It is assumed throughout the report under roads, be regarded as a gift or gratuity to the swer it, by stating "that this increase of value consideration, that these reservations of land for purchasers of the land, who should take it upon has not been an exclusive benefit to the Atlanthe use of Schools, are to be justly regarded as the terms thus offered? Every privilege, benefit tic States, but a benefit common to all the donations or grants, to the several States and and advantage, which an owner of property an-States, eastern and western, whilst the latter still Territories within which they are situated, that nexes to it, prior to the sale, and which thus enjoy exclusively the advantage derived from the they are thus granted for the use and benefit of passes with the property, as one of its incidents appropriations of lands for literary purposes." But such States, and to be applied to State, and not to and appurtenances, must be considered as a sale why, we ask, should it have been the exclusive National purposes. Supposing this view of the sub-for valuable consideration, and not as a gift or benefit to the Atlantic States? These States were not the exclusive owners of these lands; ject correct, in regard to States already formed, gratuity. and Territories actually peopled; upon what just This arrangement, by which a portion of the they were the common property of all the peoground can it be extended to the unnumbered Public Lands sold, is reserved for Schools, your ple of the United States. If, therefore, the proStates, existing only in anticipation, which may, Committee consider to be, in a high degree, ceeds of these lands, thus raised in value, go at some future time, be formed out of these va-wise and judicious. Whilst it serves to encour-into the common treasury of the United States, cant Territories, in which a cabin has not yet age the sale of the lands, in the first instance, and thus enure to the benefit of the whole people, been erected, and towards which the boldest it remains as a growing fund, becoming valuable precise and exact justice is done to all parties. of the frontier settlers have yet scarcely made in proportion as the occasion for its application It is not to be forgotten, that an individual does an approach? A grant implies parties; there arises, by the increase of families within the not cease to be a citizen of the United States, by must be a party to receive, as well as a party township. Still it is a fund, paid for by the becoming a purchaser of its lands. It is the to convey. Yet our claim can only be sustain-owners of such township, which the government common case of an aggregate corporation, ened, to the extent asserted, by proving our right cannot resume without injustice and breach of tering into a contract of sale with one of its to demand in present possession, an equivalent faith, and for which, it would be equally unjust members. As an individual, he pays into the for these supposed donations to imaginary to claim an equivalent from other funds. It may, common treasury a full equivalent for the proStates.* perhaps, be asserted, that the annexation of this perty purchased; as a member of such corporaBut can these reservations be justly consi-privilege to lands, does not enhance their value, tion, he enjoys his full proportion of it, according dered as grants or donations to any State within and is not ordinarily taken into consideration by to his share in its capital. (5) But whatever may be considered to be the rewhich they lie? A system for the survey and purchasers. Such an assertion, however, we sale of the Public Lands has been adopted, ori-think would be entirely unwarranted. It may lation subsisting between the United States and ginating in the celebrated ordinance of 20th be very true, that many individuals buy, without the purchasers of any township, resulting from May, 1785, before the adoption of the present entering into any very exact computation of the the school reservations it seems quite manifest Constitution, and modified by sundry acts of value of this privilege, in dollars and cents. that such reservations cannot be regarded as a Congress. According to this system, lands in-But as a general and known incident annexed to grant to any State, or to the people of any tended to be sold, are surveyed before they all lands derived from the public, as a general State. The State Governments have no control are offered for sale, being actually divided into encouragement to settlers, proceeding from over them, and can make no disposition of them. townships six miles square, and these subdivi- places where the advantages of school education (6) It appears to have been taken for granted, ded into thirty six sections, each one mile are known, enjoyed, and appreciated, its effect square, and containing 640 acres. One of these is produced in that general aggregate of the unless some local advantage not common to othsections, in each township, is uniformly reser-judgments of men, which constitutes the mar-ers be attached to them, they would hardly sell ved and given in perpetuity for the support of ket price, and fixes an average estimated value for an amount equal to the expense of survey and Schools in the township. This plan being to such property. It is