No. 50.-VOL.9.] AGRICULTURE. AMERICAN FARMER-BALTIMORE, FEBRUARY 29, 1828. IN CONGRESS-HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MANUFACTURES. (Concluded from page 386.) 2d. Upon all manufactures of wool, or of which wool shall be a component part, the actual value of which, at the place whence imported, shall exceed 50 cents per square yard, and shall not exceed $1 00 per square yard, a specific duty of 40 cents upon every square yard. 3d. Upon all manufactures of wool, or of which wool shall be a component part, the actual value of which at the place whence imported, shall exceed $1.00 per square yard, and shall not exceed $2.50 per square yard, a specific duty of $1.00 upon every square yard. 393 ture, an encouragement which would soon makety to reach a market is restricted withan extremely the raw materials, articles, not of import, but of narrow limits. But did not even this insuperable export, and would supply the wants of our own difficulty exist, it is equally certain that our large country with as cheap and as valuable a fabric as is market towns do not, and have not offered even a tolerable market for these grains in kind, for some now obtained from foreign hands. Indeed, if there are any articles, the production years last past; nor do the committee see that there of agricultural and manufacturing labour, which is any prospect they will do so while our foreign remore than others, would seem to claim the foster-lations remain as they now are. But convert these The propositions of the committee as to the aling care of government, not as a matter of policy rains into spirits, and a partial market is afforded, teration and increase of duties upon woollens, gene merely, but as a matter both of interest and inde-not profitable, it is true, to the enterprise of the farrally, are as follows: pendence, hemp and flax would seem peculiarly to mer, but better than an entire loss. 1st. Upon all manufactures of wool, or of which belong to them. These are materials, the growing The committee refer the house, for evidence to wool shall be a component part, the actual value of of which brings into profitable use, not only the support these positions, to the testimony of the witwhich at the place whence imported, shall not ex- fertile lands of the country, but the active labour of nesses who have been examined upon this subject. ceed 50 cents per square yard, a specific duty of 16 the husbandman, and the manufacturing of which A perfect remedy to the farmer for these evils, they cents upon every square yard. into the fabrics of most extensive utility, would do not believe to be within the reach of congress. seem to be so simple and easy, as not to require the But partial relief would seem to be very plainly and of foreign skill in its accomplishment. And, to presented. Our tables of imports, for the last six our commerce in peace, and to our navy in war, as years, show a very regular annual importation of well as to the common uses of all classes of society, foreign spirits from grain and other materials, vamaterials and fabrics of more prime necessity can- rying from 5,000,000 to 6,000,000 gallons, a very not be named. small share of which is re-exported, and the resiThe committee cannot here refrain from direct-due is consumed in the country, and, consequently, ing the attention of the house, to the testimony of a to that extent, limits the demand for the domestic very intelligent manufacturer of flax, which will be spirits. The committee are aware that the time found to compose a part of the evidence herewith has been when the whiskey of this country would reported. From the facts stated by him it would have been a very unacceptable exchange for foreign seem that the alleged inferiority of the American spirits to the higher classes of consumers. But they hemp and flax, when compared with the foreign, do not believe that that objection can at this time arises, not from any inferiority of either of the ma- be alleged. Such has been the advance in skill and terials grown in this country, but from not pulling experience in the art of distilling spirits from grain, or harvesting the crop at the proper time, and from that the whiskey of this country has become a very giving them a dew, instead of a water rot. The palatable and a very fashionable, as it no doubt is committee solicit particular attention to this part of the least injurious liquor. The committee, therethe evidence they have taken, and hope it may at fore, cannot suppose that the comforts, or even the tract the particular notice of the farmers of the luxuries of our citizens, will be much restricted, or country generally. The principal additions which materially affected by such an increase of duty the committee have proposed upon these articles, upon foreign spirits as will reduce the quantity imare upon the unmanufactured materials and upon ported. sail duck. The increase proposed upon raw hemp, is $1000 per ton, and that upon raw flax, is $9.00 It will thus be seen, that the propositions made per ton; and both are made progressive, until the by the committee, if adopted, will give a considera-duty shall be $60 per ton upon each, it now being ble increase upon the present rates of duty, in any $35 00 upon hemp, and 15 per cent. or about equal event, and may give a very large