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AGRICULTURE.

TOBACCO.

Extracts from a Circular of B. J. Harris, commis sion merchant at New Orleans, to the Tobacco Planters of Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and the Western States generally-with notes by the Editor of the American Farmer.

As you inhabit countries and cultivate lands, where the climate and soil are as congenial to the production of tobacco, as any part of the United States, and competent to make the same kinds, and of as good and valuable qualities, as ever were made in Virginia, I beg leave to submit to your consideration, the causes why your best crops have not commanded as high prices here or in Europe, as the best Virginia crops.

I will candidly premise, that I think much may be attributed to partiality for the one, and prejudice against the other; but much more is owing to the western neglect, and bad management. The small number of your fine crops, does not command sufficient competition here, nor is your late improvement extensive enough as yet to remove prejudices here or abroad, which must be eradicated by degrees, after making a greater quantity of fine to act upon for several years, in the way of compe

tition.

adopted in the western states,) would, in a few The good and neat management of Virginia, (if years, enlist the partiality of most of the tobacco merchants, in place of prejudice, in favour of the western states.

sary to the enriching and perfecting of all vegeta-
tion.
CUTTING.

Many of you, knowing that two processes that will produce the favourite colour, which are hard to describe, I need not attempt it, lest I may not be Very great errors have often been committed in understood. And as the chief cause of bad curing cutting before it got entirely and perfectly ripe. in the western states, is owing to indifferent, leaky, The loss is great from this cause. Only a few days open houses, generally log-houses, open between premature cutting, will lessen the value 25 to 50 the logs, I cannot too strongly urge the propriety per cent., and sometimes more. The defects by it and necessity of close, tight houses, with many are: lacking of substance, and the curtail of weight, windows to open and shut at pleasure; to have a absence of fine flavour, want of strong elastic tex-good command of the weather, and avoid much use ture, and every fine essential constituent, most of of fire and smoke, which engenders a bitter taste which are generated and combined in the latter and and bad flavour, that never can be entirely eradi last stages of the growth, ripening and perfecting.cated. The smoke is very objectionable for every As tobacco is an aromatic plant, whose odours purpose and in all markets. The method for kiln-drying plank, at saw-mills, are most fragrant from being fully ripe, and a material part of its value depends upon the flavour, is a cheap and excellent plan for curing and matur too much attention cannot be paid in selecting the ing tobacco, after it gets to the close-house. This ripe, very ripe plants for the knife, in the true Vir-plan excludes the smoke and greatly lessens the ginia style, instead of slaying a field at once; some danger from fire. It is simply by cutting a ditch ripe, some three-fourths ripe, and a part only half through the tobacco-house floor, and covering it ripe; according to the Kentucky custom, which with thin slabs of stone, or arching it with brick, have witnessed with feelings of regret and aston- and making a fire in the lowest end of the ditchthe smoke and heat will pass through to the other ishment.* CURING. end, and enough heat will rise up in the closehouse for the purpose of drying, curing and maturing.

I

into bundles.

Another great error consists in curing. All rich, ripe plants, should be cured of a bright, lively coAs you understand the terms coming and going, lour, which improves it very much in flavour. To be able to cure it of such an appearance, it must be (moistening and drying) from the atmosphere, resripe and rich; possessing the wax, oil and stamina, peeting the curing, I will advise without entering fade in the process, and come out a sickly looking much in flavour, and should be accomplished beor in attempting to give it the proper colour, it will into their minute explanation, that you cause it to come and go very often, which will improve it very yellow if checked in the early stage, or a dark din-fore striking, taking down, stripping, and tying up gy brown, nearly black-and be worse and of less value than if permitted to remain in its original As the want of good management is the chief dark, dingy, natural colour, which is the general cause of the present difference in price between and very objectionable colour of the greater part Virginia and western tobacco, and the first step to-made in the western country.‡ wards reformation and improvement is, to be convinced of error, may I be permitted to point out those which have come within my knowledge, and suggest such remedies and amendments as I have discovered from experience and observation.

TOPPING.

The improvement in curing by often coming and going, should be done without moulding in the stem or the leaf, which is an easy performance with close tight houses, and fires in all damp weather. This high curing tends very much to preservation, as * In Maryland, where the matter is as well under-well as fine flavour, and prevents hard sweating, stood as any where, the practice is for the most expe- which is too severe an operation in all humid clirienced to go through the field, row by row, selecting and splitting down to near the root, the ripe plants, and mates and long summers. then the cutters follow; leaving those not ripe enough to remain for a subsequent cutting. Tobacco split in this way, is afterwards straddled, bottom upwards, upon that to cut "fore and aft," would embrace a portion too sticks to be hung up. The tobacco ripens so unevenly, green; or if left until all was ripe, a large proportion would be too ripe.

The same mode of curing is applicable to Maryland and Ohio, as Virginia, Kentucky and the other western states.

ASSORTING.

