ing admired; but says, "it is not long since of Elizabeth, is particularly mentioned by him Natural Order, Scabria. In Botany, a Genus they began to grow figs in Africa."-These ap-as one of our fruits; but the fig is not in his of the Polygamia Triacia Class. pear to have been of an early kind; for we find list. He says, "there be divers fruit trees in the The fig-tree is evidently a native of that part when Cato wished to stimulate the senators to hot countries, which have blossoms, and young of Asia, where the garden of Eden is generally African fig in his hand; then addressing the as-ceeding one another." And it is said, the orange declare war against Carthage, he took an early fruit, and ripe fruit, almost all the year, sucsaid to have been situated, as it is the only tree particularly named in those passages of the Bisembly, he said, "I would demand of you how hath the like with us for a great part of sumble which relate to the creation and fall of man. long it is since this fig was gathered from the mer; and so also hath the fig. And they sewed fig-leaves together, and made tree?" and when they are all agreed that it was themselves aprons." It is a fruit that appears not yet three days since this fig was gathered at find, in Turner's Herbal, that the fig-tree was fresh gathered, "Yes," answered Cato," it is tree was planted in this country in 1548; and we The Hortus Kewensis informs us, that the figto have been highly esteemed by the Israelites, who brought figs out of the land of Canaan, of our city we have a mortal enemy." With in 1597, that "the fruit of the fig-tree never Carthage: and by it, see how near to the walls cultivated here previous to 1562. Gerard says, when they were sent by Moses to ascertain the this argument he prevailed upon them to begin cometh to maturity with us, except the tree produce and strength of that country. The fig-tree is often mentioned, both in the the third Punic war, in which Carthage, that be planted under a hot wall." Parkinson also, Old and New Testament, in a manner to induce had so long been a rival to Rome, was utterly in 1629, says, that "if you plant it not against a us to conclude that it formed a principal part of destroyed."The Lydian figs," says Pliny, "are brick wall, it will not ripen so kindly;" but much the food of the Syrian nation. In the 25th chap-of a reddish purple colour; the Rhodian, of a must depend on the situation of the country. ter of the first book of Samuel, we read, that blackish hue; as is the Tiburtine, which ripens when Abigail went to meet David, to appease culaneum, Albicerate, and Aratian; the Cheli-grows on standard trees, and ripens as well as in before others. The white figs were from Her-near Worthing, in Sussex, where the fruit There is an orchard of fig-trees at Tarring, him for the affront given by Nabal her husband, she took with her, amongst other provi-winter: some bear twice a year, and some of donian figs are the latest, and ripen against the any part of Spain; these trees are so regularly sions, a present of two hundred cakes of figs. When Lycurgus banished luxury from Sparta, The Romans had figs from Chalcis and Chios, exceed three-quarters of an acre, there are the Chalcidian kind bear three times a year." large family. Although the orchard does not productive, as to form the principal support of a and obliged the Spartan men to dine in one common hall, to enforce the practice of temper&c.; and many of their varieties, it appears, upwards of 100 trees, that are about the size ance and sobriety, every one was obliged to send cultivated them in Italy. The Livian fig was near twenty feet each way from the trunk. were named from those who first introduced or of large apple-trees, the branches extending thither his provisions monthly, which consisted of about one bushel of flour, eight measures of so named after Livia, wife to the Emperor Au- Mr. Loud, the proprietor of this little figgery,, wine, five pounds of cheese, and two pounds and gustus, who, it is said, made an unnatural use of informs me, that he gathers about 100 dozen per a half of figs. it to poison her husband. day, during the season, and that he averages the The Athenians were so choice of their figs, If the fig-tree was ever brought to this coun-trees to produce him about 20 dozen each; the that it was forbidden to export them out of Atti-try by the Romans, it was, in all probability, fruit ripens in August, September, and October, ca. Those who gave information of this fruit confined to the southern counties; and not being a part of the year when the neighbouring wabeing sold contrary to law, were called sykophan-generally cultivated, was destroyed when their tering places are frequented with fashionable tai, from two Greek words sygnifying the dis-villas were demolished. It is generally suppo- company, that insures a ready sale for this coverers of figs; and as they sometimes gave ma-sed that it was not planted in England before the agreeable fruit, at good prices. licious information, the term was afterwards ap-reign of Henry the Eighth, when luxury and the The second crop I find has occasionally ripenplied to all informers, parasites, liars, flatter-arts began to be encouraged, and noblemen's ed: the fruit, which, although smaller, is ex-ers, impostors, &c. from whence the word syco-houses first put on the air of Italian magnificence. ceedingly sweet, are of the white and purple vaphant is derived. There are, at the present time, some fig-trees, of rieties. Two of these trees are now about se The story of Romulus and Remus being suck- the white Marseilles kind, growing in the garden venty-five years old, having been planted in the led by a wolf under a fig-tree, proves that this of the Epissopal Palace, at Lambeth, which year 1745 by John Long, who raised them from fruit must have been early known in Italy. are said to have been planted by Cardinal Pole, some old ones in an adjoining garden, near the The trees are but seldom and sparingly pru- The Egyptians and Greeks held this fruit in who brought them from Italy during the reign ruins of the palace of Thomas-à-Becket in that great estimation: it was their custom to carry a of Henry the Eighth. There is also a fig-tree of town, who, tradition says, brought these trees basket of figs next to the vessel of wine used in the white sort, at Mitcham, in