pose one of these calls at a nursery for cherries, peaches or other fruit, you may expect something like the following conversation:

"Have you cherry trees to sell?" Yes.

"Have you sweet-hearts and gray-hearts? I don't think much of them there black-hearts." We have, as we think, better cherries than those you ask for.

"Oh yes, I've heard of a great cherry, called the ox-heart, but I never seen none of them, and don't care much about them; what kind have you?"

We have Knight's early black, the black eagle, elton, the black and white Tartarian, several Bigareaus, the Cumberland seedling, the white Pineapple and many other kinds, including the ox-heart, of which you spoke.

There being so few circumstances given, relative to the soil, the kind of manure, locality, situation, &c., that I feel that I shall be groping, "Well, I did'nt expect you had the ox-heart, somewhat, in the dark, in attempting to give and though I heard a great deal of it, I believe I instructions in reference to this particular inquishan't take it now. I told you at first, I did'nt ry. My remarks, therefore, will be rather generlike these black cherries; they are rather too bitter al in their character, and your subscriber must, for me to go 'em! and Mr. B. has sweet-hearts, for himself, make the particular application to and though the neighbors digs them out pretty suit his soil and other circumstances. bare, I will watch and get some, and then I will know what I have got. Have you the big cling peach? I heard a great fuss about your peaches!" We have a number of clings; the chancellor, white pineapple, white imperial, Diana, congress, and many others.

"Them are big names I know nothing about, and if you hav'nt got the big cling, I mean to get the seeds and raise 'em; they are the peach

for me."

I give it, therefore, as my opinion, founded upon
both theory and observation, that lime will be of
advantage to a yellow clay soil, along with ma-
nure, if both are properly applied. But whether
the lime will benefit the crop of corn intended to
be grown upon it the present season, is somewhat
doubtful; as the action of lime does not fully take
place until at least a year after it has been ap-
plied. There are three great fundamental prin-
ciples of the chemical action of lime in soils, as
follows:

1st. Lime acts in a soil as a neutralizer-it
combines with any acids that may be in the soil,
and prevents their deleterious action upon the soil.
2d. It acts as a decomposer-it decomposes
earthy and metalic compounds, and forms other
combinations, which are readily soluble.
3d. The great use of lime in soil, is as a con-
soluble food for plants.

These are the great principles of the chemical
action of lime in soils, and to these must be ad-
ded its use on an indispensable constituent of all
cultivated plants. Lime also has a mechanical
effect upon soils, and especially on clay soils,
rendering them more open and pervious to air
and water.

salt"-"and though it converts, it at the same time locks up that geine which it had converted." Lime should, therefore, be applied in small quantities, and often; and the quantity should always be proportioned to the amount of manure applied, together with the organic matter already in the soil. The greater the amount of organic matter the soil contains, the more lime may be applied with safety, and vice versa.

It is possible that the lime may benefit the first crop; but its full effects will be apparent on the next and succeeding crops.

Respectfully your friend,

Mr. TABOR, March 4, 1845.

LAPHAM.

Letter from Mr. Gill on Silk.

Mt. Pleasant, O., Feb. 25, 1845. Mr. BATEHAM:-In looking over the 4th No. of your valuable paper, I notice an article calling for correspondence on Silk Culture, in which I am alluded to; and a wish expressed to know particularly how my silk operations are progressing, from whence, and by whom, I am supplied with the raw material, &c. And, as your correspondent observes, I have been willing at all times to impart my experience and its results to the public, from a wish to spread useful and correct information thereon. You will not therefore consider me intrusive if I endeavor to comply with his request. I would direct his and others attention to my answers to nineteen queries, in the proceedings of the National Convention, published by the American Institute in I will not further weary you with this painful 1844, entitled "the Silk Question Settled," where dialogue, which every nursery man, as I supI have, as clearly and concisely as possible, anpose, has to his regret, too frequently heard. swered their questions; and made a statement of The question is, what is the remedy? Those my experiments, apparatus, results, &c. These who desire the diffusion of good fruits must enare founded on five years' experience, and are gage in their cultivation, not merely in retired in accordance with my present views, and pracand private gardens, but for sale and especially tice; though for the past year I have been movfor public exhibition. Our men of wealth must ing on rather a larger scale, with the satisfactory plant out good orchards, on their large farms, al-verter-it converts even solid vegetable fibre into results of improvement in the quality and styles though the neighboring farmers and their sons of our fabrics, increase in their quantity and vashould get a few fruits, not in the most honorable riety, and reduction in the cost of production, way. If the fruit is fine, though stolen, it will and consequently in our prices. We have furcreate in the eater a desire to possess it of his nished constant employment in the factory alone, own. Say it is a few fine cultivated peaches to fifty persons, besides those employed during that are taken, he that ate them, will not when the summer in growing cocoons; have purchased he goes to plant, inquire for the big cling, but for cocoons and reeled silk to the amount of over peaches like Mr. A's. The past year I had a four thousand dollars, which were procured from few very fine peaches, I showed them them to Lime has been used in agriculture many hun- Jefferson, Belmont, Guernsey, Crawford, Washall I could; many from a love of old practices vis- dred years, and on every variety of soils, and al-ington, Franklin, Harrison, Carroll, Muskingum, ited them at night; and the result is, I have sold ways with beneficial effects, when judiciously Hamilton and several other counties in Ohio.at advanced prices all the peach trees I had on applied. In England, recently, large tracts of Also, some from Pennsylvania, Virginia, Indiana hand, and no one has, this year, asked for the country, which had been rented with difficulty at and Illinois, with considerable from Kentucky big cling. The general wish has been that I 5 shillings per acre, have been rendered worth 30 and Tennessee,-(we have used no foreign silk should make the selection, a thing pretty easily or 40 shillings per acre, by the application of whatever,)-from which, with our previous done, as I knowingly cultivate only the best. lime alone. And innumerable fnstances might stock, we have manufactured over eight thouThis satisfies me, that to let the people see and be cited in the United States, of its beneficial sand dollars' worth of goods, and have more than taste good fruit, is one of the best means to guide effects. five thousand dollars' worth, in its various stages them in their selections. When the individual We come now to the proper application of the of progress, from reeled silk to warp in the looms, does not know himself to be able to be his own lime and manure. This will depend upon the on which to operate until a new crop is grown. guide, from having seen and tasted the different kind of manure, but I suppose the kind meant, I hope the wisdom of our legislature will be fruits, the names of which he finds in the best is stable manure, in a state of partial decompo- shown by passing the bounty and agricultural catalogues and collections, such as Manning's, at sition; and my remarks will be based upon this bills now before it. These bills would not cost Salem, Massachusetts, Kenrick's, Boston, Sin- supposition. It is stated that the land was plow- the state more than one thousand dollars per clair's, Baltimore, Parson's & Co., Long Island, David Thomas & Sons, Western New York, and similar careful collections made in the west, among which I think I may justly name Mr. Ernst of Cincinnati, Cable & Kirtland, of Cleveland, and doubtless others. I say when he who would plant a good orchard, has no personal knowledge of these fruits, let him select the most The reason why the lime should not be spread honest nursery man he knows of, and trust him, with the manure before the last plowing, is thus and especially in peaches, pears, plums and cher- given by Professor Johnston, "Quick lime expels ries. It is the nurseryman's business to select ammonia from decomposed and fermenting maand cultivate good fruits, and every intelligent nure." And another reason is, that the lime nurseryman must know it is his interest to grow should be kept near the surface of the soil, withnone but the best, if he continue to follow the in the influence of heat and air-but if spread business. I say then, have the requisite knowledge yourselves, if possible, and if you have not, select and trust a man who has; and by all means avoid the sprouts, the sweet-hearts, and the big cling.

