No. 15.-VOL. 9. DEAR SIR, AGRICULTURE. AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, JUNE 29, 1827. 113 animals of the most complicated organization to Carbonic acid also stimulates vegetables to acvegetables, and it will appear difficult to pronounce tion; as also all the neutral salts and metallic oxyds. where the confines of one kingdom terminate and Indeed, Achard, of Berlin, Gough and Cruickshank, Williamsburg, Va. April 23, 1827. the borders of the other begin. Chemical art has, have proved that oxygen is absolutely necessary to In looking over my papers a few days ago, I found however, run the boundary between vegetable and the germination of all seeds, and that no seed will the English manuscript of my Latin Inaugural Dis- animal substances. Ammonia, exclaims the che-germinate in azote, hydrogen or carbonic acid, un sertation on the Vegetation of Plants, when in 1805 mist, is yielded by the putrefaction of the latter, less these gases contain a mixture of oxygen.I was honoured with a medical degree by the Unibut alcohol is developed by the fermentation of the From these facts, it appears that it is only the oxyversity of Edinburgh. As the subject falls within former. Azote, the predominancy of which desig genous portion of the atmosphere which is necessathe prescribed limits of your interesting paper, Inates animal substances, is a production gaseous ry to germination. transmit this production of my earlier years to be and volatile; but carbon, which forms the basis of disposed of as your judgment may ordain. As it vegetables, is an element solid and fixed. was written, so do I send it, with the almost super. fluous remark, that the discoveries of Sir Humphrey Davy, in relation to the alkalies, were unknown at the period when this essay was written. Yours, with respect, J. S. SKINNER, ESQ. S. S. G. VEGETATION. An Inaugural Essay on the Vegetation of Plants-by The vegetable and mineral kingdoms present not this intimate connexion. There we are compelled to acknowledge an internal force, a vis vita, which performs every thing, governs all the processes, and subjects to its designs those agents which have an absolute empire over the mineral kingdom. Here every thing bows to the immutable laws of the affinities. No internal principle regulates the operation of natural agents, and hence we are empowered to determine, modify, and at pleasure vary the action of these different agents. Plants, like animals, experience three different periods in the course of their existence: they have an origin, an increase, and a termination of life. All are found to spring from seeds. In examining a seed we find it to be composed of three principal parts: the corculum, the cotyledons, and integuments When we look abroad and behold the diversified enveloping the two former. The corculum, which appearances which nature every where presents to contains the embryo of the young plant, consists of our view, the mind pauses to inquire whence these a plumula and rostellum. When committed to the changes proceed? Subjects of a physical nature, earth under circumstances favourable to germinawhilst they open and enlarge our conceptions, al- tion, the seed soon puts on a different appearance. ways hold forth such allurements as never fail deep-It swells and increases in bulk, the plumula rises ly to interest the individual who makes them the above the earth and forms itself into the herb; the object of his attention. The astronomer who con rostellum, pursuing a contrary direction, strikes into templates the starry heavens, and is engaged in the the ground and forms the root. sublime discovery of new worlds; the mathemati- In contemplating this change generated in the cian, who applies the principles of his science to seed, we are naturally led to inquire from what the explanation of those laws and forces by which causes it proceeds. What are the circumstances the planets are retained in their orbits, by which accelerating or retarding the germination of plants? they are poised, impelled and ruled; the experi- It is scarcely necessary for me to state, so obmental philosopher, who scans the nature and pro-vious is the fact, that germination will not take perties of light, who to the influence of the solar place without the influence of moisture: for it is beams traces the diversified tinges of colours with well known to us all that seeds will never germinate which bodies are decorated and the prodigious va- so long as they remain in a perfectly dry state. riety of shades under which they appear to our eyes; the chemist, who to the torch of analysis submits the productions of nature, and would seem to participate in the attributes of his Maker, by compounding and decompounding, creating and destroying:-all are amply remunerated for the toil of their investigations by the attractive nature of each subject. Hence, in the cabinets of the curious, seeds never Moisture alone will not effect the germination of plants. The concurrence of heat to a certain de Among inquiries of this kind, surely botanical re-gree is absolutely necessary. Seeds, we know, will searches claim a distinguished rank. The tender green and delicate texture of the leaf; the variegated painting of the flower; the lowly plant rising from the earth, gradually erecting and expanding itself into the stately tree, are objects which powerfully solicit our attention and regard. not vegetate in water cooled to the freezing point. Atmospheric air, or some other gas possessing I advance to the theme of vegetation, not with the properties of this air, is essentially necessary to the presumptuous hope that efforts so feeble and germination. Experiments attest that seeds will imperfect as these, can shed even a ray of new light not grow in the vacuum of an air-pump. From or discernment. The observations of others are this necessity of atmospheric air to germination, here assembled, and their experiments followed. I we readily explain the reason why seeds, lodged appear, then, merely in the hues of reflected vision. deep in the ground, will not vegetate; and why Let, therefore, the appeal which is now made to those nearest to the surface of the earth will be your generosity, shield me from severity! Regard found to spring first. me as enrolled in the lists of emulation, and not as offering at the shrine of vanity or arrogance. When we draw a parallel between the vegetable and animal worlds, we are struck with the simili tude. Numerous and beautiful are the analogies which an inquiry of this nature unfolds. Compared in their state most perfect, the line of demarcation is sufficiently bold; but when we attend more mi nutely to the character of animals, we shall perceive that nature glides by degrees insensible from No. 15.