First, Live weight. Length of wool. Product of wool. 85 lbs. 5 lbs. 15 inches 51 Third, . 100 11 61 85 8 5 98 11 61 78 Ninth, Fifth, Sixth, ness the health and strength of the animal princi- not bigger than one's little finger. Observing to "On Saturday last, in the presence of Lawrence pally depend;" hence the importance of attending the President that this heifer would not be a good Lewis, Esq., I sheared nine ewe lambs of the Arto the size and form of the chest (in which the lungs milker: he answered that her breed was destined lington long woolled breed-and as the result is not and heart are lodged,) and to its breadth in particu- for labour and beef. John Prince, Esq., of Roxbu- very common, I give it publication: lar. And that the muscles and tendons should be ry, at whose farm the two Herefordshire animals large, by which an animal is enabled to travel with are now kept, lately informed me that the heifer greater speed; and, he might have added, to exert has never had a calf, nor is likely ever to have one: superior force in every kind of labour. Bakewell's yet what I suppose rarely happens, she gives a little cattle were round bodied; the ribs springing from milk. Probably this is the variety of the Herefordthe chine almost horizontally; and hence giving a shire cattle mentioned by Sir John Sinclair as adaptbroad and flat back. I will add, that the best milk-ed to labour and to make beef, while another variety ing cows that I have seen, were deeper in the body is preferred for the dairy. immediately before the hind legs, than immediately "Early maturity," or a disposition to fatten well behind the fore legs. I believe this was very ap- at an early age, is considered in England as a disparent in the Oakes cow. tinguished excellence. "When 'animals, bred for Those were all ewe lambs, which have each proShould the intimation now given, of the most ex- the carcass merely, (as Sir John Sinclair remarks,) duced a lamb, and now suckle them. I also shearpeditious means of improving in the first instance, become fat at an early age, they not only returned a fat wether, of the old kind of the country, our native breed of cattle, be acceptable to our far- sooner the price of their food, with profit to the which weighed 158 lbs. gross, and produced 51 lbs. mers, and be adopted in practice, a higher improve-feeder, but in general, also, a greater value for their of wool. Upon applying the impartial and undement may soon be expected, by the exhibition of consumption, [for the quantity of food they consume] viating rules of arithmetic to the above result, we the improved animals at the County and State Cat- than slow feeding animals." On this subject I once shall find that the Arlington long woolled breed tle Shows. There we may expect to find some in- took occasion to observe, that "a disposition to fat- yield a pound of wool to every 14 lbs. 7 oz. gross dividuals, possessing the requisite qualifications to ten at an early age, a point of excellence zealously weight-and that the old country kind yield only a become skilful and successful breeders, like Bake- sought for in England, where husbandry labours pound of wool for every 30 lbs. gross weight. It well and his followers in England; and who, like are chiefly performed by horses, is not of material will be remembered that Badger produced a pound them, ready to give adequate prices for fine animals, consequence to New England farmers, when oxen of wool for 10 lbs. 12 oz. of gross weight-a result will ultimately be amply rewarded by an increasing for the draught and cows for the dairy, constitute which, if my information be correct, is not exceeddemand, and the continually growing prices of their their most interesting stock. I doubt not, how-ed in any part of the world. superior stock. ever, that many of our farmers have had experience I am happy in being able to quote the opinion of of heifers entering into their third year, and grazing Mr. Lowell, President of our State Society, cor- in rich pastures, becoming fat for the butcher in responding with my own on the subject under con- the same season, on grass alone. Sir John Sinclair The celebrated and favourite ewe, bred at Arsideration. He says "Possessing, as we unques- remarks, that the propensity to fatten at an early lington, called Mary Colston, (of which a portrait tionably do, the materials among our own stock, of age, is a sure proof that an animal will fatten spee- has been taken,) did not exceed 100 lbs. in gross improving our breeds by careful selection, we should dily at any other period of life. It is a remark of weight, and sheared 7 lbs. of washed wool, more follow the example of Bakewell and other British Mr. Marshall, "that a cow may be so constitution- than nine inches in length. She appeared like a farmers, who in fifty years have raised the stock of ed as to convert her aliment into milk, while milk moving mass of wool, the legs concealed, and the Great Britain to a state of perfection little short of is continued to be drawn from her, and, when the head alone giving animation to the object. what it is supposed they can ever reach."