A word more. Make good fruits plenty, and few will be stolen. He who raises and sells 20,000 good trees annually, does more to prevent fruit stealing, than a criminal legislative act.He who owns the soil and neglects to plant the

ed in the fall, and of course it must be plowed
again before planting. The manure must be
spread before it is plowed and turned under.
After this is done, the lime may be slaked, and
evenly spread over the ground, and well mixed
with the surface soil by the harrow. Then fur-
row and plant the corn.

with the manure and plowed under, it would be
laid so deep in the soil, that it would require a
longer time to produce its full effects.

The quantity of lime required per acre, will de-
pend in a great degree, upon the quantity of ma-
nure applied, and the amount of organic matter
previously contained in the soil. There is dan
ger of putting on too much;-as Dr. Dana says,
"Lime changes vegetable fibre into soluble geine,
but being applied in excess, it forms an insoluble

year, but would incite our farmers to go into the cultivation of this important staple, which our manufacturers now have to be supplied with from other states, but which might soon be a staple adding a vast amount to our agricultural and manufacturing wealth.

By the way, I perused with much interest the valuable address of Mr. Whittlesey, on the importance and necessity of investigating, and improving, and bringing out all the latent sources of agricultural wealth, that proper legislative action and scientific information, can produce; not the least of which I consider the silk culture. It diversifies our labors, and furnishes profitable employment for the aged, youth and females, withdrawing a portion of it from those staples with which the market is glutted, and increasing the consumption and demand for all other products and manufactures, besides stopping the present enormous and ruinous export of coin for foreign silks. The cultivation and reeling of silk, is as practicable, sure and easy a crop to produce, as any other our farmers are engaged in growing, and will come in to great ad

vantage as a collateral one, requiring but little outlay of capital, and giving a quick return for the labor. And the reeled silk is the same as coin, for manufacture here or export; and a production of many million dollars' worth, annually, would readily find a market. For the past six years I have paid one uniform price, for all offered to us, as follows: for best reelable pea-nut cocoons, $400 per bushel; best other varieties, $3 75; inferior reelable cocoons in proportion; (cut out, double and imperfect, excluded, or paid for at 50 cents per bushel.) Even reeled silk, of 12 to 16, or 16 to 20 fibres, $4 75 to $5 25 per lb. Payments, one half in cash, and one half in manufactured silk, at our wholesale prices. And I expect to pay at the same rate the coming season for all offered. As I expect to start another factory at Wheeling, to keep pace at least for a while with the production, I am prepared to furnish all orders for the various kinds of silk fabrics in demand, as plain and plaid velvets and satins; all varieties and colors of dress and bonnet silks; do. for vestings; cravats; printed pocket handkerchiefs; serges, &c.; shirts, drawers, stockings, half hose, gloves, plushes, florentines, &c., warranted to give satisfaction, and at fair prices.

In conclusion, I say to my fellow citizens, "Go ahead", one and all, let us persevere. We can, and we will, raise and manufacture our own silks, and wear them also; and instead of exporting our coin, or going in debt to foreigners for them, have a surplus to export, with which we can liquidate our State Debts, and be, what we now claim to be an Independent People. Respectfully,

J. W. GILL.

der date of the 15th inst., say "the fact is, the
manufacturers here and in Kentucky and St.
Louis, consume nearly all that is brought into this
market." Our supplies for the last two years have,
in part, been drawn from the west, and, with the
exception of the lot purchased from Mr. Parmelee,
we do not think, this winter, we will be able to
get a single bushel there."

