No. 11.-VOL. 8. AGRICULTURE. AMERICAN FARMER.-Baltimore, June 2, 1826. PENNSYLVANIA AGRICULTURAL SO CIETY. Quarterly Meeting. The Chairman of the Committee appointed to confer with the Board of Health on their communication read at their last meeting, reported— That he had been examined by a Committee of the members of the city and county delegation at Harrisburg-that a law had been passed to effect the objects contemplated, and that he had no doubt very useful results would proceed therefrom. 81 this state to increase the quantity of wool, with-I will send one or two more. If they reach you in As the three last letters were not intended for (Signed) April 8, 1826. WILLIAM HUGHS. JOHN S. SKINNER, Esq. W. R. DICKINSON. Philadelphia, April 11, 1826. The following communications were read: From the Secretary of the New York Agricultural Board, presenting the third volume of their Me"I certify that I witnessed a performance of Wye moirs, an interesting and valuable work, embrac- Comet, an Improved Durham Short Horn Bull, ing the most important topics of agricultural in- lately belonging to Col. Powel, on the 3d inst. He walked a measured mile on the turnpike, led by a quiry. From James Williams, Esq., of Hilton, Philadel-boy, in precisely eleven minutes." phia county, on the comparative merits of various esculent roots-on the seasons for sowing them -on prejudices as to the influence of the moon This was corroborated by the Recording Secreupon vegetation-on an ingenious contrivance for depositing seeds in drills-on deep ploughing, tary, who stated that he also witnessed the perfor- W. R. DICKINSON, ESQ., and the advantage of stirring the soil between mance, and that there could have been no mistake. Steubenville: growing crops-on the extraordinary success and he and two others having held watches, and having Dear Sir,-In compliance with your request, I skill, displayed by Mr. Walker, in the manage-agreed perfectly in the time. ment of his farm near Holmesburg. A member having stated that he was led to be- proceed to communicate the information you desire From J. Whitaker, Esq., of Burley, Yorkshire, Eng. lieve that the cost of the best Saxony sheep in respecting the origin of my Merino flock, as corgiving his mode of managing and rearing calves, Germany would admit of their sale here, at prices condemning the practice of feeding them from not exceeding sixty dollars; it was pails, shewing that his finest short horned heifers Resolved, that the Corresponding Secretary be are reared by allowing one "nurse" to nourish instructed to communicate in behalf of the Society, two calves until the early part of the autumn-with such persons as he shall deem fit, to obtain acihat during the winter they are fed with straw, tur-curate information as to the expense attending their nip tops, sometimes with a little linseed cake meal-first cost, and transportation. the succeeding summer they are kept on grass alone, and the following winter fed, together with the dry cows, on straw and turnips. From a gentleman of Philadelphia, inquiring as to (From the Minutes,) JOHN P. MILNOR, rectly as my memory will permit. In the fall of the year 1806, I purchased one ram and two ewes from Col. Humphrey's Merino flock, for which I paid $300. This ram was accidentally killed a short time after, and in the spring of 1807, Mr. Basse Muller imported into Philadelphia six Merino sheep, which he said had been obtained by him, from the flock of the Prince of Hesse Cassel. These sheep were all remarkably fine animals, and at Mr. Muller's request I took them to my farm, and kept them until they had recovered from the effects of the voyage, and were in proper condition to travel. the probable success of a German farmer, dis- SHEEP HUSBANDRY--SAXONY MERINOES. I then prevailed on Mr. Muller to let me have one posed to emigrate with a flock of 500 Merino of these rams, and to name his own price; he consheep the district of country best suited to his DEAR SIR, Steubenville, May 22, 1826. sented to this as a personal favour, and did not conpurposes, and the price of land, &c. In a late number of the American Farmer, Mr. sider it as a sale when he named $100 as about sufFrom Loyd Jones, Esq., of Montgomery county, McDowell was requested by a "Connecticut Far- ficient to defray the original cost and charges. That on orchard grass-its superiority for pasturage-mer" to state "when and by whom the sheep were sum was paid by me with great satisfaction, alits excellence when converted into hay-its nu- imported from Saxony, from which his flock was though at that time I would rather have had a ram tritious properties-the large quantity of seeds it descended." As Mr. McDowell purchased his Me- of equal quality, directly from Spain; thinking it affords the profits of its cultivation-the causes rinoes from me in the first instance, and as I was best to procure the water at the fountain head, as of its occasional failure, from the want of accu- his author with regard to their Saxon origin, (though less liable to impurities than further down the raey in tillage, and the bad quality of the seeds, in truth I never valued the sheep the more on that stream. A sheep ths Merino blood may have all too often encumbered with chaff, and frequently account,) I felt it to be my duty to write to Mr. the external qualifications of a full blooded Merino; injured by improper management in securing Caldwell, from whom I purchased the foundation