earth amongst the vegetable matter, he will find, on applying it to the earth for the purpose of aiding vegetation, that he has got a pile of manure. From this evidence before him he will readily conclude, if capable of the operation of common sense, that for the purpose of littering animals, and as an assistant, in forming a compost manure, leaves, especially if gathered while charged with their whole elementary principles, must be an admirable auxiliary, in the production of the dungstead, and worthy of being most assiduously collected for that purpose.

correspondent: and they have been repeatedly brought | lime, and adding a small portion of rich moist forward in former numbers of the Farmers' Register, and will again be advocated whenever the occasion requires it. Perhaps we have said enough-unless the positions which have been assumed in this journal, either are assailed by opposition, or are promised some effective aid from our legislators, or from those who appoint and direct legislators. It will be seen, during the approaching session of the General Assembly, whether any effect has yet been produced. If the Committee of Agriculture and Manufactures (which has had a useless existence for some years,) should be pro- Amongst weeds, or green vegetable substances, perly filled with members who know the proper and experiment has amply decided, that those which important use of such a committee, and have the zeal produced the most putrid and nauseous effluvia, and ability so to direct its investigations, there might during fermentation, were found producing the be commenced a reformation of the economical policy This fact most active effect, on the growing crop. of Virginia, which would conduce more to the pros- of the theory, of many plants feeding rapidly on seems to settle, by positive proof, the correctness perity of the commonwealth, than all that the legisla- gases, evolved during the process of fermentation, ture has done in the last forty years. If the noble through the medium of their leaves. As it would object of promoting the improvement of agriculture be highly desirable, previous to laying down any was really aimed at by the legislature, the first neces-plan for making manure, in the form of compost, sary step would be to ascertain its present state, as to have some idea of the relative value of different affected by political causes-the obstacles to its ad- ingredients, which present for that purpose, it may be proper to have some facts placed before us. vancement—and the aids which the law might most Leaves piled up in a pen, with alternate thin strata readily and effectually bestow to promote its welfare. of swamp mud, when partially decomposed are If the desire was heartily felt by the legislature, it found a superior preparation for the Irish potato would be all that would be required to lead ultimately crop. Put around the roots of fruit trees, this to the most beneficial results for the interests of agri- compost has been found to produce a healthy and culture and of the commonwealth-which, fortunately, increased in its efficacy, by the addition of lime to vigorous growth. Its operation has been much are in Virginia identical. Agricultural societies and the mass. The finest Irish potatoes that I have schools, geological surveys and other means might be seen produced in a southern climate, were proused to promote this end-but which do not at this time duced by the addition of this compost. require more full consideration than has already been! given-nor will they, until there is some prospect of such means being brought into operation.]

From the Alabama Intelligencer and Expositor. IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL BY LEAVES.

A pen was made with small rails, a stratum of leaves, trampled down to twelve inches in depth, a sprinkling of lime added; after sprinkling the leaves well with muddy water three or four inches of swamp mud was then added, and this course continued, until the pen was six feet in height. This compost was made up in the fall, on the first If an enquiring mind will go into the woods, falling of the leaves, and applied to the potato where the soil is what we term rich land, and crop in the spring. The effect on the following view nature at work, in nature's own way, he wil! crop of corn, was all that could be desired. A sediscover readily, that for a considerable depth, this cond pile was constructed with a stratum of leaves, rich soil is a composition of vegetable matter prin- two feet thick, sprinkled well with lime, previouscipally, more or less decomposed,-in commonly, with muddy water-two carts came up, the language well rotted. He will discover, that what one loaded with swamp mud, and the other with he applies the name of soil to, is composed, almost dung-from opposite sides the throwing on comentirely, of the decayed leaves of the trees with menced, at equal pace, so as to mingle the last weeds and grass, and rotten wood-perhaps the two well: on the layer of mud, and manure, being production of centuries. But on a nice examina- completed, say about four inches thick, another tion of this rich soil, he will be compelled to con- layer of leaves was added sprinkled with water clude, from evidence before his senses, incontrovert- from a pond, then lime, mud and manure, and ible, that decayed leaves, form the principal part. continued, until the pile was about six feet in height If he wishes for conclusive corroborating testimo--a little earth was thrown on the top. I am satisny, he will heap up a mass of them in a pen, sprink- fied the same volume of dung, spread over the ling the mass with lime, and he will find after the same surface, would not have exceeded in producprocess of fermentation, and decomposition has tion, either in the potato or corn crop, that followed, done its office, that the product will, on application and to which the composition was applied, on to poor soil, produce the finest vegetation, and planting.-In both cases the manure was applied prove to his senses that it contains the pabulum, in the drill, but plentifully. The following crop on or food of plants, in a high degree. By still going both grounds was cotton-it was superior--the on with his experiment, he will find ultimately, seed was drilled in the old corn, and potato rows, that leaves when decomposed, with the aid of de- opened with a Scooter plough. The following composing agents, produce an admirable assistant year, the seed that came from the cotton, the year to vegetation, and by forming a mass of leaves, previous, was applied to a second corn crop, which sprinkling the leaves as he forms the mass, with much surpassed the first, indeed was amongst the