increase, if the im- to $36.00 per ton upon flax. The proposition is to portations should not be regulated by the rates of change the duty upon sail duck, from an ad valothe duty. Should they be so regulated, the interme- rem duty of 15 per cent. to a specific duty of 9 diate spaces would be left entirely to be supplied cents per square yard, and to regulate the drawback by the American manufacturer; and this, it is be- upon the article. lieved, would not only furnish him a market for the The next subject in order, though not second in great body of his cloths, but would enable him to importance to the agricultural interest of the councompete with the foreigner, even at the prices at try, which has occupied the attention of the com which the minimum principle does not operate ex-mittee, in the draft of the bill they now submit to tensively to increase the duty The committee the house, is that of a further protection to the dohave not gone to the extent proposed by many of mestic spirits distilled from grain in the United the memorials, in the regulation of these duties, but they have gone to the extent to which, from the evidence taken by them, they believe the prosperity of our woollen manufactures require. 4th. Upon all manufactures of wool, or of which wool shall be a component part, the actual value of which at the place whence imported shall exceed $2.50 per square yard, and shall not exceed 4.00 per square yard, shall be deemed to have cost $4 00 per square yard, and at such valuation shall be charged with, and pay a duty of 40 per centum ad valorem 5th. Upon all manufactures of wool, &c. the ac tual value of which, at the place whence imported, shall exceed $4.00 per square yard, shall be charg ed with, and pay a duty of 45 per centum ad va lorem. Hemp and flax, and some of the manufactures from them, have next claimed the consideration of the committee. The evidence which they have collected upon these subjects, though by no means voJuminous, in their opinion, satisfactorily proves, that Jarge sections of the country are capable of producing either kind of the raw material above mentioned to any extent. So far as the committee have been able to learn, the state of Kentucky seems to have paid the most attention to the culture of hemp, and, at this time to possess the most exten sive manufactories of the article of any state in the Union; while the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey seem, as yet, to take the lead in the growing and manufacture of flax. Yet there cannot be a doubt, but that the soil of either of these states, as weli as of many, and perhaps, most of the other states, is well adapted to the growth of either hemp or flax, and that they only need the consumption in duck, cordage, &c. of our extensive commerce, and of our growing navy, to these branches of agriculNo. 50.-VOL. 9. States. And here the committee feel bound to in- But as inseparably connected with the subject of foreign spirits, is that of spirits distilled in our own country from foreign materials. Although the committee have no means of ascertaining the quantity of this kind of spirits at present distilled in the United States, yet, from the large importations of the inaterials from which it is made, there is strong reason to conclude that the number of gallons must be somewhat greater than the whole number of gallons of foreign spirits imported. The importation of molasses into this country, for the last six years, has ranged from 11,000,000 to nearly 14.000.000 of galions. By an examination of the import tables in the treasury office, it is ascertained that out of 13,000,000 imported during the last year, more than 11,000,000 were carried into the ports east of the port of New York, not including the latter port. It would hardly seem probable, that the quantity consumed in the domestic way, in this section of the union, could so far exceed the consumption of other sections of the country, where sugar and molasses are not manufactured, as this proportion would indicate, and, therefore, it is presumed, that much of the molasses taken into our eastern ports, is used for distillation. This conclusion is rendered still more natural, when it is known that in that section of the United States, are located the most extensive distilleries of rum from molasses. The spirits thus produced, interferes equally with foreign spirits, with the demand for the spirits produced from domestic materials; and, as the committee have proceeded upon the principle in relation to iron, wool, hemp and flax, that the domestic article, where it either exists, or can be produced in sufficient quantities, should be preferred to the foreign, even for the use of our own manufactures, so, in the case of molasses, they propose to apply the same rule. The committee have no means by which they can even calculate the quantity of grain now annually distilled in the United States, or the quantity of spirits produced by such distillation. (Communicated for the American Farmer, by J. BUEL.) But they hazard nothing in the assertion that the Ten experiments were made broadcast, partly in Do. product, do. 30 bushels. 11. 19s. 8d. 8* 3 9 8 20 1 11. 