but no experienced breeder would think it equally of my own flock; and I have now the pleasure of safe, or desirable to breed from such an animal, Mr. Jones' communication was confirmed, by the enclosing you the reply of that gentleman, who is when the genuine full blooded can be obtained. I experience of Mr. G. W. Roberts and Mr. Powel. a practical man, and a master of the subject about would prefer one of the best horses of Arabia, for From Mr. Massey, of Delaware, on his decided which he writes. His suggestions are important on speed and bottom, to the most beautiful English preference for white cattle, as better fitted to en- the subject of breeding generally, and I flatter racer, if I desired to propagate and perpetuate those dure heat. myself that you will be pleased with an opportuni- qualities. And even now I would rather CROSS with From a gentleman in New York, complimenting ty of publishing his letter in your valuable paper. the best Spanish ram, than with the best Saxon the Society upon their exertions for the introduc- In expending more than forty thousand dollars Merino, unless I KNEW that the Merino blood had tion of improved races of farm stock, applying for Merino sheep, Mr. Caldwell, with a discrimina- been kept pure and unmixed in Saxony. The confor Improved Short Horns, and Southdown sheep, tion surpassed by no one in the country, purchased trary practice, would be gradually, but CERTAINLY, and asserting that he had found root crops highly up the cream of almost every importation from breeding back again into the common stock of the valuable in promoting the health, and the useful Spain, during the period of the invasion of that country. I have, however, every reason to believe, secretions in neat cattle and sheep. country by the French. Some time after the deFrom a gentleman in Connecticut, ordering an Im-claration of peace in 1815, he sold the principal proved Short Horned bull calf, adding "I am part of his fine flock to the Messrs. Howells, of decidedly in favour of the cattle" (Improved Dur- New Jersey, who transferred it finally to my care; best in Saxony; and I have for the last twelve years ham Short Horns,) "and think them superior to in which situation it has maintained (to say the been compelled to castrate nearly all my males. The any other breed although I am an owner of De- least,) its original purity and excellence. In num- specimen now sent will determine their fineness, combers, it has greatly improved. pared with the Saxons, some of which, I hope, will be From a gentleman in Kentucky, who had some years I intend, on to-morrow, to start a man with one sent to the Exhibition; for after all, I may have oversince imported short horned and long horned cat- of my fine rams, to be exhibited at your approach-rated my flock. tle, inquiring for an Improved Durham Short Horn- ing cattle show; and I will presume to compete for I allude to Ohio. ed Bull, and coarse woolled sheep, contending "it the silver cup which has been offered in such flatMr. Caldwell says "every part." Mr. Partridge inmust be greatly to the interest of the farmers of tering terms. Should there be room in the wagon, cludes Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, &c. No. 11.-VOL. 8. them. vons." I have now between one and two hundred fine rams which will compare, in my humble opinion, with the W. A. D. that those sheep imported by Mr. Muller, were per-getting out wheat early in August, and letting it sugar in the vat, and let it ferment four hours, fectly pure Merinoes, and I think that Columbus lay in the chaff, and thus destroying the eggs of pressed eleven gallons of must, which raised_the was the first descendant from Muller's ram and this insect by this means, he would do immense hydrometer 15°. When the wine was drawn from one of Col. Humphrey's ewes. You are certainly benefit to this country by publishing his knowledge the lees, it was clear and of a fine amber colour: it under a mistake in thinking that Columbus was the and experience on the subject of the Weevil fly. has become stronger than French wine, and may best ram in my flock. It was Americus that shear- From such a source of science as Mr. Jefferson, not be so strong as Madeira; but the flavour is ed 12 lbs. of wool which I sold for $25 cash. It the Weevil fly would cease to do any injury to the much superior to any wine that I am acquainted was Americus that weighed 148 lbs. Americus was wheat after it is cut down. From his pen we might with. begotten by Columbus, and was, in my opinion, in expect the natural history of this insect, which all respects, a superior sheep. I now think that cannot be equalled any where. Americus was the best Merino ram that I have ever met with; although I have travelled from Boston to Alexandria for the purpose of examining all the early importations from Spain, and of purchasing the best that I could find. I am, your obedient serv't, A FARMER. August 14th, collected a basket of wild bunch grapes and a basket and a half of berries of the wild muscadine: strength each as already mentioned; mixed them together and added 9 lbs. of sugar in the vat, where it fermented all night; pressed seven gallons of 124°-added 3 lbs. more sugar, which raised the hydrometer 14°. When the wine The fly made its appearance later than usual this lour, and of excellent nutty flavour, but a little tart. was drawn from the lees, it was of a full claret coseason, owing to the cool