MACHINE FOR DIGGING POTATOES. PROSPECT OF CROPS. J. S. SKINNER, ESQ. Auburn, N. Y., June 30, 1827. By order of the Society, RICHARD PETERS, President. be taken into consideration. This serious addition | the common medium of conveyance to the ocean, Mr. Michael Barry, (of Swords, Ire.) has invent- to the usual income of the farmers, derived from which is equal to a superficial surface of 3000 square the culture of silk, may be considered as so much miles; this territory will support a population of ed a machine, simple in its construction and princi-clear gain, for from personal inquiries made on the 500,000 inhabitants. The rail-way having reached ple, by which, with two horses and one attendant, an acre of potatoes can be dug out in one hour. spot by a member of this society, it was ascertain Dayton-the head of the Miami canal-the trade of Also, an acre of ground, previously ploughed for ed, that it did not interfere with the regular crops, the whole of the upper valley of the Great Miami and it was even acknowledged by some, that they river, with its numerous tributaries, together with pats or other grain, can be harrowed by it in an received more money from the sale of their silk, the whole valley of Mad river, would pass over it to bour, with two horses and one attendant-thereby effecting, in the branch of harrowing, a saving of than they did from the produce of their farms. It Baltimore. The territory watered by these rivers upwards of 93 per cent.; or, in other words, doing fered to farmers in other states to attend to this pro- of 2,000,000 of souls; the trade referred to would, is presumed that no greater inducement need be of is believed to be capable of sustaining a population the work of 32 horses and 16 attendants, with 2 fitable branch of business. at all times, seek a market over this road. It may horses and 1 attendant. be fairly estimated, that for five months in the year the Ohio river, between the mouth of the Scioto river and Pittsburg, is closed-three months in the In addition to the foregoing, it is suggested that summer and two months in the winter. During this those who have amused themselves by rearing silk suspension of the navigation of the Ohio, a larger worms this season, in small quantities, will find it proportion, (if not the whole amount of it) of the more to their profit to permit the papillons or moths trade of the southern section of the Miami valley and the contiguous territory of Kentucky and Indito pierce the cocoons, and to lay their eggs, than to kill the worms by baking them, in order to wind off calculate what would be the exports of this vast disana, would pass over this river to the sea board. To the silk, as there will be, most probably, a great de-trict of country, would be to estimate the producmand for the eggs next season, and no use can be tive power of the labour of millions of freemen.— made of the silk if reeled, there being no persons The utmost stretch of the human imagination, aided engaged in this part of the United States in pre- by the examples of other countries, are inadequate paring it for manufacture. The cocoons, even af ter being pierced, may be used to advantage for to it. It is believed that in twenty years, one set of rails would be insufficient to transport it to the spinning, by putting them into a bag, and boiling them for about an hour in water in which some corn-meal, beef, pork, whiskey, hemp, wool, tobacThe staples of this country will be flour, soap has been dissolved, and turning them inside co, &c. &c. Its manufactures-iron, wool, cotton, out, when dry. The silk will become beautifully cotton-bagging, bale-rope, cordage, oil, paper, &c.; white and soft. If the owners do not wish to work and its imports will consist of all the comforts and up the silk, they are advised to keep their stock un- luxuries which will be consumed by an industrious, til the next season, when it is expected that a pur-free, and an intelligent people. The distance from chaser will be found for it; and for all the cocoons that have been formed, whether pierced or perfect. Sir,-Our harvest is near at hand; I think I shall commence my rye harvest in ten days, and wheat in fifteen. Prospects, generally, were never better. The latter part of May, and forepart of June, we suffered for the want of rain; and the Indian corn was much injured by the cut-worm, and that crop will be much lighter than it otherwise would have been. Oats and barley are now promising, and the meadows are in some measure recovering from the effects of the drought. The wool grower is still depressed; and, unless he can receive aid from the government by protecting duties, must abandon that branch of agriculture altogether. HORTICULTURE. CULTURE OF SILK. SILK WORMS. The successful experiments in the culture of silk, in different parts of North America, before the war of the revolution, and those which have since been made, and are now making in Connecticut and Philadelphia, leave not a doubt that the nurture of the silk worm may be advantageously prosecuted in the United States. The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, therefore, think it their duty to recommend the extensive cultivation of the white mulberry tree, the leaves of which, it is generally known, are the best food for this invaluable insect. The trees may be propagated either from seeds or latter is much more brilliant. cuttings. The ripe fruit may be sown in drills in rich earth, and if slightly covered, they will quickly J. M. From comparative observations which have been made on the silk from Italian worms with yellow balls, and the Chinese race with white balls, it is proved that although the silk produced by the former is much more abundant, that produced by the ocean. of the work. Dayton to Baltimore, by the way of the rail-road, would be less than 500 miles. A barrel of flour could be transported from the first to the last point in five days-whilst to take it from Dayton to the city of New York, by the Ohio and New York canals, a distance of 1300 miles, would take from thirteen to fifteen days-showing a difference in favour of the rail-way over the canals, both as it relates to time and distance, and the cost of transportation, in the proportion of three to one. These facts clearly show, that the extension of the rail-way west, to the Great Miami valley, would open to the city of Baltimore the vast interior trade of Ohio; and SECOND CROPS OF PEAS. On Nov. 2, a quantity would, with the addition of this trade, add greatly vegetate. Plants