from that noble animal, the horse; and from se- resembling a stirrup leather, he buckled the may have hit upon the same plan, and thus veral experiments, I am induced to believe that hog to the plank, passing the strap close behind have decoyed away his birds; and this supposiit is occasioned by a rapid fermentation or decom-the shoulders. tion is rather confirmed, as they appear occasiposition of the food in the stomach; when an. Having two boys to assist in catching them, onally to return to their old residence, perhaps abundant discharge of this kind takes place, the &c. one drew the hind legs as far back as possi- for the purpose of ascertaining whether it had horse may truly be called diseased; and in that ble without injury to the hog, the other secur-yet been supplied with this hospitable loaf, case fermentation may go on in the stomach, for ed the head and fore-feet. The hair was close-which seems to serve as a sort of stimulous, or it cannot, when an animal is in health, although ly trimmed with a pair of large scissors from provocative to their appetites. If these suggesthe process of digestion not more than half a cen- the hip bone, down towards the belly, then tions should have the effect to relieve your cortury ago (if I am rightly informed) was believed with a sharp knife an incision was made two respondent, who appears for sometime to have to be merely a fermentation, but is now ascribed inches long, to within an inch of the hip bone, been acting "loves labour lost," it will afforda to the operations of the gastric juice. through this, the pride and bag is to be drawn pleasure to Many have been the supposed causes of this as described by your correspondent. After cutcommon and distressing disorder, some have al-ting the pride off, the greatest care must be ta- Baltimore, Nov. 25th, 1822. leged it to be occasioned by the horse eating aken to return the bag to its former situation; he quantity of insects-others that it is the effect of says, more are lost from want of attention in plaster; and some that it is produced by eating that particular, than any other. RUS-IN-URBE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN FARMER. SQUABS. herbs that possess mercurial properties; but if He then put a piece of hogs' lard in the the latter were the case, we would see their gums wound, and sowed it up very slack. The adand salivary glands swelled and extended; we know vantage attending his mode, is, there is not the Your correspondent, who is a "Lover of Squabs,' that moisture and heat are the principal auxil- danger of rupture, which is frequently the effect wishes to know how he can prevent his pigeons liaries of fermentation; we know too, that these of the other method. I always have a piece from leaving him. I advise him, in the first are both common and natural to the horse; and of the tail cut off to distinguish them from place, to prevent their being disturbed by rats, I believe it is generally admitted that some ve- those turned out as breeders. and then rub some assafoetida inside of the boxes. getables are easier decomposed than others, in One of my neighbours informed me, he had He will thus not only retain his own, but will be consequence of their being of a less woody na-an ewe spayed, that became the fattest sheep well stocked from his neighbours. ture, for the nearer they approach the firmness he ever beheld. If some of your numerous of wood, the greater length of time it will take correspondents would describe the manner of them to decay; the first crop of grass that grows performing the operation, it might be the means in the summer does not make the horse slobber, of your markets being supplied with mutton unless it is a warm, wet season; the second is of almost equal to Mr. Barney's, from the couna quicker growth, more watery, and not so firm ty of Frederick. as the first, and this seldom fails to produce this J. S. SKINNER, Esq. disease, in consequence of its being more easily acted upon than the first. TO THE EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN FARMER. PIGEONS; a mode of Domesticating them. A SUBSCRIBER. SAXON SHEEP. We are pleased to learn, as we do from the following notice, that two choice bucks of this breed have been recently imported, to improve the flocks of fine woolled sheep in Massachusetts; and we hope that some choice Ewes, of the same breed, may be soon introduced, to multiply the opportunities of realizing the advantages that might be derived from this cross. Edit. Am. Farmer. For the three last summers, the horses have suffered but very little, in this part of the country, by this complaint; the seasons have been exceedingly dry, the grass slow in its I observe that "a lover of squabs" is in a sad growth, very tough and hard; this fall we have plight, and that all his "loves" desert him had several rains that have started the grass to when they can flap their pinions. In this predi- From the Northampton, Mass., Gazette, Nov. 20. growing most profusely, and immediately the cament he asks your readers to teach him how SAXON SHEEP.-Our enterprising townsmen, slobbering commenced; the frost has now check-to woo them back. This interrogatory being, Isaac C. Bates, esq. and Col. James Shepherd, ed its growth and prevented the disease. I presume, addressed to all, or any of your rea- have recently imported two Saxon bucks, which I have sometimes given plenty of salt with ve-ders-I have been induced to give the result of have arrived in town. They were purchased in ry good success ; it assists digestion, and prevents fermentation; second crop clover, well salted my experience. Some years since, whilst resi-Saxony for these gentlemen, more than a year ding on a farm, and having a "love" like unto since, and selected by a good judge, as the exwhen put in the barn, lessens its powers in pro- your correspondent, the same measures were cellence of the animals evinces. It is well known ducing this disease considerably, though not al-adopted to ensure a supply of squabs-whether that Saxon wool commands a higher price in together. I had heard, or read, that salt was a favourite the English market than Spanish. It is the maThese hints, connected as they are with some condiment of that bird is not now recollected; terial