No. 40-VOL. 7. AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, DECEMBER 23, 1825. AGRICULTURE. AN ORATION 313 ment, or the peculiar circumstances under which the "deutoxide of aluminum," with new chemical those customs were adopted, agriculture, reproach, properties, which I have explained on another ocand ignominy, were synonymous epithets; the far-casion, highly conducive to vegetable life and mer was despised as a plodding fool, a fit com growth; one, whose universality and excellence will Upon the dignity and utility of the art and science of panion only for the beast, which dragged his re- be recognized at a future day, by the farmer of Agriculture-delivered before the Dorchester Agri-luctant plough; but now, that the human mind has energy and enterprise, among the greatest favours oultural Society, and a numerous audience, at their expanded above those grovelling notions; when rea- of God to man. This subject in general, of the science of agrifirst Exhibition and Fair, held in Cambridge, Nov. son is connected with action, when the art is be10, 1825-by JOSEPH E. MUSE, M. D. President of coming founded in science; and elementary princi- culture, is one of infinite beauty and interest, but the Society. ples becoming developed by observation and expe- too attractive, and too diffuse, for the bounds of a rience to guide and instruct the farmer, to render limited address, and I shall confine my remarks to [Communicated for the American Farmer.] intelligible what he may discern in the sphere of as few topics, and within as small a compass as the THIS day, gentlemen, will constitute a glorious his profession, and conduct him to rational inferen- nature of the subjects will admit of. epoch in the annals of Dorchester county, this day, ces; now, since this happy revolution; since the fo Next in succession to a view of its dignity, beauthe first, on which the cultivators of our soil have culty of reason has acquired the supremacy in this ty and utility, is naturally associated the correlative convened, to receive the honourable badges of suc- great department of human affairs, the farmer de- idea of the means best adapted to the promotion cessful emulation; and to deliberate on and syste servedly ranks as a gentleman of the first order in and perfection of the art and science of agriculmatize schemes of agricultural improvement, will society; his profession is honourable, learned, and ture; and upon this subject, though copious, I establish an anniversary, which will command the useful; it peculiarly conducts him, in his studies and will venture to ask your patience, but for a few respect and admiration of our children; because, it reflections, to the great and wonderful operations of moments. will promote their wealth and happiness; and per- nature; it inclines him to investigate their causes, It is obvious that information is the first pillar of petuate their fathers' monument of independence to and affords him a delight, of which none others can this magnificent edifice, and equally so that it must ages unknown; for, agriculture is the base of nation- so largely participate. be derived from the accumulative resources of the al wealth; and national wealth of human liberty; as The theory of agriculture cannot yet be said to many; did this proposition require support, it would the arms of our beloved country, united in archi- be fully established; hence various and opposite be found in the rapid growth of the arts and tectural strength and beauty, they constitute one co- theses of vital interest; we must not, therefore, he- sciences from the invention of printing, the facili lossal column, "unum e pluribus," the base of agri-sitate to examine new doctrines, to detect errors, or ties which this noble art has afforded to mankind culture; the shaft of wealth, and the capital of human suggest what we consider truths, because of the for the acquirement of knowledge, it would be idle liberty. fallibility of human reason; we should not encou- to dwell upon, and that it has contributed to the To trace minutely, the history of agriculture, rage distaste for theoretic inquiry, because the hu- knowledge of agriculture, as well as other objects would be a useless occupation of time. A mere man mind has been led into error; by those very of human attention, history affords us ample testisketch of the veneration in which it has been held, errors and their oonsequent detection; by new facts monies; and that books on agricultural subjects, from the earliest ages, through the labyrinth of and new theories we arrive at our final purpose, are a fruitful source of this knowledge, seems unantiquity, would be a tedious and unavailing labour; the truth which we have desired. deniable. Periodical publications, devoted to agri it is sufficient to know that at all times, and by all To attempt the delineation of a system of agri-cultural subjects, conducted with talent, and of nations, the art of agriculture has been admired as culture preferable to any other, when I am address- widely extended circulation, afford boundless means the first and best occupation of man. The earliest ing an audience of much eminence and experience, of popular instruction-of this source of knowledge history of the eastern nations establishes their would be presumptuous; yet I shall take the liber- and information, the American Farmer, published knowledge of and respect for this noble art; by ty, conferred by the office with which you have in Baltimore, by Mr. Skinner, is an instance, which which they supplied themselves with the necessa- been so kind as to honour me, to offer a few con- reflects honour on the state; by this medium, for ries and luxuries of life. cise suggestions on some of the most generally the small price of five dollars per year, the aggreThe Chaldeans, who inhabited the native country interesting topics in relation to agricultural im- gate knowledge, observation and experience of milof agriculture, had, by assiduity, attained to consi-provement. lions are faithfully conveyed every week in the derable perfection in this valuable art. The Egyp- I am aware, gentlemen, of the prejudices exist- year, to the subscriber's door. tians regarded it as a divine blessing, immediately ing in the minds of many against theory in agricul- Agricultural associations, such as we have now conferred upon them, by their god Osiris, and wor- ture; delude not yourselves with this too popular instituted, affording frequent opportunities of a fashipped in superstitious gratitude their beasts of the sentiment; without theory, the life of science, no art miliar interchange of hypothetic sentiments, as well plough; and the Persians embraced it among the can attain to perfection. Anomalous, indeed, would as of practical results, and exciting by proffered precepts of their religion; striking instances of its be the case, were agriculture to grow and