is no utility in such knowledge? Where is the pur some, by those who are enlarging the boundaries ing acquisition. An accurate knowledge of our insuit so lofty, or the occupation so humble, that it of their knowledge. What should we think of the sects-more especially those which commit such radoes not, either directly or indirectly, draw largely sagacity of a stranger, who, desirous to become acvages among the products of our farms, and garupon our science for the means of success? What quainted with the inhabitants of a large city, would dens,-is a most desirable object My limits forbid useful business is so abstracted from materiality, commence his undertaking by committing to me- me to enlarge upon the many interesting considerathat it has no connection with either the mineral, mory the contents of the Directory? The absurdity tions connected with these topics: but I waive the the vegetable, or the animal kingdom? Shall the of such a mode is palpable: and yet, if he went to attempt the more willingly, as I know you are famisuggestion be listened to, in this age and country, work rationally, and extended his personal acquaint-liar with the most of them. that natural knowledge is an useless and frivolous ance with the citizens, he would soon feel the ne- Did time permit, I could expatiate in detail upon acquisition? or that it is beneath the dignity of man cessity of names, and perceive the utility of the book the benefits afforded by natural science in explodto make himself acquainted with the works which referred to. Just so it is with the various objects ing vulgar errors-expanding the mind, and fortiGod has made? I trust not. I am sure it will not in nature. It is upon similar principles that nomen-fying it against the devices of knavish imposters, within the pale of this society. clature is beneficial; and it is upon the same plan who are always on the watch to take advantage of But it is alleged that the science is abstruse, and that it ought to be acquired. Nothing can be more ignorance and credulity. For want of this knowalmost unattainable, by reason of the technical dif- unfavourable to the progress of sound knowledge, ledge, worthy citizens have often been subjected to ficulties thrown in the way by those who have treat-nor more disgusting and repulsive to the student, the grossest imposition. They have been led, by ed of it. This is an objection which, as in many than the mistaken practice of suffocating the mind designing adventurers, to incur great expenses in other instances, vanishes in a great measure as we with a mass of names and technicalities, abstracted searching for mineral treasures, in regions where a approach the subject. from a clear conception of the objects to which they moderate acquaintance with Geology would have It is true that the science has been somewhat op- belong. I have been led into these cursory remarks, taught them it was in vain to look. An ignorance pressed with the technical lumber of erudite sys-in vindication of the general merits of our science, of Mineralogy has likewise led to many absurd extem-makers, who, in the exercise of their ingenuity, from a knowledge that there are still some who penditures in quest of the precious metals. It is innot unfrequently wander from the beaten track, proscribe it, as being amongst the frivolous and un-deed humiliating to reflect on the frauds which are and sometimes lose sight of practical advantages: profitable pursuits of the idle and visionary-or who practised upon worthy men, who become a prey to But the evil has been magnified by those who seek find fault with the technical difficulties which pre-speculating empirics, from the sheer want of a little to palliate their own deficiencies by decrying the sent themselves at the threshold of the study. I am elementary knowledge of natural history. A destilabours of the learned. Amid all the mischiefs sensible, however, that those prejudices are rapidly tution of botanical information is also a disadvancomplained of, from the projects of scientific re- departing from the minds of the intelligent and tage in the practical pursuits of life; and often gives formers, there has resulted much good from their thinking portion of the community. Let us hope rise to, or favors the propagation of, the most abspeculations and researches. New views have been that a final period will speedily be put to them, by surd and ridiculous notions. There are many plants obtained, and improved methods devised for facili- the diffusion of rational information: and that the which it is always desirable to be able to recognize tating the acquisition of knowledge. The denuncia-elements of Mineralogy, Botany, and Zoology, will with certainty, whether they be valuable or pernition of systems, and nomenclature, as obstacles in the ere long be considered an indispensible branch of cious;—and yet serious mistakes are very frequenthighway of science, frequently springs from the education, in all our schools. When I witness the ly made. Active poisons have been mistaken for want of a just conception of their value. It is ad-zeal and interest in the cause, manifested by the esculent vegetables; and the error attended with famitted that they are only the implements of learning, members of this Cabinet, I cannot but flatter my-tal results. Even some of the common obnoxious and not the ultimate object of our pursuit; but I ap- self that it will prove to be the punctum saliens of weeds, which it is so desirable to extirpate from our prehend that without a skilful acquaintance with Natural Science, in our county,-whence a taste farms, are unknown to many agriculturists. I have those implements, and the modes of using them, the for such studies will be communicated to every in- seen an industrious farmer who was anxious to rid work itself would make a sorry figure. Instead of genuous youth within its borders. his premises of that notorious pest, the Ox-eye Dai lucid order, and a language of precise and definite We have associated for the purpose of devoting sy,-but, from his utter ignorance of the plant, was meaning, we should witness all the confusion and a portion of our leisure to the acquisition and pro-directing all his energies against one of a totally uncertainty which inevitably result from imperfect motion of natural knowledge. Our primary object distinct, and comparatively harmless, character. views, and from the use of terms