and damp weather. The This wine is stronger and more flavoured than any heat and drought of May brought it into life and French wine that I have tasted. PROSPECT OF CROPS. I have expended more than $40,000 upon Merino sheep, but never could find one equal to Americus in every respect. I do not remember the weight of Columbus, but his fleece never weighed more than 94 lbs. which I also sold at $2 per lb. Mr. Howell action, and its ravages have been severe: whole August 14th, collected eight baskets of Warrenpaid me $300 for Columbus, at a time when the best fields are now destroyed; the thin lands will scarce- tons, three of Madeiras, and two of wild bunch imported Spanish rams were to be had for $50; and ly produce their seed; some not half. The good some time after, when the price of Merinoes was and the manured lands are greatly injured, and the grapes, and mixed in the vat-unpressed juice 84 continued drought prevents recovery. deg.; added 52 lbs. sugar and let it ferment five considerably lower, the same Mr. Howell gave me Prospects hours; pressed 36 gallons of 15 deg. This wine is five hundred dollars for Americus. I presume that are gloomy. Upon the whole, we have scarcely of the Madeira colour, is strong enough for its age, seen the approach of June so near, with such gene- and of superior flavour to any Madeira wine that I you have mistaken the names of these two sheep. Mr. Dupont, of Brandywine, has lately imported rally bad appearances. Rain, even now, would im- have tasted at eighteen months old. some Saxon Merinoes. He thinks them better al- prove the well farmed land crops, but nothing can together than the Spanish, and he is an excellent restore the general loss. judge. I know of no individual more competent the farmer to work it well and to destroy the weeds let it ferment six hours; pressed at the several times, Corn is low and later, but the drought enables to decide the question. Nevertheless, for the reasons already given, I think the Spanish Merino the and grass. In its young state, Indian corn suffers most valuable acquisition to this country; and they but little from drought. Oats promise nothing; the have always improved in every part of America, gardens suffer extremely; the fruit generally dewhere they have had an abundance of food, and stroyed. Grass never promised a worse crop. [Easton Gazette, May 27. been protected from the weather, and above all kept pure and unadulterated. With the greatest respect, JAMES CALDWELL. N. B. The greatest part of the Saxon Merinoes are most probably the result of repeated crosses with Spanish rams. J. C. MR. SKINNER, Charleston, S. C., May 22, 1826. August 21st and 29th-On these days I collected 21 baskets of Madeiras and six of Warrentonsunpressed juice 8 deg.; added 117 lbs. sugar and inclusive, 88 gallons of 14 deg. This wine was of the Madeira colour, not so strong as the former, and was somewhat tart; the tartarous acid in the grapes was not sufficiently saturated with sugar. September 11, collected six baskets of Warrentons and one of Madeiras, and two of very ripe wild muscadines-unpressed juice 8 deg.; added 40 "I am but a few days from my plantation, where lbs. sugar, and let it ferment in the vat all night; have been busily employed in setting my crop, which pressed 30 gallons of must of 14 deg, This wine at present promises well, notwithstanding the great is of higher colour than Madeira, and for a year drought which has prevailed for a month or six had a disagreeable honey taste from the very ripe weeks past. The rivers throughout the State are muscadines; but that flavour has nearly disappeargenerally salt, and tide swamps, upon which the ed, and the wine was, recently, preferred by severice is planted, are in a suffering state. Should ral guests at the table of a neighbouring gentleman, there be no rain for a fortnight or three weeks, suf- to an old Madeira wine that cost four dollars a galficient to freshen them, there will be but little rice lon by a half pipe. made. The cotton and corn crops are now suffering. Of oats, rye, and barley, there will be little or none made." HORTICULTURE. SILK WORM. Easton, May 24, 1826. I Grapes 56 baskets, Sugar 236 lbs. Must 173 gals. 66 66 lees 10 22 34 139 13 Product of 120 vines, on a quarter acre, 126 gals. HESSIAN FLY-WEEVIL FLY. J. S. SKINNER, Esq., Eastern Shore, May 24, 1826. Dear Sir,-It would appear that the farmer, and more especially the grain farmer, always has something to annoy him, either before his crop has come to maturity, or in getting it in; or after it is got home, either in the house or stack. The Hessian fly maintains its character of being the most destructive insect to the wheat crop, that has ever been known in this or any other country. If the wheat is sown too early, this insect is sure to make J. S. SKINNER, Esq., havock in it in the autumn, and too often it makes Dear Sir,-In your last American Farmer, I read its ravages in the spring, under every and all cir- the report of the Committee of Congress on the The whole of the vintage season was wet, excumstances. In fact, no human invention or fore- subject of the silk worm. If I could get a few of cept the first collection of the grapes: the grapes sight can guard against its effects, thus making the the eggs of this insect I should like to make a be- from the vineyard the 11th Sept. did not change wheat crop a precarious one. But now, and for ginning this year, as I have several