* On draught is stopped, to convert the same current of In 1807 and 1808, sheep of the home breeds and another occasion the President said-"Care in se- chyle into fat." And we may well suppose, that of large size, were shown for the premium cups, lection and in rearing our animals, would soon have cows possessing the faculty of converting their food particularly a lamb bred by Col. Tayloe, of Mount placed us on a footing with any nation in Europe. into milk so rich as to yield an extraordinary quan- Airy, which weighed alive, at 1 year old, 180 lbs. Our neat cattle were generally good; and individual tity of butter, would, when dried off, fatten faster, About this time a Mr. Vint and a Mr. Young, two animals might have been found in New England, and in a higher degree, than cows which had given very respectable Englishmen, who had been shepwhich, under the skilful management of such men thin milk, on the same quantity of food. This pre- herds in Europe, volunteered their services to show as Bakewell, and Princep, and Champion, would in sents another and very weighty motive, to cherish the manner of European shearing. Formerly, the twenty years have rivalled either the Holderness or and propagate that breed of cattle of which the habit was, to seize and bind the animal, as if for the Herefordshire races." Again Mr. Lowell says, cows are so productive of butter. "we repeat what we have often urged, that more is to be expected from excited attention to the improvement of our own stock, than from importation." Such improvements of our native cattle, so im portant to our farmers in general, will also be inte- MR. EDITOR, resting to those who are possessed of fine imported Ar the Arlington Sheep Shearing of 1806, I excattle: for if the latter, on full trials, shall be found hibited a year old lamb, bred from my improved to be really of greatly superior excellence, improv- Persian, which was much admired. He was after- are now shorn without the slightest confinement; ed individuals of our native breed will furnish better wards sent to New Kent county, in the south of the wool closely and neatly shaved off, by passing subjects for coupling with them; and enable the Virginia, and no doubt is remembered there; at full the shears round and round the body-and with owners of the imported animals more expeditiously growth, he weighed, alive 204 lbs., and his usual this shaving, there is no usury taken of flesh or to improve and increase a superior stock, whether shearing was 10 lbs. of clean wool, 14 inches in blood. for their own use or for sale. The premium for the first American fabric shown length. T. PICKERING. SHEEP-No. 4. slaughter; a lusty fellow then kneeled upon the poor struggling creature, and fell to work chopping wool, skin and flesh together; and, by way of finishing off so accomplished a work, left to the tail a bunch or tuft of wool, like the tail of a lion. This was considered a matter of taste, and for the animal to keep off the flies with. Since this barbarian custom has ceased, the sheep I have mentioned Marshall's opinion of the Here- Next came Mr. Foote's Badger, of the Arlington at the Arlington Sheep Shearing, was adjudged to fordshire breed of cattle, taking all in all, as the long woolled race, obtaining the premium, though a Miss Field, of Fairfax county, who spun and wove best in Great Britain. And Sir John Sinclair, after shown against a sheep of very large size. Badger it herself. It was quite a pretty thing--a piece of remarking "that a breed of cattle equally well adapt- was about 100 lbs. live weight, but sheared 10 lbs. jeans twilled, and was presented to the President of ed to the butcher, to the dairy and to the plough or of wool, of great length and good quality. He was the United States, to be worn on the day of Indecart, is no where to be met with," says, "perhaps indeed, a sheep on the principle of the celebrated pendence. It was customary for the guests at the the Herefordshire cattle approach the nearest to Bakewell, of "small in size, but great in value;" meetings to appear in some kind of American mathat perfect state of any of the larger breeds. and when standing, his wool appeared to touch the nufactures, however small, as a compliment to the They arrive soon to maturity, and are fit for labour, ground. He was sold, shortly after his exhibition, institution-generally a pair of gloves, a waistcoat, but it is a different variety of the same breed that to a gentleman in Frederick county, Virginia. Let a watch chain, and many, unable to procure any is preferred for the dairy." At the last cattle show us look over a table, furnished by Mr. Foote, of thing else, would cut a cane from the forest, as at Brighton, I saw a bull and heifer of the Here- Hayfield, a gentleman deservedly esteemed as a being of the home character. Such were those fordshire breed-stately animals, sent by Admiral most successful agriculturist, and improver of stock. times; in these, could not a million of Americans Sir Isaac Coffin, (a native of Massachusetts,) to the and we shall be able to judge of the merits of the mount the uniform of independence? Massachusetts Society of Agriculture. The heifer Arlington long woolled, when compared with the I just laid down my pen, to peruse a letter from was very large and of fine form; but her bag was sheep of this and other countries. my friend, your friend, and his country's friend, very small, and her teats, clustering together, were Barton, vice-president of the Valley Society, and Address to the Massachusetts Agricultural Society, find it so much to the purpose of my communicaat Brighton, Oct. 1822, tions, that I will conclude this number by enclosing * Mass. Agr. Repository and Journal, No. 3, vol. 7. DEAR SIR, G. W. P. CUSTIS, Esq. WM. M. BARTON. REMARKS ON LORAIN'S HUSBANDRY. DEAR SIR, Springdale, May 15, 1825. MEADE'S BARN YARD. it to you for publication, with the remarkable speci- of buckwheat. Disappointed, his characteristic per- free from the taste of that (to most,) unpalatable men of South American wool, which it contains-severance forsook him, and the experiment was not herb. Without being able, or attempting to acand am, Very truly, yours, followed up, as it should have been, by two or three count for the fact, I submit it for general informaG. W. P. CUSTIS. applications, or by one with shallow ploughing. tion, through the Farmer, and would be gratified in Arlington House, June 10, 1825. When I first commenced this system, it was in a having a reason assigned for the circumstance. M. field upon which there was an immense growth-it Springdale, 6th June, 1825. was literally covered, and my plough horses fed Knowing the interest which you have always felt from the tops of the oats without stooping. The for the improvement of our native sheep, I enclose ploughs entered almost to the beams, and the mass, A FARM YARD is so intimately connected with the you a sample of wool sent from the old province of with the end of the chain, was completely concealed farm itself, and so essential to its prosperity, conLeo Pay, in upper Peru. I have not been able to beneath the new surface. Of the many who saw centring all its product, whether animal or vegetagain any information, whatever, in relation either this operation going on, there were few who did ble, as to make it of the utmost importance to have to the character and habits of the animal produc- not protest-some said it was giving a certainty for it situated and constructed with relation to such ing this wool, or the quantity yielded annually.