finest corn crops to be found-wheat and rye fol- | profitable. To the gardener it is a useful auxilialowed and were superior.

I give this detail to show that the efficacy of leaves, is decided, in their action on plants, as a manure, when decomposed: for in the crops above stated, they were the basis of the manure that was applied, it being perfectly impossible for all the dung, and lime, that was employed for the formation of the compost, to have produced half the effect, when spread over the soil, or used as the compost was applied.

PLANTER.

From the Gardener's Magazine.
FOUNTAIN WELLS.

ry, and to the dyer, &c. most important. In short, the art of forming fountain wells, by which may be gained a constant supply of soft water, without labor or expensive machinery, presents extensive benefits, which are not yet even apprehended. At present we are still ignorant how high such fountains may be carried above the surface of the earth, and how copious such jets may prove. The ascent of water from such considerable depths, is in itself a mystery. When the auger is passed down into a subterranean current or reservoir in a valley, and the water flows up, it is accounted for by saying that the outlet is below the principal source. But when such perforations are made on the highest ground, and where there appears no inclinanatural law for water finding its own level, does tion or fall of surface to the spot, it is difficult to account rationally for such a phenomenon. The not apparently apply. Is it the pressure of the atmosphere? the subsidence of the superposited earth? Is it from the expansive power of subterranean heat, or from the temperature of water it

self? or what?

From the [Ohio] Farmer's Reporter. THE ARMY WORM.

cases, with which fountain wells may be obtained, The facility in many, and the certainty in all promises very great advantages. Besides the water of the clouds, rivers, and lakes, it is had from two other sources; viz. land springs and main springs. The first are liable to fail when most wanted, the second never. Land springs are often found upon, and always at no great distance below the surface of the ground. They are collections from exhalations ever rising from the interior of the earth, and from snow, rain, and other condensations of water from the atmosphere. On Sir-The devastation committed on agriculthese last resources, land springs depend for their tural labor, by the different tribes of insects, is such existence and supply. What is not quickly car- as will probably render the study of their natural ried away by rivers, brooks, and drains, sinks into history an object of importance to the scientific agthe earth, but being intercepted in its downward riculturist, which induces me to send you the folcourse, by horizontally placed strata of rock or lowing observations on the army worm, for inserclay, reposes thereon, and from there gradually tion in the Reporter, if you should not be able to oozes away at the lowest point of the impervious supply us with any thing better on the same subbed which prevented its sinking perpendicularly. ject. Not being familiar with the natural history Any shaft or opening sunk into this bed readily of insects, nor accustomed to write on the subject, admits a flow into it from the saturated soil around, which is then easily obtainable by the pump or bucket. Water so procured, always partakes more or less of the predominating qualities of the soil through which it percolates. Hence the different mineral springs; and hence the various degrees of brackishness, commonly called hardness, of domestic wells.

Main springs are sometimes seen gushing out from the sides, but much more frequently from the bases of high hills. Sometimes they are reached by the common well-digger; but in general they are located at a depth far beyond his reach by any ordinary means. The water of main springs is known by its high temperature; this being always more or less, according to the depth froin which they flow; those nearest the surface are about 42° Fahr. increasing to 56° or more. They are also known by their quality, being, in almost all cases freer from impregnation of salts, and are consequently called softer water.

