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HORTICULTURAL AND BOTANICAL.

A Partner Wanted,

Hops-A remarkable change took place in Hops last week; the new advanced 25 to 30s. per cwt. Old Hops were 5 to 10s. higher. The duty formerly estimated at Who can command a capital which he would be wil130,000l. fell to 75,000 and 80,000l. yesterday, and today the accounts from the Hop plantations are more fa-ling to invest in establishing a Horticultural and Botavourable, the heavy rains having in a great measure nical Garden at Baltimore. He may now have an opsecur-swept off the fly. Previously the accounts had been portunity of forming a connection with a person capamost alarming, the plantations being covered with ver- ble of conducting such an establishment, and who possesses many advantages. For further information, inCotton is firm-The purchases are not extensive, ow-quire personally, or by letter, post paid, to G. F. Miller, Baltimore. ing to the India House Declaration, the event of which the buyers are inclined to wait for. Purchases for the week consist of 2000 Surat, 3 5-8 to 5d.; 230 Egyptian 73-8; 100 Pernams 7 7-8; 160 Boweds 6 to 64.

What is the best manner of collecting and ing the ashes? and what the means employed? What the number, size and form of the kettles and other necessaries required, for a definite number of labourers-say ten?

If the kettles be set in furnaces, what the proper arrangement for them?

Give the whole process of boiling, setting, &c. The requisite buildings, &c.

Lastly-Can the manufacture of potash from the beach wood be profitably and unremitedly pursued, where there is no want of the materials within a square mile?

C. E.

LATEST FROM EUROPE.
London papers to the 29th and Liverpool papers
to the 30th of May inclusive, received by the ship.
Alciope, arrived at Boston from Liverpool.

min.

LIVERPOOL, May 29.-Ashes, U. S. Pot, 31 a 32s.; do.
Pearl 30 a 31s.; Beeswax 101. 11 a 11; Cotton, bowed,
Geo. 6 a 7d.; do. N. O 6 1-S a 84; S. Island 134 a 24d.
Hides, B. A 10 a 12d.; Logwood, Camp. 71 a 7 10; Cod
oil 201. a 20 10; Green. whale 20 10; Linseed, gal. 1s.

6d. a 1s. 8.

LIVERPOOL, May 30.-Sales of Cotton for the week
are 19,000 bags at an advance of 1-8d. per lb. on the last
week's currency. The import is 20,000 bags.
Corn Exchange, Liverpool May, 26.-Holders of wheat
demanded generally 1 a 2d. advance on last week's
prices, which was realized on the few sales made.
digo took place to-day. The fine were withdrawn, no
HAVR, May 26.-The public sale of 500 chests of In-
buyers. The remainder of the sale went
off at better
prices than had been generally anticipated.

MANUFACTORY OF AGRICULTURAL

PLEMENTS.

June 18, 1828.

BALTIMORE PRICES CURRENT.
Corrected for the American Farmer, by Edward I. Willson,
Commission Merchant and Planters' Agent,
No. 4, Borvly's wharf.

hhds. Maryland, 155 hhds. Kentucky, 97 Ohio, 2 Virgi
The Inspection of Tobacco the last two weeks, 255
the week past has been very limited.
nia, and 2 Pennsylvania-total, 511 hhds. The demand

TOBACCO.--Scrubs, $3.00 a 6.00-ordinary, 2.00 a 3.00 -red, 3.00 a 5.00-fine red, 5.00 a 7.00-wrapping, 6.00 a 10.00-Ohio ordinary, 3.00 4.00- good red spaugled, 5.00 a 6.00-yellow, 6.00 a 9.00-fine yellow, 10.00 a 20.00-Virginia, 2.50 a 8.00-Rapahannock 2.75 a 3.50 Kentucky, 3.00 a 5.00.

Howard-st. 4.624 a 4.75; city mills, 4.374 a 4.50; Susque-
FLOUR-white wheat family, $6.00 a 6.50—superfine

The British ministry has undergone another change, or we might rather say another dissolution. Ever since the retirement of Lord Liverpool, the cabinet seems to have been composed of discordant hanna, 4.374 a 4.50-CORN MEAL, bbl. 2.50--GRAIN, best and uncongenial elements, which required nothing red wheat.80 a .85-best white wheat, .90 a 1.05-ordiless than the genius of Mr. Canning to hold them IM-nary to good, .75a.50--CORN, .36 a .38-RYE, 45-Oats, together. Mr. Huskisson has retired, and with him 20 a .22-BEANS, .90 a 1.10-PEAS, .40 a .50-CLOVER Mr. Lamb, Lord Palmerston, Mr. Grant, and Earl Dudley, have resigned their places. The retirement The subscriber is just finishing a quantity of Wheat SEED, 3.50 a 3.75-TIMOTHY, 1.50 a 2.25-Orchard of Mr. Huskisson was owing to the vote he felt Fans, which he is sure will give satisfaction to the pur- GRASS SEED, 2.25 a 3-Herd's 1 00 a 1.50-Lucerne 374 a 50 chasers, and will be warranted superior. Also, on pr. lb -BARLEY, .60 a 62-FLAXSEED, .75 a.80-COTbound to give against Mr. Peel's bill for the disfran-hand, a full assortment of Davis' Improved Paten: TON, Va. .9.11-Lou..13 a 14-Alabama, .11.12chisement of the delinquent borough of East Rit- Ploughs, of wrought and cast Shares; likewise of the Mississippi .10 a 13-North Carolina, .10 a.11-Geor ford. Mr. Huskisson, was in favor of the transfer- Improved Barshare Ploughs; Brown's Vertical Woolgia,.9.104 WHISKEY. hhds. 1st proof, 21 a .211-bbls. .23 a.24--WOOL, common, unwashed, .15 a. 16-washence of the franchise of this borough to Birming- Spinners; Patent Cylindrical Straw Cutter, and most ed, .18 a 20-crossed, .20 a 22-three-quarter, .25 a ham, in order that the populous commercial town other Implements of husbandry on hand as usual. JONATHAN S. EASTMAN, .30-full do. .30 a 50, accord'g to qual.-HEMP, Russia, On might be entitled to a member of Parliament. ton, $220--Country, dew-rotted, ton, 136 a 140-watergiving his vote he wrote a letter to the Duke of Wellington, stating the reason which had induced him to 75; do. trimmed, 6.50-North Carolina, No 1, 6.25 rotted, 170 a 190-FISH, Shad, Susquehanna, No. 1, bbl. vote in the minority, and adding that "if his continu6.50-Herrings, No. 1, bbl. 2.874 a 3.00; No. 2, 2.25

The

No. 36, Pratt-st. Baltimore.
N. B. For sale, a quantity of Turnip and Millet Seed,
which will be warranted of good quality, and at low
prices.
July 18.

