RECIPES.

FOR CURING AND COOKING PICKLED FISH. The use of pickled fish, such as mackerel, Salmon, Shad, &c., is becoming more general than formerly, and would be still more extensive if the proper mode of preparing them for the table, was better understood. These fish constitute not only a salutary diet, but, in many cases, make a very beneficial change in our food.

Whoever will give the following directions a fair trial, will beco ne sensible of their value:

First-The fish should be kept covered by the pickle, by means of a flat stone or slate laid on them. The oil or animal fat, which floats on the top of the cask, should not be removed, as it prevents the fish from rusting; but in taking the fish from the barrel or keg, this oil ought to be put aside, care being taken not to let the fish touch it. Secondly-The fish should be washed clean, then put to soak in a large quantity of water, for eight or ten hours, with the flesh side down. The time of soaking may be varied to suit the palate. It must again be washed clean, put it to soak six or eight hours in milk, (if you have it,) then dry it by the fire.

Thirdly--When dry, lay it on the gridiron, with the flesh side downward, over pretty lively coals, for five minutes, or till it is moderately browned, then turn it with a plate, or some flat instrument that will not break the skin, and let it remain over the coals ten or fifteen minutes, or till it is cooked sufficiently. Slide it off the gridiron into the dish, and strip off the back bone with a broad knife; pat the fish, to cause the thick part of the fish to absorb the fat from the belly part; use no butter-then you will enjoy all the flavour and juices of

the fish.

If a mackerel or shad so prepared does not relish, it must be more the fault of the palate, than of the food. How many articles, capable of being made into excellent dishes, are lost or spoiled from want of care and skill in dressing them.

THE FARMER.

BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1827.

NEW ENGLAND FARMER'S ALMANAC. Mr. T. G. Fessenden, well known as the intelligent and industrious editor of the New England Farmer, has this season commenced the publication of a Farmer's Almanac, with the intention of issuing it annually. No person is better qualified to render a work of this kind a vehicle of useful and practical information than Mr. Fessenden, and we are glad he is disposed to devote to it a share of his time and attention. Those who cannot avail themselves of more expensive information, may derive from it many hints and suggestions on agricultural subjects, that will be valuable long after it has ceased to answer the common purposes of an almanac. It may safely be recommended as a useful appendage to every farm-house. The following is a sketch of its contents:

This almanac, in addition to the usual miscellaneous matter contained in similar works, contains a calender of the courts for each state in New Eng land; the sun's declination; and ten pages of agricultural matter on the following subjects:

On soaking seed-corn in copperas water; on small farms; on charcoal; on fish, used as a manure; on gapes, or pip in poultry; agricultural axioms; on fallen fruit; on stagger in swine; how to raise cabbages, which shall not be club-footed, by Dr. Green, of Mansfield, Mass.; how to fatten fowls; a cheap method of preventing the disagreeable smell of privies; root-steamer, with a drawing; on grafted trees; on painting walls to mature fruit; on cattle stalls; signs of a good farmer; on drying peaches; on the value of time; machines for gathering clover heads, with two illustrative engravings; Sir Astley Cooper's chilblain ointment, recipes for the ladies, containing directions for making several kinds of cake; miscellanies, &c.

EASTMAN'S MANUFACTORY OF AGRICULTURAL
IMPLEMENTS,

No. 36, Pratt street, Baltimore.

NEWSPAPER AND GENERAL AGENCY OFFICE, WASHING

TON CITY.

The subscriber will attend to offering for sale, rent or hire, Lands, Goods, or Property of any description, situated in this city, or elsewhere; settling accounts with government, merchants, or private individuals; obtaining subscribers and collecting debts for editors of newspapers, and periodical and other works; and any kind of business in which an agent is necessary or useful. The subscriber will also attend to paying taxes in the different states and territories, on lands owned by nonresidents; and will, if required, offer the same for sale.

Persons at a distance, having business to transact in this city, or any of the neighbouring towns, by address. ing the subscriber, post paid, will be punctually attended to on reasonable terms.

Conveyances, deeds of trust, apprentices' indentures, and other instruments of writing drawn at the shortest

notice.

The subscriber is acting as agent for several cheap and valuable newspapers.

FOR SALE, an elegant Mansion, suitable for a foreign minister, or private gentleman, handsomely situated in a central part of the city, with the necessary out-buildings attached. It is valued at fifteen thousand dollars, but much less would be taken for it. Only one-third of the purchase money will be required in hand, and the balance on a long credit, if the interest be paid promptly.

Apply to the subscriber, at his office on Pennsylvania avenue, opposite Mr. Wright's Auction room. E. F. BROWN,

Newspaper and General Agent.

BALTIMORE PRICES CURRENT.