Whether the main springs are supplied from the same sources as the land springs, and that they are less impregnated with salts or other qualities in consequence of their receiving greater filtration in their passage to the depths at which they are found, is a question deserving consideration. But that they do possess the qualities of high temperature and purity, is undeniable, and with these qualities water is invaluable. For the kitchen, sideboard, dairy, and still-room, how necessary; in the bath and dressing room how convenient; in the brew-house how suitable; and in the laundry how

I feel diffident in submitting this paper to the public; but I hope, if you should think proper to publish it, it may induce some one better acquainted with the subject, to furnish a more full account of this destructive insect.

It is probable that there are different varieties of insects called army worms, as I recollect having read, before I became a practical farmer, accounts in the newspapers which differed considerably from each other. I first became acquainted with the insect I am about to describe, ten years ago; but so far as my knowledge extends, they were at that time eonfined to a few acres of ground, joining a farm about a mile from my present residence. This season they have been more extensively diffused, having attacked nearly every farm in several extensive settlements. Being absent on professional business when they were first discovered in our settlement, I did not see them until they were from a quarter to half an inch in length. When I first discovered the worms, they were slightly hairy, but they became perfectly smooth in the latter stage of their existence. There is little doubt that they change their skins several times, though I observed the change only once, on the 23d of May, when, like others of the caterpillar tribe, their voracity increased; and after this period, when feeding, I could hear a noise resembling that produced by the silk-worm in its latter stages. The worm was beautifully striped on the back and sides with red, yellow, white, and black; but the colors became duller as the worm increased in age, and in its last stage it bore a slight resemblance to

the common cutworm, but was brighter, more active and larger, some of them attaining a size equal to the silk-worm. The chrysalis is naked, bright brown, closely resembling that of the cutworm. The moth is dark ash colored, longer than the silk moth, wings horizontal.

two miles of this kind of ditching, by means whereof I saved a principal part of my oats, and could I have completed my ditching three hours earlier, I have no doubt but I could have saved twelve out of sixteen acres of corn which was destroyed. After the worms commence travelling, In this account I shall simply detail facts as they if they find sufficient food, they only travel a few took place on my own farm, or under my own ob- steps in the twenty-four hours, but if they find litservation. They were first discovered in our set-tle or nothing to eat, they will travel at least a tlement, by their devastations, on the 14th and quarter of a mile in the same length of time. 15th of May. I first saw them on the 17th on my Though large bodies of the worms travel in this way home. When about a mile from home, I ob- manner in pursuit of food, considerable numbers served the timothy belonging to one of my neigh- never leave the place where they were produced, bors, had become very black, and on riding up to but for lack of other food subsist on dry grass and ascertain the cause, I learned that the worms had even corn husks. eaten the roots in such a manner as to cause the

