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AMERICAN FARMER.

settle their

serve the social, as well as the individual inter-of New England are early taught to observe the ad-of its interest since the secretary of the United If it be asked, why is the Pennsylvanian a bet-industry and economy; and they are particularly that the exports exceeded, for the last year, vantages which accompany intelligence, morality, States treasury has shewn by his late report, ter farmer than the Marylander? Is not every impressed with the necessity of useful acquire- the imports, by two millions four hundred thou man, who is acquainted with both, ready at once ments, to make their way in the world-which sand dollars. to give the answer? The Pennsylvanian depends upon his own farm tage, nor the prospect of an heritage, but by the enormous prices for produce, led us into habits of is not to be done, by the respectability of parento furnish his wardrobe and his table-instead of The late wars in Europe have, by affording us considering it a disgrace, he glories in wearing school early in life, and are well educated. No income, which we must lower and graduate, at power of their own exertions. They are sent to expense and large calculations on prospective his own home made clothes and in guiding, himself, idle period is allowed afterwards, between child- once, to the scale of peace and reason. his own noble team. Nor does he consider it dis-hood and manhood-to acquire incurably bad habgraceful, when necessity or inclination prompts its, either of indolence or vice. Neither the idle of- ostensibly to preserve the balance of him, to be found at work by the side of his ser-fice, nor the more idle compting house are ever has been concluded by leaving as great a preponAlthough the last war in Europe was conducted He does not spend his crops before they resorted to there, as the slippery stepping stone, derance on one hand perhaps as ever before exare made, but keeps himself out of the clutches merely to fill up this period. power, of merchants, and of course is not held by them, as our farmers are, under perpetual rack-rent.If he is not fully prepared to enter upon the evidently on the slow but steady march, yet we isted; and, although the disposition to reform is If, therefore, we mean to compete with the Penn- to pursue, a charge of scholars at this time, unites again be undertaken, or be of long duration. Within study or practice of the profession he is destined should not calculate that wars of reformation will sylvanian, we must first revolutionize our opinions the benefits of giving him habits of attention to the last thirty years, the people of Europe have and the fashions of the day; we must cease to business, of advancing his own improvement, gained much experience; when they are ripe for vie with each other, in fine raimnent and costly and of rendering him at once, a citizen, useful to them, changes will be effected as they have been in equipages. The best improvements, the best the community. If he is intended for a learned Spain and Portugal, without much bloodshed; and crops, the best live-stock, are the most rational profession, fashion makes it disgraceful for him when this state of maturity reaches Russia, then objects, after mental improvement and the social to neglect his studies, and the same considera- most probably we shall see "the light of liberty virtues, towards which our emulation can be di- tion, compels him to practice his profession after and reason enabling nations to rected. Can we, gentlemen, avoid bringing our having acquired it. Is he intended to gain his differences in own infatuation after costly carriages, as one item bread by the plough, or to improve the residence appeals to arms." of unwarrantable expenditure, directly home to of his fathers? he is clothed in substantial, do-ly, become reconstructed upon just principles, a more civilized way than by our own doors? when we are compelled to ac-mestic fabrics, and grasping the handles of that there must necessarily be a partial if not a final knowledge that whilst there is in the town of Cen-invaluable implement, he is early and sufficiently end to wars; for the interest and ambition of m When governments, generaltreville two extensive shops for carriage making, instructed how to use it. But we, who know that lers-fruitful sources of hostilities, will be made the proprietors of which are making fortunes by all other trades and professions require an ap- to succumb to the general interest! the sale of splendid and expensive vehicles, prenticeship seem to believe that our most diffi-"War is a game which were the subject wise, there was not one shop till the beginning of the cult art requires none? How absurb and how " past year that could in the whole county, afford a ruinous is such a conclusion! tolerable cart or plough! These necessary imKings would not play at. Nations would do well plements, we have heretofore postponed getting and ignorance? they tell us that the Sun is here" Are gratified with mischief; and who spoil Do we listen to the suggestions of indolence" Of heroes, whose infirm and baby minds, "To extort their truncheons from the puny hands till we could no longer go on without them, and too hot for the white man to labor in the field," Because men suffer it, their toy the world." then our money was sent off to Baltimore, Elkton without melting down his constitution. Idle preor Wilmington to bring them to us, months af- text! its refutation is given by the Watsons, the the storm of war is at times essentially necessary ter they were wanting! The opinion, held by too many persons, that Even now look around you, and what farmer is credit were from their infancy brought up to la-lar it may be now, will then be applicable only to Crips, the Potts', our neighbours, who to their to purify the political atmosphere, however poputhere that has carts enough to collect and get labor in the field. These families of men are as despotisms, and not to people whose governments out one fourth of his manure? about one in fifty healthy, athletic and robust as any climate under are founded on sound principles. How many that have not one or two expensive the sun can boast of having produced. pleasure carriages? not one in five! It may be recollected that a Gig lasts no longer than a cart, not provide the necessaries essential for their meet the consequences; rather than that we The generality of our labouring white men do continuation of peace, and limit our expenses to Is it not better that we should calculate on a and with the $300 which it costs, you might buy families; and as to comforts, they seldom dream should hazardously continue expenses beyond our six first rate carts; enough, of these, for two of them-a large portion of their earnings is income, in the vain hope that wars in Europe may common sized farms! Upon a reference to the United States late collec-alizes them. Every clsss of the community the former calculation will be gain; but in the spent for whiskey, which enervates and demor-ultimately afford us relief? Disappointment in tor's books, it appears, there were at the last enu- should discountenance and reprehend this growing latter ruin! meration about 500 pleasure carriages in this evil. county, and the same number in Talbot ; and although every man is entitled to vote who has age the preceding, consists in our dependance upon vantages derivable from a division of labour. 4. Another error, immediately in connexion with gard which our farmers manifest, towards the ad5. Another error may be found, in the disreand residence, there is not a greater number of the Stores, for almost every thing we wear, and For the greater convenience of overlooking them, voters than 1500 in either of these counties. statement, gentlemen, then shews the very singular Europe take precedence in our esteem, over our ployed together, at the same job; but this should This much of what we eat. The flimsey fabrics of it is a general practice to keep all the hands em fact, that there is one expensive pleasure car-own more comfortable domestic; and the more seldom be permitted from the time we finish riage for every three grown males within these wholesome produce of our dairy gives place, to harvesting our corn, until the vigorous growth counties, and that all may ride, at the same time, the effeminate and costly luxuries of the "far- of summer crops demands the quick working of to the poles in carriages!! a fact, which I will thest Indies." Who, amongst our agricultural them. By this error, we have much of our venture to assert, cannot find a parallel, in any brethren is there that, has shunned these broad work badly done, and we entail awkwardness on agricultural section of our country, nor in any based rocks, that is not now an independent farmer? all our hands. By this too, unless the eye of other part of the world. A farmer in Europe And, who that has moored by them, that has not the master is constantly upon them, responsiwhose capital would here entitle him to be con-finally been stranded by the flow of debt? sidered rich, does not even dream of allowing] himself the luxury of a vehicle of this descrip-la change must take place in the policy of the I agree with the friends of the tariff, "that tect him who slights or neglects his work. bility is lost in the multitude, and we cannot detion. Our fine natural roads first, perhaps, be-country," or rather of the citizens individually.- carpenters, sawyers, some axe men, ditchers, trayed us into this indulgence; which, while an But this change must be wrought by the volunta-fence-makers, cartmen, diggers of manure, &c. We should systematically make some rough evidence of our imprudence, illustrates the hap-ry determination of each family to rely upon its To such persons as may not have tried it, or piness attainable under an admirable government, own internal resources, and not by imposing ad- may doubt the advantages of this suggestion, that leaves us comparatively exempt from taxa-ditional taxes, on one class of citizens to support I would for an illustration, refer them to what tion, and at liberty to enjoy our resources in our another. Let us pursue the parallel a little farther and jing and so much interest has been manifested-the insignificant article, the pin. They will there This tariff question, about which so much feel-wealth of nations, respecting the manufacture of Dr. Adam Smith says in his first chapter on the inquire, why the Marylander is inferior, as a far-in which it has been thought so difficult to draw find that to make pins on the most economical mer, to the New Englandman, who availing him-the discriminating line between national inter-terms, eighteen distinct workmen are required! self of all the motives and advantages of the Penn-est and independence, and individual oppression they will there find demonstrated, that "the ecosylvanian, also feels and enjoys others. The youths and injustice, this great question has lost much|nomy of labour consists in the division of labour."