One of the greatest errors in the culture of tobacco in the western states, has been that of permitting it to grow too fast, too large and coarse, The fourth great error is very general, and exand ripen too soon; which caused it to be too thin, tremely injurious, aud of easy remedy. That of spongy and wanting in substance, stamina texture, The writer might as well say that all tobacco should putting fine with good and inferior, in the same and fine flavour. The over-quick, rapid growth, be sold for a high price. How are you to insure a bundle and in the same hogshead, all mixed togeand ripening too early, is the result of your lively, "bright lively colour?" that is the question; for though ther. This causes almost a sacrifice to the fine and active and very rich soil, and kind mild climate much undoubtedly depends on management, the soil is the good, because the inferior will injure, and I upon too few leaves left at topping; an error still re-known to have an influence that no management can might say, damage and almost destroy the fine and maining in Virginia. control. It is very certain that by cutting in a green the good, by being in contact with each other, durThe remedy to produce about an equal quantity, state, and by curing and handling injudiciously, even and much better quality, will be found in topping bacco of a bright lively colour; yet it is no less true, deal that it undergoes in this warm and humid new hilly hickory and dogwood land, will not give to-ing the natural process of sweating, which is an orand priming higher and turning out more leaves; that the most skilful culture and after-management of damp climate, with much greater severity than in the number should be in proportion to the activity this plant, when produced upon old, or upon low, rich, Virginia, where the atmosphere is much drier, and and fertility of the land; say 15 to 16 leaves where or highly manured land, will not insure a bright lively the summer's heat of shorter duration than in this you are in the habit of leaving 12. This will cause colour. Indian corn is, perhaps, influenced more by place, and the western states generally, the leaves to be smaller, and of finer, richer and climate; but it is doubtful whether soil exercises over better texture: because, the higher it is topped in any thing, even wheat, more unmanageable influence, reason, the slower and longer time it will be grow-than over tobacco-and we know that the Washington ing; and although the leaves will be smaller, you long retain its character, even in an opposite county white wheat of the Eastern Shore of Maryland will not will make about the same weight, as the number ten miles distant, across the Chesapeake. After all, will be greater, and the leaves thus elevated from we do not mean to say that bad management will not the ground, by high topping and high priming, will every where be attended with mischief, nor that the cause them to be cleaner-the leaves will be richer, greatest disadvantages may not be mitigated by care because they will be longer growing, and receive and skilful attention. more benefit from the sun, in consequence of being There is a confusion in this paragraph which forces smaller, and shading each other less than when upon us the apprehension that the writer has not been larger. When topped high, the leaves branch off from the stalk further apart, which is another cause why they get more benefit from the sun, so neces

How can that be? Have not all the leaves "branched off" before the operation of "topping" is performed? The leaves will doubtless be larger and thicker, or the reverse, according as the plant is topped, low or high.

No. 7.-VOL. 10.

himself a practical cultivator, and though neither have
we, we have approached it so nearly as to have been re-
quired during the period of school boyhood, on Satur-
days, to drop and plant-to command an army of tur-
keys against an army of worms of superior number-
to top and heap the plants in the field when cut, and
to straddle it on the sticks. We have often com-
pounded to strip a hundred pounds a day rather than
walk three miles to school of a cloudy morning; and
sometimes been forced, not without murmuring and

However good his crop may be, no planter, in assorting, should make less than three grades or qualities, and four would in general be much better. washed by any recent rains before cut, the four top If a plant be ripe, in perfect ripe order, and not leaves will be much the richest, sm hest and finest texture, best flavour and finest colour, and when cured perfectly, will be much the most valuable; but this is not yet admitted by more than two thirds of the Virginia planters, who are of late rapidly acknowledging the truth and correctness of the above remarks, and reducing them to profitable practice

a sense of encroachment on our rights, to work a little on Saturdays, for these were never too cloudy to shoot squirrels and hunt rabbits.

What means the writer by tobacco of bright lively colour alone "possessing wax, oil and stamina?" Does not the dark, heavy, rich tobacco of Virginia possess wax, oil and stamina?

These four top leaves should form the first class-fact is, that Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri, all lie lying here in warm weather, no one in either country the next three or four, the second; and all but the in the same range of latitude, and have similar cli- could distinguish it from good and fine Virginia toground leaves, the third; and the ground leaves and mates, soil and inhabitants, and nothing but the su-bacco; and as the chief value of your good and fine all other inferior from various causes, should con-periority of soil in the western states, has caused depends upon flavour, the Orleans flavour injures stitute the fourth and last class. an inferiority of quality, partly owing to the too their value 25 to 40 per cent., and sometimes more, rank, large, quick and coarse growth, but chiefly to particularly when it lies here during the summer. bad preparations and neglect in management, where B. J. HARRIS. it has been much easier to make a good living. But those who wish to aspire to more by the culture of tobacco, will find their account, with compound in- (From the Massachusetts Agricultural Repository and terest, in better management. Journal.)

ORDER.

The crops of the western states have generally been put up in such soft, humid, damp order, that they have become proverbial for that fault, all over Europe and our eastern markets, wherever it has found its way into use and consumption; and of all If you will manage your tobacco generally, as the climates known to the writer, this is the severest well as it has been in Virginia, and to a small exon tobacco; hence the greater necessity of attend-tent in Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, I will ing strictly to dry order, so important for the pre-venture to predict, that you will soon eradicate prejudice at home and abroad, and in its place implant that partiality which I have attempted to demonstrate as practicable and easy.

servation.

No experienced good planter, having a proper regard to the ultimate order and value of his tobacco, will ever strike it going out of order, or handle it in cold or cool weather, when it is impossible to manage it to the best advantage.

PACKING AND PRESSING.

ON THE CULTURE OF LUCERNE, Translated and abridged from the course of Agriculture of the Abbe Rozier.

sent.

(Concluded from p. 44.)