Mulberry trees colour, because of the rain and cloudy weather; the some two or three years, the Weevil fly has attack- which are large, and would feed a thousand and ripe muscadines gave colour to the wine. ed the grain itself of the wheat; and if not arrest-more of the worms. If you could procure some of ed in its progress, it has been known to eat up the the eggs and send them over by the steam boat, substance of every grain, leaving nothing but the you will greatly oblige me. skin. It was only last year that farmers began to know the necessity of getting out their wheat early in August, and letting it lay in the chaff, or fanning About forty years ago, this same Weevil fly did vast injury to the wheat; and I do not recollect ON THE CULTURE OF THE GRAPE VINE that the practice was ever so generally pursued as AND THE MAKING OF WINE, (Continued from p. 78.) THE VINTAGE. to stop its progress by getting the wheat out early, By Thomas M' Call, Esq. of Laurens county, Geo. No brandy was added. Madeira vines, that bore ten or fifteen bunches Experiments in 1824.-In 1824, I had 240 young each, for the first time, in addition to my former stock. The wild grapes so generally rotted on the vines, that I obtained only one basket of the grape-unpressed juice 11 deg.; added 44 lbs. of brown sugar in the vat, and let it ferment six hours; pressed nearly three gallons of must, which raised the hydrometer 16 degrees. The fermentation was over in five days; and the wine was made and become clear by the 16th of October, when it was racked and sulphured. By the 17th of February, 1825, it became so well matured that I bottled it; the colour and taste resembles the best claret, but the flavour preferable. is August 11th, collected 5 baskets of Warrentons ---unpressed juice 10 deg.; added 20 lbs. of sugar, older, the tartar in the grape diminishes, and the $498.80 Sell 860 gals. at $1, $860 817.00 Nett profit, 318.20 1000 gals: 140 860 The Madeira grapes ripened on the 12th, 16th, white. 19th, 21st, and 25th of August, and the several In Madeira, the average crop, according to Staunparts of the vintage manufactured separately. The ton, is 25,000 pipes; value 200,000l. sterling; the unpressed juice varied from 8 to 94 deg., as the highest price per pipe 601.; the average price is less season was more or less wet. The first four (12th, than 147. a pipe. Nearly half the wine is too poor 16th, 19th, and 21st,) 55 baskets of grapes were for market, and is distilled into brandy, part of collected, and 302 lbs. of sugar was added in the which is added to other poor wines to make them vats, where it fermented six hours; pressed at the marketable-with such, is the American, Russian, several times 193 gallons of must, which was regu- and other markets supplied. Their best wine is re- which is the interest of $3977.50 at 8 per cent., and lated to 16 deg. by adding a small part of the sugar served for the priests, and planters of the island, shows that an acre of sandy piny land in vineyard, after pressure. In making the wine of the 16th, I and for the priests and nobles of Portugal: their is equal in value to $1988.75 money at interest. stripped off the berries from the stems before mash- next best, which grows on the South side of the If the wine sells for half the price of Madeira ing them in the vat, to try the difference it would island, is monopolized by the English resident mer-wine-then make in the wine: divesting the grapes of the stems, chants, and is supplied to the nobles, higher clergy, was a cause of some difficulty in pressing, by the and gentry of England: we take their refuse; unwant of something to hold the marc together dur-less by special. favour of an English merchant we ing that operation: it seems to me that this wine is obtain a very small quantity of London Particular. not so strong, nor of such vinous taste as the others; I have tasted none such for twenty years. All the tannin from the stems is wanting. On the 25th, 14 wine we now get from that island is grown on the baskets were collected; added 93 lbs. of sugar and north side, and is inferior, and its use is equivalent fermented in the vat seven hours; pressed fifty-one to the use of strong brandy and poor wine mixed, gallons of 17 degrees. I have never tasted Madeira wine of the first quality, but of two pipes; the first was sent by Charles Murray, Esq., British Consul at Madeira, which is the interest on $14,458.75 at 8 per cent.; to his friend Mr. T——, of Augusta, in 1786; the and shows that an acre in vineyard is worth $7229 last was 25 years ago, and always introduced as the 37 last glass or two at the table of Mr. Y, a gentleman of Savannah. Neither of those wines was strong enough to suit the vitiated palates of the present time. 69 baskets Madeiras, 395 lbs. sugar, Must 244 gals. 80 do. do. 29 4.5 do. do. 440.5 276 Thermometer in the wine in full fermentation was 92 deg.; when in the shade it was 73 deg. Mr. Adlum observes, that with him it was once 115 deg. in the fermenting wine. November 13th, the wine had all become clear, and was drawn off from the lees. Must from Madeira grapes Loss by breaking demijohns Do fermentation Do. lees 244 gals. . 