the garden of the from Italy, and planted them himself. The soil. the Dionysia, or festivals in honour of Bacchus; manor-house, formerly the private estate of of the garden is a deep black loam on chalk. and it is related to have been the favourite fruit Archbishop Cranmer; and it is confidently staof Cleopatra, who was the most luxurious queen ted to have been planted by that prelate: the the world ever produced. The asp with which stem measures thirty inches in girth. ned, which I conclude is the cause of their beshe terminated her life, was conveyed to her in a At Oxford, in the botanic garden of the Re-ing so prolific, as I have remarked that fig-trees basket of figs. gius Professor of Hebrew, is a fig-tree, which rarely produce much fruit where the knife is Saturn, one of the Roman deities, was repre- was brought from the East, and planted by Dr. regularly used. When they grow too luxuriantly, sented crowned with new figs; he being supposed Pocock, in the year 1648. Of this tree, the fol-it has been found better to destroy a part of to have first taught the use of agriculture in lowing anecdote is related: Dr. Kennicott, the their roots, and to fill up the space, with stones Italy. There was a temple in Rome dedicated celebrated Hebrew scholar and compiler of the or broken bricks, than to prune the branches Mr. Knight, the president of the to this god, before which, grew a large fig-tree. Polyglot Bible, was passionately fond of this too much. The Vestals, when they removed this tree in fruit; and seeing a very fine fig on this tree Horticultural Society, observes, that there canorder to build a chapel on the spot, offered an that he wished to preserve, wrote on a label, not be a more defective manner of cultivating expiatory sacrifice: this happened about two "Dr. Kennicott's fig,' which he tied to the the fig-tree than that which is generally prachundered and sixty years after the foundation of fruit. An Oxonian wag, who had observed the tised by gardeners,-of training them against the city. transaction, watched the fruit daily, and when walls, with their branches perpendicular upThe fig was a fruit much admired by the ripe, gathered it, and exchanged the label for wards; the wood, by this means, becomes too Romans, who brought it from most of the coun-one thus worded: "A fig for Dr. Kennicott." luxuriant to produce fruit. tries they conquered, and had so increased the We may conclude that the fig-trees, which The ancients believed that there existed as varieties in Italy, by the commencement of the are stated to have been planted in the time of sympathy between plants, and they therefore Christian era, that Pliny has furnished us with Henry the Eighth, either had not fruited, or planted rue near their fig-trees, which was said a description of twenty-nine sorts that were were but little known at that period; as Tus-to make the fruit sweeter; and that the rue not familiar to him. He says, "figs are restorative, ser, who has furnished us with a list of the only grew more luxuriantly, but more bitter, by and the best food that can be taken by those who fruits which were grown in England in the suc-being thus neighboured by the fig-tree. I are brought low by long sickness, and are on the ceeding reign, has not mentioned the fig-tree; think this is very probable, without having any recovery." He adds, "that figs increase the and Lord Chancellor Bacon, who wrote still lathing to do with sympathy, as trees and plants strength of young people, preserve the elderly ter, never mentions it as being cultivated in will naturally draw juices from the earth most in better health, and make them look younger, England, though, from the exalted situation he congenial to their nature: the rue may there and with fewer wrinkles. They are so nutritive, filled, and the circles in which he moved, he fore exhaust the earth of those properties-suitas to cause corpulency and strength: for this must have had great opportunities of knowing able for the nourishment of bitter plants, and. cause," continues he, "professed wrestlers and the earliest introduction of trees and plants, leave the fig-tree to thrive from a soil, which: champions were in times past fed with figs." which occupied a part of his attention. The the former has qualified, by consuming the pare This naturalist mentions the African figs as be-almond, which was not introduced until the days ticles of the earth that are pernicious to sweets fruits. Shakspeare seems to have been of this opinion when he wrote 66 And wholesome berries thrive, and ripen best, Neighbour'd by fruit of baser quality." AMERICAN FARMER. lately been killed, was hung up in a fig tree South; round the fields grow mulberry trees and in the evening, and was removed before sun-rise serve at the same time to support the vine, when the leaves were on, at about ten o'clock elms, that cover them with their shade, and in the morning, when it was found in a perfect which, spreading over their branches, makes We have now in this country a great variety hours more it would have been in a state of pustate for cooking; and he adds, that in a few the same soil produce several crops at once. of this most delicious and wholesome fruit, trefaction. which is, I believe, the only kind we possess The greatest part of the kingdom is mounthat has sweetness, without acidity or ciliness. ris, are immense fields covered with fig-trees: year. Pastures are found on their highest sumIn the neighbourhood of Argenteuil, near Pa-ter snows on their summits during the whole tainous ;-some of the highest preserve the winIt is nourishing, easy of digestion, and grate-the inhabitants of the former town derive their mits where innumerable flocks feed during the ful to the stomach; and is much esteemed in chief support from the culture of this fruit; summer, for their thick verdure is never desthe countries where it is cultivated: but in Eng-and I feel confident that there are many situa-troyed by the heat. Below this region of herland, it seems to please only the refined pa- tions on the coast of Sussex, between the towns bage begin the forests of chesnuts, which grow lates of the higher order of society. In some of Arundel and Shoreham, where if figs were to an enormous size; and on the lower slopes of parts of the coast of Sussex, where this fruit cultivated, the London markets