AN ENGLISH AGRICULTURIST,

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ance in office should be felt as an embarrassment to a 2.50-Mackerel, No. 1, 6.25 a 6.50; No. 2, 6.00; No. 3, the Administration, he was ready to resign.' 3.50 a 3.75-BACON, hams, Balt cured, .10; do. Eastern Duke chose to consider this as a formal resignation, Shore, 12-hog round, cured, .8 a .9-Feathers, .26 a At present in Baltimore, is desirous to invest 25,000.28-Plaster Paris, cargo price per ton, $3.37% a 3.50and laid it as such before the King. Afterwards, acdollars at a price according with the times, in an impro-ground, 1.25 bbl. cording to the Morning Chronicle, Mr. Huskisson ved and improvable estate, situate in a healthy and de- ales of corn yesterday at 36 cts. in store, 374 cts. endeavored to explain to the Duke that he intended sirable part of the western shore of Maryland or Virgi- afloat-quality good-in demand. to make his resignation depend solely upon the viewnia, removed from tide water, with facilities for the which his Grace thought proper to take of the pro- transfer of its produce at an easy rate to a good market. MARKETING-Butter, per lb. .124 a 25; Eggs, dozen priety of his remaining in the Cabinet. The Colo- The improvements must consist of a good dweiling 16; Potatoes, bush. .75, Chickens, dozen, 2.50 a 3.00; nial Secretary was told in reply, that he had resign-House, with suitable offices, Barns, Stabling, negro Beef prime pieces, lb. .8 a.10; Veal, .8; Mutton, .6‡ a .7 ed, but that if he would withdraw his letter the sub- Houses, Orcharding, Gardens, &c. It must be well wa- Pork, 4.50 a 5.00; young Ducks, doz. 2.50 a 3.00; young sequent proceedings should be considered as not ha-tered, and contain meadow and pasture land sufficient to Lambs, dressed, 1.75 a 2 00; do. Pigs, do. .75 a 874; prime maintain a large stock of sheep and cattle ving taken place. This proposal was declined, and tion of the estate consist of high lands unfit for cultiva Currants, do. .121; Soft Crabs, doz. 1.50; Hard do. 124 If a por- Beef on the hoof, 5.50 a 6.00; Sausages, per lb. 8 a .10; the retirement of Mr. Huskisson was accordingly tion it will be no objection, provided they are furnished followed by that of his colleagues, the liberal with good timber. it must be proved to the satisfacmembers of the Administration. The withdrawing tion of the purchaser, that the lands under cultivation, of a man of Mr Huskisson's talents, acquaintance have not been exhausted by improvident cropping, and with business and enlightened views, must be an im- that the crops grown thereon are of the first quality.mense loss to the Cabinet and to the nation. The The advertiser will prefer entering upon an estate alLondon Courier, however, declares that it will make ready stocked, with negroes sufficient for its cultivation, taking the live and dead stock thereon if approved no change in the policy of the Cabinet. It is rumoured that Mr. Huskisson will be succeeded by Sir George Murray, and that Lord Wallace, Mr. T. Lewis, Mr. Calcraft and Lord Aberdeen, will be offered places in the ministry. There were also rumours that Sir Henry Hardinge and Mr. Fiztgerald had been named as successors to Lord Palmerston, as Paymaster of the Army.

COMMERCIAL RECORD.

LONDON, May 28. Tobacco-The sales of Tobacco are chiefly for the town trade, only 60 or 70 hhds. being taken for shipping, all Virginia and Maryland At a public sale of 97 hhds. Maryland, chiefly yellow, 40 hhds. sold to the trade at 3 to 34d.

Turpentine-2,200 bbls. were offered yesterday for public sale, and taken in at 118. 9d.

Apply by letter, post paid, addressed for J. B. at the of

fice of the American Farmer.

CATTLE FOR SALE.

July 18.

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CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.

Raw Potatoes, bad for Milch Cows-Douglas' Threshing Machine-Family Spinner-Premium offered of $100, by Massachusetts Agricultural Society, for best Butter-On Wheel Carriages Extracts from the Manu

al on the Culture and Manufacture of Silk, with remarks and notes, and an engraving of a Silk Reel-Preservation of Peach Trees-Plums -Letter from Dr. S. Three FULL-BLOOD DEVONS, descendants of the cattle L. Mitchell to Wm. Prince on his Treatise on Horticul sent by Coke, of England, to Patterson and Caton, Bal-ture-To Horticulturists-The Process of making Castor Oil-Mr Parmentier's Horticultural and Flower timore. Pedigree extract from Caton's letter:

May 25, 1825.-"Dorcas, a Heiter, from the import-Garden on Long island-Fourth of July in Washinged Cow Europa, by Diomed-calved 25th March, 18.5." ton, commencement of the Canal and President Adams' "Ruler, a Bull calf, from Diana, by Diomed-calved Address on breaking the ground-On Buying Bargains 2d May, 1825. Diana is the Daughter of the imported Pedigrees of Thorough bred Horses, continued-EdiCow Flora, by Pompey. The Cow had a Heifer Calf torial, Extract of a letter from Mr Jacobs, of London the 7th of March, 1827, by Ruler, which is now a fine-Prince's Gooseberries-Foreign Intelligence-Comyearling."

I paid for Dorcas and Ruler, when calves, $250 in
Baltimore; but wishing to remove to the west, I would
take for the three $200--delivered at my farm, or in
Tappahannock. Letters addressed to EDMUND F.
NOEL, Essex county, Va. post paid, will be attended to.

mercial Record-Advertisements-Prices Current.