own way.

Every intelligent farmer who has had any ex-der to get her golden eggs; or which seeks to ther fallowing system, by means of four fields, perience in the matter, will there see what the reap greater profits, and quicker returns than in which clover is discarded, is now with many Doctor (who was no farmer) did not acknow-it is in the nature of landed estate to yield. To becoming popular, and it requires no power of ledge that his calculations are applicable to keep up heavy returns, the improvement of the divination to predict, that its like result must be farming, as well as to other kinds of business. soil, must be commensurate with our efforts to more rapid, as its operation is more severe. In speaking of the economy of agriculture, raise the crops, and they must proceed pari pas-We may be flattered with very superior wheat Col. Taylor says "that foresight is another im-su, and without relaxation. for a few years, but at last a sense of our error portant item." That "it consists in preparing From my limited range of reading, it appears will forcibly overtake us, and yet always find work for all weather, and in doing all work in that the old English writers were advocates for us willing to refer our failure to hessian fly, proper weather and at proper times." This naked fallowing, merely as a cleansing crop. In to frost, or any thing but the true cause-exhaussingle paragraph of that distinguished farmer the same limited course, I have not met with any tion. I would therefore liken a man who falspeaks a volume of instruction. modern writer who is a decided advocate for lows systematically without manuring, to one

6. That there is no rule or general under-fallowing, although Sinclair informs us, "that who draws all his money out of the Bank, at one standing concerning the proper depth of plough-a very spirited controversy is at present going or two checks, to spend it; and he who manures ing our Eastern Shore land, cannot but be re- on, in England, between fallowists and anti-fal- his land, and then leaves it to rest under grass, garded as another impediment to our improve-lowists." Many of their best writers however, unto him, who annually invests a part of his inment. It is to be regretted that we have had express emphatically their regret that they can- come to produce an interest, at more than comno writer to lay down general rules upon this not find a suitable fallow crop to precede the pound rates.

