W. J. MILLER. HARROWING GRAIN IN SPRING, AND [From the Memoirs of the Philadelphia Agric. Society.] gel wurtzel, and two gardens. This autumn I have] I have now between 80 and 90 lambs from these ON Cor. Secretary Penn. Agric. Society. -Acres 1944. The great secret in keeping sheep to advantage on our farms, is to have them well subdivided, and o never to allow them to go into the cows' pasture till after they have done with it. My farm is divided into 17 fields, and I have besides a moveable fence of 500 feet in pannels, by means of which I can divide a ten acre field in a very short time. It consists of three rails of boards only, and there is but one sheep in my whole flock that will attempt to leap it. This I consider an invaluable quality in the Merino. I find I have extended this communication to an unusual length, without referring you to the enclosed document, being an abstract (though not so particular as it ought to be,) of my farming operations since 1815; yet sufficiently so to prove, in my opinion, the practicability, if not the advantage, of keeping sheep on a large scale—at least the Merino, on a grain and dairy farm, to the amount of 14 to 2 sheep per acre, not only without injury to, but much advantage to the other operations. And I will say to the infidel on this subject, what I did to my present farmer on shares, who came to me full of prejudices in 1820-"Point out to me any other system of farming, by which I can obtain as much rent, with as little labour, and preserve my farm in the same condition, and I will clear it of the sheep to-morrow." He is now as much in favour of the sheep as he was formerly opposed to them. He receives one half of the wool, and all the increase is mine, with the other half. We have never sold it under fifty cents, though the price, as of other produce, is low at present, not more than thirty-five cents. Yet when it is added to half the crop of wheat, corn, butter and potatoes, and an orchard of 500 trees, it forms a handsome aggregate; more, I will venture to affirm, than any other farmer on shares in the county, on 165 acres, receives, who has the dung to haul, but from his barn yard. If such is the result on a valuable farm so near the city, what prospects are open to the farmer in the interior of our state, with a wide range and lowpriced lands. As intimately connected with the subject of this communication, and deeply interesting to the wool growers of the United States, I would mention, that I last summer imported two rams from Saxony, the fleeces of which I sent to Mr. William Young, and have just received the following account of their produce and value, showing how eminently advantageous it would prove to those keeping that stock, to attend to the improving the quality of the fleece. While commonly called full-blood Merino wool, in the dirt, will bring no more at present in the market than 30 to 35 cents, or $1.50 to $1.75 per fleece, these average $4.31. "The net weight in the fleece was 17 lbs." (they were covered with tar and dirt, and having been two months on board ship,) and when washed, it weighed as under, viz: 1st quality, 2d do. Farm Cows. Date. 19 19 19 Tenant's Cows. Bull. | Steers or Cows fatted. STOCK KEPT AND FATTENED. even. The harrowing of wheat, is a practice I have seen constantly pursued for a number of years, but most generally on stiff soils, and the effects produced were always considered as highly beneficial; Abstract of the Operations of my Farm of 165 acres but this operation, was generally preceded by eating of cleared Land, 26 acres of wood, and 34 in lanes off the wheat with sheep; and this was done by turning on so many as to eat it literally into the ground in two or three days, and so close, that no appearance of a blade could be seen. Partial eating, by too small a flock, was always esteemed rather injurious, by retarding the growth of some more than others, and preventing it from growing and ripening If wheat was sown on a rich fallow, so as to be in danger of lodging, the eating it off, makes it grow shorter and stiffer, and vice versa; if it be sown on a poor soil, in the spring it looks pale and sickly, and instead of its leaves creeping and spreading on the surface of the ground, it rises straight up, and does not stool; in this case the eating it off, makes it stool more, mends the colour, and adds considerably to the produce. The method of performing this operation was, after the sheep are taken off, we take a light roller and two light turnip harrows, the width of the roller; these are fastened with chains to the roller, and follow it, the roller breaks and pulverizes the clods, and the harrow loosens the surface and earths up the plants; then both harrowing and rolling are performed at once, with one pair of horses; this operation is always performed in the fourth month, (April,) when the ground is dry; it is also practised on wheat or rye, that is not eat off with sheep, and with equal success; its uses are not altogether confined to the grain crop, as it is the very best method of covering grass seeds. 66 1815 7 2 1 10 160 102 262 a 1816 7 2 1817 7 2 314 284 9 50 188 21 352 20 136 302 57 234 6 8 10 122 14 104 304 7 9 15 221 174 98 363 7 13 24 343 10 65 321 7 16 16 152 14 96 380 7 11 20 243 8 150 25 252 81 263 d 1823 8 1 1 010 292 no ac't Total Horned Cattle. Lambs at shearing. Total Sheep. | Horses. coco Hogs fattened. 240 10 608 22 383 15 392 10, 200 14 101 393 711 19 800 6 150 20 440 8 112 2 no 4 ac't. 4 do. 3 245 6101379 not 4 do. 6 750 530 1252 73 758 1054 4.11 9 765 1207 4.55 9 105 502 735 $4.53 773 867 4.33 8 919 844 4.76 878 704 5.33 sold 9 co co co co 19 9 8 no acc't. 777 According to my observations, the omitting to seed land with other grasses besides red clover, has appeared to me, one of the greatest defects in the whole system of agriculture in this country. The introduction of it in England, together with that of the turnip husbandry, (and which I believe happened both about the same time, that is, 40 or 50 years ago,) has doubled the average produce of England; and though the use of plaster and red clover, have added here so astonishingly to the value and richness of the country, as to make the average produce of grain, in many parts of this state, nearly equal to the best farms in England, yet for want of other grasses, to fill up the vacancy, as the red clover runs out, there seems almost a constant necessity of ploughing every third year, for if the ground by ploughing and fallowing previously to seeding, is put in such a fine tilth, as to destroy all the roots and weeds, the clover the first year is very fine, the second about one half freezes out, and the third, seven eighths; this leaves such a vacancy, as to give room to every weed so noxious to agriculture, blue bottle, garlic, St. John's wort, and a whole host of foes to rise, as to make an almost entire loss of two years, before the native grasses can gain the ascendancy. Besides, another circumstance prevents the native grasses from arriving at the perfection they might otherwise acquire, even in good ground, if out, and these grasses begin to grow, the ground is and in fine tilth, that by the time the clover runs seeded with the clover, whilst the ground is light so hard and solid, that one might almost as well expect a good crop of wheat by seeding without ploughing, as these to gain the perfection they of Mr. Mead's for 2 years, I have now a flock of 360 sheep and lambs after having sold, as above stated, 216: MEM.