of which the sig- is to collect the materials for a complete history of Such practical blunders, and defective information, nifications vary with every neighbourhood. There the natural productions of the county in which we touching the immediate objects of their profession, must be method, and nomenclature, in every art and live. By the formation of a Museum, in this place, are any thing but creditable to American agricultuscience. Every business has its idioms-every artist we may hope to possess specimens of every such rists, in this enlightened age. If there be those who has his peculiar phrases, to designate the apparatus, production; accompanied by an accurate notice of do not choose to inform themselves beyond the maand processes, of his occupation. The most illite- their localities, characters, and such other informa-nual operations of the field and the barnyard, it is rate ploughman, with all his aversion to technicali- tion as may be interesting. We cannot doubt the at least due to the future good standing of their ties, talks of his Clavis, and his Swingletree, &c. willingness of our intelligent fellow citizens, gene- children, in an intelligent community, that the youths and scarcely disguises his contempt for those who rally, to aid us in the laudable undertaking; and that should have some chance to escape from the chryare ignorant of the meaning of his terms! Then their contributions of specimens, from the various salis condition of darkness and prejudice. surely it will not be denied that the various objects parts of the county, will be numerous and valuable. But there are other, and still more disreputable in nature should each have a significant and well With a complete collection of our minerals, duly errors, growing out of an ignorance of the natural defined name. To answer the purpose, it must be a arranged, and a geological exploration of the coun- history of plants. We have all seen respectable name, too, which has not been appropriated to any ty, an interesting chart of this region may be form-men-some of them the owners and cultivators of other object. ed, which will exhibit at one view the character of valuable farms-who were yet so little acquainted Hence we may perceive the difficulties which na- the country, and the distribution of its mineral trea-with the laws of nature as to believe that plants are turalists had to encounter, in framing a nomenclature sures. often converted, during growth, into others of a disadapted to popular apprehension. To form a tech- By forming an Herbarium, which shall contain tinct kind, or genus. A farmer in this unfortunate nical language from the vernacular tongue, which specimens of all our vegetable productions, we can state of mind, can of course take but little interest should be intelligible to all nations, or even exempt not only contribute our quota towards the comple- in procuring clean seed for sowing his fields, if the from confusion among their own people,-was ob- tion of an American Flora, whenever some master best of it is subject to such untoward pranks as that! viously impracticable. But happily, the classic stores hand shall undertake to arrange the materials,—but The vulgar error of the transmutation of wheat of antiquity presented a rich and ample fund, on we may, in the mean time, by exchanges with bo- into bromus, or cheat, is familiar to every one. Nay, which they might draw for the use of the whole tanists of other districts, enrich our collections, and there are some so strangely credulous as to imagine, scientific world, without the fear of exhaustion. A extend our knowledge of the plants of the U. States, (I will not dignify the fantasy with the name of benomenclature has been constructed which, doubt-with comparatively trifling labour or expense. The lief,) that our cultivated flax is often changed into a less, appears formidable at first view; but it ought same remark may also be applied to our mineral plant, not only of a different genus, but of a remote never to be regarded as a mere mass of names. The collections. class, and wholly distinct in all its natural botanical learning of a name should invariably be simultane- A more precise knowledge than we now possess, characters! I allude to the alyssum sativum, of the ous with a practical knowledge of the object to which of the animals of our county, would also be interest-botanists:-a plant to which, in reality, the flax has it is applied. In that way, it is not only acquired ing. Although many of those which originally in- no more affinity, than it has to the Shepherd's purse, without effort, but the mind takes an interest in habited our woods have gone, with the red man of or the horse radish! Such wretched absurdities are the attainment. The moment we have a concep- the forest, never to return, and others are daily a reproach to the honourable profession of agricultion of the characters which identify an object, we becoming more rare; yet it would be satisfactory to ture; and ought to be exploded without delay. feel the want of a name to associate with it: And know what, and how many, still remain. A com There is another subject connected with our inthus it is, that terms and definitions, applicable to plete catalogue of the fishes which inhabit the wa-stitution, which, in my estimation, ought likewise new objects, are never deemed useless, or burthen-ters of Chester county would, of itself, be a gratify-'to command our attention. I mean a collection of biographical notices of those citizens of Chester, who 5 Juniper, a fine bay, fifteen hands one inch high, 200 guineas. in October, 1770, he beat Warwickhave heretofore devoted their time and talents to the foaled in 1752, was got by Babraham, one, of the shire Wag for 100 guineas; and the same year promotion of our favorite science. Although the best sons of the Godolphin Arabian. The dam of he beat Atrides for 100 guineas, &c. Whirligig study of nature. hitherto, has not prevailed exten- Juniper, by the Stamford Turk, &c. Juniper co-stood to mares in Halifax county, N. C., in the sively in our county, we shall find that we have vered in Charles City, Virginia, in 1762. and was year 1777. abundant reason to be proud of the character and an excellent stallion. He is a remote cross in the 15. Selim. This beautiful and valuable stallion attainments of our Marshalls, our Baldwin, our Jack-Virginia pedigrees. was a dark bay, a little rising