the grand juries and by associations of the citizens; but it is still too true that too many of our publick men are elected, not by the force of their talents nor the lustre of their publick services, but by drinking themselves, and being the cause of drunkenness THE USE OF ARDENT SPIRITS BY LABOUrers. in others-by vulgar arts and vulgar habits. FarIf the Editor of the American Farmer can fur-mers would consult economy, their own happiness, White's hydraulic cement, (the New York canal cement,) being well mixed with 1 parts of clean and sharp sand--should have water added and stir-nish, through the columns of his interesting paper, red into it till it becomes of the consistence of thick answers to the following queries, he will oblige cream. It may be laid on the wall with a whitewash or paint-brush. The mixture must always be well stirred before dipping in the brush. A single coat will suffice, if it be made of such consistence that it will not drop readily from the brush; if it be thinner, a second coat may be necessary. Brick work should have been laid two or three years before this wash is applied. very CURE FOR BURNS. A SUBSCRIBER. Does a practice prevail, among the farmers of our country generally, to furnish their labourers during the summer, with a daily portion of ardent spirits? and the publick morals, by uniting in resolutions neither to drink in their families, nor offer to their friends, any thing but cider, or beer, or home-made wine, all to be made in their own families.] MAXIMS ON EBRIETY. Drunkenness expels reason; drowns the memory; defaces beauty; diminishes strength; inflames the blood; causes internal, external and incurable wounds; is a witch to the senses, a devil to the soul, a thief to the purse; a beggar's companion, a wife's wo, and children's sorrow; the picture of a beast and self-murderer, who drinks to others' good health and robs himself of his own. Beware of drunken Do any associations exist among the farmers in any part of the United States, for the purpose of discouraging this injurious practice? And if such societies have been formed, what success has attended their philanthropic labours? The Boston Medical Intelligencer states, that Philadelphia, Nov. 15, 1827. several bad and dangerous burns have recently [The practice, we believe, does not prevail gene-ness, lest all good men beware of you. When been cured with a soap or ointment, composed of rally, by any means. It is customary to give, in drunkenness reigns, then reason is an exile; virtue equal parts of olive oil and lime water, to which a hard weather, a dram of whiskey to slaves who a stranger; God an enemy; blasphemy is wit; oaths little axunge was added, to give it consistence. It is have been much exposed-and more or less to all added, that this ointment has been found to useful the labourers, black and white, in time of harvest. are rhetoric, and secrets are proclamations. Drunkat the iron works at Carron, Sterlingshire, that in We know of no associations to suppress this prac-another, for the more a man drinks the more he enness and covetousness do much resemble one all Scotland it has obtained the name of Carron oil. tice, nor of any like that in Philadelphia to sup-thirsteth; and the more he hath still the more he We can speak from experience of this valuable press the vice of drunkenness generally. Amongst coveteth. ointment, having derived great benefit from using it, those who belong to the society of Friends, or upwards of twenty years ago. A very few applica- Quakers, ardent spirits are not used at all; and evetions removed the effects of a severe scalding; but ry one knows how exempt they are from the misery there was nothing added to the olive oil and lime and degradation of every sort which proceeds from water. Previous to every new application, (once in the too free use of them; yet, according to our ob six hours,) the wound was cleansed with warm milk servation, drunkenness has not increased of late and water. We are inclined to think that Castile years. We do not see a greater, if as great a numsoap suds, recommended in the Boston Medical In-ber of people making beasts of themselves at inilitelligencer, would answer better as a cleanser. litia musters-at country villages on publick days, and in the streets of large cities; at least such is our impression; and amongst gentlemen, at dinner and A hall, of which the walls were constantly damp, at other convivial parties, it is certainly not so com though every means were employed to keep them mon for all hands to get mellow, as we are told by dry, was intended to be pulled down, when M. older men, used to be the practice. it was then not Schmitthals recommended, as a last resource, that uncommon after the meats were removed and the Howard-st 5.00 a 5.124 a 6.00-city mills, 4.50 a 4.75 DAMP WALLS. the walls should be washed with sulphuric acid. It ROMAN CEMENT. Our BALTIMORE PRICES CURRENT. Reported for the American Farmer, by Lewis Sutton & Co. TOBACCO.--But little selling now, and less coming in; the prices are about the same as last week. Seconds, as in quality, $3.00 a 6.00-Scrubs, 4.50 a 7.50-common crop, 3.00 a 4.00-Do. red, 4.00 a 4.50— good red, 5.00 a 6.00-Fine red, 7.00 a 8.00-Yellow and red, 7.00 a 10.00-Yellow do. 5.50 a 10.00-Fine yellow, 15.00 a 20.00-Virginia do. 3.50 a 8.00-Rappahannock, 3.00 a 3.50-Kentucky, 3.50 a 5.00 do. for wrapping, 6.00 a 7.00. FLOUR-white wheat family, $5.75 a 6 00-superfine ladies retired, to lock the door on the inside, the Susquehanna, 4.50 a 4.75-CORN MEAL, bbl. 2.75 a 2 874 host putting the key in his pocket, and his guests-GRAIN, white wheat, best 1.00 a 1.06-red do. .90 a.98 under the table, if he did not get there too soon-ord'y, .75 a .80--CORN, new .42 a .43-KYE, 40 a .50 himself. We repeat, we have often heard of such-OATS, .25 a 30-BEANS, .80 a 1.0-PEAS, .40 a .50— things. CLOVER seed, 4.50 a 5.00-TIMOTHY 3.00-Barley, .55 It may seem paradoxical, but it is really question 58-FLAXSEED, .75 a .80-COTTON, Virginia, §4 a able with us, whether the very low price of ardent101-Louisiana, .11 a 13-Alabama, 10 a 114-MisM. Minard has discovered that the property which spirits, being nearly as cheap as water, contributes souri, 10.103-N. Carolina, .84.94-WOOL wash'd, .18 a.22-half blood, 26 a 28-three-quarter, .28 a 30 Roman cement possesses of setting under water, to general drunkenness except, perhaps, amongst full do. .30 a 35-HEMP, Russia, per ton, $225 a 238 belongs to almost all calcareous stones. Some lime-free blacks, whose existence and habits are, of all--Country, dew-rotted, ton, 136 a 110-water-rotted, stone, employed in the production of lime, gives, people's, the most miserable and destructive. 