-VOL. 9. From experiments, it appears that seeds vegetate very quickly in oxygen gas, and still more so in oxymuriatic acid. According to the botanical lec tures of a learned Professor, whose pupil, with no small degree of exultation, I call myself, so truly astonishing are the effects of the oxymuriatic acid, that seeds, which had always refused to vegetate, were made to vegetate by irrigating the earth in which they were planted, with water having an impregnation of this acid. According to Dr. Rutherford,* carbon and sulphur are attended with the same effect. Why sulphur and carbon should act in this manner, remains yet to be explored; as they have hitherto resisted chemical decomposition. That earth is not absolutely necessary to the germination of seeds, can be easily demonstrated.— The seeds of different parasitic plants vegetate very quickly in the bark of other vegetables. Some seeds are found to quicken upon the most barren rocks; others germinate in the water and continue to grow entirely remote from the contact of earth. Of these last the lemna and faci afford an example. Philosophers, it appears, have been much divided as to the effect of electricity upon germination. Ingenhour affirms, that the electric fluid is injurious; and even Sennebier, in his Vegetable Physiology, has upon this subject dropped a doubt: "Je ne dirai rien de l'electricité, puisque son influence est, au moins, douteuse." Dr. Darwin strenuously contends for the influence of both positive and negative electricity in accelerating the germination of plants. The Abbe Bertholon, who has written a volume solely upon the effect of electricity as to vegetables, is of opinion, from numerous experiments, that the germination of the seed and future growth of the plant are increased by electricity, both natural and artificial. The renowned discoverer of the azotic gast is fully persuaded of its utility. Amid the contrariety of sentiments I dare not decide. "Non nostrum inter." Ios "tantas componere lites." Light, that subtile fluid, whose influence is so generally diffused, from which the trees derive their tender green, and from whose touch the very dead‡ creation, as it were, assumes a mimic life, is found injurious to the germination of seeds. Ingenhour and Sennebier have clearly established, that seeds always germinate faster when excluded from light, than when exposed to its influence. Indeed the penetration of the gardener has for a long time discovered the necessity of covering seeds, intended for germination, with a stratum of earth. Among other causes inimical to germination, may be enumerated the noxious exhalations of many plants. Some there are which do not permit others to grow near them, and which seem to prefer a solitary life. This circumstance has given rise to a division of plants into solitarice and sociatæ. plants are found so remarkably destructive to vegetable growth, as to present before them a dreary waste without a vestige of vegetation. The Bohon *See his Botanical Lectures. Some See the Lectures of Dr. Rutherford, by whom the above gas was discovered in the year 1772. This beautiful idea is borrowed from the poet of nature. He sings "The very dead Creation, from thy touch, THOMSON'S SUMMER. Upas, whose deleterious effects the poetic genius o Darwin has so beautifully described, here stands in relief. "No spicy nutmeg scents the vernal gales, Nor towering plantain shades the mid-day vales, BOTANIC GARDEN. which it derives various nutritious principles, and been considerably enlarged, and vegetable physioloconveys them to every part of the plant. The herb gists now distinguish sap vessels, proper vessels, arises from the root, and is terminated by the fruc-air vessels, medullary vessels, absorbent vessels, and tification. The fructification is elegantly defined secretory vessels. by Linnæus-"vegetabilium pars temporaria, genera The sap vessels are extremely small, and rise tioni dicata, antiquum terminans, novum incipiens." longitudinally through the roots with lateral deIt includes the flower and fruit. flexions, so as to communicate with all the parts of In examining a vegetable, we now find it to be the vegetable. They convey the sap or common composed of bark and wood. The bark is a gene-juice from the root to every part of the plant. This ral covering to the plant, and consists of three dif- sap is a clear, thin fluid, which is directly formed ferent tunics: the epidermis, the cortex and the liber. by the elaboration of the various substances taken The epidermis is a thin membrane, formed of up as pabula by plants. That the sap ascends is From what has been already observed, we see fibres variously decussating each other. Sometimes manifest. If, in the spring, a number of incisions the circumstances necessary to germination: it now its texture is so thin, that by holding it against the be made, the sap will always flow from the lowest remains for us to offer a few reflections upon the light the course of its fibres may readily be observ-incision and gradually ascend higher and higher mode in which this phenomenon takes place. It ed. When of considerable thickness, it is capable until it reaches the most distant wound. If you has been stated above that every seed is composed of being split into a number of strata or layers - divest a plant of its bark, it notwithstanding conof cotyledons. These cotyledons are found, on ex According to Dr Rutherford, the epidermis of the tinues to vegetate, which could not be the case if amination, to contain a quantity of farinaceous mat birch tree may be split into layers as thin as the sap ascended through the bark. Nor does it ter, destined for the food of the embryo plant. It paper. ascend between the bark and wood; for if a corsiis from the chemical changes which this farinaceous It serves to moderate the transpiration of the derable incision be made so as to penetrate even matter undergoes, that the phenomena of vegeta- | plant, and to prevent the exsiccation and exfolia the wood, the plant is still found to vegetate, if the