Nurseries in Cincinnati, We intended to defer noticing the horticultural establishments in the vicinity of Cincinnati, till we might have an opportunity of seeing the whole of them, and at a more favorable season of the year; but in the last number of the Western Farmer & Gardener, we find that friend Hooper has given a brief account of a portion of them, and his remarks are so just and appropriate that we are constrained to copy them:

"On one of the mildest days in the month of February last accompanied by our cotemporary and friend, Mr. Bateham, editor of the Ohio Cultivator, we took a drive round our city, to visit a few of our best Nurseries and Green-houses.The first establishment we visited was SAYERS & HEAVER'S, On the Reading Road. Here we found his new Green-house completed and filled with

Ohio Cultivator. good and choice plants. The assortment of Roses

COLUMBUS, OHIO, MARCH 15, 1845.

"OUR CONTRIBUTORS."-It must be highly gratifying to our readers, as it is to us, to observe the large and increasing number of practical and talented writers that are becoming engaged in the work of diffusing a knowledge of improvements in agriculture, through the columns of our paper. We regard this as the most conclusive evidence of a general desire for, and certain prospect of, the speedy advancement of this cause in Ohio.

APOLOGY.-So much of our time has been occupied in business pertaining to our duty as a member of the third house in the General Assembly, for the past two weeks that a number of communications have not yet been examined, and several private letters have remained some time unanswered.

has lately been much increased with the newest from France. They have now upwards of two hundred varieties. Here we found a fine and extensive collection of Verbenas, of which they have about fifteen varieties. There is yet left a number of very fine pear trees of the best kinds, out of which we had selected one hundred for our own farm last fall. Of peach trees there will be a fine lot this spring of the best kinds for disposal, as well as of most other trees, vines, and plants, usually found at the best nurseries.

The next place we visited was Mr. C. W. ELLIOTT's very pretty location. We were much pleased with the position and arrangement of the grounds, cottage, and green-house. The dwel ling house is on a small rise, in a beautiful thin grove of locusts. The surrounding small knolls are covered with a smooth, blue grass sward.— The back, and most broken parts of the ground, are planted with choice fruit trees. Here are “No admittance.”—Our ladies' saloon seems to trees without taking off the bark. This spring rustic arbors and fences; made of the branches of other sex to attempt to gain admittance therein. ferent kinds for sale, chiefly peach. This nursehold out strong temptations for scribblers of the there will be quite a number of fruit trees of dif Several communications have been received, ry is on the Madison road, a short and pretty drive written in a disguised hand, pretending to be from the city. The nursery has just the right asfrom ladies, but we are not to be hoaxed in these matters, and they "can't come in." The last at-pect, slope, and richness, for a good and flourishing growth of trees. Mr. Elliot is now stocking with their usual caution and prudence, and sow tempt of this kind is dated at Columbus. It con- his place rapidly, and it will soon rank among

Mustard Seed Crop. Extract from a letter from C. J. Fell & Brother, to the Commissioner of Patents:

"In answer to your question as to the danger of overstecking the market with mustard seed: If its culture is gone into with a "multicaulis" energy, the demand for the manufacture at the present "infant state" will not be equal to the supply; but if, on the contrary, the farmers move

each but few acres, we think there is no fear of

tains such fulsome flattery as no lady would be guilty of writing, and a poor attempt at wit in on American soil always commands a preference to write for the columns of the Cultivator. The overstocking the market. The seed produced up- the form of an appeal to the ladies, urging them over the imported; and if the manufacturer can most forcible argument used is in the closing rely upon a supply of seed of American growth, sentence, which is as follows: "Say something! even at 1 cent per pound or 50 cents per bushel if it is nothing more than that you'd like to see a over the cost of importing it, no orders for foreign bigger fool than I am." seed will be sent out by them. The manufacture

MERINO WOOL.-We have received two fine specimens of Paular Merino wool, from sheep owned by Geo. W. Wolf. of Keene, Coshocton Co. Ohio. They were from the flock of Mr. Avery of New York. The buck sheared the last season 7 lbs. (notwithstanding transportation.) portion of the State, who wish to obtain fruit NURSERIES AT COLUMBUS.-Our readers of this trees, &c. will find a good assortment at the nurseries of Mr. Lazell and Mr. Fisher. See advertisements on last page.

of mustard in this country is yet in its infancy, MADDER CULTURE.-Owing to want of time and
and has only been undertaken on a large scale the bad state of the roads, we have not been able
since the passage of the tariff, giving a protection to visit the person in this county who is engaged
of 30 per cent. In these two years, such improve-in this business, nor have we yet heard from Mr.
ments have been made in machinery, and such Swift. We hope to do both in time for our next.
knowledge obtained, as has enabled the manufac-
turers to produce an article which commands a
preference over any heretofore imported; and
we should not be considered too sanguine when
we state as our firm belief, that the importation
of manufactured mustard in 1845 will not be
more than one-third as much as in any of the
last five years: and that, with our superior Amer-
ican seed, our manufacturers can supplant the
English articles in markets it has never yet been
sent to. If such be the case, or if a prejudice in
other markets should prevent the manufactured
mustard being exported, the American seed has
only to be tried by English manufacturers, to com-
mand with them the same preference as we give
it here. In these views of the case, we think tisement.
that the demand for seed is much more likely to
The Horticultural Society, proposed to be
exceed the production, than the production to formed at Columbus, should be organized before
exceed the demand. You have, however, better long; now that the bustle of legislation is over,
information at Washington, of the probable de- and the time for gardening has arrived. What
mand for seed, than we have here.