could be amply these mountains are woods of olive trees. ripens in perfection, I have known it not only supplied with this nutritious fruit. neglected by the middle and lower classes, but even mentioned with derision in their disputes. Italy, Spain, and Provence. In the south of and fruit trees round the enclosures. We see We import the best dried figs from Turkey, ing in the rubbish, lemon trees in the gardens, Round the villages they have fig-trees growThe fig-tree is distinguished from all other France, they are prepared by dipping them in orange trees for the first time near Fendi. trees we know of, by it's bearing two succes-scalding hot lye made of the ashes of the figsive and distinct crops of fruit in one year, each tree, and then dried in the sun. crop being produced on a distinct set of shoots. In the neighbourhood of Naples the fields are ofThis climate rarely allows the second crop to in emollient cataplasms and pectorial decoc-under this shade are seen beans, Indian corn, or For medical purposes, figs are chiefly used the vines hanging in festoons between them; and ten covered with elms, the branches supporting come to maturity, except where they are hous-tions. ed. At the Royal Gardens at Kew, there is a fig-house fifty feet in length, where, under the ture, and, when charged with oil and emery, is their complexion of an olive colour; nor is their The wood of the fig-tree is of a spongy tex-all handsome; their physiognomy is harsh, and melons. The country women here are not at superintendence of Mr. Aiton, this fruit has much used on the continent by locksmiths, gun- costume elegant. The small farmers are very been forced to the highest pitch of perfection: smiths, and other artificers in iron and steel, to poor, and only farm as much land as they can Mr. Aiton's chief reliance has been, I under-polish their work. This wood is considered al-cultivate with their families;-that is four or stand, on the second crop. In the year 1810, the most indistructible, and on that account was for-five acres. They keep for themselves only a royal tables were supplied with more than two merly used in Egypt and other Eastern coun- third of the crop, the remainder belonging to hundred baskets of figs from that fig-house, fifty tries, for embalming bodies. baskets of which were from the first crop, and] one hundred and fifty baskets from the second. by the well-known story of Timon of Athens, and work only with the spade; but the earth I shall conclude my account of the fig-tree, the hands of his Fattore. They have no ploughs, the landlord, to whom it is paid in kind through In one instance, Mr. Aiton had this fruit ripe in who was called misanthrope, for his aversion being mixed with volcanic ashes is easily stirJanuary, and sent excellent figs to the palace to mankind and to all society. He once went red, and the occasional showers of ashes from on the late Queen's birthday, the 18th of that into the public place, where his appearance as Vesuvius, contribute much to fertilize it. The caprification of figs was practised by he addressed his countrymen, by informing them fruits, but also the leaves of their trees, which an orator soon collected a large assembly, when the ancients in the same manner as it is now at- that he had a fig-tree in his garden, on which serve to feed their cattle in winter. Melons are These farmers gather with care not only the tended to by the inhahitants of the Archipela- many of the citizens had ended their lives with cultivated successively between the rows of elms, go; and it is described by Theophrastus, a halter; and that, as he was going to cut it after which corn is sown. When it is carried Plutarch, Pliny, and other authors of antiquity. down, he advised all those that were inclined the whole family go and dig up the stubble, It is too curious a circumstance in the history to leave the world, to hasten and go hang them and sow beans on the purple clover. During of the fig tree to be omitted, as it furnishes a selves in his garden. convincing proof of the reality of the sexes of plants. The flowers of the fig-tree are situated within the pulpy receptacle, which we call the fruit. Of these receptacles, in the wild fig-tree, month. (To be continued.) some have male flowers only, and others have On Italian Agriculture, communicated for male and female. the Continued from page 162. six months the children go every morning and corn In the cultivated fig, these are found to contain only female flowers, that are fecundated by In the following spring, Indian means of a kind of gnat bred in the fruit of the planted on the stubble of the clover or beans. is wild fig-trees, which pierces that of the cultiThe land is then manured, and on this crop vated, in order to deposit its eggs within; at depends the food of the family. the same time diffusing within the receptacle litans, the result of their manners and govern-vest, they only cultivate different kinds of ve"From the national disposition of the Neapo- up for corn again; but after this second harcorn is hardly reaped when the ground is turned The Indian the farina of the male flowers: without this ment, it follows that agriculture must be almost getables. operation, the fruit may ripen, but no effective the only art which they cultivate. Without vaseeds are produced. Hence it is that we can nity or ambition, they have no idea of parade, regular rotation of crops in the ashy soil round raise no fig-trees from the fruit of our gardens, nor even of that external appearance of comfort, Vesuvius, which is regulated nearly in the folFrom these details it appears that there is a having no wild figs to assist the seed. They are by which people in other countries wish to ex-lowing way: consequently raised by cuttings, or by layers. cite envy. The liberal and even the mechani First year, Indian corn manured. Third do. Onions and vegetables. Fourth do. Corn, followed by beans or red clover. Fifth do. Melons. In many parts of the Grecian Islands, the in-cal arts are unknown to them. All the objects habitants pay such attention to the caprification of luxury, and most of those of the first necesof the cultivated figs, that they attend daily for sity are supplied by strangers, who carry back three months in the year to gather these little in exchange the superfluous productions of this flies from the wild fig-trees, and to place them fertile soil. on the fig-trees in their gardens, by which means they not only get finer fruit, but from ten to and frequently gives eight or ten for one. The Corn is cultivated in the plains and vallies, twelve times the quantity: thus one of the most ground instead of being allowed to rest for a tion affords six crops in five years, of which minute insects is, by the attention of man, made year, according to the custom of the ancient four are leguminous, and two in corn, besides 5 years--6 crops.