Of the Care required for Lucerne fields. When the soil is adapted to the plant, and it has But as this valuable article undergoes many ne- come up well, it requires no care. This remark glects, injuries and abuses here, in the various prac- does not agree with the assertions of authors, who tices and regulations, which originated, perhaps, prescribe weeding as necessary to success; a preFor stripping or pressing in hogsheads, it should and probably, in the early state of the trade, under caution useless, an expense superfluous, if the lube struck and taken down in mild, warm weather, the Spanish government, which, by degrees, have cerne has not been sown too thin. I had scarcely, when it begins to come in order, so soon as the leaf settled down into customs and almost laws-all be- says the Abbe Rozier, chosen Languedoc as the begins to soften and yield to the pressure and grasp yond your management, alteration or control: such place of my retreat, than I began to sow Lucerne, of the hand without crumbling, while the largest as inspecting it by breaking each hogshead in two and full of the ideas I had before acquired, I causfibres and stems remain dry and brittle. Bulked in or three places, and not sufficiently closing the ed my fields of lucerne to be regularly weeded. this order, in damp, mild weather, the stems will apertures of the breaks, by pressing or screwing The peasants smiled at my care and solicitude. I imbibe a part of the moisture from the leaf, and down the heads in the Virginia style, to exclude asked them the reason of their ridicule. The lusome from the surrounding atmosphere, and gradu-the air, which causes it to mould in the breaks. cerne, said they, will do more for itself than you can ally yield to weight and pressure, without breaking, The mould thus engendered, continues to spread do for it; let it alone, it will kill the weeds without and only cracking partially, which is no disadvan- its deleterious influence so far as to injure from a your help. For this time they were right; the part tage. Hogsheads made of green or damp wood, third to a half the tobacco, in many instances; and of the field which was not weeded, was the next will damage the tobacco very much if pressed in from this cause alone, lessens the value from a year as good as that which had been. After that I them in that order, and the acid of the wood in-fourth to a third; and it has frequently happened was not so ready to throw away my money for nojures more than the moisture. From this cause that 50, 100 or 150 pounds per hogshead, and thing. The Abbe occupies some pages with the alone, I have often seen thrown off from the heads, sometimes more, has been thrown off for the purdestructive effects of an insect, a Scarabæus, someand cut from the sides, 150 to 200 pounds a hogs-pose of getting in the heads to line them out, which thing like our rose bug, upon fields of lucerne; but head. The loss to the planter is not only in the de- has swelled up by the expanding of the tobacco as we may never be visited with that scourge, we duction of weight, but the reduction in price for when standing open, instead of screwing or pressshall omit his remarks on the subject for the prethe disfigured, mutilated remnant of a hogshead, is ing it down to line out as it was before inspected. the natural, practical and certain consequence in This throwing off to get the heads in to line out, is Of the different crops of Lucerne in the same season, every market. a very common practice, and the tobacco thus If you give credit to the assertion of an English thrown off generally sells at a reduced price; but writer, Mr. Hall, in other respects a writer of great The order has been already mentioned. In pack- the loss by the reduction in price, and the injury merit, the southern parts of France have the ading, the leaves, which ought never to exceed five to from the mould in the breaks, are not the only in-vantage of making even seven crops a year. Una bundle, should be arranged parallel with each juries and losses sustained by the throwing off in- happily for them it is not true, be the seasons ever other, and the bundles laid or packed in the hogs- stead of pressing it down. The rising up from so favourable, even when you have water at comhead parallel with one another, in the Virginia elasticity when open, for inspection, or sampling, mand and can water your fields at pleasure. If you style, and not tangled across each other, according and not closing by pressure, lets in the air to a suf- cut the plant before it is in full flower, you obtain to the Kentucky custom, which is not universal, ficient degree in every part to invite and cause a only a watery plant of little substance, and which but too generally in that and the other western mould throughout, sufficient to injure many hogs-loses three fourths of its weight in drying; it would, states. But in justice, without flattering, I can heads, fifty per cent., and some to a greater extent besides, afford but little nourishment. Supposing with pleasure say, that I have seen many crops when the quality was fine. that the crop should be cut from the beginning to from Kentucky and other western states, previous But of all the injuries which your good and fine the middle of April, is it possible that the lucerne to and since my short residence here, very properly undergoes after you put it properly in the hogs- should have time to flower seven times in the same and elegantly managed, some of them by planters head, is that which arises in this place from storing season? It is rare that we can have more than five who were neither Virginians nor their descendants; and stowing it in close houses near the ground, crops. The ordinary number in the provinces of which proves that it neither requires Virginians nor where it has not a sufficient free circulation of the which Mr. Hall speaks, is four crops. If the seaVirginia land exclusively, to produce that which air. son shall have been favourable, it is a fine and rich will command the highest prices at home and abroad. This alluvial country is formed from encroach-product. No field yields numerically so much as a As evidence conclusive, that the western states ment upon the ocean, by the rich deposit of vege-good lucerne field. It is a clear and net revenue for and planters are capable of making tobacco that table and other matter, the alluvial washings of the ten years, which demands no culture, no advance will command as high prices as the Virginia planters great rivers from the upper countries, and the earth except that of preparing the land for the crop at can make in their state, I will inform you than many exudes, exhales and evaporates in warm weather, first, the cost of seed, and the wages of the mowers. shipments of Kentucky tobacco have been made a peculiar deleterious vapour, which the attractive One third of an acre, or 400 square toises of lufrom Richmond, in Virginia, with Virginia tobacco, power of the tobacco imbibes, when so near the cerne field, are usually let for one hundred and fifty to Great Britain, when and where the Kentucky ground in these close houses of confined air, as to livres, or thirty dollars a year! Happy the proprietobacco was taken for Virginia, and sold equally give the tobacco an uncommon bad flavour, by tor, who has much land fitted for lucerne. as high, and the difference has never been known which the New Orleans tobacco is generally known Many persons affirm that lucerne will succeed in by the consignee, manufacturer nor consumer. The nearly all over the world, and is incorrectly and in- any soil. If this assertion was as true, as it cer nocently called the Kentucky flavour--which never tainly is false, a great part of Provence and Lanoriginated in that country, with any except such as guedoc would be covered with lucerne, because namay have been exposed to the same cause, on river tural meadows are very scarce in these provinces bottoms, which seldom, if ever, happened, as you for want of water; but experience has proved, most generally send your tobacco to this place before the decisively, that lucerne requires a deep soil, not great exuding season of warm weather. clayey, neither too stiff nor too sandy.