of which the superfine west of England experience, I thought, might be of use to an inves-so it was, that some how I had derived the in-cloths are made. The growth of it, therefore, tigating class of farmers, and may serve to induce formation, that if they at discretion, had ac-in this country, is important to the agricultural others of more observation, to offer their infor-] cess to salt, it would not only have the effect to and manufacturing interests. These bucks are of mation on this head, to thy spirited subscribers. attach your own pigeons to their homes, but the merino race of sheep, but improved. They would also attract your neighbour's. Be assured are remarkable for the fineness, delicate softthat the hope of accomplishing the latter, did ness, and singular uniformity of their fleeces, not actuate me to test the truth of my informa- and are an acquisition to the country, for which tion-yet the essay was made in the following the proprietors are entitled to a meed of thanks. manner-some stiff clay, free from sand or grit, was procured, and being well kneaded up with. salt water, and a liberal portion of salt grains, it was formed into a conical shape, somewhat resembling a sugar loaf, though less than the smallest sized loaves. After it was made With sentiments of respect, I remain thy friend, JOSEPH KERSEY. FOR THE AMERICAN FARMER. FOR THE AMERICAN FARMER. Respectfully Dedicated to Jeremiah Simple. DIRECTIONS FOR SPAYING SWINE. NOTICE OF THE SESAMUM OR BENE. Frederick County, Md. Extract from a Journal, made when running the Jeremiah Simple, Esq. in Vol. 2, page 350, perfectly dry by exposure to the sun and air, boundary line between Virginia and North Carorequested information through your valuable pa- and sheltered during the night and wet weather, lina before the Revolution. per, as to the manner of spaying hogs, and was it became as a sun-burat brick. It was then As to the Olive Trees, I know by experience gratified by one of your correspondents, Vol. 3, page 6-but whose method I do not like as well placed upon a sort of plateau" on which they will never stand the sharpness of our winas the one practised by a very expert hand in have access" ad libitum." The pigeons were called sesamum, which yields an infinite quantity grains were thrown, and to which they could ters, but their place may be supply'd by the plant this part of our county, that has lately been operating on my stock, and happening to recol- very fond, of this preparation, and although a of large seed, from whence a sweet oyl is press'd standby dish, some of them were generally en-that is very wholsom, and in use amongst the lect friend Simple's request I was very particu-gaged in picking at it. Certain it is, my pigeons people of Lesser Asia, likewise it is us'd in Egypt lar in my enquiries. were sufficiently domesticated, whether for preferably to Oyl Olive, being not so apt to make My neighbour had a plank about ten feet long and this cause, I cannot say-neither can I assert those who eat it break out into scabbs as they a foot wide, one end of which was raised, four that this keeping open house had the effect to do in many parts of Italy. This would grow very feet from the ground, the hog was laid on its right side, its hind feet towards the upper end of prevail on my neighbours' pigeons to come over-kindly here, and has already been planted with the plank, he stood at its back. With a strap ble that some of your complainant's neighbours, riment. yet if my information was correct, it is possi-good success in North Carolina by way of expe AGRICULTURE we effectuate those purposes, to which destiny, tual stimulus of premiums; and had sent one of Seems to be daily more honoured in our coun- has pointed us, it must be by bringing into our its Members to inspect the improvements at Holktry. Our fellow citizens most respected, from neighborhoods the arts, the virtues, and the in-ham, and to ascertain what useful hints could their private merits, and most distinguished by dustry of civilized life. The different orders of be procured from that great school of agriculture. their political elevation, compete with each oth- the actively virtuous, must be blended into one-He then recommended to the Society to give er for the palm of excellence in it, and engage great society; man must be respected for his use-premiums for the culture of carrots, sanfoin, and actively in the plans for its improvement. We fulness, not for his rank; and nothing short, can lucern, so well adapted for the light soils of Mohave seen a MADISON retiring from the Presiden- form and perpetuate a people calculated to fix ray; and to promote the extension of the drill cy to his farm, and becoming the leading Mem-the destinies of a continent. system, by introducing the drill barrow on small GIDEON GRANGER. ber of a society for the promotion of agriculture. It only remains that I take of you an affection-farms; and on large farms the ingenious machine The venerable PICKERING, in his advanced ate farewell. years, handles with equal dexterity the plough and the pen. And there is no man, whatever his merits or his ambition, who is not proud to be accounted, in the practical or even the theoretical pursuit of agriculture, the first among his equals. This reflection suggested itself on meeting with the subjoined letter in the New York papers, from the pen of one who, in the course of his life, has filled a large space in the public eye, but seems to be now retiring from the busy scenes of life. Nat. Intel. CANANDAIGUA, Oct. 22, 1822. To the Members of the Ontario Agricultural Society. AGRICULTURAL CLUBS. Editorial Correspondence. SCUPPERNONG GRAPES-great yield of single Vines, and excellence of the WINE made therefrom-FEATHER GRASS, productive and valuable in North Carolina. of Mr. Checketts, of Belgrave-hall, near Leicester, which costs only from £4 to £5 each, and sows three rows. The Society resolved to order the implements, and promote the experiments recommended by Sir John, with suitable premiums. Modes of their usefulness; Compliments paid by. On the first Friday of November, the judges apto Sir John Sinclair; Ribbing Clover ley, pre-pointed to determine the sweepstakes for the haratory to seeding Wheat or Oats, is a