point, which might anticipate that information, wheat, but recommend turnips for the pur- When plaster of paris was first introduced in which we can now only acquire by an experi- pose. Thus it is to me a matter of wonder that Pennsylvania, the German farmers shunned ence of many years. Mr. Bordley, the only wri- any American, who can avail himself of either it, because they thought from its then supposed ter we have had, is not satisfactory on this sub-corn or tobacco for this purpose, could for a stimulating quality, "that it would make rich ject. Judge Peters has somewhere said "that moment think, if experience had not furnished fathers and poor sons." Since then, they have been he had understood that the land on this shore any lessons, of permitting naked fallows for zealous in the cause of making their lands rich, would not bear deep ploughing." This is un- wheat to enter largely into his system, if at all. by plastered clover lay for fallow, without any questionably the opinion of all practical men In England, climate forbids the culture of corn, other application of manure. Those, who have with whom I am acquainted. It is believed, and circumstances forbid tobacco. It will be thus relied, have been disappointed; and they are that though you may make one or two superior remembered too, that in that country, the cli- now referring their failure to the plaster, and crops after such ploughing; yet without the mate is a very moist one; whilst ours is dry. suppose that it has been injurious, because it land is at the same time manured, the mould Its sun is much less vigorous and scorching than ceases to act and the clover ceases to flourish. in consequence becomes poorer, instead of deep-ours, rendering smothering and shading crops, But, I would point the attention of those gentleer and better. It is also the decided opinion of less essential in rotations, than they are in ours. men to their great fallow system, and say, there a large majority of those farmers, that our The exhaustion occasioned by a naked fallow, is the greatest cause of all your disappointlight lands, not only do not derive benefit from I have for many years considered greater, than ments!

fall or winter ploughing-but that they receive what is produced by the corn and wheat crop That the clover crop, every where, fails to from the rains or other causes, positive injury. both; and in this opinion, I have been fully con- reproduce continued crops equal to the first, is These may be regarded as peculiarities in our firmed by repeated observation, and by the re- now a known fact, but I think it is the effect soil, if farmers in some other places are correct, marks of several very experienced men, in whom of a cause, novel at least in the suggestion, and which it would occupy me too long to attempt I have high confidence. In looking for the rea- which I shall on some other occasion endeavour to explain: might it not be a subject worthy of son why it should be so, I must confess the to explain. That the plaster should refuse to the united agricultural interests of this peninsu- cause has seemed inadequate to effect. do its good offices, and even produce injurious la, to cause an agricultural and geological sur- But if we cannot reason in favour, there effects, when applied after the land has already vey to be made of it, and to have its real pecu- is no reasoning against matters of fact.- received as much of that ingredient as it reliarities noted by one competent to the task? I Indeed all the reasoning which I have been en- quires, is neither peculiar nor uncommon. All think it may be safely laid down as a rule that abled to frame on this point, is predicated upon the manures and ingredients of a good soil, with the depth of our ploughing should always be a denial of the opinion that the earth derives ma- which we are acquainted are capable of produregulated by the depth of the mould, and that nure from fine tillage, and direct "exposure to the cing the same effects.

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we should never turn up much of the substratum,' sun and atmosphere; an opinion grown venerable The hypothesis, of Sir H. Davy as to the unless we intend at the same time to dress it since the days of Tull, and which has been handed modus operandi of plaster, would be perfectly with manure, and even then, but gradually and down, by strong advocates, to those of Gen. rational, could he shew, that the land on which sparingly. Beatson, in the present time. This opinion I plaster will not act, has already too much of have long had the presumption to doubt, for it that necessary ingredient. Indeed, when we see appears to me opposed to experience, and also the wonderful effects of so little of this subto that more rational plan of melioration, which stance, it does not require a very pliable credurests its claims exclusively on the fertilizing lity to stretch into the belief, that it might be eaeffects of shading and smothering crops, interpo-sily overdone.

In the application of manure, it may also be laid down as a rule, that it should not be laid on, until the land has been thoroughly broken; and then be harrowed or ploughed in lightly, that it may be near the surface all the season.

The advocates for turning manure in deep, sed between exhausting crops in severe rota- 8. Another error very fatal to the improvefancy they silence all objection, when they ar- tions. I say more rational, because neither, ment of our land, and profit of our live stock, gue, that manure being a lighter substance, can- nor both, of these plans for fertilizing, will ever is our almost total neglect to cultivate artificinot sink into the earth, or heavier body. But make a poor farm rich. We have innumera- al grasses, and an equal neglect of those which these gentlemen forget that manure has to un-ble instances of lands made poor by fine tillage, are natural.

dergo solution, before it can be fitted as food for and exposure to the sun and atmosphere; but no Indeed, so far are we from promoting the viplants. Even plaster of paris, one of the hard-instance, where they have been made rich with-gorous efforts of the invaluable grasses of the est of our mineral manures, is said to be solu-out manure. Yet fine tillage is essential, to open Poa class; which nature, as if out of patience, ble in 500 times its weight of water, and it is facilities for the roots of plants to shoot; for the seems in her bounty determined to force upon believed to be through the medium of this uni- soil to give off its manure, and for the sun to us, that we are in the habit of denouncing them versal menstruum, that ponderous substances destroy existing animal and rival vegetable life. as, next to the hessian fly, our deadliest enc are carried up into the organs of plants. So, also, is the atmosphere essential, as well for mies, and of exercising our best, but misWhether, therefore, in a state of solution, ma- the vegetable as for animal life-but, for its applied skill, to exterminate them forever. If nure will more readily sink, or evaporate, re- different qualities. Need I recall your recol- our neglected flocks of cattle, and still more quires no argument to shew; and it is my opinion lection to the fact, that many of our best far- neglected sheep, could be endued with the powthat it had better be left on the surface, than mers, some years ago, adopted the five field sys-er of speech, how eloquently would they defend be turned below the mould. tem with clover, in which one field was annually those friends, which give them power enough,