170 a 19-FISH, Herrings, bbl. 2.75 a 3.00-Mackerel, at pleasure, a Roman cement which sets in a quar-impression, or rather idea, (for we have not adopt 3.75 a 4.75 a 5.75-BACON, hams, .9 a. 10-hog round, 7 4 ter of an hour; another requires four or five days; ed the impression,) is this-that many men who 74-Feathers, .28 a .29-WHISKEY, .264 a .27. and also a rich lime that will not harden at all. To have a propensity to take ardent liquor, but from its this effect, the stone must lose 8, 12, or 30 per high price have not the means of getting it, will be cent. by calcination. M. Vicat has recently pub- apt, when the rare chance offers at one of those infamous electioneering treats, to seize the bottle and lished one fact, which perfectly agrees with the general remark of M. Minard, which is, that chalk, make the most of his chance, and swill away as feebly calcined, gives a mortar capable of setting though he would make up for lost time, and lay in under water. Various experiments induced M. Mi- enough to last him until another opportunity offers; nard to presume that Roman cements owe their whereas if these men could have it constantly in On Manufacture of Cotton in the Southern States, quality to a subcarbonate of lime, produced by the their houses and drink at pleasure, they would soon No. 8-The Shepherd's Dog-Sheep and Wool-Carts action of fire on the natural carbonate. The re- come to take it in moderation. We repeat, that and Wagons-Prince's Grapes-Apples a year old-On sult of his numerous experiments is, that Roman according to our observation, drunkenness is not so making and preserving Butter-Preparation of Milk in cement may be made in almost every place where common as it used to be-we are not so often shock-Flanders-Bees-Preserving Cauliflowers-Canals and limestone is found. ed with the odious sight of a beastly sot staggering Rail-ways-Anecdote of Mrs. Canning-Poetry, The Grecian Mother-Account of the Fall Races-Races at on the high-ways; yet we know that there can be no complaint of the low price of whiskey or the scarcity per-Recipes, A Cement Wash, weather-proof, for brick Bellfield-Deer Hunting in New Jersey-Death of Piof dram shops, for in our cities, and especially in the or stone work; Cure for Burns; Damp Walls; Roman neighbourhood of our market houses, almost every Cement-Editorial, On the use of ardent Spirits-Prices other housekeeper sells liquor, by license, or with- Current. out it, and a man may get drunk on what would buy him a quid of tobacco. TO PRESERVE POTATOES FROM THE FROST. If you have not a convenient store-place for them, dig a trench three or four feet deep, into which they are to be laid as they are taken up, and then covered with the earth taken out of the trench, raised up in the middle like the roof of a house, and covered with straw, to carry off the rain. They will thus be preserved from the frost, and can be taken up as they are wanted. We recollect, with pleasure, that in some of our counties, the practice of treating, as it is called, at electioneering meetings, has been reprobated by CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER. Address delivered before the Dorchester Agricultu ral Society, at their late annual meeting, by Dr. Joseph E. Muse, President of the Society-Brown Bread will preserve life longer than white-The importance of Agricultural Associations, and plan of an improved one Printed every Friday, at Five Dollars per annum, fol JOHN S. SKINNER, Editor, by JOHN D. Toy, cornet of St. Paul and Market-sts., where every description of Book and Job Printing is handsomely executed. No. 37.-VOL. 9.] AGRICULTURE. AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, NOVEMBER 30, 1827. (From Young's Principles of Vegetation and Tillage.) ON SOIL. 289 ed to heat, and the contraction of its parts is in through its pores; clay is highly retentive: sand their defects. When we cast our eye on the surface of this globe, and observe such a multitude of materials. differing in their colour, bulk, form, weight and other sensible qualities, all of them scattered in disorder and blended in endless combinations, we are ready to conclude, that their number must be infi If we shall now call to our recollection the pur III. Lime, commonly called calcareous earth, ennite, and their disposition under the guidance of no poses served by the soil, we shall be enabled to ters into the composition of soils. This is never general laws. No judgment could be more precipi judge how far clay, in its original and unsubdued found naturally in a pure state, but in combination tate or worse founded. In this apparent scene of state, is favourable to vegetation. The roots, which with the acids-chiefly with the carbonic, for which confusion the utmost regularity prevails: and the are the collectors of the nutriment, and are withai it has so strong an affinity that it attracts it from whole mass is made up of a few simple ingredients. of a tender and delicate texture, cannot easily the atmosphere The burning of limestone is unThe order of the parts is so determinate, that it ob- stretch themselves in a substance of such stiffness dertaken for no other purpose than to expel by heat tains not only at the surface, but in the very bowels and tenacity; and which, besides, so readily con- this gas, and reduce the base to a caustic powder, of the earth The internal structure is composed solidates after rain into a compact body. Its clos for the purpose either of building or of agriculture; of strata, either loose or solid, as far down as hu-ness opposes material resistance to their extension and in the process it loses about the half of its man art has been able to penetrate, and the pre and accordingly, in its unmellowed state, the fibres weight But no sooner is quick-lime applied to use sumption is, that they extend to a vast depth. With are hampered, and cannot ramble forth to pasture. and exposed to the atmosphere, than it greedily abregard to agriculture, our geological inquiries are Besides, admitting that they overcome in part this sorbs at first moisture, and then carbonic acid; and bounded to the soil on which we tread, and to the obstacle in the soil, they must, whenever it hardens thus either in the ground or in the new-formed substratum which supports it. These, in a judicious in the sun and gapes into chinks, be violently tornwall, it quickly hardens and returns to its original system of farming, are objects of great interest and asunder, and separated from the stem. The strong state. importance; and both of them should be examined er fibres may escape unhurt; but, generally speak with a scrupulous nicety The obstacles, which bafing, the finer and more slender filaments must suffer fle the hopes of improvement, are just as likely to considerably. 