useful best seven acres of turnips in the county, will practice. give in their report. They will also on the same On Friday the 5th October, the Morayshire day decide the premiums to be given for the best Farmer's Club assembled (although no ordinary and second-best iron ploughs made within the meetings are held in the harvest months,) for the county, and then to be tried on a lea-field near express purpose of giving a public testimony of Elgin. their respect to the Right Hon. Sir John Sinclair, for his great exertions in the cause of Agriculture. The diffusion of knowledge on this imporBRETHREN: Heretofore I have, on several oc- tant and national subject, which he has so percasions, unsuccessfully expressed my desire to severingly and happily been the medium of proretire from your Presidency, and become a pri-moting, justly entitles him to public esteem and vate member of the fraternity. My solicitude gratitude. He was received and entertained by arose from a belief, that the more diffusive were this respectable Society in such a manner as must our honors, the more speedily would this institu- have been gratifying to his feelings, while it tion rise to that elevation which our interior proved highly creditable to the gentlemen presituation imperiously demands, and which we sent. The Marquis of Huntly and other coun- I did not receive your letter soon enough to are certain to attain, if we are true to ourselves ty Gentlemen, Members of the Society, sent comply with your wish, to have a sample of our and to future generations. their expressions of regret at not being able to Roanoke or Scuppernong Wine, in time for your Reasons which are beyond my control, require attend on so proper an occasion. Thirty-four agricultural fair. I have some, which I prefer that a separation between us should take place. proprietors and farmers sat down to an excel-to Madeira, made in 1814, by myself, on the isIt is known to a great portion of the Society, lent dinner, rendered still more complete by a land, where I purchased the grapes and preparthat I have for many months laboured under an profusion of Moor game, and "a noble haunch" ed the wine in a proper manner. The grapes undefined complaint, alike excruciating in its of red deer, sent by Lord Huntly from Kinra- themselves are the most delicious of all others; afflictions, and uncertain as to its result and ter- ra. The evening was happily divided between they are indigenous, of the species of the fox, but mination, instruction and hilarity; the first being promo-white, larger and more luxuriant of growth. On In my situation, it cannot be hoped, that for ted by several addresses made by Sir John on the island, one vine serves each landlord, as it months I can be active; and it becomes you to Agricultural topics. In the morning Sir John will spread as long as you will find it bearers, confer your highest honor on some useful citizen. visited some of the principal farms in the neigh- and 60 bushels is but a common vintage from one Although the irritations of a frame, worn by bourhood, in particular Mr. Lawson's of Old vine. The soil on which it flourishes, is poor indescribable pains, may lead to momentary des- Mills, Mr. Young's of Ardgay, and Mr. Mellis's and sandy, and will produce nothing but vines, pondency, yet I feel an humble confidence, that of Spynic. He expressed much satisfaction and the grape is difficult to propagate on a differthe kind power which has hitherto sustained me at the width of Mr. Lawson's potato ridges, ent soil. Dear Sir, ELIZABETH CITY, 13TH JUNE. through every adversity, will once more render about three feet, by which a superior crop The island might be thrown into an entire me valuable to my family, and useful to my fel-is obtained; and the plan of ribbing the vineyard, and would produce several thousand low men. second year's clover ley, or putting one furrow hogsheads. From the semi savage to its polished state, I above the other, practised to a considerable ex- The flavour of the wine is somewhat sweet, have examined with great care and attention the tent by Mr. Young, by which in a fortnight or but remarkably rich, luscious and oily. I proprogress of society, and perceive, that in every three weeks time the sod is so rotted, that the pose going down in September (it is only 50 instance, its march towards real importance, is field can easily be rendered sufficiently mellow miles from this) and making several casks, sepreceded by a knowledge of husbandry and of for a crop of wheat instead of oats; the rotting cundum artem. It requires skill in managing, the mechanic arts. of the surface having also probably the effect of as that made by the inhabitants, after their With these opinions, I view with deep solici- destroying the wire worm.* Mr. Mellis's stock rude and careless manner, is by no means a tude the maintenance and progress of our Socie-was also much admired, and has obtained seve-fair test of the power of the grape. They do ty; and notwithstanding I perceive its many im-ral premiums from the Society. In addressing not suffer it to ferment, but add new apple perfections, cannot but hope, that the wisdom of the meeting after dinner, Sir John stated his high brandy, to the juice just from the press. At present and future generations will perfect what admiration of the exertions of the Society, who the 3d day's fermentation, it is excellent Chamwe have commenced, and that important and du- had collected the most useful works on agricul-paign, but few bottles can hold it in this climate. rable benefits will result from these incessant ture for the use of the Members; had purchased Should you or your friends want a few quarter operations. My hope is strengthened by the con- the most approved implements that had been in-casks, I will supply you, deliverable in Baltisideration that, although hitherto no very strong vented; and promoted new discovers by the effec-more, at $2 per gallon, and will warrant it far or lasting effects have been evinced among the above any American wine, or in fact, for many husbandmen, yet, from the mothers and daugh- * This is a very old practice, called raftering by palates, any foreign. ters of our families, we have experienced many ull, and in some places race-balking: