EPIGRAM. Bulletin Universal.-We have seen the pros- sons, to be called a committee of arrangement, pectus of a work proposed to be published in be appointed, whose duty it shall be to make the On the Marriage of Mr. Jon. W. Honey, to Miss Paris, entitled the Universal Bulletin of the Sci- necessary arrangements for a Fall meeting and ences and Industry. It is to be divided into exhibition." eight sections, and a number for each section is The following gentlemen are designated to this to be published monthly, and at the end of the duty, vizyear appropriate tables are to be furnished to Abiel Janners, Wilson C. Selden, Jr., Samuel each section, so that they may be bound separate- Hough, Fayette Ball, John White, Robert Braly. The several sections will form distinct den and Sydnor Bailey. The committee works, and they may be subscribed for separately. will meet on the 4th Saturday of this month, The eight sections will form seventeen volumes when it will determine what are to be the sub8vo each year, viz. Sec. 1, devoted to the Mathe-jects of competition, and will establish the rules These matters will all be matical and Physical Sciences, 2 vols.; Sec. 2, to govern the same. the Natural Sciences and Geology, 3 vols.; Sec. made public as early as possible. 3, the Medical Sciences, 3 vols.; Sec. 4, Agriculture, economics, &c. 2 vols.; Sec. 5, the TO PHYSICIANS. Mary S. Austin. THE FARMER. BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, JULY 9, 1824. The Editor has been several times requested to collect information on the preparation, use and application of LIME as a manure. The better way in all such cases is, for the per Technological Sciences, 2 vols.; Sec. 6. Geo- There is a publication in Boston, Mass. called son, seeking information, to frame his interroga graphy and Voyages, 2 vols. ; Sec. 7, History, An- the Medical Intelligencer, which is issued every tories in such shape as may be best calculated to tiquities, and Philology, 2 vols.; Sec. 8, the Mi- Tuesday, at the moderate price of two dollars draw out an answer, on the exact points whereon litary Sciences, 1 vol. Matters purely political a year. It contains a great variety of local in- he wishes information.-These interrogatories and literary, are excluded. The object of the telligence, and original articles on Medicine and will be published, and will be almost certain to publication is stated to be to present to the rea- Surgery, both useful and interesting to the facul- elicit the desired instruction: besides, the Editor der an analysis of all works; the complete sub-ty. This paper has received the patronage of will engage to send them personally, to such perstance of all academical memoirs, of all periodi- the first professional gentlemen in the United sons as he may happen to know possesses particucal publications which are published in the civi-States. lar experience in the case in question. We wish lized world, and to form a methodical repertory of Persons wishing to become subscribers to the this to be considered a special notice to those who all facts, and a monthly picture of the successive second volume which has just commenced, are want information in regard to the use of limeefforts of the human mind among all nations. desired to forward a line by mail, to John Cotton, and a general one to all who desire it on any agriThe work is to be published under the direction the proprietor, No. 47, Marlboro'-street, Boston. cultural topick.-We need not dwell on the obof Mr. de Ferussac. The prospectus enumerates vious benefits that must flow from the adoption of a great many of the distinguished men of science VALUABLE IMPROVEMENT.-A machine, pro- this system of “ QUESTION AND ANSWER" through in Europe, who have engaged to assist in the se-pelled by water, was invented by Willard Earle. the medium of a Journal, which is read and writveral sections of the work. Among them are the Esq. of Athol, in this state, for making shingles. ten for, by the inhabitants of every climate, and names of Laplace, Humboldt, and Cuvier. To The machine may be managed by boys, and three the cultivator of every production in the United each section ope or more principal editor is thousand shingles made per day by one person, States. assigned, the names of whom are given in the Timber which cannot be worked in the old way prospectus. The price of subscription for the may be wrought by these machines with equal whole, at Paris, is 120 francs a year. Journals advantage with the best of timber.-Bost. Statesand Memoirs of Societies, coming within the man. scope of the work, will be received according to their respective prices, in exchange for one or more sections of the Bulletin. Authors and edi 0 PRICES OF COUNTRY PRODUCE— careful- EARLY VEGETATION.-Among the pro-$5 25-Do. Wharf $5 50-Do. Rye, $2 a $2 75tors of writings of every description upon the ductions of our soil whose early maturity we have Corn Meal, per. barrel. $2-Wheat, Red, $i— sciences, industry, and the military art, are invi-had occasion to notice the present season, none Ditto white, $16 to $1 10-Corn, yellow, 34 ted to communicate their works, brochés et francs perhaps are more worthy of remark than a growth cents-Ditto white 34 cents-Rye, per bushel, de port, to the Bulletin. Works from the United of Indian Corn, on the farm of Mr. Lemuel 41 cts-Oats, 25 cents-B. E. Peas, none-White -Whiskey, 27 cts-Apple Brandy, States may be sent to the care of Mr. Anth. J. Langley, near this borough, which already bears beaus, noneGirard, merchant, New-York. They should be full ripe roasting ears of the largest size. Such 35 cts-Peach Do. $1.-Herrings, No. 1, 82 25— sent under the following address-A la Direction forwardness, we believe, is without a parrallel.- No. 2, 82 00--Ditto Old, No. 1, 81 50-Ditto ditto No. 2, $1 25--Shad, trimmed, $5 du Bulletin Universel des Sciences et de l'Indus- Norfolk Herald, June 21. 