-In Sept. 1814, I paid for half the increase of together, 576 sheep. The first 5 years I kept the farm Mr. Mead's flock, being 83 ewes and rams. Immediate- in my own hands. Since 1820, it has been let on shares, $8.62 ly sold off 30 rams, leaving me 53 ewes, 20 of which giving half of every thing raised, including wool; the were lambs; and from this stock, and the half increase increase of the sheep my own. W. J. M. might otherwise acquire; and the complaint that to writing, I shall send you an account of my suc 100; and vapour in a proportion still less. Such farmers make of land binding, would, I apprehend, cess as well as the probable causes of it. I was then, are the component principles of the soil and seldom take place, in ground sufficiently rich, if this very glad lately, to see in your paper the interesting atmosphere, and sources of vegetable nourishment. method of seeding was once introduced; and I have essay of Mr. Thomas M'Call of Georgia, aud he But the whole of the ingredients of the soil and atlittle doubt but the native green grass and white deserves well of his country for his exertions and mosphere, are not taken up indiscriminately by the elover, if a proper method was once adopted for the success that has crowned them: speaking of plant and converted into vegetable food, because saving the seed, would answer the intention, with- him, I must take the liberty of correcting a probable plants do not thrive indiscriminately in all varieties out the introduction of foreign grasses. DISEASES OF CATTLE IN THE SOUTH. Whatley's Ford, (Geo.) July 15, 1826. J. S. SKINNER, ESQ. I am very respectfully, dear sir, N. HERBEMONT. under one modification or another. The plant then does not select such principles as are the most abundant in the soil and atmosphere; nor in the proportion in which they exist; nor in an uncombined and insulated state. But what are the subtaken up; and in what proportions? In order to stances actually selected; in what state are they give arrangement and elucidation to the subject, it shall be considered under the six following heads: Water, Gases, Vegetable Extracts, Salts, Earth, Manures. error, which is very pardonable, and is made by of soil. Part only of the ingredients are selected, almost every person but a Frenchman, that translate and in certain proportions; as is evident from the from the French, the word "écu," crown. "Ecu" analysis of the vegetable substance, given in the truly signifies crown; but what is called an écu foregoing book, in which it was found that carbon, in France, is what is called in England and in hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, are the principle this country, half a crown: it follows therefore, ingredients of plants; while the other ingredients Sir,-Does your section of the union suffer with that it is very probable, that this kind of error has contained in them, occur but in very small proporthe disease in cattle called (with us) the Distemper, crept in the bottom of the middle column of the tions. It does not, however, follow, that these inI am but little acquainted with the symptoms of the 83d page, No. 11, vol. 8, where the price of an gredients enter the plant in an uncombined and indisease from personal observation, but am informed acre of vineyard is stated to have been $13.000-sulated state, because they do not always so exist that the animal is obstinately constipated, and the when I think the French gentlemen who gave the in the soil and atmosphere; it follows only, that they contents of one part of the stomach (perhaps the information may have meant only $6.500 per acre, are inhaled or absorbed by the vegetating plant, lower,) is found in a hard, compact and entirely dry which is a good price enough. state. I presume not one in an hundred recovers, or even survives the disease three days, instances occur of whole stocks being swept off in a week or two; and so well convinced are the poor farmers of the incurable nature of the disorder and its aptness PROSPECT OF CROPS IN MAINE-DIFFERto go through a whole stock, that so soon as one is ENCE OF CLIMATE FROM THE SOUTH. attacked, he gives up the whole for lost; cattle driGardiner Lyceum, August 3, 1826. ven from a climate more northern, are almost cer- Dear Sir, tain to be attacked, and die on the approach of hot Enclosed is the balance due you for the American weather, (the season of its prevalence.) Our lovers Farmer, which, I think well "worth the price of the Water. As water is necessary to the commenceof "old Georgia roast beef" have their pleasures subscription," although there is much in it which ment of vegetation, so also is it necessary to its considerably marred by the unwelcome intrusion of cannot be put in practice in our climate. the idea that they may be feasting on distempered Yet there is more which might be, and ought to progress. Plants will not continue to vegetate, unmeat, which is not only disgusting to a delicate sto-be. The season with us, is at present very favoura- less their roots are supplied with water; and if they are kept long without it, the leaves will droop and mach, but really dangerous, as alarming symptoms ble, warm and sufficiently wet. are the consequences of feasting on such beef. Can ing our wheat, it is pretty good; the grasshoppers become flaccid, and assume a withered appearance. any of your numerous correspondents prescribe a re- have, however, injured it somewhat: they are very Now this is evidently owing to the loss of water; medy or preventive of this formidable disease? thick, and do much damage among cabbage, ruta