*

*Where the leaves are so large as not to admit more than five to a bundle, we should suppose they could hardly be of bright lively colour. Do great weight to the acre, and a fine yellow colour, ever go together? By the preceding notes we do not wish to disparage the valuable hints contained in the circular of Mr. HarWhen the good and fine tobacco from the westris, for which we are indebted to one of the first mer-ern states, has been carried to Richmond or Europe cantile houses in this city. early, and before it acquired the Orleans flavour, by

In the central provinces of France, lucerne is cut three times in ordinary years, and four times in favourable ones; and from two to three times in the

northern provinces. It is a general rule that lu- point of quality; none keeps animals in so high a
cerne should not be cut except when in flower; be-state of flesh; none augments or increases the quan-
fore that state it is generally too watery, and its tity of milk so much as lucerne. These praises in
juices crude; after that period it becomes too dry all respects merited, require, however, some quali-
and too woody. Cattle should not be suffered to fications. Lucerne is heating to animals, and if you
feed on lucerne fields after the last cutting, nor dur-do not moderate the quantity in the hot season of
ing winter, when the ground is soft. The heads of the year, and especially in southern provinces, horn-
the plants yield to the hoofs of the cattle, and injure ed cattle will become diseased. If you trust your
the grass essentially. It is useful to pass a harrow labourers, they are so proud of seeing their cattle
over a field of lucerne in the spring, and the crop fat, that they stuff them with this food, and are un-
will amply repay the expense of it. Lucerne should willing to believe that it can be the cause of disease.
be cut in a cool dry time, and tended as rapidly as I know of but one mode of preventing the waste of
possible. Rains-frequent rains while making, are lucerne by your servants, and labourers, and that is
very injurious to this grass. Let it be cut under to mix it in equal parts with straw, not in layers,
circumstances ever so favourable, and be perfectly but confusedly and generally mixed. The straw
dry, it must not be carried in with the dew upon it, contracts the smell and flavour of the lucerne; the
nor moved in the very heat of the day; because, in animals eat it with pleasure, and are never injured
that case it is very apt to lose its leaves, which are by it. Lucerne, given green to horned cattle or
the best part. For this reason it should be stirred horses, is apt to purge them; for which reason it is a
as little as possible in the middle of the day. Great rule never to give it till it has been cut twenty-four
care should be taken that the hay should be well hours. Care also is taken to give it in small quan-
cured, otherwise it is apt to heat, and even take fire. tities at a time, lest they should be hoven. This is
The first cutting of lucerne in any season is the least not peculiar to lucerne. The same effects are pro-
valuable, because it is apt to be mixed with other duced by green wheat, oats, &c. &c. All pasturage
grasses or plants. The second is the best; the third which is too succulent is dangerous. In case this
is usually very good also, but in the fourth and later accident of being hoven should occur, an expedient
crops, the juices of the plant are not so rich, and which I have tried has never failed, (says the Abbe
of course are less nutritive.
Rozier,) which is to make them swallow an ounce
of nitre (salt petre,) in a glass of brandy, to empty
Of the means of renewing the vigour and growth of the bowels of the animal, and to make him run.

sults:

Lucerne fields.

years to come.

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Sir,-According to your desire, I have the pleasure to communicate to you, the result of the experiments made by me, jointly with Col. E. Bossier, on the juice of the sugar cane, as follows:

Oct. 1st, 1827.-We pressed one half of a ribbon cane; took the lower part, and it gave us eight degrees, according to the pese-sirop of Baune. The creole cane gave but six degrees.

Oct. 10th.--Half of a ribbon cane, four feet and a half long, gave us, the lower part nine degrees, and the whole together, eight strong. The creole cane gave but six and a half degrees.

Oct. 21st.-The ribbon cane gave us seven degrees and a half. We think this difference was occasioned by a heavy rain which had fallen the night before; and besides, we took on that day two of the greenest canes. The creole cane gave but six degrees.

We pressed at the same time a ribbon cane, which we had cut on the 10th of October, measur

ing four feet and a half, and it gave us on the 21st, nine degrees.

Oct. 31st.-Of the ribbon and creole cane cut on the 21st November, and put in matrass, the first gave us this day nine degrees, and the last eight degrees.

November 10th, 20th and 30th.-On each of these days the ribbon cane gave us nine degrees and a half, and the creole eight degrees strong.

us.