probable, therefore, that office fees, were there no price prescribed by law, adopted and made known, before the town-by enhancing this market price, and raising the below which they should not be sold? Facts we believe, will confirm the result ship is offered for sale, it is manifest that general estimate of Public Lands by the reserevery purchaser, whether he take the whole vation of the school lot, a full equivalent is ob- at which we arrive by reasoning upon the general or part of a township, purchases his land with tained, for every acre thus set apart, and re-principles. Nearly all the public lands, which have been disposed of, have been sold at the minithis privilege annexed, and pays a full con- served as a trust fund. (4) sideration for the privilege, in the price given The Legislature of Maryland, appear to have mum, or lowest price allowed by law. for the land, to which such privilege is thus anticipated this objection, and endeavour to an-more has been given, it may be accounted for by some local advantage, having no connexion whatpreviously annexed. The United States as ever with the reservation of school lots. The inproprietors of a township thus surveyed, offer it (4.) The above reasoning, at first appears sa- ference then is fair, that the minimum price has for sale on these terms; that if a purchaser, or tisfactory and conclusive, but upon deeper reflection been given, because the law requires it, not becompany of purchasers, will pay for the thirty and closer examination, it will be found, we ap- cause the advantage of school lots has been annexfive sections, at the price fixed, they shall be hrehend, to be unsupported both in principle and ed-and becomes irresistible, when taken in conentitled to a grant thereof in fee, and the Uni-by facts. nexion with the fact, that military bounty lands, ted States will forever hoid the thirty sixth secThe Massachusetts Committee themselves will which the owners are at liberty to sell at what chasers and their assigns, for the support of Where tion in trust, for the use and benefit of such pur-not refuse to admit, that no consideration has been price they please, of the same or better quality, Schools. When land is taken at this offer, the haid for the school lands, unless the purchasers of with the like advantage of school lots attached to contract becomes complete, and the United the adjacent lands have paid a higher price than them, have been sold and may now be bought for States are bound to execute this trust with fi-they would have done, if no reservation of school twenty-five cents per acre. lots had been made. The above facts, supported as they are, by condelity; and it would be a manifest breach of Let us consider for a moment the principle which formity to the general principle, seem to us to faith, to compel such purchaser, in any shape, regulates price. It will not be disputed, we pre-offer not only negative but something like positive to pay a further equivalent for the privilege thus stipulated and paid for. But it would ob-sume, that the price of any thing offered for sale, proof, that no higher price has been given for new without restriction depends upon the relation, lands, than would have been given for them, had viously be compelling such purchaser, thus to pay again for this benefit, if in consequence of such which supply bears to demand. Instrinsic value no school lots been annexed: and of course that does not determine it. Thus air, necessary to ex-no consideration has been paid for those school reservations, other lands or other funds, should be istence, bears no price because the supply is un-lots: and that they must be considered to be acappropriated to the use of all other citizens of limited. Diamonds, which contribute chiefly to tually and truly, Donations, as they are called in the United States, from the benefit of which, the gratification of vanity and the love of ostenta-several acts of Congress. Nor can we discover, such purchaser should be excluded. Your Comtion, and but little to purposes of real utility, either from Reports or preambles of acts, that mittee consider these reservations, as one of the bear an enormous price because extremely rare. they ever were intended by Congress for any othmeans resorted to by the government, to give This principle might be illustrated by a thousand er purpose than to adopt the language of the orvalue to their lands, and thus to encourage and familiar instances. We daily see the price of Agri-dinance for the Government of the N. W. Terpromote the sale of them. Suppose the United cultural produce and other commodities, rising ritory, the promotion of religion, morality and States, upon opening a tract of land for sale, and falling, as the relation between supply and knowledge" as "being necessary to good governshould stipulate to make certain roads to, and demand alters, without any regard to quality or in- ment and the happiness of mankind. through them; would the price paid for such trinsic value. Now apply this principle to the (5.) But would a corporation act with justice public lands, the supply of which, with the privi- and impartiality, if it should grant advantageous * Vide note 2, which shews, that our claim lege of school lots annexed, (for it is annexed by bargains, (if you will) to a part