- an uncertainty-some, a crop in existence for one connection, as well as to its size, divisions, and other The facility with which you can acquire the know- anticipated-others, that a bird in the hand was economy, so that it may be the capacious, comledge desired, from the officers of the navy, will, I worth two in the bush, &c. All, however, who saw fortable, secure, and convenient receptacle of every have no doubt, induce you to seek for it. I think it it, in common with myself, watched the effect with animal and all the provender of the farm. Unihighly probable, the silken texture of the Peru, some solicitude. Our very open winter which fol- formity should always be preserved when not at the mingled with the long wool of Arlington, would lowed, set in early, and I soon had it in my power expense of convenience; so in our leisure hours we produce a very valuable variety. If you join me in to anticipate the result-I saw the error I had may delight in the survey of our labours. The exthis impression, may not you render lasting services committed in ploughing too deep, "thereby turning pediency of bringing together all the produce of a by making the experiment, when practicable. up too much poor soil;" and in too much cultivation, farm, and securing it in such manner as to facilitate Believe me, truly yours, "thereby checking fermentation." My crop was the labour of a considerable portion of the year, such a one as the fields had averaged for the last must be obvious to every practical farmer, and will twenty years, about fifteen bushels per acre. Con- also bear the test of plain reason. The farm yard vinced that the error was in myself, and that if na- should be considered as a most valuable part of the ture had not been checked the result would have husbandman's capital, and will bear an interest just been different, I continued the experiment, and in proportion to its adaptation to the general purcould now show you a field of forty acres, upon poses of the farm. A great saving of labour, if we I was not apprized of the publication by Carey & which it was made last year, of most beautiful wheat; were to descend to particulars, might be demonLea, of Mr. Lorain's agricultural work, entitled I will venture to say it will yield several hundred strated in the proper use of a judicious farm yard; "Nature and Reason harmonized in the Practice of bushels more than usual. I have made experiments for it may without doubt be asserted, that in the Husbandry," until I saw a republication of the 13th with buckwheat, millet, oats, and corn-sowed three course of the year, not one hour need be lost where chapter in the American Farmer. I am much pleas- bushels to the acre. I have no hesitation in prefer- there is sufficient shelter to labour under. This ed to find Mr. Lorain has taken up the subject of ring the oats to any other grain, for the purpose of establishment contains about 14 acres of ground, deep ploughing, and green dressing, and particular- green dressing. and is sufficiently large for farms of from 3 to 600 ly so, when I find his opinions so fully accord with How few farms there are, sir, that have not upon acres of open land; less ground, of course, would my own, in relation to that matter. them some fertile land, some low marshy place, or answer for the smaller farm; but the great advanThe several years experience I have had in the some rich pocosin, (as described by Mr. Custis, in tage of having an abundance of room for stock, application of green crops, teaches me that with ju- the 7th vol. of the Farmer,) that would produce an and for the convenience of wagons and carts going dicious management, they afford the farmer the immense growth of oats. If the oats were sown to and from, is far above the loss of a small bit of best means of renovating exhausted land--and with upon these spots early in June-cut when in head-ground. This acre and one-half is an oblong; when the barn-yard manure that can be made on every hauled to the poor land, and immediately plough- divided, forms two squares; the first for the stable, farm, used as an auxiliary to a green growth, the ed under, what astonishing changes could, in a few cow shed, corn shed, horse pen, hog pen, and corn most impoverished and ungenerous soil, can be years, be exhibited in our tide-water country, and at house, on which the former are all dependent, save made in an astonishingly short period, a liberal and how much less expense than that incurred by remov- the corn shed, which is the supplier, these divisions productive one. Those opposed to every thing like ing and settling the forests of the west. The total being brought as near as possible to the corn house innovation, in a system supported by the practice of expense of manuring the forty acres spoken of, was renders the feeding at all times convenient, but fifty years, tell you of unsuccessful experiments only two shillings per acre, or thirteen dollars and especially in bad weather; and the circumstance of they have made; or meet you with the fact, that thirty-three cents. taking a view of the whole from