No. 51.-VOL. S. AGRICULTURE. AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, MARCH 9, 1827. AGRICULTURAL MEMORANDA. 401 the vintage made in fine weather, and the grapes best situation of lands, is not so much on a level as left a few days to dry, and then carried to the press. to make the water stagnate, nor so steep as to make The productions of Grecian agriculture, were the water run off with violence, nor so low as to be sheep, goats, swine, cattle, mules, asses, and horses; buried in the bottom of a valley; nor so exposed as the grains and legumes at present in cultivation; to feel the violence of the storms and heats: but It is remarkable, that in the time of Hesiod, who and the vine, fig, olive, apple, date, and other fruits. that in all these, a mediocrity is best; champaign wrote upon agriculture one thousand years before It does not appear that artificial grasses, or herbage lands exposed, and whose declivity affords the rain the Christian era, the state of agriculture and other plants, were in use; but recourse was had, in times a free passage; or a hill whose sides gently decline; arts in the eastern countries, and even of its ma- of scarcity, to the mistletoe and the cytisus.--Ency or a valley uot too much confined, and into which chinery, does not appear to have been materially of Agriculture. different to what they are in the same countries at the present day. Property in land was recognized, Of the Agriculture of the Romans. the air has easy access; or a mountain, defended by a higher top, and thereby secured from the winds that are most pernicious; or if high and rugged, at the same grains cultivated, and the same domestic In the time of Cato the Censor, the author of The the same time covered with trees and grass. (Col. animals reared and employed; some led a wander-Husbandry of the Ancients observes, though the ope- lib. 2. cap. 9. Pal. lib. 1, cap. 5.) The situation of ing life and dwelt in tents, like the Arabs; and others rations of agriculture were generally performed by lands which Cato reckons the best, is that at the dwelt in towns or cities, and pursued agriculture servants, yet the great men among the Romans con- foot of a mountain with a south exposure. Varro and commerce like the fixed nations. tinued to give a particular attention to it; studied its and Pliny concur in this opinion, and the latter The works of Hesiod, which constitute a part of improvement, and were very careful and exact in the states that the best lands in Italy are so situated. his poem, are not merely details of agricultural la management of all their country affairs. This ap- Cato says, "A landholder should apply himself to bours, but comprise directions for the whole busi- pears from the directions given them by this most at- the cultivation of his fields in his youth; but he ness of family economy in the country. The poem tentive farmer. Those great men had both houses in ought to think long before he builds. He ought not sets out by describing the state of the world, past the town and villas in the country; and as they resid- to think about planting, but he ought to do it. When and present, for the purpose of exemplifying the ed frequently in town, the management of their coun- he i. about thirty six years of age, he may build, condition of human nature. This condition entails try affairs was committed to a bailiff, or overseer. provided his fields are planted. (Cato, cap. 3.) on man the necessity of exertion, to preserve the Now their attention to the culture of their lands Men should plant in their youth, and not build till goods of life, and leaves him no alternative but and to every other branch of husbandry, appear their fields are planted, and even then "ought not honest industry or unjust violence, of which the from the directions given them how to behave upon to be in a hurry, but take time to consider. It is good and evil consequences are respectively illus- their arrival from the city at their villas. "After best, according to the proverb, to profit by the folly trated. Dissention and emulation are represented the landlord," says Cato, "has come to the villa, and of others." Plin. Nat. Hist. lib 18, cap. 5.) as two principles actively at work: much is said of performed his devotions, he ought that very day, if Proportion the expense of building to the rent, the corruption of the judges, and virtue and indus possible, to go through his farm; if not that day, or the profits arising from the farm.-"An edifice try strongly recommended. The poet proceeds to the next. When he has considered in what manner should be built according to the value of the farm describe the prognostics of the seasons of agricul- his fields should be cultivated, what work should be and fortune of the master, which, immoderately tural labour, and gives directions for providing a done, and what not; next day he ought to call the undertaken, it is commonly more difficult to suphouse, wife, slaves, and two steers; how and when bailiff, and inquire what of the work is done, and port than to build. The largeness of it should be to cut down timber; to construct carts and ploughs, what remains; whether the labouring is far enough so estimated, that, if any thing should happen to deand make clothes and shoes; when to sow and reap, advanced for the season, and whether the things stroy it, it may be rebuilt by one, or at most by two dress the vine, and make wine. He then treats of that remain might have been finished; and what is years' rents or profits of the farm in which it is navigation, and gives cautions against risking every done about the wine, corn, and all other things. placed" (Pal., lib. 1, tit 8.) thing in one voyage: he describes the fit seasons for When he has made himself acquainted with all Of animals reared, the quadrupeds were of the the coasting trade, and advises taking great care of these, he ought to take an account of the work- same kinds as now in use; and to the common sorts the vessel at such times as she is not in use, and men, and the working days. If a sufficiency of of poultry they added thrushes, larks, peacocks, and hanging up the rudder and other tackle in the work does not appear, the bailiff will say that he turtle doves; they also reared snails, dornice, bees, smoke of the chimney. He concludes the "works" was very diligent, but the servants were not well; and fish. The care of the poultry was chiefly comwith various superstitious observances to family that there were violent storms; that the slaves had mitted to the wife of the farmer or bailiff; and it matters. The days contain a division of the lunar run away, and that they were employed in some was chiefly near Rome and Naples where the most month, into