7. Of the many errors which prevent good fallow ploughed for wheat, thus putting two almost unaided, to weather the winter's stormi farming, naked fallowing, many years of ob- fifths in wheat; that for a few years they made and which come to their aid in the spring, just servation have induced me to rank among the prodigious crops of wheat; that at last, they time enough, to keep life and carcase together! foremost. This error, unlike most others, is not scarcely raised enough surplus wheat to buy allude to the grasses commonly called the the effect of neglect or want of effort, but pro the deficiency of corn necessary for the con-blue-grass and the green-grass. They are ceeds from an overstrained and misguided indus-sumption of the farm, and that they have a ghly valuable to all farmers, except those who try, which impatiently destroys the goose in or- without exception abandoned this system! Ano-lare fond of naked fallowing.

AMERICAN FARMER.

destructive insects.

We frequently hear it said, that the crop of one which I digested for myself some years any kind of artificial grass does not pay the ex- ago, and shall now advocate before you, that held. pense of seed; which by the by, we should not degree of indulgence, which men of experience 4. In clover cut, or grazed, and treated as the be under the eternal tax of importing from are the most willing to accord. other states; and that it flourishes badly, or is though essentially variant in one point, was the same small crops may, with almost equal If we cannot divide our lots by fences, which soon eaten out by the blue grass. As it is ge- suggested to me by that invaluable book Ara-advantage, be tilled within the corn field. My system, are so desirable when we raise or fatten stock, nerally managed, this is very true, for this grass tor, and I felt my confidence in it much increasseems almost the only one in our climate, which ed, when I discovered that it agreed in its im- spring, on the field intended for corn, adds to its can bid defiance to every enemy, except the portant features with the very successful prac-fertility, and together with ploughing late and corn, plough and the hoe. When we look around and tice of a gentleman who lived on the Western I have found the best security against the cloPutting all the stock during the winter and see our fields, after harvest, laid open, in com-shore, and was reputed in his life time the ver insect, the ant and the grub-worm. It is almon; the gates off their hinges, the bars of best farmer in Maryland;* and further still, so a means for providing the best ingredient, our fences down, the hogs and all other stock when I recollected how nearly it corresponds urine, which Grisenthwait considers essenpermitted to range at large to graze, to trample with the system of that judicious farmer and tial to the formation of the grain. and to root; shall we wonder then, that the tender worthy man, our present Senator in Congress. clover and other young artificial grasses, are involved in one common and total ruin? The materials cannot be procured to make division-are those, which multiply the chances for a good Col. Taylor's enclosing system is good, where tillage of a variety of crops, and not the least fields which are intended to produce a crop of fences; but when they can, having tried it, Icrop and a good price for some of them. With There are many advantages resulting from the grass, or be continued in it, should be as carefully object to it on these grounds:-It will not per-this view of the subject, I conclude that tobacenclosed and guarded, during certain seasons mit us to keep a profitable live stock: It pro-co should not have been entirely given up in this of the year, as the fields which are intended motes the growth of noxious weeds, and multi-neighbourhood, and that it should be recurred to to produce grain. It were just as preposterous plies and protects to expect a field to produce a crop of grass crop after it, does not grain so well, nor does or small crop. The culture of it as a chief crop, without guarding it in its incipient growth, as it improve the soil in the degree that some sup-must at length exhaust any district; not because it The again; not as a chief crop, but as an auxiliary, it would be, to expect a crop of grain after a pose. similar neglect. More than one writer on agriculture has laid the basis of all good farming, and he who has offal, though of prime quality as a manure, is It may be said with propriety that Manure is fords food for man nor beast; and because the is an exhausting crop; but because it neither afdown the position, that grain farming and gra-a particular system or routine of crops, if he ma- very inconsiderable in quantity. Tilled in a small zing, cannot be profitably united; and strange nures one of them in each course, cannot be said way, it cannot seriously interfere with manuras it may seem, this assertion has actually grown to farm badly. Indeed, with a plenty of manure, ing or other work, and it serves to afford eminto a maxim here, whilst the best farmers in perhaps he might farm advantageously with any ployment for many rainy days; which would Europe, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and this State, system; yet he will farm better if he interpo-otherwise be lost." have for the last quarter of a century at least, ses meliorating crops of grass between exhaust-found in a chapter on the subject in his notes on been practically demonstrating to the world, ing crops, and still better, if he allow the land to Virginia, raised by the illustrious Jefferson, that it is untrue. The eloquent objections, My experience is, that we rest under the meliorating crops. had better give our grasses and hay to our livestock, than to give it under a lay to the wheat of land requiring rest, as if like an animal, it pletely removed, I conceive, by the introduction We are told "the Chinese smile at the idea are as to a partial tillage of this crop, comand who I believe almost wrote the crop down, crop alone. These green dressings of vegeta- could be sensible of fatigue." It cannot be won-of clover and plaster, and the knowledge now ble matter are but transitory and superficial derful that they entertain such a notion, when possessed of the modes of carting and applygildings, utterly deceptious is their promise of it is known that they always dress their land ing manure, of which our planters at the time permanent improvement; but when converted with manure of the strongest kind, and which no he wrote, were utterly ignorant. Tobacco like into animal manure it enters more fixedly into country will afford in sufficient quantity, but one every thing else has has fallen in price! but the composition of soils. When therefore our so thickly settled as China. herbage is given to live stock, instead of to the wheat, the immediate profit of the crop is per-thin soils of England require rest under grass, found peace be so heavily depressed as bread Young, and Davy both assent, that the light, money value. It can never in periods, of prothis fall is only in proportion to the rise of haps as great, and that which the land retains, to renovate them; and if so, in how much grea- stuffs, and a single glance at the agriculture of is over and above. One of the most learned ter degree must it be requisite here, where our the world will justify this assertion. and intelligent of modern European writers, sun is so scorching, our fields so large, our popu-bread stuff culture we have competitors for Grisenthwaite, has lately ascertained that soils lation so thin, our labour so scarce, and our re-home supply or for exportation, in a greater to produce good grained wheat, must contain sources for manure comparatively so scanty. a certain portion of animal matter: which, live-stock are necessary. to afford The system which I have for six years been of the civilized world. Not so with tobacco. Its or less degree, in almost every hole and corner Perhaps the author who combines more ef- tillage, and which I would recommend, consists belt." On the one side, climate forbids its tillage; practising with increased confidence at every district is narrowed down to a fectually the general opinion of the English far-in a division of four fields; and, if enclosures on the other it is supplanted by sugar and cotmers, is Sinclair; and to prove to you that it is his permit, into four lots, proportioned to the size of ton-articles of greater profit. 66 very slender opinion, that grain farming and grazing, are the field as one is to ten, and cultivated as folmost profitable when united, I beg to refer you lows: to his Code of Agriculture.* We are also informed by Radcliff, who has written an account of the agriculture of the Flemings, a people reputed the best farmers in Europe, that they have a maxim in Flanders-"No grass and hay, no cattle; without cattle, no manure; and and then made common for all the stock during be regarded more as commercial than as agri4. In clover, kept up whilst the 3d is grazed, those of the Western country, facts that may without manure, no crop." A rigid adherence the last winter it is in grass. to this maxim I take it, is the solid foundation on which is erected that superiority in good be added, to contain all the stock, fed occasi-ginia to possess, over any other section of our If a salt meadow, or other hack pasture can advantages, which I believe this state and Vircultural facilities, there are decided agricultural management, for which they are so justly fa-onally on hay from the time they are turned off widely extended country. At no former period, however, has the value