Corrected for the American Farmer, by Edward I. Willson,
Commission Merchant and Planters' Agent,
No. 11, Borvly's wharf.
TOBACCO.--Seconds, $3.00 a 7.00-Scrubs, 4.50 a

6.50-common crop, 3.00 a 3.75-Do. red, 3.75 a 4.50-
good red, 4.50 a 5.00-Fine red, 5.50 a 8.00-Yellow
and red, 7.00 a 10.00-Yellow do. 5.50 a 10.00-Fine
yellow, 10.00 a 15.00-Virginia do. 3.50 a 7.00-Rap-
pahannock, 3.50 a 4.00-Kentucky, 3.50 a 5.00 do. for
wrapping, 6.00 a 7.00.

FLOUR-white wheat family, $5.75 a 6 50—superfine Howard-st. 5.124; city mills,4.75; Susquehanna, 4.871CORN MEAL, bbl. 2.624 a 275-GRAIN, white wheat, To CURE BACON.-To half a bushel of small best, .90 a 1.05-red, .80 a .95--CORN, new .33 a .36 hominy salt, pounded, and one bushel of blown salt, -RYE, .50 a.52-Oats, 22-BEANS, .80 a 1.0-PEAS,. 45 put two pounds of salt petre and three quarts of On hand, a supply of superior cast-steel Axes, also a.50-CLOVER seed, 5.00 a 5.50-TIMOTHY, 2.00 a 2.50— molasses-mix all well together, and rub your hams Mataxes and Grubbing Hoes of cast steel; also, improved BARLEY, 60 a 75-FLAXSEED, 90-COTTON, Virginia, 10a and shoulders thoroughly with it, and put a thin patent Cornshellers that can be recommended, price $15. 11-Louisiana, .11 a 13-Alabama, 10 a 11-MisAlso, Brown's Vertical Wool Spinners, embracing every souri, .10 a 101-N. Carolina, .94 a .101-WOOL, comlayer on each piece; then pack the hams in the pow-thing desirable in an implement of the kind for family mon, .15 a .16-wash'd,.18 a .20-half blood, .20 a 25dering tubs, with the skins downwards and as com use. Also, the subscriber's patent cylindrical Straw three-quarter, .28 a 30-full do. .30 a .35-HEMP, pact as possible; first sprinkling the bottom of the Cutters, which have never been equalled in any country Russia, per ton, $275-Country, dew-rotted, ton, 136 a tub with unmixed blown salt. When the tub is for chaffing all kinds of long forage with ease and fa-140-water-rotted, 170 a 190-FISH, Herrings, Susque half full of hams, put in the shoulders until three-cility, such as hay, corn stocks, cane tops, &c. &c., the hanna, bbl. 3.12-Mackerel, 4.25 a 5.75-BACON, hams, quarters full, then fill up with the middlings, jowls machinery permanent and not liable to get out of order; .9 a. 10-Feathers, 26 a 28-WHISKEY, in hhds. Ist proof, and heads, giving a thin layer of unmixed blown price of small size, including extra knives, $55; the se- 244 a 25-in bbls. 26. salt between every layer of meat. cond size, with extra knives, $61. Also, West's patent your meat has remained, (if small, four weeks, if middling price $15. Also, a complete assortment of Gideon Daspring Washing Machines, can be highly recommended, size, five weeks, and if large, six weeks,) take it vis highly improved Patent Ploughs, made of the best out and hang it up to smoke, with the hocks down materials; Cultivators, Swingle Trees, double and sinwards. When, well smoked, take it down and rub gle, &c. &c. it thoroughly with hickory ashes, and pack it in dry hogsheads, with the hocks down; once or twice during the summer examine, rub it again with hickory ashes, and towards the fall it may be hung up, and it will then keep for many years.

After

[We have not the least apprehension in recommending the above, with which we were favoured by Mr. E. I. Willson, commission merchant of this city. We have our doubts whether the addition of molasses be not superfluous, but many think otherwise, and it can, at all events, do no harm.]

All orders by mail, post paid, will receive prompt
JONATHAN S. EASTMAN.
Agents for the subscriber, where gentlemen can leave

attention.

their orders:

Messrs. Jona. Alden, Philadelphia.

Barr, Auchincloss & Co. New-York.
David J. Burr, Richmond, Va.
Randolph Webb, Raleigh, N. C.
J. C. & C. Burckmyer, Charleston.
Dr. W. W Anderson, Statesburg, S. C.
J. G. Herbert, Savannah, Geo.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.

On Farming in New England-Economy in the use of Fodder and other Provender for Horses and Cattle -Agriculture in the State of New York-Easton Cattle Show and Fair, and Reports of Committees awarding the annual Iremiums -Manufacture of Cotton in the Southern States, No. 13-Isabella Grape, by William Prince-Canals, Rail-way, and Trade of the Gulf of Mexico-On Religious Instruction-Poetry, The WarHorse Bavieca, from Sismondi-Abundance of Wild Game--Hawking revived in England-A Wiid Deer taken at Sea-Riding, a cure for Consumption-Manufactures in the United States; Iron, Cotton, Wool, Hides and Skins--Remarkable Rattle-Snakes-Dreadful effect of Intemperance-Life of Lord Byron--Remedy for Tobacco Chewers-Recipes, For Curing and Cooking Pickled Fish; To Cure Bacon; To improve the flavour Cider-New England Farmer's Almanack-Advertisements-Price Current.