one or two points Gen. Washington, who, it is well known, was zea- Mr. Lorain was opposed to the deep cultivation is very gratifying. The second square brings into lous, enterprizing, and persevering as a farmer, sow- of maize, but I presume was, as most of our prac- connection the hay, corn fodder, straw, &c. of the ed upon his Mount Vernon tract, eighty or a hundred tical farmers are, favourable to the deep breaking barn yard, with the horses, cattle, and sheep, of acres of buckwheat, which was turned under, up of corn land. The system, which has gained their respective departments, which receive their and proved totally unavailing and abortive. It is ground, and is pursued by most of our experienced supply of water by passing through the vacant true, if I am not misinformed, that Gen. Washing- northern farmers, is to break up deep, and cultivate ground of the corn house yard through gates to the ton did plough under a considerable growth of shallow, thus avoiding and leaving uninjured all pond; but this trouble should be avoided by obtainbuckwheat, without any visible effect whatever.- the deeper roots of the corn, and exposing the soil ing, if possible, a supply of water in the yard, for Similar experiments have been made by many less to a drying sun. The shallow cultivation is the saving of manure, &c. There is a thorough others (by myself for one,) with similar results.-followed by many of them, with what may be term- internal communication for carts and wagons from But granting this, it by no means furnishes an argu-ed the levelling one-that is, reducing the ground one division to the other, preventing the necessity ment that can be with propriety wielded against to one common surface, with cultivators, or small of going beyond its bounds into the mud, or travelthe opinion promulgated by Mr. Lorain, and corro- harrows, after each ploughing. ling, perhaps, around one, two, or three sides to get borated by my own reasoning and experience. It As my principal object in writing, was to point into another pen. If it be objected there are too may as reasonably be offered as a support to an as-out, if in my power, the advisability of farmers of many gates, it must be observed, that much consertion made by Mr. Lorain in another part of the poor lands, adopting the fertilizing system recom-venience cannot be had without additional expense; same chapter, to which I fully respond, "that a thin mended by Mr. Lorain; and as I am at the close of soil should not be ploughed deep when the vegeta- my sheet, I must desire you to believe me, tion is turned under it, preparatory to a wheat crop." Respectfully, yours, When a crop, however prodigious it may be, is turn- J. S. SKINNER, Esq. ed under such a depth, either fermentation is destroy ed, or so much poor soil is placed above the ferment ing matter, into which its fertilizing properties have TO THE EDITOR, WM. M. BARTON. Farm, near Philadelphia. a gate or two in the middle of a farm yard prevents the necessity of travelling around it; and the addition of two or three more facilitates the passage of stock to water, or to their different pastures, without mingling with each other. The whole is surrounded by a lane which has the double effect of confining within a small compass, all the stock, or serving as an outlet to the pasture of different lots and fields. to extend, that a good effect ought not to be expected It is an important fact to dairy farmers, tested by the first experiment-one or two repetitions are ne- several in this vicinity, that cows turned into a pas- The farmer, too, in passing around the yard on cessary to make it visible. Into this error I have ture in the morning, in which there is considerable horseback, has a view of any business going on, but little doubt Gen. Washington fell. An advo- garlic, and removed before noon for the remainder stock feeding, &c., across the yard, in front, or cate for deep ploughing, and sanguine in his expec- of the day, into a pasture that is free from it, or fod through the course of the gates, lengthwise, which tations of the result, he placed too great a quantity dered where such pasture is not to be had, their is a great convenience when time does not permit of poor sand over, perhaps, what was a stinted growth milk, and of course the butter made from it, will be a more intimate examination. LOF C REFERENCES. with uncommon industry, well erected machinery on the side of the shelter next the cattle to support may be advantageous; but a farm on a moderate the straw in a body, and feed the stock. A circular A. Shelter, on locust posts, and stone wall from scale, say from 2 to 3 or 400 acres of open land, shelter for straw, where the ground suits, would 5 to 6 feet high, 10 feet wide, with a shingle roof, having 4 or 8 hands, and not requiring the aid of have additional advantages, and the shelter to the 60 feet square. One-half the shelter is sufficient for an overseer, cannot often be benefited by such ma- right and left, be used for stowing away corn stalks; 12 milch cows, to which it is appropriated; the chines. It is only when land enough is cultivated the saving of labour in this particular, I find to be other half secures their provisions, which of the to produce generally 2 or 3000 bushels of wheat, and very great. rough kind, is scattered over the yard to make them requiring the aid of a manager, who may be capable J. Sheep yard, with a shelter, communicating dry and comfortable in any part of it; of the better of attending to it, that a wheat machine would be with lots for ewes and lambs. sort, such as hay, soft corn, bran, &c., is put in advisable; well attended, they not only have the K. Yard for the main stock of cattle, which racks or troughs touching the walls. advantage over treading, as to the quantity gotten should always be very roomy, since there is a B. Stable, 40 by 50 feet, of stone work, having out, but save, I believe, at