75-Do. Untrimmed, $5 75-Ginseng, out of seatrie, Rue de l'Abbaye, No. 3. à Paris. son-Linseed Oil, 65 cents.-Clover Seed, out of Messrs. Field and Clark of Utica, N. Y. lately season-Flax Seed, rough, 75 cents per bushel[Two Sections of the above; the one the Na-presented to Mr. Clinton a pair of pitchers and Timothy, Ditto 82 50-Hay, per ton, $10tural Sciences and Geology-and that on Agri-one dozen of plates of Staffordshire ware, with Flax, 10 cts.-Candles, Mould, 12 cts.-Soap, 7 culture and Rural Economy, are received in ex-devices representing various scenes on the Erie cts.--Pork, Mess, $15--Ditto Prime, $12-change for the American Farmer. To some of our canal, with the following inscriptions: (on one Butter, 7 cts. to 14 cts.-Lard, 8 cts.-Bacon, agricultural correspondents, and to their sons who side) are learning the French language, especially those of them who propose to make an independent and honourable livelihood by the plough, the perusal of this work would be very interesting and useful. To such of our readers therefore we will make this bargain, and be much obliged in the bargain to wit:-They shall have the use of the numbers as they are received, they consenting to do us the favour to translate for the Farmer, such articles as we shall designate by a pencil mark. Here is an opportunity of rendering some service to a good cause! Who says I will?-Edit. Am. Far.] The Grand Erie Canal, A splendid monument of the 6 a 7 cts.-Leather, Best Sole, 24 to 27 cts.Feathers, 35 cts. TOBACCO. Few sales the last week, and only 30 hhds. inspected at State Warehouse, No. 1.Prices remain the same as last report. The number of hhds. inspected at the three Warehouses during the last three months, ending 1st July, was 6881.-The number of hhds shipped within the same time, old and new inspection, was 4976. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. Culpable neglect of Fruit Trees-Causes of the prema ture and sudden decay of Pear and Apple Trees-Caiuvation of the Vine-Cobbett on the expenses of house-keeping in America-Botanical Sketch of the principal gramina useful, or likely to become useful in husbandry, No. IV.→ General Rules for the restoration and preservation of healthTo make Currant Wine-Raising Potatoes from the apples-Extracts from the Editor's Correspondence, dated Frederick County, (Md.) 24th June, China Grove, (S. C.) 27th June, and Washington (Pa.) July 2—Bulletin Universal-Minutes of the Loudon County Agricultural SocietyTo Physicians-Valuable Improvement-Early Vegetation -Presentation of a pair of Pitchers to De Witt ClintonEpigram-Editorial Kemarks-Prices Current, &c. No. 17.-VOL. 6. DEAR SIR, Natural History. ICHTHYOLOGY. AMERICAN FARMER.-BALTIMORE JULY 16, 1824. 129 Prehending the kinds under consideration, is de-fthe mouth, to antennæ, &c. for the arrangement T. S. I send you herewith a small phial just received from the honorable J. S. Spence, member of Con- I question very much whether these tormenters gress from Worcester county of this state, con- are new comers. Yet, there is one consideration taining a few of the insects which have of late leading to a belief that this may be the factyears infested the sea shore and creeks of that For, the species of them generally known, are county. What gives them practical consequence the pests of living animals; while those to whom may be similar to the Worcester depredator, but is the fact that they enter the mouths of fish you refer, seem to prey upon dead ones. I have not yet read that work. caught in gill nets, and devour every particle of It would be desirable to know more about them; their meat, without breaking the skin-so that such as the fish, whether shad, herrings, and when the fisherman flatters himself with having others, which they devour? the numbers that en- DEAR SIR, taken a mess of fine fish, he finds himself deceiv-ter them? the time it requires? and other parti- I received, preserved in spirits, the animals ed by a bloated exterior containing nothing but culars. which you sent to me, and which are so destructive to the fish caught in gill-nets, on the sea coast and in the creeks of Worcester county. Truly, as heretofore, and respectfully your's, DEAR SIR, PROFESSOR SAY'S REPLY. Philadelphia, April 30th, 1824. Albany, 2d July, 1824. bones and water. This pest is said to have made I should like to see one of the excavated skins. its appearance only since the time of a tremend- I know no other way of avoiding them, than by ous storm, a few years since, which broke away frequent drawing the nets, and removing the fish This animal cannot be termed parasitical, beone of their inlets on the coast; and is therefore before the cynothoa can penetrate them. cause it does not subsist on living creatures. The associated in the minds of the people as connectCancer Nugax, is described in the appendix to ed in some particular manner with that occurPhipps's Voyage to the North Pole, and is the rence. In the narrative of Capt. Parry's late animal mentioned in Capt. Parry's last voyage.voyage of discovery, an account is given of an It is an inhabitant of Northern Seas, and alinsect called by them the sea louse, which stripthough the crustaceous creature from Worcester ped the flesh completely from the bones of ducks, has the same practice of eating the flesh, and which had been confined within their reach un eviscerating the internal parts of dead animals as der the ice. The hint was improved by those on I receive your letters with much pleasure, be- that mentioned by Capt. Parry, yet it is a diffeboard, whose attention was given to objects of cause their object is always utility. Your obser- rent animal, and its form and appearance do not Natural History; and recourse was had to the vations in the letter of the 13th instant, are in- authorise its arrangement under the cancer or