tion result. Chemical researches have discovered tion of the parts below. external air be excluded. The sap, then, ascends that atmospheric air, emphatically styled "the breath The cortex is an integument intermediate be through the wood. of life," is compounded of oxygen, and azote, or ni- tween the epidermis and liber. Its structure is la- From the experiments of Dr. Hales, as detailed trogen. When then a seed is favourably situated mellated. These cortical plates are formed of a in his Vegetable Statics, it appears that the force for vegetation, it gradually imbibes moisture and network of longitudinal fibres, presenting meshes with which the sap ascends is so great, as to be caheat to a certain degree The humidity dissolves of various sizes. Microscopically examined, it is pable of sustaining a column of mercury equal to and mixes with the farinaceous matter, at the same similar to the epidermis, differing from it, however, 32 inches in height. Many theories have been time oxygen is absorbed from the atmosphere, by in having its cells filled with a green matter, term- offered with regard to the ascent of the sap and this which the farinaceous matter is converted into sued parenchyma. These interstices, or cells, are velocity of its motion. The two conjectures which gar and carbonic acid is evolved. The carbonic named utricles. It is here that digestion is carried have most claimed the attention of philosophers, acid emitted contains precisely the same quantity on; it is here that the colouring matter of vegeta-are those drawn from capillary attraction and irritaof oxygen which has been absorbed. Hence it is bles is evolved; it is here that oils and resins are bility. The general use of the bark is to preserve the parts it covers in a proper degree of succulency, to prevent the too great sponginess, and also the too great increase of the wood. finitely minute, the ascent of the water cannot take place whenever its particles are larger than the bore of the tube. The rise of water in capillary tubes must consequently be limited. If these tubes exceed a certain length, however small their bore, water will either not ascend to the top of them, or it will not enter them at all. In a capillary tube, whose of water, we have no method of ascertaining the precise height to which water would rise We de not therefore know the limit of the height to which water may be raised by capillary attraction clear that the saccharine change of the farina is formed by the decomposition of water and carbonic We know that the heights to which liquids rise owing to a diminution of its carbon, and conse-acid; it is from this part of structure that the dif in capillary tubes are inversely as the diameter of quently an augmentation of its hydrogen and oxy-ferent products of the organization are thrown off-the tube. But as the particles of water are not ingen. Sugar, when analyzed, is always found to be "qui sont," to borrow the language of an ingenious a compound of those two gases and carbon. When writer, "comme les feces de la digestion vegetale." the farinaceous matter has in this manner been con- The liber is the inmost integument, lying be verted into sugar, a variety of vessels are found to tween the cortex and wood. Its structure is also arrange themselves in the cotyledons. Ramifica lamellated. In proportion to the age of the plant, tions from these vessels are observed to pass into these lamella increase in number. Like the cortex, it the root and distributed through every part of it. presents the appearance of a network; the meshes The farinaceous matter of the cotyledons is un-of this network becoming wider and wider, accord-bore is just large enough to admit a single particle doubtedly conveyed by these branches to the radiing to its distance from the wood. It is the most cle; for an immediate stay is put to germination if important portion of the bark: this is evident, not the cotyledons be removed. The radicle increases only from its annual conversion into wood, but also in size from this reception of nutriment; it strikes from the injury sustained by trees when deprived into the earth, and soon becomes capable of extract- of their liber. Again-in many plants we remark sap vessels ing the nourishment necessary for the future growth having a diameter too large for the exertion of caof the plant. When the radicle has shot into the pillary attraction to any extent; and yet we find the ground, the cotyledons rise above the surface, formsap to rise in such plants to very great heights. If ing themselves into what are termed seed-leaves. the ascent of the sap were owing to capillary atAfter the appearance of these seminal leaves, the The wood is immediately enclosed by the bark, traction, instead of flowing with considerable force plumula gradually enlarges in size, and expands it- and is composed of concentric layers or rings.- from the extremity of a branch, it would not flow self into branches. When the plumula is thus far The interior rings are harder than the exterior. at all. Suppose we take a capillary tube of such a advanced in growth, the seminal leaves droop, wi-The former constitute the wood; but the latter, bore that a liquid will ascend in it ten inches; and ther and fall, the plant no longer requiring any being of a softer nature, form what is termed by suppose that, after the liquid has gained its greatest nourishment from them. As between the cotyle- Linnæus, the alburnum. The alburnum, or blea is, height, we break it short five inches from the botdons and plumula no vascular communication has then, a soft substance situated between the wood tom-the tube, thus abridged, continues indeed full, been detected, and as the plumula never starts from and liber, and is nothing more than imperfect wood but not a single particle of liquid ever escapes. The the seed until the radicle has vegetated somewhat, not having acquired the requisite degree of hard- film, at the superior extremity of the tube, must the plumula must derive its nutrition from the ra- ness. The proportion of alburnum to the formed certainly exert as strong an attraction for the liquid dicle. wood is smaller in healthy and vigorous plants. as the film at the inferior extremity. As part of the Thus we see that in the germination of seeds The wood itself is browner, harder and denser than liquid is within its distance of attraction, and as the following