No. 20-VOL. 7. AGRICULTURE. AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, August 5, 1825. MEMOIR ON THE HESSIAN FLY. 153 in 1790, but the fly reappeared in immense num- there should be no wheat, barley, or rye, above bers in 1791, which Mr. Havens attributed altoge-ground, to receive their eggs, earlier than the midther to early sowing the preceding autumn. It dle of October. They proposed to destroy all stubappeared afterwards that the duration of the laying ble, either by burning or ploughing under, immediAn Historical and Physiological notice of the Hessian season, both in spring and autumn, depended very ately after harvest, or as soon as practicable before Fly, read before the Agricultural Society of Albe much on the weather and the winds which prevail the 25th day of August. They thought it quite marle, in Virginia, on the 2d March, 1818-and ed and which seemed to regulate the swarning of probable that a peculiar odour of the blade, in some afterwards communicated by Thomas M. Randolph, the flies. Mr. Havens entertained the same doubt particular varieties of wheat, might be disagreeable sen'r, of Virginia, to George W. Jeffreys, Esq., of with Col. Dering whether the first stage was a real to the insect in the fly state, and might cause a preNorth Carolina, and by him sent to J. S. Skinner, egg or a maggot. He also thought the worm inca- ference of other kinds, if sufficiently near, and of for insertion in the American Farmer. pable of locomotion, and was equally certain that it an age equally fit to receive the eggs. Of course a Col. Sylvester Dering, of Shelter island township, procured nourishment by suction or absorption of selection for seed was worth the attention of farSuffolk county, Long island, saw the Hessian fly in sap, and not by tearing the stalk or leaf. The in- mers. But no kind could succeed, in their opinion, his wheat as early as the 1st day of June, 1786. In jury was evidently produced by the mutual and re- which would not bear late sowing, and that plainly 1787, they destroyed all his early sown wheat, but ciprocal pressure of the worm, or grub, and the required an improved husbandry, More tillage, a piece sown after the 9th day of October yielded a stalk, both daily increasing in size and strongly earlier and better performed; more manure, better good crop. All his spring wheat, and barley, were embraced by the leaf, which forms a sheath contain compounded and prepared, and sooner turned under also destroyed that year. He saw the insect in his ing them. The tender side of the hollow stalk furrow, had become indispensable for wheat crops. oats, but no harm was done to them by it. He ob- being at length forced inward by the pressure of George Morgan, of New Jersey, published a letserved, when the number of worms or grubs of the the grubs, frequently on opposite sides at the same ter on the subject of the Hessian fly, addressed to insect, on any infested plant, was very considera- time, became too weak to bear the weight of the a "Gentleman Farmer of Virginia," dated July 31, ble, that it perished thoroughly. When there was ripening ear. The exhaustion of sap in the young 1788. He had observed that the insect in the aua few only, many roots continued to grow and pro-wheat, from the suction of the numerous worms, relia or grub state, called by farmers flaxseed, lived duced ears notwithstanding the injury; but when seemed to them to cause the damage done in au- in straw during the winter. He found, that unmixsuch ears began to acquire weight from the in- tumn. They observed that the grubs in the boot of ed and imperfectly rotted barnyard manure, when crease of the grain they contained, they invariably the leaf at the joints of the stalk much above the spread on land, multiplied the flies to an astonishfell, with the stalks which supported them, a short surface of the earth, which might be removed with ing degree. He recommended the use of compost time before harvest. In such cases, the worms and the sheaves, were not all destroyed in threshing out manures, and rolling wheat, both in spring and augrubs were always larger than when more nume- the grain. Many remained uninjured on the straw, tumu. That operation he thought good culture rerous and more crowded. He found that the flax and might be transported with it, so as to cause a quired, for other reasons than to crush the maggots seed-like grubs remained in the stubble from early propagation of the insect in other countries. The and grubs of the insect, which he believes it did in in June until the middle of September, at which time time of continuance in the grub stage was found to a considerable degree. they appeared to him to be hatched very generally, depend very much upon the state of the weather. Top-dressings of lime, or fresh ashes, given at The worms or maggots, seemed to be sluggish, and Under the most favourable circumstances for trans- the time of rolling, he believed to be not only usealmost inanimate, or capable of very little perceiv-formation which the season could afford, they, ne- ful in the way of manure, but destructive to the inable motion. He entertained some doubt whether vertheless, invariably remained grubs from early in sect; yet the practice required caution, for the they first made their appearance as real eggs, or June until late in August. If about the 25th of wheat might be destroyed by the application in experfect maggots, very closely enveloped, but