holy, auspicious, inauspicious, mixed, public work. When he has given these and many delicate birds were the most extensively reared.and intermediary days, the latter being sich as are other excuses, call him again to the account of the When Rome was at her greatest height in the time entitled to no particular observance. Manures were work and the workmen. When there have been of the Cæsars, the minor articles of the farm proapplied; in Homer, an old king is fount manuring storms, inquire for how many days, and consider duce bore a very high price. Varro informs us, his fields with his own hands; and the invention of what work might be done in rain: casks ought to that "fat birds, such as thrushes, black birds, &c. manures is ascribed by Pliny to the Grecian king have been mended and cleaned, the villa cleaned, were sold at two shillings, and sometimes five thouAugeas. Theophrastus enumerates six different corn carried away, dung carried out, dung hills sand of them were sold in a year from one farm. species of manures; and adds, that a nixture of the made, seed cleaned, old ropes mended, new ones (Var. lib. 3, cap. 2) Pea fowls were sold at 17 13s. soil produces the same effects as manure. Clay, he made, and the servants' clothes mended. On holi- 4d.; an egg was sold at 3s 4d. A farm sometimes says, should be mixed with sand, and sand with days, old ditches may have been scoured, a highway produced as many of these fowls as to sell at 5002. elay. The seed was sown by hard, and covered repaired, briars cut, the garden digged, meadows Var. lib. 3, cap. 6.) A pair of fine doves were comwith a rake. Corn was reaped with a sickle; bound cleared from weeds, twigs bound up, thorns pulled, monly of the same price with a peacock, 1l. 13s. 4d. If in sheaves; carted to a well prepared threshing far (bread-corn, maize,) pounded; all things made very pretty they were much higher in the price. no floor, in an airy situation, where it might be thresh-clean. When the servants have been sick, the or less than 81. 6s. 8d. L. Anius, a Roman knight, ed and fanned by the wind, as is still practised in dinary quantity of meat ought not to have been refused to sell a pair under 131. 6s. 8d. (Var. lib. 3, modern Greece, Italy and other countries of the given them. When he is fully satisfied in all these cap 7.) Some kinds of fishes were highly valued continent Afterwards it was laid up in bins, or things, and has given orders that the work which among the Romans in the time of Varro. Hortenchests, or granaries, and taken out, as wanted by remains be finished, he should inspect the bailiff's sius, whom Varro used to visit, would have sooner the family, to be pounded in mortars, or quern accounts; his account of money, corn, fodder, wine, parted with a pair of his best coach mules, than mills, into meal. Thorns, and other plants for oil; what has been sold; whether there is good se- with a bearded mullet. (Var. lib 3, cap. 17.) Herhedges, were procured from the woods, as we find curity for what is owing. He should inspect the rius' fish ponds. on account of the quantity of fish, from a passage in Homer, in which he represents things that remain; buy what is wanting for the were sold at 33,3331. 6s. 8d. (Plin. Nat. His. lib. 9. Ulysses as finding Laertes digging and preparing year, and let out what is necessary to be employed cap. 55. Lucullus's likewise at the same price.→ to plant a row of quick sets. in this manner. He should give orders concerning (Id. lib. 9, cap. 54.) the Romans. The most desirable age of a ploughman, says He the works he would have executed, and the things of the General Maxims of farm management among siod, is forty: he must be well fed, go naked in sum he is inclined to let, and leave his orders in writing. mer, rise and go to work very early, and have a He should inspect his flocks; make a sale; sell the sort of annual feast, proper rest, and good food and superfluous oil, wine, and corn. If they are giving To sow less and plough better was a maxim indiclothing: coats of kid skins, worsted socks, and half a proper price, sell the old oxen, the refuse of the cating that the extent of farms ought to be kept in boots of ox hides in winter. He must not let his cattle and sheep, wool, hides, the old carts, old iron their proper bounds. Pliny and Virgil consider eye wander about while ploughing, but cut a tools, and old and diseased slaves. Whatever is large farms as prejudicial; and Columella says, one straight furrow; nor be absent in mind when sow-superfluous he ought to sell; a farmer should be a of the seven wise men has pronounced that there ing the seed, lest he sow the same furrow twice. seller, not a buyer." (Cat. cap. 2.) should be limits and measures in all things. "You The vine is to be pruned and staked in due season; Columella and Palladius agree in stating, that the may admire a large farm, but cultivate a small No. 51.-VOL. 8. one." And the Carthaginian saying, "that the country; the qualities of the different soils; and hood, he planted a small lot of hops; which, howland ought to be weaker than the husbandman," what are the crops that each country and climate ever, after a year or two, he ceased to gather, as he were maxims to the same effect. produces and rejects." (Virg. Georg. 1,1. 1.) found that the expense of hirelings to pick them, The importance of the master's presence in every The making experiments, is a thing very strongly amounted to more than the price of the same quanoperation of farming was inculcated by many max-recommended to the farmer by our authors. "Na-tity of hops brought from New England. This can ims: "Whoever would buy a field ought to sell his ture," says Varro, "has pointed out to us two paths, be easily comprehended, when it is understood that house, lest he delight more in the town than in the which lead to the knowledge of agriculture, viz: ex-a smart, active hand, accustomed to pick hops, country," was a saying of Mago. "Wherever the perience and imitation. The ancient husbandmen. cannot gather more than enough, when dried, to eyes of the master most frequently approach," says by making experiments, have established many make 15 lbs. per day-and the same hand, without Columella, "there is the greatest increase." It is maxims. Their posterity, for the most part, imi experience, could not pick more than half that justly remarked by the Rev. A. Dickson, that though tate them; we ought to do both, imitate others and quantity. After the wages of hirelings, and the "every person knows that the presence and attention make experiments ourselves, not directed by chance, subsequent expense of curing the hops by fire (an of the master is of great importance in every busi- but reason." (Var. lib. 1, cap. 18.) operation of great nicety,) are deducted from the ness; yet every person does not know, that in no bu- Product.