3s. 6d. Do. With these facts before them, the committee have proposed in the bill they report, to increase the present duty ten cents per gallon upon all foreign spirits imported into the country; and to increase the present duty upon molasses five cents per gallon. By a reference to the table of domestic exports, Do. it will be seen that a part of the spirits distilled from molasses in this country, is exported; and the law as now existing, allows, upon these spirits so exported, a drawback of four cents per gallon. An examination of these tables will show that most of these spirits, so exported, go to the same markets with our domestic spirits distilled from grain; and with this drawback, operating as a bounty upon their exportation, they must, according to the relative values of the two kinds of spirits before exportation, have the advantage in the foreign market to which they both go, over the spirits from grain, of just the amount of this drawback. The committee have, therefore, proposed a repeal of the provision allowing the drawback. Do. profit, do. 16 0 Superiority of the } 36 14 22 tons per acre. former, The drill system proved more unprofitable than the broadcast. The estimated value of the crop was 15s. 6d. to 23s. 6d. per ton. Sl. 16s. 5d. 13, This is in the proportion of ONE improved acre being equal to more than TWELVE common acres. In one experiment, where tillage and manure were carried to an extreme point, there was a loss of been in a course after other crops which had been more than 8l. The best culture seems to have highly manured; and this Mr. Young calls the improved system. When dung was applied to the crop, the vines grew too luxuriant, fell to the ground, and the lower parts had not air enough to produce pods, or ripen the corn. The effect of the pea crop was found to be beneficial, by smothering the weeds, and loosening and mellowing the soil. The subject of glass has also been proposed as a The drill system was found to be less profitable, matter of examination before the committee, and two even in the pea crop, than the broadcast. The very intelligent witnesses, living in sections of coun-comparison between gravelly loam and clayey loam, try remote from each other, have been examined in resulted in a decided advantage to the former. relation to it. A reference to their testimony will Loss on clayey loam, show that the present protection to window glass, Profit on gravelly loam, of smaller size than 10 by 14 inches, is abundant, and that most other descriptions of glass are in the same situation. In this these witnesses both agree, and they are both practically acquainted with the manufacture of various descriptions of the article. But one of the witnesses proves that the denominations of window glass exceeding 10 by 15 inches, is not sufficiently protected, and the committee have proposed an alteration in the present duties upon these sizes of window glass. Turnips are very little cultivated as food for cattle in the United States. They will not bear northern winters in the open ground, nor southern summers. I have cultivated some acres annually for ten years for market, and have found them a certain and profitable crop. I invariably raise them as a second crop, sowing on the stubble of small grains, with a single ploughing and harrowings. They are of fairer appearance, and of better flavour, on light or sandy soils, than on any other. As large size is not desirable with me, I do not manure for the crop; the plants are cleaned and thinned with the hoe; and the average product is about 250 bushels per acre. do. do. 13 3 CARROTS. Results of nine experiments: The only other material alteration which the committee have proposed in the existing laws regulating our duties upon imports, is an increase of the minimum upon cottons, from 30 cents, at which it 6 now stands, to 35 cents. The object of this has Peas afford a profitable crop, where the soil and been to reach a finer description of cotton cloths; climate are adapted to their culture. In the counand, for the evidence upon which they have recom ties of Delaware, Montgomery, &c. in high and mended this alteration, they refer the house to the cold districts, they are generally free from the bug. testimony of the witnesses who have been examin. Whether this is owing to sowing so late, that the ed upon the subject of cottons, herewith reported. Should there be found errors in this report, the pea fly has changed its state before the crop comes into blossom, or that this insect has not extended committee have to offer for their excuse, the very itself to these counties, I am not able to say. Alshort time which has been allowed to prepare it; bany peas have long sustained a high reputation in and they would gladly have avoided accompanying market. The product is greater than that of wheat, their bill with any report, but for the fact, that their and the price higher. Under good culture, they request to be allowed to examine witnesses, has exare undoubtedly one of the most profitable crops on cited some feeling in the house, as well as in the country, and they have felt it a duty they owed to them-grounds adapted to their growth. selves, to give this detailed history of the manner in which they have discharged the important trust. Gov. Clinton, in his recent message to the New York legislature, recommends the cultivation of The culture commonly given to turnips in Great hemp and flax. He says, "it is the opinion of good Britain, "consists of four or five ploughings, and judges, if this interest is properly fostered, that harrowings sufficient to reduce the soil to a fine twelve thousand tons of hemp, worth $2,000,000, garden fineness: most of the dung made on the may be annually raised in that state; and, that farm is used for them, or at least a considerable within thirty years, the exportation of that article part of it. They are regularly hand-hoed twice." from the United States, will be equivalent in value The driest and soundest soils are chosen for them, to those of cotton." and the crop is either fed off in the field, or carted . 