pro- August they enjoyed that particular degree of heat cess. The yellow-bearded wheat was not affected duced by a viviparous parent. That they obtained and moisture most suitable to them, the transition by the fly, within his experience. The red, and the juice of the wheat altogether by suction, and commenced and was very rapid and general. When white-bearded wheats, resisted it no better than merely caused dents in the stock, without having kept quite dry, they continued unchanged until Oc- the smooth-eared kinds. With respect to the any means of corroding or consuming it, he was tober. Their transformation was protracted by cause of that peculiarity, without offering any conwell convinced. damp and cold weather. Grubs collected from the jectures, he remarked, that to attribute to hardness Jonathan N. Havens, a very enlightened farmer growing wheat in June, and from the stubble after of stalk could not be satisfactory, as many kinds of Shelter island, was also well acquainted with the harvest, when preserved in glass vessels under were destroyed before they had any stalk. He took Hessian fly in 1786. In the winter of that year, gauze, were found to become flies about the same some pains to trace the origin, in America, of Col. Dering and himself demonstrated to the public time, indiscriminately The period of change seem that variety of wheat, without success. In April, that the insect resembling the Hessian fly, which ed to be within the limits of the time, between the 1782, a cargo of it was brought to Underhill's mills, then abounded in the granaries among the wheat in 25th day of August and the middle of October. In near Flushing, to be manufactured into flour. At sheaf, and in chaff, was quite different from the fly that interval, the number of flies abroad in the air, the period when the inquiry became a matter of inof the fields, and not in the slightest degree inju- at any one time, depended upon the state of the at terest, all endeavours to determine whence it came, rious to the grain. The alarm produced in Canada, mosphere then prevailing. Although their obser- were unsuccessful; owing, possibly, as Mr. Morgan and even in England, by the accounts published vation had not fully confirmed the fact when they said in his printed letter of July 31st, 1788, "to a of the destructive nature of the Hessian dy, and wrote their account, yet Mr. Havens and Mr. Der- contraband trade having been carried on during the its supposed identity with the insect found in ing deemed it quite probable that the autumn trans- war, between the Delaware, the Chesapeake, and granaries in America, had very nearly caused a formation, from unsuitable weather, might be in New York, under passports from British admirals, total prohibition of American wheat from both some degree incomplete; and that numerous grubs, which caused a reluctance to give the information countries. No doubt was entertained in council, which had been produced from eggs laid one spring, desired." Mr. Morgan understood from the millers either in London or in the Province, of the neces- might occasionally remain in the dry stubble until that it was of a more oily nature than other kinds sity of such a measure. But the delay which arose the spring following. They were quite certain that of wheat, and required to be more carefully aired, from its importance, gave the American govern the fly, which came out from the flax-seed like coat and to be ground older, and drier, to make good ment time to make use of the information obtained (which may be called the skin of the grub,) at any flour. In a letter addressed to Sir John Temple, on the subject, to show that it was, in truth, as un-time before harvest, did not live to appear again in then consul-general for his Britanic majesty in the necessary as it would be prejudicial to the interests autumn. It was their opinion, that the fly itself United States, dated the 26th August, 1788, Mr. of both. Thus was an evil of the greatest magni- took no nourishment from the wheat, at any time. Morgan said, "I have satisfied myself that the Hestude to an agricultural people averted, by the first To Mr. Havens is certainly due the credit of the sian fly was introduced into America by means of effects of an incipient taste for natural history, in first discovery, that the Hessian fly species exists straw, made use of in packages, or otherwise landtwo plain, observing, and reflecting farmers. In at midsummer in the grub state only, protected by ed on Long island, at an early period of the war. the spring of 1787, they joined in an investigation that tough and retentive air-tight cover, which it Its first appearance was in the neighbourhood of Sir of the insect, with a view to learn its nature and has the means of making for itself from a viscous W. Howe's debarkation, and at Flatbush. It habits under all its different appearances at diffe- and filamentous secretion, always attending com spread from thence in all directions, with the sumrent seasons. The flies began to appear on the plete nutrition-secure within which it bears, with mer breezes. In 1786, it had reached the fields farm of Mr Havens that year as early as the 16th out injury, the heat and dryness, and occasional around Princeton, in New Jersey." of April. Between that time and the 10th of May, wetness, to which it is exposed throughout the sum they were continually coming forth and laying their mer months, during