least 5 or 6 per cent. greater mixture of small and great, weak and strong, 15 stalls, and a cutting room in the middle, holding Money is thrown away on a machine having less than in any other pen. If the ground is not formed 12 or 15 loads of hay in the loft which has a lath than four horse power. It is a subject worthy the by nature for a convenient pen, it should be raised floor, in order to give the new hay as much air as attention of farmers to examine into, for it must be on the rack, and shelter sides declining to the possible. recollected that if a machine is not properly ma- centre, to keep the stock high and dry; the manure C. Corresponding to the cow house shelter A., naged, an immense loss is sustained, much more will naturally incline to the middle, where the bulk the half of which is used for putting away corn in than in careless treading, which may be fairly es- of which will be most easily taken from; the corn the shuck, to be handled in bad weather; the other timated at 10 per cent. stalks which are always first fed will soon prevent half holds the shucks, which are principally used E. A treading floor, 44 feet square, in the centre the cattle from feeling any inconvenience in crossafter the chief manure hauling in the spring, the of a barrack 44 by 90, with high shed set on locust ing the middle of the pen in very wet seasons. corn stalks having been exhausted with the major posts, the body plain frame work of sufficient di- L. A shelter, on locust posts, 6 feet high and 8 part of the straw. At other seasons these shelters mensions to hold 1500 bushels wheat in the straw; feet wide, weatherboarded on the outside, and are useful in stowing little crops under, and afford- the pitch of the shed admit of loaded wagons passing covered with straw; but it should be a good thatch. ing ample room to make stakes and caps, and do a in and through the treading yard; the height of the M. Part of the same yard and shelter, divided off variety of jobs well known to farmers. shed surrounding the frame work, renders the for young cattle to be kept from the bull until three D. Frame building, covering a horsemill and act of unloading easy and rapid, either at the end years old. wheat machine, which are now out of use; but the or side. The cost of this building was but 600 N. A square covered rack giving feed to three house is well situated for a variety of useful pur-dollars, which answers for wheat, rye, &c., with pens. poses, as an appendage to the large barrack it ad- the aid of a small granary, as useful a purpose as a O. Pen and shelter, an outside situation, as work joins. From the experience I have had of this much more costly building. oxen are frequently called for. A much greater machinery, a word may be said to the advantage of G. G. Rows of hay stacks, convenient to horses abundance of corn stalk fodder is given to the work farmers who are apt to adopt novelties on report. and sheep, and leaving abundant room for a team oxen; having less time to feed than the other cattle, I have worked a wheat machine of 4 horse power to manoeuvre between them and the barrack. they get the best of it in a shorter time, and the for eight or nine years, and by diligent attention, H. Granary, 26 feet square, with 4 doors; the other cattle are permitted to occupy their pen when have succeeded in working it to advantage; a horse- convenience of which is manifest in taking advan- they are at work. mill in like manner, for three or four years, which tage of the wind in running wheat through the fan. P. Hog shelter, which communicates with the was a great convenience and saving; but the atten- I. I. Shelter for straw and stalks, dividing the cattle pens by a slip-door through the weathertion necessary to keep the machinery in good order cow yard from the barn yard, 10 feet wide, 12 feet boarding. Hogs derive a considerable supply of and make it profitable, is greater than any farmer high, covered with straw. When the straw from food from the droppings of the cattle, and the straw can bestow who is not willing to devote all his time the treading yard is put under this shelter, the cattle scattered about, and will not get the mange if they to absolute drudgery; to such as unite ingenuity are also fed, as there are very high straight racks are stopped out every night. It is only advantage 270J ous to permit hogs the liberty of the cattle yard, great excellence in them, to have been induced to twenty years; and, I presume, that not less than nure to be collected; the pavement will have a de- The price he paid for the full blooded cows is, AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS. I Raleigh, N. C., June 7, 1825. You will bear in mind that my predictions last In boring for fresh water, the expense and trouble R. I am so well pleased with this newly adopted fall have been more than realized. I stated then of sinking a gum would be a mere trifle, as solid mode of keeping my horses, that, had I not already that the crops of cotton had the rot, and if the rock would generally be found near the surface; a stable, I would never build one. It is true, the disease was general throughout the southern coun but experiments for salt water are usually made circumstance of having a great quantity of hay try, so as to be a short crop, the price which we along the banks of large streams at low water above the horses' heads, under the same shelter, is should receive for the short crop, would be more than mark, and, at such places, it is indispensably nea great convenience; but, on the other hand, the could be obtained for a full crop. From the very cessary to sink a gum through the sand and gravel inconvenience of cleaning after a dozen horses, or large quantity, over what was ever planted before, to the rock, so as to exclude the fresh water, which suffering the manure to accumulate, carrying it out of cotton, in this state, Virginia, and elsewhere, the