1st. Lime is closer than sand, but much less adhesive than clay. It occupies, therefore, a middle region between the two, free from their imperfections, and blending their common qualities. 24. In its caustic state, it is a powerful promoter f putrefaction, and helps to decompose the animal and vegetable matter lying in the soil. To this circumstance is owing, to a certain extent, its efficacy as a manure. lie in the subsoil which is placed beyond the reach If clay be so hurtful on the surface, it is almost of the ploughshare, as in the upper surface, which equally pernicious in the subsoil, from the capacity is more immediately subjected to culture; and for it has of interrupting the passage of water down this reason neither of them ought to be overlooked wards, and of keeping the roots perpetually drench nor disregarded. A coat of stiff clay has been ren-ed-evils no less destructive to the health and vigour dered productive, by the mere circumstance of of the crop than the opposite extremes. Again, resting on a bed of sand, or a rock of limestone; from its antiseptic power, putrefaction goes on slow- 3d. It has the power of combining with carbonic and, therefore, every cultivator, who wishes to pur-ly, and the vegetables growing on it are ill supplied acid, in different proportions. In the common state sue a course of good management, should go over with that generous and nutritious food so essential in which it is found aslimestone, it is perfectly insoluall his fields, by digging pits in various places, of at to their perfection and maturity. All its qualities, ble in water, and of course is denied all entrance, least eighteen inches down, that he may know and therefore, are unfriendly to vegetation, except its by means of the sap, into the composition of plants: discover the materials on which he has to operate capacity of absorbing and retaining moisture; and but it can unite with an additional dose of the acid, He can then lay his plan with greater certainty of this is of such immense importance as, in some and then constitute what is called a hypercarbosuccess, and, what often happens, the subsoil may measure, to make atonement for its other defects nate. This compound possesses new properties, furnish him with the means by which to ameliorate When existing by itself, this virtue, which it pos which render it subservient to vegetation; for it is the surface. sesses in so eminent a degree, is useless and un-highly soluble in water, and the excess of carbonic availing; but when mixed with other materials of a loose and friable nature, it gives tenacity and firm ness to the whole, absorbs the aqueous vapours which are suspended in our atmosphere, and is highly retentive of the dews and rains which fall to fertilize the soil. In the progress of this letter, I shall direct the attention of my readers to the component princi ples, which constitute that exterior covering of earth with which our globe is encompassed; I shall enumerate and explain their qualities, so far as re spects vegetation; and I shall point out some of the advantages which must result to agriculture in this province, from beginning to analyze our soils. Notwithstanding the different appearances which the surface exhibits, it is, in reality, compounded, in all its varieties of wet and dry, of warm and cold, of light and heavy, of barren and fruitful, only of four simple and primitive earths-clay, sand, line, and magnesia. 1. Clay, called indifferently in agricultural publi cations, alumine or argillaceous earth, is a substance so easily distinguished from all others, and so familiarly known, that it needs no particular description. When pure, it is white, and when chrystallized, be comes the white sapphire; but in general it is found discoloured by the mineral waters, which are per petually escaping from their beds and running on the surface. It is tinged with blue, brown, grey, and red shades, for it has a strong affinity to all colouring matter; but these affect it not materially in an agricultural point of view, and are, therefore, of little consequence. As an ingredient of soil, it has the four following properties, by which it exerts a powerful effect on vegetation: II Sand or gravel, called sometimes silex, silica, silicious matter, or earth of flints, is distinguished by properties of a totally opposite character, which require to be enumerated, that their influence may be distinctly and visibly displayed. 1st. Sand is incapable of retaining water when poured on it, and far more of attracting moisture Irom the atmosphere. 2d. It powerfully promotes putrefaction; but it allows the gases set at liberty to escape, and the soluble fluid matter to descend. 3d. It has little or no cohesion among its parts. and never binds by the alternations of wet and dry weather into a compact body. acid adheres very loosely to the base, and can be expeiled by a slight degree of heat. Hence the linie helps to fix the carbonic acid which is generated by the fermentation of putrescent manures in the soil, or which floats in the air on the surface of the earth, and it freely imparts this gas, in union with water, for the nourishment of plants." It is not necessary to dilate farther upon the properties of calcareous earth, as at the first glance it must be recognized as an extremely valuable ingredient; and, accordingly, wherever agriculture is carried on with spirit, it is eagerly sought after, though at a high price. This earth exists in inmense abundance among the solid strata of our globe, mostly without any foreign mixture, except the acids with which it combines; but occasionally it is blended also with the other primitive masses. With carbonic acid, it forms the most frequent com pounds, denominated carbonates of lime, and assumes a variety of names and appearances, and It will appear from this account of the properties even possesses distint properties. Spar, marble, of sand, that it is provided as a corrector of alu- stalactites, limestone and chalk are all varieties of ruine; and that in their effects, the two are destined this combination. With the sulphuric acid (which to counter-work each other. This sort of contri is composed of sulphur and oxygen.) it forms plasvance in nature is no uncommon occurrence; and ter of Paris-a rock well known, as it is profusely while we trace such curious adaptations, we are scattered by the hand of nature throughout this struck with the wisdom that fabricated and reared province. Lime is, also, found mixed with clay, this noble edifice. Inconveniences are obviated by And sometimes with sand, and then receives the apcorrespondent checks, and this system of balancing pellation of marl, and which is valuable precisely in all things, displays more conspicuously the indica-proportion to the quantity of this earth Sea she lis tions of design, than if there had been no difficul too derive their fertilizing qualities from the lime of ties to overcome, and no evils to remedy. Let us which they are compo-ed; and, without descending 2d When thoroughly soaked, and afterwards contrast sand and clay in their qualities, that this to further particulars, it may be safely affirmed, that dried, it hardens and cakes into a solid mass. singular and important truth may be more strongly 3d. It shrinks considerably in bulk, when expos-impressed. Saud suffers water to filter easily No. 37.