fifteen hands high; son, and other estimable predecessors in the walks 6. Ranter, a beautiful bay, 15 hands high, foaled was got by Othello (commonly Black and all Black,) which we have selected for our recreation and in in 1755, imported into Virginia in 1762, by William whose sire was old Crab. The dam of Selim was struction. A faithful sketch of the lives and labours S. Wadman. He was got by Dimple, a son of the the beautiful mare of that name, got by the Godolof those worthies,-who have left us the fruits of Godolphin Arabian; the dam of Ranter by old Crab, phin Arabian, and full sister to the celebrated horse their industry, and the example of their virtues,--Bloody Buttocks, &c. Ranter stood in Stafford Babraham, of England. Selim was a tried and apwill be at once an appropriate tribute to the memo- county, Va., in 1763, and is an old cross in our pe- proved racer, and a stallion of deserved celebrity. ry of departed merit, and an honourable evidence digrees. He stood in Virginia from the years 1770 to 1780, of the correct taste, and feelings, of an association 7. Aristotle, brown bay, fifteen hands high, got and propagated a valuable race of horses. emulous of their laudable career. by the Cullen Arabian, his dam by old Crab, &c. A retrospect of the older stallions of Virginia, Aristotle was one of the finest and highest formed evinces the important fact that they did not exceed horses imported into Virginia in his day; he propa- from 15 to 15 hands in height; and yet Virginia in gated a most valuable stock for the time he lived, those days had a stock of horses equal to any in the having died shortly after coming into Virginia. He world. They were remarkable for substance or stood at Berkeley, Charles City county, in 1764. fine stamina. This stock of horses was the immedi8 Bucephalus, brown bay, 15 hands high, foal- ate descendants of the best Arabian, Barb or Turked in 1758, was got by Sir Mathew Wetherston's ish blood which had been early imported into Enghorse Locust, his dam by old Cade-Partner, &c. land from Oriental countries, and has exhibited a Bucephalus was a very strong horse, and stood at degeneracy as to substance or stamina in proporTappahannock, Va., in 1765. tion as it has been removed from this elder foreign 9. David, a bay horse, fifteen hands high, well blood. SPORTING OLIO. (From the Petersburg Intelligencer.) ANNALS OF THE TURF.-No. IX. It is peculiarly pleasing to recur to those periods in Virginia, when the blooded horse held such a made, very active, and descended from the best The above stallions were the descendants of Oristock in England. Stood in Virginia in 1765. ental stock, as well as Janus and Fearnought, (who 10. Dotterell, a high formed horse, 15 hands were the grandsons of the Godolphin Arabian.) Durhigh place in the estimation of the people; when high, a powerful and strong-boned horse, was got ing the days of those horses and their offspring, men, the most distinguished for their wealth, their by Changeling, his dam by a son of Wynn's Ara- Virginia was famed for her fine saddle horses, and talents or patriotism, were seen vying with each bian, &c. Changeling was one of the first horses their weights on the turf was 144 lbs. for aged other who should import the finest blood horses or in England of his day. Dotterell stood in West- horses: now it is proverbial that the blood horse of mares from England, or raise them from those al moreland county, Va., in 1766. Virginia rarely produces a fine saddle horse, nor ready imported. It was the object of the writer in 11. Merry Tom, a beautiful bay, 4 feet 11 inches have they a single turf horse capable of running some preceding numbers, to call up those periods high; he was got by Regulus, (one of the best sons four miles in good time with their former weight. to review, and give an account of the most valua- of the Godolphin Arabian,) his dam by Locust, a All their good races are now made by young horses ble stallions and mares, from which the Virginia son of Crab, his grandam by a son of Flying Chil- carrying light weight, say from 90 to 103 lbs. stocks were bred during those times. ders, &c In 1762, he won 300 guineas sweep- The same retrospect of the English stock dis It is proposed to resume and continue this re-stakes at Richmond; in 1763, he won 50%. at Dur-closes the same facts: Lawrence remarks, that a view, hoping it will serve to animate the breeders hani, and the noblemen and gentlemen's subscrip- "retrospect seems to evince great superiority in the of the present day, and stimulate them to emulate tion at Cupar, in Scotland. Merry Tom stood in foreign horses of former times, many of the best their ancestors in their zeal and success in rearing Prince George county, in 1767; he was the sire of English racers in these days, being the immediate the blood horse. the noted horse Smiling Tom. descendants, on both sides, of Arabs, Barbs, or A tolerably complete list of the stallions import 12. Sterling, a fine dapple grey, foaled in 1762, Turks, or their sires and dams. That union of subed into Virginia and North Carolina in latter times, was got by the Bellsize Arabian, (which Mr. J. stance and action, which was to be met with in forsay from 1795 to 1810 inclusive, will also be given, Simpson offered 1500 guineas for,) out of Mr. Simp-mer days, has been of late years still more scarce." with their pedigrees annexed. Such a list cannot son's Snake mare; she was got by Snake (a son of As evidence of the correctness of Lawrence's fail to be highly interesting to the breeder and the Lister Turk,) out of the Duke of Cumberland's opinion, it may be adduced that the established sportsman, as all the blooded stocks existing at the famous mare, the dam of Cato. Sterling traces weights on the English turf in former days were inpresent day in either of those states, partake of one down to the famous old mare bred by Mr. Crofts, at creased to 168 lbs., and it was during this period or more of the crosses contained in this list. Raby, in Yorkshire, and sold to the Duke of Cleve- that their horses continued to improve both in sub Of the famous old stallions, Jolly Roger, Janus, land. Sterling was a very fine horse, and became stance and speed, and notwithstanding the great Morton's Traveller, Fearnought and Medley, who famous as a valuable foal getter. He was owned weight of 168 lbs. they had to carry, they ran the contributed so much to the value of the Virginia by Wm. Evans, and stood in Surrey county, Va., in four miles from 7 minutes 30 seconds to 7 minutes race stock, an account has already been given. 