would otherwise defeat the operation. I shall, thereat stated periods, is to me more than a balance, crop of the present year must be immense. We fore, begin by describing the manner in which gums for I can haul four loads out of an open pen sooner have now to pray for a partial destruction of the are prepared and sunk, and shall then describe the than one from the stable. A covered rack or racks plant, by rot or other disease, provided the injury auger and mode of boring. is situated as near the centre of a pen 60 or 70 feet can be general throughout the cotton growing coun- The experiment is commenced with an iron bar, square as may suit the inclination of the ground, try. I have travelled a good deal for the last five (square or round,) about thirty feet long, and nearly large enough to hold from one to two loads of hay, weeks, in this state, and I find that there are two two inches in diameter; the point should be of steel, fodder, or straw; 10 feet by 20 is a good size, from acres in cotton for one of corn. This may not be well hardened, and at the end a strong loop must 10 to 12 feet high in the body, with a secure cover the case off the roads, but at all events a great be made for the handle. With this bar (which is over locust posts or stone pillars; the racks are scarcity of bread stuffs will be certain. The crops called the searcher, or searching auger,) the sand or placed within the posts, and form a manger between of wheat in this state, are affected with the bug soil is perforated until the point strikes the rock: it the bottom of them, two or three feet from the partially, and in some neighbourhoods entirely with is then drawn up and measured, which gives the ground, and the enclosure of the same height, which the rust. The crop of tobacco, from James River length of the gum that must be sunk. surrounds the posts, so that no hay, &c. can be lost in Virginia to Cape Fear in this state, must certain- The gum is prepared in the following manner. by a constant pulling from the rack that is at all ly be a smaller one than has been aimed at for Find a poplar or sycamore (the latter is best,) of palatable. A division may be made in the pen to these forty years. As the planters of this article the length required; it must be 4 feet in diameter separate the work horses from others, a dry shelter have been but poorly rewarded of late years, I at the small end; saw both ends square, and bore a to the north west. This winter, two years, with think there is every prospect of their obtaining a hole through the centre of 2 or 3 inches in diameter. cornstalk fodder, straw, &c. I hauled out from the pen good price for the present year's crop. Yours, respectfully, WM. BOYLAN. RURAL ECONOMY. 65 ox cart loads of manure made by about 12 horses. (Virginia,) has bored about 900 feet for salt water, To the Editors of the National Intelligencer. Reem a funnel at one end, in which, if a fire is properly built, and the opposite end a little elevated, the blaze will be drawn along the hole, and enlarge it from end to end. The fire may be fed by putting in small poles or split wood, and the log must be rolled over from time to time, to equalize the action of the blaze, until a calibre is formed of not less than 3 feet-3 feet is better. If it burns too fast at the ends, slack the fire with water. The gum (such is the name it now takes,) is carefully hauled to the place where the experiment is intended to be made: a strong iron hoop should be driven on the small end to prevent it from cracking when the head is wedged. A few feet may be dug in the ground at the place perforated with the searcher, and the small end of the gum is laid over it. A strong frame, with four perpendicular posts firmly braced and well fastened in ground or mud sills, is then planted at the hole, and the gum is elevated until it is brought to an exact perpendicular, in which position it must be kept while sinking, and U. A well; to be without which, no farm yard can be complete; which should be situated to water the different pens with small troughs, supplying the larger ones. Some few may take advantage of You have been twice called upon lately, by "A great care is required at the commencement to prerunning water. Cisterns are sometimes very conve- Farmer," for information on the subject of boring vent it from working obliquely. A strong platform nient; occasionally, ponds may be made so. Driv- for fresh and salt water. He refers to a paragraph in must be placed on the top of the gum, with proing stock out to water should be avoided, to save an English paper, in which the art of boring is claim-jecting beams covered with plank, leaving a square trouble and manure. ed as a recent discovery made in England: but the of about three fect over the centre, through which fact is, that we savages of the west have had it in the interior operation is conducted. use for more than twenty years before it was ex- A sand auger with bags, is then used, to cut and ported to that kingdom. We all know that John draw up the sand and gravel, which must be thrown Bull has a habit of claiming all useful inventions as on the platform, the weight of which is usually sufhis own, and, therefore, I was not surprised when I ficient to force the gum down. I hear that Mr. John Barney, of Port Penn, in saw the attempt thus made to impose the discovery I shall refer your readers to the Patent Office at Delaware, the celebrated grazier, has fixed his at- upon the world as of British origin-but I am asto- Washington, where they may find a description of tention on the Devon breed of cattle sent by Mr. nished that any American should have been inclin- the stone chisel and sand auger with bags. The paCoke, of Holkham, to Mr. Patterson and Mr. Caton, ed to believe, (as your querist is,) that the account tents were granted to Mr. Richard Deering, of and generally called the Coke Devons. A breeder of boring is a