agency of these insects, as the readiest means of teresting, and if the fishermen are not deceived oniscus genera. obtaining the most complete skeletons of such the fact is truly surprising. The animal you did In one account of Capt. Parry's Voyage, the objects. Not a particle of flesh was left on the me the favour to send, as the object of those re- little creature which performed an important part bones, nor a bone broken by them. May not marks, is a new species of CYMOTHOA. All the in taxidermy for the naturalists on board is called these be the same as the sea-louse described in species that I am acquainted with, of this genus, a sea louse. In the narrative published by Capt. that narrative-and have we until now any ac- inhabit fishes, and are chiefly found attached, Parry himself, it is termed a shrimp. The anicount of their appearance in our waters? Certain firmly to the roof of the mouth. The common mal sent by you, does not res mble the corepticum it is, they are late and unwelcome visitors in the menbaden or mossbanker, is very commonly in- or sea-louse, described by Browne, and which is waters of Maryland, and if I have presented to fested with a species of these parasites; which found sticking to the rocks in many parts of the your attention an object already familiar to you, species was described by Latrobe, under the Northern Coast of Jamaica, nor can it be placed it has been because it was new to name of ONISCUS prægustator. Out of the mouths in the cancer genus of which the shrimp is a speof 50 of these menbaden, I have taken at least a cies. Your's very truly and respectfully, DOCTOR MITCHELL'S REPLY. New York, 25th April, 1824. dozen of the frægustator, which is very large in I think it probable that it is a non-descript.- REMARKS BY DOCTOR J. S. SPENCE. J. S. SKINNER, Esq. I received yesterday your communication by yet, on the other hand, I never observed the inthe mail. The letter was explanatory of the spe-fested fishes to be materially injured. But even gimens. if the circumstance of their being uninjured by J. S. SKINNER. Esq. It is plain enough what the animals in the phial the presence of the unwelcome guest during their are. They belong to the class of Crustacea, and state of life and activity, were satisfactorily asthe order of Isopodes. Among other characters certained, it would not warrant us in denying of these creatures, are the possession of distinct their destructive operations on the body of the MY DEAR SIR, heads, two eyes, a trunk commonly divided into fish when taken in the gill-net. But is the fact Your favour of the 6th inst. enclosing notes seven rings, and a tail formed of a variable num-ascertained beyond a doubt, and may not the fish- from Doctor Mitchell and Professor Say,* was ber of rings, having plates or leaves by pairs in jermen be mistaken as to the depredator? The received by the last mail. I now forward more two rows carrying or covering gills, and serving fishermen of some parts of Europe, have many of the specimens of our little seine robbers, sent likewise for swimming. of their gilled hsh devoured, precisely in the to the above mentioned gentlemen, together with The marine species are noted for adhering to manner you describe, by the MYXINE, a very their notes to you in reply to your letter. Upon cetaceous animals and to fish, corroding their singular animal, shaped somewhat like an eel, the latter papers, I remark that both your corflesh and sucking their blood and humours. but with a truncated head. May not a similar respondents manifest a sufficient share of incredu These creatures are mentioned in my memoir animal be the real depredator at Worcester? Ility with respect to the appearance in our waters, on Parasitical Animals, read sometime ago be- hope some cautious observer will decide the ques- and the habits of these little animals. It is cerfore our Lyceum, and since printed in the Medi- tion, and I assure you I feel much interested in tain that these creatures were unknown here unoal and Physical Journal of this place. I parti-its satisfactory solution. til the winter of '19-20. The storm of Sepcularly noticed these enemies of fishes, because Mr. Worth, directed my attention to an article, ember, in the first of those years (one of the I had become acquainted with them during my inserted in your truly useful paper, on the subject most tremendous I have ever witnessed) by washichthyological inquiries. of the insect that destroys the peach tree. How ng away a portion of the sand beach which sepaThe genus to which several sorts of them be-could the author, of that essay, be so much in rates the Synapuxent sound from the ocean, prolong, was called by Linnæus, the oniscus. This error as to refer the insect to the order hymenop duced a communication so perfect, that a large has since been divided into various other genera tera and to the genus apis!-An entomologist by the zoologists who have succeeded him. And must not trust to mere external appearances, be by Fabricius and his followers, the section com-must resort to the conformation of the organs of C. had not been received.]—Ed. Am. Far. VOL. 6.