THOSE SEEDS, of which mention has before been made, are now mostly ready. See adver

our most extensive nurseries here. On our route hour to refresh ourselves and horse at what we through the city again to see Mr. S. S. JACKSON'S conservatories and grounds, we stopped for an considered a very good half-way house,—the well known and excellent hotel, the Dennison House, on fifth street. Here after having partaken of Mr. NOBLE's first rate catering and careful attention, we proceeded on our most pleasant day's journeying, down the river about three miles, Mr. Jackson's situation being on the river, and which brought us to our point of destination.on the handsomest part of the road, and between two fine country residences, is most enchanting. His green-houses are tastefully and uniformly constructed, and of considerable extent. collection of plants is fine, and of great variety. He has more than three hundred kinds of Roses, a vast number of Geraniums, Verbenas, &c. We saw here, for the first time, what is called the the fruit is fine, of good flavor. He has a numPoplar Peach, from its similarity in growth to the Lombardy Poplar. Mr. Jackson informed us that ber of very large, luxuriant growing roses, well suited for the pyramidal form. His stock of peaches is large, and nearly of all kinds,-the fruit of which he has himself tested,-about thirty varieties. Mr. JACKSON informs us that he has raised upwards of a thousand roses from the seed. He sowed about the 20th of December last, and

His

they are now showing many small buds, and even flowers. He occasionally gets a valuable variety by these means. He is also endeavoring to ob

We have written to a friend for a statement of say you gentlemen-and ladies too-when shall seed. We consider Mr. Jackson one of our best

a meeting for the purpose be called?

NOBLE AND PATRIOTIC EXAMPLES.-The last No.

the importation of mustard and mustard seed,
but are, as yet, without the information. The
West have heretofore supplied their own factories. of the Albany Cultivator says that the Hon. J. J.
But we learn that the increased demand for A- McKay, M. C. from North Carolina, has renewed
merican mustard has compelled them to look to his subscription for one hundred copies of that pa-
the east this season for their supplies of seed, per, for gratuitous circulation among his constit-
and we have now an application from Ken- uents. James Sloan, Esq. of the same state is
tucky for seed; and our friends at Cincinnati, un- also a subscriber for one hundred copies.

tain some new varieties of Chrysanthemums from cultivators of flowers."

In addition to the foregoing, we visited the Spring Garden Nursery, by Mr. A. H. ERNST, about two miles west of the city, on the Harrison turnpike. It is a beautiful place even in winter, and charming in summer, but we shall speak of this hereafter. Our object now is to remark that this is the oldest and most extensive nursery in

that region; and the proprietor is not only thoroughly acquainted with his business, but deserving the fullest confidence of the public. His stock of fruit trees is quite extensive, and embraces nearly all the kinds known to be worthy of cultivation and adapted to the climate. His cherries and some other kinds we noticed, are of fine size and beautiful growth. He has also a large collection of ornamental shrubs, &c.

LADIES' DEPARTMENT.

POETRY AND AGRICULTURE.-We heartily concur with the opinion of the writer of the following excellent lines, that an occasional piece of poetry would grace the columns of the Ohio Cultivator right well," especially such poetry-so well calculated to remove the false and hurtful sentiments which prevail in regard to "far. mer's homes." We shall be pleased to hear from the writer in this way occasionally, and receive similar favors from others.-ED.

For the Ohio Cultivator.
The Farmer's Home.
If there's a place upon the earth,
Where want and sorrow seldom come,
Where discontentment ne'er had birth,
And peace ne'er leaves the social hearth,
It is the farmer's home.
True independence is a prize

To those possessing it more dear,
By far more precious in their eyes,
Than any other 'neath the skies;
Alone we find it here.

Let those who foolishly suppose,
That in the city halls alone,

Are always found the "smartest beaux;"
(And thus their ignorance expose,)
Visit the farmer's home.

And there they're ever sure to find,
Within the evening circle bright,

As "stately forms" with hearts and minds
Enriched with gems of choicest kinds,
Lit up with virtue's light.

And others too, there do at night,

Around the social fire side come;
Whose cheeks are red, and eyes are bright,
Whose forms are fair, and steps are light,
Within the farmer's home.

And yet another home is given

To us poor mortals here below;
And when from earthly homes we'er riven,
We'll find a better one in Heaven;
Eternal joys to know.

Spring Valley, Ohio.

Letter from Alethea.
(AN EXTRACT.)

M. B.

I

To make your paper interesting to the female portion of its readers, it is necessary that there be female contributors to its columns. And fondly cherish the hope, that productions from the pens of talented lady writers, will often be permitted to grace its pages. I would not intimate that the articles which have appeared are not interesting and useful, but that there are many others who might also contribute much to the prosperity and interest of your excellent paper.

Scientific Blunders.

moval to this place; and that one somebody has borrowed-a pretty good sign that it is valuable. That State ought to sustain it well.

The last number of the Western Farmer and Gardener contains "a Lecture delivered before the Hamilton county Agricultural Society, De- British American Cultivator.-Toronto, Canada. cember 21, 1844, on the subject of Vegetation and We are happy to renew our acquaintance with Manures; by CHARLES WHITTLESEY, Esq., Profes- friend Edmundson. He has followed the fashion sor of Agricultural Chemistry and Geology to the in doubling his quarto into an octavo; and comes Society." with quite a bookish look, though embracing a From the known scientific and literary attain- goodly mixture of interesting and instructive ments of the author, we were surprised on read-matter. May he continue to improve and prosper. ing this lecture, to find several of its positions Maine Farmer.-Augusta, Maine. We should wholly at variance with the admitted principles feel very unwilling to be deprived of the pleasof true science; and showing either great care- ure we derive from gleaning this weekly budget lessnes or a want of familiarity with standard of philosophy and fun by Dr. Holmes. He manifests as much sound sense, and practical expeWorks on agricultural chemistry. Speaking of the food of plants and the exhaus-rience on matters of Yankee husbandry, as any tion of soils, he says: "On an average, our best writer that we know of; and the man who takes upland soils contain eighty three per centum of his paper gets the worth of his money. mere dead matter, which has no vivifying effect American Farmer.-Baltimore, Md. This is upon plants. It is composed, principally, of the oldest of all the agricultural journals in this silex" "It is certain that not only lime, soda, country. It was commenced twenty-five years potash and other alkalies are found in the stalks ago, by Mr. J. Skinner and its character has been of grain, but silex also. There is not supposed well sustained by his successors. It must have to be any nourishment in this silex, which forms been the means of great improvement in Marypart of the stem; it is merely the material made land and adjoining States. use of to give it hardness and strength. The straw of wheat yields about sixty-one per centum

of it."