9 16 36-61 In France they have less than two millions of acres of land under vines. The value of the crop, says Arthur Young, is equal to one hundred and sixty millions of dollars. Much of their wine is weak, and will not bear to be kept long: the common people use it as we do tea and coffee, and for crdinary table beverage. Of the value of these wines, I take the following from Messrs. Stroble & Martin's price current, Bordeaux, in 1800. Their prices are in francs and centimes; a franc is 18 cents American money. which is the interest of $35,421 at 8 per cent., and shows that an acre of vineyard is worth $17,710.50 money at interest. I recommend to my fellow citizens to plant vineWine, red, common cargo, pr. tun, 200f. to 250 yards, and cultivate them with care; and by attendE. India, do. (of 1798,) do. 500 to 550ing to the rules I have laid down, they will make Superior Claret 1000 to 5000 excellent wine; which will enable them to do with200 to 250 out the refuse wines of other countries. If a poor man will plant 120 vines, which he may cultivate without material interference with his other latable, every day, as the greatest king or priest of bours, he may have a bottle of as good wine on his Europe-and may sell enough to pay for the sugar, casks, and bottles, and pay his taxes. Common Claret, pr. bottle Or, in our money, from $0.22 to $1.11 per bottle by The wine from Madeira grapes will be strong the quantity. The crop that year was stated to be enough, especially that of the 25th, and the flavour from a fourth to a third short, and the wine of sunot much inferior to that from Warrenton grapes, perior quality. It is probable that the wines of and much superior to any Madeira wine that is im- Burgundy and Champaign sold for similar prices. ported. This grape has much tartar and mucilage, This shows, that we cannot drink the best French perhaps an over portion to the water: it requires a wines under $2 a bottle; and that we never obtain large addition of sugar to saturate the tartar and them because of the price. I have never tasted the give the best flavour; it should not be less than 16, best qualities of French wines. nor need it be greater than 17 degrees. Should be planted about the middle of May, half The Warrenton has less tartar than the Madeira captain in the French Police, that a vineyard near an inch deep, in rows. The rows for bush beans grape, and considerably less mucilage; if the must Bordeaux of 30 arpents (25 acres,) sold for 300,000 should be three feet apart, with the hills in a row is raised to 16 deg. it should ferment in the vat for crowns, ($333,000,) upwards of $13,000 an acre. 12 feet from each other. The rows for pole beans six hours. But I think the better method is to raise have proved by experience, that a quarter acre in should be 4 feet apart, and the hills in a row 3 feet it to 15 deg. and let it ferment five hours in the vines of seven years old will yield 126 gallons of from each other. They should be hoed three times vat. When the vines get more age, 15 deg. or less clear wine, which is 500 gallons' an acre; a proper before the flowering time; but must never be hoed will probabbly be sufficient; for as the vines grow soil would yield much more. when wet with dew or rain. I was informed by a gentleman who had been a [N. E. Farmer. graver. ASPARAGUS. MR. SKINNER, ANGOLA PEA. South Carolina, May 20, 1826. under the most horrible tyranny: "The king taking the tenth of produce and imports." "The riches ac[From the asparagus beds of Mr. Miltenberger, tually in possession of this monarch must be imof Pittsburg, described at p. 301 of vol. 7-we had A year or two since an inquiry was made in the mense, but how heavily must the wheels of comlately the pleasure to receive a present of a large American Farmer, relative to the Angola Pea, of merce move, and how low, comparatively, must the bunch, one spear of which is represented below. which the Abbé Raynal spoke so much and so high-scale of national wealth and power stand, when They were all nearly as large as this, which repre-ly in his "History of the West Indies." I have not maxims so narrow and absurd fetter every part of sents exactly the size of the one sent to the en- observed any reply, which has induced me to think the machine." Hence we see how great a difference that it has been classed among those hearsay mar-between the character of Hindostan and Birmah. vels to be too often found in historians of all classes. There is a meekness in the former loudly calling On reading Malte Brun, (vol. 3, p. 2, Edin. 1822,) for a respect being had to their prejudices; as well I find it mentioned as grown in Java. Malte Brun as an order and decorum in their deportment. And also speaks of a Yam, (Dioscorea alata,) as some- the question will perhaps be, whether, after such a times "attaining a weight of 40 or 50 lbs.' government has been suppressed, the very Burmese Now, if, as Charles II. said to a certain lady of as well as the Hindostanese, but from a different mohis court, half of what the Abbé says of the Angola tive "will not always be ready to serve with excluPea be true, it is sufficient, and I should hope some sive fidelity the power that pays them most puncof the gentlemen trading to Java will endeavour to tually and most liberally." With this kind of conprocure a few of the seed. I think the Abbé says it duct, it is to be recollected, is generally connected good government. succeeds in the West Indies. If it would do there, In fine, perhaps such circumstances may arise as AMPHICON. to lessen the difficulties thus contemplated by this P. S. This work of Malte Brun* is an admirable admirable writer, (p. 859.) "Yet perhaps the most one; in