circumstances take place. The coty- the alburnum. It is composed of concentric layers there is no part of the tube above to counterbalance Fedons contain farinaceous matter; this by the oxy-applied over each other like the coats of an onion. this attraction, it must necessarily attract the liquid gen of the atmosphere is converted into sugar, and These layers increase in density the nearer they nearest it, and with a power adequate to counterbacarried by a distribution of vessels to the radicle. are to the centre. The centre, or axis of the wood lance the attraction of the undermost film, how The radicle now commences its growth, sends nou is occupied by the pith, which is a vesicular sub-great soever we may suppose that attraction to be. rishment to the plumula which rears itself above stance The pith is found to be much more abun- No liquid, then, can be forced up, and consequently the earth into all the lovely variety of stem and dant in young plants than in those farther advanc- none can flow out of the tube. branch, and leaf and flower, and fructification. ed in age. In some plants, as in the bamboo, it is entirely dried up. Having traced the progress of a plant as it shoots from the earth and divides itself into branches, proceed now to inquire int its structure. A plant in this advanced state of vegetation, is by Linnæus divided into the root, the herb, and fructification. The root, we know, descends into the earth, from Plants being bodies of organic structure, are supplied with vessels of various kinds Since the days of Linnæus this department of our knowledge has *Sce his Lectures on Botany. This species of attraction may explain the admission of moisture into the mouths or orifices of the sap vessels; but beyond this the idea of capillary attraction must be rejected. That plants are endowed with an irritable principle, is evident from their susceptibility to external impressions. The Mimosa, we find, shrinks from the rude touch, as if tremulously alive to the vio-ward; Wither. Arr.; F. Bot. 971; F. Dan. 992. This worth thirty shillings per acre, and yet continues in lence; and "One, the lofty follower of the Sun, plant has such a general resemblance to the proper good proof. These extracts shew the high opinion trefoils or clovers, that it is often mistaken for some which was entertained of this plant above one hunof the smaller species. The form and colour of dred years ago; but this was, no doubt, in a great the seed-pods afford a ready mark of distinction. measure owing to the small number of plants then "Native of Britain. Root annual; in some situa-known for sowing in the farm. tions biennial. "The experiments that have here been made ou Indeed, the effects of light and of heat, of soil and "We are informed in Mr. Young's Annals of this plant were confined to a clayey loam and a of moisture; the sleep and vigilance of plants; their Agriculture, that this plant has been much sown of light siliceous soil. Upon these it was evidently ingermination, florescence, fructification and decay-late years for sheep food in open fields, where it is ferior to the broad-leaved and perennial red clover; present beautiful illustrations of an irritable princi-a considerable improvement; first, for the sweet but on chalky and gravelly soils there have been ple. Arguing from this principle of irritability in food; and then, to help the land by ploughing it in, abundant proofs of the superior value of sainfoin. plants, Saussure has undertaken to explain the mo getting a good crop of wheat after it on indifferent After the ample details of the uses and cultivation tion of their sap. According to this philosopher, soils. Mr. Zappa, of Milan, says, that it likes deep of sainfoin, given in Mr. Young's Annals, it will be the sap enters the open mouths of the vessels at ground, rich, and exposed to the sun; multiplies difficult to add any thing new. It is a perennial the extremity of the roots; these mouths then con- very well from the seed, grows chiefly in the spring, plant, and produces but little herbage the first year, tract, and by that contraction propel the sap up-flowering at the beginning of May, and ripening and on that account should not be sown on land wards: this contraction Saussure supposes gradual- the seed at the beginning of June; it grows but lit- that is intended to remain only two years under ly to follow the course of the sap, pushing it up tie towards the end of summer and autumn. It is grass. In Mr. Young's Annals, we are informed, from the extremity of the root to the summit of the cut with Poa trivialis, fifteen inches high, but is na that sainfoin is allowed on all hands to be an admiplant. turally procumbent. The seed of this plant falls rable improvement on limestone rocks and chalk From the experiments of Dr. Walker, as narrated so readily, that great loss ensues from moving it; downs, which, in order to be cultivated to the greatin the Edinburgh Transactions, heat acts a very and, in thrashing, the least stroke clears it. It is a est advantage, should be in this course, with no important part in causing the sap's motion. Hav- good way, therefore, to thrash it in the field on a more arable than is necessary for the changeing made a number of incisions at some distance in cloth, which is moved to the seed, and not the seed Thus, if sainfoin last sixteen years, as it certainly a young birch tree, before the sap began to rise, he to the cloth. This account, extracted from Mr. will if properly managed, then sixteen parts of the found it to flow from the lowest incision and gra Young's Annals, perfectly agrees with what I have down should be sainfoin, and as many more parts dually to the highest, and that when it had pervad-observed of the habits of this plant, only that it as there are years necessary for tillage, before the does not flower here till the middle or end of Mayground should be sowed with it again: suppose this For light soils only it appears to be adapted, and period to be five years, the portions would then be these must be deep, as the root penetrates to a con- 16 sainfoin; 1 sainfoin pared and burnt, and under siderable depth, and is but little fibrous. It does turnips; 1 barley or oats; 1 clover; 1 wheat; 1 turnot appear fit for separate cultivation, nor even to nips; 1 barley or oats, and with this crop sainfoin be employed in a large proportion in a mixture of sown