-VOL. 9. 1st. It absorbs water like a sponge, and is so close in the texture as to prevent it from filtrating through its pores. *Farmer's Magazine, vol. 16, p. 486. so necessary is calcareous earth in the composition of soils, that wherever nature has not blended it in their original formation, the agriculturist should, though at great expense and much trouble, supply the deficiency. corate the face of nature, and charm us by a sweet pletely dry; and turn it over frequently that it may assemblage of all that is gay and soft in colouring, be well mixed together. From the heap take exactwith all that is elegant and attractive in design. ly four ounces, and pass this through a fine sieve, Besides these four primitive earths, which consti-which will allow all the particles of sand and gravel tute equally the soil and subsoil, the upper of these, to escape, but which will hold back stones, small IV. The last earth which has been found in soils, or the mould, as it is sometimes called, contains the fibrous roots, and decayed wood. Weigh the two and that too in a much smaller proportion than the putrid relicks of organized substances that have parts separately, and take a note of each. The other three, is magnesia-a substance with which grown and decayed upon it, or have been conveyed stones and other bulky materials are then to be exevery farmer must be acquainted, since it is com- thither in the progress of cultivation. The decom-amined apart from the roots and wood. If they are monly used as a medicine of the shops. Its proper position of these is the proximate cause of fertility; hard and rough to the touch, and scratch glass ties are nearly analogous to those of lime, and were and the richness of soils bears reference to the re easily, they are silicious or flinty; if they are, withlong supposed to operate in the same way. It has lative quantities. The residual earth remaining, out much difficulty, broken to pieces by the fingers, also a strong, though less affinity for carbonic acid, after the process of dissolution, is extremely light and can be scraped by a knife to powder, they are and often forms a constituent principle in limestone in weight, and always of a blackish colour. It is aluminous or clayey; or if, when put in a winerock: but at present agriculturists are divided about owing to this, that a garden, which has been under glass and common vinegar poured upon them, small its usefulness as a manure; some of them holding it long continued culture, approaches to a black shade, air bubbles ascend to the top of the liquid, they are up as a poison to plants, and others defending it by progressively deepening, according to the abun-calcareous. The finely divided matter, which ran an appeal to experiments. Mr. Tennant was among dance of this matter. through the sieve, must next undergo the test of exthe first in England, who raised an outcry against In addition, all soils lying in the territories of an old periment. After being weighed, agitate the whole the magnesian limestone, and who was at the pains country, are found to contain various chemical com in water, till the earth be taken up from the bottom to analyze it, that he might detect the pernicious pounds, mineral salts, and metallic oxides some of and mechanically suspended, adding water till this principle it contained. In 100 parts of the rock, he which are beneficial, others harmless, and a few in-effect be produced Allow the mass then to settle found that there were from 20 to 22 of pure mag-jurious to vegetation; and which either pre-existed for two or three minutes; and in that time the sandy nesia, and that the rest consisted of lime, carbonic in the strata from which the surface has been form particles shall have all sunk to the bottom. Pour acid and oxide of iron. He ascribed at once the ed, or have been carried to it by subterraneous off the water, which will then contain the clay in deleterious effects to the presence of the magnesia; springs, or by foreign causes operating in the course suspension, and the insoluble earth arising from and Sir H. Davy has since attempted to account for of past ages. These chemical bodies are so few in animal and vegetable decomposition. The sand the phenomenon, by referring it to the property pos- number, so small in quantity, and generally of such should first be attended to, and if from inspection it sessed by this earth, of remaining for months in a unimportant efficacy in vegetation, that it would be be thought either silicious or calcareous in its nacaustic state, although exposed to the air. It be-preposterous, considering the present state of know-ture, the requisite tests may be instantly applied. comes quite harmless, so soon as combined with ledge, to dilate upon them in these elementary let- By this time the mixture will have deposited at the carbonic acid; and in many cases seems, in its mild ters. The most frequent are, Epsom and common bottom of the vessel the clay, and other earths, state, a useful constituent of soils. It is found in salt, combinations of potash, soda, lime, and mag-with the insoluble animal and vegetable matter. Afthe counties of Somerset, Leicester, Derby, Durnesia, with the acids and the oxide of iron-which ter pouring off the water, dry the sedument, and apham and York; and I believe, also in Shropshire. last is just the rust produced by exposing this me ply a strong heat by placing it on the bottom of a The abundance of magnesia in the soils of so many tal to the action of the air. It is this oxide, whichpot ignited to redness, and the animal and vegetaEnglish counties, and these of eminent fertility, has gives the brown and reddish colour, as well as theble matter will burn and fly off in aeriform progiven reason to doubt altogether of the justness of intermediate tints to sand and clay. ducts. The remainder lying in the bottom will be Mr. Tennant's objections, and to seek for some It seems plain, that considerable advantages must found to consist of clay, magnesia or lime. To obother cause in explanation of the effect. It has be derived by the practical farmer from analyzing tain accuracy, another one