its abode in the dead stubble. eggs. All the growing wheat and barley on Shel-That it passed the winter, for the most part, as ter island that year was destroyed. For two suc- caterpillar, imbedded in the green wheat, and draw eding autumns nothing but rye, and what yellow-ing nourishment from its juice was before known be-ded what could be procured, was sown there. ir. Dering and .msel were fixed in their belier Theharvest of that kind of wheat was very good that nearly the whole autumn brood must fail, if 20-VOL. 7. Mr Ezra L. Hommedieu had ascertained in 1791, that the insect in the grub state, was to be found in the stubble at harvest; and inferred that it might have been brought from Germany, where the stubble is often mowed for litter, after the crop has been reaped. He found by experiments, that the time of the continuance of the insect in the grub state, was uncertain, and was liable to be determined by cir- swarm of Hessian flies, which were little affected eye. After much observation, he fixed his opinion, eumstances of a variable nature. Grubs taken a by any subsequent cold, and deposited their eggs in that the worm, or maggot, had no locomotion whatmonth before harvest, and others taken during har- a few days after their first appearance, if the wea-ever; he could not perceive that it contracted, or vest, both kept in separate glass vessels covered ther continued favourable to them. He observed expanded, when touched with a needle, or immerswith gauze, were equally forward in their transfor- that the caterpillars, and grubs of the insect, pro-ed in water. He found that the fly appeared in the mation. He saw that the fly, some way, contrived duced from the eggs deposited very late in the first warm days of spring, and that there was a to pierce the leaf to escape. the opening it made spring, did not hinder the formation of ears of succession of generations, hatched, nourished, and was plainly perceptible without a glass. Both the wheat, but the stalks bearing ears under such cir- metamorphosed, until harvest, within shorter peyellow-bearded and red bald wheats, were serious-cumstances, never failed to fall prostrate, just be- riods in more favourable weather, with a surprising ly injured in his neighborhood ( -) in fore harvest, as if trampled down. He had not fecundity, which exhibits them in incalculable num 1791, even on the richest lands; which he attribu- much reliance on the power of any variety of wheat bers in all stages of their existence, and of all ages, ted to the great multiplication of the insect that to resist the insect, but trusted fully to manure, throughout the whole time. James Logan was of year, from causes he did not pretend to assign. good tillage, and late sowing, to counteract its de-opinion, that the effluvia from well prepared maJohn Shephard was the first who discovered that structive effects. nure had a tendency to repel the fly; which he bethe eggs were often deposited in the upper leaf, Dr. De Normandie, of Burlington, remarked, that lieved also had a disrelish for some particular varienext the ear, where they hatched and became grubs, the insect in the grub state, concealed in the straw ties of wheat, and avoided such, as much as possiwhich were found lodged between the leaf and the of the troop ships, of Sir Wm. Howe's fleet, in ble, while laying its eggs. He found a kind of stalk, above its upper joint. Of course, the insect 1776, must have been forced into transformation by wheat, called by farmers black wheat, to possess in the grub state, might be transported in straw (as the warmth of the bodies of the soldiers, by whom equal or greater power of withstanding the fly than it certainly goes into the barns with the sheaves,) if it was used to take their rest upon long before the bearded wheat, and yet the stalk of that variety is it should not be destroyed in threshing. passage was over. He believed the insect to be in-perhaps the most tender of all. He had no doubt Before the 23d of June, 1791, Doctor Samuel digenous, and attributed the immense multiplica- of the insect being a native of America. He thought Latham Mitchell had already sent specimens of the tion of it to a sudden, and perhaps, accidental that it formerly subsisted upon some plant of sponinsect, in the different states, to Sir Joseph Banks, change from the plant on which it had before de-taneous growth, which had lately become so rare, President of the Royal Society in London, and to posited its eggs, no doubt one of spontaneous that the pregnant fly was compelled to seek another Dr. Walker, Professor of Natural History in the growth, and probably afterwards extirpated in the nidus for its eggs, with other substances for its University of Edinburgh. Before the 10th Septem- progress of cultivation, to wheat, which afforded young; when it unluckily made the calamitous ber, 1791, Dr. Mitchell had already written to Mr. the young caterpillars abundant nourishment and choice, of wheat. This observer does not appear L. Hommedieu, informing Mr. L. H. that he had safe hybernation, while it invited the flies to spread to have had the advantage of a magnifying glass, received a letter from Sir Joseph Banks, assuring over the whole continent. He had great confidence and of course has left the question about the locohim that the insect was unknown in England; and in the power of the bearded wheat to resist the im- motive power of the insect, when first hatched, enthat he did not believe it ever had been observed in pression of the grub, on its (as he supposed,) solid, tirely unsettled, notwithstanding his own conviction Germany, or any where on the continent of Eu- hard and unyielding stalk. He acknowledged that on the subject. rope. Dr. Mitchell afterwards received the same he could never see the eggs of the insect with cer- David Redick declares, in a letter dated June 20, assurance from Dr. Walker of Edinburgh. tainty. 