again=22. In another part we are informed other seeds. The root is annual, or at most a two- that sainfoin is also a great improvement in thin, year-lived plant, and its use is therefore confined to loose, dry, sandy loams, upon marl or chalk botthe alternate husbandry. To sow the seeds of this toms. plant with others on land intended to remain for "Thin soils that wear out, or tire of clover, are permanent pasture, would be subversive of the inlaid down to great advantage with it, will last twentention; as every spot this plant occupied would be ty years, and pay the farmer as well as his best corn naked the second year, and these spots afford every crops. If a flock of sheep be an object of primary encouragement to the growth of weeds, as well as importance, this plant will afford them plenty of These circumstances seem to prove that the sap the decaying roots afford nourishment to the life dry food for winter, in hard weather. An acre of is propelled by some action of the vessels, and that of grubs." indifferent land will yield two tons of sainfoin dry, this action is much influenced by heat. But what This plant, which is not a grass, but allied to the and therefore twenty acres will serve 1000 sheep change is produced in the vessels of the plant, and clovers, is naturalized in the United States, particu- for a month, supposing a sheep eats three pounds in what manner such change is effected, we are en-larly in the south; but has probably not been cultiof hay in a day, which is a large allowance. Now, tirely ignorant. Nature has spread a mystic shade vated, and may not be worth the trouble, inasmuch the expense of an acre of sainfoin, including fourover this part of her operations, which the keen as we have the red clover in such perfection. teen shillings for rent, tithe, and poor, is about one eye of human penetration has not as yet pierced "HEDYSARUM Onobrychis. Sainfoin, or Cock's-pound; whereas, that of an acre of turnips will be Here every thing is dark; every thing undiscerned! head. two pounds seven shillings. Eight acres and a "Quale per incertam Lunam sub Luce maligna "Generic character-Keel transversely obtuse: le-half of turnips, then, balance twenty acres of sainEst Iter in Silvis, ubi Cœlum condidit umbra gume jointed, with one seed in each joint. foin. Now 1000 sheep will eat two acres and a Jupiter, et rebus Nox abstulit atra colorem." "Specific character-Legumes one-seeded, prick half of turnips in a day, and, therefore, seventyly; wings of the corolla equal in length to the calyx; five acres will be required for a month; or at the stem elongated. lowest calculation, twenty-four acres; the expense of which is 56l. 8s. to be set against 201., the expense of sainfoin." ed the plant, opening buds appeared; the incisions now ceasing to yield any more sap, 1st. in the upper part of the tree, and successively downwards in the lower parts. When the meridian heat was not greater than 40° F. the sap, he observed, did not ascend; when the thermometer indicated 45° at noon, it merely rose about one foot in two days; and when the thermometer, at noon, was about 49°, or its range between 46 and 50°, it ascended about one foot in twenty-four hours. He also observed that the motion of the sap was more rapid through young than old branches, and that it flowed more copiously from an inverted, than from an erect branch. (To be concluded in our next.) VIRGIL. ON GRASSES AND OTHER PLANTS. Extracts from G. Sinclair's Hortus Gramineus with "Specific character-Spikes oval; seed vessel kidney-shaped, with one cell and one seed; stems trailing. 46 Obs. Stems round, striated, at first procumbent, in flower ascending; stipules in pairs, oval lanceolate, terminated by a long point with mem This plant, which also belongs to the Leguminobranaceous edges, sometimes fringed with a few see, and not to the grasses, is but little known in hairs. Leaflets eight or ten pairs, rather distant, the United States, though it appears to have been and an odd one; lower elliptical, upper lanceolate cultivated to a considerable extent in Europe. It or linear-lanceolate, all with projecting points at is understood that the Hon WM. H. CRAWFORD, Of the end; young ones with the mid-rib beneath, Georgia, introduced it in o 'he southern states some and the margins fringed with hairs. Legume he-years ago; but with what success is not known. mispherical, compressed with wrinkled prominen(To be continued.) ces. "Sainfoin grows wild in all the chalky districts in THE PARENT PLANT OF THE POTATOE, England; but it was first introduced to English Obs.-Stems trailing, unless supported by the farmers as a plant for cultivation from Flanders and Samuel L. Mitchell to Nathaniel H. Carter, Corresplants with which it grows; about a foot long, some France, where it has been long cultivated. Parkinponding Secretary of the New York Horticultural Society. what angular, slightly hairy, branched. Leaves ob- son, in the year 1640, says, that it is 'generally ovate, or wedge-shaped, toothed towards the top, known to be a singular food for cattle, causing them the mid-rib lengthened out to a short broad point, to give store of milk.' Worlidge, in his Mystery soft, pubescent, particularly on the under side. of Husbandry, &c. (1681,) treats of sainfoin at Flowers smail, yellow, from thirty to forty, and up-large: 'In Wiltshire, in several places,' says he, wards, in a head which is at first roundish, after there are precedents of sainfoin that has been wards oval. Legume striated and wrinkled, some there twenty years growing on poor land, and has what bisped with rigid hairs, turning black when so far improved the same, that from a noble per ripe. Seed ovate, smooth, yellowish. Curtis; Wood-acre, twenty acres together have been certainly DEAR SIR, New York, June 21, 1827. I this afternoon received, through Dr. Tinslar, of the United States navy, two dozen tubers, or oblong and roundish roots of the wild potatoe. He brought them from their native region in Chili. They are perfectly distinct from the species which grows without culture on certain high lands in Peru; more especially those of St. Lorenzo island. The latter MAMMOTH HOG. are shagged, with little roots like hairs, and have if so, it is probably beyond the ingenuity or indus- Jing rum by the barrel, in Boston, or his labourers, their eyes or sprouting points at one extremity only; try of man to apply a