Now let us briefly examine this choice specimen of abstruse jargon, and see if it will bear the light of common sense; if that is not satisfactory we will try it in the crucible of men of real science at another time.

Southwestern Farmer.-This is said to be a valuable weekly paper, published at Raymond, Miss. We should like an exchange.

Valley Farmer.-Winchester, Va. This is rather a young one, but evinces good spirit-and a disposition to go-ahead-hope he will improve the farming both on the hills and in the valleys of Western Virginia, and find a liberal support

We are not quite certain as to the full meaning in return. intended to be attached to the word vivifying

as used in the foregoing, but from the connection

From the Western Farmer & Gardener.

year 1844.

degrees fifteen minutes North, Longitude eighty-three degrees forty
minutes West; and at an elevation of one thousand and ninety-
four feet above the Ocean, and three hundred and fifty feet above
Lake Erie. By DARIUS LAPHAM, Civil Engineer.
MT. TABOR, Jan. 17, 1845.

it is plainly asserted that silex does not form a part Abstract of a Meteorological Register for the
of the nourishment or food of plants, although it
is admitted that it is the material which gives it
"hardness and strength." This would imply then Kept at Mount Tabor, Champaign county, Ohio. in Latitude forty
that the imparting of hardness and strength to
the stem of plants is no part of its nourishment;
which is as absurd as to assert that the formation
of bones in animals, is no part of their nourish-
ment. The truth is, and we have high authori-
ties on our side, the silex is as much a portion of
the food and nourishment of the plants of grain,
as any other element they contain, and we be
lieve that one of the greatest causes of the fail-
ure of the wheat crop is owing to a deficiency of
this element in a condition to be absorbed by the

roots.

R. Buchanan, Esq.,

President Horticultural Society, Cincinnati DEAR SIR:-I herewith send you an abstract of my Diary for the year 1844.

days, eighty-one cloudy days, and one hundred There were one hundred and sixty-nine fair and sixteen variable days. It rained ninety-one times during the year. Snow fell eighteen times But the assertion that the straw of wheat con- of the year. The latest vernal frost was on May in the first part, and six times in the latter part tains about sixty-one per centum of silex, is a 22d, and the first autumnal frost occurred on the blunder so wide from the truth that we must sup- 22d September, making one hundred and twentypose it was a slip of the pen of the author, and three days between the vernal and autunnal he will doubtless correct it on a moment's reflec- frosts. The latest snow in the spring fell on the tion. Without referring to books, (which are all 30th of March, and the first snow in the fall, on on our side) suppose we burn 100 pounds of the 28th day of October, making two hundred wheat straw; and, as the silex all remains in the and twelve days between the snows of spring ashes, shall we find about sixty-one pounds of it? and fall. The months of May, June and July, So far from that being the case, we shall only were more than usually wet, so much so, that in have 3 1-2 pounds of ashes and of this only 2 lbs. some sections of the country the crops of corn and 14 ounces will be silica! and hay were nearly destroyed. The wheat crop was greatly diminished by the rust, and it was considerably injured by the fly in some sections of the State. The corn crop on dry ground when cherries, were abundant in this vicinity. Apples well tended yield well. Apples, peaches, and were, however, more than usually affected with worms at the core, causing them to ripen prematurely, and disposing them to early decay. The season was too wet for the proper ripening of grapes. The Isabellas were much rotted and mildewed; the Catawbas were not affected with mildew, but a large portion of the bunches were more or less rotted. Late planted potatoes yielded well where they were well tended. The disease so destructive to the potatoes at the east, has not appeared here yet. Pear trees, in this vicinity, have not been affected with blight this season. Plums were stung by the curculio, and rotted on the trees. The season opened three weeks earlier than last.

Agricultural Papers. CONTINUED FROM NO. 4, PAGE 30. The season for flowers is fast approaching; will Va. This is a monthly magazine of 24 pages, Southern Planter.-By C. T. Potts, Richmond, not some lady florist give us some instructions as to the best time and manner of sowing and transplanting, the best modes of culture, and the kinds of soil most favorable to different species of

plants?

For, sisters, fair flowers we fondly will train,
The myrtle, the rose, and the sweet jessamine;
Of feminine graces fit emblems they are,
And richly deserve our attention and care;
Then if we would send to a loved one a token
Of friendship and love which may not be spoken,
We will hie to the paths of the garden away,
And culi from the flowers a fragrant boquet;
And woven together with magical art,
Their mystical language will speak to the heart.
ALETHEA.
Madison co., Feb. 26, 1845

next.

Extracts from Ellsworth's Report in our

The discussion on "corn and pork making" is unavoidably deferred again.

Southern Agriculturist.--By E. A. Miller, Charleston, S. Carolina. This is another very useful work; also designed to advance the great interests of agriculture at the south. It usually devotes much attention also, to horticulture and domestic affairs, and is very neatly printed withal.

Southern Cultivator.-James Comak, Editor, Augusta, Georgia. The present editor of this paper ranks high as an agricultural writer, and under his management, it cannot fail to merit liberal patronage from the planters of Georgiathough to their disgrace, be it said, is at present very poorly supported. It is one of the neatest, cheapest and best papers of the whole south.