1792, that the Hessian fly had already appeared It was the opinion of Doctor Mitchell that late Mr. James Vaux, previous to the 13th day of about Washington, in Pennsylvania, on the Susquesowing, and manure, were the only preventives. June, 1792, when his communication to the Philo- hanna, 300 miles west of Philadelphia, although He did not expressly recommend burning stub-sophical Society on the subject was dated, had re- then entirely unknown in the interjacent country, bles. He had no confidence in bearded wheat to peatedly seen the female insect in the act of depo- farther than a few miles from Philadelphia, in that resist the insect, and thought it was as often de- siting the egg. He observed that in the female, the direction. He did not hesitate to assert, that it was stroyed as any other kind, within his own observa- extreme part of the abdomen tapered to a point, brought from Jersey, in the straw used to pack tion. He believed that wheat to be the same with and was shaped like the tail of a locust; and al- their wagons, by the annual emigrants from that the clog wheat, or rivets, of England which he though without the hard appendage of that insect, state to the interior of Pennsylvania. stated to be the worst kind cultivated there, being was firm enough to penetrate the leaf of the wheat Dr. Caspar Wistar communicated to the Philosoworth least, by two or three shillings the quarter, where it envelopes the stalk. The males were phical Society, an experiment made by one of his in the cheapest times. Dr. Mitchell agreed in the found to be much like a very slender and gaunt intelligent agricultural friends, whom he was not account of the insects first appearance, viz. in 1776, house fly. He saw the females changing their allowed to name, to determine the efficacy of graznear the place where the army of General Howe place, as if searching for softer parts of the leaf, ing early sown wheat to prevent the injury of the landed on Long island. and remarked that when once fixed, they were very fly. Having a field of fifteen acres, on his farm in Joseph Moore, of Westchester county, state of intent and not easily disturbed. After the eggs Jersey, which had been very early sown and was New York, had observed the insect, with some at- were laid, the leaf appeared raised, or swoln, at the very forward, so full of fly as to threaten its total tention, before the year 1792, but more particularly place; and the protuberance might be distinctly feit destruction, he put into it eight cows and forty-four that year. He found the greatest damage was done to with the finger. On opening the sheath, the eggs sheep, before the blade had begun to perish. The spring wheat, much to all kinds of wheat, very little to might very plainly be seen with a good glass. They crop failed the next summer, nevertheless; yet the rye or barley, within his observation; none to buck-appeared, at first view, like a speck of jelly, of a blade was wholly consumed by the animals, which wheat or Indian corn. He saw the female insects dirty white. Mr. Vaux noticed clearly three gene- were not removed until snow had fallen. in the act of depositing their eggs, in the manner of rations in one season, and believed that there might Professor Davy, of England, has discovered, that the locust, by piercing through the leaf, where it be many more; the increase depending upon the the wheat plant secretes a sugar-like matter, as in embraces the stalk not far from the joint. The state of the atmosphere. He applied the burning the germination of the grain in malting, about every eggs deposited in April did the most mischief. In glass to the grub or flax-seeds, and found that a joint of the stalk; and also at the lower extremity 1792 there came forth three distinct generations, degree of heat, no greater than a rapidly passing of every shoot which is destined to be a stalk, at the between early spring and the beginning of July.-flame, destroyed them all with certainty, by burst-point of its junction with that knot-like substance in He believed the rolling of wheat in spring might ing their red cover, which is a tight sack, that re- which the ascending and descending members of the be beneficial, but acknowledged the degree of effi-sists the expansion of the air within, until rent by plant unite, and seem to take their origin. It is cacy, in the destruction of the insect, to have been it. He relied much, of course, upon burning stub- quite probable, that the sugar so produced, is the very inconsiderable in the experiments which he ble. natural food of the caterpillar of the Hessian fly, had witnessed. He asserted that the Hessian fly Mr. James Logan, of Salem township, Westches-and that the mother fly retains sufficient rememhad not reached Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, ter county, state of New York, in a letter to Mr. brance of its early existence to determine the choice in July, 1792. Rittenhouse, dated July 7, 1792, asserted