med.

In the

South America may compete with us, but Europe and Asia, from a variety of causes must

1. Year in corn manured in the hill, or broad-continue to decline the competition.

cast.

2. In wheat.

3. In clover, cut or carefully grazed.

the field intended for corn, until the clover is

Independent of the noble bay and rivers that flow within their limits, and the facility with which their waters may be connected with

I come now to offer some remarks on the grazable to advantage, which is not till about of our navigable waters been more obvious than best system of farming. It has not fallen to my the first week in June, it will be found a very now, when the low price of most things rentot to meet with, or read of any man, who has valuable acquisition. settled down fixedly into a rational, digested system of farming before he has had ten or fifteen years of experience. This proves the difficulty of our art, and will ensure for my errors in the

*See Code of Agriculture, pages, 38, 268, 296, 293, 294

See Radcliffevery interesting account of Flanders, page, 69..

The lots tilled in nearly the same rotation.
1. Year in tobacco, and other small crops
pumkins, &c. manured.

2. In wheat.

3. In clover to be cut.

ders it so important to get them to market at a of to market, we only require industry and good very trifling cost. With our facilities of getting system to enable these states to compete, successfully, with the most fertile regions of the Western country.

But in Virginia, they can cultivate cotton to advantage, and in both states we can grow in

*The late Gov. Lee. See his letter in the the greatest perfection three important staples, American Farmer, Vol. 1. page, 123.

wheat, corn, and tobacco; from which we may

W. H. H.

Dear Sir, your obedient servant, Baltimore 18th July, 1822.

Editorial Correspondence.