fact, the best geographical work, to my sanguine political Quixote would find it a difficult knowledge extant. There is in it an interesting ac-task to sketch, even in theory, a plan on which the count of the Birman empire, (Book 51,) which in- Birman Empire could be put into possession of the dicates that, if conquered, as it is said they are, they blessings of political and civil prosperity, consiswill add as much to the commerce of Great Britain tently with the maintenance of a liberal and safe as any of her late conquests in that quarter-parti-line of conduct on the part of its regenerators." A cularly in the supplies of cotton, rice, tobacco, tim-strong and determined system may be established. ber and turpentine. Firmness and power can overcome any thing. Malte Brun, vol. 2, pt. 2, pp. 345-6. Edinburg ed. When the Duke of Abrantes went into Lisbon, the 1822. "Though this empire extends into the tor- Portuguese began to assassinate his troops. He is rid zone, it enjoys a temperate climate, in conse-sued an order, and declared that if any soldier was quence of the elevation of its territory. The heal- killed, he would enfilade the streets, and shoot thy and robust constitutions of the natives show the every Portuguese he found in the streets after a salubrity of the climate. The seasons are regular. certain hour. There were no more killed. Extreme cold is unknown, and the intense heat which precedes the rainy season, is of short duration. This country exhibits every variety of soil and exposure. A flat marshy delta extends along the mouths of the Irawaddy. Beyond this are The only species of beans much used in this counpleasing hills, picturesque vallies, and majestic try, is that which in England, is called Kindey-Bean, mountains. The fertile soil of the southern pro-and in France, Haricot; (Phaseolus vulgaris.) The vinces yields crops of rice equal to those of the bean of English writers, is what is commonly called finest districts of Bengal. Although the surface is here the Horse-Bean, (Vicia faba.) Considerable more irregular and mountainous to the north, the confusion has arisen from the indiscriminate use of plains and vallies, especially those situated on the the term bean, applied as it is, by some good Amebanks of the great rivers, produce excellent wheat, rican writers on agriculture, to two very distinct and the different corn and leguminous crops which genera or sorts of plants. The horse-bean (vicia) are cultivated in Hindostan. Sugar canes, excellent being tap-rooted, is much used in England as a faltobacco, indigo, cotton, and the tropical fruits, are low crop; and probably might be advantageously indigenous in this favoured country. The teak introduced here. White kidney-beans are almost grows in all parts of the country, though properly the only kind used for field culture at present. They a native of the mountains. Almost every kind of require dry land that has been tilled with care, so timber found in Hindostan is produced in the south-as to destroy the weeds; and of such fertility as ern parts. Fir grows in the mountains, and tur- would produce a moderate crop of Indian corn. pentine is extracted from it." Poor sandy soils, or gravelly loam, will produce BEANS. It has many other sources of wealth. As to its them; provided the beans are wet and rolled in conquest by Britain, M. Malte Brun (who wrote in plaster before planting. They can be planted in 1818,) did not then seem to contemplate it. He says: hills, or drills, the rows two and a half or three feet "In its present state this empire is a very desirable apart, according to the strength of the soil, and barrier between the British and Chinese govern-ploughed and hood like other hoed crops. The ments; being too weak to offer serious molestation time of planting is the same as Indian corn. Hog's to a powerful neighbour, and too inhospitable (its dung mixed with ashes, is said to be the best magovernment and manners,) to afford temptation to nure for them. The hills should be from fourteen an invading army. It is now (1818,) like the de- to twenty-four inches apart, according to the soil. serts that separate the Chinese from the Russian They must not be so thick as to preclude the sun dominions. If this is an advantage to the repose and air. Five beans will be sufficient to remain in of a great portion of the world, humanity must a hill. regret that it assumes this character, by giving rise When about two thirds of the pods are ripe, and On the same day there were presented to us se- to so large a portion of misery and desolation with-before the frosts, pull and spread them in rows; but veral cauliflowers, from the garden of J. B. Morris, in itself." they must be turned occasionally at mid-day, that Esq., that for size and the perfection and delicacy Very different circumstances now exist, and if the the dampness of the ground may not mould those of the flower, have never been surpassed in our St. Helena (via et T.) accounts be correct, a new field underneath. After thrashing, if there are any unmarket. Is it not strange that for such cauliflowers is open to Great Britain. The inhabitants differ wide-ripe ones which require more drying, spread them a ready sale at 50 cents per head, does not tempt ly from those of Hindostan. They have groaned on a clear floor, under cover, till they are thoroughgentlemen or professed gardeners, to increase their ly dried. crops of this most delicate and esteemed