A PRIVATE TEACHER WANTED-A gentleman acquain-of CIDER-To improve the flavour of a hogshead, ted with the various branches of an English education, take one gallon of French brandy, half an ounce of and competent to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar and Geography, who can be content cochineal, a pound of alum, and three pounds of to receive a moderate salary, in a private family in a sugar candy beat the latter articles well together, healthy situation in the country, may hear of employand steep them two days in brandy; pour the whole ment by addressing a letter to T. E. Post Office, Oeninto the cider, and stop it close six months. treville, E. S. Md.

Printed every Friday, at Five Dollars per annum, for JOHN S. SKINNER, Editor, by JOHN D. TOY, corner of St. Paul and Market-sts, where every description of printing is neatly executed.

AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, JANUARY 4, 1828.

13. Are edible roots, potatoes, turnips, carrots, cheese, how many pounds of such cheese is the mangel wurtzel, parsnips, or any others, cultivated weekly produce of a cow? on the agricultural system, or merely by gardening? 14. Are they used as food for cattle; or, are they used for distillation, or extensively as aliment for the population?

31. Are there any natural meadows, on which
oxen can be fattened, so as to become fit for the
butcher?

32. How many oxen can, in the space of one
year, be brought from a lean state to be fit for meat,
on a hundred acres of such natural meadows?
33. Is there any upland or dry pasture, fit for the
rearing or fattening sheep?

34. Of what species of the grass tribe does the
food on the moist and dry pastures consist?

35. Do any of the festucas, poas, avenas or pratenses, grow in them spontaneously; and which of them predominate?

36. Are the artificial grasses cultivated, such as lucerne, trefoil, sanfoin, red and white clover, and especially the Lolium perenne?

37. What is the average weight of the oxen in a

38. What is their average weight when killed? 39. What season of the year is most favourable for fattening them?

11. What degree of exhaustion is operated on 40. How long a time is generally requisite to the soil by each crop of grain; or, in what propor-bring them from their lean state till they become fit tion does each of them, relatively to the others, de stroy or lessen the fertility of land?

41. When slaughtered, what proportion does the
weight of the tallow bear to that of the meat?
42. What is the average weight of the hides?
Cows.

43. Is the milk of the cows converted into cheese
and butter?

44. How many pounds of butter weekly is ed the fair average produce of each cow?

75. Are the lands cultivated with slaves? 76. What is the money value of a working slave, not being an artificer, or handicraft, but employed, and capable only of being employed in field work? 77. What is estimated to be the expense of maintaining such slave?

78. What would be the amount of the annual value of the labour of such slave, when compared deem-with the prices paid for similar labour to freemen in the nearest district!

82 How much higher is the cost of maintaining a white labourer than that of a black slave; calculating the interest of capital invested in the latter, and the insurance of his life against casual or natural death? FREE LABOUR.

83. Where no slaves are used as labourers, what is the price of the day's wages of a common agricultural man, when his food is provided for him? 84. What is it when he provides himself with food?

88. What extent of wheat land can one man, on an average, reap in a day?

89. What extent of land can he mow when the crop is barley or oats?

90. How much grass land is usually considered

day's work for a man to mow?

a

91. How many bushels of wheat can a man commonly thresh in a day?

92. How many bushels of barley or oats? 93. What is ordinary food of the labourer? 94. How many hours are there in an ordinary day's work, in summer, and also in winter?

MANUFACTURE OF COTTON IN THE
SOUTHERN STATES.