flourish badges of victory, a meritorious emulation to excel ancient and exalted dignity. in ignorance, without the aid of science, without in points of the highest local interest; must of ne In the darker ages, which obscured and depressed system, without a knowledge of elementary princi- cessity operate, as a mean of improvement, as a bond the human mind, agriculture languished with the ples; these enable us to shun the quicksands of of social harmony, as a fountain of knowledge and other arts; as soon as the faculty of reason began to error, and lead us through experience to truth; as information, whose wholesome, ethereal waters will dawn, and by its overpowering rays to dispel the lighted beacons to the benighted navigator, which refresh and invigorate the body and mind of the rude and barbarous cloud, the benign genius of preserve him from rocks and shoals, and conduct thirsting farmer, who may indulge in the luxurious agriculture is again conspicuous, exerting her sa him in the channel of safety to his destined haven. potation. lutary and beneficent energies for human comfort I do not contend that every farmer must be a In regard to particular objects, I shall perform and happiness; she has flourished in all ages, pari theorist, or every theorist a farmer; but that by the my duty by noticing chiefly, such as peculiarly conpassu, with the civilization of man; she has sunk influence of science, all arts and professions have cern our local interests; the improvement of our into obscurity with the debased and barbarous flourished; and without it they have languished; soil; manures, and their application, are topics so mind; with the revival of letters, and the improve- they are different departments of the same institu- trite that to name them is almost plagiarism. Yet ment of the human understanding, the tutelar genius tion; co-equal and co-essential; as the muscle and I will take the occasion to state a fact within the of agriculture has again been adored, next only to the nerve in the human economy, the one directs, sphere of my own private observation, viz. That the great God of nature, who conceded her to fallen the other performs; the one exerts a moral, the upon the careful analysis of several fields of my man as a pledge of his divine benevolence. other a physical influence own, of different characters, with argil and silex in Does it excite astonishment, then, that with this By means of agricultural science, we understand various proportions, some possessing lime, and established character of agriculture, the present the constitution of soils, and their various defects; others not a particle of it, I have found, that, cœteage, with all its mighty and successful efforts to the nature of manures, and the mode of their ope- ris paribus, those containing lime, though in minute ameliorate the condition of man; with all its rapid ration; and necessarily, their peculiar adaptation to quantities, are most disproportionately productive; strides to perfection in the various departments of supply the defect of an absent substance, or to neu- yet, one containing an excessive portion of it, was art and science, has not neglected this great boon tralize, nullify, or perhaps render wholesome and obviously impaired by it, and did not discover the of providence; but has, by unanimous consent, useful to vegetation present substances of the most effect of usual manuring, so glaringly as the rest. placed it in the first order of human employment, in pernicious qualities. Has your soil acid? destroy And though this result is in contradiction of the reference to the beauty and extent of the science, the poison by alkaline matters. Is the acid sulphu- sentiments of an English farmer of much celebrity, and the benefits to mankind, resulting from the ric? by lime you convert it into plaster of Paris. (Mr. Anderson,) who has used from seven hundred practice. Has it a metallic salt, a vegetable poison? by lime to a thousand bushels to the acre; and pronounces While agriculture was consigned to the charge of you decompose it, and render it innocuous. Has it its effect, in promoting the fertility of a soil, to be sloth and ignorance; while the only principle of a cohesive clay? by burning you render it friable almost infinitely pro rata, with the quantity emaction was the custom of forefathers, without advert- and pervious to the extension of the tender radicle; ployed; yet the result of my experiments leave no ing to the physical and moral necessity of improve- 'you produce a substance which I have denominated doubt on my mind, that the use of lime in unNo. 40.-VOL.7. rious. limited indefinite quantities, will be highly inju- mitted by them; salt in many instances promotes ceptions. vicious, and comparatively worthless: in this solution; salt is also, deliquescent; it attracts the plough he is unable to compete with the horse, Our resources for lime and other calcareous mat-the moisture of the atmosphere, which property may and in the shambles with the ox; he is neither fit ters, are unfortunately small. We have found in be easily conceived as contributive to the growth of for the one purpose, nor the other. Dorchester no marl; nor have we limestone; yet vegetables; to this substance (salt,) may perhaps, The subject of crops, the great object of our inwe have many banks of shells, perhaps sufficient to chiefly, be referred the benefits derived by some quiries and our labours, is too copious to be emsupply the small demands which, from my experi- from sea-weed, which by the experiments of Dr. braced within the narrow limits of a short address, ments, satisfactory at least to myself, our lands may Davy, give about four-fifths of its weight of water, and too important to remain wholly unnoticed. require. and should therefore be spread and ploughed in a The many disasters incident to our wheat crop, the With respect to marl, hope should not vanish; recent state. great staple of our county, the reliance of the landour exertions to discover this hidden treasure. Vegetable substances of a ligneous nature, ap- lord and the tenant; and moreover its reduced should not be abandoned. In Talbot, beds of this plied to the purposes of manure, require before use value, when by chance it may have escaped those substance have been found, only within a few years; a partial decomposition, which may be produced disasters; the insignificant value of Indian corn, as and new discoveries since, frequently made, where speedily by quick lime; or, more slowly, but equal- an article of sale; and in fact, the general absence it was not conjectured to exist, have added consi- ly well, in compost; but animal substances are con- or paucity of monetary means, indicate the obvious derably to the wealth of that county. I earnestly verted by lime, into an insoluble mass, therefore necessity of adding, or substituting, a new series of conjure you to devote