Printed every Friday, at Five Dollars per annum, for JOHN S. SKINNER. Editor, by JOHN D. Toy, corner of St Paul and Market-sts., where every description of printing is neatly executed.

AGRICULTURE.

SHEEP AND WOOL.

"As an object of national attention, the coat of the sheep is of the first importance; and every wilful attempt to supplant or debase it, is an act of treason against the state.

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MARSHALL.

"The laniferous* animals were very early diffused over the western parts of Asia; the time when they were introduced into Europe, is too remote to come within the range of authentic history. At first probably they were domesticated for the sake of their milk, the common nutriment even now of most pastoral nations. But this was not long the sole object of their owner's care, for he soon found that their skins also were capable of contributing very materially to his comfort, especially in damp situations and mountainous countries. In this state of society, sheep and goats appear to have been thought of nearly equal value; and, if there was any preference, it was given to the latter animal.

invest. There are various stocks, and varieties of successively introduced into different parts of the funds, and property without number, from which to civilized world. We must satisfy ourselves with choose-but instead of carefully informing himself mentioning some circumstances, which appear to of that which is most profitable and most stable, he have had a considerable influence in promoting its buys or employs another to buy at random, and improvement, hoping that some literary gentleman chooses that which is not of stable constitution, nor will, at a future time, condense the information likely long to be in demand in the market. When which is scattered through the ancient writings, the interest accrues, instead of drawing and reinvest-and gratify the public curiosity upon a subject so [In a late number of the American Farmer, we ing it, that it may go on increasing and multiplying, interesting. stated it to be our wish, in the course of this vo- he affers it to lie in a state of barrenness, and at lume, to lay before our readers such suggestions and last loses the whole by his own indolence, or the information on the subject of sheep and wool, as might roguery or misfortune of his agents; would he not appear best calculated to enlighten, and thereby be called the most foolish and improvident of men? render more profitable, the labour and capital of and is it not so with the farmer who invests or holds those who are employing, or may be disposed to a certain sum in sheep or cattle, or horses, ill adaptemploy, a portion of their time and industry in the ed to the purposes of his farm, paying no attention cultivation of these resources. The reader must to, or choosing the worst for his stock sheep? or not, however, suppose it to be our purpose to collect going for meat, when according to the distance from facts and observations adapted only to the case of market, the state of the market, the policy of the those who propose to go very largely into the wool laws, &c. he ought to keep an eye on the fleece!growing business, as a leading and almost exclusive Every head of domestic animals, every fowl, every pursuit: from the entertainment of such a design fruit tree, every square of vegetables, every pound we should be withheld by various considerations. of butter, every implement of husbandry the farIn the first place, there are too few of the subscri- mer owns, he should consider as so much money; "Perhaps the amelioration of the fleece, like the bers to this paper, to whom facts and observations on and it should be his constant care to have all of the improvements of mankind in most of the useful such a subject would apply; neither are we prepared best and most suitable kind and quality, to the end arts, was less the result of design than of accident; to encourage large speculations in that way. It does that, like money in the stocks, they may yield him the and if the Argali were really the parent of the donot appear to us that the circumstances and common highest dividend. The question, let us repeat it, is, mestic sheep, it must have advanced considerably courses of agriculture in this country render it safe do our agricultural friends consider every thing they before we have a particular account of its changes. for men of large or small capital, to rely in any hold in that light, and act with strict and invaria- The first flock, which is minutely described, was great or exclusive degree upon a branch of hus- ble reference to that consideration? If they do found about seventeen hundred and sixty years bebandry so precarious, as, on many accounts, the not, then will it be admitted that what has been fore the Christian era, in Mesopotamia, or that growing of wool seems yet to be in America. But said is not uncalled for; and if they do, they will be part of Persia which lies between the rivers Euthe consideration which prompts us to seek, and to glad to receive hints from any quarter that may phrates and Tigris. It was perfectly domesticated, propagate information on sheep husbandry general-enable them to improve and make more profitable, consisting both of goats and sheep, the former of ly, is the undeniable fact, that almost every land-even the smallest of their investments-and for the which were black, and the latter a brown colour; a holding subscriber to this journal does keep a cer-present we return to SHEEP and wooL. circumstance which proves that it had undergone tain number of sheep; and the question is, whether Our extracts will be taken, in the first instance, less alteration than might have been expected.the capital, be it much or little, which he has invest-chiefly from "Luccock's Essay on Wool."] The state of the flock excited no surprise in the ed in sheep stock, shall be used in a way to make it mind of a traveller, who had gone thither from Syyield the highest attainable profit. We do not mean ria, which it probably would have done, had it not to discuss the effects of the tariff on the interests of been familiar to him in his own country; and apwool growers, though we shall be glad to have practipears to intimate that black and brown were the cal illustrations of that question from those who will usual colours of these animals throughout the exfavour us with facts and their deductions from them. tent of both these countries. In his native land, What we propose is, to exhort those who do keep, moreover, he had superintended the descendants of or who may intend to keep a certain number of flocks and of herds, which about a hundred and fifsheep, whether small or large, to select such as are ty years before, were brought out of Egypt; and if best adapted to the peculiar circumstances of their these continued to be of a dark and dingy hue, it own case, and to ascertain and practise the surest is more than probable that their progenitors were of methods of modifying and improving them in the no other colour, and that the flocks of the then best manner, and to the highest degree, whether in known world, were, in this respect, nearly similar. reference to carcass or fleece, as the case may be. During his residence in a foreign land, he continuLet it not be said that such an exhortation coned the profession of a shepherd, and produced little veys reproach, as it implies a carelessness and inat or no alteration in the colour of his fleeces for the tention on the part of those for whom it is intended, space of fourteen years. At the end of this term, that no farmer of common sense could be guilty of. the capricious temper of his master induced one to Of all ungracious things, none is said to be more offer, and the other to accept, as the reward of conso than giving advice; and that of which we stand "Some of the remarks, which he has met with tinued service, that portion of the flocks which had most in need is not always the least offensive. But and adopted, were new to him; many have been any white in them, and those lambs and kids which we will run the risk of consequences, for the sake confirmed by his own observation, in almost every should be produced with a mottled coat, whether of bringing every farmer to reflect whether the sub-district in England, and through the course of se- their dams were like themselves, or of one uniform ject in hand has had bestowed upon it the degree veral years attention to his occupation as a wool-colour. As a skilful breeder, he took proper meaof inquiry and consideration and care which is due stapler. The deductions which he has made, he sures to produce a ring streaked and spotted race; to the smallest of his affairs? Suppose his flock to trusts, will be authorized by the premises from be small-say 100, or 50, or even 20, does it follow which they are drawn, and though they cannot althat they should be left without care, becoming, from ways be supposed to arrive at the certainty of deyear to year, more diminutive and ragged? The monstration, yet he hopes that they will always apbest being always chosen for the knife, and leaving proximate to truth." the worst to keep up the flock! Is it not worth his regard, merely as a matter of amusement and humanity, to keep them in good health by proper food and shelter, and to see them constantly meliorating under skilful management? And must it not be admitted, that the smaller the flock, the greater the reproach, if they display not the highest qualities of which they are susceptible? Explanatory of the light in which the neglect of the farmer in the small items, of his concerns ought to be viewed, we will suppose the case of a merchant who has one hundred dollars to No. 19.-Vol. 10.