Know

79. Can the blacks labour a longer time, or with | Vaux, from which it appeared that the results were either to see, or to pursue our own interest, without more intensity whilst they work in the open air and essentially different from the proportions of births their special and continual prompting, guiding and in the heat of the sun, than white men? to marriages in registers; and it would be curious to ordering all our concerns, both national and indi80. What comparison can be made as to the know, what is the difference in America as compar-vidual. Happy, most happy country, to be so surelative portion of labour which can be performed ed with Europe, in the fruitfulness of marriages premely blessed with such kind, such willing, such by the two classes? arising from the habit of marrying earlier in Amer- every way competent guardians. We have only to 81. Is the labour of the blacks equal to that of ica, or from any other cause? It is particularly re-carry this interfering principle a little farther, and the whites; or, if it is greater, is it in the propor-quested, that the answer to this query be the result our cookery books may all be thrown into the fire; tion of 11 to 10, or of a higher number? of actual inquiries; and, in that case, it ought to be we shall have government recipes enforced by pestated, if possible, how many separate families are nalties--even for frying a pan of honiny, or making taken into account, in order to draw the average. a pot of coffee, (for which last beverage by the The detail of each inquiry would be very valuable. way, I once had a mortal dread upon me,) that we **The reply to these queries may be addressed: should be compelled by legislative enactments to "Captain BASIL HALL, R. N., Care of THOS. WALswallow daily, a most villanous solution of toasted KER & SONS, New-York;" and indorsed "Answers rye, by way of countervailing the British West Into Queries." dia policy. Close upon the heels of this communication from your friend Viator, with which, upon the whole, I was very much gratified, you have given us some COTTON RECOMMENDED AS THE MATERIAL FOR COT-poetry, the style of which is certainly very good. 85. What is the price paid per acre for reaping TON BAGGING, CORDAGE, &c.-No. XIII But, in a moral view, it is highly objectionable; for wheat? what the price of mowing barley or oats? MR. SKINNER, so far as it goes, it is an encouragement to selfVirginia, Dec. 15, 1827. 86. What the price for mowing grass for hay? murder, and that too, in young ladies who marry, Sir,—If a subscriber to your paper, and a per- (as far too many probably do,) without affection 87. Is the threshing of corn practised by machi-sonal friend to its Editor, may take the liberty of for their husbands. This apparently being a digresnery, or by hand labour? When the latter, what is offering a few criticisms, he will do so, on the 38th sion of a very excursive character, in reference to paid per bushel for threshing, winnowing and clean-No. of your 9th volume. This number, in my hum- the first part of my letter, I hold myself bound to ing wheat, barley and oats respectively? ble judgment, is decidedly the most interesting offer as good an explanation of it as I can. which has appeared for many months. I was par- then, my good sir, that I verily believe nations, as ticularly struck with the extract from the address well as individuals, may be guilty of self-murder; of Mr. Thomas P. Jones to the Franklin Institute, and that your poetic extract brought this belief so which is excellent throughout. "Viator's" commu nication likewise possesses much merit. The spirit protecting and encouraging duty project, as it is full upon me, as to force my pen to express it. The in which it is made, as well as his facts, are highly now pressed upon us, in every imaginable way, and gratifying to every sincere lover of his country. But by all grades of writers, from the sapient, most these are blended with certain opinions, which I am sorry to see, are gaining proselytes so fast, that profound politician, to the silliest scribbler who can even you, Mr. Editor, (if you will pardon me for do most solemnly believe, if it becomes the settled get his erudition into a newspaper, will prove (as I saying so,) have lately manifested several symptoms policy of the government,) one of these self-murderof having caught the infection. These opinions are, that more government protection and encourage ball, persuade us, if they wish, and convince us, Let the numerous volunteers in our being acts. woollens. Admit the fact, and admit also the prin fitably employed in managing spinning jennies and ment is wanting to our manufactures-especially of they please, that our negroes would be more proif ciple, that good policy requires the continued inter-power looms, than in cultivating corn, wheat and 96. What the wages of an under servant, and ference of government in the application of every tobacco: but, for pity's sake, let them withhold their for what length of period is he hired, generally? 97. What are the wages of female servants-cians contend,) to supply all our own wants within too, (I mean we Southern men,) must join in clamospecies of labour, until we are able, (as such politi- hands and pens from all attempts to show, that we housekeepers, cooks, nurses, chambermaids? and is ourselves. How, I would humbly ask your friend rous and importunate petitions to Congress for more the custom of giving servants written characters, Viator, and all who think with him-how will it be duties-more duties-more duties, to enable us to general? possible that "our foreign commerce will greatly in- make this change. We want no "wise men of GENERAL QUERIES. crease," when it must be manifest we shall want Gotham," either here, or elsewhere, to satisfy us, 98. What progress has been made, or is now ma- nothing but what we ourselves can make? An in- that a part, at least, of our labour, must be employking, to improve the modes of cultivation? terchange of superfluous commodities being essen-ed in something else than agriculture, or we shall 99. Has much attention been paid to improve tial to the very existence of commerce, our mak- run a great risk of starving-notwithstanding the the several descriptions of the live stock, by cross-ing more of any thing, than we want for home ing the breeds? What are the best American pub-consumption, will avail us nothing, unless we will parental care which government has, for many years lications on these different subjects? take in exchange from other nations a portion, at past, so kindly taken of Southern interests. But we think it requires no great stretch of forethought least, of what they make beyond their home consumption. But this cannot possibly be done with- beneficially made, without the smallest interference or sagacity, to understand that this change can be out violating the first-nay, the vital principle of whatever, in our behalf, on the part of our governwhat has been, with very little honour to our-ment. We will readily admit, that they may be selves, called "the American system." This prin- much wiser than we are, and more capable of judgciple is, "to buy nothing from abroad, which we ing what is best for us; but we do beg and implore can make at home, with due encouragement and them to let us manage our own private affairs, in our protection from our government." What would be the sure, the inevitable consequence of carrying into full effect, so hopeful, so grand, and patriotic system? Why, there would soon be nothing, in fact, but what we should make; since we have every variety of soil and climate, with corresponding varieties of fanciful projectors and moon-struck schemers to ask and to receive government encouragement106. Proportions of births to marriages in the re-even to the substitution of sheep for men, by way of gisters; and further, the prolificness of married wo-restoring the primitive innocence of the pastoral men, or the number of births which married women ages, and of silk worms and mulberry forests for have had during the period of their child-bearing. horses and corn, lest we be gorged to surfeiting with This can only be obtained by personal inquiries. a superfluity of the last, and tempted to indulge in Dr. Franklin's conjecture was eight M. Murat, (as stated in the chapter on the fruitfulness of marriages in Mr. Malthus's essay on population,) made some inquiries of this kind at Vevay, in the Pais de

DOMESTIC LABOUR.