make a choice; or, we may embrace them all. bours. Our shore has been remarkably exempt aspect of his plantation? Such considerations Dr. Morse informs us in his geography, that in from autumnal fevers, for twelve or fifteen years cannot be in better hands than your's, and wishthis State "two articles are peculiar; the gen- preceding the two last; in which, however, we ing you every success in the great path of use uine white wheat, which grows on this shore, have by no means been solitary in our affliction. fulness that you have marked out. Believe me, and degenerates in other places; and the bright Fogs are supposed to be indicative of an unhealkite-foot tobacco which is produced on the thy climate, and the fact may be considered Western shore."* This wheat, which grows in not a little curious, when I assert that we have the greatest perfection within twenty miles be-not, on this part of the shore, one fog for every low Wye river and the same distance above, ten which they have in the highlands about is believed to be equal in quality to any pro- Baltimore; and, that they are not so frequent duced in the known world; and the kite-foot to-here as they are, every where, to the North. Extracts from letters. bacco is exceeded by none perhaps in value, ex-The cause of this fact, is not difficult to assign. PHILADELPHIA, 29th May, 1822. cept the crop of Cuba-the Varinas. Our country is level, with but little or no stag-FINE WOOL-the home demand for it is steaMr. Darby, another distinguished American nant water or marsh, and the temperature of dy, and far exceeds the supply. geographer and acute observer, in his account our local atmosphere is generally very nearly in "Our flock of sheep has been very expensive of Louisiana, says "that a more northern lati-equilibrium. This, perhaps, is the reason why to us, our merinoes were selected with great tude is better for Indian corn than that of the four most level lands are the healthiest, as they care, and with our woollen factory have absorbed sugar and best cotton districts," and instances are acknowledged to be. So also, stagnant wa-a large capital. Upon the increase of fine wool35 degrees, as probably the best latitude. The ter in deep ravines sooner becomes putrid than ed sheep, the prosperity of such establishments average produce to the acre in that state he on planes, where the current of air has more depends. Our own, in Delaware, has suffered supposes to be about "twenty bushels," and the scope to agitate, and keep it longer pure. Damp chiefly from the want of prime wool. Of inferigrain is inferior to northern corn. and warm vallies wherever found, load the at- or merino, we have constantly had an abundant These comparisons are not instituted, by me, mosphere with moisture, which hovering around supply; but we have not at any time, found a for the illiberal purpose of undervaluing other the hills, is seen as fog, until the growing sufficient quantity of prime merino. Indeed, our sections of our common country. They are warmth of day, rarefies and disperses it. And, it dependence for the finest pile, has been unavoidamade, solely, for the purpose of rescuing our own is believed that our water courses being salt, and bly placed in wool of foreign growth. From the section from unmerited reproach; to shew that in a level, improved country, are not so obnox-general character of the American Wool pre if others have advantages, so have we, and ious to disease, as those of more rolling lands; sented to us as merino, we conclude that the enough to make us contented with our own lot; unless these are sufficiently so to make the cur- fine imported sheep have in most instances been to strengthen our confidence under providence, rent rapid and precipitous. left to mingle with common flocks: for from the

in our own exertions for the attainment of ag- It is remarkable that our intermittent fevers, observations which I have made upon the wool of ricultural prosperity, and consequent domestic on this shore, are of less malignant character, merinoes, carefully selected and kept during a happiness. and more generally exempt from inflammatory period of more than ten years, I may safely reLet us descend for a moment to our own par- symptoms, than those are which generally pre-mark that it does not sink in quality or decrease ticular section. Though we have not the fer-vail in hilly regions. Thus, they are simple in quantity." tility of the vallies of the other shore, those of and easily controlled by medical art, and when Pennsylvania, and the western part of New an isolated case of low febrile disease appears to TRANSPLANTING CEDARS-ESSAYS ON York, nor of the Connecticut river; yet it is bid defiance to our skill, all bountiful provibelieved, that wasted as it has been for centu-dence seems to have placed as a dernier resort ries, still there is not a district in any of the in the centre of our peninsula, at Barren creek, a JOHN S. SKINNER, Esq. atlantic states of equal extent, which can pro- Chalybeate spring, which for its tonic powers Sir-I observe in your last No. (11,) informaduce so much crop, with the same labour and stands almost unrivalled. tion is requested as to the proper season for re

GARDENING, &c.
Huntsville, Alabama,) July 12, 1822.

capital employed as does this peninsula. Look Our lands though low and level, are general-moving cedars, hollys, &c. Having but little exat our fields, and see the grateful returns, which ly dry, and may all be made so with but little perience on this subject I can only state the fact, the small pittance of one shovel full of manure labour; when therefore our Shore is effectually that in February last I transplanted six cedars, to the corn hill is ready to yield! See the faci-drained, cleared, and improved by good husband-about 18 inches high, all of which took root and lity with which our lands are tilled ;-no hills, ry, may we not reasonably and confidently look are now in a thriving condition; the season was no rocks, no ravines to intercept the continued forward to the possession of one of the finest very wet and favourable for transplanting generfurrow; yet the surface is sufficiently undulating; climates, as well as one of the finest agricultu-ally; at the same time I removed from the and, with a little assistance, the superabundant ral districts in the whole country? Let us then mountains to my yard, the tulip poplar, (Liriowater passes readily away. View your unbound- my friends and neighbours, one and all, set about dendrum tulipa) mulberry, and locust; which ed resources of manure, in how many places this great work with cheerful hearts and busy have all succeeded well. But, although I have we find marl, oyster shells, and sea-weed! View hands, and persevere until we shall have ac-been successful with my cedars, a planter a short the facility with which the poor may draw ne-complished, a purpose so benevolent-an end, so distance from town, informs me that he made the cessaries and the rich obtain luxuries from the profitable ! water, by devoting a few hours in each week

to that object or giving the equivalent, and say

pi, is respectfully invited to the following:
AMERICAN WINE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN FARMER.