of the members would have been the same, if no donations had existing laws to all the public lands as they are to the exclusion of the rest? been made to any but settled states or but one surveyed) may be said to be unlimited, while the (6.) The school lots in Ohio were granted by a demand is limited—and is it not mainfest, that compact with a convention of that state, for the state. AMERICAN FARMER. Your Committee ask leave to call the atten that the purchasers must necessarily be the set-early grants, that to the Ohio Company, and J.the motives, in which this proposition originated. tlers of the Public Lands. But it is obvious, that C. Symmes, a like reservation was made for re-On the contrary, they firmly believe that the a citizen of Maryland or Massachusetts may as ligious objects. Subsequently, this reservation Legislature of Maryland, in the claim which they well be the purchaser of these townships; and was discontinued; and no one ever thought of have advanced, and those of the other States as the reservation enures to the benefit of the imputing to Congress a breach of faith in this which have given it their sanction, have been ac purchasers, and their assigns, this benefit would particular, nor was any claim ever advanced, in tuated by an honest, but very ardent desire to probe extended to such persons as effectually, as if consequence of this reservation in behalf of the mote a highly interesting and laudable object, they were citizens of the State or Territory, old States. Indeed, it is perfectly obvious, that that of education; but through the zeal and earwithin which, such lands might lie. Your Committee would suggest another consi-siderations of expediency, and is one the present system of sale is governed by con-nestness with which this object has been pursued, deration which presents itself to their minds, as Congress may discontinue one, of great weight, and which must reduce the Should this now be done, what would become of claim is asserted. But the allowance of this claim, which they have been led to overlook the unsoundness claim in question, to a very small portion of its all that part of the claim of the old States, found-looking as it avowedly does, for large donations to at any moment. of the principles upon which this extraordinary alleged amount, were it not in other respects welled upon a computation of the 400,000,000 acres, some of the states, to the exclusion of others, if founded. If the school reservation can in any not yet sold, surveyed, or explored? (8) respect be considered as a grant or donation, it can only be so considered, to the extent to which only be practically asserted at the present time, ble violation of the dictates of impartial justice, If then, this claim were well founded, it could upon principles of strict right, would be a palpanot fully established, and clearly shewn to rest lands have been actually sold, under the pre-to the extent of that proportion of lands, which so eloquently and powerfully urged by the Legissent system. Certainly, where a township has have been reserved upon sales actually made. lature of Maryland. been sold, with the privilege annexed, Congress Because, should Congress discontinue the accannot with good faith, revoke it. But where customed reservation, and order a sale of the tion of the Legislature to one more topic arising the rights of purchasers have not intervened, whole thirty six sections in each township, the Congress has an unquestionable right to alter old States would enjoy their full proportion of this system for the survey and sale of public this common property, in the proceeds of the the lands among the old States, should they be lands, to recall the standing proposals now by sales, thus brought into the public treasury. out of the subject committed to them, which is, law, made to purchasers, without breach of Considering these school reservations, beyond The Legislature of Maryland proposes that they the ratio upon which it is proposed to distribute faith, and to propose such other terms, as policy townships actually sold, as altogether contingent, should be distributed among these States in proand expediency may dictate. (7) This, in some depending upon the will and judgment of Con-portion to their respective superficial extent. (10.) granted by Congress, in pursuance of this claim. instances, Congress has done. In some of the gress, and to be affected by varying views of This rule seems not only to be entirely arbitrary, benefit of the inhabitants of every township in extreme surprise, the language of the Legisla-pugnant to the general spirit and design of the policy, your Committee cannot but regard, with and founded on no principle of equity, but rethe state. [Vide act admitting Ohio into the Uni-ture of Maryland, in which they speak of the cessions of the respective States, and a violation on, April 30, 1802.] extended to all the new states, formed out of the what these reservations will be, throughout the by Virginia, that these lands, namely, should That compact has been whole 14 576,000 acres, being the aggregate of of the express condition upon cessions were made public lands. Their Legislatures are in the con-whole of the unsurveyed territory of the United enure to the benefit of all the States, "according