95. What are the wages of a first rate man servant, or butler, as he is called?

100. Prices of the unlocated lands bought of the government? 101. Rough estimates of the profits of trade in

the towns?

102. Whether there are many or any landholders living upon their rents, like English landlords? 103. Whether the banking system is now in a satisfactory state, and the notes of all the different banks readily exchanged for metallic money at par? What are the best publications in America on banking? 104. The comparative fertility of soil in the eastern and western states, as far as it has been guessed

at?

105. Registers of mortality, whether in towns or country, particularly in the latter?

a

blame, will all be our own; and we shall have no own way. If we go wrong, the loss, as well as the pretext, as heretofore, for laying such heavy sins at their doors, as the sore-the very sore, and undeniable depression of the great agricultural and com

mercial interests of our country.

Your friend and subscriber,

TUCKAHOE.

P.S. As nearly every thing, Mr. Editor, in these times, even to the fashion of ladies and gentlemen's apparel, is turned to party purposes, I deem it necessary to assure you that I am perfectly innocent idle, expensive pageantries, by possessing too many of any such design, either express or implied, in of the first. Government, or rather, our rulers, and the foregoing letter. The anti-agricultural and annot we ourselves, must duly apportion all these mat-ti-commercial policy which I would denounce, has ters for us, and between us, we being too stupid ruled our councils, more or less, ever since the me

morable days of our embargo and non-intercourse the manufacturer nearly 12 cents; at 16 oz. it understand the necessity of a man being elevated laws; for if these two great national interests have would cost nearly 10 cents. I estimate the labour on a horse's back, to top such corn; and, in fact, enjoyed any brief periods of prosperity since, they agreeably to Mr. Kilby's statement of slave labour, were the horse taller than a Welch pony, it would have more resembled the fitful gleams of an expir-viz: $41 per annum, average of women, girls and be a difficult task for a man mounted to reach down ing taper, than the steady blaze of a meridian and boys; and $52 for men, being about half the price to the point of excision. effulgent sun. of white labour here for the former, and one third Your present correspondent grew several acres for the men. The spinning of yarn for cotton of corn, this year, eleven feet high, and yet he had blankets will cost a trifle more than that for bag- no occasion to resort to cavalry for topping it. ging; the weaving double that of bagging, and as In truth, sir, seven feet is an unusually low growth they require better cotton, would cost nearly double for corn, and it is such as our worn-out lands proper yard what I have estimated the bagging. They duce; and a foreigner, who knows the character of may be twilled, made of fine yarn, and a knap the plant, would be most unfavourably impressed by raised on them to look very handsome; they are the view of such an article in a Maryland paper, as soft, durable, and as warm as woollen blankets, and that headed "Tall Corn." for them. soon might be introduced as a complete substitute

AGRICULTOR.

The 100 spindles, with one third of the carding FOREST TREES, ORCHARD TREES, &c. engines required for the bagging, would produce Rensselaer School, Troy, April 30, 1827. 40 lbs. of No. 5 yarn per day, suitable for coarse Effects of Light.-Clouds and rain have obscured sheetings and negro shirtings, and when wove the hemisphere during the last six days. In that would make 120 yards. Requiring only 46 lbs. cot-time the leaves of all the forests, which are seen ton at 10 cents, is

Labour of carding, spinning and reel

ing,
Do. weaving,

$4.60

1.33 1.50

from this place, have greatly expanded. But they were all of a pallid hue, until this afternoon. Within the period of about six hours, they have all changed their color to a beautiful green. As the only efficient change which has taken place is, that we have a serene sky and a bright sun, we may say with confidence, that this change of color is produced by the action of the sun's rays.