experiment almost every month in the year, without succeeding, until at the recommendation of a friend he planted them in August, in

whether it is not preposterous in any man, be The attention of our subscribers on the Mississip-which case every tree took root, and he has a he rich, or be he poor, to go elsewhere in quest double row of perhaps 50 or 60 fect of the most of "brighter skies, or fatter lands?" Nay, more, beautiful cedars I have ever seen.* I should be --say, whether it is not owing to the bounties of proglad to see more attention paid in your work to vidence too profusely showered, that the peoDear Sir:-Under the head of "Domestic practical essays on gardening; a subject which ple on the waters of the Chesapeake are so Occurrences," in the London " Matrimonial Maga- has perhaps been too much neglected in this proverbial for their bad husbandry and negligent zine," for April 1775, I observe the following country, the works published on that subject are management? It is a trite but true remark, that paragraph:generally too diffuse, we want minute and practimen will always make the greatest exertion, "A small quantity of Claret and Burgundy, cal details of the different modes of cultivating where the difficulty of procuring subsistence was lately imported from Colonel Ball's settle-Jour common garden vegetables, similar to those most requires it." And, besides affording us ma- ment, on the river Mississippi, which was published by you from a gentleman in the state of by articles of wholesome and delicious food, and sent as a present to his Majesty, and is esteem-New-York, some time since; as well as, some acmany sources of manure, our waters are our«ed as good as the best imported from France." count of the best methods of destroying the nupublic highways; and the winds of heaven are Now sir, might there not be something more merous insects which infest our vegetables, parour carriers to market. The bounty of nature than mere curiosity gratified in making inquiry ticularly cucumbers, melons and cabbages, the has relieved us from the expense of turnpike relative to" Colonel Ball's settlement? If that raising of all which is attended with much trou roads, and removed from us half the necessity settlement has been broken up, may there not be ble in this section of country. for carts, for horses and for oxen, With regard to health, our climate is perhaps traditionary account of his establishment, and of in no respect inferior to that of our neigh-the process of his culture, &c? Might it not be

* Vol. 1., page 466. † Page 144.

some remains of his vinyard, or at least some

I am sir,
Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,
SAMUEL HAZARD.

satisfactory and useful to learn even the descrip-
tion of soil in which he planted his vines, their * It may be seen in No. 13, page 103, of this vol.
quality, whether foreign or native, and also the that our correspondent R. has transplanted ce-

prejudices.

*

AMERICAN FARMER.

If we

dars very successfully any time between Septem-prising avidity in preference to fresh food, then face) grow vigorously, and subdue the rest, ber and June. As the leaves of evergreen shrubs thrown in with the coals, and also in preference so that, although there is a mixed undergrowth, and trees survive our winter, and live until mid- to their drink, which was thrown in fresh, or new; the large trees on summer, when they give place to new leaves, it for, I should not say fresh, as I frequently put one sort; on deep and cool subsoils they are more is probable that, they can be transplanted with salt in the water for fattening hogs, and it might mixed, but not with any of those which cover poor subsoils, are all of greater prospects of success after their new have been so at that time; they neither stopped are mixed, but again entirely different. In or leaves are formed, than before. It is said in to drink nor to eat grain, until the coal was all der to simplify this matter, suppose that an acre general terms, by Darwin, "that trees may be eaten. more safely removed in midsummer, than at any say what the internal appearance may be, but tom, were cleaned and prepared, and sowed As the hogs are not yet killed, I cannot of shallow dry land, having a loose stoney bot other period."-Edit. Am. Farmer. they discontinued their rooting, were more quiet, with the mast of Scotch, and spruce firs, oaks, and appeared to fatten faster. I omitted it for a ashes, elms, beech, birch, &c., they might all MULES-Their merits will finally subdue our again, and they discontinued rooting: I now con- two; but the Scotch firs would grow away, and few days and they commenced rooting; I gave it spring up (and with weeding) grow a year or tinue to give them a moderate quantity daily, say presently overtop and destroy all the rest; JEFFERSON COUNTY, Va. 30th July, 1822. the size of a hen's egg two pieces to each, but if the beech and birch would last longer than the "When you consulted me last spring about operate only as a moderate purgative." more is given it will do no injury, an excess will others, and drop their mast, but would finally standing a Jack in this neighbourhood, I discouraged the idea, under the impression that the popu- COTTON RECEIVED FROM ILLINOIS. and cool, suited to rich natural pasture, here only form an undergrowth to the firs. lar prejudices against mules were inveterate and reverse this, and suppose the site to be deep unconquerable. This impression was produced Edwards County, Illinois, April 16th, 1822. S though ash and poplar would struggle with them. Mount Carmel, (Falls of Great Wabash,) the elms would soon be lords of the soil; alby an attempt which I myself made some years ago to introduce the mule, which proved unsuc-cimen of the product of our soil. It is I believe principal timber; and I take the liberty of presenting you with a spe- On stiffish clay land, the oak would form the cessful. I purchased a very fine Maltese Jack, about the second quality of our cotton, being the Why therefore should we wonder that applebred many valuable mules, sold them to gentle- first lock of it, that came to hand.* Not having trees, which we plant every where, should be unso on of other soils. men at a distance, at good prices, and offered any acquainta ce with the merchants or manu- healthy? premiums for mares to the Jack, but all in vain: factures of your city, I have forwarded this samnothing could then shake the stubbornness of vul- ple to you and if it be thought advisable, will this :-It may be inferred from our remarks in gar prejudice, and the experiment failed, as to gladly enter into a contract for a large supply. the former article, that apple trees should The second point which we would explain is any other effect except to furnish my farm with Domestic goods,† might be advantageously ex-be supposed to thrive well, and escape disease a few mules that I still have, and which every changed for this article. day's experience more and more convinces me are infinitely superior to the best horses for all the purposes of farm labor. A Jack was sent from Washington City, to this neighborhood last Season and contrary to all expectation he has had upwards of sixty mules at six and eight dollars the season. This result has been very gratifying| to me, but at the same time it has produced a shorter than the Louisiana, it is worth 15 cts. the nursery, and planted on soils equally good, * It is beautifully white and fine, but a little should swell away when finally relieved from regret that I advised you against sending yours per lb. ; how much better then, as an agricultu- and make strong and healthy trees; but this is "Since our harvest has been gathered in, the when these will scarcely refund the expenses of poor subsoils: on shallow dry gravels, compact ral surplus, would this be than breadstuffs are, 'not to be expected when they are planted on wheat crop is found to be even more deficient taking them to the seaboard! we have for some sandy bottoms, or any hard subsoils, they are than was apprehended. It is certainly under one time past been persuaded that flax, hemp, cot- liable to be very dry in summer.