1768. He did not exceed 154 hands in height 50 seconds. From the days of Eclipse, the weights There were others that obtained much celebrity in 13. Lath, a bay horse, 15 hands 1 inch high, were gradually reduced, and have been brought their day as fine foal-getters. strong and bony, was got by Shepherd's Crab, his down to 119 lbs., and on no track exceeding 138 1. Childers-He was a bay horse, of beautiful dam by Lath, a son of the Godolphin Arabian, &c. lbs. Yet there is not a racer now in England able form, imported by the Hon. J. Taylor, sen., and Lath was landed in this country in 1768, and won to run his distance in as good time as they were in was got by Blaze, a son of Flying Childers; his that year the 501. weight for age plate, at Newmar- former days with their high weights. dam was a daughter of old Fox. Childers was a ket, on Long Island. In 1769, he won the jockey The present rage for breeding horses to a great covering horse in Stafford county, Virginia, in the club purse of 100l. at Philadelphia, beating the then height should not be so much attended to as obtainyear 1752. best running horses in that state and from Mary-ing the requisite substance; and from the above list 2. Justice, a chestnut horse, fifteen hands high, land. In 1770, he also won the 1007. plate at the we see that from 15 to 15 hands in height, has was bred by William Manby, of Gloucestershire, same place. In 1771, he won the 100%. plate at combined with it that necessary union of substance England, and got by Regulus out of the Bolton New Market, and never was beat but once, when and action which enabled the horses in former Sweepstakes. Justice covered in Prince George he ran out of condition. Lath was descended from times to run in such fine form and carry such high county, Va., in 1761. the most valuable blood in England, and contribut weights. The most obvious way to insure this de3. Othello, a beautiful black, fifteen hands high, ed, in an eminent degree, to the improvement of sirable substance or stamina in our stock, is to invery strong, was got by Mr. Panton's Crab, in Eng- the stock of horses of his day. crease the weights of the turf to the old standard, land, out of the Duke of Somerset's favorite brood 14. Whirligig was a dark bay, fifteen hands high, and not to permit colts to start in public until four mare. Othello covered in Virginia, on James' ri- and was imported from England in the year 1773 years old. The great superiority of the elder Engver, in 1761, and was a most capital stallion. He He was got by Lord Portmore's bay horse Captain, lish race horses is. in part, to be attributed to the got Selim and the dam of Mark Anthony. (a son of young Cartouch,) his dam by the Devon- favourable circumstance of their not having started 4. Crawford, a fine dapple grey, fifteen hands shire Blacklegs, son of Flying Childers, &c. In in publick until five or six years old. This delay has high, was bred by his royal highness the Duke of April. 1769, when this fine horse was rising six the obvious favourable effect of enabling the bulk Cumberland, and got by his Arabian. Covered in years old, hts owner received forfeit 1000 guineas and substance of their limbs and inferior joints to beVirginia, in 1762. from Rapid; the same year he beat Volunteer for come strong in proportion to their weight, and their of the turf. whole tendinous system consolidated and firm. Fly-natural history; more particularly Ornithology, Ich- RECIPES. TO CLEAN BLACK LACE VEILS. These are cleaned by passing them through a warm liquor of bullock's gall and water: after which they must be rinsed in cold water; then cleaned for stiffening and finished as follows: Georgia Upland,. An advance of 1 cent CANDLES, Mould, 5 9 9 12 31 $3 50 17 22 25 15 16 20 13 14 I would add the writings of Wilson to my agri-CHEESE, cultural and rural library; but they are not easily Take a small piece of glue, about the size of a obtained, and they are very costly as I am informed; FISH, Herrings, Sus. bean, pour boiling water upon it, which will dissolve perhaps too much so for private purchase, though no FLAXSEED, Rough,. it, and when dissolved pass the veil through it, then doubt you or some of your subscribers, or societies, FLOUR, Superfine, city, bbl. 4 37 4 50 6 00 clap it between your hands and frame it or pin it have it in your refined, populous and literary city of out, taking care to keep the edges straight and even. Baltimore. TO CLEAN WHITE SATINS. You see, Mr. Editor, that what I wish is, for you French chalk must be strewed over them, and to give us a more diversified fare, and not always then well brushed off with a hard brush. Should the ploughing, sowing, and reaping and mowingthe satin not be sufficiently cleaned by the first "So manifold, all pleasing in their kind, dusting, it may be done a second time, and it will All healthful are the employs of rural life, both clean and beautify the satin. The more it is Reiterated as the wheel of time runs round, brushed the better. Still ending-and beginning still." Your obed't serv't, [We shall comply, as far as practicable, with the suggestions of "AN OLD MAN;" but we wish we may not have complaints on the other hand, that we give too much of book, to the exclusion of practical LARGE CABBAGE.-An Early York Cabbage matter. It has always, however, been a favourite HEMP, Russia, clean, presented to the Editor of the American Farmer, idea with the Editor, that the American Farmer Do. Country by Thomas Maund, near Aldie, Va., on the 29th should be so arranged as that a considerable por- HOPS,. of July, 1826, (the seed of which were purchased tion of it should afford a pleasing study, and convey HOGS' LARD, of Sinclair & Moore, of Baltimore,) measured three elegant as well as practical instruction to all the LEAD, Pig. feet five inches in circumference. This proves that members of the family in which it is taken. To the in Loudon county of Virginia, at least, there is both young people of both sexes, as well as to the prac- LEATHER, Soal, best, soil and skill adapted to the culture of this valuable tical farmer and the managing housewife-and we esculent, to great size and perfection. are in no want of materials in our own library for selections that would answer this end. The