Lucerne fields will wear out in time, but you may retard its period of decline by different treatment CULTURE OF SUGAR CANE. You perceive, sir, that according to these experiand manures. The first, which is the most prompt, [The following was put into our hands by the ments, there is no doubt but that the Red river is convenient and cheap; is to feed your sheep upon it Hon. J. S. Johnson, of the Senate of the United capable of producing fine sugar with the ribbon after the last cutting, and even during winter. States, and will be found to contain facts of great cane: and if you think these observations would Mr. Meyer proposed in 1768, to employ gypsum, publick interest. It will be perceived that the ex-be useful to your fellow citizens at Rapides, you are or plaster of Paris, to revive and recruit old lucerne periment detailed was tried in lat. 31 46, which at liberty to give them publicity. fields, and communicated to the Economical Socie-shews that all that portion of our country south of You will recollect at the same time, sir, that I ty of Berne, the several experiments he had made. that line, will produce sugar and molasses-and communicated to you a letter from a good sugar These experiments were repeated by Mr. Kirch- that, consequently, there is sufficient soil in the planter, of the parish of St. Charles; and you will burger, with care, and the following were the re-United States to supply our own demand for many perceive that there is very little difference between I give you a copy of his letter: The consumption of these articles is at present "I have made," says he, "on the juice of the suupwards of twelve millions of dollars, and is increas-gar cane, with a pese-sirop like yours, the experiing with our population. The culture of the canements you requested, and the following is the result: will open a great field for the most profitable em The ribbon cane raised on old land, as ripe as posployment of slave labour, and will enable us to sup-sible for the season, gave me on the 1st of October, ply ourselves with an article especially of the first seven degrees strong; which is considerable for the fine necessity, and the climate is known to be highly season, and sufficient to make very congenial to the African constitution. cording to your request, I repeated the same opeThe letter, says Mr. Johnson, is from a gentle-ration at the different periods indicated by you; and man of high character, and entitled to entire confi- such was the progression, that the same cane, todence. He adds, by way of explanation, that 6 wards the end of November, gaye ten degrees. In of the aerometre of Baume will make sugar.] general, the creole cane was less ripe at the same periods."

1. That a quantity of calcined plaster, equal in measure to the quantity of oats which would be required to sow any piece of land, is sufficient to

manure it.

2. That gypsum succeeds better on lucerne fields which are rich, than on those which are poor and sandy.

9. That it produces a greater effect the first than the second year.

4. That it is less active in a moist soil than in a dry one.

5. If you sow the plaster as soon as possible in spring, the first crop will feel the effects of it.

(From the Alexandria [Louisiana] Gazette.)

sugar.

Ac

He tells me, also, that their cane was frozen about the 15th December; ours was on the 30th of November, making a difference of only fifteen days; and you will perceive that we can commence making very fine sugar towards the end of September, with the ribbon cane. Accept, sir, assurances of the great consideration with which I am Yours, &c. C. NOYRIT.

Mr. the Abbe Rozier adds, “I acknowledge, according to my own experience, that plaster is very MR. McCOY: beneficial for lucerne fields which begin to decline; that it facilitates in a great degree the growth of Sir,-The enclosed translation of a letter from the large clover; that it is very useful in meadows Mr. C. Noyrit to me, on the subject of the culture covered with moss." of the sugar cane on Red river, cannot fail to be The Abbe proceeds to recommend also air-slack-interesting to many of your subscribers. It will be ed lime, which he prefers to plaster. He notices, observed that seven degrees of the pese-sirop of and approves a suggestion of the celebrated Duha-Baume indicates that state of ripeness which will mel, that when a lucerne field becomes partially afford good sugar. The experiments were made disfurnished by the death of some plants, to supply in lat. 31° 46, and with great care. He gives me their place by laying the branches of the adjoining also the experiments made at the same periods on orfes, which will take root; but it seems to us that the Mississippi, near New Orleans; and the results a simpler course, which we have long since adopt-of both appear to be entirely satisfactory, particued with clover, is preferable; which is, every spring larly as it relates to the ribbon cane. Minute obto run over the field with a harrow, and throw in servations for more than twenty years, prove that J. S. SKINNER, Esq. Mount Columbo, 9th April, 1828. fresh seeds in the bare spots.

the average period of killing frost, in this latitude, Of the value of Lucerne as food. is the 20th November. The publication of this, together with the detail of these experiments, may Lucerne loses some of its value in proportion to direct public attention to an object of great inteits distance from its native soil; that is to say, it is rest to this part of the country; and by affording not so nourishing, because its juices are more wa- them a place in your paper, you will oblige tery when grown in northern countries. standing this, no fodder can be compared to it in

Notwith

Yours, &c.

H.A. BULLARD.

Natchitoches, Feb. 10, 1828.

(From a Correspondent.)

MOST EXTRAORDINARY AND DESTRUCTIVE FROST IN
ALABAMA.

Sir,-Our winter has been the mildest since the settlement of this country, and our spring was advancing most rapidly, until within the last ten days, since which time we have had as cold weather and as hard frosts as any during the winter. Much more wheat and oats have been planted this year than heretofore, to provide for the great deficiency of corn, caused by the excessive and almost uni