it consists We have a grass here, called Feather Grass, solid advantages; and it may safely be estimated in ploughing the field in single furrows, and leav- Holcus Mollis, or Soft Grass of Europe, a head that the industry of our females, rising from this ing every furrow-slice lying upon its own width of which I enclose you. It is said by some to institution, already produces a yearly increased of that which is not turned ribbing is a term re-be indigenous, and propagated from one head, profit of fifty thousand dollars to this infant coun-cently used for another operation, though very accidently discovered in a branch, near Edenton, applicable here. One half the surface being thus twenty years since. It is said by others, to be ty. Should it please kind Providence to restore me rendered mellow, the land may be prepared for the same as the fescue grass of Scotland. to health and action, I shall return to the bosom vheat, instead of lying till spring, to be sown with At any rate, it answers our soil and climate of your Society, and devote the remainder of my oats; this is the meaning of the report. Of the better than any other. It is extremely prolific, life to advance the interests of our agriculture destruction of the wire-worms by this operation, and bears an immensity of seed. A meadow of and manufactures. For, believe me, brethren, if we have no expectation. it, near this place, resembles a wheat field, and I am, with great respect, L. SAWYER. MANGEL WURTZEL—a large crop from less than One Acre of Land, notwithstanding the severe and long drought of the past season. Powelton, Philadelphia Co. Nov. 22, 1822. DEAR SIR, is as thick as it can stand. It grows all the win-fter passing a smutty crop of wheat through it; in future adding those branches to his manufaeter, and is a very tender, succulent grass. If you an interval of three months elapsed between the story, and intends keeping ready made, all kinds have a wish to try it, I can easily procure and first and last operation. I took the precaution of WOVE WIRE, suitable for rolling Screens, send you a bushel of seed this fall. to have the barn swept out and some clean Safes, Riddles, Sieves, and Wheat Fans. straw run through the machine before introducing And on hand, as usual, a very extensive asthe clover, nevertheless I apprehend that some sortment of PLOUGHS, of all kinds and sizes, smut may have been imparted to it. Shall I in-and made of the best materials-the workmanship cur any danger from smut, under the above cir-under his own notice. cumstances, by sowing the clover seed in the As also the much admired Daton's Self Feedpug, on my wheat field, in February, and a good ing CUTTING BOX, price only $15, which bed of snow? M P. will cut Top Fodder as well as straw. Also, Miner's CUTTING BOX, so much famed in MILLET, WHEN SHOULD IT BE SOWED? North Carolina. Together with various kinds Steubenville, Ohio, Nov. 19th, 1822. of Cultivators, Harrows and Machines to sow The enclosed certificate, from Mr. Serrill, who MR. SKINNER, Wheat, plaster, and Grass Seeds, also other surveyed the land, and the affidavit of my farmer Your correspondents, who have written on the Drill Machines, and Corn Shellers, assorted. and his assistant, who dibbled, drew, and mea- subject of Millet, Panicum Italicum, have genCLOVER, ORCHARD AND HERDS sured the crop, will answer your enquiries in re-erally recommended that it be sowed about the GRASS SEEDS, together with a general asgard to my Mangel Wurtzel. 10th of May. Owing to the great droughts which sorment of GARDEN SEEDS, many of which he have prevailed in this country, for several years has carefully raised the last year from the best past, it has only partially succeeded-vegetating sorts. He has lately received 150 lbs. of RUTA very slowly, some of it shooting into heads, whilst BAGA SEED, fresh and pure from Sweden, it some of it was just coming up. Why would it being a parcel sent in to John S. Skinner, by our We have accurately measured the Mangel rot answer to sow it about the middle or last fellow citizen Christopher Hughes, Jr. Wurtzel, which grew at Powelton, upon the of April, when the ground is yet moist? Would piece of farm land surveyed by Mr. Serrill, and the late frosts injure it? or would it rot in the find that there are nine hundred, eighty-two and an ground, unless it had become sufficiently warmed. half bushels, of roots, closely cut beneath the by the sun? An answer to the above queries, crowns, and free from dirt. We loaded the cart would be thankfully received by in which they were hauled, and are satisfied that the load which was weighed by Mr. Armat, was not larger than thirty others, taken from the ground to which the surveyor's certificate refers. SALES OF VALUABLE LIVE STOCK AT We are convinced that the crop received not more manure, and much less labour, than are usually given to potatoes, in this county. I am, dear Sir, your's, JOHN HARE POWEL. JOHN S. SKINNER, Esq. WILLIAM POWELL, THOMAS MORRISON, PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, SS. his mark. Your's, with esteem, JOHN M'DOWELL, Jr. IMPROVED WASHING MACHINES. A Washing machine, invented by David Watson, made by Messrs. Bostock and Cooper, has been recently exhibited in this City, and trial made thereof at David Barnum's Hotel; where we understand it was found to be a safe and expeditious means of cleaning clothes. These machines will be made for sale at $15 each, by AUCTION, Messrs. Bostock and Cooper, at Washington City; On Tuesday, the 19th of November,near Flush-who offer to se patent rights, and will reply ing, on Long Island, at "Bayside," the Farm of to any communications on this subject, if adMr. Timothy Matlack, one very fine imported (dressed to them, post paid, at Washington. BULL, of the Alderney and Devonshire Breed. A very beautiful animal, 3 years old, and quite gentle.-$100. Three very fine imported COWS, Peach-trees for Sale. of the Alderney and Devonshire breed, justly The subscriber residing at the North West ******** Personally appeared before me, the sub-celebrated both for the quantity and quality of corner of Market and Frederick streets, has for SEAL. Scriber, one of the Justices of the Peace their milk.