a small portion of your time lime will prove pernicious to a compost containing crops, which may be less precarious, and more proto this important subject; with a view to it myself, much animal matter. fitable. Next in order, as a feeble disciple of the Man- After as full an inquiry, and research into the long shaft,) to bore for marl, which I confess I have, tuan farmer, who is worthy of our studies and imi- subject, as perhaps it admits of, without experience, as yet, used without success; I have now lengthen- tation, and an accomplished prototype, the planting I have determined to make the ensuing year, a large ed the shaft, by additional bars to be attached, by of fruit trees should occupy a share of our atten- experimental crop of fifty acres of cotton, which, screws, ad libitum et infinitum, and I have no doubt tion. Our orchards are neglected; the fruit propa- from my small experiment the present season, will will succeed in future attempts; though, at the gated in the country, is generally so infamous, as to afford an abundant and profitable crop, before the points of discovery, the marl may be deposited too demand extermination, and the substitution of new accession of frost; which period is becoming, annudeep in the earth for convenient use; yet it may trees of choice sorts, or, the budding and engrafting ally, later, from the draining, clearing, and other thence, be traced to more superficial and accessi- of the best fruits of our climate, upon the old stalks physical causes operating a vast revolution in the of worthless kinds; in three years the transforma-general climate of our country-having made a I have constructed an instrument, (an auger with a ble strata. In regard to the application of farm-yard ma- tion may be effected, by the latter method. In difference, of at least three weeks, within the last nures; whether in a recent or rotted state, I pre-place of the present growth of the sickly, insipid ten years; and thereby affording fair prospects of a sume that, in due decorum and respect for the fruits of our country, we may, with little exertion, successful growth of cotton. worthy advocates of the latter doctrine, it must still find ourselves, as if magically, possessed of deli- Palma Christi will form another member of the be classed among the moot points of agriculture; cious fruits, a source of health, luxury and profit. new series of crops which I contemplate an expeyet in a country like ours, where the fallow crop In regard to the condition of our flocks, I am riment upon, the next season, and will, I anticipate, possesses sturdy powers of digestion, with a capa- conscious I shall receive the undivided assent of my be a productive and profitable one. city to assimilate the coarser food for its nutriment, audience; our local necessities most imperiously Independent of other advantages, which the inand to leave the finely elaborated and more delicate demand relief in this important and neglected arti- troduction of these and other crops may possess particles for the repast of a more tender and more cle. We should procure new breeds and improve over the limited number that we now cultivate, that luxurious family, I do not hesitate to adopt the doc- their progeny by careful and generous treatment, of multiplying the varieties, is one of considerable trine and practice of recent manures, whereby the fallacious and narrow is the judgment which would importance; by these means, the principles of romedium and process of preparation becomes an exclude from premium a high blooded animal of tation, the most unequivocally essential discovery, object of profit; the work is as well done, the ulti- fine points and valuable character, because it has grown out of the science of modern agriculture, mate and timely preparation of the manure, for been imported; because it has been obtained for the will, necessarily, be more extensively and usefully wheat, or other small grain, is as well accomplish-benefit of the country at great cost and trouble. applied; the selection of soils and subsoils in reed; and you receive for your trouble an immediate The end in view is not individual gratification, but ference to their peculiar adaptations to their faand valuable compensation, which is otherwise to- the public good; and this end is better attained by vourite plants, will be proportionally facilitated. tally lost. In support of this doctrine, which I have the importation of superior (if RESIDENT) than by The boundless growth of vegetables designed for long espoused, chemistry offers her strong and help- our own inferior breeds; and therefore it should be the use of man, and other animals, are comprised ing hand, but I will not, upon this subject, at pre- encouraged by the utmost abilities of the Society. in two opposite and distinctly characterized famisent trespass longer on your patience. While on this subject, I must advert to a seem lies; the one having small leaves and few in numAuxiliary to those of a calcareous nature, and the ingly interesting question, agitated for some years, ber, which dry and wither before the crop is malarge class of decomposing animal and vegetable and still unsettled, viz. the comparative value of tured, derive their nourishment chiefly from the matters, are many others, which the enterprising the horse and ox for the plough and wagon. The soil, and render it hard and dry-these are called farmer may discover, perhaps, in the vicinity of his question may be one of interest to other climes, culmiferous, and are great exhausters of the soil, to fields. The rich black loam of swamps, marshes, but in ours, I fancy, no doubt can exist; the ox may this family, belong wheat, rye, oats, Indian corn, and bottoms, abounding in carbonaceous matter, perform a portion of tardy and rugged labour in &c; the other, having broad and abundant leaves, whose strong affinity for the oxygen of the atmo-cool weather; but in our long and hot summers, the which continue green, succulent and growing, till sphere, results in a solution, (carbonic acid,) the farmer will, from my experience, find himself com- the crop is cut down, and bespeak the continued most powerful agent of vegetation; the heads of pelled to resort to horses. The ox is not designed agency of the foliage, in the sustenance of the coves, and the mud bottoms of ponds, which have by nature for violent exercise in hot weather; he is plant, renders the soil soft, mellow, and open--these served as receptacles of the richest principles of the deficient in that "vis medicatrix naturæ," that "heat are called leguminous, and operate to correct the neighbouring lands for ages past, are invaluable counteracting power," of sweating, which horses hard, compact, and cohesive soils. Of these two sources of manure; yet from experiment I can as- possess in an eminent degree; his skin is not con- families, the members, though possessing the