"When we recollect the number of succeeding ages through which this valuable material has been applied to some of the prime conveniences of life, and the immense number of persons who have made it an object of their regard, we are almost induced to believe that it must already be produced in its most perfect state, that its general properties must be universally understood, and that the most ready means of rendering them useful, have been every where adopted. But when we notice the state of "wool bearing animals, either in our own country, or as they exist among foreigners, we are compelled to form a very different opinion; and the improve ments which have been adopted in almost every brauch of the woollen manufactory, at different periods of its history, serve to convince us that there is still much to be attained, even by nations who have most reason to boast of their superior proficiency."

while as one determined to enrich himself, he concealed the superiority of his knowledge, and the means which he adopted. From this apparently trivial circumstance, arose that entire change in the breed of the flocks, which was first witnessed in "Certain it is, however, that the amelioration the eastern world, and which is known to have estaof the flocks has always been closely connected blished itself, at successive periods, in the western. with the progress of the arts, and of civilization; It was not owing to the demands of manufactures, for we uniformly find, in countries where these nor even to the volatility of taste; but is one of have flourished, a race of sheep which yield wool those numerous circumstances in human affairs, much superior to that which we find all around which history often hints at, but never pursues, althem." though they are found to have an influence upon all succeeding generations.

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To trace all the alterations which the substance has undergone, is in this age utterly impossible, nor does my acquaintance with ancient history permit me to be positive as to the period when they were

"This new variety of flocks soon established itself

[* Wool-bearing.]

Here, and in its vicinity, our crops of wheat have been entirely cut off by the rust, (presumed from the warm winter,) but the corn promises a tolerable crop. Your most obed't serv't, JOHN H. JACOCKS.

(From Bordley's Husbandry.)
VEALS.

In selling veal to butchers their haggling was exeither at once broke off, or gave up to their offers. At length, after weighing veals killed for my family, fixed on a price by live weight, at which to sell. The butcher at first refused to be fixed at any rate; they afterwards came to, and agreed at 3d. live weight; 3 cents 3 mills 3-10.

A veal alive weighed 146 lb.
-The four quarters
70

which is within 3lb. of half the live weight:

in the country where it was produced, and gradu- loses much both in quantity and substance by an I make no doubt, sir, but that immense tracts of ally diffused itself southwards, as far as the desart exposure to the sun in curing it, and fodder more, our best lands are thus exposed, elsewhere, besides of Arabia, so that in the space of three hundred being thus exposed in small bundles. Both, and on the Albemarle, and that many have succeeded years, its whiteness had become proverbial. Indeed, particularly the last, suffer greatly by dews and in arresting the evil. Let me beg of them to comthe colour of the fleece must have been particularly rains. This year I have made the most promising municate through your valuable paper to the public attended to, and have attained a high degree of ex- experiment for remedying these evils. A large all their plans. I am, sir, exposed on one side to a cellency, for a devout poet of that age, in the sub-meadow in bottom land, of a grass called red-top scope of forty odd miles, and on the other at the limity of his description, compares it to the snow; or herd's-grass, was cut in dry weather, and shock- mouth of a wide river, (21⁄2 miles,) where the waves and an amorous one, shortly afterwards, asserts ed in large shocks quite green, but dry; that is, not appear from their sudden confinement to be more that the teeth of his swarthy mistress were like a wet with either dew or rain, in the following mode. destructive. flock of sheep new from the washing; and although Four sticks of five feet long, of the thickness of a in these cases we may be disposed to make allow-man's wrist or more, were set up in a square of two ance for the fancy of the poet, and the strength of feet wide at bottom, and meeting at top in a pyraeastern comparisons, yet we cannot but suppose midal form, where the shock was to stand. One at that the beauty of the fleece gave some propriety least of these sticks should be forked at top, to keep to the simile, and delicacy to the compliment. In them steady whilst the hay is putting round them. the desart, where people were less associated, and A round log, about six feet long and six inches in the influence of wealth and taste less prevalent, the diameter, was laid upon the ground, with one end sheep perhaps retained their original colour for reaching to the centre of the two feet square, benearly five centuries longer. Another striking in-tween the sticks, and the other raised upon a fork stance of the slow progress of agricultural improve- about eighteen inches, for the purposes of enlarg-tremely disagreeable; and to avoid it I sometimes ments, especially among people who adopt a wan- ing the flue presently mentioned, lest it should be dering and unsettled mode of life. closed by the pressure of the hay, and that the log This alteration in the colour of wool evidently may be more easily drawn out, when the shock is took the line of the richest soils, and spread its in- finished. Around and over the sticks, the shock fluence most readily through countries where the was made, its top reaching two or three feet above arts of husbandry had made the greatest progress, the top of the sticks. The purpose of the log, was but seldom passed their boundaries. From Persia, to make a flue for the admission of fresh air into descending the Euphrates, and passing over the the centre of the shock, and the expulsion of the richer countries of Syria, it reached the borders of air heated by the fermentation of the grass in curthe Nile. But it is unreasonable to suppose, that it ing. The flues were made to face the point from proceeded only in that direction. If it extended which the wind usually blows at the time of hay itself northward, ascended the river, it must soon making. If any flues happened to be closed by the have reached the banks of the Phasis, and have pressure of the grass, they were easily opened by a been spread through the old kingdom of Colchis. smaller and pointed log; or, when the largeness of In later ages, as we have already conjectured, it a shock threatened this inconvenience, it was effecpassed from thence into Greece. tually prevented by inserting into the flue a short "When it was found possible to procure a white forked stick as soon as the log was removed, to hold kind of wool, the taste of the world appears to have up the hay. As the logs are removed as soon as been favourable to its production; otherwise it must the shock is finished, two or three are sufficient for soon have degenerated to its primitive colour. How following a dozen of mowers. The hay thus made it comes to pass that this taste existed, and even is the best I ever saw, and the efficacy of the mode continues to display itself in most nations where of curing it, was strongly supported, by the growwool is produced in any shape, we have no need to ing grass under the shocks having been uninjured; inquire; the fact is sufficiently obvious, and cer- whereas I never left shocks so long in one spot tainly had some influence in promoting its culture, before, without its having been killed by the un-1789. both in the earlier and later stages. And when we dissipated fermentation of the hay in curing. Corn investigate the causes which have contributed to the blades or fodder, sustain an immense loss, even in improvement of our flocks, we ought not entirely dry weather, by two or three days exposure to the to overlook it. The superior cheerfulness which sun and dews; and in wet they are nearly ruined. sheep and goats, with white fleeces, communicate For an experiment, I shocked them in the mode to rural scenery; the cleanliness which wool of that just explained, quite green and dry; but I chiefly description is calculated to promote, when used as allowed them from four to eight hours sun, before an article of furniture or dress; and, above all, the they were shocked. Thus was made the best fodgreater variety and vividness of the artificial tints der I have seen. But the weather was favourable. with which it may be embued, which always grati-The ends of the blades were laid outwards, and the fies the taste for gaudy trappings, so common among shocks bound at top by a rope made of the blades. the ruder nations, have doubtless conspired, in some good measure, to render it more valuable than that, which was remarkable only for its brown and dusky appearance."