that the of a plant to receive its eggs, which may furnish food The same Joseph Moore pronounced the mildew female insect was armed with something like a for the young when hatched. The individual fly, on wheat to be caused by a peculiar insect, very sting, or aculeus, with which it pierced that part of when pregnant, probably seeks for that plant which minute, and incalculably numerous, which laid their the leaf of growing wheat which is folded around formerly nourished itself, but is often compelled to eggs on the leaves and stalks throughout whole the stalk, and deposited within, not eggs, but as he resort to a different variety of the species, or to a fields. He observed them attentively in 1792, from supposed, living maggots, enveloped at first in a different plant. Where the natural food does not the 12th day of June, when they first appeared. thin film cover. That they subsisted afterwards exist, the whole young brood, of course, perishes. The damage done by them became manifest in 5 upon the sap of the stalk, which they obtained by Thus it is perhaps that barley, rye, timothy grass, or 6 days. Bearded wheats were much less affect- suction, and increased rapidly in size. They were and some species of Panicum, afford a nidus to the ed than smooth kinds, under like circumstances. white until full grown, and then assumed a green Hessian fly, while the oat does not, or rears none to Richard Waln, in 1792, made the observation, central stripe, stretching lengthways through them, return to the species when they feel that want. Sc that a few warm days early in spring, brought out a broadest in the middle, plainly visible to the naked perhaps the yellow bearded, wheat, and other kind 15. Ram, S. Lathrop, West Springfield $225 00 do. . 20. Ram, H. Swift, Dutchess Co. N. Y. at one time rejected by the laying insects, become hard to thresh; but we that have raised it some time, EDITOR AMERICAN FARMER. John Hartwell Cocke, Esq. of Fluvanna county, Virginia, Brig. Gen. of Virginia militia; one of the vice-presidents of the Agricultural Society of AlbeIRA HOPKINS. marle, has been unquestionably, as far as we know [We should suppose that it would now be easy to at present, the first to discover the locomotive pow- obtain a knowledge of the peculiar qualities of this er of the young caterpillar of the hessian fly. The wheat, as tested by our own soil and climate, so much torpor which it invariably displays, after it is imbed- having been sowed last year in this state and Vired in the wheat, and has commenced its eating stage ginia. Yet no one in this state, though publickly of existence, had misled, upon that point, all obser- invited, has written even a line, to state matters of vers, during the first period of the inquiry; yet the fact and observation in regard to it. In a company analogies from which the contrary might have been of practical farmers, the other day, who had all infered are numerous. That of the moth-weevil, is cultivated this wheat, we heard it maintained by one of the most striking. The fly of that insect lays some, that General Cocke was right in identifying its eggs whenever it can do so, either in the field, it it with the lawler wheat-and by others, that there the stack, or in the barn on the upper extremity of was an obvious difference. When men of experithe grain of wheat, which has always a soft and short ence thus disagree upon subjects susceptible of behair like cover; but it often also scatters them over ing decided by actual inspection and comparison, it the chaff, which envelops the grain while in the ear. does not any longer follow that "seeing is believThe eggs, as those of most insects, stick wherever ing," and there can be no longer any want of room placed, by means of a glutinous substance which al- for discussion in matters of agricultural fact, more ways adheres to them, and which becomes when than in metaphysics. As to the asserted solidity of dry, a varnish for their protection from the air. They the stalk, those which we have seen were hollow as are quickly hatched in a suitable temperature. The other wheat.] young caterpillars, while yet invisible, without a good glass, find their way to the grain, penetrate the husk, which becomes afterwards bran, imbed themselves [The following sales were recently made, not to in the flour, feed, grow to their natural size, trans-speculators, but to people who "count the cost of form to grubs, then flies; enjoy the social state for a all they buy-to gentlemen who can tell you the few days, and in seasons very favourable to their in- cost of rearing sheep, and their nett profits. Their crease, multiply so much as to rob the farmer of all states abound in flourishing manufactories, where the flour, and leave him nothing but bran, chaff, and the cash is advanced for wool at saving prices. straw in his stack yard. This caterpillar however, How many thousands of acres in the western parts is far from being inanimate, or even sluggish while of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, might be feeding and growing. Its motion may be discerned profitably employed in sheep husbandry, that do as soon as it can be perceived by the naked eye, and not now more than pay taxes, much less interest. is always sensible, except in very cold weather, un- Few of the purchasers in the following cases, protil it is about to become a grub, when it lies quite bably own more than from 1 to 300 acres.] still, and indeed its ability to move progressively is at last only presumed. It never has been seen in transitu. Whether all the eggs perish, except such The following is a list of the sheep sold at Brighas come in contact with the tuft at the end of the ton, Mass. on Thursday, July 14th, by Messrs. Coograin, or the newly hatched creature has the power lidge, Poor f Head, with the names of the purto seek a cradle for itself, is not yet certainly known. 