-A hundred fold, Varro informs us, was price of a day's gathering of hops, but little surplus siness are they so important as in farming."-(His. reaped about Garada in Syria, and Byzacium in will be left to pay for the expense of previous culof the An. i, 206.) Africa. Pliny adds, that from the last place, there tivation. That more is to be gained by cultivating a small was sent to Augustus by his factor, nearly 400 The public, however, are much indebted to you spot well than a large space indifferently, is illustrat- stalks, all from one grain; and to Nero, 340 stalks. for giving the necessary information respecting the ed by many sayings and stories. "A vine-dresser He says he has seen the soil of this field, "which cultivation of hops; for I agree entirely with you, had two daughters and a vineyard; when his eldest when dry the stoutest oxen cannot plough; but af- that "your notice of the subject will not have been daughter was married, he gave her a third of his ter rain I have seen it opened up by a share, drawn without its use, if it only lead each farmer and vineyard for a portion; notwithstanding which, he by a wretched ass on the one side, and an old wo- planter to cultivate a dozen or two of vines to give had the same quantity of fruit as formerly. When man on the other." (Nat. His. cap. 5) The returns hops enough for his own use-in making cheap and his youngest daughter was married he gave her the in Italy were much less extraordinary. Varro says, wholesome beer, to be drunk without stint, by all half of what remained, and still the produce of his there are sown on a jugerum, four modii (pecks) of the family, in lieu of whiskey, which is selfishly provineyard was not diminished." Col. lib. iv, cap. 3.) beans, five of wheat, six of barley, and ten of far vided for his own exclusive use and that of his male Pliny mentions a freedman, who having much larger (maize;) more or less, as the soil is rich or poor. friends." crops than his neighbours, was accused of witch- The produce is in some places ten after one, but in That your readers may have the opinion of Bricraft and brought to trial. He produced in the others, as in Tuscany, fifteen after one. Lib. 1, tish writers on the subject of hops, I enclose you forum a stout daughter, and his excellently con- cap. 44.) This, in round numbers, is at the rate of for publication an extract from the 1st volume of structed iron spades, shears, and other tools, with twenty-one and thirty two bushels an English acre. the Edinburgh Encyclopædia, p. 301-and am his oxen, and said, "These, Romans, are my On the excellent lands of Leontinum, in Sicily, the With much esteem and respect, charms." He was acquitted. Nat. His. 18, 6.) produce, according to Cicero, was no more than Your humble serv't, Ostentatious, or profuse culture is not less con- from eight to ten for one. In Columella's time, demned than imperfect culture. "The ancients," when agriculture had declined, it was still less. says Pliny, "assert that nothing turns to less account than to give land a great deal of culture.”To cultivate well is necessary, to cultivate in an extraordinary manner is hurtful." "In what manner then," he asks, "are lands to be cultivated to the best advantage?" To this, he answers, "in the While too much praise cannot be bestowed upon cultivator, and as often making an imperfect return, cheapest manner, if it is good;" or "by good, bad the attempt to introduce among our farmers new barely sufficient to defray the expenses of labour. things," which, he says, were the words the an- objects of attention and cultivation, yet on the In fact, hops are exposed to many more diseases cients used to express this maxim. other hand, care ought to be taken in our recom- than any other plant with which we are acquainted; Industry is recommended by numerous maxims. mendations, not to hold out delusive hopes. The and the trade affords a greater room for specula"The ancients," says Pliny, "considered him a bad foregoing reflection occurred on reading some re- tion that any other exercised within the British dohusbandman who buys what his farm can produce marks in your number of Feb. 16th, under the head minions. MR. SKINNER, [Loudon's Ency. of Agriculture. HOPS. A CONSTANT READER. "Hops are a necessary article in brewing, but not advantageous in an agricultural point of view; because much manure is abstracted by them, while little or none is returned. They are an uncertain article of growth, often yielding large profits to the Extracts from the unpublished agricultural correspondence of G. W. JEFFRYS, of North Carolina, author of an excellent work, in duodecimo, entitled, Agricultural Essays. AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY. to him: a bad master of a family, who does in the of "New objects for the attention of Maryland and "There can be no certain report made of the day time what he may do at night, except in the Southern farmers," which served as an introduction produce of the hop plantations: because in some time of a storm: a worse, who does on common to an article "on the cultivation of hops." In those years the growth is less than two hundred weight days what is lawful on holidays: the worst of all, remarks gloomy anticipations with respect to to- per acre, ard in others it is fourteen or fifteen. The who on a good day is employed more within doors bacco planters and the growers of grain, in states average may be seven or eight.” [Edin. Enc. than in the fields." (Nat. His. 18, 6.) cultivated by the expensive labour of slaves, were Knowledge in matters relative to agriculture is in freely, and I fear with too much truth, indulged; culcated by all the rustic authors. "Whosoever," but in seeking for substitutes, we shall fall into an says Columella, "would be perfect in this science, egregious error, if we suppose that hops can be remust be well acquainted with the qualities of soils sorted to in any considerable extent. Since the and plants; must not be ignorant of the various publication of the above mentioned article on hops, climates, that so he may know what is agreeable, the writer of these observations has made inquiries and what is repugnant to each; he must know ex-respecting the consumption of that article in Baltiactly the succession of the seasons, and the nature more; and the result is, that all the brewers in town Philadelphia, Oct. 13, 1816. of each, lest, beginning his work when showers and do not probably use more than 40,000 lbs. a yearSIR-I have the pleasure to acknowledge the rewind are just at hand, his labour shall be lost. He a quantity much less than half of