firmer foundation than the interest and amusement of black legs and gamblers. Institute a contest which will indubitably test the useful properties of the horse, and the farmer will no longer say, "why should I subscribe to a jockey club; what good does it do me 1 Your best racers are altogether unfit for my purposes, and there is not a horse on my plantation that I would swap for Priam himself." If necessary, institute one contest for the encouragement of a breed of heavy draft horses, another for road horses, &c. but in the whole, have an eye to benefiting the community in general, and you may expect that community to rally to your support.

Our hopes of achieving this reform and sustaining the character of the thorough bred in America, rest, mainly, upon the continuance of that spirited, talented, and unrivalled sporting paper, the " Spirit of the Times." An advertisement of terms, &c. may be found on our cover. We should be very much pleased to cancel some of the obligations which we are under to the Editor by acting as his agent and forwarding the name and money of some of our friends, who are so able, and who ought to be so willing, to sustain such a paper.

APPLES AND CIDER. To those who doubt the capability of the soil of Virginia for producing the finest varieties of fruit we should like to address an argument founded upon a barrel of pippins sent us by our esteemed friend, John H. Pleasants, Esq. from the county of Goochland, and a demijohn of cider received from Mr. Joseph Sinton, of the county of Henrico. If Mr. Sinton will insure his apples to yield such cider as this, we will engage to find him a market for all the trees he can raise.

CURE FOR SPAVIN.

Editors of the Cultivator, —The following I have found would cure a bone spavin in its first stages, if properly applied. Add to two table-spoonsful of melted lard, one of cantharides, made fine or pulverised, and a lump of corrosive sublimate, pulverised, as large as a pea—all melted up together, and applied once a day till used up, confining it to the callous. This quantity is for one leg, and may be relied on as a