difficulty is the fear of taking too much of the paper Sir,-As it is not to be presumed, or even sup-jects continued from one paper to another would OIL, Whale, common, for these objects, and the apprehension that subposed, that all your worthy subscribers are just now become tedious. We have, however, advanced to in the A, B, C, of their agricultural days, or even meet the views of "AN OLD MAN," and to gratify of their lives, the object of this is to solicit you to our own wishes, by occasional extracts from natugive us a more diversified dish, or such as will suit ral history-and now by others from Loudon's Enyour different readers. Let us not always be in the "field, digging, ploughing and sowing;" but let us not get tired before we are done with the Science of cyclopedia of Gardening. We shall see if he does also sometimes be in the library and elsewhere, Gardening, and shall expect when he is, that he where we may enjoy the "feast of reason and the will shew his usual frankness by avowing it.-ED. flow of soul." AM. FARM.] Some of us farmers, Mr. J. S. S., who are in the common acceptation of the term "no chickens," ERRATUM. In vol. 8, page 60, (No. 8,) under the would be in a shy row, if we were just now begin-head "Hint for a rotation of crops in the South," ning to learn how to sow wheat, raise corn and 9th and 10th lines from the bottom, instead of "mahogs, and set out ruta bagas. Why, bless my soul nure the hill or drill with cotton-stalks," read "maand body, too, Mr. Skinner, some of your subscrib-nure the hill or drill with cotton-seed." ers write as though they thought I saw the sun rise yesterday for the first time; I who have sown my A full blooded MARE and her two COLTS, viz: a full wheat in the valley for twenty years, graduated my boys at Princeton, and now sent them off to the blooded Hunter Stallion, sired by Exile, 3 years old Western country, to do as their father has done handsome full blooded one year old Filly, sired by Gov. last month, 15 hands high and promising; the other before them, (which, by the way, I can tell you was, Wright's "Silver Heels." The Mare is also in foal by I think, very well.) But, to the question, Mr. Skinner: him. Apply to the Editor. I am now (if ever it is to be,) enjoying my "otium cum dignitate"-and I want you to give us some of those long promised extracts from Michaux's "Flora Americana," sent you by Mr. McClure, (I believe,) bought in Paris. I want to hear him on the different species of maple, gum and sycamore. a 70 80 100 bush 3 874 4 25 4 75 2 00 ton 215 220 lb. 15 25 7 9 12 lb. 61 8 81 22 23 62 46 62 243 620 MOLASSES, sugar-house gal. Spermaceti, winter do. Prime,. RICE, fresh, ground, 175 gal. 27 70 40 88 bbl 11 00 12 00 8 00 9 00 ton. bbl. 1 50 3 873 4 00 SOAP, Baltimore White, SPICES, Cloves, . Liverpool ground do. Sicily,. 75 100 1 25 36 50 12 50 13 15 16 8 50 9 00 lb. bush cwt. 9 00 1 15 1 20 2 00 WINES, Madeira, L. P. gal. 2 50 300 350 4 CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. On Smut in Wheat, by James Mease, M. D.-Experiments with Steeps-Experiments in planting Chestnuts, by Ira Hopkins-On Draining-Calculation of the ground gone over in ploughing an Acre of Land-SciThere are several subjects, Mr. Skinner, in my in Indiana-Poetry--Chester county Cabinet of Natuence of Gardening-Wines, Brandies, Silk and Wool, opinion, which country gentlemen should inform ral Science-Annals of the Turf, No. IX.-Recipes, To themselves in, and cultivate a taste for; and those are clean Black Lace Veils, To clean White Satins-Large some of the following, viz: Every division or class of Cabbage-Letter to the Editor-Erratum. do. crossed, . Common, Country, Skinners' or Pulled, 1 15 1 20 1 50 175 doz. 4 8 5 009 00 1 65 1 85 2 50' 30 35 unwashed but free of 15 20 tags. 201 25 Printed every Friday, at $5 per annum, for JOHN S. No. 22.-VOL. 8. AGRICULTURE. AMERICAN FARMER.-BALtimore, August 18, 1826. ON THE ENEMIES OF THE WHEAT CROP. 169 is harvested, and the fly again emerging the last "To guard against their destroying the plants in of August and beginning of September. The in the spring," he recommends that the wheat be sect does more injury in the fall than in the spring, sown on high and dry soils, and the ground well and to the bald than to the bearded wheats. This manured and cultivated, in order to insure an early Mr. Havens ascribes to a difference which he sup- and vigorous growth; and that seed be obtained (From the Memoirs of the Board of Agriculture of the poses to exist in the straw, that of the latter being from the south, as the plants of such will grow State of New York.) more hard and fibrous. Thus the chrysalis may be earlier in the spring than plants habited to our latiThese are Insects, Smut, Mildew, and Rust. Con- found in summer in the stubble, and in winter in tude. jointly, they annually destroy from one fifth to one its ravages, Mr. H. recommends sowing bearded which the preceding abstract is made, in 1797. In the green plant. To destroy the insect, or escape Doctor Chapman wrote the communication from third of our wheat, the great staple product of our wheat, after the autumnal deposit of maggots, and November, 1820, in a note to the Secretary of the soil. A course of experiments, diligently persever the burning or ploughing under the stubble before Bucks County Agricultural Society, he says,-"Uped in for a few years, and by men competently qua- the transformation of the chrysalis to the fly in Au- wards of twenty years experience has since convinclified, would probably develope the causes of these ed me, that the last three or four days in Sept., and evils, and suggest remedies for most of them. But gust and September.* no individual is able to conduct these experiments Judge Peters recommends as a preventive, that the first week in October, is the best time for sowto a satisfactory result. This is one of many sub- oats precede the wheat crop; that the stubble being wheat; about which time I have, for several jects in husbandry which must remain in doubt and immediately ploughed under, whereby the insect years past, been in the practice of sowing; and will be deposited on the volunteer oats which spring though a few of the insect, in the, caterpillar state, uncertainty, until truth shall be established by some paramount authority, by an association of scientific up, and be buried by the last ploughing; and that may appear in young wheat, they are so few as to and practical men, or an institution devoted ex- the seed sown late. He says, steeps "are not exthe ground be put in fine order, well manured, and do but little injury.