8* General average, Average manured, 56 Difference, 1 13 3 8 7 1 15 13 9 well. J. BUEL. AMERICAN FARMER. 395 A. high expectation of profit which Mr. Young's ex-learning, as well as our husbandmen, are making it periments are calculated to inspire. They consti- a common cause, and engage with zeal and effect. gular favour upon me, and I will only further add, tute excellent feed for cattle of any description. This county yet continues (says common fame,) to that it will afford me great pleasure in reciprocating Your answer to these inquiries will confer a sinThe Flemings sow carrots with their flax. The hold its high standing and its well merited distinc-[(should it fall in my way,) the favour. ground is well prepared, and highly enriched with tion. Great exertions are making for the shows liquid manure. The pulling of the flax loosens next fall. I feel particularly happy in seeing that the soil, and if the weeds are then carefully extir- your essays on agriculture are publishing. Yours, &c. pated, very little after-culture is required. The flattery to say they contain great merit, and will be It is no carrot and flaxseed are sown together. I have seen extensively useful. I wish you to consider me a MR. MASSEY'S REPLY. mention of an experiment on the Flemish plan subscriber for the work. made in Columbia, which succeeded remarkably ly our collection of papers and essays on rural eco-factory of 300 to 500 cotton spindles, &c. In anNear Wilmington, (Del.) Dec. 1, 1821. I shall forward you short Dear Sir,-Yours of the 23d ult. I duly received, wherein you state you are desirous of putting up a Albany Nursery, Feb. 16, 1828. nomy, for the year 1818. We at present only publish at one place, viz. Boston; that society being the three stories high; the ground floor used for looms, oldest in charter, and having the funds for printing, work-shop, &c., the second story for carding and swer to your queries: 1st. A building 25 by 30 feet, &c. It will not be long before the county associaally. This species of literature and science will be-stone is cheap, it is the material generally used-tions will so organize as to publish a collection annu- mules, and the garret for picking cotton. Where preparing; the third story for spinning frames, come common, and we may then expect to see provi- brick next, as frame has to be lathed and plaistered sion made in all our seminaries of learning for pro- throughout, and costs as much here as stone or fessorships-to which should be attached chemisSir,-Your obliging favour of the 12th of Jany. It should be our constant aim to infuse into last, was received the 26th of the same month. education is not complete without a course of lecour population a deep impression that a regular also received the account of the existence of a Society for the improvement of the Agriculture of tures and experiments on rural subjects. By these North Carolina. No event in this class would have means, education will become the handmaid of in ON AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. From a distinguished agriculturist of Massachusetts, formerly President of the Berkshire Agricultural Society G. W. JEFFREYS, Esq. Pittsfield, March 24, 1819. which should and must employ our youth. It is and regard, brick. Drawing and roving frames, Cans, bobbins, &c. Drums and gearing to drive the machinery, $900 200 50 600 400 800 2950 250 300 to 500 spindles, but as there are no such estab-tained from any extensive machine-shop, and in given me more pleasure. It is of almost infinite importance to the welfare of your citizens. If the objects of the association should be faithfully pursued, the improvements will soon be visible; and, as the people witness the utility, the progress will be rapid. As your local situation is not favourable for navigation, your population will be better employed in providing the materials for domestic manufactures, and for the supplies of those states whose chief dependence is on navigation and comMANUFACTURE OF COTTON IN THE merce. Your natural resources are immenseSOUTHERN STATES-XVI. your soils are good, your climate is favourable; all that is required to give it activity and success, is the MR. THO. MASSEY, LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN VIRGINIA, TO diffusion of agricultural science, and the knowledge of the best modern implements for common use. Baltimore, called the American Farmer, in which I Nov. 23, 1827. Sir,-I am a subscriber to a paper, published in From your association must emanate the knowledge have this moment read a letter from you, to I. S. required. It should be universally diffused. Means Lilly, Esq., upon the subject of what we sometimes should be found to incline