-17. When this was written the letter from D. W. portion of our produce now finds its way to New perch, as I think, deprived of a portion of their perior to the original flock is certainly much more expressive and difficult than improvement by York and Philadelphia, in shallops of from 20 to fat by these cruel hangers-on. 40 tons burthen through that outlet. It was, I The term fishermen is to be understood as re- crossing with rams of higher grades bought sinthink, in the second winter after this event that the lating to the farmers of the neighborhood, who gly. It requires a considerable capital as well as subjects of this correspondence were first observare intelligent, and incapable of misrepresenting very great care and attention. ed. They appeared in as great numbers in that with regard to the subject of this note. season, as they have ever done since. I assure you that I have seen thousands of them drawn in I am your's truly, J. S. SPENCE. AGRICULTURE. with one small gill-net. Our fishermen at this MR. SKINNER. FROM THE NEW ENGLAND FARMER. It is seldom that young ewes are to be had at any tolerable price, and many persons who undertake this business are obliged to content themselves with such as cannot yield more than two, or at most three lambs. A very important circumstance in a purchase of this kind is to inform one's self about the previous mode of feeding to which the sheep have been accustomed, and if any change is necessary, to introduce it gradually. Better feed will have [The following observations on Sheep, we have a tendency to improve a flock, but it is dangerous been assured are from the pen of a person who to make even this change too suddenly.-Those has possessed advantages for obtaining a know who are able and willing to furnish capital for ledge of the subject of his essay of a very su- this purpose and devote the necessary attention perior Lature. The Essay itself appears to to the business will nevertheless find themselves indicate that its author has much practical very soon repaid for their trouble and expense; as well as scientific acquaintance with the na- since, in addition to the extra price of his wool, ture of that interesting and useful animal, the owner of such a flock will very soon be able which forms one of the richest gifts of Provi- to dispose of full blood rams, and, as his flock indence to civilized man. The communication creases, of ewes also; the price of which, if the is very acceptable to us, and we have no doubt best are constantly retained, cannot fail gradually will be highly valued not only by the agricul- to advance. tural and manufacturing portions of the co'- To make this business productive it is neces- ESSAY ON SHEEP. BY H. D. GROVE. This has been their round from that time to the present, with perhaps the difference of their leaving us in subsequent years at an earlier period. It is singularly surprising that these depredators make war upon us alone, who are in the immediate vicinity of the out let to the ocean. Notwithstanding the sound extends for many miles, both north and south of this place, not one of our vermin, so far as I have been informed, has been seen five miles distant on either side from The rascals their immediate path to the sea. either require the regular kiss of the ocean tide, or like some most distinguished generals, so ma nage their concerns, as to reserve a safe and speedy retreat. I pretend not to question the correctness of your correspondents with respect to the name of these creatures, nor the genus to which they refer them; but I must be permitted to obown young. Rams of inferior grades must of serve that so far as our disagreeable acquaintance course be carefully excluded from the flock, and with them has extended, no fact has occurred in the ewes must be treated with extraordinary connexion with their habits, which would make care to ensure long life and prevent premature them in any degree parasitical. They are suffibarrenness. It is still doubtful whether there is ciently active, judicious, and voracious, to be an intrinsic difference in this respect between Meindependent of all protection, save that which is rino and other sheep, or whether it is merely afforded by the waters and their bed. They are owing to the extraordinary attention they have never found attached to fish, but for their des The general rule is that the lamb possesses an received; but the fact is unquestionable that they truction. They attack all the varieties of fish, equal share of all the properties of each parent. usually rear healthy lambs at the age of twelve, which are taken by the nets during the season of The idea is very erroneous that the size and and sometimes even at the age of fifteen years. their visit. When full, or when the temperature form are more affected by the one, and the in- Even if the wool at that age should become a is so low as to render them stiff and inactive, they trinsic qualities of the animal by the other-for little less fine, the animal must not on this acbury themselves in the sand and await more pro- although, in the first generations, the resem- count be discarded, because if the blood remains pitious circumstances for carrying on their war-blance to the parent Ram may be most apparent, unmixed this evil will cure itself. If these rules fare. The greater portion of those I sent you it is nevertheless certain that in subsequent are carefully observed, the increase of a flock of were taken from the sand during a run of low years the distinctive qualities of the Ewe will fine blood may be made very considerable as will tides, and were first discovered by a small aper- again appear in the offspring. A pure race has appear by the following estimate. ture, through which the air was admitted, and been carefully preserved in Saxony, which has Commencing with 12 yearling ewes I estimate escaped. The mode of their attack varies with the subject of it, and their own numbers. The had great influence in improving the native wool that each will bear one lamb the first subsequent But it season, and as many the second, and that half of tender skin of the herring is assailed it would by constant crossing with full blood rams. seem at the first point with which they come in is certain that real and durable excellence can these are ewe lambs. The third year 9 ewe only be attained by preserving the pure blood; lambs may be expected, the fourth 12, the fifth contact, while the rock or striped bass, and black and the best proof of this fact is found in Spain 18, and the 6th 22. Supposing that the oldest or hard perch, are entered by the