what might be ceipt of your letter of the 6th inst. and in answer to must be capable to observe exactly the present tem- raised by any one out of many Prince George's your request respecting an agricultural library. I per of the sky and seasons; for these are not always planters, if as much labour were devoted to hops have annexed a list of such books as I think every regular, nor in every year does the summer and as is allotted to his tobacco crop, provided hirelings winter bring the same kind of weather; nor is the could be got at the season of harvest in sufficient spring always rainy, and the autumn wet. To know numbers; which, however, would be utterly impossi these things before they happen, without a very ble except in the vicinity of cities. A very few indigood capacity, and the greatest care to acquire viduals, thus situated, might therefore glut the marknowledge, is, in my opinion, in the power of no ket. It can, therefore, only be looked to as an obman." (Col. lib. 1, præf.) To these things men-ject of garden cultivation in small quantities. tioned by Columella, Virgil adds several others.- Another result of this inquiry was, that although "Before we plough a field to which we are stran-hops are in some years of scarcity, from the pregers," says he, "we must be careful to attain a cariousness of the crop, very high in price, yet the knowledge of the winds, from what points they blow average price cannot be estimated above 15 cents at the particular seasons, and when, and from per pound, and in some years they have been as whence, they are most violent; the nature of the low as 8 cents per pound. A gentleman, who was elimate, which in different places is very different; formerly the principal brewer in this city, stated, the customs of our forefathers, the customs of the that being possessed of a farm in the neighbour-' such society ought to possess. Domestic Encyclopedia, Philad. ed. Dickson's Agriculture, 4to. about Bard on ditto, $15. 5 v. 8. Sv. 2.50 1 v. 9. Sv. 6. 3 v. Trans. Massachusetts Agricul. Society, .75 All the foregoing can be had in Philadelphia on application to David Hogan, bookseller, No. 249 JOSEPH COOPER. FITABLE PLANTS, Which infest the Farms in Chester county, Penn. Verbascum thapsus. Common mullein. High street. I do not think that the works of and apple juice ferment separately; have plenty of Datura tatula. Jimson, or James-town weed. Marshall or Young, or the Communications to the the latter, rack and spirit as before; and at a future Thorn-apples. Board of Agriculture of England, will be of the racking mix them to suit the palate. After it is of a A well known fetid weed, possessed of active least benefit to you; as they treat of local affairs proper age, fine it with new milk; the last method narcotic properties, and very common about barn principally, and are, moreover, very dear. I can I have tried. The above I have written with diffi-yards, lanes, waste grounds, &c. Very little care not recommend any book on the diseases of cattle. culty at near eighty-two years of age, is taken to keep it in subjection, or it might readily I have read every one that ever was published in And remain yours, &c. be done, as it does not incline to spread over the English, and am disgusted with the absurdity and farm. The D. stramonium, which some botanists inhumanity of the practice they advise. In the consider as a distinct species, though it is certainly northern states our cattle are, fortunately, healthy, allied to the foregoing, has not been observed in if justice be done to them. In the southern states, NOTICES OF PERNICIOUS AND UNPRO- Chester county. the chief diseases they are subject to arise from shameful neglect and poverty; and until a planter makes up his mind to house his cattle in storms, and supply them with plenty of wholesome juicy food, it is better that he should not have medical books, as he will pester the animal with drenches instead of good hay, pumpkins, turnips, potatoes, and corn meal. In the winter of 1813, I gave a course of lectures on the diseases of domestic animals, This shrub prevails in swampy meadows, and with the hope of exciting the attention of the medialong rivulets, so as to be a good deal troublesome cal gentlemen to the subject; and I now send you to the farn.er, in many places. It is to be kept the introductory lecture to that course I will down by careful grubbing and draining. gladly receive any facts on the subject, as I hope the trustees of the University will establish a proThis foreigner was introduced into this county fessorship of Veterinary Medicine, when I will fursome forty or fifty years ago, and is gradually exnish the person appointed, if desired, with the re-tending itself along our field sides. It is altogether sult of my researches on the subject. Wishing you all imaginable success in your agricultural operations, I remain very respectfully, your friend, JAMES MEASE. MR. G. W. JEFFRYS. SOILING CATTLE. No. 2. TETRANDRIA.-MONOGYNIA. Cephalanthus occidentalis. Button bush. Pond dog-wood. Dipsacus sylvestris. Wild teasel. if neglected, but being a biennial, it may readily Plantago major. Common, or Great plantain. This is a foreigner, but completely naturalized, and very abundant on all farms where the occupant is not careful to keep it down. This may readily be done by attention and perseverance in pulling it out by the roots every year, before the seeds are matured; and none but slovenly farmers will ever permit so worthless a plant to occupy their grounds. Verbascum blattaria. Moth mullein. A worthless weed, and frequent in old fields and tracted much attention. pastures; but not very troublesome, and has not at(To be continued.) HORTICULTURE. CULTIVATION OF THE GRAPE. MR. SKINNER, Pendleton, Feb 17, 1827. In obedience to the resolution of the United Agricultural Society of South Carolina, I herewith A foreigner, and a worthless plant to the agricul- enclose for publication in the American Farmer, a turist; but as it is chiefly confined to path-ways and copy of an original communication read before that lots about houses, it is not found to be very trou-society at their meeting in December last, on the Philadelphia, June 26, 1817. blesome or injurious. "cultivation of the grape," by Mr. N. Herbemont, SIR-If you soil cattle, attend to the directions in Flantago lanceolata. English plantain. Ripple- of Columbia, S. Carolina. the Domestic Encyclopedia: oats and corn, cut green grass. Rib-wort. Buck-horn plantain. JOSEPH N. WHITNER, Sec'ry. will not fatten cattle; but will keep cows in milk. This, also, is a foreigner, and becoming very preYour dependence must be on white and red clover, valent in our fields; so much so, that it is difficult Columbia, Nov. 20, 1826. orchard grass, Guinea grass, and avena clatior.