* Gen. John H. Čocke, communicated his observapressly to agricultural improvement. The state clusively to be depended on."t would be remunerated a hundred fold for the extions on the fly to the Albemarle Society, Virginia, Joseph Cooper, of New Jersey, a gentleman of in 1817. He says the fly deposits its eggs on the pense of an experimental farm and school of agriculture, by the bare discovery of a preventive of great experience and nice observation, after having blades of the wheat indifferently, at from half an made many experiments comes to this conclusion: inch to three inches from the main stalk or central the depredations of the Hessian fly. "that if the farmers all through a neighbourhood shoot, in the furrows which run longitudinally, All we can do under present circumstances, is, to collect and publish the most respectable authorities would prevent, as much as possible, such grain as is sometimes to the number of forty on a blade; that nutritive to the Hessian fly from vegetating in the in four or five days they hatch into maggots, and on this subject; barely remarking, that, as the ques- period between harvest and the first of September; crawl down the leaf to its intersection with the tions involved in the inquiry are of the highest in- have their land in a good state of cultivation, and stalk; that by stripping down the booth or sheath, terest to the state, every suggestion which proposes sow about the beginning of October, or a little the worms were found in a state so minute as scarcea remedy for the evil, should be received with libelater; [this is calculated for the neighbourhood of ly to be discoverable to the naked eye, lodged near ral indulgence; and though the means proposed Philadelphia,] and of the kind of grain which comes the root, just at that part of the plant which is the may not seem commensurate with the object, they forward most rapidly in the spring, they would re-seat of all their mischief; and where they are found should not be rejected without a candid investiga-ceive very little injury from the wheat fly." His in the subsequent chrysalis state. He recommends observations go to show, that the insect may be feeding off the crop.t tion and fair trial. The Hessian Fly. found in all stages during the summer months. In In a communication to the editor of the AmeriThe first appearance of this diminutive, though April he pulled up plants materially injured, put can Farmer, in October, 1823, Mr. Cocke reiterates formidable enemy, was noticed about fifty years them in a glass covered with perforated paper. In his opinions advanced in 1817, and says they have ago, on the west end of Long Island, from whence two or three weeks the fly came out. He observed been amply confirmed by subsequent experience. it seems to have migrated in every direction, until some plants that were green at harvest, almost as "A King William Farmer" is of opinion, that the it has overspread most of the middle and eastern full of the insect as a piece of tainted meat with fly fly deposits its egg in the central blade in a few states. Eminent practical farmers, as well as men blows." days or hours after the wheat comes up; and has no of scientific acquirements, have devoted much time Dr. Isaac Chapman, of Bucks, (Penn.) considers doubt they continue to deposit as long as they live. and labour, to acquire a knowledge of its history the fly oviparous, or as bringing forth eggs. In He recommends early sowing, and covering at least and habits, in order to be able to combat it success other particulars his description corresponds with three inches deep.§ fully. No means of averting its evils, however, that given by Mr. Havens, already noticed. After Dr. William Meriweather, late of Richmond, Va. have yet been devised, sufficiently successful, or going through in detail, Dr. Chapman gives the fol- says deep covering is often destructive of the crop, practicable, to inspire confidence, or to be adopted in general practice. lowing summary as the result of his observations on the habits and transformations of the insect. and is not a preventive of the fly. From thirty years experience, Dr. M. is satisfied that from one to two inches is a proper covering for the seed || The earliest account of the Hessian fly that I have been able to find, was drawn up by Jonathan James M. Garnet coincides with the King WilN. Havens, of Suffolk, in 1792, and was predicated liam Farmer. His communication was accompanied upon the personal and attentive observation of that by five bundles of plants, a representation of which gentleman during two or three of the preceding "3d. They changed from the caterpillar state the is furnished us by the indefatigable editor of the years. According to the observations of Mr. Ha- latter end of May, and beginning of June; and, Farmer, and which serve to illustrate Mr. Garnet's vens, the insect is viviparous, the maggot properly "4th. The fly came out of the chrysalis the latter views. Nos. 1, 2 and 3, show, in contradiction to being the first stage of its existence, and in this end of July and beginning of August, and deposited Dr. Meriweather's theory, that where the seed is state doing all the mischief to the grain. The their eggs the latter end of August and forepart of deposited more than two inches from the surface, maggots are generally deposited on the wheat be- September. the plants are furnished with two sets of roots, the tween the first of September and the fifth of Octo- "Second generation.—1st. The eggs were laid the seminal and the coronnal. No. 2, also shows, that ber, by a fly, "resembling the muschetto, except latter end of August, and in September to the 20th. when the maggot destroys the seminal stalk, the that it is much smaller, and has a short bill." They "2d. In a few days the eggs were hatched, and root below the retreat of the maggot will force out are found attached to the stalk, near the root, the caterpillar appeared in September. new shoots capable of producing wheat. No. 3, within the sheath of the first or second leaf, where "3d. They changed from the caterpillar to the proves the effect of the fly on shallow wheat, and they subsist on the juices of the plant, which chrysalis state in October, in which state they con- shows, that the maggots easily find their way to the they obtain by suction. In four or six weeks they tinued the succeeding winter. embryo crown, to the destruction of the plant, if no attain their growth, and are transformed into the "1797. 