-That is to say, this rotaa principal cultivator of fruit. It is a curious fact, that fresh-killed venison, the seed of another crop; and these different from the same soil. This system of culture is Romans, is ploughed directly in order to receive the produce of the vines, the fruits and leaves or any other animal food, being hung up in a fig crops grow in the volcanic ashes with unparal-almost entirely destined for the food of man, tree for a single night, will become as tender, leled vigour. and as ready for dressing, as if kept for many spring renews the hopes of the labourer, and to the climate, being reserved for the cattle. days or weeks in the common manner. A gen-he is rarely disappointed. Frequently, after the The variety of vegetables, skilfully intermixed Thus every autumn and every the 6th crop only, for which they are indebted tleman, who lately made the experiment, as-harvest, they plough up the land and sow red in this rotation, keeps up the fertility of the sured me that a haunch of venison which had or purple clover, which is indigenous in the soil with little manure; but, at the same time, its neighbour-w TO THE EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN FARMER. Greensburgh, 28th August 1822. DEAR SIR, nature, by giving it a volcano in its neighbour-where Heaven's breath smells sweet and woo-may at least place us on an equality in raising hood, has established an eternal source of ferti-ingly' the most beautiful interchange of sea this article, with more Southern latitudes. lity. and land-wines, fruits, provisions in their highTo be convinced of this, one need only remark est excellence-a vigorous and luxuriant nature, that this volcanic ground will support a family unparalleled in its productions and processes-all of five persons with a third of the produce of the wonders of volcanic powers, spent or in acfive acres. These families certainly live very tion-antiquities different from all antiquities on soberly and consume more vegetables and fruits earth-a coast which was once the fairy land than corn; but, in fine, they live. Such an in- of Poets, and the favourite retreat of great men. stance of fertility and of great population can Even the tyrants of the creation loved this allurperhaps no where else be found but in India; for ing region, spared it, adorned it, lived in it, di- I duly received your letter of the 14th instant it amounts to 5,000 souls in a square mile, in the ed in it. This country has subdued all its con- in the course of last week, during the hurry of circumference over which Vesuvius throws its querers, and continues to subvert the two great the court then sitting in this place, and am now sexual virtues, guardians of every other vir- much engaged in preparing for the supreme court Beyond Pompeia we see no longer any traces tue-the courage of the men, and the modesty which commences its session for the Western of the disorder caused by Mount Vesuvius. of the women." District at Pittsburgh on Monday next. The coast extends in almost innumerable slopes, In readily attempting to comply with your request, the circumstances mentioned must excuse ashes. on which grow together olives and mulberries, TOBACCO, of fine quality successfully raised in my delay, and also form my apology for any imvines and oranges. This favoured tract occupied all the space between Sorrento and Salerno, and is distinguished by the name of Piave di Sorrento. The plain of Sorrento is almost the only part of the kingdom of Naples in which one can discern the action of an active and enlightened industry. It is in this fine region also Pennsylvania, from Cuba Seed-With some perfection in this communication; I had procured useful hints on providing plants early in the through the intervention of a friend, a quantity of spring, and judicious selections on the phenome- tobacco seed from the Havana, about the beginna and process of curing by a scientific and ex-ning of March last, had a hot bed prepared about perimental agriculturist. fourteen feet long, and three feet wide, covered with glass, in the usual form, the stable manure that the farmers have attempted, with great EXTRACT FROM THE GREENSBURGH GAZETTE, perhaps thirty inches deep covered with rich success, the cultivation of cotton; insomuch OF THE 5th JULY, 1822. garden mould about six inches deep, with this I that, in the year 1812, they supplied the manu- Tobacco has hitherto been looked upon as one mixed four boxes of stone coal ashes, and about factures of Europe with 60,000 bales of that es- of those plants which our climate is too inhospi- four quarts of hickory ashes. The seed was sential article. With respect to their method of table to nourish to maturity, certainly, it has nev-mixed with perhaps a pint of plaster of Paris, cultivating it, they merely dig up the ground er before been cultivated here with such success as well for the purpose of a manure as the in March and sow the cotton in rows at the as to render it a profitable or even a safe crop. more easily to sow the seed evenly. Then distance of three feet. In these rows the plants But an experiment in its culture is now making put about an inch deep of garden mould, passing are only two feet from each other. The by A. W. Foster, Esq. of this place which pro- the mould through a riddle, on one part; and ground is so rich, that it requires no manure, mises to be crowned with success. He procured half an inch on another part, then placed a board but only to be kept constantly clean. some Havana seed and by the aid of a hot-bed, across the bed, and had it pressed down. Subse The rotation of crops adopted in the Volcanic had his plants ready for setting out at a much ear- quent experience, proved the compost to be of country round Vesuvius, leaving no vacancy for lier period than could