genesure you, that these are frequently vitiated by the structed for this refrigerant action. When over-rical character, may be presumed to vary in their presence of sulphuric acid, which must be neu- heated, he lolls out his tongue and slavers, and respective powers, and in many important and spetralized, in compost, with the saline offal of the shortly succumbs to the overpowering effects of cific points; some delighting in clay, others in sandy farm-yard; or, by lime, or other salifiable bases, heat. The ox, too, is classed naturally among the soils; some in upland, others to be immersed in blended with the heaps, which latter method will slow-footed animals. The horse has a quick step, water; be found equally effectual, and more convenient. and will perform more work at the plough than the The muriate of soda (common salt,) has had its ox at any season, and vastly more in hot and sultry encomiasts; with what propriety, my experience weather; and where labour is dear, and time pre- Hence inevitably, the advantages accruing to the has not instructed me, or rather contradicts it; from cious, the surplus of his performance above that of agricultural community, from the introduction, of four to eight bushels per acre is said to have pro- the ox, will be found to be much more than equal as many new and valuable crops, as our climate duced fine effects, and particularly on grasses; it is to the value of the meat and hide of the antiquated highly septic, in small quantities, and may operate, beef, and will fairly justify his master to allow him by converting coarse vegetable matter into digesti-in his old age, the "otium cum dignitate," ble food; so small are the mouths of the absorbent vessels of plants, that they can imbibe no nutriment, except it be in a state of solution; the particles of impalpable powder are too large to be ad. "Fluminibus salices, crassis que paludibus alni;” and soil may be found capable of producing. From the established principles, upon which rotation is founded, it must be inferred that each plant "In peace, t' enjoy his former palms and pains; has its respective pabulum; that though this may And gratefully be kind to his remains." be constituted of the same elements, yet it must The mule, I conceive to be totally unworthy of consist of different proportions of those elements, notice, except for detestation. He is, with few ex-'and of different chemical arrangements; otherwise the different products would be totally unaccounta- those which had been wet; a strong instance of the In Virginia, when sheep have an extensive range. ble; the acidulous plant, for instance, must abound fallacy of the opinion, "that water, more than the they cat very little hay. Here, we are rarely obliin oxygen, the acidifying principle; the oleaginous juices of the plants, promotes spontaneous combus-ged to feed before the first of December, and but will claim an excess of hydrogen; the saccharine of fion;" the oxygen of either is copiously and readily partially after the middle of March; so that our carbon, &c.; because, these elements are, respective-separated and absorbed by the carbonaceous matter feeding days, instead of 150, as estimated by C., ly, the chief agents in the production of those re- of the plant; heat and hydrogen are developed; seldom exceed 120. It is now the tenth of Decemsults which those plants are known to afford; and, and the consequences are fatal and the same; which ber, and my flock of about 950 have not, as yet, a posteriori, the pabulum requisite for their phy- I truly hope, gentlemen, none of you may ever ex- consumed one half ton of hay. siological functions must have been constituted perience. of a large proportion of these respective ele ments. It is repugnant to reason and analogy, to suppose that the deadly upas, and the fragrant magnolia, the poisonous lobelia, and the healthful cabbage, should derive from the same food such opposite qualities; the conelusion is irresistible, that they have respectively their favorite elements, on which they more heavily draw for their sustenance, and from a continued annual demand, by the same plant, of the same element, from the same soil, exhaustion, quoad hoc, must be the inevitable consequence; whereas, other plants, needing other elements, may find an ample supply; hence the necessity of rotation; of a varied succession of crops, beyond the contracted sphere of our present practice. One other subject demands our serious attention; the reclamation of our marshes and cripples, capable of becoming the most valuable lands we pos sess. An example has been offered us by those enterprising gentlemen of South Carolina, who have commenced this meritorious and inestimable work,| on the Nantikoke. On a late visit to one of those gentlemen, who has built his dwelling house in the midst of an infinite marsh, late the dwelling of muskrats and otters; where rushes, reeds, flags, and other worthless marsh grasses only grew, I found him comfortably established in the centre of two hundred and thirty acres of reclaimed marsh. dry and firm; growing a crop of Indian corn which is estimated at forty bushels per acre; a garden of many fine and luxuriant vegetables, cabbages, tomatoes, and roots of most of the usual kinds, and a small parcel of cotton, which looked well; the wheat Water of absorption, 266 Our winters, of late, have been usually very open; P. S. A very fine wheat soil at my Appleby farm, and I find my sheep, unless the ground be covered contained, in 400 grainsgrains. with snow, prefer the roughest grass, which they had 14 rejected in the summer, to the best salted hay. If experience and success entitle any man's opinions to weight, then are the opinions of Mr. Dickinson, of Steubenville, on the subject of "sheep raising," to be received with deference. He stated to me, that when he had five or six tons of good hay for each hundred sheep, he felt perfectly safe. The opinion of every large sheep owner with whom I have conversed, agrees with that expressed by Mr. Dickin calcareous, The lixivium gave vegetable extract set. ox. iron, precipt'd. by Pruss. carb. lime precipt'd. by carb. carb. magnes. precipt'd. by Fine matters not acted upon by mu- sct. vegetable and animal insolu- The residuum acted upon by sulph. sct. alumina precipt'd. by neut. iron precipt'd. by boiling, 13-279 6 6 3-12 son. With respect to the labour necessary for a flock of five hundred, I observe C. and myself disagree and in reply, I would just state, that I have had about that number under the care of one man during the last year. Since shearing time, he has done nearly as much work on the farin as any man in the township. I am very certain that the flock during the summer has not occupied the one-sixth 24 of his time. He sees them every morning, salts them twice a week, and changes them from field to field, as it becomes necessary. During the winter months, he has an assistant. By 8 o'clock they have the racks filled, and in good weather are engaged in repairing fences, &c. until about two hours before dark, when they again repair to the sheds and supply the racks. For about a month in lambing time, the ewes require the constant attention of one hand, and sometimes of two, and it is often ne15 cessary to be up three or four times during the night. 