'aces of residence, and the prices for $147 50 122 50 WHITE FLINT WHEAT. MR. SKINNER, Auburn, Cayuga Co., July 20, 1825. The As there has been much said in your useful paper as to the origin of the white flint wheat, perhaps it might be of use to say something as to its peculiar qualities. It is a fact, that those who have raised it the longest, are most in favour of it. season with us has been remarkably good for all kinds of wheat; yet the white flint wheat surpasses all other kinds. The proper time to test its peculiar excellence is in unfavourable seasons for wheat, as it is a harder plant and has peculiar qualities to withstand a hard winter, and the ravages of the fly in the spring and summer. The only objection I ever heard any one making to it was, that it was SHEEP HUSBANDRY. GREAT SALE OF SAXONY SHEEP. chasers, the which the sk Lamb, c 3. Ewe, Pet 4. Ram, S. > were sold. Henshaw, Boston, Mass. Remsen, New York. do. 24. Do. I. Thorndike, jr. Boston 27. Ewe, A. A. Moore, Rennselaerville, Al- Lamb, J. Thorndike, jr. Boston 28. Ewe, do. do. 160 00 65 00 145 00 72 50 205 00 60 00 100 00 215 00 155 00 210 00 170 00 Ram, Leonard Davis, Poughkeepsie, 30. Do. Eldridge, Otsego 31. Do. Judge Pendleton, Dutchess Co. 34. Ewe, do. do. do. 35. Do. A. A. Moore, Rennselaerville 41. Ewe, Hulbert & Co. Winchester, Con. 85 00 43. Ewe, C. Parsons, Brighton 235 00 71. Do. Griswold, Litchfield, Con. 222 50 152 50 72. Do. Gaylord, Goshen, Con. 210 00 73. Ewe, I. Thorndike, jr. Boston do. 75 00 205 00 100 00 74. Ewe, A. A. Moore, Rennselaerville Lamb, do. do. 76. Ram, Eldridge, Otsego 220 00 79. Do. Watson, East Windsor, $215 00 75 00 102. Do. E. Sharp, Windham 87 50 110. Do. J. Prince, Roxbury Do. Hulbert & Co. Winchester, Conn. 101 00 111. 215 00 112. 200 00 113. 185 00 114. 220 00 115 Do. Watson, East Windsor 96. Do. H. Swift, Dutchess county 94. Do. Wright, Otsego 95. Do. A. Cotting, Boston 270 00 116. 52 50 117. Do. J. Munson, Boston Do. Newcomb, New York 100 00 118. Do. Hulbert & Co. Winchester 37 50 136. Do. Mosely 220 00 137. Ewe, Thaxter, Boston 210 00 ་ THE CARAMANIAN, OR CAMBLET-WOOLLED SHEEP. THE Caramanian, or Camblet-Woolled Sheep,pounds. He is in prime condition an and health, tremely delicate and white; his strength great; and of which the above is an excellent representation, the size greater than any of the last sheep of he has no hesitation in saying, this very extraordiis on W. Shotwell's farm, at Woodbridge, New our country. The head is beautiful; ti e eyes pierc-nary animal will prove of much greater advantage Jersey, and was imported in the Charles & Ellen, ing and quick in motion; no fleece bend the ears: to our breeds of sheep than the Merino or any other Capt. Gerry, which arrived this spring from Smyr- the head appears to project out from the fleece, hitherto introduced; that as he is but three years na; he is from Caraman, in Asia Minor, taken from having the resemblance of the dark rown short fur old, he will undoubtedly increase in size, and proon board a Turkish vessel bound to Constantinople, on the deer's head; the horns are handsomely seat- duce a still more abundant quantity of wool; oband presented to Captain Gerry by the Greek Ad-ed and of the middle size. serving that its superior size, the weight of the miral Tombazo, who assured him that he was a John Brentnal, an English farmes of high stand- fleece, the length of the wool, and the quality of native of the above place, and that he would be a ing, residing in Woodbridge, in a ter to William the flesh, cannot but be the best recommendation; great acquisition to improve the breeds in this coun- Shotwell, of New York, dated 1ych June, 1825, and says, to ascertain the quality of the flesh of a try. Their wool is peculiarly adapted to the manu- says he took 21 lbs. wool from him that he would sheep is by the smell. A person handling a buck facture of camblets, and their flesh is esteemed ex- have produced from 4 to 5 lbs. more, had he not of the Merino, English, or American breeds, will cellent and delicate. This animal has a broad tail, have been robbed; that there were several places find his hands extremely offensive, which was not and the natural colour of the wool is dark brown or of five to six inches square fromhich the wool the case in shearing this; on the contrary, his fleece snuff colour; the fleece, before shearing, dragged had been taken; further, he is extremely gratified and flesh were perfectly sweet. He recommends on the ground, (except under the belly,) so as com-with the frame of the animal; that he is large and shearing twice a year. pletely to hide the feet, and weighed twenty-one perfect, his limbs well proportione. his skin ex DISEASE IN CATTLE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN FARMER. bath day. He has been preaching for several years to Strikeit-Ours was pretty good after it was cleanhis neighbours Jemmy Likeit and Tommy Strikeit, ed out last summer, but the old pail has been in A disease has