-$120 to $130. Two very superior sale about 1000 peach-trees, consisting of the in and for the county aforesaid, the above full blood Heifer Calves, from the above stock, at following varieties: Moor Park Apricot-Magnum Bonums-Lemon Cling Stones-White named Wm. Powell and Thos. Morrison, $50 to 80. These cattle were chosen from some of the Peach with red blush, which ripens the latter who on their solemn oaths, according to law, saith that the above statement, signed by them, most celebrated stocks in England, and are geneend of August-Lemon Open Stones-Heath is correct. The aforesaid William Powell and rally admitted not to be surpassed by any in this Peach-Large Late Cling Lemon-Claret, &c. &c. all which will be sold on reasonable terms. Thomas Morrison are respectable farmers, and country. therefore entitled to full credit and belief. Wit- A pair of TWIN CALVES, male and female, ness my hand and seal of office, this twenty third $100.-Half blood CALVES, by the above Bull, day of November, one thousand, eight hundred $15 to $20.-Merino SHEEP, EWES, at $5 to $7. and twenty two. GEORGE HOWARTH. Having measured the above piece of ground, I certify it contains one hundred and fifty-five and one quarter square perches. November 1822, HENRY SERRILL. * This load, we understand, weighed 1456 pounds; the whole may, therefore be estimated at 45,756 pounds, of clean, trimmed Roots. ED. AM. FARMER. THE FARMER. The present owner of these trees has taken particular pains in making the collection, and from considerable experience in this business, may confidently recommend them as being very excellent of their kind. HENRY SOUTHERN. Wm. A. Colman, Commission Merchant and General Agent, 46, BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1822. PRICES CURRENT. -CORRECTED WEEKLY. White wheat, $1 35 to 1 40-Red do., $1 27 to 1 30-Rye, 70 to 75 cts.-Corn, 48 to 50 cts.- Has for sale a valuable collection of English Oats, 35 to 37 cts.-Flour, best white wheat, and American Standard Works and new publica$7 37-Howard st. Superfine, $6 871-Wharf, tions, at London and American prices. He is do. 6 12-do. do. 5 75-Beans, $1 25 to 1 37-A gent in New York state, for the National IntelPeas, black eyed, 55 to 60 cts.-Clover seed, 9 to ligencer; De Grand's Report; Niles' Weekly $10-Timothy seed, 4 to $5-Flax seed, 75 to Register. The American Farmer, for whose editors SMUT, ENQUIRIES ON THE MODES OF 80-Whiskey, from the wagons, 34 to 35 cts. he will thankfully receive new subscriptions and per gal.-Apple brandy, 30 to 32 cts.-Peach do., payment from present subscribers. Of either the 65 to 70 cts.-Herrings, No. 1, $3 62 per bbl.No. 2, $3 37-Shad, No. 1, none-No. 2, $6-furnish complete sets to persons who wish to get Weekly Register and American Farmer, he can Bacon, round, 10 to 11 cts-Straw, $12 per the whole of such valuable works, or single vols. ton-Hay, $18 No material change in the trade or prices of plete the series. to those who have some and may desire to comMarl yand Tobacco since last report. New York City, Nov. 1822. ITS BEING COMMUNICATED, Albermarle Co. Va. 29th Nov. 1822. MR. SKINNER, Is its deleterious quality affected by exposure to the alternations of the weather? My reasons for asking the above questions, are, hat I very imprudently separated my clover seed Having lately purchased out Jacob Grafflin's from the straw, with my Threshing Machine, af-Wire and Wheat Fan Establishment, proposes GENUINE MANGEL WURTZEL SEED. A few pounds can be had on application being made at the Office of the American Farmer. PUBLISHED BY JOHN S. SKINNER. No. 38.-VOL. 4. AMERICAN FARMER.-BALTIMORE, 13th DECEMBER, 1822. HORTICULTURE. THE AMERICAN GARDENER; BETT. 207 small ones are held in contempt; and, though ajof New York, and that I am speaking of what good garden supplies so large a part of what is ought to be done there. With this clearly borne consumed by a family, and keeps supplying it all in mind, the reader, who will know the difOr a Treatise on the Situation, Soil, Fencing the year round too, there are many farmers ference in the degrees of heat and cold in the and Laying-Out of Gardens; on the making even in England, who grudge even a wheelbar-different parts of the country, will know how and Managing of Hot Beds and Green-Hous-row full of manure that is bestowed on the gar-to apply the instructions accordingly. es; and on the Propagation and Cultivation den. To remove this neglect as to gardening 8. Those persons, who perform their garden of the several sorts of Vegetables, Herbs, in America is one of the objects of this work; work themselves, will need no caution with resFruits and Flowers-BY WILLIAM COB-and, I think, I shall, in the progress of the pect to men that they employ as Gardeners; work, show, that the garden may, besides its but, those who employ Gardeners ought by no "I went by the field of the Slothful and by intrinsic utility, be made to be a most valuable means to leave them to do as they please. Their "the vineyard of the man void of understand-help-mate to the Farm. practical experience is worth something; but, 4. It is impossible to write a book that shall if they are generally found very deficient in **ing: and lo! it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles covered the face thereof, and the exclusively apply to every particular case. knowledge of their business in England, what stone-wall thereof was broken down. Then Some persons have need of large, while others must those of them be who come to America? "I saw and considered it well: I looked upon want only small, gardens; but, as to Situation Every man, who can dig and hoe and rake, call's Soil, and Fencing, the rules will apply to all ca- himself a Gardener as soon as he lands here Those who want neither Hot-Beds nor from England. This description of persons are Green-Houses, may read the part treating of generally handy men, and, having been used to 1. The proper uses of a Preface appear to them, or leave it unread, just as they please; spade-work, they, from habit, do things well be, to give the reader information, which may but, I think, that it will not require much to be and neatly. But as to the art of gardening, be useful, during the perusal of the work to said to convince every American Farmer, North they generally know nothing