for if the roots are again well supplied with water, baga. &c. Indian corn promises well-oats mid- the weight of the plant is increased, and its freshdling-hay, half what it was the last year-potatoes ness restored. But many plants will grow, and look well and many have had new ones for three thrive, and effect the development of all their parts, weeks past, and green corn a fortnight, by this you fixed in the soil. Lilies, hyacinths, and a variety if the root is merely immersed in water, though not J. B. [Our correspondent would render a publick service by getting some respectable physician to write for the American Farmer, a memoir on this formidable disease, describing its symptoms with the remedies that have been exhibited, whether successful or not. All the medical schools should give lec-] tures on comparative anatomy, and the outline of the veterinary art, until we can get regular veterinary schools established. It would give to the professor, especially, in all country situations, more honour and great practical utility.—ED. AM. FARM.] PRICES OF PRODUCE, AND PRODUCT DEAR SIR, We are now reap may make some estimate of the difference of the E. HOLMES. HORTICULTURE, SCIENCE OF GARDENING. FUNCTIONS OF VEGETABLES. Food of the vegetating Plant. of plants with bulbous roots, may be so reared, and are often to be met with, so vegetating; and many plants will also vegetate though wholly immersed. Most of the marine plants are of this description. It can scarcely be doubted therefore, that water serves for the purpose of a vegetable aliment. But if plants cannot be made to vegetate without water; and if they will vegetate, some when partly immersed, without the assistance of the soil; and some even when totally immersed, so as that no other food seems to have access to them; does it not follow that water is the sole food of plants, the Columbia, S. C. July 23, 1826. If the embryo, when converted into a plant and soil being merely the basis on which they rest, and We have paid here as high as $2 per bushel for fixed in the soil, is now capable of abstracting from the receptacle of their food? This opinion has had corn, and it is now $1.25. It is much to be feared, the earth or atmosphere, the nutriment necessary to many advocates; and the arguments and experithat the prices will be as high next year: we never its growth and development, the next object of the ments adduced in support of it, were, at one time, have experienced such a drought: what rains we phytologist's inquiry, will be that of ascertaining the thought to have completely established its truth. have had, have been so partial, that in many places substances which it actually abstracts, or the food of It was indeed the prevailing opinion of the seventhere has been little or none. I am unfortunately the vegetating plant. What then, are the component teenth century, and was embraced by several phiamong the driest, and there has not been on my principles of the soil and atmosphere? The investi-losophers even of the eighteenth century; but its farm, one hour's rain since the corn was planted. gations and discoveries of modern chemists have ablest and most zealous advocates were Van HelI leave you to judge what a prospect of a crop I done much to elucidate this dark and intricate sub-mont, Boyle, Du Hamel and Bonnet, who contendmust have, with bad management, and worse land, ject. Soil, in general, may be regarded as consisted that water, by virtue of the vital energy of the "A quelque chose tout mal est leon", and notwith- ing of earths, water, vegetable mould, decayed ani- plant, was sufficient to form all the different substanding the late frosts which have injured my mal substances, salts, ores, alkalies, gases, perhaps stances contained in vegetables. Du Hamel reared grape vines very much, and this unparallelled in a proportion corresponding to the order in which in the above manner plants of the horse-chestnut drought, the grapes are doing exceedingly well, the they are now enumerated; which is at any rate the and almond, to some considerable size, and an oak vines look flourishing, and I shall probably begin fact with regard to the three first, though their rela- till it was eight years old. And, though he informs my vintage the last of this week. This shows that tive proportions are by no means uniform. The us, that they died at last only from neglect of wadry weather suits the grapes; but I am not unwil- atmosphere has been also found to consist of at least tering; yet it seems extremely doubtful whether ling to attribute a small share of this success to four species of elastic matter-nitrogen, oxygen, they would have continued to vegetate much longer, my cares, and the experience I have acquired by a carbonic acid gas, and vapour; together with a even if they had been watered ever so regularly: long course of assiduous attention to this object. multitude of minute particles, detached from the for he admits in the first place, that they made less Time will show how that is: in the mean time, 1 solid bodies occupying the surface of the earth, and and less progress every year; and in the second am going to try to make my wine according to the wafted upon the winds. The two former ingredi- place that their roots were found to be in a very best process known here, "secundum artem;" and, ents exist in proportion of about four to one; car bad state. The result of a great variety of experi if I can overcome my almost insuperable aversion bonic acid gas, in the proportion of about one part in ments is, that water is not the sole food of plants JOSEPH COOPER. and is not convertible into the whole of the ingre- essential to the development of the vegetating plant, cider, to any other spirit whatever; and, for comdients of the vegetable substance, even with the aid and is inhaled during the night. mon use, I have been in the practice of reducing of the vital energy; though plants vegetating mere- Though nitrogene gas, constitutes by far the great-high proof spirit with the last running from a cheese ly in water, do yet augment the quantity of their er part of the mass of atmospheric air, it does not of good cider, or water cider, put in previously to carbon. seem capable of affording nutriment to plants; for the fermentation of the cider. That process will Gases. When it was found that water is insuffi- as seeds will not germinate, so neither will plants greatly improve the quality of the spirit, especially cient to constitute the sole food of plants, re-vegetate in it, but for a very limited