made its appearance amongst the that they ought to give up, altogether, the use of use so long, I think it gives the water a kind of horned cattle in our neighbourhood, which threatens and substitute therefor, either good sound cider, or with it. I have heard 'em say water drinks better burning liquors," as he calls them, in their houses, woody taste like, without you take a little whiskey us with very serious inconvenience. We are first wholesome beer made in their own families, accord-out of a stone pitcher. apprised of its existence by finding the animal lame, ing to some one of the many simple, cheap and inand upon examination, find the membrane or fleshy fallible recipes to be found in the American Far- my tobacco to Baltimore, I'd write up and get a Likeit-Yes; I've often thought next time I sent part in the division of the hoof, sore entirely through, attended with so much suffering to the animal, that mer; and though no "lady's man," in the usual ac- stone pitcher-but some how one has so much call ceptation of that term, I have heard him exclaim for money!—the women folks send so many little if an ox, he is unable to labour. We have tried spi- with more than usual vehemence: "Besides many orders for pins and needles, and shoes, and such like rits of turpentine, sweet oil, and fish oil, mild salves other considerations, there is one that ought to be superfluities-ah! my friend, there's no end to the and soap suds, with but little benefit. The disease conclusive with every man of gallantry-by storing women's extravagance in these times. appears to be contagious. Any useful information thy cellar with fermented, instead of distilled liquors, Strikeit--Wonder what o'clock it is; re kon its upon this subject would be thankfully received by several SUBSCRIBERS. an innocent, acceptable and refreshing beverage is nearly twelve. Rachel, my dear, go and set us out furnished in warm weather for wife and children some whiskey, look at the sun on the sill of the front July, 1825. -the charms and the props of existence!" door, and tell Neil to call little John from the spring, and let's have some cool water. AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS. Likeit-How's your corn, neighbour Strikeit, this hot weather. Strikeit-Come, my friend, lets take a little grog, one may borrow half an hour this hot weather. Likeit-Pours the tumbler about one third full He has caused the directions for cider-making which I now send you, to be copied by his little New Jersey, 25th July, 1825. daughter, and given to his neighbours many years With the exception of a smart shower on the 3d since. But, sir, you will hardly believe me, that of July, we have had no rain since the 23d of June. "burning liquors," whiskey or brandy, is almost the Every thing has gone back, excepting peach trees, only drink to be found in a country gentleman's house, grapes and rose bushes. The peach trees with me except-bad water, which is kept chiefly for the of whiskey, fills up and drinks about half; neighbour seem to thrive with the drought, I never saw them women and children, the cats and the dogs. How Strike it, your whiskey's very strong, fills up again, look so thrifty, but there is not a single peach. The lamentable, that with the march of the mind, and my service to you, and turns it off. frost and sleet destroyed almost all the fruit, what especially the American mind in the progress of im- Strikeit-Yes, its pretty fair; takes the tumbler little was left has since been stung by the pinching, provement of every kind, this degrading practice and putting in nearly one half full of whiskey, holds or as it is called, the night pinching bug. As to the has not fallen into universal contempt and disuse! it up, looks at it and pours a little back for appearyellows, I cure my trees by throwing ashes around Who can reflect, without regret, on its degrading ance sake, and filling it up with water turns it off. the roots, and trimming and shortening the limbs. tendency. We cannot meet together, be the occa- Likeit-Had you any rain last Friday, there was The yellows always succeeds, that is, a tree that is sion gay or solemn, that whiskey is not introduced. a heavy cloud seemed to wear round this way. afflicted with the yellows, has had a very vigorous The excuses for the use of it are as contradictory Strikeit-No, my friend, it passed over neighbour growth the preceding year, owing to numerous cau- as they are various. Is the weather hot, then it rec-Bowie's corn field and so down the Mattoponi branch, ses, such as a rainy season and manure. A summer tifies the water and prevents the cramp cholic-in but there was not as much on my tobacco as would of drought will give those, or a portion of those trees, winter, a good drink of grog "keeps out the cold.wet a silk handkerchief. the yellows, that grew very vigorously the preceding Even the sincerity of welcome from one neighbour Likeit-Ah, so it is neighbour, it seems as though year. Let your correspondents be aware of this fact, to another, is measured by the frequency that he the rich were always in the way o' luck-I don't and they will find my observation just. The reason invites him to pour hot ardent liquor into his bow-know how it is, but rains this year seem to be mighis obvious. The scantiness of moisture prevents the els-and the man who does not keep it always on ty partial. sap from being distributed in sufficient quantities to his sideboard, is