stant habit of passing general laws for the regula-States, as land which, tion and management of the school lots :-and we to the favoured States and Territories," and eral charge and expenditure." This was the lanapprehend that the state governments have every thereupon to found a demand for an immediate "has already been given to their usual respective proportions in the gensort of control over them, except the power of sell-allowance of a proportionate amount in behalf of tion, and was at that time entirely appropriate. It ing them, or converting them to other uses, than the excluded States. (9) the promotion of education in each township. guage used during the existence of the confederaThese school Reservations seem to us to possess taining a doubt of the purity and uprightness of formably to the spirit and principles of the preYour Committee, however, are far from enter- as the common property of the States; but conevery attribute of donations, (modified and reis not now strictly accurate to speak of these lands stricted in their use, we grant) to the new states, trine-a doctrine, which would not be very accept-as the property of the people of the United or the people of the new states. (7.) That the Committee are not correct in selves, however reconcileable to impartial justice gress. According to these principles, upon the able to Illinois, Indiana, &c. if applied to them- States, directly and fully represented in Consent Constitution, they are rather to be regarded this position, and that Congress have deprived it may appear, when used to exclude the old states themselves of the power of refusing the school from the benefit of appropriations for schools. grants hereafter, in new states already formed; we refer for proof to the compact alluded to in of lands sold by the United States, be considered contribute to the general charge; therefore, the If this exemption from taxation for five years, citizens, in the exact proportion in which they present system, the proceeds of lands are brought, into the treasury, and enure to the benefit of the That compact first grants to Ohio, injurious to the new states, whose population it has our last note. Lot number 16 of every township for the use of a tendency to increase at the expense of the old schools-2dly. Certain valuable salt springs-and states, let it be abolished by mutal consent. It is guage of the Legislature of Maryland," and are 3dly. One Twentieth part of the nett proceeds of not necessary to the present system of cash sales. not to be found in the Maryland Report or Resothe lands being within the state, sold by Congress, The old states will not object to its repeal, if it lutions. for making public roads, leading to and through the forms an obstacle to the extension of school appro state-on condition that Ohio shall not tax any priations for their benefit; nor would they, it is be- (10.) That the Committee are mistaken in tract of land sold within the State by the U. S., for lieved, if the salt springs and the appropriation supposing, that the Legislature of Maryland profive years after the sale. Let it be recollected that for roads, be not an equivalent for the amount of poses, that the lands, claimed for the old states, this compact has been extended to all the states taxes, which the new states have been restricted should be distributed amongst them" in proporformed out of the public lands. So long as the from leveying on the very small portion of the tion to their superficial extent," is manifest from "condition is fulfilled by those states, Congress hublic lands, hitherto sold within them, object to the words of the Maryland Resolution, which is cannot, without their consent, alter the system of Congress giving an equivalent in some other as follows, to wit: school reservation. That condition, framed with form. a view to the system of public sales on credit, then existing, where titles were most frequently not compact with John Cleves Symmes, or the Ohio entitled to such appropriations as will correspond, Cougress, we believe, were never bound by any tions of land, for the purpose of education, are whose favor Congress have not made appropriaResolved, that the states, in given till five years, or nearly that length of Company, to continue to reserve Lots for religious in a just proportion, with those heretofore made sime, af er sale, though not to be considered in the purposes. light of an equivalent price, is nevertheless a sufficient consideration to bind Congress to the to school lands, "founded upon a computation of of the above resolution, that the Legislature of (8.) To shew that Maryland makes no claim in favour of the other states." continuance of the system so long as the condition the 400,000,000 acres not yet sold, surveyed or Maryland did not take upon themselves to decide, is complied with; but it would be extravagant in explored," the reader is referred to Note 2. It is morcover manifest from the phraseology the extreme to say, that Congress on that account are not at liberty to make as favorable grants to ordinary of all the numerous mistakes, in regard distribution of the lands or their proceeds should (9.) We know not how this, the most extra-decide what is the just proportion, by which the but left it, as was proper, entirely to