produced in this way last autumn, of green peas was gathered from a field at Petham, to the value of the stock invested in the construction bore the severe cold of the past winter, and when self-sown from the spring crop. Our informant says, transplanted in the spring, have grown vigorously that by going over the field carefully, there might Cuttings may be set out in the spring. It may be be collected several gallons. There are also to be useful to mention to those who are unacquainted seen self-sown beans, in full bloom, and from 12 to with the proper mode of procedure, that the ground 18 inches high, in many fields in the vicinity of Canshould be dug or ploughed deep and late in the au[Kentish Chronicle. tumn, left rough all winter, and after being harrow-terbury, Eng. ed or raked smooth in the spring, the cuttings should be put in at least eight inches deep, and at such distances, as will permit the intervals to be easy kept clean. Those who possess white mulber(From the Scioto Ohio Gazette.) ry trees will find their profit in preparing the seeds for sale. This may be done by rubbing them out BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAIL-WAY. from the ripe fruit between the hand in water, and By an inspection of Hough & Bourne's Map of after the seeds have settled, pouring off the water Ohio, it will be at once discovered, that to continue and drying them in the shade. Owners of vacant the rail-road from the mouth of the Little Kenha lots on the ground plot of the city and vicinity, and wa to Chilicothe, and from Chilicothe to Dayton, farmers, may add to their revenue by establishing would pursue almost a direct line from the city of nurseries of the trees; for there is every reason to Baltimore through the richest and most productive believe, that the demand for them will annually in part of Ohio. It would cross the Ohio canal at Chi crease. The value of the sewing silk and raw silk licothe, by means of which, two thirds of the whole made in three counties of Connecticut, in the year trade of the Scioto valley, containing at present 1810, was $28,503 according to the estimate of the 150,000 inhabitants, would at all times pass over it United States Marshals, and as the business has to Baltimore. This valley is believed to be suscep been greatly extended every year since that time, tible of supporting a population of 1,000,000 of agriit is reasonable to presume, that the present amount culturists, and an additional 500,000 inhabitants. of this article is double this sum. It would be under a proper division of labour. The distance much increased if the value of the home-made from Chilicothe to Dayton is 75 miles; the intermestockings, mitts, and garments of silk, and mix-diate country is exceedingly rich, and well adapted tures of cotton, wool and silk, with which almost to all the purposes of agriculture. Twenty miles on every house in part of Windham county abounds, each side of the rail-way would depend upon it as INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT. In directing our views to the extension of the railway west to the valley of the Wabash, they are supported by the same considerations of profit to the stockholders of the company and advantages of trade to the city of Baltimore, as have already been presented. The original cost of constructing works of great public utility-such as the one now under consideration-is not to be placed in competition with their permanent and lasting advantages through all time to come; a work is cheap, not in proportion to its cost, but to its usefulness-The state of Indiana, next to that of Ohio, is believed to contain a greater body of good land, than any other of the western states; and intelligent men have supposed, that it is susceptible of supporting a population of ten millions of inhabitants. The road, in passing from Dayton, er from any other point on the Big Miami to Terre Haute on the Wabash, would pass through the centre of the state, and over the richest and most productive part of its soil. On the waters of White river, a considerable stream in that state, and in the vicinity of Terre Haute, great quantities of mineral coal is found-which would afford on the line of the road, at very little expense, the necessary fuel for the propulsion of locomotive engines. Iron, and all the necessary materials for the cheap and permanent construction of such a work, are believed to exist in the greatest abundance between the Big Miami and Wabash rivers; and the general features of the country from one to the other, presents the surface of one vast and continuous plain. There are neither natural obstructions, want of materials, or any serious obstacle to the continuance of this road still farther west, until it shall reach the banks of the Mississippi itself, whenever the population, trade and wants of the country shall justify such extension. The character of the population; the original strength of the soil, and the very favourable surface of the country; all offer themselves in recommending its continuation across the state of Illinois, at no distant day. If the views which have here been presented, be correct, it will require the effort of no extraordinary sagacity to pronounce it one of the most splendid and profitable schemes of internal improvement, which has ever been projected by the ingenuity or the forecast of man. The countless millions of wealth which it would be the great avenue of annually pouring into the city of Baltimore, would, within the first fifty years after its completion, make her the second commercial city in the world; and, within another fifty, the first. From the Ohio to the Mississippi rivers, a distance of upwards of five hundred miles, this road would pass over a country, which, for original fertility of soil, mildness of climate, and the industry, enterprise, intelligence and moral character of its population, is not exceeded by that of any other. The vast commerce of this country would find its way to the ocean, over this road whilst it would be the bond of union, which would forever cement the interest, strengthen the political and moral power, and join in the bands of indissoluble fraternity, the family relations of the five great states of the American Union. LADIES' DEPARTMENT. ། SPORTING OLIO. BLOODED HORSES. (From the Petersburg Intelligencer.) Respectfully inscribed to the Amateur, Sportsman, breeder and trainer of that noble animal, the Virginian Race Horse. As the present improved stock of the Race Horse, both of this country