-to procure red clover seed entirely clear of it, in The cultivation of the grape having been here Timothy must be left for hay. Herd grass may this county. It yields such an abundance of seed, also be added to the list for soiling If you soil, that where it has once got possession of the soil, it lately the subject of much conversation, the great much will depend upon rigid punctuality, cleanli seems almost impossible to get rid of it. It is, how- praise which my friends have bestowed on my wine, ness, daily carding the sides with a wool card; con- ever, by no means a worthless plant; for horses, this country might derive from it, induced me to and the high sense I entertain of the vast benefits fiding the cattle to one person; and not over feed-cattle and sheep are very fond of it, and it has even make a few calculations, to ascertain the most proing. Wishing you success, been cultivated by some farmers; but its presence bable advantages that would be effected by spirited I remain respectfully yours, JAMES MEASE. MR. G. W. JEFFRYS. P. S. Your cattle should regularly have a handful of salt once a week; and if soiled must be kept ander sheds, and each in their own stall. WINE MAKING. Friend Jeffrys, is generally objected to. Symplocarpus fœtida. Swamp cabbage. Skunk weed. GENTLEMEN, exertions in the cultivation of our pine lands in this valuable article. In doing this, it is proper to estimate the present value of these lands and that which they will have acquired by the plan proposed, not after a given number of years; for the time required to produce the full effect depends on so many circumstances, that it cannot be calculated with any deLithospermum arvense. Stone-weed. Corn grom-gree of certainty, but must depend on the degree of our exertions, and the vigour with which the A worthless foreigner, which has become natu- execution of the plan may be commenced and perralized in our grass and grain fields. The mature severed in. However this may be, the success here I received your letter of 20th May last, but from plant seems to contain siliceous matter, which ren- contemplated, can scarcely fail to be the ultimate age and its consequent infirmities, have been unable ders it injurious to scythes and sickles. It would result. to answer its requests; therefore, must refer you to probably not be difficult to subdue; but it has not, We may assume for the above purpose, (and great Dr. Mease's Archives of Useful Knowledge, except as yet, attracted much attention. accuracy is not of material importance in this case,) an improvement I have lately discovered of making Echium vulgare. Viper's bugloss. Blue devils. that the state of South Carolina contains sixteen the grape wine without sugar or water, which is This vile foreign weed is very rare in Chester millions of acres. It is thought that nearly one half better than any I have heretofore made, when of county; but it is frequent in the neighbouring parts of it is pine barrens, sand hills, and other pine lands the same age. At the first trial I added about one of Maryland and Delaware, and will probably find amounting, therefore, to eight millions. Out of this third part of the sweetest unfermented apple juice; its way among us ere long, if care be not taken to we must deduct about three millions of acres for the previous to the fermentation of either, put the liquor keep it out. It is considered a great nuisance water-courses and our rich swamps bordering upon into a clean vessel for fermentation, filling it fre- where it prevails, and is said to be very difficult to them, and a small quantity of the best quality of quently to work out the filth. As soon as it emits a conquer: it therefore behoves the farmers sedulous- pine lands, which I presume is a full allowance. clear froth, check the fermentation by putting the ly to guard against its further progress. Five millions are then left of poor sand hills and bung in slack and tightening it as it will bear; rack it Rochelia Virginiana, Torrey. Virginian scorpion pine barrens. The present value of this land canby letting it dribble slowly into a tub, to flatten it; grass. not be precisely ascertained; but it is well known add about a sixth part of good apple or French This is an obnoxious weed, frequent in open that thousands of acres can be bought at from ten brandy; put it into a clean cask, and bung it slack. woodlands, and along fences, field-sides, &c. The to fifty cents per acre. I think we may safely say I generally rack it off three or four times the first bur-like fruit is particularly troublesome, by matting the average value is not more than fifty cents. This winter, burning a sulphur match in the cask at each horses' manes, fleeces of sheep, &c.; and the plant makes then $2,500,000. If this allowance is thought racking except the first. ought to be kept down by cutting or pulling it up, too small, doubling it will make no great difference in the result of the calculation. The last experiment I tried was to let the grape before the fruit is formed. With the most perfect respect, I am your obedient servant, The value of lands planted in vines in Europe, the only ones to be expected from the adoption of a has been made, and if not, whether it may be exparticularly in France, is known to be very great, system calculated to produce the result. They are pe- pected at the present session. May I ask the favour viz: from $500 to $5000 per acre; and a vineyard of cuniary only, and they will necessarily be accompa- of a note in reply, with leave to communicate it for seven acres is known to have been sold, not long nied by an immense augmentation of physical pow- the satisfaction of those who take an interest in the since, for considerably more than the latter price. er in the state, and consequent weight in the scales subject? Experiments in Georgia, in this state, and else- of the Union of the states, and respectability abroad. where, have shown, that we can reasonably calcu- "Those extensive tracts of sandy soil are found late on an average crop of 300 gallons of wine per congenial to the vine, and, like the same soils in the acre-and this is more within the control of the south of Europe, where health reigns perennial, cultivator than is generally supposed. yield those mild tonic wines so friendly to health, Treasury Department, Feb. 19, 1827. From these premises, it must be thought ex- temperance and prosperity." Our moral condition SIR-I received, on Saturday, your letter of the tremely low to estimate lands planted here in vines will then be much improved, and the advantages 13th instant, and beg to say, in reply to it, that the and in a bearing state, at $500 per acre. resulting