fourth of a pound should been therefore supposed, that the soil, which was the different kinds of soils; from comparing the be taken from the same heap, and the whole prothe subject of experiment, had been previously proportion of the earths in the productive, with cess gone over a second, a third or even a fourth overcharged with magnesia, and that the noxious in those found in the barren; from studying the sepa-time, that the operator may rectify any blunders he fluence was owing to supersaturation. It is not rate effects of these ingredients; and from all these had previously committed, and be satisfied as to the worth while to introduce my readers further into results, deducing the most skilful plan of procedure results of his experiment. He should provide himthis dispute, as I am uncertain whether our lime- in effectuating permanent improvements. Che self with a pair of fine scales and a set of weights stone contains any portion of magnesia; although mists of great fame have embarked in this line of divided at least into ounces and drachins. Although its presence in the old country, upon accurate inves-research, and vast progress has been made by their vinegar will detect lime by effervescence, it does tigation, is found to be a very common occurrence elucidations. They have laid down rules to assist not dissolve it so effectually as the nitric or muAt all events, it is probably only pernicious when and guide the agriculturist in this department of his riatic acid; small quantities of which may be proapplied in an excessive dose; and this holds equally cured from the druggists at no great expense. I am true with respect to lime; for these two earths particularly anxious to ascertain the existence of should, in all cases, be used sparingly by the skilful lime in our uplands or intervals; because from the vast abundance of gypsum, and limestone-rock in all parts of this province, I strongly auspect that this earth will be found a very general ingredient in most of our soils. AGRICOLA. cultivator. Halifax, October 12, 1818. MANUFACTURE OF COTTON IN THE COTTON RECOMMENDED AS THE MATERIAL FOR COT EXTRACT FROM AN ADDRESS. art, they have exemplified the different processes to be performed, and even described the instruments necessary for an elaborate, and accurate analysis. All this matter lies vastly beyond the limits of our On analyzing the various soils and subsoils, they inquiry, and we must wait, till the cultivation of the have been found to resolve themselves into one or human intellect, as well as the cultivation of the all of these primitive earths; and their barrenness provincial soil have advanced forward to an unand fertility have, in no small degree, depended on known and remote distance, ere it can be relished the mixing and assorting of these ingredients. Loam or understood. It would be easy, but extremely inis by no means a distinct body, possessing in itself judicious, to transcribe the directions given: and all appropriate and marked characters, as many of our that I can attempt to achieve, is merely "to hold farmers with whom I have conversed, ignorantly the mirror up to nature," to portray the images suppose; but is a combination of clay, sand or cal-which crowd upon the eye, and by their novelty, careous matter: and as we advance in science, and their beauty, their importance, their variety, impemen among us arise versed in conducting such in- riously to excite attention, to awaken enterprise. vestigations, the component parts of our rich inter- and, if possible, to create a taste for such investigavals and uplands will be ascertained and given to tions. the public. The very diversity, which exists among There is, however, a less laborious and less inwhat are accounted loams, is a decisive proof of tricate analysis of soils, defective as our knowledge what I advance. Some of them we denominate of chemistry may be, which is placed within our clayey, from the excess of argillaceous matter; reach; and which may in time lay the foundation of others open and light, from the preponderance of more perfect and accurate methods. Some of my sand. In fact, these two original ingredients seem correspondents may repeat the experiment, and capable of being compounded in such an infinite communicate to me the products, that I may pub The great progress which has been made in the variety of ways, as to give occasion to that diver-lish them and give the farming classes some idea of work of internal improvement, and more especially in the establishment of manufactures, has hitherto situations; and are contrived to counteract each In the field to be examined, take earth a little be-been principally confined to the eastern, the middle other's qualities, that by their union, they might furlow the surface, from four separate places, about and the western states. There are, however, sevenish the bed of that beautiful and splendid creation one-fourth of a pound avoirdupois from each. Ex ral works for the spinning of cotton to the south of of flowers and plants, of shrubs and trees, which de-pose it to the sun, or before the fire, till it is com- the Potomac, and others are on the eve of being sified texture of soils met with in all countries and such researches. On the progress of manufactures and internal improvement in the United States, and particularly on the advantages to be derived from the employment of slaves in the manufacturing of cotton and other goods. Delivered in the Hall of the Franklin Institute, November 6, 1827, by THOMAS P. JONES, M. D. "If we except a manager or two, and a machinist, ble under existing circumstances. Indeed it is raneither Englishmen, Scotchmen, nor even New ther matter of surprise, that so much skill exists as Englandmen, are to be seen in these profitable es- is frequently manifested, where nearly every plantablishments. Why are slaves employed? Simply tation has its blacksmith and its carpenter, whose because experience has proved that they are more operations are limited to the immediate wants of docile, more constant, and cheaper than freemen, home; were white men brought up under the like who are often refractory and dissipated; who waste circumstances, it may be fairly questioned whether much time by visiting public places, attending mus- they would exhibit any portion of that superiority ters, elections, &c. which the operative slave is not which is so generally ascribed to them. permit.ed to frequent.