and the British Turf, have (in a very great measure,) obtained that high degree of celebrity, viz. form, size, bottom and speed, from the two best horses which ever were imported into England, the Darley and Godolphin Arabians-the latter the author of the Annals of the Turf, has laid before the public, some considerable time past in the Petersburg Intelligencer-it may perhaps afford some entertainment to those concerned in such matters, at this time, to inform them in what manner this "paragon of perfection" was introduced into England. A Col. Cook (not a Mr, Coke, as has always been represented in every former account hitherto given of this animal in England,) a gentleman by birth, education, polished manners, and very insinuating address, and immense wealth; but by profession a "Highway Robber," resided there about the year 1720. He committed a great many felonious ac THE MOTHER. I saw a woman, with maternal joy, Bending her fond eye on a lovely boy; His cherry lips, and cheeks so rosy, won The magic name of beauty for her son; His open forehead pleas'd, and rounded arm, And each blue coursing vein was but a charm; His tiny hands and feet, his snowy skin, Emitted influence which was felt within; And e'en his gentle breathing she would hear, As though an angel whisper'd in her ear. But most she gaz'd upon his polish'd brow, She knew of brilliants that were hid below! Clear pearly eyelids, with their fringe of gold Veil'd brighter sparks than words have ever told; But love's imaginings beheld their dawn, Like two fair stars upon the brow of morn. Sweet transports seiz'd her, and her joy of heart The smile of pleasure's self could not impart. Nature, what art cannot express, may tellAnd on the sleeping babe a tear-drop fell. That moment, o'er his features, sunny smiles Glided enchanting: Thus, o'er southern isles, When rising morning glances golden beams, On ev'ry budding rose the dew-drop gleams. She thought of angels' visits to her child, And of his innocence-ob! she was wild! And all her joys centred in this aloneShe felt that precious treasure all her own! But, while she gaz'd, a solemn stillness stole, With icy tremors, o'er her kindling soul. Ah! human bliss on one slight thought depends; If in this enlightened age there are any so scep- We think it needs must perish--and it ends! tical as to doubt the practicability of this great pro- Thus, when consumption points her earliest pains,tions, was arraigned and tried in a variety of crimject of improvement, or if its novelty and cost The startled maid in solitude complains, should cause the more reflecting to doubt or ques-Discards the hope of life, broods o'er her death, tion the propriety of beginning it by the present ge- Thinks she must cease to breathe, and stops her breath! neration-let such be referred to the astonishing The mother's heart strings, tun'd to notes of joy, and progressive improvements which have and are Were thrill'd with pain, for death must take her boy! now taking place in the world. Let them but re- Whether the blossom, nipt with timeless frostflect that fifty years ago, the powers of the steam Or the full flow'r, in ruin's whirlwind toss'das a mechanical agent, were unknown to the world; In infancy or youth-some poison'd dart, that forty years ago, the idea of a vessel being driv Aim'd at his life, may quiver in his heart; en by the propulsion of a steam engine, was not Or, should he bloom in manhood's golden prime, suggested and that fifteen years ago, there was not Vice may destroy the being spared by time. one steam boat running on either the Mississippi or Hope paints her son in virtue's robes array'd, any of its vast tributaries. Now, the power of Afraid to sin, of nothing else afraidsteam, as a mechanical agent, is applied to al- Fear spreads upon the scene a dismal glare, most every human purpose both on the land and And lights his eye-balls rolling in despair. on the water. Now, vessels of almost every class Sublime responsibility she feels, are propelled by steam, on the principal rivers The thought of human weakness o'er her steals; of the continents of America, Europe, Asia, and For foreign aid, she calls upon the sky, partially in Africa. And now, there are about And Bethlehem's Star attracts her eager eye. one hundred and twenty steam vessels on the Mis- Oh! mark the mother's actions! hear the pray'r sissippi and its tributaries; and upwards of three That flies to Heav'n upon the ambient air! hundred on the waters of the United States alone. Mark! how she lifts her infant in her arms, By the construction of rail-roads, and the introduc- And begs protection from insidious harms! tion of the locomative engine upon them, distance Oh Thou! who form'd the heavens with a span, itself will become annihilated! and the remotest parts Yet fix'd thy image in the heart of man! of this vast empire be brought within the limits of a Oh Thou! who gave thine only Son to die, single neighbourhood! in which the kindly offices of That fallen man might live eternally! good neighbours will be exchanged between those, Hear thou the pray'r which all my pow'rs express, who would have forever remained with them, stran- And lead my boy through life to happiness!" gers and aliens to one another. The application of See! through her meek, desiring, sparkling eyes, steam as a mechanical power; the invention of the Her very soul seems vision'd on the skies. cotton mill, and the introduction of the power loom: Hark! hark! the voice of thankfulness I hear, inventions which have all occurred within the last The mother's grateful song awakes my ear; fifty years-have, with the single exception of the And while she sings, the brightness of her face, art of printing, brought about a greater revolution Bespeaks an angel's mind by all an angel's grace! in the moral condition of mankind, than any other Art thou a mother? hast thou ever felt, event which has taken place since the creation of While musing o'er thy child, thy bosom melt? the world. Their various applications to the arts, Art thou assur'd that vain is human power, and their subserviency to the multifarious pur-To save the fallen soul in danger's hour? poses of human ingenuity, comfort and happiness, I charge thee bow before the throne of heaven, have taught us the astonishing fact, that with the And humbly claim the joy of sins forgiven! command of the necessary means, the intelligence Beseech the guidance of the God of love, and enterprise of the present age can effect almost any earthly project. inal cases, but ultimately