4th. The fly left the chrysalis state, and coronnal roots are formed. No. 4, evinces the inchrysalis, or second state. In this state they con- appeared in the latter end of April and forepart of stinctive propensity of the maggots to descend as tinue, attached to the plant, until the spring follow- May. near to the crown of the plant as they can. No. 5, ing; when, between the 15th of April and the first To guard against their destroying the young demonstrates that a double set of roots and branchof May, the second transformation takes place, and plants in autumn,”—do not sow "until the period of es is no proof that wheat is covered an unnatural the flies burst their prisons and escape by boring laying their eggs is past, before the young plants depth, and also shows that the maggots do not penethrough the leaves which enclose the chrysalis appear in leaf," which period the Doctor considers trate the caudex to the embryo crown, when that is They immediately copulate, and deposit their young the 20th September. in five or ten days, that is, generally between the * See Transactions of the Society for the promotion 20th of April and the 10th of May. The new of Agriculture and the Arts, vol. 1, p. 71 to 86, for this swarm pass through the same changes, in time to account at length. complete two generations in the year-the chrysa- Memoirs of Phila. Society, 1802. lis being generally left in the stubble after the grain' No. 22.-VOL. 8. Dom. Encyc., art. Fly, p. 177. even two inches below the surface.¶ See American Farmer, vol. 3, pages 166, 175. § Ibid. vol. 2, p. 227. Ibid. vol. 1, p. 125. Hezekiah McClelland compares the Hessian fly portionably only a few plants that the fly seems to hope, that any thing I could say on the subject to the locust, and says it makes an incision in the like, I have counted two hundred and eight eggs on a would have a tendency to remove, in any degree, tender blade, and deposits its egg; that early sown single leaf, and the caterpillars were in such quanti- that inveterate and deep rooted prejudice so unfairwheat always suffers most; that the fly is very har- ties around the stock as to burst their covering, ly prevailing against that much abused and ill-treatdy, he having seen them very active when the (the sheath,) and thus become exposed to the de-ed, though most valuable animal, the Merino sheep ground was hard frozen and a heavy white frost, predations of other insects. They were generally the more to be regretted, when we consider the when the house fly had become torpid.* smaller than those of the other broods, and many invaluable acquisition they have proved to the inEdward Tilghman, of Queen Ann, Md. sowed of the uppermost perished for want of food, the sap dustrious Saxons, who have for several years shipthe 18th September, and on the 5th October, the of the plant being taken up by those below. Im ped to England above fourteen millions of pounds first seeding being up, and having generally put mense numbers, probably nine-tenths of the whole, of that article, by their care and attention so much forth the second blade from two to three inches, ob- were in some way destroyed-the busy ant appear- improved, that it has brought generally from 50 to served the eggs on the blades, and also the flies in ed to be doing its part: But I may have mistaken 80 cents more than that of the original Spanish numerous instances, in the very act of making their the ceraphron of Mr. Say for it, (as I had not seen stock. By a price current of October last, Spanish deposits. Mr. T. has no doubt as to the identity of his description,) or both may have been engaged in wool is quoted 2s. 6d. to 4s. 6d.; while German Electhe insect, having, like many others who have de- the work of destruction. I am satisfied that some toral is quoted 3s. 9d. to 6s. It is ascertained bescribed it, seen them hatch in tumblers from the insect had deposited on the larva or pupa, as I found yond dispute, that by equal attention, the same imchrysalis or flax-seed state.f many in the latter state completely eaten up, and provement in the quality of the wool takes place in Janes Worth, of Bucks, Pa., in a communication the case perforated by the parasite, and through the America, by similar management; but we have to the Philadelphia Society for promoting Agricul- aperture, I presume it evolved in its perfect state. been too long accustomed, in this happy country, ture, dated Feb. 1820, details his observations made In harvesting, some of the stocks on which the pu- to ready markets and high prices for our produce, in October. On the 9th he was called to the wheat pa rest are left standing; others, and the greater yet, to see the necessity of paying that attention to field by his neighbour, to see the fly; but was dis part, are cut off, [with the grain.] Some of those economy in the management of stock, which the appointed. The fly had disappeared; but on ex cut off are so short as to be left strewed about the less fortunate German farmer has been forced to amining the blades of the wheat with a glass, he field, whilst the longer ones are bound in the observe. found an astonishing number of eggs; scarcely a sheaves, and carried to the stack-yard or barn; and In order to give a correct idea of the benefits to plant had escaped, and on some he counted twenty. it is probably owing to the various situations in be derived from sheep farming on an extensive The next day he met with a young maggot, which which the pupa is thrown, that the succeeding brood scale, it may be necessary to mention the state in had just burst its shell, and was crawling down the becomes so irregular, the deposit of which com- which the farm I now occupy was, previously to my leaf, the next day he discovered a plant where the menced about the 15th of August, but more abun- taking possession of it in September, 1814, I should maggots had all left the leaf, which he inferred dantly made about the 26th, and continued on in a rather have said, previously to its being occupied as from the shell of the eggs, and on stripping down less degree, till October, when those most early en- a sheep farm in 1809. It had been rented for some