vegeta- An American edition is now publishing by Messrs. White beans will yield from ten to forty bushels ble?] Wells & Lilly, of Boston. to the acre, twenty bushels is called a good crop. No. 11. VOL. 8.] AMERICAN FARMER. They are valuable for the table and for stock, par- found the mode of plundering their annual products, without destroying them, in whole or in part. ticularly for sheep and hogs. BUSH BEANS. tinue their labours. In the second spring you will put a third case or box under the before mentioned To this day, in fact, no one has found out the two, and in the autumn, take off the upper one. means of annually plundering these precious in-You will then have a perpetual routine of putting a It is a great object to have beans early, and they sects, without the predetermination of a total or new case each spring, under the two which remainshould be planted as soon as the ground is warm; but it is useless to plant them when the ground is partial destruction; such are the expedients of the ed, during the autumn and winter, on the bench, This method, drawn from nature, is infallible; cold.—A principal crop should be planted early in smoke of sulphur, of wet burnt rags and driving, all and taking off the upper one in autumn. of which destroy at least three fourths and often the May, and successional crops, about the middle, and whole, not only of the living bees, but their young, the upper is always filled with wax and honey, withalso towards the end thereof. For the early kinds, select a piece of light rich ground; let the drills be Finally, after a careful observation on the instinct out young bees, or eggs, and without filth of any made about two feet and a half asunder, and an inch and architecture of these insects, and following me- kind. The whole family has gone down from the and a half deep; drop the beans therein, and at the thodically, the directions of M. de La Bourdonnaye, first box or case into the second, which will become distance of 2 or 3 inches from one another, and in the management of his hive, I discovered the the upper box as soon as the first is removed. The whole secret of nature, by which I can every year queen mother, her family, and all her eggs, or lardraw the earth evenly over them, As soon as they obtain a complete harvest of the products of bees, va, are in the second box or story, and, if the seaare in full bloom, and the lower pods are beginning without causing them the least prejudice. son be very favourable, it often happens that they to set, the tops or runners should be cut off; this begin to work in the lowest box. will greatly promote the swelling of the pods, as well as their early maturity. But with respect to in small early beans, if you would have them come in as soon as possible, top them when the blossoms at the bottom of the stalks begin to open. POLE BEANS. When the bee in its wild state selects a retreat, the hollow of a tree, or cleft of a rock, which af fords room, it always fixes on the highest part of that hollow, or cleft, to build and suspend its combs. These edifices fastened and suspended the one to the other, always executed from the top downward, and never from the bottom upward, are continued downward, as long as the bee finds room below his first constructions. The upper case, which is taken off, generally contains pure virgin honey, formed in the spring of the same year in which it is taken, for the bees commonly consume, in autumn and winter, the honey of the preceding year. a Every cultivator can easily convert this honey into sugar, equal to white Havana sugar, and it is as easily refined as the sugar made of cane, and will become a new article of commerce, with which the markets of our towns will soon be supplied. For beans whose vines need support, let poles of a proper height be fixed in the ground about 2 feet In thus descending in their labours, constantly, apart, in rows 3 or 4 feet distant from each other— around each pole let 4 or 5 beans be planted; the and invariably, the bees abandon their first conThe pyramidal hive is already known and in use, poles should have small knots left on them, or pins structed combs above, and begin a second tier beput through to support the vines. This way of low, in which the queen mother, having also de in divers parts of the empire, but principally in the planting gives an opportunity of keeping the soil loose scended, makes her new deposit of larva, under the departments of Bretagne, of Seine, Seine and Marne, around the roots and prevents the injuries arising safeguard of the whole family. Thus there are no Seine and Oise, of Oise, Yonne, Manche, Calvados, from driving poles into the hills. Of the various more bees in the upper combs, and in the second Sarte, Nord, &c. &c. This method will soon besorts of pole-beans one planting is enough; for, if year they are clear, not only of bees, but of eggs, come general, because it is simple and easy. Then why should we not use the means of converting this you gather as the beans become fit for use, they and entirely filled with honey. Such is the habit of bees in their wild state, and honey into sugar, which requires no more art than continue bearing all through the summer, especially the Lima bean, which delights in heat, and which such is it also in their domestic state, by their in- to preserve the families of the bees themselves? By should not be planted till the ground is quite warm. stinct, they build