of it. I wished which it is prefixed, to explain the nature and of Carolina, at least, that he ought to have a to carry the nicer parts of gardening to perobject of the work; to point out the method of Hot-Bed in the Spring. fection, at Botley. I succeeded. But I took the arrangement of its several parts; and, in 5. I have divided the matters, treated of, thus: care to employ no man who called himself a short, to afford the means of due preparation The first Chapter treats of the Situation, Soil, gardener. I selected handy and clear-headed for the task the reader is entering upon; which Fencing, and Laying-out of Gardens; the second, farm-labourers. They did what I ordered them preparation is always a great advantage to the of the making and managing of Hot-beds and to do; and offered me none of their advice or Green-Houses; the third, of Propagation and opinions. it and received instruction." Proverbs: Chap. xxiv. Ver. 30. author as well as to the reader. ses. 2. As to the nature of the work, it is, I hope, Cultivation generally; the three remaining Chap- 9. There is a foible of human nature, which pretty clearly stated in the Title Page. The ters treat of the raising and managing of the greatly contributes to establish and perpetuate object evidently is to cause the art of gardening several plants, each under its particular name, the power and the mischief of pretended garto be better understood and practised than it classed under the heads, Vegetables, and Herbs;deners. Tell a gentleman, that this is wrong, now is in America; and, very few persons will Fruits, Flowers. In each of these last three or that is wrong, in the management of his gardeny, that there is, in this case, plenty of room Chapters, I have, in arranging my matter, fol- den, and he instantly and half-angrily replies, for improvement. America has soil and climate lowed the Alphabetical Order of the names of that his gardener is a very skilful man. "That far surpassing those of England; and yet she is the several plants, which mode of arrange- may be," said I once to a friend, who, at an enorsurprisingly deficient in variety as well as qua- ment must naturally tend to make the work of mous expense, had got two or three poor little lity of garden products. I am not alluding to reference easy. But, as very frequent reference melons, while I at hardly any expense at all, things of ornament, or appertaining to luxuri-must be necessary, and, as the utility of the had large quantities of very fine ones: "That ous enjoyments; but, to things that are really work must, in some degree, depend on the fa- may be," said I, "for skill may consist in getting useful, and that tend to profit and to the pre-cility with which the several parts of it can be you to expend your money without getting you servation of health, without which latter, life referred to, there are two Indexes at the end, any fruit." The truth is, however, that it is is not worth having. It is incredible to those, one, of the names of the several plants, and, not a desire to be deceived, that produces this who have not had occasion to observe the fact, the other, of the matters generally. For the species of perverseness: it is a desire not to be how large a part of the sustenance of a coun- same reason, I have numbered the paragraphs thought foolish. The gentleman has chosen the try-labourer's family, in England, comes out throughout the work. A more proper term gardener; and, the reason why he stickles for of his little garden. The labourers of England might have been found than that of Vegetables, him is, that, if he allow the gardener to be a are distinguished from those of other countries seeing, that, strictly speaking, that word ap-bad one, he himself has made a bad choice; by several striking peculiarities, but, by no one plies to all things that grow from the earth. and that would be an imputation on his underare they so strongly distinguished as by their But, as we call those products of the garden, standing, rather than allow which to be just he fondness of their gardens, and by the diligence, which we use, in their natural shape, as human will cheerfully bleed from his purse pretty care and taste, which they show in the man-food; as we generally call these only by the freely. 66 66 agement of them. The reproach which Solo- name of vegetables, I have chosen that word 10. The best security against the effects of mon, in the words of my motto, affixes on the sloth-in preference to one, which, though more strict- this foible of human nature, is for the owner of ful and ignorant husbandman, they seem to have ly proper, would be less generally understood. the garden to be head gardener himself; and, I constantly in their minds; and to be constantly Nearly the same may be said of the word Herbs. hope that this work may assist in rendering this on the watch to prevent it from applying to 6. Some persons may think, that Flowers are office easy and pleasant. But, to perform the themselves. Poverty may apologize for a dirty things of no use that they are nonsensical office well, the owner must be diligent as well dress or an unshaven face; men may be negli-things. The same may be, and, perhaps, with as skilful. He must look forward. It is a very gent of their persons; but the sentence of the more reason, said of pictures. An Italian, while good way to look attentively at every part of the whole nation is, that he, who is a sloven in his gar- he gives his fortune for a picture, will laugh garden every Saturday, and to write down some, den, is a sloven indeed. The inside of a labour-to scorn a Hollander, who leaves a tulip-root at least, of the things to be done during the er's house, his habits, his qualities as a workman, as a fortune to his son. For my part, as a thing next week. This tends to prevent those omisand almost his morality, may be judged of from to keep and not to sell; as a thing, the possessions, which, when they have once taken place, the appearance of his garden. If that be neg-sion of which is to give me pleasure, I hesitate are not easily compensated for. Seasons wait lected, he is, nine times out of ten, a sluggard or not a moment to prefer the plant of a fine car- for no man. Nature makes us her offers freely; a drunkard, or