time, such as for mixing with water, and make it more mild to course was next had to the assistance of atmos- the Vinca minor, Lythrum Salicaria, Inula dysenterica, the taste in one week, than a year's age will when pheric air; and it was believed that the vital energy Epilobium hirsutum, and Polygonum Persicaria, that managed in the common way. A further improveof the plant is at least capable of furnishing all the seem to succeed equally well in an atmosphere of ment may be made in apple brandy, by putting in different ingredients of the vegetable substance, by nitrogene gas, as in an atmosphere of common air. the still, when rectifying, two, three, or more pounds means of decomposing and combining, in different Nitrogen is found in almost all vegetables, particu- of sassafras root in what will make a barrel of proof ways, atmospheric air and water. But as this ex-larly in the wood, in extract, and in their green spirit: a sufficient quantity of sassafras will give it travagant conjecture is founded on no proof, it is parts, derived, no doubt, from the extractive prin- the flavour of peach brandy, and in my opinion, if consequently of no value. It must be confessed, ciple of vegetable mould. reduced as above, will make it full as good. however, that atmospheric air is indispensably ne- Hydrogene gas. A plant of the Epilobium hirsutum, Although many persons are opposed to the discessary to the health and vigour of the plant, as which was confined by Priestly in a receiver filled tillation of cider, from religious principles, it apmay be seen by looking at the different aspects of with inflammable air of hydrogen, consumed one-pears to me that spirit is really necessary in many plants exposed to a free circulation of air, and plants third of its atmosphere and was still green. Hence cases; and apple brandy, managed as above, and deprived of it: the former are vigorous and luxu- Priestley inferred, that it serves as a vegetable food, kept to a proper age, is as agreeable and more riant; the latter weak and stunted. It may be seen and constitutes even the true and proper pabulum wholesome than what is generally procured, at also by means of experiment even upon a smaller of the plant. But the experiments of later phytolo- great expense and risk, from other countries. Earscale. If a plant is placed under a glass, to which gists, do not at all countenance this opinion. Our ly-made cider, and that from rotten apples, is unfit no new supply of air has access, it soon begins to conlusion from various experiments is, that hydro- for other purposes. languish, and at length withers and dies; but par- gen is unfavourable to vegetation, and does not ticularly if it is placed under the exhausted receiver serve as the food of plants. But hydrogen is conof an air pump; as might indeed be expected from tained in plants, as is evident from their analysis; the failure of the germination of the seed in similar and if they refuse it when presented to them in a circumstances. The result of the experiments on gaseous state, in what state do they then acquire it? this subject is, that atmospheric air and water, are To this question it is sufficient for the present to re- in this country, which if known, might become vanot the only principles constituting the food of ply, that if plants do not acquire their hydrogen in luable. It is much to be regretted, that some instiplants. But as in germination, so also in the pro- the state of gas, they may at least acquire it in the tution does not exist in this country to test and gress of vegetation, it is part only of the compo- state of water, which is indisputably a vegetable bring into notice, its native colouring matters. In nent principles of the atmospheric air, that are food, and of which hydrogen constitutes one of the the hands of a practical and theoretical dyer, maadapted to the purposes of vegetable nutrition, and component parts. ny valuable discoveries might be made of new selected by the plant as a food. Let us take them! When plants were confined by Saussure in at- dyes, now lying dormant. Many of them might be in the order of their reversed proportions. mospheres of carbonic acid, they required nearly the used to advantage by the dyers of this country, and In the process of the germination of the seed, same condition to support vegetation, and exhibited also become objects of some magnitude, as exports. the effect of the application of carbonic acid gas nearly the same phenomena as in nitrogen. Such It would require an appropriation of two or three was found to be altogether prejudicial. But in the as were deprived of their green parts died in the thousand dollars per annum, to effect the object, and process of subsequent vegetation, its application course of a few days. It cannot, therefore, be re- I should apprehend that five years would be suffihas been found, on the contrary, to be extremely garded as favourable to vegetation. beneficial. Plants will not indeed vegetate in an atmosphere of pure carbonic acid, as was first ascertained by Dr. Priestley, who found that sprigs of mint growing in water, and placed over wort in a state of fermentation, generally became quite dead in the space of a day, and did not even recover when put into an atmosphere of common air. Of a number of experiments the results are, 1st. That carbonic acid gas is of great utility to the growth of plants vegetating in the sun, as applied (To be continued.) RURAL ECONOMY. ON DISTILLING APPLE AND PEACH (From the Archives of Useful Knowledge.) Cooper's Point, 22d October, 1810. The great plenty of fruit the present year, and to the leaves and branches; and whatever increases the bad quality of the spirit distilled from it, in the the proportion of this gas in their atmosphere, at common way, induce me to communicate some obleast within a given degree, forwards vegetation. servations on that subject. ON AMERICAN DYE DRUGS. (From Partridge's Practical Treatise on Dyeing.) There are, no doubt, a great many dying drugs cient to test all the colouring matter of the U. States. I am at present acquainted with only four native dye drugs, the sumach, the yellow bark, the bark of the swamp maple, and the alder bark. The two last not being generally used here, I shall describe their properties of the first, I need say nothing more than that for colouring of black, or tanning morocco skins, it is not half so good as the Sicilian; particularly for blue blacks, as the American works much browner, and does not produce any thing like so much colour, weight