[Taylor's Arator.

TO PREVENT RIVER BANKS WASHING. The first extracts from the able essay of the auStevenson's Point, Perquiman's Co., N. C. ? J. S. SKINNER, Esq. July 5, 1828. S thor in hand, are, it is true, of not much practical bearing; but that is to be expected in the introducSir,-Some years since I addressed you; and retion to an elaborate treatise on a subject of great quested information upon the subject of the washA Mr. national importance, and is amply compensated for ing of the banks of wide water courses. here by the beauty of the language and the histori-Martin, of Tennessee, communicated his ideas upon cal information imparted. In the next number we the subject, and recommended the cane; but as it shall commence with what is more practical; expla- is impossible to rear it upon the waters here on acnatory of the causes which act immediately on the fleece.] for its growth,) I have no dependence upon it in the count of the rapid inroads, (time being necessary first instance, and perhaps not at all, as our hogs and cattle I expect would destroy it. Indeed, sir, Great losses are annually sustained in some parts where a coarse kind of water grass, (very much reof the United States in making hay, and in others,sembling the wire grass,) has for a twelve month in curing corn blades, commonly called fodder.- taken possession, even of a slope, one of our high Mine, in a course of many years, have, I think, winds will rout it in a few hours, and make the amounted to a moiety of the crops; and most of the bank as perpendicular there as at any other place. expedients I have resorted to for avoiding these I refer you to my communication in the 3d volume losses, have been but partially beneficial. Grass of your work, page 6.

HAY AND FODDER.

At 3d. live weight, this veal would cost them 56s. 6d.; but, for such, they used to give me 32s. to 59s. on the foot. The first sold by live weight were 4 veals; medium live weight, 1934, which averaged 33s. 2d. a veal. They usually sold at 7d. scarcely any part under 6d. sometimes 74 and 8d. Their gain was above 40 per cent. Lord Kaims says, butchers gain but 5 per cent. in Scotland. They disliked the method by live weight; because of the certainty reducing usual profits, gained from their superior skill in estimating the weight and value of veals.

1788.

HAMS.

Dec. 2-20 of my family lb.
hams trimmed, weighed
green,

June 30--They weighed,
when full smoked,

Evaporations

22. A tenant's hams; two

lb.

821 or each 16 6-10

256

12-810

65

3 8-10

The loss of weight 204 p. cent, or about 1-5th.

Dec.

Aug.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

5 or 16 p. cent. The tenant's were not so much smoked or dried, as he cured them for sale and to weigh.

MR. EDITOR,

HORTICULTURE.
PLUMS.

Your correspondent, "H. B., of Dayton, Ohio," has, by his remarks on the protection of peach trees, conferred a favour upon all the admirers of that fine fruit. As the wasp, or fly, or whatever else deposite his eggs in a particular part of the tree, the enemy is, has been observed to perforate and an effectual remedy must, no doubt, be found in sheltering that part from his approaches. Whether this be done by surrounding it with ashes, as recom

the egg from which the worm proceeds, is laid by a blue *It is the opinion of many accurate observers, that steel-coloured wasp, which makes its appearance about this time. It would be curious and useful for any one versed in such inquiries, to give the public a history of this insect, from its production to its death.