esteemed a morose miserly fellow. Strikeit--Ah that they are my friend, come help the different parts of the tree. A person who has To give you a better notion of the habits of the yourself to some whiskey and water, they say it rains been fed abundantly and has grown fat under a cer- country, (and I understand you town folks are not on the unrighteous as well as the righteous, and tain regimen, will languish if deprived of his usual a whit behind us,) I will give you the literal tran- egad I begin to think more too-Providence like the food or of the usual quantity, whereas one who has script of a dialogue that passed yesterday between world we live in, is apt to "grease the fat sow"-come lived sparingly always, although not of so vigorous two good honest Planters, who can muster 17 chil- take another drink. a constitution, will not materially suffer if deprived dren between them, and have hard scuffling to make Likeit-Well, I dont care if I do, this is very good of his usual portion of aliment. both ends meet. The visit was paid by Jemmy whiskey; did you get this in Baltimore; drinks again. When the fly begins its ravages on the musk-me- Likeit to Tommy Strikeit. They live near enough| Strikeit-Yes, got it of Laurenson, I buy all my lon vines and cucumbers, nothing will so immediate-to hear each other's dogs bark and ganders squall, groceries of Laurenson, but d--n me, I think the ly prevent his destroying them as to cover the stalks of a clear, frosty moon light night. It was about fellow charges rather extravagant, made me pay above the roots with rich mould; I make quite a lit- three-quarters past ten, when Jemmy rode up and him 60 cents for this whiskey. tle hill over mine. I find that the fly gnaws this part hitched his grey mare over one of the straggling Thus these honest neighbours proceeded to talk of the vine first, and the vine soon dies. garden pales which remained of the many that had and drink, and drink and talk. In the mean time the been pulled off by other horses pulling back. wife paraded an excellent dinner, and took her staGood morning! Neighbour Likeit-Come, walk tion at the table with Grace and Patience, for her in and take a seat; mind, that old chair's a little handmaids, but neither could procure a drop of crazy-its wanted mending these several years.pleasant beverage for her refreshment. Its true, Mr. Well, how d'ye do; how are all at home? Strikeit, as he praise the ham and quaffed his grog, Likeit-Pretty well, I thank ye, Neighbour did once give her a nod of the head "my dear your Strikeit, how are all with you? health," but not a drop of any thing had she in which Strikeit-Reasonable well, I thank ye, except Pol-to return his kind wishes except the water which nevly; she's poorly-and our son Dick, he has a little er was known in the hottest weather to kill by its coldtouch o' the dysentery. How shall we prevent the insect from stinging the plums, apricots and nectarines at night-can any one devise a plan for their destruction. They disappear in the day time. RURAL ECONOMY. CIDER. TO THE EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN FARMER. ness. From him to her, it was "Drink to me only with thine eye, Sir, I send you for publication, clear and simple Likeit-Ah! its getting right common about;— directions for making cider, that those may be with- this hot weather and eating green fruit, I suppose, out excuse, who make it, as many do, not fit for man brings it on. About sunset the last bottle was drained, and Mr. nor beast to drink. The appies are beginning to Strikeit Rachel, my daughter, go and tell little Likeit got suddenly quite impatient for his horse, to turn, as we call it, and I observe that my neighbour, John to call Nell to mind the chicken coops and go and take orders for the next day's work-Mr. who is a peacable Quaker, that never speaks ill or keep off the hogs, while he takes the pail and goes Strikeit ordered his wife to make Tom take the old does ill to any one, and who always takes time by to the cool spring and brings some water, tell him black horse and the little black jug, with orders to the forelock instead of the tail, is overhauling his be sure not to let the geese get into the spring, and go to Mr. C's store and get a jug of whiskey until casks and righting up his cider-mill, and getting his take care not to muddy it, been talking I don't he could get another supply from Baltimore, and tell work ahead, that he may have time for preparing a know how long about having it cleaned out-every him to call at the Post Office and get my American good stock of cider for the winter. He maintains, hard rain fills it up with mud. Farmer, and tell the post master I'll pay him my pos that every farmer should make it a matter of con- Likeit-Our water's very bad, too; not fit to drink tage bill as soon as I can sell my wheat. Lets see science to keep a good orchard, and to make cider by itself. The old gum's got rotten, and the spring what Skinner says about the prices of things; these and home-made beer enough to banish all artificial is so far from the house that the water gets warm country merchants there's no depending on them now drinks from his table, besides leaving apples enough before it gets to the house-bliged to take a little a days, and my dear, tell Tom to balance the jug for table in winter and a good cold apple pie on Sab- spirit with it. with the big stone in tother end of the saddle bags, |