remedy. But, on the other and used annually about five arrels. He saw the while the former are smooth, and have germinating hand, if it proceeds from careless farming, cultivat-habit of using it was gaining rength in himself, and He therefore resolved to use no more; spots distributed over much of the surface, like our ing or encouraging its growth, whether willingly or in his men. common potatoe. not, then the remedy is essentially found in dili- and offered his men one dollar monthly, in addition There has been considerable discussion, you gence and clean farming. As the advocates for the to their former wages if they would dispense with it know, concerning the origin and derivation of this doctrine say, there is a great propensity in the altogether. They readily acceded to this proposal; esculent vegetable. It has been inquired with some wheat this season to turn to cheat; having observ and during the last five years, he has neither used it His work has solicitude, what is really the country of the Solanum ed it, and in great luxuriance, I have made many himself, nor furnished it for his men. tuberosum? and where does it exist without culti-examinations, in order to derive as much insight as been done quicker and better than ever before. He vation at the present day? possible-and the following circumstances, promi-has saved, he says, more than one thousand dollars I consider the articles I have received, as afford-nent amongst others, has invariably attended the in money, Five or six of his neighbours, having ing answers of a satisfactory kind to both questions. research. The cheat stem throughout is entirely large farms, have seen his success, and imitated his [Boston pa. The potatoe, whence our domestic stock is deriv- uninjured by the autumnal deposits of the fly, exhi- example. ed, is an inhabitant of South America, and is at biting a fairness and perfect exemption from the this time thriving without human care or protection black or coloured places to be found on the injured in Chili. wheat stem, which has unquestionably been caused A sloop arrived at Burlington, Vermont, a few The specimens are small; some of them being not by the fly. If this be the fact, is it not the strong-days since with a cargo of 115 live hogs from so large as nutmegs. Through inadvertence, they est presumptive evidence that the fly has rejected Whitehall, for the Montreal market. The larg have been kept on ship-board until now, and some the vegetation now bearing cheat in the fall of the est is of the grass fed breed, 5 years old, weighs of them have pushed forth shoots. year, because it was entirely different in its origin 1148 lbs., measures 6 feet in length, and girths 6 from the wheat growing immediately in its neigh feet 10 inches. The next is of the Byfield breed, bourhood, as tempting, and perhaps in its nature a 24 years old, weighs 1040 lbs. measures 6 feet and complete resister of the fly? There is a prospect girths 6 feet 7 inches. The last mentioned hog with us of half a crop of wheat, which will be sub has gained, for about three months past, 3 lbs. per ject to a heavy loss if the weevil should be as inju-day. Our fellow-citizens have now an opportunity of rious this season as it was the last. The New York seeing with their own eyes; and, by just distribu-white flint, which some insist to be nothing more than tion, some of our cultivators may make a fair expe- the Lawler, and truly is becoming more and more like riment. I think the season is not yet too late, as it as it becomes acclimated to our region, is amongst the object is rather to determine the botanical cha- our most thrifty and promising grain, though far racter than to procure a crop. For attaining this from being fly proof. Nevertheless, we would think end, our samples must not be kept for exhibition too it prudent when a further importation or change of long, but be soon committed to the soil. seed is necessary, to offer our enterprising brethren the New Yorkers, bushel for bushel, instead of a high cash price, under an impression there might Before giving a particular account of the Mulber be an actual benefit-though indeed we have nonery and its cultivation, I will speak of the quantity of of the fly proof kind, we have wheats of equal pro-silk obtained from the Silk Worm. The length of ductiveness when farmed well, and of superior flour the fibre is from 200 to 800 yards, l'Abbé Rozier than that north or east of us. Our grass crops are very light and corn low-harvest threatening by the I am, dear sir, yours, Their appearance confirms the statement made by Joseph Sabine, Esq. in his memoir on the native country of the wild potatoe, as printed in the fourth volume of the London Horticultural Transactions, page 349, &c. with figures of the tubers. I congratulate you on this occurrence, as shed ding a benign light upon this department of phytolo gical and agronomical science; and on the manner by which it has been brought about. rence, SAMUEL L. MITCHELL. POTATOES. 25th or 28th of June. SALT. A FARMER. The editor of the Irish Farmer's Journal relates, in his paper of October 21, an experiment made in his own garden at Rathfarnham, near Dublin, to asoertain the effect of artificial watering on the potatoe. Though the water was not given in sufficient We know many Irish farmers who lately tried instead of in the furrow between the drills, still salt as a manure, and the result of their experiment quantities, and apparently was poured on the drill, the result was in favour of watering, In the south establishes the justice of English recommendations of France and in Italy, about Avignon and Flo- on the subject. Sir Thomas Bernard recommends for example, the potatoe is grown in the fields one bushel to one acre, on the good authority of a in rows, and as soon as they are earthed up the wa- gentleman who made a series of experiments on salt ter is admitted, twice a week, ten or twelve hours as a manure, and held, that the proportion of a each time, in the furrows between the rows, so that bushel to one acre answered best, and the land was the soil and subsoil is as thoroughly soaked as in more productive. Farmers should not overlook this fact, that corn watering grass lands. In the vale of the Arno, every description of crop is grown in drills, and water-grown on land manured by sea-weed, or grown on sea land, is peculiarly rich and luxuriant. Whence ed in this manner; and although the practice of watering arable lands does not suit the cold and moist arises this peculiar richness of growth, if not from climate of the British isles, yet when it is tried, the the circumstance of the land being impregnated [Irish Farm. Jour. process observed in countries where it is carried on successfully on a large scale, should be imitated.