versal drought of last summer. These crops were sap are exerted on very few buds, which are by this our late frosts are one of the greatest we have to very promising, until within a few days; but the means pushed out sooner than they otherwise would; encounter. If this could be obviated, the others frosts, particularly of the 5th, 6th and 7th instant, for the buds which put out first in an unpruned vine, are probably more easily surmountable. I shall in have almost entirely destroyed the wheat, as most are those which are generally suppressed by the due time inform you of the effect of my late severe of it was heading and some in blossom, and has pruning Whatever may be the effect of late prun remedy, and if any of your correspondents can sugmuch injured the oats which were sowed last au-ing, I can assert that I never have seen an instance gest an effectual one, I shall be most happy to put tumn. These frosts, I fear, will be felt as a great ca- of the death of a vine for having been pruned at any it in practice. I must state here, that I have no lamity, and will cause an alarming scarcity of bread particular time; and the gentleman above mention- faith in the prevention of the effects of frost by stuff's in this country. But few of our fruit trees ed may have lost his vines by some other cause that means of a straw rope passed round the vines, or have, as yet, blossomed, notwithstanding the great he is not aware of. It is pretty generally said that other trees, having its ends dipping in water. I have, mildness of our winter, which has excited the as-late pruning ought to be avoided, lest the vines are reluctantly, tried it without any sort of success; but tonishment of all, and which, perhaps, no one is injured by bleeding. This effect is so generally be- this may be owing to my want of faith; or to be able fully to account for. Some conjecture one thing lieved, and the appearance of a vine while it bleeds more candid, it may be that its good effects are only and some another; and many suppose the peach profusely, is so alarming, that I dislike very much against a slight frost, and cannot avail against such trees will not blossom this year. I think it proba- to see it; but yet, I never have witnessed any ill severe ones as we had lately, after having had so ble that from the extraordinary deficiency of rain, effect from it. It is very possible that some kinds much warm weather. during the last summer and autumn, the flowering of vines may not bear it as well as others, and if buds, which, I believe, usually acquire their full your correspondent's remedy of tallow and finely growth before frost, did not come to maturity, and powdered charcoal stops the bleeding, it ought to that, therefore, they will require time to grow a lit-be resorted to whenever practicable. I generally tle before they are prepared to blossom, and I be-prune as early as I can, but it is not for fear of the lieve most of them will yet blossom. bad effects of late pruning; but because by so doing I have cuttings to plant earlier, and also more time to attend to the other necessary work.

Your obedient servant, &c.

AND W PICKENS.

EXTRACTS.

The next great difficulty, and perhaps the greatest, is our want of practical knowledge, perseverance and industry in the pursuit. We are apt to go from one extreme to another. Some seem to think that it is sufficient to plant vines, and then let them take care of themselves; and when the poor things are found not to do well, the project is abandoned. I should like to know how much cotton, rice, corn, Several very severe frosts having in the first week tobacco, wheat, &c. such persons would expect to in this month done more injury to my vines than I make by the same means? Others go to a most exever have witnessed before, have just finished travagant extent, scarcely knowing the a, b, c, of Huntsville, Alabama, 10th April, 1828. pruning off the injured parts; and this operation the business. I have heard of one who made his "On the nights of the 5th and 6th instant we had was so severe, that it might be called amputating; negroes plant this winter one hundred and fifty acres a freeze and frost here that has destroyed our gar for I have cut off all the last year's wood, just be- of vines. I venture to predict that he never will make dens; and what is uncommon, the peas in the gar-low the young shoots that had been in the smallest five gallons to the acre from these vines. If a person dens are entirely kilied. Our corn that has been degree affected by the frost. By this my vines are thinks he can just substitute vines to cotton, or corn, planted the 1st of March, and of some growing size, left perfectly naked, not having one single green or tobacco, without having any practical knowledge was killed into the ground; the wheat was in a com-leaf, and but very few buds, that had not yet put of the culture the vine requires, he will find himself mon way, about eighteen inches high, it is killed to out, and on which I solely depend now for a crop disappointed. If he be a lawyer, and get no busithe root; I had one hundred and sixty acres sowed. this year, which will, of course, be very small. The ness, he might as well substitute the practice of meAll the fruit entirely killed that had bloomed. I dis- vines have bled much, but they have nearly stopped. dicine without any previous study to fit him for it. cover a part of my apples not bloomed, and some Although this state of things does not precisely As theoretical knowledge alone is not sufficient, the few of the plum kind, such as the damson and other come within the objections of your correspondent, best remedy to remove this difficulty, is, after much late plums and cherries. The ground was frozen yet it must come very near it, as the vines are now reflection on this subject, to get from Europe a three or four inches deep, and we had ice an inch absolutely destitute of leaves. I believe that the number of suitable persons in families. They ought thick. Such cold weather was never felt in Ala- reason why the vines do not bleed when they are to be under the direction or advice of some one bama in April." in full foliage, is that the sap is sufficiently evapo- experienced in this climate. These being judiciousrated by the perspiration of the leaves, which sap ly scattered through the country, would form estabeing very abundant, must run out when the vines are blishments, and diffuse that knowledge and practice cut at a time when they have no leaves, and it is in which are wanted, and without which we shall not circulation. It is true that in the night time the do in fifty years what we could, by this means, do leaves perform, probably, a contrary operation by in five. If, therefore, it is desirable to introduce the difference by which the bleeding may some- to yield more beneficial results in many respects, absorbing moisture from the air; and this may be this culture in this country, I know of nothing likely times be found injurious. What will be the effect it ought to be done according to that manner which of my bold chirurgical operation on the vines this spring, I cannot positively say; I can only hope that it will be followed by the same beneficial effects which have resulted from similar ones formerly performed; although, as stated above, I have never known so great an injury before by frost.

Dublin, Geo. April 17th, 1828. "We have had some very cold weather in this month, which has blighted the crop of grapes: We have had an unusually warm winter-January was nearly nine degrees of meridian temperature warmer than any January in twelve years.”