mended and practised by your correspondent, or growth and ravages of a worm, produced from an All these remarks will apply, I presume, to the by laying refuse tobacco around the place, or wrap- egg deposited by the curculio; and that the first ob- apricot, nectarine and peach, as well as to the plum; ping in coarse brown paper, tarred on the outside, ject of this worm, when its temporary shelter (both but it is only with the rarer and finer sorts of fruits that portion of the body of the tree, is material its food and habitation,) falls; is to conceal itself in that so much pains will commonly be taken, and only so far as one of the methods may be found by the earth, where it undergoes various changes, and perhaps they are not always equally necessary. The experience to be more efficacious than the others. whence it, or its brood returns to commit new de-apple tree itself does not always escape the visits of It is a matter of equal regret and surprise, that, predations. By paving, therefore, you destroy it: the grub, or worm that is found in the bark just being so simple and so easily adopted, some of them and, the next year, the curculio, exterminated, or below the surface of the ground. I have seen a are not resorted to by all who have, or wish to have, else deterred by instinct from laying its egg in so fine young tree of that kind entirely destroyed good fruit. dangerous a place, disappears. The effect of pav-by it; and, at the country-seat of a distinguishI feel so much indebted to your correspondent ing has been produced, I have understood, by allowed gentleman near town, I found his apple trees, for the trouble he has taken, and the interest being hogs to run loose among the trees, and devour and even pear trees, if I recollect right, prodisplays on the subject, that, although not myself all the fruit that falls; and also, by keeping the acquainted with the details of the culture of the plum, I will nevertheless inform him of some facts which daily come under my notice, that he may profit by them.

earth hard by trampling or walking on it. To wash the trees with the mixture before mentioned, must undoubtedly be very useful, and perhaps even an indispensable auxiliary to the precauPlums, of the finest quality and of the finest tion of paving. It should be applied, I am inclined sorts, are raised in many places in the city of Balti-to think, in the spring when the buds are about to more. Not many are brought to market, because burst, and in the fall when the leaves are dying: the trees belong generally to persons who use all for, it may be supposed at those seasons the bark the fruit themselves. Whether any equally good contains the greatest number of insects' eggs; those are produced in the country, I cannot say, for my that are to be hatched during the spring and sumobservation has not extended so far. It is a very mer, and those that are to pass the winter in its common opinion, however, that they will not suc-folds and be hatched the ensuing year. If, indeed, ceed in the country; which, I think, is a mistake, the wash were used once a month, it could do no but which would naturally lead us to suppose, with-harm and might be very beneficial; for there may be out having any positive knowledge of the fact, that as many insects vivified, and as many eggs laid by they do not succeed there now. them in one month as in the others.

The places, in town, in which I have seen fine healthy plum trees, bending under fruit arrived at perfection, are yards, which are entirely paved with brick up to within an inch or two of the body of the tree, and in which the trees seem to be about ten or twelve feet, or perhaps less, apart. In some instances, the yards are so encompassed with buildings, that, I should think the trees must be deprived of a part of the morning sun and much of the afternoon, without taking their own shade into consideration. One of the yards to which I allude, is entirely covered from the south by high brick houses; and another, open to the south, is shut up at the north and west. In the latter, the trees stand so close, that yellow plums, and blue, and white, hang promiscuously above your head, as if they grew on the same branch. The trees appeared to me to have been washed with some mixture similar to the one mentioned by your correspondent. I take it for granted that the trees owe their preservation, in part at least, to the brick pavement; for I have often heard it asserted, by persons apparently conversant with the question, that the decay ing and dropping of the fruit is occasioned by the

tected with brown paper, or rags, or matting, as recommended for the peach. It is not improbable that the wasp, or whatever it may be, that seeks in the latter kind of tree a nest for its eggs, will attack other kinds when it shall be driven from its favourite resort.

AN AMATEUR MERELY.

HEDGES.

Answer to inquiries in No. 15, Vol. 10.

Mr. SKINNER,

In the 15th number of the current volume of the American Farmer, "A correspondent wishes to know which is the best kind of thorns for hedges," &c. I have had some experience in that branch of improvement, and am willing to communicate it. I have planted three different kinds, namely: the Virginia I have remarked, however, that there is one in-thorn, raised in abundance, and sold by Mr. Joshua sect, the caterpillar, which both these precautions Pierce, at his nursery, Linnæan Hill, near Washinghave not been able, in all places, to repress. The ton, from 4 to $5 per thousand, according to the trees in some of the yards to which I have referred quantity purchased. The English white thorn, which are entirely stripped of their leaves. The late imported from Liverpool; cost with charges from frost had left no fruit to be injured. Vines, forest 5 to $6 per thousand, and a native thorn found in my trees, and fruit trees of every kind, are subject to own neighbourhood, and which I have seen in abuntheir attacks. Several modes of destroying them dance in several places in this state and Pennsylvahave been suggested. A friend told me, the other nia; I know not the botanical name, but in a natural day, that he had killed by the following means state, it grows large, of a circular formed top, with those that infested his yard. He had greased a large a dark green oval leaf, something resembling that of a cotton rag, rubbed it well with powdered sul-pear tree, the thorns very long and sharp, the berries phur, rolled it into a ball, and fastened it to, the large and red. I have been told it is the same as the end of a long fishing rod, with which, after setting New Castle thorn; for the mode of raising the plants, it on fire, he held it under the caterpillars, where-see Mr. Mahon's Gardening. The first mentioned, I ever be could see them. Other persons go round think, makes the handsomest hedge; I would preand pick them off one by one, and crush them.—fer it for a garden or lawn; the second sends out a Others sprinkle them with soap suds, or lime water, great many lateral branches, and makes a close comor a solution of corrosive sublimate. But I think Ipact fence; the third is of a most exuberant growth, should prefer the fumigating. Washing the body of the tree is of little or no avail, for the caterpillar deposites its eggs on the branches, and generally on the smallest, if I am not mistaken, placing then close together and around the branch like a ring, and they so much resemble the bark in colour, that they are not readily perceived.