[Our correspondent appears to write under some degree of apprehension that his criticisms will not be well received. If this be the fact, he is entirely in error. We have no less confidence in his discretion than in his abilities and sincerity, and we shall be glad to hear from him at all times He has only to bear in mind that we must keep clear of being enlisted for party purposes, in the sense he speaks of. As for the great question, so much is said pro and con, that like some other wiser men than ourselves on other subjects, we are in a quandary. We saw the tariff system of 1824 established. and in 1827 the farming interest is more depressed than we ever knew it. Well, then, it is said that this distress is occasioned by the peace of Europe. It is true that many factories have been established. They give daily labour and daily bread to a great many people who rise by the toll of the bell, and go to bed by the same token, and the proprietors, we understand are accumulating large fortunes-and it is -$7.49 said that if Congress will make certain enactments The 120 yards would sell for 10 to 12 cents per in their favour, that a great number more of people yard, and amount to $13.20, leaving a profit of $5.77 may awake, work, eat, and sleep by the same rules on the day's work. The same machinery would in woollen factories, and those who are rich enough answer to make all the upper clothing required by to build them, may become yet much richer; and the slaves. By twilling the cloth and close weavthat the farmer may get a better price for his wool;ing, they may be made warm and comfortable for in short, that it will be of immense advantage to the coldest weather; could be dyed with walnut the country; and all this is promised by men for hulls, hickory, or oak bark, and would not cost the whose wisdom and judgment, and superior talents, manufacturer more than 15 cents the square yard, we have the greatest respect: we are in-a quan- and would wear nearly as tough as leather. The dary.] labouring class in England are nearly all clothed with cotton fustians, made heavy; they are found to be more durable and cheaper than any of the low priced flimsy woollens, though much better than those the slaves are clothed with. I have no hesitation in saying, that a suit of stout twilled cotton drilling would last as long as two of the miserable trash of woollen, called negro cloths, which cost certain the cotton drilling only requires a trial, to more than double per yard square; and feel very Direction of the branches of trees.--A tree shoots entirely supersede the use of wool for the clothing out its branches like all other trees of the same speof slaves, and as certain I am, that the idle women cies, external circumstances being similar. But there and children in the Southern states, are sufficient is one remarkable fact in the direction of branches, with the aid of machinery,) to manufacture all the which I have not seen noticed in any publication. sending their cash abroad, for the purchase of those bagging and negro clothing required; and instead of articles, they might readily retain it.

ANSWER TO Inquiries;

Near Wilmington,

MR. SKINNER,
Dec. 20, 1827.
To obviate answering individually the numerous
inquiries for information on the subject of manu-
facturing coarse cotton fabrics in the Southern
states, which queries vary so, as to require quite
different estimates to answer, I have concluded
to give an estimate and such information as to suit
them generally, and all who feel an interest in em-
ploying their idle slaves in the manufacturing of
coarse cotton and woollen cloths: being confined
with a violent cold, I take the opportunity of com-
municating the following, which, with a little calcu-
lation, may serve generally as answers, and show
how advantageously their slaves can be employed,
instead of being a heavy tax on their owners.

A building, 25 by 30 feet, three stories, would
contain 500 spindles, the cost of which may vary,
according to situation, materials, &c. &c.
100 spindles, with the carding engines, and

roving and drawing frames, calculated to make cotton bagging, blankets, &c. and the looms, &c. to weave the yarn, would cost about

The slave labour to card and spin it,
Do.
to weave,
Wear and tear of the machinery 10 per cent,

THOMAS MASSEY.

TALL CORN.

}

Dorchester county, Md. J. S. SKINNER, ESQ. Dec. 24, 1827. Dear Sir,-When a farmer reads a wondrous account of a vegetable phenomenon, his astonishment is excited; when it is incomprehensible, or inconsistent, his curiosity is roused at the enigma, and it $1350 is, at least, excusable to express the difficulties that And would spin 48.000 lbs. cotton per ann. of stain- occur to him in the case: In the latter dilemma, ed and inferior quality, which may be bought your present correspondeut feels himself placed, by for 7 cents, is $3360 the notice going the rounds in the newspapers, and 400 conspicuously headed "Tall Corn;" and extracted 370 from the "Morgan (Ohio,) Sentinel," where it is 135 stated-"We had our curiosity considerably enlivened by seeing a man on horseback topping corn;" and the $4265 idea is distinctly conveyed, that this mode was necessary, in Ohio, from the prodigious height of the corn, which was generally from seven to nine feet. The usual length of top fodder from corn of a tolerable growth, is at least three feet; then the point of excision on the seven feet stalks, would be only at the distance of four feet from the ground; and that of the highest named Ohio corn would be but six feet from the ground: now, it is difficult to

The cotton loses 10 per cent. in manufacturing.

48,200 lbs. of bagging would be obtained at the cost of.

$4265 20 oz. to the running yard of bagging 42 inches wide, would be very stout. My opinion is, that a pound of well twisted yarn, would answer equally well for bagging. At 20 oz. the yard, it would cost

Seven years ago next month, I had a still more favourable opportunity to observe this phenomenon, in company with the Hon. J. Lansing, late Chancellor of this State. While we were engaged in taking a geological survey of his manor of Blenheim, the leaves of the forest had expanded to almost the common size, in cloudy weather. I believe the sun had scarcely shone upon them in twenty days. Standing upon a hill, we observed that the dense forests on the opposite side of the Schoharie, were almost white. The sun now began to shine in full brightness. The color of the forests absolutely changed so fast, that we could perceive its progress. By the middle of the afternoon the whole of these extensive forests, many miles in length, presented their usual green summer dress.

the direction of the lower branches to the surface of the All trees with spreading branches, accommodate earth over which they extend.