from this are truly incalculable. Report on the resolution of last May, relative to the Surely this will not be considered extravagant, With all these prospects before us, shall we re culture of silk, will not be made at the present seswhen the clear yearly profit of such an acre may main in passive indolence when we have so many sion of Congress. The subject commanded my parbe worth as much as the fee simple is here estimat-motives to urge us on; motives, several of which ticular, and early attention, after the close of the ed. Supposing one acre only for every fifty to be have not been even hinted at in this paper? last session, and measures were adopted for obtainin vines; the value of the lands in this culture will Will not our legislature, will not spirited and pa ing, not only from all parts of the Union, but also then be 100,000 acres at $500 per acre--$50,000,000. triotic individuals, lend a helping hand to promote from different parts of Europe, such information, in But can we suppose that proprietors of such lands, such desirable consequences? I fear it will be said, the form of publications, or otherwise, as might having experienced the value of such cultivation, let the thing take its own course-let it rest on in-constitute the proper materials of a report. From would be satisfied with only one acre in fifty. We dividual exertions; and many plausible and fashion- the shortness of the recess, the returns of this inmust suppose double the quantity a very moderate able arguments will be used, to show that govern formation had not even come in, except in part, at estimate, which will make the land thus cultivated, ments ought not to meddle with things of this na- the commencement of the present session; and furbe worth for 200,000 acres of it, $100,000,000. ture. To this I answer, that if the prosperity of ther information may still be expected. The task It cannot be supposed that the remaining four nations and states be not the business of govern-of having the whole mass digested and arranged in million eight hundred thousand acres, a great pro ments, I do not know what governments are insti a proper manner, will be entered upon after the portion of which is susceptible of so much increas tuted for. Consult history, the best guide of na-close of the present session, and a hope is entertained value, can possibly remain at the former price tions and communities, and you will find that if the ed, that it will be in a state to be presented to Conof fifty cents per acre; and under the contemplated governments of Europe had always acted under the gress at an early period of the next session. I circumstances, an increase to at least $2 per acre influence of such doctrines, there would probably deemed this course more likely to meet the true obmust be a very moderate calculation. not be yet one pound of silk raised in all Europe, jects and spirit of the resolution, than if a report nor perhaps the one thousandth part of the wines had been made hastily, which, from the scope that now raised in that country. The government of the subject was found to have, could only have the United States has not thought it derogatory at been done at the expense of the requisite fulness; the last session of Congress, to interest itself in the and I feel happy in believing, from the tenor of our cultivation of silk, and has begun measures to pro conversations, that you will be disposed to view, mote it. It is a most valuable article; but its im- with approbation, the course adopted. portance is not to be compared with that principally I remain, with great respect, your obed't servant, recommended here. and with which it is easily, I RICHARD RUSH. was going to say naturally, connected. The Hon. CHAS. MINER, Of the House of Representatives of the U. S. Therefore, 200,000 acres in vines, at Total value of pine lands in the state Leaves a difference, or increased value, of $100,000,000 9,000,000 $109,000,000 $106,500,000 If it be thought that we have somewhat travelled through some of the regions of Utopia, it will be readily admitted, if it be merely meant that the This amount, then, is the bare increase in the efforts which may be made towards the attainment value of the land Now let us see the amount of yearly income produced by the land. of the result here anticipated, can be literally ex- N. HERBEMONT. We have assumed an average crop of 300 gallons per acre. Let us even reduce this to one half, 150 In this, as in every thing else, the effect must be gallons at $1.00-150 dollars per acre will make for proportionate to the cause; and something like the 200,000 acres, $30,000,000 per annum. (In Eu- anticipations here above enumerated, must take rope, some of the vineyards yield sometimes even place according to the adequateness of the means. more than two thousand gallons per acre; this, how- I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, ever, is rare, and must be on land of very great Your obed't serv't, fertility.) I allow nothing for the produce of the rest of the land, although this may be very great, as probably a few other valuable articles will keep pace with the culture of the vine-such as silk, which may be raised in the mean time in very considerable quantities, without interfering at all with the principal object; for these two, viz: wine and silk, do very well together. THE SILK CULTURE. in HORTICULTURAL ITEMS, From Loudon's Gardeners' Magazine for 1826. Naturalization of Plants.-A German author, J. Ch. Lewchs, has lately published a book, in which are some useful remarks on this subject. His work is divided into three parts. 1st. Observations on the climate and soil of Germany, and those of other countries. 2d. Principles of guidance in choosing plants for acclimating; and, Sd. Processes for that purpose. In choosing plants to acclimate, it is necessary to attend first to their organization; annual plants which terminate their development in a part of the [The interest we feel in the culture of silk which abound in sap and have a spungy porous wood year, are easier acclimated than perennials. Plants America, to which the publick attention has been and pith, succeed with difficulty. In applying these attracted by Mr. Miner's resolutions; forbids us to omit the following correspondence. It will be re-instead of endeavouring to give to foreign plants principles, the author lays it down as a rule, that It must be remembered that the above need not ferred to, hereafter, as belonging to the history of their ancient climate, we ought to apply ourselves in the least, or in a very small degree, affect the an important branch of national industry. A good to make them forget it. He recommends to begin cultivation of the present staple