— A correspondent of the Dublin editor judiciously recommends making holes with sticks among the roots of the plants, at least a foot deep, and pouring the water into them. WHEAT-CHEAT. White Post, Frederick co., Va., May 26, 1827. with salt? COTTON. HORTICULTURE. (From the Philadelphia Album.) ON THE CULTIVATION OF SILK. By Doctor John T. Sharpless, of Philadelphia. (Continued from p. 109.) allows even 3 miles. L'Abbé Šauvage says, by par- troy cocoons 2.15 14,640 It is stated that the consumption of raw cotton in France and Switzerland in 1825, was 230,000 bales; in 1826. 280,000 bales. The present consumption in the United States is supposed to be from 175 to 200,000 bales; and if our domestic manufactures continue to increase, as they have done for a few Mr John Fitch, of Mansfield, Conn. who has years past, our consumption at home will soon ex-kindly devoted much time to me on the subject, esceed France and Switzerland united. This would timates the attendance near the same. serve to keep up the price of cotton. [Raleigh Reg. MR. SKINNER, As respects the care of the cocoon, Dondola considers the labour of 12 persons sufficient to gather from the bushes and put out to dry, 6000 pounds of balls per day. Mr. Fitch declares, that 5 persons in 15 days can pick off and reel 40 pounds of silk, or 130,000 cocoons. I will now give, with some detail, a description of the food best adapted to the purpose of producing the largest quantity of the first quality of silk, and| of the most approved mode of raising it. As I before mentioned, the White Mulberry appears to suit the animal better than any other, though in Calabria the Red is preferred, and in Grenada the Black alone is cultivated. If a worm is supplied with a mixture of the different kinds, it will first eat the White, then the Red, and lastly the Black. In France and Italy, the seed is sown in the spring, There are few sources of higher intellectual eneither clean or in the dried pulp, in good ground, joyment than the contemplation of the vegetable prepared as for grain, and the plants are merely kingdom. We there discover the wisdom and bekept from being crowded by stems or branches for nevolence of the Deity in a thousand varied forms, three years, when they are transplanted one foot claiming from man, for whom those attributes were and a half apart, the long tapering root being cut off brought into exercise, his homage and his gratitude. that the side radicals may grow. If Engrafting is Sussex, June 5. A VISITOR. practised, the stem is cut down and the eye set in During last summer, I embraced many opportu- as near the ground as possible, in July, after the rePRODIGIOUS CUCUMBER. nities of observing the comparative increase on dif-moval. It is now treated in the Chinese mode of Mr. Winter, of Shurford, near this town, has a ferent sorts of food, and worms of the same size at trimming, till it is of a height not too great to be cucumber growing in his garden, which measures the commencement of the experiment, grew more readily reached from the ground. In the fifth year four feet eight inches long; it has grown four inches than as fast again on the white as the red. they are permanently set out at such distances as to in length since Sunday evening last, and from its allow the branches sufficient room. The tree is also appearance is likely to grow to the uncommon propagated by cuttings, and this would appear to be length of six feet. [Taunton Courier. the most rapid mode of growth; but the Rev. Samuel Pullein, of Georgia, who wrote in the latter part of the last century, says, that the seed will produce a In the garden of John Marsden, at Hornby Castree as soon, and will be of a better quality. If Cut-tle, near Lancaster, were taken up, last week, sevetings be employed, he recommends that large ral extraordinary carrots: one of them, which was branches be taken from old trees, and laid in trench-17 inches long, and 12 inches in circumference, at es with the side shoots extending above the ground the thickest part, weighed 4 lb. 7 oz. Three others for several inches. These branches should be four were 20 inches long each, and weighed respectively feet apart, and at the end of two years, the shoots 4 lb. 1 oz., 8 lb. 13 oz., and 3 lb. 8 oz. The roots are separated and transplanted in rows running were fine, firm, and in every respect eligible for the from north to south, that the two sides may receive the sun, and the dew be dried off early. He thinks. they should be kept flat like espaliers, and not allowed to shoot forward towards the other rows. Six feet in height he proposes as the maximum, and the leaves must not be taken before the fourth year. (To be concluded in our next.) The food next best adapted to the animal is the Lettuce, and when the mulberry cannot be procured it should be used. Experiments within a few years seem to indicate that the cabbaged Lettuce, if the animals and leaves be preserved quite warm, will answer, not only for an occasional meal, but for their only nourishment. If these experiments are verified, a far more abundant supply can be raised more easily, and one great advantage is gained of always having dry food at command, by means of the internal leaves; during the longest season of rain. Many other articles have been employed at different times, but they all have failed of producing good silk. Considering the mulberry then, as the suitable food, I will now give a description of the best modes of culture, so many plans having been proposed that too much time would be occupied in a complete ac count. This tree is termed, in Botanical language, Morus, and of this there are several species, as the Alba, Rubra, Nigra, &c. As we have decided the White to be the most useful, I shall confine my attention to it, though there is no doubt the same plans will answer for all. (From the Delaware Gazette.) Mr. Harker.