Michigan Farmer.-Jackson Mich. We have received but one number of this paper since our re

February 16-Snow fell three inches deep. 20-Frost nearly out of the ground. 22-Trimmed grapevines; blue birds have appeared. 26Signs of returning vegetation in the grass, daffodils and flags; meadow-larks seen to-day. 29Distant thunder; first heard this year.

March 2-A little snow; robins have been seen four-winged insects, which are known to be very America, that the agricultural practice and expeseveral days past. 4-Snow fell one inch deep, destructive to bees. rience of Great Britain could have no application melted before night; splendid sunset; full moon With regard to management, I will mention to the United States."" brilliant. 5-Ground hard frozen this morning. several things which I deem of importance. Now, what is agricultural practice and expe13--Commenced plowing; wheat fields look green; Hives should be of a medium size; if planed in- rience? Is it not an observation and application gooseberries and raspberries have leaves. 18-side, the top should be scratched, and so con- of the great and immutable laws of nature to the Ground covered with an inch of snow, and hard structed that the bees will be able to keep a prop-cultivation of the soil? Are not the laws of nafrozen. 23-Snow fell one inch deep. 24-Buds er temperature of heat at night, as well as in the ture the same in the United States that they are of the apple and peach begin to swell; vegetation day. In swarming, all unusual noises, such as in England? Will not a discovery of some great progresses slowly, owing to cold and wet weath- the ringing of bells or the rattling of pans, should truth, if made in England, be just as valuable, er. 26-Buds of the Elm have opened; frogs first be strictly avoided. When hived, the bees should and applicable, when it shall have made a voyheard; commenced making hot bed. 30-Snow be set directly into the bee house, or in some age across the Atlantic? Nature proceeds by fell last night and to-day three inches deep. 31-- other way protected from the hot sun. fixed laws. She is not a confused jumbler of Ground frozen; covered part of my peach trees The bee moth is the greatest evil that we have things, and to-day one thing and to-morrow anowith sheets before sunrise, to prevent the sun to contend with. My method of procedure, is ther. All the relations of the different parts of thawing the buds too suddenly. to examine the bottom board often, and see that nature are mutual and exact, and every thing April 2-Snow yet lies in shaded places; graf- it is kept clean; also destroy what millers I find moves on in a beautiful agreement with every ted cherry trees. 4-Peach buds beginning to about the apiary; they are still in the day time, other thing. Any law of nature, therefore, which open. 11-Peach trees in full bloom; plums show lying with their heads downwards. But the has been discovered in England, and applied to a few flowers. 14-Apples, cherries, and straw-surest safeguard, is a full swarm of bees. I useful purposes, must be equally useful and appliberries in bloom. 18-Hard frost, with ice. 24 never have had a full swarm seriously injured; cable in the United States. We will take an ex-Quinces in bloom. 27-Dodecatheon in flow-but several weak swarms have been. Security ample: In England they have horses, cattle and er. 28-Nature is now dressed in her most beau- against the moth is not the only advantage to be hogs, and it is a law of nature that they should tiful robes. 29-Heavy white frost. derived from full swarms; they do better through void urine; (I don't say that the English lay claim May 1-Locust trees in flower; put mortar the winter, and with less honey, and in the to the original discovery of this law,) but it has around the base of my peach trees. 2-Planted spring when many are necessarily employed in been ascertained in England, by practical expecorn in the garden. 8-Commenced planting taking care of the young brood, others will be rience, that it is also a law of nature, that by the corn in the field. 21-Frost, with ice on the bringing in their stores; this is the secret of get- application of the urine of these animals to growfences, &c.; picked a few strawberries. 22-ting large quantities of honey. ing crops, their quantity has been greatly increaHeavy white frost. 27-Grapevine flowers; With regard to uniting swarms, my practice is, sed, and their quality much improved. Now, if sweetbrier in flower. 28-Musquitoes have ap- to examine all my swarms in November, and se- these results proceed from a law of nature, they peared. lect such old swarms as need to be transferred, will assuredly follow the application of the same June 1 and 2-The greatest rain fell, known or young ones that are too light to winter, and by means in the United States as in England. since the settlement of the country; so everybody the use of fungus, (common meadow puff-ball,) We have horses, cattle, and hogs, too, in the says! 6-Silk worms have begun to spin; rasp-suffocate them that they they may be handled United States, and they are obedient to the same berries ripening; corn six inches high; wheat in with safety, and then unite them with such laws of nature here, as in England; we have head and part flowering. 9-Green peas on the swarms as I choose. This is done by burning brick, plank, stone, water and lime, of which to table. 17-Raspberries ripe, both in the garden the puff-ball, placing it under the hive, with make vessels to contain their urine. But do we and fields. 19-Commenced cutting clover. 27 something over the fire to prevent the bees from avail ourselves of the advantages which the prac-One of our neighbors has commenced cutting falling into it; and when the bees have fallen, tice and experience of England shows to be so wheat. 30-A heavy rain fell in the night, which they may be taken into a honey box and inserted profitable when urine is applied to their crops? measured over three inches in depth. in the top of a hive, always putting some of the Mr. Colman says, in reference to the use of urine, puff in the hive into which you put the bees, to" The animals were stall fed, and kept constantgive them the same smell; they readily unite. Ily in the stable, and a small brick or stone tank, have taken three small swarms and put with the well cemented with lime, was sunk near the cow fourth. If they should not have honey enough, they can be fed with the poorer honey. When prepared in this way, I let them stand in the house or shed which fronts the east; the west. or back side closed, to protect from the storms. Since practicing in this way, I have not lost a swarm in wintering. Yours, &c.

13

July 1-Wheat harvest fully commenced. -Lightning bugs, or fire-flies, first seen. 17Katy-dids first heard. 28-Corn fit for table. 31 -Rareripe peach trees much mildewed at the ends of the branches.