HORTICULTURE.

PRUNING GRAPES.

will insure the most speedy success. This, however, is not easily done by private enterprise, on account of the expense; but I think it is clear that, if the country is to receive the benefit, the country ought to afford such assistance in forwarding this J. S. SKINNER, ESQ. Columbia, S. C., April 20, 1828. object, as is not in the power of individuals to afSir, I noticed in the American Farmer of the I really wish you correspondent had quoted my ford, unless they are wealthy, and these do not ap11th inst. a short article in which you state, having words, and the place where to find them; and al-pear willing or patriotic enough to undertake it. "been warned by a correspondent in Alabama, that though I have no kind of doubt of his truth and The objection of individuals is, that the returns are what I observe in relation to the pruning of vines, honour, yet it would have been, perhaps, somewhat not to be expected for several years. This brings after they have put out in the spring, will not hold fairer towards me, had he given his name, at the me to state this as one of the difficulties; which is, good previous to their putting out after the sap is same time that it would be likely to give more cre- that we do not like to wait three, four, or five rising freely," &c. I should exceedingly regret that dit to his assertions. Although I should prefer this years before we reap the fruit of our labours and any person should be led by any thing I have writ-mode of making observations on what I may have expenses. ten on the subject, to so serious an injury as this uttered, yet, as my only wish is to do as much good Another difficulty of some considerable magniwhich your correspondent mentions to have been as it is in my slender power to do, I make no ob- tude is, the number of birds and insects against the case with a gentleman who lost "all he had by jection at all to any discussion being elicited on this which the vine cultivator has to wage an incessant late pruning." I wish your correspondent had re-subject by your Alabama correspondent, or any war. The remedy to this is obvious, though not ferred to the particular part of my writing, whether other person, whether they chuse to give their names easy; and it is their destruction. When, however, in private correspondence or in publication, that I or not. I only say that it is more desirable they extensive vineyards are established, the depredamight have it my power to judge more accurately should, both in fairness to me, and as regards their tions committed must be spread on a larger surface; of the extent of the mischief I may have done. I credit in the world. consequently less sensibly felt, when, at the same do not recollect ever having positively advised late You have also hinted to me, sir, in a private note, time, there will be more persons interested and ocpruning, except in cases of necessity; such as, after that I ought to proclaim, candidly, the difficulties or cupied in the destruction of these depredators. the ill effects of a frost. I may have expressed an impediments to the making of wine profitably in Another kind of depredators are also much to be opinion, that possibly late pruning might prevent this country. I am not aware that I have at any dreaded; and I regret to say that in this country, this had effect, by retarding the putting out of the time purposely concealed any thing of the kind; but, which is emphatically said to have a government of vine, which it certainly does; for, in the case of a I am perfectly willing to do expressly as you hinted; laws, property necessarily exposed, is so little revine which has been pruned early, the efforts of the and this may be a very suitable season for this, as spected; and people are seen, some of whom, one

would think, ought to know better, to prey on and
carry away the fruit of other's toils, as if it were a
matter of right. If it be not a matter of right, it
is a matter of custom, and a most shameful one it
is. The remedy to which-honesty in the people
and laws to enforce this virtue, is most obvious,
though perhaps difficult of attainment.
These are the most prominent obstacles to the
successful cultivation of the vine in this country,
that occur to me at present. When I write to you
again, which I intend to do shortly, if any other
difficulty occurs to my mind, I shall mention it.
I am, respectfully, dear sir,
Your obed't serv't,

N. HERBEMONT.

GOOSEBERRIES.

In all cases, the gooseberry should be kept free from suckers, and trained near the ground to a single stem-this mode of training them being found to cause a far greater product in quantity, as well as an increase in the size. They need much attention in other respects, and one third of the old wood must be regularly trimmed out every autumn, by which means a succession of thrifty bearing wood will be kept up. As the finest fruit is prodaced on the young shoots of the previous year's growth, it is also necessary every autumn, to dig in a plenty of old well-rotted manure around them. This treatment will cause them to grow strong, and the fruit to be large and fair. Where the summers are very hot, a northern aspect is preferable, and the fruit will be twice the size if they are planted against a north fence, or in any other situation where they are sheltered from the intense heat of noon-day, which, when differently situated, often scorches the fruit to such a degree as to entirely stop its growth.

THE HIGH CRANBERRY.

a

same ground. As for personal intercourse, a man
A FINE EXTRACT FROM CHERRIES.
who is willing to amuse himself, will then be able to
Whiskey barrel for a brewing cask, cut a stave to
travel four times in a day from the one city to the leave a hole five inches long. As you fill the barrel
other; and, in regard to business, it will be mere with Morello cherries, add twenty pounds of white
amusement for a Washingtonian to go to Baltimore Havana sugar; then add as much good whiskey as
in the morning and arrive at home in the evening the barrel will hold. Over the square, put a piece
with a whole cargo, even of the most bulky articles of catgut or coarse muslin, to keep out insects. A
which enter into commercial transactions. What a stick will stir the contents of the casks, which is ad-
contrast will not this be to the time which we remem-
ber, when the mail stage would leave Baltimore be vantageous to be done every day. At the end of
fifteen days, pour off, by the square, all the liquid,
fore day-light (in the winter season,) and by dint of which put into a whiskey cask; then take the cher-
great exertion, reach here at nine or ten o'clock that ries and pound them in a hominy mortar until
night! In fact, it was often the case, after wet thaw-
ing weather, that the stage did not arrive here until you crack the stones well-return into the cask, ad-
ding, at the same time, twenty pounds of Havana
the day following, and sometimes even late on that white sugar, and six gallons water--stir it daily six
[Nat. Int.
days; then strain off, and squeze out all you can get
from the pulp, adding it to the first drawing-spick-
et the barrel and put it on skids--in a few days it
will refine, and prove to be a delicious extract. To
be drank as you would wine. It will make punch,
with the addition of a proper quantity of lemon
or lime juice, or with water.

day.