products of this deal of wholesome excitement already exists on the state; and that what is here proposed, is purely to subject. Great pains have been taken by Mr. Rush by hardening the seed, and for that purpose to put it in the ground before winter; to shorten the pebe an increased value caused by the cultivation of to collect information for a perfect report, which riod of vegetation by increasing the temperature; new articles in a soil, not otherwise available--and we shall have next fall or winter. Some pounds of to diminish the nourishment, but increase its irritathis to be done, or at least begun, chiefly by suita- Italian mulberry seed were distributed by Mr. Miner tion, by employing stimulating saline manures, camble persons brought from Europe during the late session of Congress, among the gen-phor, &c.; to stop the growth in autumn, by surThere France, Italy and Germany can yield to tlemen from the south and west, and strong hopes rounding the plant with cold; to hinder it from us thousands of honest, industrious, and willing are entertained, that in twenty years we shall exshooting too freely in the spring, by keeping it dry, cultivators. port silk.] so as to diminish the quantity of water absorbed by the roots, &c-Gard. Mag. Let not the above be too hastily pronounced viHouse of Representatives, Feb. 13, 1827. sionary. Let us remember that we have never been The Hon. RICHARD RUSH, Means of rendering Promology more flourishing. inferior to Europe in any of our undertakings; we Secretary of the Treasury. The Promological Society at Guben, in Lusatia, have even exceeded them in several, and the pro- SIR-Numerous applications are made to me to having been consulted on this subject, recommendduce of the vineyards in France alone exceeds the know whether a report on the Mulberry and Silk ed the adoption of the following measures. above amount. Worm, with a view to the production of silk, call-struct youth in the cultivation of fruit trees. 2. InThe advantages anticipated here are, however, not 'cd for by a resolution of the last session of Congress, struct also ministers and school masters. 3. Oblige 1. In ministers and school masters to acquire information doubt, however, that if the poorest land had such kept for this purpose,) and allowed to remain unon the subject. 4. Render ministers and school crops as were grown upon it ploughed down when bunged till all visible fermentation has ceased. I masters responsible for public ordinances relative to they were half arrived at maturity, for a series of again weigh a sample, and find a further attenuathe culture of fruit trees. 5. Establish branch pro- years in succession, it would in the end become tion of 10 or 15 per cent. It is then racked from mological societies. 6. Establish a nursery and an rich. But how many years it would require to ef- its lees into another cask, and the lees run through orchard for the principal society. 7. Plant fruit fect this, is uncertain.-Gard. Mag. a filtering bag. The proportion of spirits used is onetrees in the public places of villages and along the [One truth should never be lost sight of by the twelfth, put in at three rackings, one third at each. high roads. 8. Let every parish (commune,) be farmer, that the growth of plants, like the growth "With regard to the saccharometer, I am of responsible for fruit trees planted in public places. of animals, will ever depend on their being supplied opinion, that if it were in general use, the cha9. Appoint public watchmen for fruit trees. 10. In- with a sufficient quantity of food, adapted to their racter of home-nade wine would be greatly imcrease the penalties for injuring fruit trees. 11. Pro- wants; that is, of those matters which are to con- proved; and that it is impossible, without its aid, hibit the destruction of small birds, which are ne- stitute the elements of the new plant. Rye is a to make, from year to year, a regular and well cessary for the destruction of caterpillars; but the better green crop than buckwheat; but I think it manufactured wine. The seasons in this climate sparrow is to be excepted, because it attacks both affords less nutriment than clover, and I am certain are so precarious, that the fruit in some years birds and fruits, and only eats caterpillars when it that it affords less than a dressing of stable dung. will yield, at the least, one quarter more saccharine cannot get any thing else. 12. Establish public In the case above cited, the green crop was soon matter than in others; and by following the geneofficers to superintend the execution of promologi- decomposed, and gave all its food to the maize; rality of recipes in favourable seasons, we shall cal laws, and judge petty offenders. 13. Name an while the manure, more ligneous, slower in decom- have a rich, well tasted, excellent wine; in others, inspector general for promological plantations for posing, and probably checked in the fermenting (although adhering to the same methods,) a thin each province. Such is the ardor for encouraging process by a cold season, or cold and wet soil, gave and greatly inferior wine. By using this instruthe growth of fruit trees on the banks of the Rhine. probably but a small part. The crop that followed ment, we find in bad seasons the deficiency of graGard. Mag. the maize must have been far superior on the dung-vity; in good seasons, the increase. The known Beurre Delbecq.-This is a new autumn pear, ed ground.] evil can be easily remedied by an extra quantity of raised by M. Van Mons, from seed sown about thir- Brighton Atheneum and Oriental Garden.-The unadulterated juice, sufficient to bring up the grateen years ago; it is named after the editor of a principal objects of this institution are the follow-vity as high as we find by experience is requisite. public journal, (Messag. des Sci. et Arts,) ripens ing: An extensive collection of exotic plants en- We all of us, I am convinced, greatly err in using in autumn, and is said to be a very superior fruit. closed in a glazed conservatory. 2. A library of too much sugar; and were we to bring up our graThe tree is loftier, and of a handsomer form than standard works in literature and science; museum vities by an extra quantity of fruit, sugar might, any other variety.-Bull. Univ, March, 1826. of natural history, &c. &c. perhaps, be completely dispensed with. HomeMyrica Cerifera.-This plant has been cultivated The Oriental Garden.