mouth; or if itself, where the Leonese flocks still continue to ewes have now become barren, the same progresthis opening will not readily admit the greedy produce 25 per cent finer wool than those of sion will give, at the end of sixteen years from swarm, they with almost equal facility enter the Sozia; although the latter are supplied every the purchase, a flock of 867 ewes of pure blood, latter fish at the lower opening, or vent. Not year with more or less Leonese bucks, and the and the low estimate of 6 lambs in all from each only the dead, but the living, when once securely method of treatment is precisely similar in each. ewe is so much within bounds as fully to offset meshed, are fallen upon and devoured. I have The improvement produced by crossing na-the chances of loss from disease or accident, if seen these monsters feeding upon them whilst turally progresses most rapidly where the native good care is taken in managing the flock. still struggling for existence. ewes are of the best quality, although coarse The first purchase of ewes of pure blood will I will add nothing further to this already fa- wooled sheep may also be gradually improved obviate the necessity of subsequent purchases of tiguing note, than the expression of the promise upon in the same way; but in all such cases the rams from time to time, which is absolutely neto forward to you as soon as practicable in the size and form will be as much affected as the fine-cessary in a mixed flock to prevent the wool from ensuing year, a skin, either partially or entirely ness of the wool, and all the attempts made to degenerating; and a further profit results from excavated, with a portion of the agents which have effected the work. You will doubtless sub-preserve the original size, while the wool was the sale of the rams which may commence with made finer have eventually failed. the fourth or fifth year. mit them to the inspection of your New York In the selection therefore, of a breed, or of a sinOn the selection of sheep for breeding. correspondent. It is not possible for me to answer gle ram for the purpose of a cross, regard should the inquiry of that gentleman with regard to the be had solely to the fineness and colour of the The most important point is to be certain of the number of our animals which enter the fish, nor wool-to the firmness of its adhesion to the skin, pedigree of the animal to be bought, and a sheep the time required for their destruction, as the and to the general health of the animal-and not known to be of pure blood should always be prefirst constantly varies, and the last depends upon at all to the large size; which property will be ferred before another of finer fleece and better it. We get very few if any fish at that season, sure to disappear in the sequel if the wool does form, whose ancestry is uncertain. Next in importance are the fineness and elasticity of the except of the species above mentioned. not degenerate. wool, the evenness of the fleece over the whole body, the absence of hairs-the strong, compact The raising of an unmixed breed of sheep su-form-and full health. The best sheep are dis We are perfectly familiar here with the parasite mentioned by Professor Say. The oniscus gustator. I have seen the mossbankers and Of the introduction of a pure breed. tinguished by full and bright eyes, bright red lamb, and after weaning, the lambs should be times very plentiful, is not so nutritious as elseveins about the lachrymal g ands, a broad fore- kept at a considerable distance from the ewes. where, and the wool of sheep receives some inhead, short stiff ears, a short, thick neck, broad The ram lambs are cut at three or four weeks jury from the deep shade. The young grass on chest, round shoulders, and generally a stout, old, the tails of the ewe lambs are cut off to fields in fallow as well as the fall feed after harthick set form, with short legs. within about three inches or something less of vest are excellent for sheep, particularly the forThe size of the body is of less consequence than the body at the same age. mer. any of these particulars, having much less influ- The jodder or pasture of sheep has been The best pasture must be reserved for the ence on the progeny than many people suppose. found after the most careful experiments to lambs, the next for rams and ewes, and the poorThe thickness of the fleece is mainly affected by have no effect on the fineness, and very little on est for the weathers. the quality and quantity of nourishment, and will the elasticity of the wool; but a very impor The winter feed consists usually of hay and not continue through many successive genera- tant one on the thickness and length and con- straw only. The best hay is well dried, early tions without care in this point. There are ma sequently on the weight of the fleece. Its ef- fresh meadow hay, which should be mowed as ny other marks of a supposed good ram, such as a fect on the health and increase of a flock is of young as possible, and not cut on marshy places. large tuft of wool on the forehead, a large, course all important. Clover, Lucerne, &c. if well got in, are preferahanging dewlap, much wool on the hinder legs, ble to other grasses. three rows of wool round the neck, &c. &c.