* In all the larger towns, and in many of the smaller, there are negro workmen, particularly blacksmiths, who execute with great cleverness, and sometimes, with extraordinary skill. I have seen several well made screw presses, for baling cotton, which were entirely the work of negroes; the gins, which are almost as numerous as the larger plantations, of cotton, are usually tended exclusively by them, although they exact as much care and skill as are generally required in the processes of the manufacture of that article into yarn and cloth. (To be concluded in our next.) established; and if I am not greatly in error, another bond of union will, in the course of a very few years, be added to the confederacy by a community of pursuit, in the extension of manufactures, over that important section of our country. I have, for some years, been convinced, that the slaves in those states might be advantageously employed in the manufacturing of some staple articles, and more particularly in that of cotton; this conviction I have long forborne to promulgate, because I have thought that the only result would be to affix The quantity of bagging and cordage used for on myself the imputation of singularity, at least, if the packing of cotton, is inmeuse, as will appear not of absurdity. I rejoice, however, to perceive from the statements of the demand for thera in some that the question of the practicability, and the eligi- of the cotton growing states. In Louisiana and bility of the measure has lately become a subject of Mississippi, only, the last crop was estimated to rediscussion in the public papers, and that much has quire 800,000 yards of bagging; consuming, if made been said in its favour. While expressing my own of cotton instead of hemp, 2.500 bales of 400 pounds convictions and anticipations upon this point, I am each; and should the cordage be made of the same aware that they will appear sanguine, if not ex- material, the amount used would be doubled, say travagant, even to those who, to a certain extent, 5,000 bales, or two millions of pounds. The facts think favourably of the proposition: these opinions, appear to be sufficiently well ascertained, that the however, have been the result of much observation bagging and rope can be made much cheaper from and reflection, under circumstances particularly cotton, than from hemp; that it is equally suitable favourable to the formation of a correct judg-for the purpose, in some respects superior; it is CULTIVATION OF RAPE. ment. averred, that cotton bagging can be made at six- The cultivation of rape has recently occupied the It has formed no small portion of my occupation teen cents per yard, which shall equal in quality attention of the Pennsylvania farmers, not only as afthrough life, to render myself familiar with the the hemp bagging, formerly imported in large fording a nourishing food for sheep, but on account of structure of machines, and their application to ma- quantities from Scotland, and that it may be advan- the quantity of oil obtained from the seeds. In one nufactures; and to estimate the portion of skill re-tageously substituted for the Kentucky bagging, instance it gave a gallon to a bushel, which sold for quired in their management, in establishments upon which is about 40 per cent, cheaper. one dollar. The cake, after expressing the oil, is rich a large scale, where the division of labour is neces- It is computed that North Alabama consumes food for cattle, and when powdered, is extensively sarily carried to the utmost extent. I have also re- 400,000 yards of cotton bagging annually, at an used in England as a manure for drilled turnips. sided for a considerable number of years in the average expense of $100,000, which large amount From the oil and potash, the savon vert, or green southern states, and have in consequence, acquired is principally paid to the Kentucky manufacturers soap, is made, which for scouring wool, is preferred some share of knowledge, with regard to the habits, in money. Of the coarse clothing which is annually in the manufactories of France to all other soaps. inclinations, and capacities of the negroes; the re-imported, it is impossible to take even a conjectural This plant will do on almost any soil, but sucsult of which is, that I am thoroughly convinced, not estimate of the quantity." Some progress has been ceeds best on those that are deep, with a clayey only that they may be profitably employed as ma-made in supplying coarse cottons from slave labour bottom, with manure and deep ploughing. Farmers nufacturers, but that they are peculiarly suited to in Tennessee, where a factory has actually been es in England generally plough up the fallow early this purpose. It would be improper, here, to enter tablished, in which the entire labour is performed in the spring, and let it lie till the latter end of into a discussion of the question, whether the ne- by negrocs; a large portion of Tennessee and North March. They then plough it again, harrow it down groes are absolutely inferior to the whites in intel- Alabama are supplied from it with coarse cotton and lay on a coat of manure. After this is spread, fect; and indeed were we able to settle this ques-goods; the works are said to be very profitable, being they cross plough it again in May, and get it in fine tion, it would scarcely affect that upon which I am quadruple that of the cotton grower, with the same tilth by the end of June. About the first of July, speaking, as only a smail degree of intelligence is number of hands. or the first rain after that time, they sow the seed, necessary to the acquisition of the utmost skill in A proposition to encourage the employment of about half a peck on an acre. 'The seed is scatterthe performance of an individual operation, how slaves in the manufacturing of cotton bagging, cot-ed with three fingers broadcast, and the land lightever delicate it may be. In all extensive manufac ton cordage, cotton blankets, and coarse clothing, iy harrowed and rolled. In September they hoe it tories, we meet with the veriest dolts, who become, was made at a public meeting convened for the pur- in the manner they do turnips, setting the plants as it were, a part of the operative machinery; per-pose, at Natchez, in July last, and such prelimina out at about a foot distance, and clear out the weeds. forming, from habit, the business allotted to them, ry measures adopted, as were thought to be neces. This hoeing renders the plants much stronger than with a degree of dexterity and precision which ap-sary for the attainment of the end. The resolutions they otherwise would be, and makes them produce pears almost miraculous; and which those who are passed were conceived in a spirit of liberality, em more seed. If any part of the field miss, they fill adepts in other departments of the same business bracing the promotion of manufactures in every it up with plants from the thicker part, in the latter might essay in vain. part of the union. Their views were, very proper- end of October, or beginning of