13 00 37 385 grains, 400 The other soil mentioned was much the same, a vestige of marsh growth to be seen any where ON THE PROFITS OF SHEEP HUSBANDRY. In reply to the remark, that "they must be superior sheep to produce wool worth 2 dollars per fleece," the most unquestionable evidence can be furnished, that all our good flocks exceed that sum. Although about one-third of mine are only seveneighths, and a few as low as three-fourths, my last shearing sold to B. Wells & Co. at an average of 2 dollars and 15 cents. From 100 ewes, C. remarks, he "cannot raise with the anthemis cotula, hypericum, and other up- MR. SKINNER, more than 50 lambs." My estimate was 75. Let land weeds; indicating a thorough physical revolu- Ir is not an uncommon thing to notice persons it be recollected that I value the ewes at 10 dollars tion in the constitution of the soil, and the mystic similarly situated, entertaining very different views each. I think it might be fairly inferred from this, conversion of worthless mire and bog, the haunt of of the same subject. I am, therefore, no way sur- that none of them were very old, as this is more noxious animals, into the alma mater of man; a prised to observe a writer over the signature of C. than such sheep are worth. I have pursued the noble example, which if adopted in regard to our in the Farmer of the 25th November, differ so wide- same course in this as in the other parts of my estimarshes on the Black-water and Transquakin rivers, ly from my estimates on sheep and horses, which mates, and taken some pains to ascertain the opinwould render the interior of Dorchester the most appeared in the Farmer of October 14th. How-ions of those who had the best opportunities of corbeautiful, the most healthful, and the most valuable ever, I take it for granted, that C. resides in a dis-rect information. I found some difference as to portion of the county. trict of country where fine horses command a much the precise number, but all agree, that under fa Finally, a subject remains, but little regarded, higher price than they bring with us. I think I am vourable circumstances, 75 is a low estimate. Howyet closely connected with that of crops; and deep-warranted in making this conclusion by the price ever, as "facts are stubborn things," I will state one ly interesting to the farmer; because the knowledge he fixes on his colts-they average $233.33 cents which will go some length to prove that 75 is not of it may be essential to their preservation, when per head Nothing like this has ever been realized too high an estimate. About the first of March his labour and money may have been expended on in this part of Pennsylvania, and I must be permit- last, being apprehensive of a scarcity of pasture, I their production; I mean the hazard of their de- ted to add, that an extraordinary revolution must picked out 100 of my oldest and worst ewes, which struction by spontaneous combustion, when housed be effected in the taste of our farmers before it can I offered for $500. Fortunately, I did not succeed or stacked, too recently, in a green and succulent take place. In this part of Pennsylvania there is in disposing of them. I had them kept separate state. An instance this season has occurred in my no demand for turf horses. The plough, the wagon, from the flock, and treated with some additional farm-yard, where many large stacks of top fodder the stage, and even the carriage, in our billy coun- care. They raised for me eighty-six fine lambs, for were discovered by accident to be strongly heated; try, requires more weight than full blooded English which I have refused six dollars per head. upon examination, I found in the centre of each horses generally possess. We find the most useful It may not be amiss to state that the western of them, and near the earth, bushels of carbo- horse for general purposes, is derived from our counties of Pennsylvania are extremely well adapnated stalks and blades, in different grades of igni- large mares and the pure blooded horse. ted to keeping sheep, and that more care is bestowtion, which, when exposed to the atmosphere, was As it respects my estimate on sheep, I am well ed upon them than is usually given to them on the with difficulty prevented, by the active efforts of all aware that they will not hold, at any considerable eastern side of the mountains. I am rather disthe labourers on the farm, who happened to be distance north of us, where the winters are severe, posed to adopt the opinion entertained by many, near at hand, from bursting into a furious inflam and the ground in that season generally covered that they are less liable to disease than any where mation. A majority of these stacks had received with snow. However, I will reply to C. principal- else. The result of the matter is, that I have deterno rain in the curing, yet were as much affected as ly by stating some plain facts. mined that your correspondent C. is a better horse B. master than shepherd. Although I may not succeed are remarkable for arriving early at maturity; car-with rotundity of the barrel, than by mere extenin convincing him of the accuracy of my estimates, rying very long and heavy fleeces upon compact sion of the frame. If the bind quarters be long, I wish him to be assured that it will give me sin-carcasses, with flat backs, short legs, small heads; deep, and wide-the shoulders be placed well backcere pleasure to afford him any further information producing very large quantities of fat, with small the breast be ample-the brisket be protruded-the as to the management of sheep. portions of flesh-so little remarkable for good fla- back be broad-the loins wide-the girth behind the vour, that it is seldom consumed in Great Britain fore legs and over the chine, be large, the animal by the more wealthy classes of people. They are must possess not merely the frame which weighs GRASS SEEDS, TO BE SOWN. so sluggish, and from the peculiarities of their form, most, but the form which carries most weight in (From the Agricultural Almanack for the year 1826, patro- are so little enabled to make exertion, or to endure the valuable parts, and affording sufficient room for nized by the Philadelphia Society for promoting Agricul- the ordinary difficulties of exposure, that they are the action of the lungs; without which, health and ture.) confined to the most fertile vales, and are protected thrift can be seldom found. THE proper quantity of grass seeds to sow, per by incessant vigilance and care. Some animals