eluded the hand of justice, by means of the aforesaid qualifications, until he became emboldened in villany, and thought it impossible to be convicted. At length he committed two acts of felony, which he thought it impossible to escape the rage of the community being so highly incensed against him, (and to so great a degree,) that he determined to leave England. He embarked privately from England, under a fictitious name, and sailed, (it was supposed,) to some port in Africa-from thence he travelled into Syria and afterwards into Arabia Petrea, and traversed through the entire part of that country, where the very finest and best bred horses in the whole world are reared. He always made constant enquiries of all the Arabs he saw, concerning the genealogy of the best Arabian horses, and where they could be found. After a fruitless journey of very considerable time and length, he at last received information from an Arab, that a certain "Shiek" had not only the finest bred, but the very best horse in all Arabia, which he, the Arab, described so minutely to the aforesaid Cook, and said the aforesaid Sheik put so great a value upon him, that it was entirely out of the power of money to procure a purchase. Col. Cook without delay, shaped his course to the habitation of the aforesaid "Sheik," and offered him any sum of money he pleased to demand for the purchase of said horse-his offer was scornfully rejected. The Col. skulked about in the vicinity of the said "Sheik," for a considerable time; and when a favorable opportunity offered, he either stole, or by means of an Arab, procured said horse to be stolen. He travelled through the deserts of both Arabia and Africa, until he safely arrived at Damietta, a seaport town near the mouth of the river Nile, and finally escaped, though a hot pursuit after him had continually been kept up by the emissaries of the aforesaid Sheik. Col. Cook embarked with said horse on board of a British ship of war; which fortunately was about So shall thyself and offspring reign above.-T. H. S. to sail for England, and actually did sail for that [Phila. Album. place in a very short time-after touching at some port to procure provender for him-and after the usual passage, he arrived safely there. Col. Cook had the said horse brought over, and kept in France; until some favorable opportunity offered that he could appear in England, and be re-to stored to his family. that at length Lord Godolphin accepted of this very some remarks on, and extracts from Darby's_ GeoArabian, as the greatest present of the animal crea-graphical Dictionary. Examining this work, I pertion in the world. ceive that the author has taken more than common After his Lordship had presented his compliments pains to analyze the population of the United States. Cook, he told him if he could in any way what-I may repeat, with great correctness, the expres ever serve him, he would do it with a great deal of sions made use of on this subject in the preface. Col. Cook well knew his former crimes were of so pleasure. "So much of the most essential legislation, and so infamous a nature, (high treason and rape,) as well About this time, by means (it was supposed,) of many of the most vital questions in domestic policy as of so deep a dye, he used another fictitious name the servants of Col. C's relations, hearing his name demand a thorough knowledge of the local position, and passed by it, to elude detection. He likewise frequently mentioned in their respective families, and relative increase or decrease of population, that knew the magnitude of them was so very great that and no doubt with a view of receiving the reward of too much perspicuity cannot be given to that subunless the Prime Minister of England interposed in "one hundred and fifty guineas," which govern-ject. In those states where the population is comhis behalf with his Majesty, he must inevitably pe-ment had formerly offered for his apprehension, they posed of three bodies, distinct in features, and in rish. lodged information against him, and he was arrested political condition, viz: whites, slaves, and free coCol. Cook returned back to England, and wrote for his former offences and committed to prison: he loured persons, tables have been calculated with an anonymous letter to the Earl of Godolphin, Prime wrote to Lord Godolphin (discovered to him who great labour, to exhibit the relative position and Minister of England, at the same time a great lover he was and his real name,) to intercede in his behalf number of each class." of the finest horses, requesting a private interview with his Majesty, who ordered a writ of "nolle prowith him, on business of a peculiar nature; his sequi" to be issued, saying that Col. C. was an inLordship paid no attention to his communication-nocent man, and could not be the same person who the Colonel tried him again and again, sending let-committed the felonious acts for which he fled from ter after letter for a very considerable time without England. effect, until he entirely despaired of success. He at length determined to try him once more (by letter,) on the subject. Col. Cook by some means or other found out that Lord Godolphin at that season of the year, was afflicted with the gout; and daily took an airing in his carriage in Hyde Park, London-he wrote to his Lordship, that at a particular time and place in said Park, he would see a man, (describing his stature and dress, riding a beautiful brown horse, which he also described, having his off heel behind white,) who had no designs whatever on his person, but on the contrary a great friendship for him, who wished to have an interview with him, and that when his Lordship in his next ride saw him, he the said Cook would take it as a particular favor indeed, if his Lordship would direct his out riders to withdraw so that the interview, as aforesaid, might be effected. The next day Lord Godolphin took his usual jaunt-at the place and time appointed he saw Col. Cook, who, after the withdrawal of the out riders, rode up to his Lordship's carriage, and after making his obedience, asked him respecting the receipt of his former letters; his Lordship answered in the affirmative. Col. Cook was immediately restored to his former "Forsook his crimes, repressed his folly MELLISH. The Sportsmen of the American Turf will confer an obligation on the writer of this, to fill up the following pedigrees, and publish them in this paper: Imported mare Calista, Col. Byrd's of Westover. Imported mare, Jenny Cameron, (Col. Byrd's,) whether