from the top downward, always the same attention we should attain the success and The scarlet bean (multiflorus) is well worth culti-descending from the upper to the lower combs; vating, both, for use and ornament. BEETS AND CARROTS. They should be sowed in drills of an inch deep, and 20 inches apart; if carrots are in drills but 16 inches apart and half an inch deep, it is about as well. The ground prepared and the seed raked as for onions. MELONS, CUCUMBERS AND SQUASHES. in precisely in this manner should we learn to plunder results. Imitation and habit is every thing. If this art, which is so easy of increasing the products of our bees, of preserving their families, and converting If we intend to rob bees which are lodged in a the honey into sugar, was introduced into our rural hollow tree, or a cleft of rock, it can be done with-communes, why should we not, in a short time, see out difficulty, and in perfect safety, by taking the our peasants coming to market with loaves of refinupper combs, while the swarm which has abandon-ed, and sacks of unrefined sugar of honey, as we now ed them, are engaged in continuing their labours see them coming with butter, cheese, milk and fruits? If our modern Luculluses; if those interested in below. The bees do not even perceive the robbery, They should be planted about the middle of May. nor do they suffer by it, because the upper combs with the commerce of the sugar of cane, disdain the use Cucumbers for pickling may be planted the middle their store of honey, have become a superfluity, on of sugar of honey as too common, more than nine of June. The hills may be 3 or 4 feet apart. The account of the new provisions which they continue tenths of the inhabitants of the empire would preWhat is better, supposing we had, as ground should be as well prepared as for onions; to accumulate in the stores which their instinct in- fer its use. and they must be hoed three times before the time clines them to build, successively descending with- formerly, the facility of procuring the sugar of the out interruption. cane, the prudent economist will distinguish the for vines to run. Afterwards pull out the weeds. In the same manner as wild bees work, in hollow enormous difference in price between the foreign trees, or rocks, always downward, so do the domes tic bees in the hives or cases which inclose them, always commencing their labours at the top of the hive, to which they suspend their combs and work RURAL ECONOMY. PYRAMIDAL HIVE. [Translated from the French by Col. Dinsmore, of Ala- downward. bama.] sugar and our indigenous sugar. The hospitals, the country farmers, and the second class of city inhabitants will use the latter in preference, because it will produce the same results at a price infinitely more accessible. Here is the whole secret of nature unveiled for Again-This was the sugar of our ancestors beIt is fore the discovery of America; and under our first A simple and natural method to perpetuate the fami- the robbery of bees without injuring them. lies of the bees and to obtain from each hive, every easy to employ the art (which we have already no- dynasties, the product of bees formed the most conautumn, a full panier of wax and honey, without ticed) of robbing wild bees, to the trick of using siderable branch of the revenues of the state. The grand superintendant of becs in France (Le destroying bee, or larva, besides numerous swarms; three stories, or three cases, placed each succeeding with the art of usefully restoring, at the return of spring, one under the other, to form the pyramidal Grand Abeiller de la France,) that is, the minister spring, the hives where the bees have died in the hive, of which the highest story or upper case, set over the police and general receipt of the conautumn, winter, or spring, by hatching the eggs without young bees or larva, will be every succeed-siderable products of this rich part of rural econoremaining in the cells; the art of converting honey ing year at the disposal of the proprietor; because my, was always one of the most important personinto pure white sugar, hydromel syrups, &c. &c. a the bees have abandoned the upper story, continu- ages of the government. work useful to all country farmers-by P. Du-ing their industry and labours by descending into couèdic, president of the canton of Maure, de- the lower cases or boxes, where the queen mother partment of Ille and Vilaine; ornamented with will always be found fixed with her living family and engravings. Lætitiam, Laudem, Copiam hinc her eggs. spirate coloni.-Paris, 1813. This secret, snatched as it were from nature, by LADIES' DEPARTMENT. HINTS FOR MOTHERS, ry Discipline. The pyramidal hive or the hive La Bourdonnaye, the first exertions of M. de La Bourdonnaye, whose For the Improvement of Early Education, and Nursesteps I have only followed to complete his plan, is improved by a third panier or box. SEC. 1st. Of the invention of the pyramidal hive, within the reach of every class of cultivators. It From the earliest antiquity, the amateurs of bee is only necessary each spring, to put a box or case Nothing, perhaps, is more beautiful, or more rare, raising, have formed different systems for the ma- under the simple hive, that after the bees have filled nagement of these insects; but, as yet, no one has the first box they may descend into the second,to con- than a character in which is no guile: Guile insi TRUTH AND SINCERITY. |