have good forms, but are "shelly," acre, is a point of the greatest importance, as re- The different flocks of sheep called Bakewell, as it is technically termed, conveying the idea of gards the expense of the seed, and the speedy for- which are found in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the absence of the due quantity of flesh. Some mation of the most valuable sward. The circum- Delaware and New York, are a mongrel race, de- breeds produce too much fat, in proportion to flesh: stances of soil, tilth, and weather, at the time of rived principally from an importation of Dishley, those which carry comparatively a large quantity of sowing, all influence, in a great degree, the success-Teeswater, and Southdown sheep: or from a few flesh, "marbled when ripe," with the propensity to ful vegetation of the seed. Should less seed be Teeswater sheep, which were carried to New York become fat at an early age, and in the shortest sown than is sufficient to furnish every part of the in a prize, during the late war. The characteris-time, are those best fitted for grazing purposes. soil with plants of grass, a proportionate loss of tics of these breeds, are occasionally detected in These remarks apply to neat cattle as well as to time, labour and land will be suffered. Minute va- individuals of this race. The smutty faces, finer sheep. It is evident that the product, whether in cancies of plants in a recently-made pasture, or in wool, and smallest frames, are indicative of the beef, mutton, butter, cheese, or milk, must be estia field of seedling grasses, may, to general obser- Southdown origin; the largest frames, coarser bone, mated by the quantity of food, before the result can vation, appear insignificant, or escape observation heavier offal, and larger heads, mark others of the be had. Early maturity not only saves food, but altogether; but if these apparently minute deficien- Teeswater race; the long wool, often twisted at the spares capital and gains time. The quantity and eies which occur over the surface of an acre be ends, the narrow faces, broad backs, short legs, and quality of the wool is a matter of serious imporcalculated, a difference, perhaps, of from ten to fif- fine bone, prove the presence of the Dishley, or tance, when the value of sheep is to be deterteen per cent. in the produce, will be found to exist Bakewell blood. mined. I do not mean by quality, the fineness of between a perfectly furnished surface of land, and The sheep called Irish received their name, I ap- the fibre alone; nor do I mean to confine the reone where the deficiencies of plants are so minute prehend, as they were exported from Ireland; but I mark to sheep whose wool is of the finer sort. The as scarcely to be perceived. In the most produc-am induced to think they were of Lincolnshire filaments of combing wool should part readily— tive natural pastures no deficiencies of plants are breed, crossed probably with Southdown blood. those of fine wool should be soft, and elastic, as if it to be found, every part of the surface is closely in- The Tunisian sheep had many valuable properties; had been frizzled. The mere fineness of the fibre, terwoven with plants; and not as in pastures artifi but they were exceedingly improved by the sagaci- or length of the staple, is not the only test of excially formed of one or two species of grass only, ty of Mr. Thomas Bones, who discovered that their cellence: a diseased, or half starved sheep, prowhere the surface is merely shaded or covered by forms might be much amended, and that their un- duces fine wool, but not an elastic, nor useful mathe foliage of the comparative thinly-growing plants. wieldy tails might be diminished, whilst their hardy terial. JOHN HARE POWEL. A rough uneven surface will require a much greater constitutions, and capacity to endure heat and sup- The sheep which produces the finest fleeces, are quantity of seed, than land with a dry, finely pulver-port cold, might be retained. His sheep, so im- not necessarily the best to form a breeding flock. If ized, smooth, consolidated surface. If the surface proved, by crosses with Irish and Southdown blood, their constitutions be not good-if their forms be is wet at the time of sowing, a greater quantity of were much better than any of that race, which I have bad, the secretion of yolk, which is essential for the seed will be required than otherwise would be ne- ever seen in this or any other county of the state. support of the fleece, must be small; the offspring, cessary. The seeds of most of the essential per- The greatest objection to all the varieties of consequently, will be a degenerate race. Thus, in manent pasture grasses are so small and light, as to broad-tail sheep, proceeds not only from the ex-selecting merinoes, regard should be given to their be readily taken up in clumps by the harrow or crescence so much valued by certain amateurs, but forms, even in those parts of the country where the roller passing over a damp surface. from the bad quality of their wool. Excepting those demand for the carcass is so small, as to make [Sinclair's Hort. Gram. Woburn. "for which Pennsylvania is indebted to the liberali- mutton of little value. The Saxon sheep, which ty of Colonel Pickering," I have seen none, whose command, at this time, from two to three hundred Grass seeds are often defective in quality; are fleeces were not hairy, and decidedly bad. dollars a piece, and are so much superior to our seldom sown in sufficient quantities, and they are The Teeswater sheep are the largest in Europe. best merinoes, as to have led Mr. E. Dupont to imvery rarely put in with proper care. Accurate hus-They are slow feeders-tallow well within-carry port several fine individuals direct from Germany, bandry is more essential for the proper laying down more flesh, less fat without; but produce much to improve his well known flock, are but merinoes and management of grass lands than any other worse mutton, and much heavier offal, than the improved by German vigilance. branch of the agricultural art. Fine tilth-careful Dishley breed. Their fleeces are heavy, and afford, sowing ample supplies of manure, are especially in common with the Dishley, what is called combrequisite in a country exposed to extreme cold and ing wool, fitted for the manufacture of camblets, CULTURE OF COTTON AS A STAPLE IN excessive drought. Autumnal sowing has general and various articles of worsted. The Southdown ly been found most successful; but the practice of sheep are much smaller than the Dishley-they are more hardy-their wool is short, equal in quality to particulars as may in future times compose the his[It answers a valuable purpose to record such sowing clover upon wheat and rye crops, must necessarily be continued in the spring. A light har- that of half-bred Merino-their fleeces are not so tory of agriculture in the different