she had a filly got by the imported horse Jolly Roger, or not. Whether the Valiant mare out of her had a filly by old Janus, or not. Pedigrees of Dabster, Kouli Khan, Doucles, Nonpareil; Spangloss; the dam of Southall's Tra- Col. Cook immediately dismounted and made his Lordship another low bow, and in a very condescending manner told him, that from hearing of his Lordship's very great partiality for being possessed of the finest horses in the kingdom, he, after travel-Galloway's Selim ling several years in Arabia, had brought over the very finest, and best bred horse in the whole world as a present for him. Lord Godolphin very politely refused the present, alleging that it would be entirely inconsistent with his dignity and station, to accept of so very valuablc a present-(which must have cost an immense sum to procure,) from an entire stranger. His Lordship, after a minute inspection of the horse, pronounced him to be the very finest and best looking Arabian horse he ever saw, or had been brought into England; and if Col, Coke, as he styled himself at that time, would part with said horse, he would give him a blank check upon the Bank of England, which he, the aforesaid Cook, might fill up with any sum he pleased. do do do do Tickler; Whirlwind, sent to do from Va. Marshal Duroc, bred by-foaled in got by Duroc, his dam, Maid of the Oaks, bred by the late Gen. Ridgely. The Proprietor of the Baltimore course can give it. American MISCELLANEOUS. Another improvement of great value is made in the location of the counties; which, in this gazetteer, are described with their boundaries, and extent in square miles; to which is superadded, their geographical position, with the longitude from the meridian of Washington city. Before examining Darby's Gazetteer, it had been my intention to offer to the Farmer some observations on our population; which projected communication I am now desirous to carry into effect. I am not so vain as to expect to add new views on the subject of my essay, but I may effect two good purposes: I may excite some degree of public reflection on a most momentous part of our political history, and I may contribute my humble share in bringing into notice a work of some merit. AGATHEDEMON. At 1 hour past sun-set-Mean temperature, 73.4. observations-E. to S. 12-S. to W. 17-W. 25th, Rye harvest begins. 29th, Wheat harvest begins. 30th, Althæ flowers. RICHARD SEXTON. COTTON BAGGING. DARBY'S GEOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY. notice by a correspondent, of a Gazetteer, more am[We publish with much pleasure the following ple and satisfactory, in several respects, than any Col. Cook told his Lordship, he never would sell we have seen. Few books have appeared from the the said horse-alleging at the same time, that he, ing of public patronage. It has just been publishpress of so much utility, or more deservA writer in the Natchez Ariel on the subject of with great difficulty, labour and expense, and after ed in Philadelphia, in one volume of 900 octavo bagging, says-"By the operation of the tariff, the travelling in Arabia upwards of three years, procur-pages-price $6, in calf. Scotch bagging is nearly excluded from our mared the said horse, for the express purpose of presenting to his Lordship on his arrival in England-number, we shall copy some valuable and interest-measure (our neighbours in Kentucky,) exclusively As soon as we can find room, we hope in the next ket, and we are forced to rely on the friends of that be further said that if his Lordship would not accepting views and tables on the population of the United for our supplies. They may put what price they him, he would not part with him to any other person. States, present and prospective.] please on it, and we must pay it, so long as they Lord Godolphin was inexorable. know we cannot be supplied through other channels. Hence we find speculators from that state buying up the article at the enormous price of 26 cents per yard, and with a reasonable hope too of Col Cook solicited his Lordship again and again, MR. SKInner, without success, until said Cook's entreaties, after a very considerable time, became so very urgent, Fredericksburg, July 4, 1827. If compatible with the scope of your very useful paper, I would consider it a favour to find room for THE FARMER. BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1827. ceptable additions to our stock of table fruits and vegetables. How can wealth and taste and publick spirit be better employed than in thus making additions to, and in perfecting what contributes equally to our health and our gratification? realizing from four to six cents per yard. It may be said, that the time has been when we paid 40 cents, and without murmurring-true, but we then sold our cotton for 30 or 32 cents per pound: the bagging then cost nothing: but now, if we buy at 20 cents per pound (equal to 30 cents per yard,) The next meeting of the Trustees of the MAand sell at eight cents, it requires no arithmetician RYLAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY will be held, by LOST, a large, light tan, or red fox hound, 28 to tell that we lose considerably by the operation." his invitation, at the residence of Mr. H. V. Somer inches high-he was seen at Cragg's ferry on SunHe recommends as a remedy for this evil, that the ville, at Bloomsbury, on Thursday next. The bu-day last. Any one hearing of him will please leave planters should manufacture their bagging out of siness which will then require the attendance of the notice with Col. Amey, in Paca-street. their inferior cotton, which will be a saving in the Trustees is of the highest importance, and a full cost of it, and calculates that the crops of Louisia-meeting is much to be desired. It is, however, rena and Mississippi will require 800,000 yards, spectfully suggested, that those who may foresee which, with the use of cotton bale rope, will add to that they cannot attend, will give notice accordingly. the consumption of the raw material about 5000 bales of 400 lbs. each, or if the planters cannot manufacture the article, he recommends that course to the northern manufacturers. "I WILL BY AND BYE." Zounds! sir, you may as well swear that you will never do it! Pm out of all patience with these by and bye" folks. An hour of the present time is worth a week of the future. thief of time." Richard says, FOR SALE, A fine high spirited JACKASS, six years old, imported from South America, remarkable for vigour, and the qualities of his stock-He will be sold for cash, on reaAMERICAN SILK.