and shoots out in all directions, perhaps the greatest objection will be the expense of keeping it in proper bounds; I have had shoots of one year's growth upwards of 6 feet long. I am of opinion that with proper management, a sufficient fence can be made of any of the three kinds in 4 or 5 years. This process, as I have heard it described and have I have also a hedge of the wild crab apple, that I practised it, is as follows. Scoop out the earth immeAnother of my friends has adopted a plan which think will answer the purpose, and am now prepardiately around the body of the tree, in the form of a promises very well. In his yard he has several ve-ing to plant the honey locust, that I think may exbasin, about six inches deep. Examine whether there be any worms in the bark, which may be known by its y fine apricot trees, and one or two plum trees, some cel them all, but as yet cannot positively decide.— being black or decayed, and by the gums having ex- of which are quite large, and the others young and My mode of planting is, after manuring the ground uded. If there be any, pick them out carefully, and small. Around the latter, about a foot above the well, and planting potatoes on it, (which enriches eut the bark away smooth and clean wherever it is in-ground, he wrapped a rag of linen or cotton well and cleans it from weeds) I stretch two lines in the jured; but do not cut away more than is necessary for greased; with the old ones he took no precautions. intended direction at a foot apart, and mark it those purposes. On the wound you may put a compo- and the latter are almost entirely stript of their off with a spade as deep as possible; then dig it sition of clay, cow dung, and urine, to facilitate its leaves, while the others have wholly escaped from out as deep as the good soil goes; this I lay on the healing. If no worms be there, the knife must, of the insect. It seems reasonable to believe, that un-one side of the trench, and shovel out the subsoil on course, not be used. Then take some coarse brown less the caterpillar's eggs be hatched on the tree, the other side to the depth of 9 or 10 inches; this bepaper, (commonly called sheathing paper,) or matting, that insect must crawl up it to feast on the leaves; ing done, let a careful hand go into the trench, and or coarse cloth, or any other similar substance. Wrap and this you prevent by the greased cloth or by tar, place the plants against each side of it at the disit around the tree, so that the lower edge may touch the ground about six inches below the surface, and the up- or almost any other sticky substance, that will not tance of 8 or 9 inches, forming a double row 12 inper edge reach about six inches above the surface; tie it dry too soon. If the caterpillars be hatched on ches apart, and 8 or 9 distant in the rows with twine, matting, yarn, or any thing that will press the tree, as is generally the case, they must be de- having a smart boy to shovel in first the good earth, it tight and close to the tree. Then tar or pitch it well stroyed as before directed. Whether, in this spe- and then what canie from below; care must be taken on the outside with a large painter's brush; and, finally, cies of caterpillar, it be the worm itself that lays the to fix the plants at the proper distance, and tramp throw back the earth into its place, so as to fill the hole eggs, or whether, as it is most probable, that fune- the earth firmly about the roots. Before planting, I that was made and to assume its former level. This tion is performed by a moth, I am not competent to cut off all the straggling roots, and afterwards i cut covering will last, it is said, several years. If the tree determine. If the former be the fact, the propaga-the tops within an inch of the surface; after the first be large it will require half a sheet of the paper; if small, a quarter of a sheet. A man and a boy can work tion of that disgusting insect may be much more ea-year, I again cut all off about three inches from the the largest orchard in this way, in one, or, at the most, sily prevented. At all events, it is very certain that ground; after the second, about twelve inches, and two days. A gallon of pitch or tar will be enough; and many of them do reach the leaves by crawling up so on every year, letting them rise gradually, accordthe whole expense would not exceed 3 or 4 dollars. the bark of the tree. ing to their vigour, till they come to a proper height;

by these means I thicken my hedge at the bottom, bee-worm; but, upon examination, I found they al-At the latter period, the lakes and low grounds in otherwise it would be no fence, especially against ways bred between the bench upon which the hive a great part drain out, or their waters are evaporatthe swinish multitude, that are always on the look sat and the bottom edges of the hive. I first adopted, and in October and November, immense spaces, out and ready for mischief. As to planting, I con-ed the method of having the bottom edges of the which in February, March and April, were inundatsider it immaterial, whether tis done in fall, winter hive brought to so small a point or edge as to afforded from one to twenty feet, become meadows coveror spring, if the ground be in good order; but if you them no shelter; but now, during the warm season, ed with a carpet of green and succulent herbage. have much to do, and defer it to the spring, there is I raise the hive by placing small sticks around una chance of the buds putting out before planting, der the hive, so as to raise it, say about half an inch which I would avoid if possible. from the bench, which I take out during winter or Probable Cost. the cold months.

I estimate that the potatoe crop will pay for manuring and preparing the ground.

I suppose a good spadesman, assisted by a boy, will plant 20 perches in a day--wages and victuals I value at $1.

Suppose you plant at 8 inches distance in the row, it will require 50 plants to the perch-and suppose you value the plants at $4 per thousand, the cost per perch will be as follows, viz:

50 plants at $4 per thousand, Expense of labour,

20 cts. 05

cts. 25 per perch. Protection from cattle and sheep, and careful weeding; will be necessary for 3 or 4 years. They should not be planted nearer any protecting fence, than 3 feet, nor where the shade of trees will reach them, nor should they be allowed to rise higher than about 5 feet at any time, for if they are allowed to shoot up, they will get thin at the bottom.

en to it.

Thorndale, Taneytown, 14th July, 1828.

And I can say, sir, that for many years I have seen nothing of the bee-worm, and that my stock of bees have increased as fast as I can or could wish. Yours, &c. MILEY HAMILTON.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.

RAFTS IN THE RED AND ATCHAFALAYA
RIVERS.

Thirty miles above its influx into the Mississippi, Red river receives its north eastern and largest branch, the Ouachita. The latter rises between Red and Arkansas rivers, lon. W. from Wash. C. 17, and at N. lat. 34 deg. 40 m; flowing thence a little east of south 300 miles, but by a very tortuous channel, joins Red river. The general features of Ouachita, are very similar to the main stream, and in particular, those of the lakes and adjacent swamps, which near the Ouachita, are at like seasons, filled and emptied, and along both rivers, operate as real reservoirs.

The great inundated tract above Natchitoches, is not rendered difficult of navigation by rafts of timber, There are few phenomena in nature more curi- for few such do really exist in these "thousand ous, or perhaps more misunderstood, than the ob- streams," but from the very great intricacy of the structions called rafts in the Red and Atchafalaya, channels. I had a very large pirogue constructed and being designated by one term, are generally in a creek of lake Bistineau, with which we naviconsidered as specially the same in both streams, gated into and above lake Bodean, and with which which as we shall soon perceive is far from being a I returned by Red river, by one of its outlets below fact. In the last number on the subject of the Mis-Alexandria at the Rapids, and down Boeuf river to sissippi, the Atchafalaya as an outlet, was noticed Lemellas landing near St Landre Opelousas. At and discussed, but we now proceed to examine it as high water, barges of large tonnage are navigated a continuation of Red river. through the Rait, and for several hundred miles above, into the recesses of Arkansas and Texas.