"A bill to authorise a Rail-road within the District of

Columbia.

"Be it enacted, &c. That the assent of Congress to the constructing a rail-road, by a company incorporated by the Legislature of Maryland, from Baltimore to the City of Washington, be, and the same is hereby given, to the extent that Congress has jurisdiction of the soil over which it may pass, conceding to said company to exact such tolls, and to enjoy such benefits and privileges, as the act of incorporation of the state of Maryland gives to said corporation, within the limits of the state of Mary land: Provided, In the location of the road, it shall not be lawful for said company to pass through any of the reserved squares or open spaces of the city, without the consent of Congress."

[graphic]

LADIES' DEPARTMENT.

CODE OF INSTRUCTION FOR HUSBANDS.
[Wives need not shew this to their husbands, but
if it fall in their way-very well.]

Few people seem to be aware that this shrub, or small tree, which grows plentifully in the marshes and swamps around us, yielding rich clusters of very handsome fruit, a delicious tart, may be cultivated with ease and success in our gardens and shrubbe ries. Without knowing that the attempt had ever been made, I tried it last spring, with some half dozen shrubs, all of which bore the transplanting very well; for they lived, grew as vigorously as most vegetables do the first year, and some of them bore fine bunches of fruit. The twigs taken off, put out as cuttings, also took, which shows with what facility we may stock our gardens with crantiger. [Rochester Adv.

berries.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON RAIL-
ROAD.

port government.

2. Be careful to act with such discretion and good temper towards your wives, as to allow them lion, it is not wonderful that they should act the no occasion to contradict you. When we play the

1. Let every husband be persuaded that, in the (From the Hunting Directory.) PORTRAIT OF A SPORTSMAN OF THE OLD SCHOOL. government of his family, his authority is para"In the old, but now ruinous mansion of Berwick mount to every other, and that his responsibility is therefore weightier than that of his wife. Let him Hall, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, once lived than stripes inflicted by her; and that whilst she fed and hunted the staunchest pack of fox-hounds recollect that one word from him will go farther the well known William Draper, Esq., who bred, sinks into gentleness and good nature, he must sup-in Europe. Upon an income of only 700 pounds per annum, he brought up, creditably, eleven sons and'daughters; kept a stable of excellent hunters, a kennel of true-bred fox hounds, besides a carrilady and her daughters. He lived in the old hoage with horses, suitable for the convenience of my nest style of his county, killing every month a good s Be careful to bestow upon the standing and ca- ox of his own feeding, and priding himself on pacity of your wives, that respect and affection, maintaining a substantial table, but with no foreign which may seem to be applied in their admission to kickshaws. His general apparel was a long dark a participation in your plans and transactions. By drab hunting coat, a belt round his waist, and a thus consulting them, you will relieve them from strong velvet cap on his head. In his humour he the necessity of giving their advice unsolicited. was very facetious, always having some pleasant 4. Exhibit that unexceptionable morality which story, both in the field and in the hall, so that his The Baltimoreans seem to be really in earnest in no censor, much less an affectionate wife, could company was much sought after by persons of good the plan of making a Rail-road from the Monu- condemn. It is the duty of husbands to be an ex-condition, and which was of great use to him in the mental city to the City of Washington. They have ample of patience, goodness and sobriety to their applied to Congress to allow them to make that part families. of it within the limits of the District, on terms cor- 5. Remember that the condition of a wife, with respondent with those on which it is to be made every possible alleviation, is one of incessant care, within the state of Maryland. A bill for that pur- of nameless inquietudes, and of peculiar suffering. pose has passed the Senate, and has been ordered. 6. Remember also, that whilst the wife is comto a third reading in the House of Representatives. pelled to use the most consummate and self-deny The charge on the transportation of all goods, &c. ing address, to perpetuate the affection of her busis not to exceed a cent a ton per mile for toll; and band, he secures and perpetuates hers at a very three cents a ton for transportation; and for the small expense of pains and attention. transportation of passengers, the charge is not to ex- 7 Exact no more from your wives than you will ceed three cents per mile. This important project, be willing to accord under similar circumstances. if carried into effect, will greatly facilitate intercourse 8. Submit to this code, and your wives will either between this city and Baltimore. The distance will then be travelled in about one half the time which is now required for the travel of the mail stage over the

conform to the foregoing, or else are incurable
Xantippes, and consequently not to be conciliated
by any concession.
[Col. Star.

subsequent advancement of his children. His stables and kennels were kept in such order, that sportsmen observed them as schools for huntsmen and grooms, who were glad to come there without wages, merely to learn their business. When they had obtained proper instruction, he then recommended them to other gentlemen, who wished for no better character than Squire Draper's recommendation. He was always up, during the hunting season, at four in the morning, mounted on one of his nags at five o'clock, himself bringing forth his hounds, who knew every note of their old master's voice. In the field he rode with judgment, avoiding what was unnecessary, and helping his hounds when they were at fault. His daughter D1, who was equally famous at riding, used to assist him,

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