--An interesting fact has fallen un-sonable terms, if applied for within two weeks-or will der our observation during the last week, with which be exchanged for a thorough bred Mare and Colt or The Mare must it seems expedient to acquaint our readers, many of young Filly, or Horse thorough bred whom, we have no doubt, have commenced or will be of good size, and clear pedigree-not more than the next year commence, rearing the silk worm. It by a thoroughbred horse. ten years old, and either not now in foal, or if in foal, For other particulars, inis this: during the last week, a lady of our acquainquire of the Editor of the American Farmer. beautiful bracelets, of very small beads of various tance, has been amusing herself with making very colours; by means of which birds, flowers, &c. are that the work could not be done with the best taste BALTIMORE PRICES CURRENT. Reported for the American Farmer, by Lewis Sutton & Co. and we think the price rather better, yet we confess it TOBACCO.-Maryland is certainly in more demand, but little higher than it has been; there were 17 stayed hhds of Ohio sold to the highest bidder, at $6.25—also others passed inspection, sold in the same way at $8.50. Corn has been selling within this week at .47 a.50. is 6 Seconds, as in quality, $2.50 a 6.00-common crop, 3.25 a 3.75-Do. red, 4.00 a 4.50-good red, 5.00 a 6.00-Fine red, 7.00 a 8.00-Yellow and red, 6.00 a 9.00-Yellow, 10.00 a 15.00-Fine Yellow, 15.00 a 25.00-Virginia fat, 6.00 a 8.00-Rappahannock, 3.50Kentucky, fine, 4.00 a 5.50--do. wrapping, 7.00 a 8 00. Why, I know a bachelor, who is as well calculat- represented. After some experience it was found ed for matrimonial felicity as every virtue and every and effect, without silk of the finest quality and of accomplishment can render him;-but he has been the strongest texture; and this delicate and amusing putting off the happy time, from one year to another, task would have been abandoned for want of silk, always resolving that he would marry "by and bye," fine and strong enough for such a needle as must till the best ten years of his life are gone, and he is be used with such beads. The town was searched still "resolving" and I fear "he will die the same." He that would gather the roses of matrimony must in vain. At last she recollected the skeins of silk wed in the May of life. If you wish only the wither-which had been given to her, as from Mr. B. S. ed leaves and the thorns, why, poor Young, (see Am. Farmer, vol. 8, page 245,) from put it off till September."Procrastination is the worms reared on our common country mulberry! Though the skeins were much tangled, she wound them off without a single break. She found the silk of uncommon fineness and extraordinary strength, a 4.75-Susquehanna, $4.371 a 4.50-CORN MEAL, per and by means of the Missouri silk, from the Ame-barrel, 2.75 a 2.874--WHEAT, best white, .90 a 93rican mulberry, she accomplished a somewhat te- ordinary, good .85 a 90-inferior, .70 a 75-CORN .44 dious, but beautiful work, that could not, with any .47-RYE, .55 a .60-OATS, .24 a .25-WHITE BEANS, satisfaction, have been executed with imported silk. 1.25-PEAS, .60--CLOVER seed, 4.00 a 4.50-TIMOTHY, Experiments by Mr. W. Buchanan, for amuse- 10.00 a 11.00-North Carolina, 9.00 a 10.00-Tennessee 3.00-BARLEY, 1.00-FLAXSEED,.90-COTTON, Virginia, ment, at the Warren factory, on the leaves of our 10.00 a 11.50-Upland, fair, 10.00 a 11.00-WOOL, counnative nulberry as well as the white, have afforded try, washed on the sheep's back, 18.00 a 22.00mixt results the most encouraging; and we are confirm- do. 20.00 a 22.00-half blood, 24.00 a 26.00-threeed in the conjecture stated in the volume referred quarters, 28.00 a 30.00-full blood, 30.00 a 35.00-FISH, to, that the white mulberry is by no means indis- Herrings, No. 1, p. bbl. 2.25 a 2.50-Shad, in good orpensable to the production of the finest and the der, 6.00 a 7.00-Mackerel, 4.00 a 5.25 a 5.75-BACON, I made a visit last winter to see my old friend Jeremiah Careless. When he put my horses into the stable, he took me to his barn floor to see some fine wheat he had just threshed. I observed to him that one of the boards of the barn was near falling, and he had better nail it. "I will by and bye," said he. Things about the farm looked as though "by and bye" folks lived there.-Next morning the boys came running in with sad news. An unruly bull had torn off the board, and the cattle had supped and breakfasted on the white wheat, and old Brindle, the best cow in the drove, was foundered so that she died. Now two nails, worth a penny, and five minutes of time would have saved the life of old Brindle and the white wheat in the bargain. best silk. LARGE FRUITS, GRAINS, &c. This may be call grass of every kind, have been unusually heavy-and notices of stalks of grain of prodigious length, and a FLOUR-Howard-st. $5.00 a 5.124-City mills, 4.624 best hams, 9.00 a 10.00-hog around, 6.00 a 6.5-coun try, 5.25 a 6.00-WHISKEY, in hhds. .29; in barrels 30 4.50-Mutton and Lambs, 1.25 a 2.00-Vcal, 3.00-But-LIVE STOCK, beef on hoof, 5.00 a 5.50-Hogs, do. 4 a CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. Passing by my neighbour Nodwell's the other day, I saw that his wife had made a fine garden, and the ed a year of abundance-The crops of grain and ter, new, 15 a 20—Chickens, per dozen, 1.50 a 2.00. early peas were shooting above the ground. "It looks well, said I, neighbour-but there is a hole in the fence, which you had better mend, or the hogs will ruin your garden."-I will "by and bye," said he. Happening to go by there two days after, I was deafened with the cry of "Who-ee, who-ee-stuboy, stu-boy"—a drove of hogs had come along, and while my neighbour was taking a nap, they had orawled through the broken fence and destroyed the labor of a week. "Never put off till to-morrow what you can do to day"- Poor Richard says. RECIPES. TO KEEP MOTHS, BEETLES, ETC. FROM CLOTHES. of fruit of uncommon size. By Captain Elliot of causes which contribute to the production of Fine Sea- Baltimore, July 11, 1827. The abundance of apricots this year, has been remarked by almost every body: It is with a view to record in your valuable paper an instance of their Put a piece of camphor in a linen bag, or some extraordinary growth, that I send you one plucked aromatic herbs, in the drawers, among linen or wool-this morning from one of the trees in my garden, len clothes, and neither moth or worm will come mineus, with tables shewing the number of distinct species of grass combined in one square foot, and the ave rage number of grass seed contained in a given measure, No. 15, continued-Fine Wool from the flocks of Mr. Hulbert, Connecticut, and Mr. Dickinson, OhioMachine for digging Potatoes-Prospect of Crops-Culture of Silk, and White Mulberry tree in the United States, recommended by the Philadelphia Society for Peas-Remarks on Baltimore and Ohio Rail-road, from promoting Agriculture-Silk Worms-Second Crop of Scioto (Ohio) Gazette-Poetry, The Mother-Blooded Horses, history of the importation into England of the Godolphin Arabian, and inquiries for pedigrees-Darby's Geographical Dictionary-Meteorology of June at Baltimore-Cotton Bagging-"I will by and bye"-ReJR.cipes, To keep Moths, Beetles, &c. from Clothes; To preserve Currants-Editorial, Silk, Large Fruit, Grain, &c.