for weight. The alder is found plentifully in swampy places; it is generally of small growth, and has a motly nutbrown bark; the sticks are cut in the month of 2d. That, as applied to the leaves and branches of The first evil is, running it too long in the first April, or the beginning of the month of May, acplants, it is prejudicial to their vegetation in the distilling, which, beside injuring the spirit, will not cording to the climate and seasons when the sap shade, if administered in a proportion beyond that pay for the time lost, and wood consumed thereby. runs; the bark is stripped off soon as cut, (which is in which it exists in atmospheric air. 3d. That The second and most injurious is, in rectifying, or easily done by children,) and is dried in the shade, carbonic acid gas, as applied to the roots of plants, second distilling, the running it too long, or till the when it is fit for use. The poles make very good This bark, is also beneficial to their growth, at least in the spirit has an ill or disagreeable flavour, which great- bean sticks, or excellent fire-wood. more advanced stages of vegetation. ly injures the whole that it is mixed with. The when the colouring matter is strong, produces a As oxygen is essential to the commencement and third is, want of care to put the liquor into clean brownish drab with alum, and a light forest drab progress of germination; so also it is essential to the casks: the contents of one musty or offensive one, when only a small quantity is used. When emprogress of vegetation. It is obvious, then, that will spoil the spirit of ten times its quantity, if mix-ployed in the black dye, it increases the body of the experiments prove that it is beneficial to the ed with it. From the experience of more than the colour, even more than sumach, and is equally growth of the vegetable as applied to the root; ne-sixty years' practice in distillation, I find it best to durable. cessary to the development of the leaves; and to shift the receiver as soon as the spirit runs as low The bark of the swamp or scarlet flowering mathe development of the flower and fruit. The flow- as first proof, and to keep the remainder to distil ple, is said by Doctor Bancroft, to possess all the er-bud will not expand if confined to an atmosphere with the low wines, or till there is a sufficient quan- good dying properties of nutgalls, with a less pordeprived of oxygen, nor will the fruit ripen. Flow-tity to fill the still, with the addition of about one tion of extraneous precipitants. I have tried this er-buds confined in an atmosphere of pure nitrogen, third water, which will imbibe much of the ill fla bark, and am convinced of its being a valuable faded without expanding. A bunch of unripe grapes vour, and leave the spirit more pure. But to make colouring matter, for the black dye, and for pearl introduced into a globe of glass which was luted apple brandy to put into wine, or for other particu drabs. Its extract gives a strong blackish purple by its orifice to the bough, and exposed to the sun, lar purposes, I would recommend filling the still with copperas, in body equal to that from nut galls, ripened without effecting any material alteration in half or two thirds full of good spirit; then to fill it and the colour looks brighter and clearer; but, like its atmosphere. But when a bunch was placed in to a proper degree with water, run it so long as the every thing else, it requires much experience to asthe same circumstance, with the addition of a flavour is good; and treat the remainder as before. certain the quantity necessary to produce the best quantity of lime, the atmosphere was contaminated, This operation I call washing; and apple brandy, effect. I would strongly recommend the American and the grapes did not ripen. Oxygen therefore, is thus prepared, is preferable for putting into wine or dyers to bring it into use: let them first employ as much of it as of gall-nuts, and increase gradually, tinuance, in every way, increases the evils, and les-restored as soon as possible to favour; and when he Until they find what quantity will produce the best sens the benefits which might result from it. has received forgiveness, treated as if nothing had effect. There is much, in education, to be done by happened. He may be affectionately reminded of The saw-dust of the white oak, gives the best watching our opportunities, by acting at the right his fault in private, as a warning for the future; but, and most permanent body to blacks, of any mate- season. With most children there is an era, and after peace has been made, to upbraid him with it, rial I have ever used, and is not so apt to turn this often takes place as they are emerging from especially in the presence of others, is almost a brown, as sumach, oak bark or any other material in babyhood, in which a struggle is made for the mas- breach of honour, and, certainly, a great unkindcommon use. It requires about twelve pounds of tery,-in which it is to be decided who is to rule, ness. Under any circumstances, to reproach chiloak saw-dust to twenty yards of broad-cloth, weigh- the child, or those who are placed over him. At dren in company is equally useless and painful to ing twenty-four pounds, or half the weight of the such a juncture, in order to determine the matter, them, and is generally done from irritability of temcloth. The purple given by the saw-dust, is finer and firmly to establish authority, it will be neces- per, with little view to their profit. than that which is obtained from the nut galls, or sary to employ vigorous measures, and to suppress We are to remember that shame will not effectuthe swamp maple bark, and is highly permanent. the first risings of a rebellious and disobedient spirit, ally deter children from what is wrong; and that in It is not improbable, that the saw-dust of the by punishment, decisive; and repeated till submis employing it too much as an instrument of educaswamp-maple, would be still better than that of the sion on the part of the child, and victory on that of tion, we have reason to apprehend we may lead the parent, are completely secured.