August 11-Budded cherry trees. 20-Plowed in buckwheat for manure.

September 4-Peaches ripe. 9-Commenced cutting up corn. 10-Commenced sowing wheat. 11-Peaches in their prime. 15-Catawba grapes ripe; Isabella not yet ripe. 22-First frost occurred this morning. 25-Cut clover seed. 27—— Cut broom corn.

October 1-Dug errly potatoes. 6-The frosts begin to show the "sear and yellow leaf." 11Dug late potatoes. 19-Gathered winter apples; ice this morning. 28-The first snow fell during the night to the depth of an inch and a half. November -No snow during the month of

November.

D. B. KINNEY.
OBERLIN, Lorain co., O., March 1845.

Prevention of the Bee Moth.

Mr. BATEHAM:-In the third number of your Ohio Cultivator, I notice some complaint that the bee moth or worm destroys the bees in Trumbull county. I will give my method of destroying these little rascals, which I think if generally adopted, would soon rid the county of them, and thereby greatly increase our opportunities for en

December 13-Snow fell in the night, and during the day, one and a half inches deep. 23-joying the sweets of life. Snow fell during the night two inches deep. 26 -Frost nearly out of ground; snow disappeared. 31-Weather fine and pleasant.

On the management of Bees.

gar

stable, and near the pig stye, which received all
the liquid manure; and the contents of these
tanks were pumped into a small cart, with a
sprinkling-box attached to it, like that used for
the watering of streets in cities, and distributed
over the crops, and with effects immediately per-
ceptible." An eminent farmer in Yorkshire
had manured twelve acres with the manure
which flowed into the tank, and this had produ-
ced heavy crops of grass, which he had mowed
three times, and then there was an abundance,
which he mowed late in the season and gave to
his horses."
D. L.

Mount Tabor, Champaign co., O.

Mode of Constructing Bridges. [EXTRACT FROM A LETTER TO THE EDITOR.] "A few days since, I heard an intelligent German describing the bridges common in France I place shallow dishes on the tops of the hives be found to answer here, it would be a great and Germany. If his plan, on experiment, will half filled with sweetened vinegar, (clear vinewill answer nearly as well.) By this method saving of materials and expense. The bridge I have caught from 100 to 1,000 millers in a sin- to thow the rain water each way, and the centre consists simply of a florring arched sufficiently gle night. In the morning I empty the dishes made a little higher than the sides, so that no into a pail and set it where the chickens can get water may rest on the road way. The floor is at it; they soon pick out all the insects, and at then thoroughly pitched, allowed time to harden, night I replace it in the dishes. It is necessary then covered with a layer of stone broken to to remove it during the day time, otherwise the bees will get into it.

Respectfully, &c.,

Mayfield, Ohio.

D. WAKEMAN.

Friend Bateham.—I find in the Ohio Cultivator No. 3, a reference to my former success in keeping bees, with a request for further information; and I would say briefly, that in 1843, I had seven swarms from which I took three hundred and thirty pounds of honey, with an increase of two new swarms. In 1844, I had nine swarms, P. S. I published the substance of the forewhich gave three hundred and fifty pounds of going in theC leveland Herald, last summer, and honey-no increase. (It will be seen that I count it was copied into the Western Farmer & Gardthe increase, not from the swarms that come out, ner and some other papers, with the signature but from what remain when they are prepared changed to Dr. Waterman, doubtless by mistake and set away for the winter.) The last summer of the printer. I had seven new swarms, but in the process of uniting, had but nine left; the past summer in Colman's European Tour. this place was considered unfavorable for bees; Mr. Colman, when he was about to embark in the increase small. From the last of June till the the prosecution of his great agricultural tour middle of August, my bees appeared to lie perfectly idle-a circumstance that I never knew before, nor do I know how to account for it. However, some older in the business than myself, have witnessed the same before, and attribute the cause to an unusual quantity of Spindles, or

D. W.

through Europe says, that a "friend, whose emi-
nent position in the community should have
saved him from an immature judgment, express-
ed an opinion that the climate of England was
so different from the United States, and the cost
of labor in England was so much less than in

pieces, at largest, not greater than a cubic inch,
about six inches deep. This is laid on with mor-
tar of lime, sharp, clean sand. When this layer
has had time to settle and become well dried, the
Macadamizing is laid down as on a common road.
This would save all expense of roof and siding,
which is no small item in building a good bridge.
Dayton, Ohio.
ME. CURWEN.

SET OUT TREES.-"Don't neglect to set out one
or more trees the first opportunity you find.—
Posterity will thank you for the benefaction, and
embalm your memory with blessings, when other
more costly and magnificent mementos, reared
with ostentatious vanity, perhaps, and a view
to the eulogium of posterity, shall have passed
away."

"Let the green tree wave at the cottage door,
The rose in the garden bloom-
With them shall the planter's memory soar,
When he rests in the quiet tomb.

1

TOP VIEW.

SIDE VIEW.

MCCORMICK'S VIRGINIA REAPER.
POST OFFICE, CINCINNATI, Ohio.

MY DEAR SIR:-As you agreed at my suggestion, further to
notice "McCormick's Reaper" in your valuable paper, and asked
me to send you some further account of it; and as I think by so
doing, you would not only be so far profitably interesting to your
readers, but would be doing a good service to the community,
by presenting this valuable implement to their view, in a way
calculated to command attention, I herein enclose a short notice
of the inventor, with a few certificates subjoined, taken from the
National Intelligencer, which show a confidence in the inventor,
and evidence of the value of the Reaper, which speak for them-
selves. And I would only add, that Mr. McCormick has con-
tracted with A. C. Brown, of this city, for the manufacture of a
large number of Reapers for the next harvest, for the north western
States, and is receiving a great many orders for the same. The
Reaper is sold at $100 payable in harvest, or 106 at 4 months from
harvest, warranted to cut 15 acres a day, when properly attended;
to save an average of a bushel of wheat to the acre, that would
be lost by ordinary cradling; and to be strong and durable, not
subject to get out of order. Transportation will be but nominal.
For more particular accounts, persons interested by addressing
me, can have a pamphlet forwarded to them, which contains full
and detailed accounts. Orders may also be addressed to me (or
to Mr. Brown) on the foregoing terms, and the sooner the better,
as it may be doubtful about filling any that are not received soon.
Very truly yours, &c.,
WM. H. H. TAYLOR.