This may be seen in orchards growing on the sides of hills, and in all open forests. But the crowded situation of the wild woods of our country, prevents a sufficient extension of branches to exhibit this character.

This fact presents a curious subject for the investigation of the phytologist. The question presented is this: What influence can the earth have upon the branches on the upper side of the tree, which causes them to form a different angle with the body of the tree from the angle formed by the branches on the lower side, so that all the branches hold a parallel direction to the earth's surface?

Hollow Trees.-The growth of trees is not influenced by any circumstance connected with their internal woody parts.

Mr. Knight's central vessel hypothesis, and the authority of numerous able physiologists, seem to be at variance with this position. I shall not enter upon a discussion of the subject, but merely introduce a few facts.

The sugar maple, (acer saccharinum,) after being tapped and drained of its internal sap fifty years, and after the whole interior has become dead, grows as fast and presents an aspect as vigorous and blooming, as any sound tree of the same species and same age, which stands by its side. For the truth of this

fact, I refer to all manufacturers of the maple su-
gar. I suggested this opinion more than twenty
years ago, and frequently afterwards, when I was
employed among the tenants of Messrs. Livingston,
McEvers, Ludlow, Cutting, and others, between
the spurs of Catskill mountain. Every manufactur-
er with whom I conversed, in this native residence
of the sugar maple, confirmed my opinion.
The common apple tree (pyrus malus) grows
thriftily and bears abundance of fruit, many years
after its interior is so completely rotted away, as to
leave but a very thin hollow cylinder in possession
of the living principle.

We prefer solid trees in our forests and orchards; because they have more strength to withstand the force of winds, and because the unfavourable circumstance, which caused the interior to decay, may effect the total destruction of the tree. But as all depositions of matter, in any way affecting the growth of the tree, are made between the bark and wood, after the first year, in the form of a mucilage, called cambium, it seems that the internal woody part has no influence upon the external growth. Yours, respectfully,

It is not, however, in the power of an individual of very limited circumstances, to carry an object of this importance, to the extent it deserves, and with the most beneficial results to the state.

with the northern growers of artificial grasses, and time, labour and expense, and the result of his exenable us to continue the rearing extensive stocks perience is, that without scarcely a shadow of doubt, of neat cattle, horses, sheep and goats. This, you this desert is capable of yielding some of the most know, to a southern planter, is a great desideratum; valuable productions of the earth; and bearing, supthe absence of which, strange as it may appear, is porting, and enriching a comparatively dense popuone of the proximate causes (excuse the digression) lation. Most undoubtedly, the greatest part of this of the total discomfiture of the cotton and woollen land is capable of producing great crops of wine, manufacturing establishments erected in the south; silk, and other objects usually produced in similar and not the impracticability, as has erroneously latitudes. The culture of the vine, however, is the been believed, of employing slave labour in them. most important of these, and that on which your On the contrary, I am convinced, from my own ex-memorialist has chiefly hitherto bent his efforts and perience in establishments of this sort, that slave means. This country is capable of producing the labour can be employed, to better advantage in a richest wines, and in quantities not to have been manufactory, than white labour, both on account of expected, a priori, from the apparent sterility of the its certainty and cheapness; and that a manufactory soil. Experiments clearly show that, with only of cotton attached to a southern plantation, and tolerable cultivation, average crops of at least three carried on in conjunction, will, in a few years, not hundred gallons of very good wine, can be producbe more a subject of wonder or novelty, than a rice ed per acre. plantation with its hulling mill, or a sugar plantation with its refinery, now is, and will yield more profit, by 100 per cent., than any other investment of capital. These ideas I have long entertained, and am happy to see them so ably illustrated and It is generally said, and perhaps with truth, that enlarged upon in the late numbers of the Farmer objects of a commercial and agricultural nature, are The ball of the "American system" has taken a best left to the interested exertions of individuals. southern direction, and such will be its uniformly True as this position may be, in ordinary cases, accelerated motion, and effect upon the merits of your memorialist believes this to be an exception, our southern nabobs, that while their orators are vo- and begs leave to submit to your collected wisdom, Benvenue on Lock-a-Cray, near Tallahassee, ciferously declaiming, on the floor of Congress, the following reasons for his opinions: MR. SKINNER, against internal improvements and tariff, they them- 1st. The culture of the vine is an art which canIn a communication made to you, from a gentle-selves will be making strong, and, I trust, successful not be easily acquired from the mere analogy with man of Woodville, Wilkinson, (Missouri) Sept. 25, experiments, and complete the combinations of the other objects of cultivation; neither can it be learn1827, I observed, with some surprise, that the Gui-three generic branches of human industry, agricul- ed, except by very few, by books alone. nea grass, cultivated in the gardens of that place, is ture, manufactures and commerce. But I commenc 2d Experience has shown, that the mode of culannually killed by the frost, which makes it neces-ed with Guinea grass, and I find myself travelling ture must be very different here from what it is in sary to replant every year from the seed. too rapidly into more extensive matters; suffice it Europe; so that Europeans, unless they were taught to say, that I shall be happy to furnish the gen-in what this difference consists, would not succeed tleman of Woodville with the genuine Guinea grass except after experiments that require a great numseed. I am very respectfully, ber of years to be fully made. Europeans, however accustomed to this culture in their own countries, could soon learn and understand the method necessary here.