both. nation to a gold watch set with diamonds. but she will be taken at her word. 3. It seems, at first sight, very odd that this 7. The territory of the United States includes 11. I cannot help, in conclusion of this pretaste for gardening should not have been pre-such a variety of climates; degrees of heat and face, expressing my hope, that this work may served in America; but, it is accounted for by cold so different at the same period of the year; tend to the increasing, in some degree, of a reflecting, that, where land is abundant, attach-that it is impossible to give instructions, as taste for gardening in America. It is a source ment and even attention to small spots wear relating to time, for sowing, planting, and so of much greater profit than is generally imaaway. To desire to possess land is an universal forth, that shall be applicable to every part of gined; and, merely as an amusement, or recredesire; and vanity makes us prefer quantity to the country. I, therefore, for the most part, ation, it is one of the most rational and most quality. You may prove as clearly as daylight, make my directions applicable to seasons, or conducive to health. It is a pursuit, not only that it is better, in certain cases, to possess one states of the weather, rather than to dates. compatible with, but favourable to, the study of acre than a hundred; but where do you find the When I make no particular mention as to times any art or science. It tends to turn the minds of man that prefers the one acre? When large of the year, or month, it is to be understood, youth from amusements and attachments of a parcels of land are undertaken to be cultivated, that I am supposing myself at, or near, the City frivolous or vicious nature. It is indulged at WM. COBBETT. North Hampstead, Long Island, 1819. home. It tends to make home pleasant; and to accounts, desirable to keep all such trees at a dis-ground; which is performed in this manner. endear to us the spot on which it is our lot to tance. At one end of the piece of ground, intended for live. 15. If it be practicable, without sacrificing too the garden, you make, with a spade, a trench, much in other respects, to make a garden near to all along, two feet wide and two feet deep. You running water, and especially to water that may throw the earth out on the side away from the be turned into the garden, the advantage ought garden that is to be. You shovel out the bottom to be profited of; but as to watering with a wa-clean, and make the sides of the trench as nearly On the Situation, Soil, Fencing, and Laying-out tering pot, it is seldom of much use, and it can-perpendicular as possible. Thus you have a of Gardens. CHAPTER I. SITUATION. not be practised upon a large scale. It is better clean open trench, running, all along one end of to trust to judicious tillage and to the dews and your garden-ground. You then take another 12. Those who have gardens already formed rains. The moisture which these do not supply piece, all along, two feet wide, and put the earth and planted, have, of course, not the situation to cannot be furnished, to any extent, by the water-that this new piece contains into the trench, choose. But, I am to suppose, that new gardens ing-pot. A man will raise more moisture, with taking off the top of the new two feet wide, and will, in a country like this, be continually to be a hoe or a spade, in a day, than he can pour on turning that top down into the bottom of the formed; and, therefore, it is an essential part of the earth out of a watering-pot in a month. my duty to point out what situations are best, as well with respect to the aspect as to the other cir cumstances. SOIL. trench, and then taking the remainder of the earth of the new two feet, and placing it on the top of the earth just turned into the bottom of 16. The plants, which grow in a garden, pre- the trench. Thus, when you have again sho 13. The ground should be as nearly on a level fer, like most other plants, the best soil that is velled out the bottom, and put it on the top of as possible; because, if the slope be considerable, to be found. The best is, leam of several feet the whole that you have put into the trench, you the heavy rains do great injury, by washing away deep with a bed of lime-stone, sand-stone, or have another clean trench two feet wide and two the soil. However, it is not always in our power sand, below. But, we must take what we find or, deep. You thus proceed, till the whole of your to choose a level spot; but, if there be a slope in rather what we happen to have. If we have a garden-ground be trenched: and then it will the ground, it ought, if possible, to be towards choice, we ought to take that which comes near- have been cleanly turned over to the depth of two the South. For, though such a direction adds to est to perfection, and, if we possibly can, we feet. the heat in summer, this is more than coun- ought to reject clay and gravel, not only as a 21. As to the expense of this preparatory terbalanced by the earliness which it causes in the top-soil, but as a bottom soil, however great operation, a man that knows how to use a spade, spring. By all means avoid an inclination to-their distance from the surface. See paragraph will trench four rod in a day very easily in the wards the North, or West, and towards any of 109. month of October, or in the month of Novem the points between North and West. After all, 17. Oak-trees love clay, and the finest and ber if the ground be not frozen. Supposing the it may not be in our power to have a level spot, heaviest wheat grows in land with a bottom of garden to contain an acre, and the labourer to nor even a spot nearly level; and then we must clay; but if there be clay within even six feet of earn a dollar a day, the cost of this operation do our best with what we have. the surface, there will be a coldness in the land, will, of course, be forty dollars; which, per 14. I am speaking here solely of a Kitchen- which will, in spite of all you can do, keep your haps, would be twenty dollars above the expense garden. Of ornamental Gardening I shall speak spring crops a week or ten days behind those of the various ploughings and harrowings, nea little in the Chapter on Flowers. From