the husbandman to search call a cotton factory; and being desirous of further for knowledge, as for a hidden treasure-to impress information in relation thereto,' I have taken the on him industry, economy, and a taste for reading. liberty, notwithstanding I have not the pleasure of Here, sir, is a wide field for action; here are subjects to occupy genius, learning, and talent. In this myself to you. a personal acquaintance with you, of addressing field great success may be expected, and great honour must await such as labour perseveringly. Your labours were commenced at the dawn, and already lead the way which your patriotism will encourage you to pursue. Fellow labourers will increase, and your arduous duties will be lightened. In this great and best of causes, the necessary expenditures will be considerable. As the benefit will be common, so the expense should be defrayed by the state, There is no other resource sufficiently productive and permanent. Hence, your legislature should of building a house of a given size, and the costs 2. I can form an accurate estimate of the cost provide adequate funds. Your successful progress of conducting water to the wheel,-suppose so will chiefly depend on this measure. north, have experienced much on this subject. For house built and the water put upon the wheel, what We, at the much of the work to be done-that is to say, the a time our private contributions were regular and will then be the probable cost per spindle, of consufficient. But they began to fail from various structing machinery for spinning cotton? causes-such as death, removal, failures, &c. have, at last, in this commonwealth, succeeded in ly seen a cotton factory, be competent, so far to We 3. Would an ingenious millwright, who had baregetting a permanent law; by which each society progress with the work, as to locate the house, and consisting of a county, may draw annually from the conduct the water to the wheel, or would it be best state treasury $600. This is on condition, how to have, from the beginning, a workman experiencever, that the members of the society furnish a cered in the construction of cotton manufactories? tain yearly contribution, and have a permanent fund of at least $1000. When the good effects of this measure shall be seen, no doubt the sum supplied by the state will be increased to $1000. The state of New York have now before their legislature, a measure essentially like that of Massachusetts, only ducting water to a saw mill, where I propose to 5. I have a pond and a race, hitherto used in conmore liberal. I have the pleasure of assuring you erect the factory; with so much done, what length that the associations in this quarter of the United of time, with ordinary industry, would it take to States for agricultural and manufacturing purposes, put into operation, a manufactory with 300 to 500 are constantly increasing. Our men of talents and spindles? with what materials constructed? the materials, would it be best to purchase in those Respectfully, your friend, THO. MASSEY. HEMP AND FLAX-INQUIRIES. ing of hemp? average crop, to produce to the acre? the acre upon the most indifferent land in which saved to the best advantage, and how is it then dis- sale? 5th. And which is considered best, dew or waterwret, and the whole process while undergoing the wretting; how long, and then what is necessary to be done, in finally preparing it for sale? And 6th, and lastly. Any and all information necessary from the beginning of the out-going to the end of the incoming;-and the same queries and answers as to flax. Answers to the several queries, as well as any other information necessary to be given, will greatly oblige my friend, as well as do infinite service to many in this section of country; as I hope I see a strong disposition in the farmers generally, to improve their soil and cause their farms to put on a more pleasing appearance to the eye, as well as congenial feelings to the heart, and a more solid constitution to the whole frame, as well the body politic as in all its parts. And may I, for my own amusement, ask the favour of you to send me a pamphlet, if not too voluminous, containing the constitution and by-laws of your agricultural society. And I should like also to receive a minute detail from Mr. Gideon B. Smith, respecting silkworms, and if they could be managed here, I would at once send on five dollars, and obtain its worth Could they be made to answer here, I should like to introduce them into our poor house establishment, thinking, as I do, that it would be an easy and pleasant amusement for some of the good old women of the place. And to have them pleasantly and profitably employed, I would, with pleasure, be at the expense of procuring the necessary means, to begin a raw silk establishment. Wishing your paper success, I am, dear sir, respectfully, Your most obedient, JOHN THOMPSON KILBY. N. B. Will you be so good as to enter me a sub scriber to the work to be published by Mr. Garnett, of Essex, Va.