the leaf, he saw them on the stalk, about a dozen in tered the fly state; and thus their ravages were years to a tenant on shares, who, by dint of abunnumber, and some of them within an inch of the carried on as long as the season would permit. I dant ploughing, had paid the owner from 500 to root. On the 18th, the caterpillars had generally saw a few in the fields on the 25th November, and 600 dollars per annum rent for his half. passed from the leaf, and many of them had reach-in the house as late as the 15th of December. It My predecessor commenced, I believe, with 100 ed the end of their journey. About the middle of may then be said, that during the past year, there to 150 Merinos in 1809; and in September, 1814, I November, in a warm exposure, some of them had have been three complete broods, and partially a took possession, and paid, by valuation of two comchanged to the flax seed or chrysalis state. He fourth." petent judges, for the produce then on hand and in found the insect much the most numerous in stub- Mr. Worth recommends late sowing, giving time the ground, viz: 36 tons of hay, 270 doz. oats, 190 ble fields that had been pastured; and that grain for the plants to take good root, say the last week bushels of wheat, 100 bushels of corn, and 178 sown after September had sustained no damage.‡ in September, and first in October, (or about ten bushels of potatoes. Having assumed his contract, In February, 1821, Mr. Worth, at the solicitation days earlier in our latitude,) and pasturing in the I had a stock of 236 sheep, 9 cows and 6 horses, to of the society, gave a very detailed account of the spring; by which latter practice the fly is deprived keep over winter. (To be continued.) MANAGEMENT OF MERINO SHEEP. Society.) fly. As his observations during 1820, developed of a deposit for its eggs; or, if deposited, the eggs, Oats being then considered indispensable to Menew facts with regard to the insect, I shall state or caterpillars are destroyed with the blades. In rino sheep in winter, I had to purchase that year them in his own words. confirmation of the utility of feeding. Mr. W. states 348 bushels, and 4 tons of hay; and in the second "The fly evolved (says Mr. Worth,) from its pu- that one of his neighbours, on the 23d of April, year, 1816, I purchased 366 bushels of oats, and 6 pa or chrysalis, about the 19th April, and deposited turned his sheep on a lot of wheat, and kept them tons of hay. Next year you will perceive I sold its eggs about the 24th; the deposit was made simi there until scarcely a vestige of the plants was to 600 bushels of oats; and since then, I have purlar to that of last fall, except in some instances far-be seen. His neighbours told him he had destroyed chased no oats, though occasionally some hay. ther from the stock. The insect generally chooses the his crop; nevertheless, it soon revived; grew in the To give a view of the progressive improvement weakest plants, avoiding those which are forward or most even and beautiful manner, and yielded more of the farm, it may not be improper to contrast the well grown. This is accounted for, as it seems ne- than thirty five bushels the acre. last crop with the stock now kept, with that above cessary to clasp the leaf, by placing some of its mentioned. claws on the opposite sides, in order to press the Besides having ample pasture for 338 sheep and eggs into the gutter; hence there is a difficulty in 10 head of horned cattle, I cut upwards of 80 tons managing a broad leaf; and in the few instances of hay and four of millet-had twenty acres in where I found it effected, the eggs were laid near wheat, from which I have already thrashed out 400 the side or point, of course were more exposed to (From the Memoirs of the Pennsylvania Agricultural bushels, which, at Thomas' mill has averaged very danger; and besides, the young caterpillar would nearly 64 lbs. per bushel, and brought $1.25 per not so easily make its way down the stem of a vi- On Merino Sheep-their Management—Increase, and bushel, being 5 cents more than the common wheat; gorous plant. It appeared to me, that many of the great importance, in the best modes of husbandry, and there is a barrack yet to be thrashed, which eggs of this brood were devoured by other insects; and as proved by the product of his farm. most probably will produce 60 bushels more. Of that those which escaped were hatched in the corn I had two fields, together 18 acres-one of DEAR SIR, Philadelphia county, March 7, 1824. course of two or three days. The pupa state comthem 7 acres, manured with sheep dung; from menced about the fifteenth of May. It again enI have to thank you for your favour enclosing a which together we have at least 800 bushels. Of tered the imago or fly state early in June, and general letter from Mr. Rose, on the subject of Merino barley I had 8 acres, which, owing to the badness ly deposited its progeny from the 8th to the 10th of sheep, from which I am happy to observe, that we of the seed, produced only 112 bushels. Potatoes that month; but I saw it on the 12th in all its stages, agree exactly, in sentiment, as to the value of that 6 acres, about 750 bushels. My crop of wool should to wit, the ovum, larva, pupa and imago-the egg, ca-stock, as well as the price at which we could afford here be added, being the produce of 292 sheepterpillar, chrysalis, and fly. The eggs were laid on to produce that wool, say fifty cents per pound, un- 1252 lbs: also that of the dairy, being 530 lbs. of the upper leaves of the weaker or stunted wheat, washed. butter, from an average of 7 cows, besides supplyWith respect to the increase, and probable sup-ing the wants of my tenant's family in milk, conply, a more perfect idea may be formed from the sisting of ten persons, and supporting a family cow result of my experience, and the facts I shall give of my own. The produce of the piggery ought you, than any speculation on the subject sides pigs kept for next year. not to be forgotten, say 1600 lbs. of fine pork, be and in some instances on the under as well as the upper side, and the larva became lodged about the American Farmer, vol. 2, p. 234. I should have much more pleasure in complying with your request, could I flatter myself with the *Am. Farmer, vol. 3, p. 188. As to manure, I have generally been able, from my sheep pen and barn yard, to put in weil twenty acres of wheat, besides a patch of turnips and man |