hoax. The art (I repeat it,) has been Greenup county, Kentucky, and his description and of such experience as Mr. Barney, must have seen practiced on the western waters for more than directions how to use them will be better under DEVON BREED OF CATTLE. MR. SKINNER, stood than mine. The process is continued with the sand auger until the gum sinks to the rock. blesome, two or more pumps may be used to keep In making experiments, it almost always happens it down. that one or more streams of fresh water is struck A tube, or conductor, is then made, by getting a A three inch bit (if the hole is intended to be of before salt water is obtained, and, in such cases, log as long as the gum, and about 9 or 12 inches in that size,) is now screwed on the bar, and the long the fresh water must be tubed out after the boring diameter, through which a hole must be bored of tube or conductor is again let down and placed ex- is finished. For this purpose, a tube is made of not less than six inches in calibre; and thus prepar-actly on the top of the short tube, and the auger is copper, (with joints similar to those of the auger,) ed, it must be put in the gum and plummed to its put in and suspended to the spring-pole, which must the calibre of which should not be less than one centre. And an auger is then made, similar to be gently sprung, until the auger is well plummed, and a half inches-two would be better. When a those used in blowing rocks, with a square shank, and works free without rubbing. The conductor stream is struck in boring, the auger is marked and less than two inches in diameter, and about twelve must be well braced, so as to keep it firmly to its the distance measured, and the tube must be long. inches long. On the end, a screw is cut, which is perpendicular position; and the top head being laid enough to descend below the lowest stream that is firmly screwed into a socket formed on the end of a on the gum, all is ready for boring. proposed to be excluded. Before the tubing comsimilar bar, which should be about twelve feet in The operator may now turn the auger, and (as mences, the hole must be well reemed to the proper length; on the upper end of this bar, which is called the phrase is,) begin to bore for salt water, and may distance; which being done, the lower end of the "the dickey," a similar screw is cut, which is, in bore, as many have done, for five hundred feet in tube is carefully wrapped with soft hemp, for two like manner, screwed into a similar socket, made search of it. If the pole is properly sprung, the or three feet, and is then let down, or rather presswith concave clamps, which is firmly rivetted to a fall of the auger will be sufficient to perforate the ed down, until it passes a few feet below the stream round pole, made of ash timber, twelve feet in rock; but if hard places are found, the operator of fresh water. length and about two inches in diameter. This is may give some additional force to the fall, and The upper end is wrapped in the same way, so called the second joint of the auger, the iron bar those who are perfect in the art of boring, can do as to fit the wooden tube at the bottom of the gum, being the first. On the upper end of this pole, or so without much increase of muscular exertion.- and the plate of copper should be fastened on it and second joint, a similar clamp is fastened, with a After working a few hours, the pole men will find nailed to the wooden tube. If this is properly done, screw upon it, which is screwed into a socket fas- the spring of the pole, and will then know how to the hemp will swell enough to make it water-tight at tened with clamps on another pole. This pole, or make it work free and easy, by changing its eleva- both ends, and, if weli rubbed with tallow, will last joint, may be 15 or 26 feet long, and thus the joints tion, and by moving the fulcrum, if necessary. for many years. The upper end of the tube should of the auger may be extended to any length requir If the auger is permitted to work obliquely at be plugged while the workmen are fitting it in, and, ed. A short joint must be made, of iron, with a first, the experiment will be lost-and therefore it when all is ready, the plug is drawn, and the salt swivel at the top and socket at the bottom, which is must be well handled at the beginning, and the hole water rises. screwed to one of the joints, and a rope, of twelve bored for the first fifteen or twenty feet, upon an ex- In this description I have endeavoured to give a or more feet in length is fastened to the swivel. act perpendicular. Care should be taken to prevent part of the information which you want. Some A spring pole is then procured, of twenty or more any substance from falling into the hole, especial- non-essentials have been omitted for the sake of feet in length, (pine is much the best,) the largely iron or steel. In the experiment which I in part brevity, but any workman of common capacity will end of which is fastened to a post, firmly planted superintended, our operator wrought the auger supply them, when required, in the course of an in the ground: a platform is made on the frame first nearly two weeks upon a single inch, and we were experiment. You will find some tautologies in readdescribed, about 12 or 15 feet above the top of the never able to know whether his efforts were resist-ing, for which I offer an apology by saying that I gum, and a fulcrum is fastened to the frame about ed by the hardness of the rock, or the hardness of wanted to be clearly understood, and that I have 3 feet above the platform: the spring-pole is placed some substance which had fallen into the hole. written hastily and have no time to review and on it at an elevation of eight or ten degrees; and It is usual in salt water experiments to bore a hole prune. the point of the pole should project over the gum. about three inches in diameter, and of course the The art of boring is