a upon land which has not a bottom of clay. Gravel cessary in the other way; but, the difference in Kitchen-Garden all large trees ought to be kept at is warm, and, it would be very desirable, if you the value of the two operations is beyond all a distance of thirty or forty yards. For the shade could exchange it for some other early in June; calculation. There is no point of greater imof them is injurious, and their roots a great deal but, since you cannot do this, you must submit portance than this. Poor ground deeply moved more injurious, to every plant growing within the to be burnt up in summer, if you have the be-is preferable, in many cases, to rich ground influence of those roots. It is a common but very nefit of a gravelly bottom in the spring. with shallow tillage; and when the ground has erroneous notion, in England, that the trees, 18. If the land, where you like to have a been deeply moved once, it feels the benefit for which grow in the hedges that divide the fields, garden, has rocks, great or small, they, of course, ever after. A garden is made to last for ages; do injury by their shade only. I had a field of are to be carried off; but, if you have a stony what, then, in such a case, is the amount of transplanted Ruta Baga, in the hedge on the soil, that is to say, little short of gravel to the twenty dollars? It is well known to all who North West side of which there were five large very surface, and, if you can get no other spot, have had experience on the subject, that of two spreading oak-trees, at some distance from each you must e'en hammer your tools to pieces plants of almost any kind that stand for the other. Opposite each of these trees, which could amongst the stones; for it has been amply proved space of three months in top soil of the same not shade the Ruta Baga much, there was a piece by experience, that, to carry away stones of the quality, one being on ground deeply moved, and of the Ruta Baga, in nearly a semi-circular form, Aint or gravel kind impoverishes the land the other on ground moved no deeper than is in which the plants never grew to any size, However, we are not to frame out plans upon usual, the former will exceed the latter one half though those in all the rest of the field were so the supposition of meeting with obstacles of this in bulk. And, as to trees of all descriptions, fine as to draw people from a great distance to extraordinary nature. We are not to suppose, from the pear-tree down to the current-bush, the look at them. One gentleman, who came out of that, in a country where men have had to choose, difference is so great, that there is room for no Sussex, and who had been a farmer all his life- and have still to choose, they will have built, and comparison. It is a notion with some persons, time, was struck with the sight of these semi- yet will build, their houses on spots peculiarly that it is of no use to move the ground deeper circles; and, looking over the hedge, into a field steril. We must suppose the contrary, and, than the roots of the plant penetrate. But, in of wheat, which had a ditch between it and the upon that supposition we ought to proceed. the first place, the roots go much deeper than hedge, and seeing that the wheat, though shaded 19. Having fixed upon the spot for the garden, we generally suppose. When we pull up a cabby the trees, was very little affected by them, he the next thing is to prepare the ground. This bage, for instance, we see no roots more than a discovered, that it was the roots and not the may be done by ploughing and harrowing, until foot long; but, if we were carefully to pursue branches that produced the mischief. The ditch, the ground at top, be perfectly clean; and then, the roots to their utmost point, even as far as which had been for ages in the same place, had by double ploughing: that is to say, by going, our eye would assist us, we should find the prevented the roots of the trees from going into with a strong plough that turns a large furrow roots a great deal longer, and the extremities of the field where the wheat was growing. The and turns it cleanly, twice in the same place, and the roots are much too fine to be seen by the naked ground where the Ruta Baga was growing had thus moving the ground to the depth of fourteen eye. Upon pulling up a common turnip, who been well ploughed and manured; and the plants for sixteen inches, for, the advantage of deeply would imagine, that the side, or horizontal had not been in the ground more than three moving the ground is very great indeed. When roots extend to several feet? Yet I have traced months; yet, such was the power of the roots of this has been done in one direction it ought to them to the length of four feet; and Mr. Tull the trees, and so quickly did it operate, that it be done across, and then the ground will have proved, that they extended to six feet, though almost wholly destroyed the Ruta Baga that been well and truly moved. The ploughing he could not see them to that extent with his stood within its reach. Grass, which matts the ought to be done with four oxen, and the plough naked eye. But, though the roots should not exground all over with its roots, and does not de- ought to be held by a strong and careful plough- tend nearly to the bottom of the moved ground, mand much food from any depth, does not suffer man. the plants are affected by the unmoved ground much from the roots of trees; but, every other 20. This is as much as I shall, probably, be being near at hand. If this were not the case, plant does. A Kitchen Garden should, there- able to persuade any body to do in the way of plants with very short roots might be cultivated fore, have no large trees near it. In the spring preparing the ground. But, this is not all that on a brick pavement with earth laid upon it to and fall tall trees do great harm even by their ought to be done; and it is proper to give di- the thickness of a foot; and yet, no plant will shade, which robs the garden of the early and the rections for the best way of doing this and every live and thrive in such a state, while it will do parting rays of the sun. It is therefore, on all thing else. The best way is, then, to trench the very well in ground along side the pavement, |