I am so well convinced of the efficacy and necesRed river is the true North American Nile, rising| sity of this species of improvement, that I am aston in New Mexico, at N. lat 35° and lon. 27° W. from At the Grand Ecor above Natchitoches, and at ished at its being so little attended to, and I am still Washington city, augmented by numerous branches, the latter village, Red river once more breaks into more astonished, that I never saw by any agricultural and flowing in very nearly an easterly direction separate channels, which never again entirely resociety, the least notice taken or encouragement giv-300 miles to the 100th degree W. from the Royal unite. The main stream, however, falls over its lowYours respectfully, Observatory at Greenwich, and 23 deg. 4 m. W. er Rapid at Alexandria, and flowing thence by a C. BIRNIE. from Washington eity, continuing east 400 miles,and channel, more winding if possible, than that of the forming a boundary between the United States and Mississippi itself; the two rivers touch rather than Texas. Red river enters Arkansas, and curving to unite, one and a half miles above the efflux of the Atthe S. E. a few miles, and thence south, enters Lou-chafalaya, at N. lat. 31 deg. 1 m. A moment's attenisiana, over which it winds by a general course of tion to the relative courses of Red and Atchafalaya S. E. 200, but by a very winding channel of upwards rivers, renders the conclusion inevitable, that the of 300 miles. latter is the continuation of the former. The banks of the two streams have a perfect resemblance to each other, and particularly in the colour of the ochreous earth of which they are composed, and This redfrom which Red river derives its name. dish earth, prevalent along the Boeuf and Teche, demonstrates also, the extensive agency once exercised by the waters of Red river, in places which they no longer reach.

NEW MODE OF KILLING CATERPILLARS--by Shooting.
Greensburgh, Pa. 12th July, 1828.
MR. SKINNER,

I have tried many of the schemes, published in Red river enters Louisiana near the north west your valuable paper, for the destruction of caterpil-angle of that state, by a single stream, but about 30 lars on my fruit trees, but without success. For the miles lower, breaks into numerous branches, pretwo past years, I have used my gun charged with a senting a most intricate maze of islands, inlets, chansmall load of gunpowder and tow wad, and find it nels, and lakes of every size, from one to thirty miles much easier, and more effectual than any other in length. This annually inundated tract lies in a means within my power. By placing the muzzle direction of north west and south east, extending 60 of the piece about a foot from the nest, and firing miles, with a mean width of eight miles. Ascendthe charge into it, the worms are killed and scattering, this Raft region, as it is absurdly called, com- It was noticed in my last communication, that the ed, and the nest entirely destroyed and torn from the mences at Grand Ecor 4 miles above Natchitoches, current of the Mississippi,was thrown from the points branches of the tree. This does no injury to the and has every appearance of having once been a into the bends, and it must be evident that with the tree- in a few days vegetation will be restored where lake, which has been gradually filled by alluvion, current, will floating timber be in like manner borne the leaves had been entirely ruined by the worm. and what is peculiarly worthy of remark, is that as along the shores at the bottom of the bends.— If the nests are too high to be got at by standing the ancient lake was disappearing, the earth by Though only distant from each other 2508 yards, or on the ground, it is easy to climb the tree and go which it was obliterated, operated to form dams not quite half a mile, a very salient point, from the out on the limbs, or ascend to them by means of a across the mouths of the small tributary rivers on left shore protrudes into the Mississippi, between ladder, and a person can carry with him his ammu- each side, and by that means create new lakes. In the mouth of Red river and the efflux of Atchafa nition and a light fowling-piece or a pistol, and car- this manner was formed, lake Bistineau, 40 miles laya. Red river comes in from the north; the Misry on the war in the enemies' own country. long, and from one to three wide; lake Bodcan, 30 sissippi meets it from the east, and the united wamiles long, and from one to ten miles wide; two ters rapidly sweep to the southward, and south eastlarge lakes in the vicinity of the Cado village, Span- ward, throw out the Atchafalaya to the south west, ish lake in the vicinity of Natchitoches, and ma- and thence assume an eastern course of 5 or 6 miles, These new lakes, and the remains forming a very narrow and pointed peninsula on the of the still greater and more ancient lake, have eastern side of the Mississippi. a most powerful effect in checking the excess; When the spring floods are at their height, an but at the same time, lengthens the duration of the enormous body of water pours into Atchafalaya, floods of Red river. This great tributary of the with overwhelming rapidity. The winding of the Delta, rather than of the Mississippi, is a much bend above, as I have already noticed, forces the greater stream than is commonly believed. Having current, and with it, every floating substance it a comparative course of upwards of one thousand bears, directly into the Atchafalaya, down which the miles, and draining at least 150,000 square miles, debris is carried in masses which would stagger huRed river bears into Louisiana an immense body of man belief to admit as possible. At about 1774, as water. The spring periodical overflow of this river near as I could obtain correct information in Louisis usually in the months of February, March and iana, a body of floating timber, large and compact April, but flowing from a southern and in great part enough to fill the channel of Atchafalaya, lodged a prairie country, the evaporation of summer and au- in one of the very crooked bends of that stream. tumn, reduces its volume to a very small compass. The first raft was quickly augmented by new acces

TO PREVENT THE DESTRUCTION OF BEES, BY THE

BEE-MILLER.

Devan's Ferry, Bertie Co., N. C., July 8, 1828. JOHN S. SKINNER, ESQ.

Sir,-Understanding that you are the publisher of a paper exclusively devoted to domestic industry and intelligence, and through which every subject upon domestic economy can be, and is readily communicated to the public; I take the liberty, through the advice of a friend, of making known to you, for publication, (should you think proper to publish the same,) my method of preventing the destruction of that useful insect, the Bee, by what is usually called the Bee-miller, or Bee-worm.

I have, sir, for many years, been the raiser of bees, and was at one time much troubled with the

ny more.

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