* So great is them to act from the fear of man rather than from oak. There is an acid in wood, called the pyroligneous, the importance of these contests; so great is the that of God. Every thing, too, which may in the which is much used, when combined with iron, for difficulty of carrying them on with the temper, and least injure the characters of children, is to be strictdying and printing of black on cotton. It is highly the union of firmness and affection, which they re- ly avoided. To have the name of a naughty child probable, that when oak, or other saw-dust is boiled, quire, that it is desirable they should be conducted will produce so disheartening an effect upon the this acid is extracted, and operates in producing only by a parent. Punishment is more often to be mind, that the ill consequences may probably be the colour, in addition to the purple obtained as a inflicted simply as the consequence of a fault, and not felt through life. It is on this account desirable, colouring matter; for it is well known, that pyro- with the idea, that it must be prolonged till the par- that tutors, governesses, and nurses, be cautious of ligneate of iron, is the best mordant used in the ticular action required has been performed. enlarging upon the faults of those under their care black dye. to any but the parents. LADIES' DEPARTMENT. A child is desired, for instance, to put up his playthings, and he refuses with so much self will, that Blame, and even praise, are to be dispensed with his attendant cannot overlook it, and is under the nearly as much caution as punishments and rewards; necessity of telling him that he must be confined in for a child may be called "good," "naughty," "trouthe next room for a quarter of an hour; but let her blesome," "kind," or "unkind," till either his temREWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS, PRAISE beware of adding, that there he shall stay till he per will be kept in continual irritation, or he will will put them up. This would serve merely to en-listen with perfect indifference. AND BLAME. (From Hints on Education and Nursery Discipline.)gage in the combat his pride and his obstinacy At A child must not be punished or reproved from Rewards and punishments, praise and blame, are the end of the quarter of an hour she should release the impulse of temper; we may regulate his actions, the main supports of authority, and its effect will him from his imprisonment, without waiting to make but we cannot hope to subdue his will, or improve greatly depend on our dispensing these with wisdom conditions for his future obedience. his disposition, by a display of our own wilfulness and caution. It has been said, indeed, that submission, on the and irritability; for our example will more than A very frequent recourse to rewards does but les- part of the offender, is the object of punishment, counteract the good effects of our correction. If irsen their effect, and weaken the mind by accustom- and such submission as may entitle him to receive ritated, we should wait till we are cool, before we ing it to an unnecessary stimulus, whilst punish- complete forgiveness. When a child has been cor- inflict punishment, and then do it as a duty, in exment, too freely administered, will fret the temper, rected, we should not rest satisfied till this object act proportion to the real faultiness of the offender; or, which is worse, break the spirit. has been attained; but it is not, in all cases, to be not to the degree of vexation he has occasioned Locke remarks, "that those children, who are the expected, either during the continuance of the pun- ourselves. A child should be praised, reproved, most chastised, rarely prove the best men; and, that ishment, or immediately afterwards. rewarded, and corrected, not according to the conpunishment, if it be not productive of good, will A well trained child, if affectionately admonished sequences, but according to the motives, of his actions certainly be the cause of much injury." after correction is over, and not being irritated at solely with reference to the right or wrong intenIt is better, therefore, if possible, to effect our the idea that it may be continued, will generally tion which has influenced him. purposes by encouragement and rewards, rather yield at once; but it is not considered necessary to Children, therefore, should not be punished for than correction. But if this be impracticable, we put this always to the proof. He has committed a mere accidents, but mildly warned against similar should still keep in view, that punishment, being in fault, and has suffered the consequences. Here it carelessness in future. Whereas some people shew itself an evil, and intended simply to deter from what is often wisest to leave the affair for the time, much greater displeasure with a child for accidenis wrong, and to induce submission and penitence, choosing the earliest favourable opportunity, when tally overthrowing the table, or breaking a piece of ought never to be extended beyond what is abso- he has more perfectly recovered himself, for re- china, than for telling an untruth; or, if he hang his lutely necessary to secure these objects, and, unless ceiving his submission, and assuring him of forgive head, and will not shew off in company, he is more inflicted by parents, or those who are possessed of ness. blamed than for selfishness in the nursery. But the first authority, should be of the mildest and least If his attendant have conducted herself in the does not such treatment arise from preferring our alarming character. right spirit, he will have felt the force of her cor- own gratification to the good of the child? and can Not only the rod, but severe reproaches, rough rection, though he may not have shewn it at the we hope, by thus doing, to improve him in the gohandling, tying to bed-posts, the hasty slap, the dark time. The next day, if she desire him to put up vernment of his temper, or to instruct him in the closet, and every thing that might terrify the imagi- his play-things, he will, pretty certainly, obey with, true standard of right and wrong? nation, are to be excluded from the nursery. If a more than common alacrity. nurse be under the necessity of punishing a child, she may confine him for a time in a light room, remove him from table, or allow him simply to suffer When a child has been punished, he should be Punishment, administered in anger, is no longer the discipline of love, but bears too much the character of revenging an injury, and will certainly exAlthough the use of the rod is most strictly to be cite in the sufferer a corresponding temper of mind. the natural consequences of his offence. If he in- prohibited to those who possess only secondary authori- From fear, indeed, he may yield externally, but the tentionally hurt his brother with a whip, the whip y, yet, with some few children, a parent may find it feelings of his heart would lead him to resentment