districts, esperow, with wooden tines, should, in all seasons, be heavy-they carry more fat within, and much more cially when those items contain practical informaused for covering grass seeds. In the spring, the flesh without, than either the Dishley, Tunisian, tion-hence it was that we solicited for publication wheat and rye crops are benefited by its applica- Irish, or Teeswater sheep. By their activity, and the following handbill, which we were informed had tion: their roots, which are often diseased from vigour both of muscle and constitution, they are been addressed, at the time of its date, by its inbeing thrown out by the frosts of the winter, are fitted to encounter every difficulty, as well as to en- telligent and public spirited author at his own exbrought into contact with fresh earth. The grass dure the extremes of heat and cold. They occupy, pense, to his fellow citizens, for their information seeds are covered by the aid of the harrow: a very in England, one of the most exposed and least ferlight roller, after, by slightly compressing the earth, tile portions of the island-their mutton is of the secures to the tender germs nutrition, at the mo- finest kind, and commands the highest price, alment when it is most required, and fills up the in-though from the properties of the sheep it can be terstices immediately about the roots of the plants, produced at least cost. upon the products of which, the farmer's hopes principally depend. J. H. P. VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND. and benefit.] TO THE FARMERS OF ACCOMACK AND NORTHAMPTON. WELL aware how little I am entitled to your attention, either from my age or experience, it is with There is no mistake more prevalent, and none the utmost diffidence I undertake to address you upmore egregious, than that which ascribes excellence on a subject, the importance of which alone embolto great size. Unless it be had early, and at com- dens me to the task; and for which I may meet with paratively small expense, large size does not more censure instead of applause. determine the extent of usefulness in the quadru- You will readily acknowledge that the present Or the various breeds of sheep designated in Penn-ped, than in the man. Weight is not always ascer-prices of corn and oats, do not pay the expense of sylvania as English, Irish, Bakewell, and Tunisian, tained by size-a small keg sometimes weighs more cultivation rent free: and unless some change for the none can be found of pure blood. The variety called than a large hogshead. Weight is affected more better takes place, ruin must in a short time be the kewell, Dishley, or New Leicester, in England, by compactness, and squareness in certain parts, inevitable consequence. Fully impressed with the LIVE STOCK-SHEEP. truth of this fact, allow me, most respectfully, to land, have the distance five feet, and in the drills viction of its utility and usefulness. Nor, in thus draw your attention to another branch of agricul- twelve or fourteen inches. expressing ourselves, are we alone. Our opinion of ture, which I have no doubt, will be attended with Cotton does not require more cultivation than its merits is in accordance with that of many gentlevery different results. I allude to the cultivation of Corn, nor is it so liable to suffer from drought. It men who have seen it, and witnessed its operation. Cotton. is true the gathering of the crop is more tedious; It is, indeed, an invaluable invention. To the farWithin a few years past, this article has engrossed but on the other hand, it may remain in the field mers and planters of the south, particularly, it must much of the attention of Virginia. In the counties until the end of the year without injury, and thus be a great desideratum-to the farmers, distillers, of Sussex and Southampton, until within the last give you sufficient time with your ordinary force to &c. at the north and west, it will be valuable, and four years, it was only raised in small lots, similar save it. Much of the last year's crop remained un- the public generally will be benefited by its introto what is now practised on the Eastern Shore; but gathered while I was in that neighbourhood, about duction. now it is the principal crop in that section of the the first of February. In addition to this, Cotton is Our attention has been called to this subject, at country. Can it be doubted, but that both your an improving crop, and the same land may be suc- this time, by an article in the National Intelligensoil and climate are equally, if not more favourable cessfully devoted to its culture for years in succes-cer, of the 15th instant, requesting information as to its cultivation, than that enjoyed by either of the sion-while it is well known that this course pur- to the power, performance, and cost of these macounties above mentioned? The plant delights in sued with Corn will effectually ruin the soil. chines, and the address of the person who cona light, sandy soil, not liable to be overflowed by Cotton now commands seventeen cents per lb.; structs them. Mr. Bailey, the inventor and patenheavy rains, which is precisely the nature of your but this is much above its average value, and is ow tee, is a resident of this city. We pointed him to lands-nor are you so subject to early frosts. Cot-ing to causes which may not exist again. I think, the paragraph in the Intelligencer, and, in answer to ton was also cultivated as a crop last year, in Din- however, you may safely calculate on ten cents per the queries therein contained, he has authorized us widdie county, and the result far surpassed the most lb. which is about equal to two dollars per hundred to say: That his mills have been tested by grinding sanguine expectations. weight in the seed, after deducting the expense of wheat, rye, and corn, as well as most kinds of pro It would be altogether unnecessary for me to en-picking, baling, &c. Taking, therefore, this price vender, corn in the ear, oil cake, &c. and its work ter into a regular discussion of the subject, were I along with the estimates above made for your guide, pronounced, by experienced millers, to be equal to even equal to the task-for although the article of you will readily see the decided advantage which that produced by the common millstones; one horse Cotton has not engaged your attention as a staple Cotton has over any other crop you can raise. I will grind ten bushels of wheat or rye per hour, sufproduction, you are not entirely unacquainted with am persuaded that it is the only course to be pur- ficiently fine for flour, the cost of the mill, with the its properties. But having lately visited Peters-sued in order to retrieve the inhabitants of the East- machinery for a horse to work it, will be from 250 burg and the adjacent country, where, as before re-ern Shore from the embarrassment which the re-to $300. [Mercury. marked, it has excited much of