*--to be in calf. ANSWER TO INQUIRY. I PROSPECT OF CROPS. clover seed; the most common is with the flail, or ROBERT SINCLAIR. harvest. HORTICULTURE. THE PEA BUG. J. S. SKINNER, ESQ. T. The orchard grass seed is ripe when the heads turn a yellow brown, and the blades begin to fade, then reap the tops and bind them into small sheaves and place them into long open shocks, where they will freely receive alternately the rays of the sun, rain and dews, which will prepare it for threshing. In two or three weeks, haul those shocks into the barn when quite dry, and whilst the sun shines; but let the hauling be done no faster than it is threshed, and in this way it can be threshed clean and fast; to clean the seed, run it through the com mon wheat fan twice, turning each time very slow, so as to make a light wind. The first time use the chaffing riddle, and the next a fine riddle, which will only pass the seed, with a cover over the Dear Sir,-In answer to your inquirer, Mr. screen of the fan--the seed will then be fit for mar- Brache, about the pea bug, in the American Farket; and I hope much more seed will be saved and mer, No 45, I will remark, that his inquiry is really brought to market to meet the general demand. directed to the curculio, the destroyer of our plums. While on this subject, I will remark, for the infor- My communication to you some years since on this mation of those who are yet unacquainted with the subject having miscarried, I have seen in your pavaluable qualities of the orchard grass, that after per since that was written, other notices of the curcultivating it for about fifteen years, I find it best culio; I need not, therefore, go so much into detail for early and late pasture, and if sowed thick about them as I then did. It is about the size of a enough and cured whilst in blossom, makes good pea bug, but rather narrower across the breast its hay, and much of it; it thrives on land moderately shoulders have auburn spots on them, which the rich and moist, and where it has free access to the pea bug has not, nor has the pea bug a rostra; the sun and air, shade being rather detrimental than curculio has one, say three-sixteenths of an inch In compliance with a request in the American useful. It is called cocksfoot in England; but how long, with which it makes the circular incision. If Farmer of the 15th inst., desiring practical infor- it has derived its present name in this country, I these incisions are cut out with a sharp knife, the mation of the time and method of saving, getting have not ascertained; but am certain it is not pecu- plum recovers, unless the insect is afterwards laid out and cleaning clover and orchard grass seed, Iliar to orchards. in the wound. The curculio when approached, if submit the following: The proper time to save at work and feels itself discovered, drops off and elover seed, is when about two-thirds of the draws up its legs, and its shell is so hard, that & heads of the second crop of common red clobird or fowl would likely drop it after picking it up. ver, are of a darkish brown colour. For saving They depredate at all hours of the day, but are so clover seed, the horse and hand comb has been shy that they are seldom seen, and after dropping tried, and used by many persons, particularly the on the ground, are difficult to find. I have often kind drawn by horse, which is contrived so as to sprinkled hot embers around the spot where they comb the heads off and leave the stalk and leaves to When the heads of the second crop of clover are fell, before I could find them. This is the only cover the land or for pasture, but as it is difficult to entirely brown, I commence the cutting for seed thing that I have yet found to have an effect on cure and decompose clover heads on the long stub with a cradle, throwing two swarths together, in the them. I have dissolved gunpowder and rolled them ble, without great loss of seed, I would, therefore, same manner two furrows would be backed with a in it. I have moistened lime and did the same; recommend the crop to be cut with the scythe, by plough, and when tolerably well cured, it is raked when it dries on them, they deliberately use one cutting it so high as to save only the heads or up in small bunches or cocks. The advantage of cut foot or claw to cleanse another until they become per parts of the stalks. It can be done with great ting with the cradle is, that the heads are collected relieved. They care not for tobacco smoke, nor indispatch-leave it to dry a day or two, and then with less stem and consequently the ground shaded deed for any thing I have tried, but hot ashes; they rake the seed-hay into small winrows, where it and pasturage retained; after remaining two or three seem as insensible to every thing as the fleas were ought to remain from one to three weeks, according weeks in small cocks, the chaff has undergone a to the Frenchman's brick dust. When the curculio to the quantity of warm rain or dews that may fall partial decay, and the seed more easily threshed out. is resting himself from his labours, he generally sits on it to decompose the cup or capsule which contains In stacking, a damp day should be selected, or at a small fork, or at the footstalk of a leaf, and is the seed; thereby lessening the labour of threshing, before the sun has its influence. In the cold dry so quiet as frequently to pass for a bud of the limb; treading or milling out the seed. After warm rains, days of winter, I commonly thresh by hand only to on a windy day they often take the leeside of care must be taken to turn or open the thick parts separate the stems from the chaff; after which