-This name has been cho- made wines would, in every respect, resemble fofor seven years, in the open ground of the Botanic sen from the adaptation of the place to the growth reign, and be far superior to what they now are. Garden of Carlsruhe; it there ripens its fruit, five of tropical plants. The building will be of orien- "I have found the average specific gravity of pounds of which will furnish by decoction upwards tal character, entirely of glass, supported by iron home-made wines, when a twelve month old, to be of 8 ounces of green wax. work of a peculiar construction; which, while it from 30 to 50. Whereas a well manufactured wine TEA PLANT. Extraordinary utility of the Nettle.-In the week- possesses the requisite strength for covering so vast will never exceed the weight of water; as is the ly newspaper of the Bavarian Agricultural Society, a space, is delicate enough to admit the light with case with all foreign wines. The last specific gra1823, No. 6, the nettle is said to have the following perfect freedom. It will include about an acre of vity before fermentation I adopt, averages 120 Alproperties: 1 Eaten in salad, it cures consumption. ground, and under this magnificent canopy, the lan's instrument. 2. It fattens horned cattle, whether eaten green or finest and most beautiful plants may be grown in all "The instrument is expensive, certainly, when dried. 3. Experience not only shows that it fattens the perfection of their native soil and climate.- purchased merely for this use; but, if the method calves, but improves their breed. 4. It is an anti- Gard. Mag. appears to you desirable, I have no doubt Mr. Aldote to most maladies. 5. Sheep which eat it, bring] British Wines.-The Caledonian Horticultural lan could make an instrument of glass, for ten or forth healthy, vigorous lambs. 6. It promotes the Society has always paid attention to the subject of twelve shillings, which would answer the purpose laying of eggs in hens. 7. It improves the fat of home-made wines. Thirty-seven varieties were very well, if the use of it were fully explained to pigs. 8. The seed, mixed with oats, are excellent presented to them for examination, at their late him.-Gard. Mag. for horses. 9. It grows all the year round, even in meeting. The qualities of the wines seem to have the coldest weather. 10. The fibres of the stem improved materially from year to year, not only in make an excellent hemp. the Champagne, both still and mousseux, from the Linnæan Botanic Garden, near New York, Feb. 3, 1827. The Bavarian oracle might have added, that few unripe gooseberry becoming more and more palaSir,-Perceiving various communications from plants force better or more rapidly, and that the table, but various attempts at imitating the drier tender shoots so produced, make a delicate and continental wines have succeeded beyond expecta-to the Tea Plant; I have thought it well to inform time to time in your excellent publication, relative high-flavoured pot-herb, resembling the points of tion. The committee recommend competitors, to the shoots of pompions. follow as nearly as possible the mode practised by the public that I have about a hundred fine flowerIt is certain the nettle is much valued in Holland, Mrs. Roberts, and described at length in the Me-ing plants, of both the Green Tea or Thea viridis, where its young shoots are used as a pot-herb, its moirs of the Society, vol. iii., p. 460. The follow- and of the Black Tea or Thea Bohea-also plants of the Camellia sasanqua, which forms part of the roots for dyeing yellow; where the horse dealers ing recipe is from this family: manufactured green teas; and of the Olea fragrans give them a fine skin; and where considerable por- kind of garden wine. I put one half pound of water tions of fields are planted with it, and mown five or to every pound of fruit; bruise them well together odorata, to perfume all the finer descriptions of tea. I junction with those of the Aglia odorata, and Viola six times a year, as green food.-Gard. Mag. and continue to mix them twice or thrice a day. I Cultivation without dung-M Corvaille, of Tou-use the saccharometer and weigh a small quantity rium or New Zealand tea; the flex cassine or Yapan have also in my collection the Leptospermum scopalouse, has published a pamphlet, in part a transla- of liquor after every operation. The increase of tion from the Italian, to show that this may be ef- gravity is regularly noted down; for as long as sacfected by burying in the soil half grown crops. He charine matter is contained in the husks, the gra gives an example of a field in Piedmont, which was vity will increase. When this is exhausted, a dedivided in two equal parts; on one of these rye, crease of saccharine matter will be observed by a sown in November, was ploughed down on the 1st decreased specific gravity at the next trial, showing of May following, at the same time the other was that such matter begins to be decomposed. It is well manured with stable dung. Both were sown then strained from the husks into a cask without a with maize, and treated with the same care. At head, for fermentation; which cask is sufficiently harvest, the produce of the grown crop on the large to contain double the quantity required. The John Williams, Esq., of Pitmaston, near Worces. ploughed-down rye, exceeded that grown on the average quantity of sugar I use, is two pounds loaf, ter, cultivates strawberries on small ridges of earth dung in the proportion of 425 to 300. M Jourbert, powdered fine, to every gallon of impressed juice, running north and south, about nine inches above of Turin, who made this experiment, thinks rye put in with the juice in the cask. This fermenta- the level of the ground, planting the strawberries on the best of all plants for ploughing in: but it does tion is allowed to continue till it has attenuated 30 the top, and laying plain tiles on each side of the not follow, from the above experiment, that bury or 40 per cent., helping the operation by adding a ridge. He finds the produce earlier, more abuning living vegetables is to be preferred to manuring, small quantity of yeast at the first, and afterwards dant, and better flavoured, than on plants grown on because the effects of the latter lasts three or four skimming and stirring it at least once a day. It is the flat ground. The flat tiles retain the moisture, years, while that of ploughing-in growing plants is then transferred into the barrel for final fermenta- promote the ripening of the fruit, and keep it free seldom perceptible on a second crop. We have no tion, (filling it up twice a day with its own liquor, from dirt after heavy showers of rain.-Gard. Mag. give the seeds to horses, to make them brisk and "I have but one general rule for making every whose very odoriferous flowers are used in con China. I anticipate shortly making you a more extensive communication on this and other subjects tea of North Carolina, and the Rhamnus thezans of of interest to our country. J. S. SKINNER, ESQ. WM. PRINCE. STRAWBERRIES. |