must for a time be taken from him. If he betray necessary to employ corporal punishment in order to rather than to penitence and submission. And let impatience and selfishness at table, let him be served establish the habit of obedience, or effectually to sub-it never be forgotten, that if we desire to perform the last, and with the least indulgence. Such gen- breach of moral principle. Under such circumstances our duties to children, it is not to their outward contle measures, administered with decision, will ge- corporal punishment may be very efficacious; but to duct, but to the heart, that we must direct our chief nerally succeed, for it is much more the certainty render it so, or rather to prevent its becoming a dan- attention. due a propensity to falsehood, or to any other glaring the offender. and immediate execution, than the severity, of pun-gerous evil, it must be resorted to only as a last re- To punish with effect requires decision, and someishment, that will avail. A child, who is sure of source on very important occasions, and administered times courage. If, in addition to this, our punishbeing confined a quarter of an hour, if he strike his as a chastisement of the most serious nature, with de-ments carry with them the stamp of love; if they companion, is less likely to commit the offence than cision, perfect serenity of temper and affection towards are inflicted with an undisturbed serenity of temper, another who has only the apprehension that he may It will also be found that corporal punishment, if ne- for our pleasure, but for his profit," they will rarely with a simple view to the good of the offender, "not be detained an hour; for the hope of escaping with impunity adds no little force to temptation. Cor- childhood; every advancing year, as it should add to a cessary at all, will be most useful in the early stages of fail in accomplishing the intended purpose; for chilrection, also, is not to be unnecessarily delayed or child's generosity of feeling, and sense of honour, in- dren have a quick sense of the motives that influprolonged. Delay renders it less effectual, and creases the serious disadvantages which attend this ence us, and their hearts are not unfrequently as more trying to the temper; whilst any needless con- mode of correction. much softened, and their affections as powerfully them. NATURAL HISTORY. ON THE HABITS OF THE AMERICAN SIR, SPORTING OLIO. J. W. R. called forth by such correction, as by the most ing their envelopes; and this very day, on collecting whom I am indebted for directing my attention to gratifying rewards that could be bestowed upon and examining several braches which had been some particulars, who can bear testimony to the pierced, I found that many of the repositories con- accuracy of most of them, it is hoped that farmers tained nothing but dry skins, that some eggs had not will lay aside those fears of the return of the cateryet arrived at maturity, and that many, when taken pillar the next season, which the N. Jersey gentleout and exposed to the air, hatched immediately. man has endeavoured to excite, and that, notwithOn opening a nest containing about 20 eggs, and standing his too positive assertions, they will ascribe observing their progress, I found that three had ex- the ravages of that or any other insect, to their tricated themselves after three minutes, eight were proper cause, and not to the harmless locust. Fauquier county, Va. July 23, 1826. on their feet in five minutes, of which one had Yours, respectfully, Having learned the last spring, that the locust crawled about eight inches, and that in ten minutes was this season to make its appearance, after an ab- there were remaining but four or five which had not sence of seventeen years, and finding the predic- entirely freed themselves. I observed also, that tions (of the truth of which I was, I confess, at first when allowed to hatch upon loose earth, they soon quite incredulous,) actually verified by its arrival penetrated it and buried themselves within it. about the first of June, as foretold; I became a The insect which is excluded from the egg, expleased, and endeavoured to be an accurate observ- cepting that its body is somewhat more slender, and er of the operations of this interesting insect, from its colour lighter, appears (viewed through a lens,) its first appearance. I therefore anticipated plea- precisely similar to that from which its parent fly sure from the perusal of the communication of issues. Its large forefeet, the rudiments of wings your correspondent on this subject, published in visible upon it, the transverse rings upon its body, the Farmer of July 14th; but finding his statement and even the hairs scattered over its surface, acto differ so widely in several particulars from my cord minutely with the same particulars in the large The following is a list of the stallions (which may own observations, I beg leave to send you a few insect. With those points of close resemblance be- be considered as nearly complete,) imported into remarks, of which you are at liberty to make such fore us, aside from the fact of their disposition to Virginia and North Carolina from the year 1795 to use as you may think proper. enter the earth, which shows that to be the element 1810 inclusive, with their pedigrees annexed. The ANNALS OF THE TURF.-No. X. (From the Petersburg Intelligencer.) The locust of this country, is entirely different designed by nature for their reception, could we first step, it is conceived, towards a Stud Book, or both in its size and appearance, as well as nature doubt that this is the identical form under which it collecting an account of the blood of our horses, is and habits from the locust of Egypt, and undoubt is hereafter to make its appearance upon the sur-to ascertain the number of stallions imported from edly appertains to a distinct genus. They rise face of the earth, after having completed its term England, with their pedigrees annexed; because it from the earth about the first of June; and the of years beneath it? and that instead of "many," is to the importation of horses and mares from that ground which they have inhabited, is afterwards it undergoes but one "transmigration" or rather kingdom, that we are indebted not only for the known by the small round holes which are in some transformation "ab ovo usque- -"? What then foundation of our stock of turf horses, but for their places visible in considerable numbers on its sur- becomes of the caterpillar, and the other various present