otherwise have been done, the best possible quality; the plants grew with the cultivation of cotton, it became necessary as early, indeed as the frost would permit their the greatest luxuriance, and although frequently to change the course of crops, and to adopt ano- exposure. His lot of about an acre adjoining almost daily, watered with three or four watering ther which is perhaps the most productive in this town now presents a promising appearance of cans, full of water at a time, the earth remained a fine crop. The plants are remarkably vigor- loose and open. I found however the earth to be the world. The farmers not being able to subsist with- ous and healthful, generally from 20 to 30 inches not sufficiently deep, as I was much annoyed by the out the different crops established by the anci-high with from 12 to 20 leaves each. Some rising of mushrooms, or as they are sometimes ent economy of the country, still continue to choice ones on the 1st inst. measured in height 43 called toad stools. This probably would not have begin their system of rotation by the Indian inches, have 22 leaves, some of which are 20 been the case in so great a degree, had the earth corn, for which they manure the ground. Corn inches long and 14 broad. From their being so been ten or twelve inches deep; that part of the cucceeds, and then beans are sowed immediately far forward now, it may safely be anticipated bed also which was covered the deepest produced after harvest. This plant being destined only for that they will have ample time to reach complete scarcely any plants, and I had therefore to transfeeding the cattle during winter, is consumed maturity before the frost, and if there be any pe- plant into it, from other parts of the bed, where early, and the soil can thus be prepared by the culiar advantage to be derived to the quality of the seed had been covered lighter, and where end of March, without any impediment, for re- the plant by the warm suns, of the long summer the plants appeared to be too close; a small ceiving the cotton seed.-After it is gathered, days, this crop will surely have a full share of it. bug which appeared shortly after the plants rose corn is sown again in the same autumn, to which and destroyed some, disappeared entirely on maimmediately succeeds the red clover.-After king a leach of soot, and watering the plants and the clover comes melons; and when they are Extract from the same paper of July 26, 1822. bed with it. ripe, vegetables occupy the ground till spring, You noticed in your paper of the 5th inst. the I commenced transplanting into the lot preparand terminate the rotation of which this is the growth of a crop of Tobacco, in one of the outed for the purpose on the 3d of May. The leaves formula: lots adjoining this place, from plants raised in then about the size of a dollar and larger, many a hot bed, from seeds procured from the Havana. plants were destroyed by the common cutworm, Its progress from that time has been astonishing-which had to be replanted, and against which I ly great. The blossoms of some stalks left for discovered no remedy but time, attention and paseed, have already fallen, and the pods are full of tience. First year, Indian corn manured. Third do. Cotton. Fourth do. Corn, followed by clover. Fifth do. Melons, followed by vegetables. seed. Last week and this, three or four cart On the 17th June one plant measured from the loads have been cut and housed, some of the top of the hill 23 inches in height, a leaf 13} 5 years. S crops. leaves measure twenty five inches long and six inches long, and 9 inches broad, 14 leaves on the This course therefore supplies eight crops in teen broad. The remainder appears to be ripen-stalk. five years, two of which are corn, three legeu-ing fast. The seed we are assured is of the very On the 1st July one plant measured 3 feet 34 mes, one commercial, and two destined for the best quality of tobacco raised in the Island of inches in height, one leaf 17 inches long, and 10 cattle. By this variety the soil is enabled to Cuba, and procured in that district of country inches broad with 20 leaves on the stalk, another produce all that the earth can possibly afford to called in Havana, "Vuelta Abago," which is so plant which had been topped early by accident, human industry."-Page 513. peculiarly sought after, for the manufacture of having only 7 leaves, one of which measured 20 be correct. Naples-Although not within the scope of my cigars; we are assured that this tobacco, sells in inches in length, and 14 inches broad. design, I am tempted to give you a short ex-the Havana, for eighty dollars per hundred. If On the 10th of July the height of one plant was tract alluding to this place, which I know to by means of the hot-bed, tobacco even of the 5 feet 3 inches, length of one leaf 224 inches in quality of the James' River sweet leaf could be breadth 15 inches, the next day I measured "To a student of nature, to an artist, to a man raised in this country, it may form an important another stalk 5 feet 10 inches in height. of pleasure, to any man who can be happy article in its exports. The luxuriance of vege- On the 15th of July two stalks were cut bein fully among people who seldom even affect virtue, tation in early plants, as already evidenced in ripe, 1st stalk had 11 leaves, 23 inches long 15 perhaps there is no residence in Europe so the experiment made, would appear to more than inches broad; 2d do. 7 leaves, one of which tempting as Naples and its environs. A climate compensate for the expence of the hot bed; and measured 24 inches long, 16 inches broad. On the 31st July finished cutting one lot of first planting about half an acre. On the 7th August pulled one pod of Tobacco, seed fully ripe. On the 27th August, finished cutting the 2d crop on above being fully ripe. The foregoing is an abstract from memorand. 