November, which ly, restricted to essaying, in the first instance, the answers much better than transplanting them in coarser fabrics; it will be seen, however, in the January; for in the latter case, should a sharp frost course of this address, that I am of opinion much succeed, they would be mostly killed from not being more than this, can, and will be accomplished, as I rooted; otherwise the severest frost in England will believe the slave population to be peculiarly fitted not injure them. The produce is from three to six to learn, and to perform most of the operations re-quarters per acre. quired in the cotton mill. The object proposed to be accomplished, is to teach the negroes to work machines which have already been invented, and extensively used; their occupations would be those of mere routine, and for this they are peculiarly fitted; their deficiency in imagination and inventive genius may fairly be thrown into the scale of advantages, rather than into that of objections. With respect to the actual employment of slaves in manufacturing hempen bagging in Kentucky I extract the following remarks from one of the essays upon this subject, which appeared first in the Ariel, published at Natchez, Mississippi, and since in the American Farmer, and some other papers: Early impressions, and habit, are alone sufficient to account for the expectations, and even the desires, of the slave being circumscribed, within very narrow limits; one of his most ardent wishes, how ever, is to learn some mechanical business, and he who has a trade is, by common consent, considered as superior in situation to him who works upon the "Strange as it may appear to those who have plantation, and even to the house servant. Many never observed for themselves, nor reflected on this indeed the greatest part of them, are but indifferent matter, it is demonstrably true, that slaves are the workmen; this, it is evident, does not arise from a most profitable of all operatives in the business of want of capacity to become otherwise, but from demanufacturing coarse fabrics, where ingenuity has fective instruction, indifferent tools, and that slovenfurnished then with suitable machinery. In Kenly habit of doing almost every thing with maketucky, for instance, by the assistance of trifling ma-shifts, as they are called, which is perhaps unavoidachines, slaves manufacture vast quantities of hempen bagging. We, indeed, scarcely see any other *The cheapness of slave labour may be seen from a operatives in the great factories of Lexington, Paris. statement made by Mr. J. T. Kilby, of Virginia, which Danville, Shellbyville, and other towns in Kentucky. appeared in the American Farmer, of the zd inst. p. 260. The plants, when young, are in great danger from siugs, who prey on them voraciously. The best way of preventing this, is to strew over the plants a mixture of slacked lime and wood ashes; ten bushels of lime and fifteen of ashes, are enough for an acre. This not only destroys the insects, but promotes the growth of the crop greatly, so that it gets to a strong head before winter. Iu the month of September they cut and thresh it on a floor made in the field, and covered with a large cloth or wagon tilt. The straw and chaff are burnt for the sake of the ashes; but sometimes, when the stalks are very strong, they are used for enclosing fences in farm yards, to protect the cattle from winds in winter. The idea that rape impoverishes the soil, seems to be a mistaken one; for very good crops of wheat are got after it. This plant should not, however, be sown two years together on the same land. It always does best after beans, turnips, or cabbages. If the seed be large, black, and free from red ones, it is reckoned good. If the crop be kept long be fore it is sold, it should be laid very dry, otherwise it will lose its colour, and be much damaged. Some farmers sow rape seed merely for the sake of the winter feed it affords their cattle. It is the most fattening of any winter feed for sheep. They will thrive more on rape seed plants in one month, than on turnips in two, if put in soon after Michaelmas. In this case, when the crop is fed off, the English farmers plough it up early in the spring, and always have a good crop of barley. But this method is not generally practised; for it requires great care and pains to clear the land of the rape seed plants, which would, if not destroyed, soon grow up above the barley, and injure the crop; and besides, whenever rape seed is at a tolerable price, it is not making the most of it to feed it off. There is one thing to be observed in ploughing for rape, which in general is little attended to; and that is, when you plough for sowing, plough north and south, if your field will admit of it; and then the land, when sown, will lie full faced to the sun, and receive a greater share of its influence. [Farmer's and Mechanic's Mag. IRRIGATION. silicious soils, or other soils containing no remarka-soon dissolve in the ground, and seldom any trace I am your friend and servant, Weston, Oct. 18, 1827. HORTICULTURE. JM G. (From the N England Farmer.) ON LEAVES FOR MANURE. Mr. Editor,-The changing foliage warns the far mer again to make ready for gathering his supply of leaves; the comfort of his cattle requires it; and a clean abundant litter, to make warm nests for his (From the National Intelligencer.) hogs, will assist much to their fattening These INTRODUCTION OF FOREIGN PLANTS AND SEEDS. advantages would pay for the trouble of getting in leaves; but when their value as a manure is well The following circular, addressed by the Secretaconsidered, it seems that no one would overlook ary of the Treasury to a portion of the American conway so easy to benefit himself. suls abroad, in relation to the introduction of valuaThat leaves manure the land. is not a new doctrine; it is as old asble foreign plants into the United States, is made the world. Their yearly fall, and the occasional public, in the hope that the object which it has in fall of timber, are the ancient ordinance, by which view may be the better promoted, by causing it to the happy soil which we till, was prepared for culbe more generally known. tivation; whether its primitive sweetness and virginity has been impaired by injudicious husbandry, and are to be reclaimed, or whether the owner wishes to preserve it entire, the means are the same: a steady industry to provide manure, in such portion, as always to exceed somewhat the mere requirements of the crops. pro Of these means, the gathering of leaves where woodland is near, is the easiest and the most pro Copies of the circular have been placed in the hands of the principal collectors, of whom they may be had by such masters of vessels, or others going