here.

I am Sir,

Very respectfully

Your obedient servant,

THOMAS S. HINDE.

TO JOHN S. SKINNER, Esq.

every where, provided they were reared in open spaces, and suffered to swell properly from the first; by the foregoing observations this could not be. It is remarkable that the power of vegetable life, in good soils, should be able to overcome all the obstacles that are applied to the natural growth of stocks, and that they

half of an average crop, there is a general fail-ton and wool, ought to be more extensively pro- Apple-trees thrive well on a variety of subure of clover sowed last spring-our pastures duced in this country and especially in the Wes- soils, but the land must be such, generally, as is are destroyed, and our corn is severely suffering tern States.-Edit. Am. Far. Is it practicable to procure a Tunis ram of supplied as any on the continent, with Domestic dense a clay, so as to crack much in summer. We understand that, our market is as well overcharged with wet in winter, and not too suited to good natural grass; the bottom not full blood, in your neighborhood? I prefer them Goods.-Editor. decidedly to all other sheep, and if I can get one

by the present drought.

I will have him brought up by the first opportu-
nity that offers, when the weather becomes suf-
ficiently temperate.
Very respectfully, dear sir,
Your friend and servant,

H. S. T.

Good gravelly loams, and limestone subsoils in Selections from late numbers of the London Far-colnshire, where the bottom is a brownish melgeneral, are well suited to them. The richest and highest naturally drained marsh land in Linmers' Journal, received at the Office of the low, cool, and loamy sand, is exceedingly well American Farmer. adapted to this tree. On the contrary, in the PEELING AND BARKING FRUIT-TREES. lies on clay, the apple-trees canker; and on skir adjoining fens, where the land is very good, but CARBON-Useful in futtening Hogs. The inquiry introduced through the treatise of ty fen land, where the bottom is rapidly dried Mr. Lyon, is to us, extremely interesting; and in spring, and much indurated in summer, (alCINCINNATI, (Ohio,) January 16th, 1822. as we expect to hear from that gentleman on the though the surface soil is deep) the disease is "One idea has entered my mind which may should explain them as clearly as, without tedi- appear that Mr. Lyon's explanation of the cause subject of our remarks, it is needful that we more prevalent and severe. be worth mentioning, but not for the press; you ousness, we are able. By apple-trees being of canker is conclusive; we must take all the Hence it does not can perhaps improve upon it. The fattening of removed out of a state of nature, we expressly facts into consideration, that present thempoultry on carbon, or carbon being one of the mean (besides the artificial mode of rearing selves.

active means, together with aunt Dinah's theory, them to standards) that they are planted, for By Mr. Lyon's general reasoning he imputes suggested to me the propriety of giving it to convenience and domestic use, on all soils. On canker to over-luxuriancy of growth; or, in hogs, when penned and high fed for the purpose some soils they do well; on others indifferently; other words, to the young trees taking up too of being fattened. While standing by a pen, on some very badly, and on others they will much nourishment from the land (soil or subsoil) observed the hogs to root very deep, with much not grow (to trees) at all. Now there is no tree in which they grow. He finds trees peculiarly lialabor. I watched them, to know if possible, the in nature that will suit all soils; and if we were ble to this disease, clear of moss, vigorous when object of their great exertions, until I saw one disposed to force the oak, elm, or fir, to grow young, and breaking out into canker, from the supcome up with his mouth full of fresh earth, which every where, we might be just as much stir-ply of nutriment from the soil, overbalancing the he eat with an apparent avidity, while another red up in quest of remedies for their want of power (or effect) of the atmosphere upon the would be engaged in the same hole the moment health. We have elsewhere observed, that in branches; that is to say-to the trees drawing the first would be out; my presumption was countries wich nature has clothed with forests, more from the soil than they can convert to that it was used as a corrector of some morbid the trees are assorted, as if they had been plant-wood or fruit. But this cannot be true, because fluid in the stomach, as they were plentifully ed by the hand of man; because those which when the supply of nourishment is the greatest supplied with corn and water. I mediately some coal, which they eat with sur-gives staple, quality, and progress to the sur-in spring, preserve all their healthy functions, gave them im-suit each respective subsoil (for it is this which possible, provided that the leaves, which open

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