1 in Bulk from 5 o'clock in the afternoon, until 11 When it is taken into consideration the impor o'clock in the forenoon of the next day. tance of this production in Dying and Medicine In all vegetables there appears to be a gummy their present high price (from 50 to $60 per substance subject to fermentation in bulk, after cwt.) and their not being indigenous in any other the vegetable is dried under the ordinary heat of part of the United States, we know of nothing our atmosphere in a separate state, such is the that would so well repay the enterprize of any case after hay is put into the barn. And even of our citizens, as collecting and sending them flour, when sent from this country to New Or-to the northward for sale." The ground upon which I planted was about leans, and from thence to England in certain searich enough to produce good potatoes, had ra- sons, owing to this fermentation, will be cemented ther a westwardly exposure. A person a few into a solid mass. This, I am told, is prevented miles from this, Mr. Francis Lytle, to whom I had by kiln drying the wheat, the fermentation is pro- Extract of a letter to the Editor .1m. Farmer given some seed, in a richer soil, and south expo- duced at the time of drying, such I presume sure, had some plants the leaves of which mea-would be the case with Tobacco, which is cured sured 31 inches long, and 21 inches broad, with by fire. made at the several dates mentioned. Editorial Correspondence. dated Edenton, N. C. 16th August. "Our corn crops are very much injured by the drought.-It is generally believed that there will not be half crops raised in this and the two adjacent counties.' SUBSTRATUM PLOUGHING. Extract of a letter to the Editor of the Ameri from 17 to 23 leaves on the stalk, the leaves are I have had some cigars made of the tobacco, rounding at the stalk, and at the end like a shovel. from leaves partially dried, which have all the The one I have last mentioned had the greatest indications of the family from which the plant is number of superficial inches that I have ever descended, nothing of the nauseating taste of the heard of or seen in a tobacco leaf.* common cigar, the ashes also being remarkably The curing, was the rock upon which I feared white, and remaining until the cigar is half smoto split, having no practical knowledge on the ked, in fact till it falls by its own gravity and the subject and but little time to bestow upon it.increase of leverage, by the remoteness of the exThe two stalks first cut, which I had placed in treme point of the ashes from the cigar. The to be very short, particularly roots of every des different situations, afforded me an Index point- leaf is also remarkably sweet. I send you an or-cription. We have not had rain since planting ing out the true path, and I believe I have so far dinary one from a stalk brought this day from the our summer crops sufficient even to wet the succeeded. The season being hot and dry, a de- tobacco house, where my boys are putting it in ground plough deep.-We however find a striviation became necessary from the course usually bulk; it was brought in, on account of its appear-king difference wherever the substratum plough pursued when more advanced; after being cut it ing more fully cured than some others.* has been used, as the corn in every instance Very respectfully, must neither be suffered to remain so long expo- I am well assured that whatever may be my retains a tolerable colour, and in some instan sed to the sun, nor after removed so long in bulk fate in making this experiment, at least my ci-ces will yield at least double what the land before it is hung up as is generally recommended. gars will be well puffed. It must also be hung closer and more care must be taken, during the progress of curing, to keep it compact; in the first case it will decompose, and J. S. SKINNER, Esq. the essential oil will escape, in the second the water will evaporate, and the green colouring matter will remain in the leaf. The whole secret appears to be in expelling the colouring matter and preserving the essential oil in which the aroma exists. The volatile parts of tobacco are water, the colouring matter and the essential oil; water is the most volatile, and if a single leaf or a single stalk is hung up separately, the water soon escapes, the pores of the leaf close and the green colouring matter remains. or three weeks. The leaves in the first place as brown. The essential oil is the least volatile ; A. W. FOSTER. adjoining, of equal quality, where the common ERRATA. * This leaf we have exhibited to several reshectable manufactures, who have pronounced it of good quality, and better flavour than the tobac- JOHN S. SKinner. co generally brought to this market, but much inferior to that raised from the same kind of seed in Cuba. We have had the leaf made into cigars, and tried by good judges, who think they partake "In the communication of Judge Peters, on somewhat of the Spanish Cigar. The value of the subject or Tunisian sheep, our readers this tobacco, to manufactures, is not worth more "will please to correct the generic term used than the ordinary kinds; but for shipping, par-"by writers of natural history.-For Laticandæ, ticularly for the Bremen market, if in the curing "read Laticaudœ." a good bright yellow can be given to it, without regard to flavour, vill readily bring from $10 to $15.-Edit. Am. Farmer. PRODUCTS OF FLORIDA. THE FARMER. BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER, 6, 1822. PRICES CURRENT.-CORRECTED WEEKLY. At this season, when it is hung up, there is no danger of heating under so dry an atmosphere, nor does there appear the least necessity of incurring the risque of heating it, by letting it lie in bulk; on the contrary, if it is hung up in mass, close, and compact, and kept so during the pro- A writer in the Floridian, published in Pen- Red wheat, $1 18 to 1 21-White do., $1 22 cess of curing the mass will remain moist for two sacola, states a fact which may be interesting 1 25-White corn, 75 cts.-Yellow do., 73 cts.~~ to many persons-"It may perhaps be grati-Oats, 33 to 37 cts.-Rye, 50 to 55 cts.