the public interest; duced prices of produce has created, and I most The inventor is now busily engaged upon his and having spared no pains to gather all the infor- earnestly advise you to make the experiment. mills, and will soon be able to furnish them to ormation upon the subject in my power, it may not be Let us suppose that the next year's crop of Corn der. Letters upon the subject, addressed to Henry amiss to lay before you a few facts as a guide to will command three dollars per barrel, (and this is Bailey, Hartford, Conn. will be duly attended to. assist you in making up your opinion. The result, double what you have any reason to expect,) and therefore, of these my investigations, is most res-that your land will yield three barrels to the acre, pectfully submitted to your consideration. which is nine dollars per acre-the same land, according to the above estimate will insure sixteen dollars per acre. Cotton, like every thing else, grows best in rich land; but, nevertheless, profitable crops may be made where Corn would fail. The lands of Sussex INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT. The importance of the subject must plead my and Southampton, generally, are poor, yet many apology for intruding these remarks upon your no-nization of the Convention which assembled in this In our last we gave a brief account of the orgafields last year gave handsome returns in Cotton, tice: If they should be the means of inducing you to which would not yield two barrels of Corn per acre. abandon a course which has been so long unprofita- city from ten counties and two cities of the state, to From the best information I could obtain, you may bly pursued, and strike out into a new path, open- deliberate on the subject of the internal improveconsider the following as a fair estimate. Land ing far brighter prospects to the view; I have no ment of the state-and we there gave the names of that will produce two barrels of Corn per acre, will doubt the result will equal your most sanguine exyield 400 lbs. Seed Cotton-three barrels to the pectations, and I shall enjoy the proud satisfaction acre, which they consider good land, may be safely of having been useful to my fellow citizens by prorelied on for 800 lbs.-four barrels to the acre, 1000 moting the measure. Ibs.-five barrels to the acre, 1200lbs.; and land of I am, most respectfully, yours, &c. a superior quality, has yielded 2000 lbs. Many perFRANCIS H. SMITH. sons gave me higher rates than the above, but these may be considered as a minimum-and not mere theory, but the result of actual experience. An intelligent farmer from Sussex, informed me that he raised last year 17,360 lbs. good Seed Cotton on a ten acre lot. Eastville, February, 1825. DEAR SIR, HORSE MILLS. Eastville, Va. 4th Dec. 1825. gra the gentlemen of the committee, to whom the various propositions submitted by several members, Convention. It could not be expected that in this as well as the whole subjeet, was referred by the (weekly) journal, we should give the proceedings in detail, which have since been had: indeed, we must ask our readers, spread as they are over the face of the whole Union, to consider the circumstance of this state being the one of our nativity and residence, as the excuse we would offer for occupying so much of the American Farmer, with a topick peculiarly interesting to Maryland in one sense, but in another of vital concern to the whole In this number we content ourselves with giving Union. The first of May is the proper season for planting. ticed inquiries concerning horse mills. Perhaps the The method adopted in those counties, is to drill in inclosed paragraph, giving an account of "Bailey's distances proportioned to the quality of the land. Iron Horse Mill," will be a sufficient answer. If it For poor land, say two barrels to the acre, the rows will perform but the half of what the inventor pro- the Report of the Committee on Internal Improveshould be three feet apart, and the plants four inches fesses, it must certainly prove a valuable acquisi-ments, with the amendments adopted in the proin the drill. If three barrels to the acre, the rows tion to the planters of the south-particularly those gress of the Convention's deliberations. Very immay be three feet six inches, but let the stocks who have already cotton gins erected, as this mill portant views were presented by different members, stand six inches in the drill. If the land will bring could then be applied with but little expense. If which, though not sanctioned by the Convention, four barrels to the acre, drill your land four feet, Mr. Bailey would furnish an engraving of his ma- have or will appear in the daily papers, and will and set the plants eight inches apart-and for prime chine for your paper, and also state the price, extend to enlighten the publiek mind, and afford clusive of the machinery, it would no doubt be matter for history, whilst some of them may be Nov. 1825.—It may not be amiss to state, that sever-tifying to your subscribers, as well as serviceable to revived for future consideration. On the whole, al experiments which I have seen made this year, have himself. we apprehend the result is not auspicious to any induced me to change my opinion in this particular. F. H. SMITH. practical legislative result at the next session of Many intelligent farmers, whose opinions I respect, the legislature. It was obvious, that the members prefer a soil rather stiff than sandy, provided it does not BAILEY'S IRON HORSE MILL. from the Potomac counties, met here with the most bake too hard. I have reason to believe, also, that our Hartford, Conn. Oct. 25. conciliating feelings towards the city of Baltimore, low salt lands are peculiarly adapted to Cotton. I have Among the many valuable inventions which our and with a general conviction of the immediate and seen a field, wherein you might see distinctly how far a inventive countrymen are constantly producing, inseperable connexion between the welfare of this spring tide, in April, had extended, by the unusually Bailey's Patent Cast Iron Gristmill claims a conspi- city and the counties they represented. On the green and flourishing appearance of the Cotton. I also saw, last August, very beautiful Cotton growing in what cuous rank. We had intended, some time since, other hand, it cannot be doubted, that on the part the preceding year was marsh pasture. It was planted to have spoken of this mill, and should be doing in- of Baltimore, the sentiment is rapidly spreading, the 20th June-having been entirely overflowed by the justice to our own feelings, as well as to the worthy that her prosperity is to be greatly promoted, if it and ingenious mechanic who invented it, were we do not indeed depend, on the consummation of her longer to delay the expression of our thorough con- connection with the western waters and the lake 4th June. Respectfully, &c. |