AMOS EATON.
[Silliman's Journal.

GUINEA GRASS-AMERICAN SYSTEM.

7, 1827.

The Guinea grass, which I have at this time grow ing on my premises, is a perennial, and springs up early in the spring, from the old rattoon. I have two or three species of grass, which, at the time I procured them, were called Guinea grasses; but I now became convinced, from the superior luxuriance and permanency of the real Guinea grass above alInded to, that they did not deserve the appellation. Its essential character: calyx two valved, involu cred, with a long lanago, corolla two valved. Natural order of gramina, or grasses; and belongs to the class Triandria Digynia.

DAVID B. MACOMB.

HORTICULTURE.

3d. The owners of, or rather the dwellers on this extensive tract of country are, with few exceptions,

To the Honourable the President and Members of the persons of insufficient enterprise and pecuniary
Senate of the state of South Carolina, the follow-means to undertake a culture so perfectly new to
ing memorial is most respectfully submitted:
them, particularly when it cannot be expected to
yield any return for at least three years. The own
GENTLEMEN,
ers of large tracts are generally persons who have
other lands suited to the cultivation of the staple
articles of our state, and are not likely to undertake
the exercise of an art they know nothing of, unless
they can readily procure suitable persons to direct
their labour.

I know of no plant, of this species, that can withstand sufficiently the frost of any country, be it ever It is undoubtedly most pleasing to see an indiso slight, so as to continue uninterruptedly its vege-vidual make honest endeavours to improve his con tation through the winter. The seed of the Guinea dition, by whatever talents and industry he is engrass is difficult to save; it keeps constantly falling dowed with It is a most glorious and interesting as it ripens, and if cut previous to full maturity, not object, to view a whole community making great one in an hundred will be found to germinate. exertions to improve the happiness of thousands. That which falls to the ground, however, is sure to These exertions are now making, and the present come up in the spring, and may be transplanted in state of our country seems to require they should rows about two feet apart. Some little attention will be made with additional vigour. b required to keep down the weeds for about six This state of things may plead a better excuse weeks, after which it requires no further care. The for your memorialist, for presenting himself before growth of this grass is astonishingly rapid. I sow-your honourable body, than any thing else he could ed some in drills two feet apart, in the month of March; it came up in April; my first cutting was in June, and in October I cut it for the fifth time.

adduce, besides conceiving it the duty of every
citizen, to add his efforts to the general mass, for
the benefit of his country.

4th. The difficulty of obtaining such persons, is considerable in these southern states, owing to the most erroneous impression abroad, that this is a most deadly country for foreigners; whereas, the truth is well known to you, that there is no healthier country in the world than our pine lands, and particularly our sand hills.

To obviate these difficulties, I would most respectfully submit to you, gentlemen, whether it would not be most beneficial to this country, to imThe seed of this genuine Guinea grass, was pro He would then most respectfully represent, that port a number of vignerons from France, Italy, Gercured some three years since in the Havana, and a very great proportion of this state, perhaps nearly many and Switzerland, to establish them in small since its introduction into Cuba, has almost entirely one half, consists of pine barrens, sand hills, and communities, in different sections of the state under changed the economy of ag icultural operations in other light lands. That these, in their present state, consideration. The amount of money required for the interior of that island, with respect to whose are productive of little or no advantage to the indi- this, need not be large, but the benefits will necessoil, and physiognomy of surface, there exists so vidual proprietors, or to the state, either in valuable sarily be in proportion to the sum judiciously exstriking a resemblance to the Tallahassee country. productions, or by supporting an useful and abun-pended. Before the acquisition of this important grass, the dant population; a great desideratum in these As an individual, if my pecuniary means permitplanter of Cuba was under the necessity of sowing southern states; even more so than in other counted it, I should adopt some plan like the following. Indian corn, or Guinea corn, to be cut and used as tries, for very obvious reasons. Have agents in Europe to procure suitable indivia grass, or cured as a fodder, for his operative ani- Satisfied that the goodness of Providence has duals, chiefly in families, as much as possible, defray mals. Here we depend, at present, upon the native created nothing in vain, it has been the object of the expenses of their emigration, and to repay me wild grasses for the support of our stock; but when his most serious and anxious thoughts, for a great for the same, I would have them to work for me, this interesting country shall become densely popu-number of years, to find out some important culture about five years, during which time, I would feed lated, and the cattle range destroyed, the culture of which could render these extensive wastes, in some and clothe them, &c., and at the end of it, give them the Guinea grass will place us on an equal footing degree, valuable. This pursuit has cost him much (to each prime labourer,) fifty acres of land, in fee