now so well understood, that The auger is then let down the six inch tube or bit of the auger must be of that size, but two and a persons of skill can be hired to bore any depth, at conductor, and suspended to the spring pole by the half inches is common, and will do nearly as well. the following prices, and probably for less. For the rope, the pole being sprung down a few inches, and The bit must be made by a guage, and must be first 200 feet, 2 dollars per foot, for the next 100 the rope made fast. Two men stand on the plat-guaged whenever sharpened. The operator must feet, 3 dollars per foot; for the next 100 feet, 5 dolform, facing each other, on adverse sides of the have four or five of them, and in boring, must be lars per foot, and for the next 100 feet, 6 50 or 7 pole to spring it, and an operater stands on the top changed every three or four hours; because the dollars per foot. At these prices the undertaker of the gum, (which should now be covered,) hold-friction will reduce the size of the bit. When a boards and pays his own hands, and the owner of ing the auger gently in hand, and turning it as the fresh bit is put on, the operator must work gently the soil furnishes the auger. And thus a hole may pole springs up. He must turn to the right, or the until he reems the hole down to the bottom. be bored 500 feet deep for less than two thousand joints will unscrew, and the auger must be careful- In making the joints of the auger as before de- dollars, and I make no doubt has been often done ly plummed to the centre of the tube or conductor, scribed, the head of the socket must be suelled to for twelve or thirteen hundred dollars by persons so as to work free and not rub. about two inches, and a similar head or shoulder using proper economy. The auger first used must have a bit of about six must be made on the screw; and these should fit It is said that some person, whose name I have inches, and with this the operator must bore through close when the joints are screwed on. The bar not heard, has obtained, or is about to obtain, a the soft shelly substance usually found, until he must be square, from the head or shoulder to the patent for a mode of boring by horse power. This, comes to the hard solid rock, into which he will clamps, and two screw drivers are required, the I am sure, may be easily done; and I have been penetrate twelve or eighteen inches. The auger is hook of which must fit the square of the joints. In told by an acquaintance, that he once saw an auger then taken out, and the conductor also in which it drawing or returning the auger, one of them is at work by water power, with only one hand to was inserted. Thus far the sinking and boring may hooked upon the lower joint and held fast, and the manage it when in operation. be conducted with the gum full of water; but if socket of the upper joint is screwed off and on I have no time at present to say any thing upon any has risen, it must now be pumped out, and a with the other. the question of subterranean hydraulics, and, if I head, previously made to fit the bottom of the gum, The auger should always be drawn at night; be- had, you and the "Farmer" can get much better must be put in: this may be in two or more pieces cause if any hard substance should get in, by acci- information by consulting books and men of science. six inches thick, and in its centre a round hole must dent or design, it would perhaps be impossible to I am satisfied that the same laws govern the gravitabe cut, of rather more than six inches in diameter; draw it up. When drawn, the joints should be tion of water below and above the earth, and that a tube must be prepared long enough to touch the placed in a perpendi, ular position, to prevent them the jet of a stream is not and cannot be higher than reck at the bottom of the six inch hole, bored as from springing. before described, and to rise six inches above the A sand pump must be used every two or three The lower point of a cavern hall filled with water interior head of the gum: this tube must be nearly feet, to draw out the borings. It is made by getting may be struck in boring, and if the superincumbent six inches in size, with a hole 34 inches, bored a copper tube three or four feet in length, and two air is comprest, its expansion will force the water through its centre, It must be carefully wrapped inches in diameter, in the lower end of which a upwards until an equation of force is produced bewith heinp, from one end to the other, until it fits the valve is fixed, and at the upper end a screw is made tween the powers of gravity and rarefaction. The hole in the rock tight enough to require driving: it to fit the sockets of the auger joints. A hole is cut jet of such a fountain may be much higher than the must then be put in the hole and driven home, and in the side of the tube two or three inches below source of its feeders, but when the air blows out, the joints and edges of the head must be wedged the screw, and it may then be screwed on and let the water must subside. The whole effect being and corked until all fresh water is excluded. This down, and being filled by ten or fifteen gentle produced by a well known law of the science of must be carefully done, so as to make the head strokes, is drawn up and emptied. This may be pneumatics. its source. water proof, and leave all fast and firm; and as this done quicker and easier by tying a long rope to the No actual experiment, within my knowledge, is the most difficult part of the whole experiment, I top of the pump, a hole being made for that pur-justifies a belief that flowing water can be procured would advise the undertaker to have the work well pose. i the rope breaks, the auger must be let on a hill by boring, unless there is a neighboring done and efectually secured. If the water is trou-[down with a hook screwed on to fish it up. hill, higher, from whence the stream is ted; and |