On the 24th, the worms entered the oat field tops to die and dry away; and that he had been and destroyed about an acre in twenty-four hours, burning the dead grass with the intention of killing in defiance of every exertion to stop them by the worms, but in this he was disappointed, as ditching, as a slight shower fell in the evening, they fell to the ground on the approach of the fire, which appeared to cause them to travel and feed and the flames passed over and left them unin- with greater voracity, and the rain dampening the jured; the ground being literally alive with them dust on the sides of the ditches enabled them to after every vestige of vegetation was consumed by cross. On the 25th, still moving west of north, the fire. I ought to observe that the whole coun- they advanced towards the corn field and entered try was not covered with them in this manner; they a lane passing between the oats and corn field, as were associated in droves or armies of vast size, well as passing along the ditches which I was preand between these armies sometimes a considera-paring with all possible expedition along the east ble space would be entirely clear. I will confine fence, occasionally a few crossing the first ditch, my account of their progress, to my own farm; and which rendered it necessary to make parallel in order to make my account intelligible, I must ditches. On the 26th, after cleaning the ditches premise that my farm is laid out in the following around the oats, the worms being now on three order: on the north, a field containing wheat and sides, I succeeded about three in the afternoon, in rye, and in the south west corner a little flax; completing ditches along the south and east side south of this on the east side of the farm, eight of the corn, and hastened to the north side joining acres of oats; on the west side, a corn field; be- the rye, fearing that by this time they might be tween these two fields is situated the dwelling able to head the ditch on the east. When I got to house, garden and out buildings; south of these the rye I found a younger army of worms travelfields is situated a field containing timothy, red ling south from the rye to the corn; and notwithtop and clover, from necessity occupied this season standing every effort to stop them by ditching, a as a pasture for calves, hogs, and geese; from the sufficient number crossed completely to destroy south field is a lane, to the dwelling, sown with the sixteen acres of corn before the morning of blue grass, red top, and timothy. The worms the 27th. The army of smaller worms appeared were at first discovered in the open prairie east of to have been produced in the rye field, and meetthe oat field, afterwards in the south field and grass ing with the other army now entering the rye from lane, and lastly in the rye. the south east corner they completely destroyed I must now endeavor to give you some account the wheat to the ground, but only took the blade of their motions; during the early part of the day from the chess and rye. The reason of the worms they generally lay still, and commenced travelling being most severe upon the wheat arose from the about two in the afternoon, and continued travel- fact of my wheat being of a late variety, having ling and feeding from that time through a princi- at that time shot out no stems, whilst the rye and pal part of the night. On the 23d they commenced chess were in bloom; but some of my neighbors moving towards the field of oats, which set me who had early varieties of wheat happily had upon the following mode of ditching in order to the case reversed, as the worms destroyed the prevent their inroads, which I believe is the only chess and left the wheat but little injured. Flax mode that can be employed on a large scale, with was likewise considerably injured, in some places any prospect of success. I commenced by run- completely destroyed; but what is very remarkaning several furrows with the plough, one within ble, the worms never interrupted any kind of tree another, so as to make a ditch about a foot deep, or bush, either timber or fruit tree. Red clover and render the earth mellow and dusty; then take was little or nothing injured, but timothy and red a spade or a hoe, and clean out the loose earth top were cut to the ground, and in many places from the bottom and lay it on the side which you even the roots were destroyed, but the roots of wish to prevent the worms rising. When they mine were preserved by the industry of the hogs attempt to climb, the loose earth will give way and geese. The hogs likewise destroyed vast and they will fall to the bottom of the ditch, where numbers along the fences east of the oats and corn: large numbers of them will be destroyed by the every kind of poultry eat them greedily, and the heat of the sun; and if a few should accidentally birds which are generally so mischievous in our cross the first ditch, another must be made parallel corn fields, have this season been permitted to to the first, into which they fall. Where the rear their young in peace, on account of their serworms are numerous, these ditches must be clean-vice in destroying the army worm. But notwithed every day, otherwise the worms in attempting standing their numerous enemies, they were all to climb, will fill the ditches. I had upward cf satiated without destroying the worms; multitudes

passed in the chrysalis state; the hogs continued to ber would soon become very considerable; and if feed upon them until the moths came forth in they could not be made to yield their fur without multitudes. But I am going ahead of my destroying their life, they might be bred in such journal. numbers that they might supply our market with beaver fur as well as it is now with wool from the merino sheep, and make it a much more profitable business, if entered into with spirit by a company.

On the 28th, in cleaning out my ditches, I discovered several of the worms in the pupa state, and on the 1st of June most of the worms had quit eating. Our corn fields are now naked, and we are beginning to think about planting another crop, in hopes that the worms will be gone before the young corn makes its appearance. June 6th, the worms are all gone, and some of our young corn is beginning to make its appearance. June 12th, small gray millers are coming from the chrysalis of the army worm.

*

TAMING THE OTTER.

U.

The Cambridge (Ohio) Times gives an interesting account of the manner in which a Mr. Entz, of that town, has domesticated the wild Now Mr. Editor, I should be glad if either otter, of the western waters, and made the fur a yourself or any of your correspondents can inform source of profit by picking it from the body of the me whether or not these worms have a regular pe-animal. Mr. Entz's experience with four otters riod for their appearance; and if they have whether attests the fact, that each of these animals may be they usually attack the same places, which had been previously subject to their ravages. If they have a regular period of re-appearance, and that period were once accurately ascertained, much of the mischief they occasion might be prevented, by planting upon places subject to their ravages, only such crops as appear to be in a great measure exempt, whilst places where they are not produced might be protected by ditching. In such seasons the corn crop would be better unplanted until the

worms are gone.