I put a tree, frequently below a limb. Our plums of the of these winrows to prevent too much fermentation, on the horses, who with their rough shoes, will freestone kind succeed best, because the worm is which would destroy the vegetative part of the greatly expedite the forcing the seed from the cups: not always able to cause it to drop, meandering its seed, and the same harm may be done by stacking I think it the interest of the farmer, where his seed course next to the stone without having to cut its too damp, which ought to be carefully guarded is not intended for market, to sow it in chaff, as a way. In the clingstones, the worm is generally inagainst Much seed is spoiled in this way, and re-great loss ensues in cleaning the seed, produces serted at or near the point farthest from the stem; quires experience to detect the injury thus sustain- great labour, and can only be accomplished by a it eats in until it reaches the stone; runs along the ed. There are different ways of getting out the hand riddle. To use the fan, much light seed is seam or edge of the stone which conducts it under blown off in the chaff. The solicitude I feel, at all the stem, having passed under it. the plum drops. times, to receive and impart information, has pro-, It is not always thus with the freestone. I bave the duced the above details, founded on last season seen some remarkably large egg-shaped EXPERIENCE. plums that escaped destruction in this way, but We here repeat the readiness and pleasure with which we will take the name of any gentleman wishing to subscribe to the above mentioned work.-Ed. ANOTHER ANSWER. J. S. SKINNER, Esq. Washington co., 16th Feb. 1828. even in many of them the worm was living, but had done little injury. If we expect plums to pay us for the trouble, we must keep them in lots where hogs continually live; they eat the falling plums and destroy the worm. the south; and I am happy that the state of feeling AMERICAN GRAPES. In the seventh volume, page 43, you have re-pub lished Pomona from the New England Farmer The fish oil, the oakum and brimstone therein re commended, I cannot see the utility of; for, not withstanding any injury done in the blossom to plums, there will be more shaped and live until the store becomes hard, than the tree can ripen, and S. SKINNER, ESQ. Franklin, Tenn. Feb. 14, 1828. none injured in the blossom will ever harden the Sir,-1 have seen, with much concern, the great stone. I, however, see much good to result from efforts to detract, from American soil, the credit of "digging the earth about the roots some inches deep producing any fine or valuable grapes for table and ca rying it off and replacing fresh sods." This use or wine. A late writer in the Farmer, denies is, indeed, the grand secret of all Pomona's atten the Isabella grape being indigenous. In the fourth tion and care of his trees, and it is for this he is re-volume, page 360, of the American Farmer, Mr. warded with fine fruit. In digging and carrying off the od sods and earth, he carries off the enemy be fore it reaches the surface. Many of us can make this experiment; it is but a small job, and I would recommend a trial of it. But for several weeks smoking the blossoms and limbs, we recoil at the trouble. Some plums, of a choice kind, I have had to ripen by protecting them with gauze. The cur culio commences his depredations as soon as the plum commences hardening the stone, and contin ues as long as a plum is left on which to do fresh mischief. The real pea bug cannot injure the fruit. I have already been more tedious than I intended. A SUBSCRIBER. THE GREVILLE ROSE. J. S. SKINNER, Esq. Linnæan Botanic Garden, } Swift gives a pretty satisfactory history of that A FRIEND OF THE VINE. The United States were settled originally from England; all their habits and fashions have been transcribed into our manners, and transplanted into our soil-among the rest the position of a house. It is difficult to eradicate old habits from common minds. Men who do not think and inquire for themselves, resist all improvements, and consider them as deviations from the standard of correctness. They refuse to be wiser than their fathers. A planter will not use a plough of a different construction from that which he was first taught to use. A mechanic does not inquire whether a proposed alteration will be an improvement, but he instantly rejects it, because he was taught differently; because it is against rule, and cannot be right. Look to the history of the arts, and you will find that most of the great mechanical improvements which have been made, did not originate with the professors of the trades themselves. A penny barber (afterwards Sir Richard Arkwright, invented the spinning machine, which has enriched England; and a schoolmaster (Mr. Whitney,) invented the cotton gin, which has enriched America. This indisposition in the mind to receive new truths, which makes all men act as though they believed what a polemic divine once declared, that "an old error was better than a new truth," has made too many in this country still cling to the good old customs of our forefathers, to still front our houses to the east, when our climate and prevailing winds declare so strongly against its propriety. There is also another consideration which should determine the cardinal points