-but to the strength of the sheep is that the supply The most important circumstance in regard Straw intended for sheep must also be got in all these or any other similar marks I consider of food should be equal in quantity at all times, dry and sweet. It is nourishing only in so far as as of no sort of consequence, and believe they except a little increase during the time of suck-it is mixed with weeds, unripe ears, and heads may all be found on very inferior sheep. ling. Even the wool often becomes weak and not thoroughly thrashed. The best straw is thereIt sometimes happens that wool growers are loose in consequence of sudden changes from fore to be found on the worst managed farms.more desirous of heavy fleeces than of superior plentiful to scanty feed and vice versa. It is Perfectly clean straw affords almost no noufineness of the wool, and therefore select in pre- therefore essential that the fodder in winter and rishment, except a little in the joints ;—but it ference the largest, heaviest animals rather than the pasturage in summer should be provided in aids in digestion and helps at least to fill the stothose of the finest fleece; but in this case they such manner as to subject the sheep to no chanmach. fail of procuring the genuine merino blood which ges of this kind. The stalks of peas and beans are more succunever reaches to a large stature under any cirA sudden increase of food is very injurious, lent, but there is a great difference between such cumstances. although sheep may be gradually accustomed to as are mowed before they are fully ripe, and During pregnancy the ewes should be better a very plentiful supply, and generally fully re- those that are dry before mowing. In the former fed than usual, and this feed should be continued till they are furnished with ample pasture. It pay the additional expense in the increased case they make very good fodder-though hay is quantity of their wool. The proportion of time preferable. The usual calculation is two or three of great importance that the lambs should ac- during which sheep may be pastured, differs of pounds per day of dry fodder for a full grown quire strength enough very soon after birth to course, in different climates. In Saxony, sheep sheep, but many farmers give less than a pound support the bad weather which may follow in the are kept about five months on winter feed, but of hay, and make up the deficiency in straw and spring-and be able to benefit by the early pas- good farmers lay in a stock for 170 days to pea vines. A flock may be kept alive on this turage, by which means they may be sooner guard against scarcity in case of a backward fodder, but without mixing some grain or at least weaned, and the fleece of the ewes increased by Spring. The excess is never lost, though late half thrashed straw with it, it is impossible that stopping the flow of milk. allow it to be laid up for another year. fall feed or early pasture in the Spring should flock should go on improving in quality, notwithstanding the greatest care in other respects. The most economical method, considering the Pasturage. increased weight of wool which may be produced is The rams in every flock must of course be kept separate from the ewes and yearlings-the most convenient arrangement is to pasture them with the weathers. One buck is sufficient for about Sheep are seldom admitted to pasture in sum-'by it, is to give the sheep as much dry fodder as forty ewes. In Spain the proportion is 3 to 100.-mer on the meadows, except here and there on they will readily eat. If hay alone is used, at During the season of impregnation they are fed, the driest and leanest spots, but it often hap- least two hundred weight is necessary for each morning and evening, with oats. pens that they are driven on in the spring, if sheep; and if a few peas and summer straw In the season for dropping lambs the utmost the grass starts early enough for them to feed are added the supply will be ample for the wincare is necessary, and if the shepherd is not to be some time and be driven off again four weeks ter. entirely depended on, the proprietor should have before the cattle are driven in. The sheep re- Potatoes, turnips, carrots and many other roots him constantly overlooked. The birth is com-ceive no injury in this way, provided there are furnish excellent fodder for sheep; of which it monly easy but often slow. Ignorant shepherds no pools of standing water in the meadow, a.,, is unnecessary to speak at large, the circumare very apt on such occasions to be aiding in the they do not remain on it too long. General stances of each farm being the best guide as to birth, which is always useless, and often inju- however, the only pasture they have, is on t their use. rious. drier and leaner soils; particularly on steep hills, Salt is required by sheep at intervals during the It often happens that ewes will not own their not easily arable nor producing sufficient pastur- whole year, but it is often given in too great quanlambs, particularly the first they bear; and in this age for cattle. This kind of pasturage is the best tity and almost forced upon the sheep; which is case I would advise to sprinkling a little salt on suited to sheep, and such land can in no way be so always injurious, and often injures the digestion the lamb, which induces the ewe to lick it, after well improved. It often happens however, that so that the best grain will pass through them unwhich it will generally allow it to suck. If not, such high lands are not without swampy and altered. The best mode, where rock salt is to be the ewe with her lamb should be placed in a se- springy places or pools of water either on the had, is to attach pieces here and there in the staparate enclosure, (of which several should be sides or in the ravines between the hills; and all ble or in the pasture and let them lick it as they previously prepared) and fed with the most such spots are very dangerous for the sheep.