-Advertisement-Prices Current. To Captain Elliott, of the Navy, whose publick spirit and thoughtfulness of the agricultural interests of his country, when abroad, we have had occasion to notice before, we are now again indebted for a variety of stone fruit and of esculents from South America, that will doubtless prove most ac Printed every Friday, at Five Dollars per annum, for JOHN S. SKINNER, Editor, by John D. Tor, corner of St. Paul and Market-sts., where every description of Book and Job Printing is handsomely executed. No. 18.-VOL. 9. AGRICULTURE. AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, JULY 20, 1827. FINE SEA-ISLAND COTTON. A Report, accompanied with sundry letters, on the causes which contribute to the production of Fine Sea island Colton; read before the Agricultural So ciety of St. John's, Colleton, on the 14th March, 1827.-BY WHITEMARSH B. SEABROOK, Corresponding Secretary. (Continued from page 130.) 137 bly subservient to vegetation.. Salt clay mud* acts the larger the acre of ground under tilth, the greatrather negatively, than positively. It does not add er would be the product. This theory, which comvery materially to the product of cotton, but from mon usage would seem to have confirmed, expeits conservative and maturative power, the fruit, rience alone teaches us, depends for its correctness which the combined operation of soil and season on the physical force employed. One hundred acres. may have disclosed, it is nearly certain of retaining cultivated by twenty labourers, might yield $6000; and ripening. In a propitious season, stimulating but if seventy acres, with the same number of at manures will yield a larger crop than salt mud; but tendants, but under different management, could be for a series of years, the latter will more certainly made to realize the same amount, it is manifest, that repay the industry and skill of the planter. A se- the difference between the two fields (thirty acres,, cond cause for the deterioration of the quality of is to the owner, so long as he disregards the practiIn Mr. Mathewes' letter, is the following decla- cotton, is to be traced to the probability, that the cal admonitions of his neighbours, an unproductive ration of a distinguished spinner of Manchester, on best seed has been rejected. It is known that the capital. The plantation of Mr. Burden is more vawhich the secretary would now briefly animadvert. seed of short staple cotton is entirely coated with luable to him, than the plantation of A. or B. with "Some years ago," says he, "we readily found down. As often as the Sea island planter has met twice the extent of arable land, is to either of them, among the cotton of different planters a sufficient with this description of seed, he has unreflectingly under the ordinary course of tillage. number of bags to spin all the fine yarn that was cast it aside, as unsuited to his purpose. Again, in The manures on which the planter almost unirequired. At present, when the consumption of every field, it was common, at one time, to disco-versally relies, are of a direct stimulating tendency. fine yarns is doubled, we do not find among all the ver numerous plants (termed male cotton,) with That these manures, if properly applied, are well cottons we examine, one bag per annum." The same seed generally covered with wool. At present, by calculated to increase the product of every crop, spinner further remarked, as personally stated to the authority of the master, the labourer has so ef- experience and reason declare; but, that their benethe secretary by Mr. Mathewes, that he had been fectually eradicated them, that a solitary intruder is ficial influence on the quality of cotton is, at least, compelled to adapt his machinery to the coarseness of rarely to be met with. The male cotton is compa-problematical, has been attempted to be shewn. the fibre. In the opinion of planters of experience ratively unproductive, but its texture is distinguish- The common mode of applying manure, is to strew and observation, the quantity of cotton now made ed for its silkiness. The operation of the farina it immediately below the list. The secretary into the acre is much less than formerly. Mortifying, fecundans of plants no longer rests on surmise and clines to the opinion, that this practice is radically indeed, is the reflection, that with greater practice, conjecture. By the discovery and observation of wrong, and that it has contributed most materially more skill, and higher attainment in agricultural Mr. John Bywater, of Liverpool, on animalcula in to the curtailment of the income of the planter. knowledge, that we should now have to record a fusorice, and on the physiology of plants, we are When the tap root of cotton comes in contact with positive retrogradation in our calling. The dete-furnished with some curious and interesting infor it, the plant is preternaturally excited, and its evenrioration in regard to the quality of cotton appears mation on this subject. His examinations go to tual productiveness depends entirely on the regularireferrible to two prominent causes: injudicious ma- shew, that the small capsules of the farina fecun ty of the season. In a drought, from the desiccanure, or its wrong application, and defective seed. dans give out when in contact with water, an abun- tion of the sap, by the extreme heat which the maManuring, as a system, commenced in this section dance of animalcules, which are supposed to be the nure generates, the leaves wither, and a general of the state about ten years ago. At that period, mysterious agents by which vegetable secretions predisposition to disease is formed. If the dry the market value of cottons did