June 20th. Since writing the above, I have come to the conclusion that the miller of the army worm is probably migratory, as they all disappeared on the night of the 17th or 18th; and those which were kept in close confinement for the purpose of close observation, have all died without depositing any eggs.

Yours,

JOSEPH BRASHAW.

From the New York Farmer.

DOMESTICATING THE BEAVER.

made to realise, according to the present prices of fur, an annual profit of at least fourteen dollars. The otter yields two crops or fleeces of fur a year, which is said to be superior in fineness and gloss to that which is taken from the skin of the dead animal. It is the intention of Mr. Entz to increase his colony of otters, being quite confident he will make the fur trade, thus pursued, a profitable concern. The Times states that it intends on some future occasion, to notice more particularly, some experiments of Mr. Entz in other matters of the same sort. We suppose he alludes to a colony of musk-rats, which we have understood, Mr. Entz has in contemplation.

Several years ago, the editor of the Village Record, (in Penn.) in some remarks on the habits of the beaver, and the perfect feasibility, demonstrated by actual experiment, of taming and domesticating it, suggested a similar plan with regard to that valuable animal, which Mr. Entz has so successfully adopted with the otter.

TOPPING CORN.

published in the 4th number of the Farmers' Register, page 243, but without the author's signature--which was by a mistake of the compositor left out, together with the last paragraph, which was intended to be passed over, because relating to another subject.]

Mr. Editor-In almost every paper which is issued from the public press, we find something of Mr. Clark, which is referred to below, was re[The article containing the interesting experiments noted as an improvement, which is in some way intended to benefit the community, or to turn to individual advantage. Now, sir, as all animals that are valuable for the fur they yield are becoming scarce, owing to the destructive war that is continually waged against them, it is evident that the value of the fur must be enhanced in proportion to the scarcity of the animal. If, therefore, there can be any method devised to domesticate them, it would be of more importance than almost any new enterprise that could be suggested; and as there have been instances of the beaver becoming as familiar and gentle as a common dog, I can conceive no good reason why that most valuable animal should not be entitled to the fostering care of man as any other animal; and for this purpose I would propose the following method: let there be an enclosure, of from one to five acres, made so as to be secure from dogs or thieves, having a brook passing through it. Plant the enclosure plentifully with that kind of shrub or tree that the beaver uses for food, or for building his habitation. Commence by procuring two or more young beavers of different sizes, which being already familiar with human society, and the enclosure being closely connected with the dwelling house, the animal would never become wild; and as they breed rapidly, the num

From the [New York] Cultivator. Experience and science concur in disapprobating the common practice of topping corn. The experiments of Mr. Clark and Mr. Lorrain, which we have published in the Cultivator, go to show that it diminishes the crop; and the principles of science corroborate their report. The corn is nourished by the sap elaborated in the leaves above the ears, and when these elaboratic organs are taken away, the supply of food must cease in whole or in part. If fodder is the object, it is far better to cut the whole crop at the ground, when the corn is seared. This mode has two other recommendations: it clears the ground for fall grain, and the corn derives nourishment from the stock after it is cut. We invite our brother farmers, with a view of arriving at a correct result, to do as we intend, that is, to set apart three parcels of corn of similar dimensions, and quality, say three adjoining rows,— to top one part, cut another at the ground, and to

The shares of the Stockton and Darlington Railway represent £106 paid on each; they are now selling at £299 10s. each. The dividends of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway are limited by Act of Parliament to 10 per cent. (in consequence of the opposition of the great canal interests, against which it had to struggle for ex-respectable authority, that under this practice there istence,) but notwithstanding this the £100 shares is seldom a diminution of crops, and that in some are now quoted at £200. cases the product has been nearly doubled in a few years.

From the same evidence it appeared that the Liverpool and Manchester Railway pays on an average one-fifth of the poor rates of all the pa-thus facilitating the decomposition of the vegetarishes through which it passes.