-wish. The usual calculation is from one to two nutricious fodder, particularly with succulent All places where water plants are nourished pounds yearly per head, but I have found that liquids, that the udder may be uncomfortably should be carefully avoided, and more than ever something less than one pound was quite suffidistended; and if this is not sufficient she must during the greatest heat of summer when they cient, and more than this is not given in Saxony be tied by the legs till the lamb has been once are dry from evaporation. They are then more to the best managed flocks. suckled; after which there will be no further dangerous than ever, because deadly vapours are It is very important that sheep should be furdifficulty. The mother's milk is by far the best constantly rising through the dry crust that co- nished with clear water to prevent their drinknourishment for the lambs, and should never be vers them, and oftener than any other circum ing from stagnant, muddy pools, which almost altaken from them for other purposes, as is often stance create the rot which it is so difficult to con- ways occasions disease. If there is no running practised by shepherds. About three or four quer when once its ravages have begun. It is by stream in their pasture they should be watered weeks after birth, the lambs should be fed with no means during the growing season that this dan-as often as twice a day from a well. bruised oats, or oil cakes softened in water, ger is inost to be feared, for at that period the The principal requisites for the stall or shelter tender hay and well dried red clover, or other sheep find sufficient nourishment in dry situations for sheep are dryness, airiness, and sufficient similar fodder. In order that the lambs alone and avoid wet spots of their own accord. Merino room. They are very little liable to injury from may eat their proper fodder, an enclosure is sheep are doubtless more subject to the rot than cold. Lambs, however, should be protected made, through the aperture of which they can the coarser breeds, and therefore require parti-from extreme cold for a few weeks after birth pass, while the full grown sheep are excluded. cular care in this respect. All such marshy spots Dry fodder should always be put in cribs, and This previous feeding enables them better to should therefore be carefully drained in places not thrown on the ground or barn floor. support being weaned at the proper time.- where these sheep are to be pastured. Wooded The best method of washing wool previous to The weaning should take place very gradually pasturage affords sometimes very good feed-but shearing is to wet the fleece thoroughly on the for the benefit of the ewe, as well as of the if the shade is very close, the grass, though some-previous evening by immersing the animal repeat 132 ecy in a stream of water, in order that the dirt a flour, which is eaten in the same way as pap, caused it to be naturalized in Jamaica, and other adiering to the wool may be softened and more mush, or even made into bread, in times of scar-parts of the West Indies, whence it has passed easily removable on the following day, when the city. They are chiefly employed to feed birds, into the United States. The climate of the midprincipal washing is to be done. Care must be towls, &c. This is generally believed to be the dle and southern states is peculiarly adapted to its taken that the sheep do not swallow any water true PANICUM of the ancients, mentioned by Pli-culture. Obs. The PANICUM HIRSUTUM of Swartz, bears during the process. Three or four days after the ny, and others. In Europe, the stalk of this plant rises to the a striking affinity to this plant. washing, when the wool has been thoroughly dried, and after the natural moisture has bugun height of about 3 feet. In Carolina, according to to reappear, the shearing may be commenced. (To be continued.) FOR THE AMERICAN FARMER. Guinea grass. Elliott, it grows from 2 to 10 feet high. This 4. Panicum altissimum. JACQUIN.} Grand panic. stalk is erect, a little compressed. The leaves This PANICUM has by some Botanists been idenare lanceolate, large, nerved-smooth in their lower surface-and hairy at the orifice of the tified with the preceding; but it is larger in alsheath. The flowers form a terminal spike, the most every respect.-The leaves form a remarkaxis of which is villose and angular. When the able exception-they are narrower, &c. This BOTANICAL SKETCH of the principal gramina use fruit is ripe, this spike becomes nodding or droop- valuable gramen was first observed by Jacquin in Guadaloupe, but it is a native of Abyssinia. As ful, or likely to become useful, in husbandry. ing. In the variety a, which has a larger spike, the well as the preceding, it is entitled to the partiflowers are inverted with long setæ or bristles-cular attention of our agriculturists. The PANIand these flowers are sometimes of a violet or CUM COLORATUM, said to be a native of Spain and purple colour-and sometimes of a white colour. Egypt, but also naturalized in the West Indies, and remarkable by its flowers tinged with green No. V. Panicum. LINN. Panick grass. (7riandria-Digynia.) § Millet, &c. (From PANIS, bread, on account of the use occasionally made of the seed). The setæ assume the same tints. In the variety 3, (the Panicum Germanicum and violet, bears a considerable affinity to the two of Wildenow) the setæ are so short as not to be preceding species, and likewise goes under the perceived with the naked eye-so that it is said appellation of Guinea grass. GENERIC CHARACTERS.