From the National Intelligencer.
MCCORMICK'S REAPER.

We have seen in the Richmond Whig and Enquirer a great many certificates of farmers of Virginia, whose names are well known beyond the limits of their State, speaking in the highest terms of McCormick's Reaper. We have also seen accounts of the same by com. mittees, &c., from New York, Michigan and Wisconsin, of the most favorable character. The two su' joined certificates agree in substance with many others.

LYNCHBURG, November 8, 1844.

DEAR SIR-I intended and ought to have written you immediately after harvest, respect. ing the performance of your Reaper. When I first received it I had many doubts and misgivings as to its successful operation on my farm, but it only required putting it to work to clear my mind of all apprehension. During wheat and oat harvest I used it some fifteen days without any difficulty. It cut uniformly, clean, and well, on an average, without pushing, from fourteen to sixteen acres a day. One day, when a little more activity was used, it cut twenty acres. Where the wheat or oats were tangled and fallen down, with a little care it cut and saved the grains admirably well. Many of the best farmers in the neighborhood of my plantation, near Amherst Court House, came to see its performance; all were highly gratified, and many wou'd linger and follow it round the field to admire and witness its neat, rapid, and perfect performance. I think it would not be going too far to say that it is a perfect machine of the kind, and that no farmer whose plantation is clear of stumps and stones, (for it does not much matter that the land be rolling,) and raises wheat or oats to any extent, should throw by his reap-hoops and cradles, and make use of your Reaper to save his grain. If my wheat looks prosperous next summer I may wish to procure another of your machines for a plantation near Glasgow, in Amherst county, Respectfully, your obedient servant, CYRUS H. MCCORMICK, Esq.

E. FLETCHER.

I purchased one of Mr. Cyrus H. McCormick's Reapers, with which I cut my last harvest, and at his request take pleasure in adding my testimony to the numerous testimonials which have been presented to the public in favor of this valuable machine. As the public have already been so extensively and so PARTICULARLY advised in relation to the operations of this machine, without going into detail I deem it sufficient to say that it has not been over-estimated that, in cutting one hundred acres of good wheat, when the labor and grain saved are fairly estimated, it will pay for itself. I believe mine has done so. Given under my hand this 1st day of November, 1814. WASHINGTON SWOAPE.

EXPLANATION OF THE ENGRAVINGS. We deem it unnecessary to enumerate all the different parts of the machine, as any farmer or mechanic will obtain a good general idea of its construction and mode of operation, from a glance at the annexed cuts.

The horses are attached to the tongue, B. (fig. 1) which is placed on one side of the machine, so that when in operation the horses walk outside of the standing grain. In front and above the cutting part of the machine is a reel, W, W. (fig. 1 2) which as it revolves bends the straw towards the teeth and knife so as to cause it to fall over on to the plat form, A. (fig. 1) from which it is removed by a man with a rake, and left on the ground in heaps for the binders.

"The whole machine rests and is balanced up- iron case, and works under the iron fingers, [V.] not cutting, by altering a pin. The canvass erecton the two ground wheels, but is steadied and is so that the angle formed by its edge and their ed between the posts, E, E, is to prevent any guided by means of the yoke [C] being made shoulders being acute. the cutting is thereby in- heads from being lost behind the machine. The fast to the heims of the two horses that pull it, sured. The divider, B, I, [fig. 1] can be turned, height of the stubble is varied by simply altering say nine-tenths of the whole weight being upon in or out to suit the cutting by altering a screw; 4 screw bolts. Finally, when a sufficient quanthe main ground wheel [M.] which is behind the and the bow, H, for bearing off the standing tity of grain shall have been collected for a sheat horses, and from which the power to operate the wheat, and dividing iron, I, for bearing the wheat or more, the business of the hand attending the machine is communicated; the master cog wheel, to be cut, within the power of the reel, [fig's. 1 machine, is, with a light rake, to draw it off to and band wheel [N.] being upon its axle, and and 3] are only intended to insure a complete one side, which with a little practice is done giving action to the blade, which does the cut- separation-though tangled-of the wheat cut with great ease and very neatly." ting, and to the reel, which brings the grain to from that left standing. The reel is placed high the blade; and, when cut, delivers it upon the or low to suit long or short grain, by means of a platform. The cutting edge of the blade is 6ft. buckle to the band and screw to the reel post,: 3in. long, and similar to the edge of a sickle, ex-, cept that the angle of the teeth is reversed every 1 1-4 inch, so as to cut both ways, receiving a vibratory action of 5 1-4 inches from the crank. The blade is supported at back and bottom by an

T. C. PETERS & BROTHER,

in all kinds of

which screw also keeps the band tight. The WOLRDALE and Repair Dealers PROVISIONS. reel ribs are put in spirally for the purpose of Cash paid for choice Hims and Shoulders; also, Butter, equalizing the resistance of the cutting. By the Eggs, Cheese, Lard, Tallow and Dried Fruits, at their lever, D, [fig's. 1 and 2] the wheels are taken Property consigned to them will be promptly attended to. s'o e, Mansion House block, Exchange street, Buffalo. out of gear when the machine is running and Buffalo, Jan. 1845.-6m