value. There is not a pedigree of a single face. Immediately after leaving the earth, they forms which the N. Jersey writer supposes this blood horse or mare in this country, but what goes endeavour to divest themselves of their skins, which, Proteus to assume during its "destructive career," in every cross, directly or remotely back to English if the air be somewhat damp, they readily effect; as he terms it? stock. but if, unluckily, the warm rays of the sun reach But there are other inaccuracies into which the The present attempt towards a collection so dethem, their shell is dried and contracted upon them, gentleman has fallen, and which he will excuse me sirable, it is hoped, will be followed up by the zeal and they are unable to extricate themselves. in stating, since he has requested (what certainly and intelligence of others, until a Stud Book is acTheir sole object, as that of the silk-worm, in ap- he needed before he attempted to inform others, complished, which is at present so great a desidepearing in the fly state, would seem to be the pro- viz.) information respecting facts. ratum with the amateur, the sportsman and the pagation of their species; for this is commenced One error, unimportant indeed, but still requiring breeder of the turf horse. immediately after their change, and they perish correction, is that an exudation of gum takes place Arch-Duke. Imported in 1803, by Col. Hoomes, soon after the female has deposited her eggs. from the wounded tree, and affords protection to of Virginia; a brown bay, got by Sir Peter Teazle, The manner and means by which she accom- the uncovered egg. This I have observed in no dam Horatio by Eclipse-Countless by Blank-Rib plishes this object, are extremely curious, and to me one instance: and did it universally occur, we -Wynn's Arabian-Governor-Alcocke's Arabian novel. The instrument with which the perforation is should no longer be subject to these "depredations" -Grasshopper. effected, is half an inch in length, and which the writer imputes to this innocent insect, Alderman. Imported into Virginia, by John cylindric to near the extremity, where it is since what he considers their protection would in Banks, of Richmond; bay horse, bred by Earl Grosflattened and dilated, presenting both a evitably cause their destruction; for, as I have venor, and got by Pot8os, dam Lady Bolingbroke point and edge; so that the operation is more easily shown, they require the air to hatch, and the earth by Squirrel, out of Cypron, the dam of King Herod performed than could have been supposed, consider- to nourish them, from both which they would thus by Blaze-Bethel's Arabian-Greyham's Champion ing the size of the workman. This perforator which be excluded. Besides, there are very few trees ex--Darley's Arabian-Merlin. is also made tubular to afford a passage to the egg, cept fruit trees, (with which the locust here seldom Archer. Imported from London, in 1802, by is inserted beneath in the abdomen of the female meddles,) which afford viscid secretions; and of T. Reeves, Virginia; bay horse, bred by the late only, projects forwards, and when not used is placed these, the pine and sumach it totally rejects. Duke of Cumberland, got by Faggergill, dam sister in a kind of sheath. It is not therefore, the male, One remark with respect to the nourishment of the to Crassus by Eclipse-Young Cade, Rib, Partner, according to the opinion of your correspondent, locust in its winged state. The gentleman asserts Greyhound, Curwen's Bay Barb. which punctures the branches, but the female. that they "destroy any green thing by their numbers Admiral Nelson. Imported by Wm Lightfoot, The holes, which are from one half to three and voracity." Now whether they draw up juices Virginia; bay horse, bred by Lord Grosvenor and fourths of an inch distant, are arranged in rows, and from the tree, or merely sip a little moisture as got by John Bull, dam Olivia by Justice, her dam by are usually found on the under side of branches of some suppose, or take no nourishment at all under Pherby Squirrel, out of Tribble's dam by Regulus. about an inch in diameter; but rarely on opposite this form, as I believe is the case of the silk worm, Bryan O'Lynn. Imported by Governor Turner, sides, unless the limb be nearly erect. They are I am not entirely satisfied: but that they devour the of N. C., was a bay horse and got by Aston, (own generally made by the insect with its head depend- leaves of trees or any other vegetable, I am con- brother to Whiskey,) his dam by Lesang--Regulus, ing, and are therefore directed downwards When vinced is wholly incorrect. For I have neither in the out of Prophet's dam by Partner--Greyhound— carried to a sufficient depth, the eggs are deposited whole course of my observations, seen them so em- Curwen's Bay Barb. singly, and in two layers; and the instrument is not ployed, nor were the leaves of the trees upon which Bedford. Imported from London in the spring removed until the hole is nearly filled with from 15 they deposit their eggs, and remain in the greatest of 1776, by Col. John Hoomes, of the Bolling-Green; to 20 eggs. The process is then repeated, until numbers (as the chinquapin,) more eaten than a bay horse, bred by Earl Grosvenor, and gut by perhaps 50 perforations, containing near 1000 eggs, others. Besides, what of itself is proof positive. Dungannon, (one of the best sons of Eclipse, his are filled by the same female. and what the gentleman himself, if he had used a dam Fairy by Highflyer-Fairy Queen by Young The eggs in those branches which are not killed little more accuracy in his investigation, might easi- Cade-Routhe's Blackeyes by Crab-Warlocke by too much piercing, are gradually brought to ma- ly have discovered, the locust is entirely destitute Galloway by Snake-Bald Galloway-Curwen's Bay turity by the heat of the sun, and instead of re- of mandibles, or those organs for eating with, which Barb. Bedford was the sire of some of the first maining "torpid until spring," according to the un- the grasshopper and probably most other herbiver-rate horses of their day. The following were among qualified assertion of the writer already alluded to, ous insects are furnished. the number of his immediate descendants, besides commence hatching in about a month. it is now more than two weeks since they commenced burst If therefore, the facts which have been above many others, viz: Fairy, who, it is believed, out of stated, are correct, and there are gentlemen, to thirteen races (4 mite heats,) won twelve, and is the |