-Flour sume a yellow colour, the blue part of the colour-fying to your readers to learn that among the from the wagons, $6 37 a 6 50-Wharf, do. $6 ing matter, (for green although one of the pris-abundant vegetable productions of West Flo-25, 90 days-Shad, from $6 50 to 8 50-Hermatic colours is well known to be a compound of rida, the Quercus Cerris or Oriental Oak rings, $3 25 to 3 75-Beef, Northern mess per blue and yellow,) will in the meantime escape principally to the production of Nut galls-$9 75-Hams, 10 to 12 cents-middlings, 6 to stands in the first class. It owes its importance bbl. $10 to 10 25-Baltimore, prime do. 89 to and by a new combination probably of oxygen with the tannin principle, the leaf becomes they have hitherto been imported from the 8 cents-Cotton, West India, per lb. accord. Mediterranean at a great expense, and their ing to quality, 15 to 25 cents-New Orleans nevertheless, if suffered to remain in bulk beyond importance in manufactures is well known. prime, 16 to 18 cents-Georgia, upland, do. 14 a certain point of fermentation, a decomposition They are the production of an insect or an to 16 cents-Cheese, N. England, 12 to 15 cents, will take place and the essential oil escape. I hymenopterous species. The Cynops Querci- scarce-Coal, Virginia, per bushel, 25 to 30 had a few stalks thus injured by suffering it to lie folu, who deposit their eggs on the leaves and cts.-English do., 40 cts.-Flax per lb. 10 to 10 tender branches of the tree-an excrescence is cents-Hops, fresh, per lb. 10 to 12 cents-Hogs' soon formed around the egg, which enlarges to lard, per lb. 9 to 10 cents-Hides, E. Shore, per Several persons in this country were induced a ball the size of a bullet, enclosing the egg-lb. 8 to 10 cents-Leather, soal, per lb. 24 to 25 to try the experiment of raising tobacco this year. which in process of time is hatched, and the emFrom the success with which it has been attended, bryo often undergoing several changes, finally Salt, St. Ubes, per bushel, 50 cts.-Cadiz, do, cts.-Upper do., whole hide, $3 to $4 25I am confident it will be very generally tried next eats its way out of its prison. This excrescence 42 cts.-Liverpool, blown, 40 cts.-Ground do. There is scarcely a farmer that could not is the Nut gall-and those found in Florida are 50-Turks' Island, 60-Wool, Merino, full blood, year. raise an acre or more, without any inconvenience. equal in every respect to those imported from per lb. 35 to 40 cts.-Do. mixed, 28 to 30 cts.This, though small in the detail, would be con- the Levant. Common country do., 20 to 20 cts. siderable in the aggregate: I have been assured by This tree seldom attains the height of ten MARYLAND the gentleman who forwarded me the seed, and feet, and grows principally in low and wet si-Good do., $20 to 25-Fine spangled, $16 to 18 TOBACCO-Fine yellow, nonewhom I have seen since my former communication, tuations, and the galls cover the branches in-Fine red, $12 to 17-Good do., $8 to 10that it is the choicest seed of the Island, and I have great profusion. The writer of this gathered Very scarce, wanted-Common dark, $3 to 4 50, yet enough of it to plant 1000 acres. in the space of a few moments several pounds.plenty, no demand-Second do., $150 to 3. No. 25.-VOL. 4. HORTICULTURE. AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, 13th SEPTEMBER, 1822. POMARIUM BRITANNICUM, -Second Edition. (Continued from page 190.) 193 tinople, before Constantine had given his name July to November, by those who have well-reguto that city; and I am much inclined to think, lated varieties, as some kinds ripen early, while that the Greeks procured it from more eastern others are not only later, but have the quality An Historical and Botanical account of Fruits, countries. They were first cultivated in this of hanging on the bushes until near Christmas: known in Great Britain, by Henry Philips. country by Mr. John Ray, in 1665, and are ge-among the last, the Warrington gooseberry is nerally called Cobnuts. considered the best. I have not attempted to Pliny informs us, that Vitellius brought the give even the names of all the varieties of this nuts, called fistichs, into Italy, a little before fruit, finding them so numerous, that one nursethe death of Tiberius, and that Flaccus Pompe- ryman furnished me with his list, and obliged A species of the Hazle-ree. In Botany, a Ge-ius, who served in the wars with Vitellius, car-me with a sight of 300 varieties, the largest of ried them into Spain. Nuts are now grown in which in weight was equal to three guineas and nus of the Monacia Polyandria Class. that country in such quantities, according to the a half. Filberts were originally brought out of Pon account of Mr. Swinburn, that from a single Gooseberries are preserved in the green tus into Natolia and Greece, and were there-wood, near Recus, sixty thousand bushels have state with little trouble or expense, so as to refore called Pontic nuts: from thence they been collected in one year, and shipped from tain their natural flavour for tarts or cream, were procured by the Romans, and brought in- Barcelona, whence they are called Barcelona &c.; and, when ripe, they make excellent jam, to Italy, where they acquired the name of nuts. and a delicious and ornamental sweetmeat. FILBERT.-CORYLUS. Abellani, or Avellana, nuts, from Abella or It was the custom among the Romans for the To procure gooseberries large for the table, Avellins, a town of Campania; where the best bridegroom, on the night of his marriage, to it is desirable to cut off with a pair of scissars were cultivated, (Plin. b. 15, c. 22.) and from scatter nuts among the boys, intimating that he all the small berries, which are equally good thence arose the French name Aveline. dropt boyish amusements, and thenceforth was for the purpose of tarts. These nuts still continue to be cultivated in to act as a man. (Servius. Pliny.) the same situation; and, according to Mr. Columella states, that if nuts be steeped in Swinburn's account, the whole face of the water and honey before they are planted, they neighbouring valley is covered with them, and will grow more speedily, and produce sweeter which, in good years, brings in a profit of 60,000 fruit." ducats (£11,250.) Fuller, who wrote in the year 1660, says, "gardening was first brought into England, for 66 GOOSEBERRY.