not shew the ex- are carried forward. May it not be a wise provi weather be followed by one or more heavy showers istence of an essential difference in their quality; sion of nature, with a view to the preservation of of rain, the plants assume new vigour and life, with hence, the planter aimed at quantity only. The her fruits in their original excellence, that there the certain consequence of a loss of all the pods perseverance in this design has given a longer, and should exist among every species of vegetables, which may not have attained a mature age. Should perhaps a stronger, but manifestly a less silky sta- certain plants, possessing a peculiar attribute; cotton on a weak soil, from the excitement of the ple, than a contrary course would have insured him; which, by the agency of its pollen, renders it (the season, begin to grow anew, the prospect of the for, as already suggested in this report, poor sandy particular species of vegetable,) more valuable? If planter is seldom blighted; but the same plant, on land will yield a finer fibre than a fertile soil of the this be true, the male cotton is a treasure, not a lands artificially enriched, acted on alike by an insame texture. The same result is equally certain nuisance. From the testimony of our oldest plant-vigorating atmosphere, and the mass of manure from lands naturally productive, when compared ers, the seed of cotton was formerly much more which lies in contact with its roots, rarely escapes with soils artificially enriched. If these positions woolly than now-a-days. The Persian cotton men- an irremediable injury. Fields that exhibit the ap be correct, the inference is fairly deducible, that the tioned by Mr. Mathewes, and probably alluded to by pearance of an abundant harvest, are frequently, manures in common use do not tend to improve Mr. Coffin, produces seed that differs but little from from this cause, so utterly denuded of their fruit, the fineness of cotton. In the accomplishment of the seed of upland cotton. These facts lead to the as scarcely to refund the seed with which they were A second growth, therefore, is to the cotthis object, it would be more advisable to rely ex- presumption, that in relation to this branch of his sown. clusively on the inherent power of the soil, should profession, the planter has been guided by preju- ton plant as destructive in its consequences, as the it be of a favourable constitution, than to pursue dice, not by reflection and experiment; and that in depredations of the caterpillar. In its avoidance, the practice which experience has clearly evinced avoiding the seed which would seem to partake of have we consulted experience, or have we been to be predicated on error. But is there no manure the character of short staple cotton, without prepa-guided by the common principles of vegetable phythat can effect the double purpose of a profitable ratory examination, he has not consulted his true siology? No! impelled by hope, and resting on the harvest, with its desirable correlative, a fine quali unreflecting impulse of the mind, we persist in a ty? For every description of soil in which sand In accounting for the diminution of the quantity system which leads directly to repletion or deple predominates, the secretary is warranted in aver of cotton to the acre, the secretary, uncertain of tion. It is, therefore, extremely probable, that the ring, that salt clay mud is that manure the existence of the fact, would unwillingly enter most effectual means afforded us by nature, of pretionale of its salutary influence is to be found in the on the boundless field of speculation. A few brief serving the fertility of our lands, is so often injudiacknowledged principle, that every soil is improved remarks, however, may not be deemed either inap-ciously used, as to avert the very effect intended to by the proper admixture of earths. The attraction propriate or obtrusive That our lands are become produced. When this occurs, the planter pabetween earth and water is well established. From ing annually more exhausted, is a position too ap tiently submits to his misfortune, under the conthis fact, the celebrated French chemist, the Che-parent to need illustration. That the proper means scientious, but false assurance, that the seasons have been unpropitious. valier Cadet de Gassicourt, after a series of success- of their resuscitation have not been adopted, appears ful experiments, drew the conclusion, that the fer- to be equally undeniable. Among the many causes As a partial remedy for the evil, incident to a tility of soils depends, in a great measure, on their which may have conspired to produce this state new growth, the secretary would advise the plan of capacity to absorb and to retain moisture. Clay of things, the secretary would advert to the system broad-casting manure. By it, manure becomes more has the strongest attraction for water, but abandons of over-cropping; the indiscriminate use of certain generally incorporated with the soil; the cotton it the soonest: sand absorbs water in less quantities, manures for every soil, and the injudicious manner plant is never forced unnaturally, and every fibre but retains it longer than clay. If, therefore, by of their application. The practice of planting a partakes gradually, and alike, of the food which is any process, these two soils could be judiciously quantity of land, unsuitable to the labour employed presented. To the causes which have been enumeadmixed, their texture, a priori, would be ameliorat-in its cultivation, has been attended with such sig-rated, as contributing, in part, to the reduction of ed The mechanical structure of the particles com nal disadvantages, that the reflecting mind is at a the quantum of cotton to the acre, may be added, posing them; their adaptation for the admission of loss to conceive the motive of its continuance. If too much nursing at the bearing season, and the air, and for the percolation of moisture, would in- this were the era of ignorance, we would readily sure to the union of the two earths, a soil admira- yield our credence to the plausible suggestion, that *Stimulating manures. No. 18.-Vol. 9. The ra interest. *The influence of salt mud on the quality of cotton: has already been adverted to in page 129. prevalent custom of hauling an excess of dirt to the plants, particularly when it is wet. The whole secret of the husbandry of our fathers, who, if we please, were negligent planters, consisted in a clean field. They never worked their crops oftener than |