-In this genus, the calyx is 3 valved-2 of the valves are opposite to be mutic. and equal. The third valve (exterior) is smaller. The corolla consists of 2 valves, cartilaginous, tember. This is another valuable Panicum growing aunequal, and persistent. It contains three stamibundantly in the meadows of Jamaica. The root na and a round ovarium surmounted by two styles 2. Panicum miliaceum. LINN. Millet. is perennial. The culm thick, pubescent, juicywith plumose stigmas. The seed is of an oval geniculate and procumbent at its base. It puts shape, but rather flat-it falls invested with the This species of panicum is also annual, and a out only a few branches, and rises to the height of valves of the corolla. OBS. The third valve of native of India. Its seed is farinaceous, but not 2 or 3 feet. The leaves are plane, rounded at the calix is considered by some as an abortive very nutritive. It is, however, prepared to make their base, elongated, soft, villous, broad, lanceflower. bread, in some countries-and, in other countries, olate-with pubescent sheaths. The joints are This plant flowers in July, August, and Sep- 5. Panicum molle. SWARTZ. Soft Panick-grass. The intricacy and difficulties attendant on this used in the same way as rice. The Tartars ob-thick and villose. The spikes paniculate, erect, genus were adverted to in the last number. These tain from it a beverage, of which they are very alternate, slightly pedicellate, pretty large, arise not only from the many species included un- fond; its most common use, however, is to feed brownish, elongated. The calyx is two valved der it, but principally from the almost infinite poultry. and two flowered (one of those anomalies to variations in the features of those species The The stalk of the P. miliaceum is 4 feet high, which I have alluded.) The exterior valve is flowers exhibit the numerous and diversified or more, according to soil and climate; it is erect very small-the interior oval, obtuse, pubescent. forms of the spike and of the panicle; and even the and villous, as well as the leaves, which are, be- In the hermaphrodite flowers, the valves of the modifications of these flowers vary-some being sides, long and flat. The orifice of the sheaths corolla are oval-nearly equal-the anthers of a polygamous-some awned-some awnless-and is very hairy. The flowers form a panicle, ter- deep purple colour. This is represented as optisometimes the calyx, forming an exception to the minal, loose, and nodding on one side, especially mum pabulum. The PANICUM MOLLE described above generic characters, is two valved. The after maturation. The glumes are conspicuously by Elliott, as growing in the vallies of the seastems and the leaves present other differences. nerved, and accuminate. The seed is round, islands, and particularly on Chaplin's island, does Under the genus panicum are included plants smooth, and shining. with ligneous stems. The seeds, too, considerably differ. In some species, they are flat, elongated, shining-in other species, round or cylindrical, and transversely wrinkled-in the panicum pallens, they are triangular. Such being the anomales presented by this immense group, it is not to be wondered at that the accurate observations of modern Botanists should have led them 3. Panicum Laeve. to assume some of the subdivisions of Linnæus as the types of new genera, and to exclude some species, imperfectly determined at first. inquisitive agriculturist will, at his leisure, in The VARIETIES. a with white seed. β yellow seed. blackish seed. purple flowers. LAM. Panicum Polygamum. SWARTZ. not quite accord with the above, and that eminent Botanist terms it "a plant salt and bitter." This may be referred, however, to local influences.Michaux also found the PANICUM MOLLE in the sedgy meadows of Florida. My limits now compel me to take a temporary leave of this interesting genus; but I shall revert to it in my next number, as it is far from being Guinea grass exhausted. As images of peace and friendship are never foreign to agricultural subjects, I beg leave to The root of this valuable plant, which is peren-mention, before I conclude, that the far famed vestigate this subject in the works of the moderns. nial, puts out stalks rising to the height of four calumet of the Indians is supplied by a variety of I must pass to the description of the most impor-feet, and to a much greater height, under favour- the Panicum latifolium, a native of North Ametant species of panicum, after observing, how able circumstances. These stems or stalks are rica. Some degree of poetic interest is, therefore, ever, that the plants belonging to it delight in erect, glabrous, a little compressed in their lower attached to this plant.-Humanity loves to consouthern climates-and, especially, in tropical part. The leaves are many, long, flat, green, nect it with the classic Olive branch. divided by a white nerve, and smooth both on regions. In the United States, few species only are found beyond the 40th degree of N. latitude. their upper and on their lower surface, but rather ciliated near the orifice of the sheath. The flow Italian Panick. 1. Panicum italicum. LINN. Bengal gruss. (with two varieties.) Millet cultivé. L. H. GIRARDIN. The genus increases progressively, as we proceed from north to south, until it strikingly pre-ers form a terminal, loose, elongated, and ample EXPENSES AND FACILITIES OF TRAdominates. (See Nuttall, Elliot, Muhlenberg, panicle-the ramifications of which are filiform, VELLING IN THE UNITED STATES. and verticillated in the inferior part of the paniPursh, Michaux, &c.) cle-then in pairs-and, finally, alternate and A gentleman who has been for a long time soresparse. The flowers have pedicels-they are ly afflicted with Dyspepsia, arising from want of oblong-very smooth-mutic-and of a greenish exercise, and sixteen hours per day of sedentary colour. Two very striking additional features employment; received the kind permission of his J Millet des oiseaux, distinguish this species. The 3rd valve of the superior in office to make an excursion for the becalyx is appressed-short-and particularly re-nefit of his health :This is an annual plant, a native of India, but markable. The corolla is transversely striated, Making it known to a friend, then sojourning long since cultivated in Italy, Germany, France, in a most delicate manner. with him, from Massachusetts-who had recently &c. and now well known in the United States.- This panicum is a native of Guinea, and other made an extensive tour-that friend, from his Tts seeds are eminently farinaceous-they yield parts of Africa. Its excellence as a forage has travelling notes, made the following |