-GROSSULARIA. The wine made from green gooseberries, if properly managed, is but a shade below champaign; and the black gooseberry, when ripe, affords a luscious wine. The pale gooseberry was first brought from Flanders in the year that Henry the Eighth received the title of Defender of the Faith. This profit, seventy years ago," in the reign of Queen In Botany, a Species of the Ribes, of the Class monarch, and his daughter Queen Elizabeth, Elizabeth. He adds, gardening crept out of Pentandria ionogynia. seem to have encouraged the art of gardening, Holland into Kent." The gooseberry, which is now so much and as during their reigns, most of our best fruits It is supposed, that within a few miles round so justly esteemed, is a native of Europe; and and vegetables were first introduced and cultiMaidstone in that county, there are more fil-as it grew in the woods and hedges about Dar-vated in this kingdom; but even during the berts growing at the present time, than in all Eng-lington, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and other reign of these sovereigns, gooseberry leaves land besides, there being several hundred acres northern counties, in the wild state, I consider were used as a salad by those who could not afplanted with filbert-trees in the vicinity of that it indigenous to this country, although Drs. ford to send to Holland for a lettuce. town. The London market is entirely supplied Smith and Miller both entertained doubts of its The gooseberry is but little esteemed on the from thence with these nuts, which are excel-being truly so. It appears not to have been continent, for want of being more known; and lent in quality, and, if quite ripe, will keep known to the ancients, either in Greece or Rome, foreigners seem astonished at the size and flavour good for several years placed in a dry room. as their authors have made no mention of it; of this fruit in England. It cannot be propaFilberts are not only much more agreeable but it is noticed by the earliest naturalists who gated with success in the warmer parts of the than the common nuts, but are esteemed whole-have written in this country, notwithstand- world; but in this happy island we procure, by some and nourishing when taken with modera-ing it was a fruit much neglected, according to the aid of stoves, the finest fruits of the hottest tion. The cream of these nuts is good for the Ailioni's account, who says, "they are eatable, climes; we may therefore justly say with the stone and heat of urine. Emulsions may also but somewhat astringent." Gerard says, "it is poet.be made of them. The Romans used them with called feaberry-bush, in Cheshire, my native On foreign mountains may the sun refine vinegar and wormwood seed for the yellow country," and I find that it had the same name The grape's soft juice, and mellow it to wine; jaundice. in Lancashire and Yorkshire. In Norfolk it was With citron groves adorn a distant soil, Filberts are not found to answer well but on abbreviated into feabes. It appears to have ta- And the fat olive swell with floods of oil; very few soils: they seem to like a stony, san-ken the name of gooseberry, from its being We envy not the warmer clime, that lies dy loam; for in rich soils they grow too lux-used as a sauce for young or green geese, In ten degrees of more indulgent skies. uriantly to produce fruit, but much depends on Gerard says, "These plants do grow in our the skill and management in pruning these trees. London gardens, and elsewhere, in great abun- It has been a question agitated among physiIn Kent, they are not suffered to grow above five dance. The fruit is used in divers sawces for cians, whether fruits be safer before or after or six feet high, and are kept with a short meate: they are used in brothes insteade of meals. The answer to this seems to depend on stem, like a gooseberry-bush, and very thin of veriuice, which maketh the broth not onely a knowledge of the stomach. In a weak stomwood, somewhat in the shape of a purch-bowl. pleasant to the taste, but it is greatly profitable ach, they are more apt to be noxious when empFrom the class in which the tree is ranged to such as are troubled with a hot burning ty, than when distended with animal food. in botany, it will be observed, that the male ague." Here likewise they cannot be taken in such and female flowers grow quite distinct. The Parkinson says, that "the berries, whilst quantity as to hurt. In strong stomachs there is male flower is a scaly catkin, resembling the they are small, green, and hard, are much used little difference; there they would seem to probullion in fringe; it appears in autumn, and to be boiled or scalded, to make sauce for fish mote appetite. In weak stomachs even when waits for the expansion of the female blossom or flesh of divers sorts." Green gooseberries have full, if taken in too great quantity, they may in the spring, from whence the nut arises: this continued to be used as a sauce for mackerel be very hurtful, by increasing the active feris very diminutive, but of a fine crimson co-since my memory, in many parts of the country; mentation of the whole. The ancients alleged, lour; therefore the pruner should make him-and they are often mentioned by the French as that the mild fruits should be taken before, and self acquainted with the wood that produces grosseilles aux maquereaux. the acerb after meals, as being fitter to brace up each blossom, and not destroy too many of the The gooseberry, which was but a small ber-the stomach, and promote digestion. (Lectures male flowers that will fall from the tree after ry in the wild state, has, like the apple, been on the Materia Medica.) they have discharged their pollen, to the bene-multiplied in it's variety, and brought to it's The gooseberry bush is propagated by cuttings fit of the future fruit. present size by the art and industry of the En-or suckers; but the former way is preferable, To preserve filberts, they should be gather-glish and Dutch gardeners; and it is now deemed as the roots are less likely to shoot out suckers. ed quite ripe, and laid for some days on the one of our most valuable fruits, being so easily pro-Straight shoots should be selected about eight floor of a room, where the sun can get in, to dry pagated and so regular in it's production, furnishing inches long, and planted about half the length, them effectually. our tables, at all seasons of the year, with a whole-in good mould or light earth. The best time for The Byzantium nut, although much esteemed some and agreeable diet. It is the earliest as well planting them is in the autumn, just before the for it's flavour and size, is but little cultivated as one of the best fruits for spring tarts; and, when leaves begin to fall. It is desirable to sow the in this country, and very rarely seen in our ripe, the gooseberry is regarded by all classes seeds of ripe gooseberries, as by this means markets. This mut was brought from Constan- of society at the desert, where it appears from you have the chance of new varieties; and the |