-Permit me to express, through the It is not a native of this country, having been medium of your useful paper, the satisfaction I rebrought from the East; but has adapted itself so en-cently enjoyed in a visit to the splendid and useful tirely to our climate, that it will grow in every va establishment of Messrs David and Cuthbert Lanriety of soil and situation. Several varieties of the dreth, Nursery and Seedsmen, near Philadelphia. white Mulberry are cultivated, as the rose leaved, or Spanish; the broad leaved; the middle size leaf, and the small, or double leaved. The middle bears a foliage of a dark green colour, very thick, and produces abundance of leaves, is very nutritious, and the worms fed on it grow very fast; but it does not produce much silk. The double leaved is by far the best; though not so juicy, it abounds in the resinous matter that becomes the silk. In this kind, the leaves are small, of a dark, shining green, and divided into two or three lobes. If any thing could increase the pleasure I enjoyed in entering upon those extensive, and highly culti vated grounds, enriched with the choicest, and most expensive native and exotick plants, arranged in the neatest and most scientific manner, it was the spontaneous and unwearied exertions of the proprietors, to render me every facility of observation, and to impart every necessary information within their power. table. CARROTS. CATERPILLARS. [Lane. Gaz. A correspondent of the Newburyport Herald states, that he has completely destroyed the caterpillars on the trees in his garden by simply laying a rag dipped in linseed or sperm oil, on the end of a pole, and rubbing the nests with it. RURAL ECONOMY. TO REMOVE FROM MILK THE TASTE OF GARLIC. MR. SKINNER, Harford county, June 14, 1827. Sir,-As I lately sat perusing the Monthly Magazine, my eye rested upon a subject which I thought might not be uninteresting to some of your numerous readers; and I now take the liberty of sending it to you for insertion in your useful paper, if you should think proper. It ran as follows: "An easy method of removing the taste of garlic, or of turnips, from milk, and thus preventing it in butter. "As the dairy is found of much importance to Indeed the attention paid to their numerous visit-the agricultural interests of this country, the followors, entitle those gentlemen to the highest praise; ing is offered to the public through the medium of The Mulberry has been propagated by sowing and must, doubtless, call forth from a refined and your miscellany. The object of the present essay, the seed broad cast, and mowing; or selecting the generous public, a corresponding disposition to ren-is to avoid an inconvenience to which our dairy is best shoots for transplanting; and by planting the der those grounds, which afford so much rational subjected, and to convert it into an advantage. 'The seed in drills. If the Grain be used, it must be taken enjoyment, very profitable to their worthy owners. following plan is recommended, as a method of rewhen the fruit is perfectly ripe, and from a good Upon first entering the nurseries, I was astonished moving the garlicky taste from milk, and producing quality of tree, and either allowed to dry in the pulp, at their extent: about forty acres are appropriated sweet good butter, in place of that which is geneor mashed and washed till clean. In Europe, when to raising garden seeds, fruit trees, ornamental rally considered so disagreeable. the seed is used, the drills are always preferred; and plants, &c. &c. embracing the largest collection, per- "When the milk is new from the cow, pour one in China both methods are practised. Duhalde re-haps, in the United States, of the most beautiful quart of boiling water into every gallon of milk; lates, that when the drills are employed in the East, productions of Europe, Asia and Africa. The me- stir it through and put the whole into broad shallow the seed is first soaked in strong lye, and sowed in thod of cultivation, adopted by the Messrs. Lan-dishes, so that it will not be above two inches deep. ground that has been enriched with ashes or the dreths, is at once tasteful and scientific; every at Let these dishes be placed on an open shelf, that mud from rivers and marshes, and in the following tention being paid, at the same time, to the quality the vapour may pass freely and entirely away.fall or spring the shoots are carefully trimmed of all of the seed and plants, so as to produce them in as When the milk has stood in this manner twelve the crooked branches, and the deformed stems cut great perfection as possible. The productions of hours, it may be put into the churn altogether, or down that they may start anew. But four eyes are their nurseries, do indeed, appear to be of the best only the cream, as may be most agreeable to the left on each main branch, and after the first year quality; and, I was pleased to hear, were eagerly taste or practice of the operator. Milk from cows the main stem is left untouched to shoot up to its sought after from all parts of the Union. that have pastured on garlic, when managed in this height of six feet, whilst the side limbs are kept These nurseries are becoming daily more inter-way, will be quite sweet. The plan here proposed quite close. When this height is attained, it is then esting to the people of this country; as we increase is founded on analogous experience. kept down and the sides spring forth, till the whole our stock of the necessaries of life, it is innocent, it "The feeding of cows on turnips communicates bush resembles an inverted cone. The middie of is useful, to cultivate a refined taste for the beauties a disagreeable odour and taste to the milk and butthe tree is at all times kept open by trimming, that of Nature. I would here beg leave, respectfully to ter; but in many parts of Britain they make excelthe sun and air may have free access. They are recommend them to the attention of the people of lent butter from turnip-fed cows, by a plan similar transplanted the second year to the distance of eight Delaware, as there, every facility is afforded them to the foregoing. The bad taste of the turnip conpaces, and thus remain. In a few years they are for obtaining upon easy terms, a choice collection sists in some volatile substance which is evaporated cut down to near the ground and spring again, or of fruit and ornamental trees, plants and seed of by the hot water. Garlic is much of the same naan eye is set in. every kind, in great perfection. ture, but probably more volatile. Biscuit, baked from |