abroad, as may be willing to aid in carrying into effect a design believed to give promise of public utility. CIRCULAR. Treasury Department,} September 6, 1827. Watering land, called irrigation, is a practice fitable; it is much attended to in the most cultivat- Sir,-The President is desirous of causing to be which, at first view, appears the reverse of torrefac-ed parts of Europe. The Swiss, who have to sup-introduced into the United States all such trees and tion; and in general, in nature, the operation of wa-port a thick population upon a rough and rocky plants from other countries, not heretofore known ter is to bring earthy substances into an extreme soil, gather leaves wherever they are to be found, in the United States, as may give promise, under state of division. But in the artificial watering of in their apple and chestnut orchards, by the road proper cultivation, of flourishing and becoming usemeadows, the beneficial effects depend on many side, and in their small cities, the privilege of raking ful, as well as superior varieties of such as are aldifferent causes, some chemical, some mechanical. up the leaves from the public walks, is paid for by ready cultivated here. To this end I have his diWater is absolutely essential to vegetation; and the farmers. In Flanders they gather great stocks rections to address myself to you, invoking your aid when land has been covered by water in the winter, of them, and their beautiful cattle and horses have to give effect to the plan that he has in view. Foor in the beginning of spring, the moisture that has the benefit of most abundant litter. rest trees useful for timber; grain of any descrippenetrated deep into the soil, and even the subsoil, tion; fruit trees; vegetables for the table; esculent becomes a source of nourishment to the roots of the roots; and, in short, plants of whatever nature, wheplant in the summer, and prevents those bad effects ther useful as food for man or the domestic animals, that often happen in lands in their natural state, or for purposes connected with manufactures or from long continuance of dry weather. any of the useful arts, fall within the scope of the plan proposed. A specification of some of them, to be had in the country where you reside, and believed to fall under one or other of the above heads, is given at the foot of this letter, as samples merely, it not being intended to exclude others, of which you may yourself have knowledge, or be able on inquiry to obtain knowledge. With any that you may have it in your power to send, it will be desirable to send such notices of their cultivation and natural history as may be attainable in the country to which they are indigenous; and the following questions are amongst those that will indicate the particulars concerning which information may be sought. I am urged again, Mr. Editor, to these remarks, by the benefits which I have received from the practice; I have endeavoured every season to get in more than before, and I hope soon, if the weather proves favourable, to secure a greater stock of them When the water used in irrigation has flowed than ever I have yet. Well mixed with cattle dung, over a calcareous country, it is generally found im- they are the most assured means of raising a good pregnated with carbonate of lime; and in this state crop of potatoes, of superior flavour and excellence. it tends, in many instances, to ameliorate the soil. The gathering of leaves may be greatly acceleCommon river water also generally contains a cer-rated by suitable arrangements; a cart with ladders tain portion of organizable matter, which is much greater after rains than at other times, and which exists in the largest quantity when the stream rises in a cultivated country. Even in cases when the water used for flooding is pure, and free from animal or vegetable substances, it acts by causing the more equable diffusion of nutritive matter existing in the land, and in very cold seasons it preserves the ten der roots and leaves of the grass from being affected by frost. Water is of greater specific gravity at 42° Fahrenheit, than at 32, the freezing point; and hence, in a meadow irrigated in winter, the water immediately in contact with the grass is rarely be low 40°, a degree of temperature not at all prejudicial to the living organs of plants. In 1804, in the month of March, Sir H. Davy examined the tem perature in a water meadow, by a very delicate thermometer. The temperature of the air at seven in the morning, was 29°. The water was frozen above the grass. The temperature of the soil below the water in which the roots of the grass were fixed, was 48°. In general, those waters which breed the best fish, are the best fitted for watering meadows; but most of the benefits of irrigation may be derived from any kind of water. It is, however, a general principle, that waters containing ferruginous im pregnations, though possessed of fertilizing effects, when applied to a calcareous soil, are injurious on soils that do not effervesce with acids; and that calcareous waters, which are known by the earthy deposit they afford when boiled, are of most use on fore and aft, and long slats of boards to go from 1. The latitude and soil in which the plant most flourishes. 2. What are the seasons of its bloom and maturity, and what the term of its duration? 3. In what manner is it propagated? by roots, seeds, buds, grafts, layers, or how? and how cultivated? and are there any unusual circumstances attending its cultivation? 4. Is it effected by frost, in countries where frost prevails? 5. The native or popular name of the plant, and (where known) its botanical name and character. 6. The elevation of the place of its growth above the level of the sea. In the use of leaves, the hogs excel, for whether as a litter in the covered parts of their stye, or whether thrown in moderate quantities in their yard, 7. Is there in the agricultural literature of the when miry, they soon work them, and secure them country, any special treatise or dissertation upon its from the power of the wind; when used for litter-culture? If so, let it be stated. ing cattle, it is absolutely needful to work them with 8. Is there any insect particularly habituated to their dung. When the floor is cleared in the morn- it? ing, the dung, urine, and leaves should be well 9. Lastly-its use, whether for food, medicine, worked and chopped together with the shovel before or the arts. they are thrown out on the heap; if it is not so In removing seeds or plants from remote places done, the wind will surely take hold, and disappoint-across the ocean, or otherwise, great care is often ment and disgust ensue. When so mixed, they will necessary to be observed in the manner of putting |