of exposure in a house in this country, which has little relative consequence to influence such a determination in the "fog-wrapt isle" of Britain. It is the exposure to the sun. In this country our cold winter winds are commonly from the north and north west; a south front is therefore the most agreeable in winter. In sumEnclosed is a small notice taken of the product mer, our cooling breezes are generally from the of the vineyard of Mr. Field, who made last sea-south; hence a south front is the most agreeable Dear Sir,-As much interest has been excited re-them native, or raised from seed of native vines. seasons. Men of observation have long known this; son, wine from eight species of grape, seven of also in summer. It is that which is suited to all lative to the Greville rose, in order that every one From our native vines, seven years from the seed, but the million have it yet to learn may know this plant at first sight, and to guard he informs me he made as much wine as from fifty against any inaccuracy, the following remarks may be useful: The petiole, or stem which supports the European vines, and of superior quality leaf and attaches it to the plant, is of peculiar formation-the lower part being quite broad, and "It is with no small degree of pleasure that I deeply serrated, and having the appearance as if have for sometime witnessed the enterprize of a bordered with hairs; the upper part next the leaf is few of our citizens in the culture of the vine. narrow, and formed in the ordinary manner; the Some days since, I was presented with several botleaves are very singular, being beautifully cut or tles of Mr. J. Field's wine; and I do assure you, fringed on the edges, and when first expanded and (my experience, by dealing in liquors for a long for a period after, have a red border, which, on time, being pretty extensive,) I have never tasted a close examination, renders them peculiarly beautimore pleasant drink than the wine produced from ful. The shoots have a vigorous and rugose ap his Scuppernong and Isabella grapes. Mr. Field pearance, and when the plant has sufficient space assures me that he can afford to sell his at one to expand its roots, they grow with a rapidity sur fourth the price paid for foreign wines When we passing any other rose. The very singular and consider, that not less than four or five thousand striking appearance of the flowers, when develop dollars are annually drained from this county for ed, has been before noticed in various European wines, it is a subject well worthy the consideration and American publications, as forming one of the of our planters. greatest curiosities in the horticultural department. Yours, most respectfully, J. S. SKINNER, Esq. WM. PRINCE. } THE SCUPPERNONG GRAPE. Linnæan Botanic Garden, Feb. 16, 1328. Dear Sir,-In your Farmer of January 18th, page 348, I notice a communication signed Orion, in which he contends, that the Scuppernong is not a "native" grape. I had not time then, nor have I now, to make a detailed statement on the subject; but I am not willing to let the occasion pass with out giving my decided opinion, that it is a native, and can be so proved by the manner of growth and the appearance of the wood and foliage, and on some future occasion, I will explain fully my ideas relative thereto. I am aware of the fact to which your correspondent refers, viz: the introduction, long since, of foreign vines into some of our southern states, and I know we may be expected to have much light thrown on the subject by residents at A Friend to the Vine." RURAL ECONOMY. 1. Of the Situation and Plan of Dwelling Houses. A house which has an east and west front, has at all hours the sun's rays pouring with full force into the doors and windows, and upon the body of the house on one side or other during the whole day. The afternoon's sun, in such houses, shoots his long beans with burning intenseness through their doors and windows, and upon the whole side of the house. This might make a tolerable residence for a salamander, but is an intolerable one for the human species. It is the nursery of fever, and deprives even the healthy of comfort. But a house that has a southern aspect, with few or no inlets to the sun's rays on the east or west, receives so few directly within it, that it seems to be situate within another climate. Will not these remarks occasion those who read them, to observe the advantages and disadvantages of a house having a particular direction of front? If it does, a greater innovation than ever will be made upon the English law of custom, and tyrant habit will lose some of his blinded votaries. 2. Of shading Houses and adjoining grounds by Trees. Some modern traveller speaks in terms of high satisfaction of the comforts he enjoyed in a summer house by its being enclosed with canvass, upon which servants were constantly throwing water. This must have been grateful and healthful in a hot climate and season; but a man who has sense enough to let the natural forest trees remain when he builds a new house, or ingenuity enough to plant some where none at present exists, will derive from their shade and balmy perspiration, all the advantages which the nabob derives from his cloth summerhouse, water, engines, and servants; and at no expense at all. The health will be benefitted in the |