Congress to the other states. If they now have not that liber-to the Maryland Report, into which the Massa-be made, and to prescribe the conditions, if any ty, they had it not after the above compact was chusetts' Committee have fallen, could have should be deemed necessary, and the form acmade with Ohio, they had it not when the school happened; but the fact is, that the words quoted cording to which grants should be made. In short, grants were made to the states, subsequently form-as the language of the Legislature of Mary- the Legislature of Maryland simply assert the ed and admitted into the Union. These states would be void, according to this doe-gard with extreme surprise," are not the "lan-out the mode in which justice shall be done. The grants to land," which that Committee "cannot but re-justice of the claim, but do not presume to point = or the comm nds, if distributed, must equitably follow the nature and character of these reservations, as in- other seminaries, for the common use and beneme proportion.* cidental merely to the grants to which they were fit of all the people of the Union, is one of an It is hardly to be presumed, however, that it is annexed, and of course, co-extensive with entirely different character, upon which your riously in contemplation to grant the land itself them. Committee feel confident, that the Legislature of the sixteen States, respectively. Should eight Such are the views, which your Committee Massachusetts will be ready to act with prompt- ten millions of acres be thus granted, with have felt it their duty to submit to the Legisla-ness and liberality, whenever that question is berty to the several States to dispose of them, ture, relative to the most important question, distinctly presented. s they might think fit, it is very certain that so arising out of this subject. The further claim, Your Committee would have felt more entire any sellers coming into the land-market at founded on the suggestion that donations of lands confidence in the result of their enquiries, had nce, would not only depreciate the value of their have been made to certain States, for the sup-not opinions of an opposite character been exwn lands, but entirely derange the present sys-port of Seminaries of Learning of a higher grade, pressed by those, for whose judgment they enterem of land sales, by the United States, and di-may perhaps stand on a footing somewhat dif-tain the highest deference and respect. This ert that source of revenue from its present chan-ferent. Seven townships appear to have been circumstance has induced them to examine the el, for many years to come. To avoid this granted for this purpose to several States and subject with all the attention which other engageuinous system, it would, probably, be proposed Territories, and others may have been granted, ments would permit, and to assign reasons which o pay in cash, a certain proportion of the pro- of the circumstances attending which, and the have influenced them, at much greater length Leeds of the sale of Public Lands. But in this considerations upon which they were made, your than would otherwise have been proper. But ase, it would be necessary to replace the same Committee have not been able to obtain precise believing that the proposition of the Legislature -um from other funds, so that in point of fact, it and satisfactory information. They are, how-of Maryland cannot be sustained upon just and would be quite immaterial whether these sums ever, so unimportant in point of amount, as not satisfactory grounds, and that the adoption of it were paid out of those proceeds specifically, or materially to affect the general question. If the by this Legislature, would be attended with conFrom any other public monies, being in either reservations of the thirty sixth part of the sequences, highly injurious to the harmony and case, a general charge on the treasury. Wheth- Public Lands, for the support of Schools, are not best interests of the Union, they ask leave to reer land therefore, or money, be distributed, no of a character to sustain the present claim in be- commend the adoption of the subjoined resoluother equitable rule of proportion can be followed, half of the old states, the proposition of the State tions. than that of contribution to the general charge, be- of Maryland must entirey fail. A general de- All which is respectfully submitted. cause in either case, the amount thus taken, must sire to promote the great object of school educaFor the Commmittee, be replaced by such contribution. Nor does it ap-tion, will not be sufficient to justify an affirmative January 21, 1822. LEMUEL SHAW. pear of the slightest importance whether those decision on this proposition. It is a question of RESOLVED, That the Public Lands of the who are entitled to receive, happen to be closely strict right, between parties having adverse United States, are justly considered to be the settled on a small surface, or thinly scattered over interests, the decision of which may involve common property of the Union, and that no State an extensive territory. Extent of surface, there- consequences deeply affecting the future peace can justly claim any exclusive appropriation of fore, can furnish no safe or equitable rule of dis- and harmony of the Union. The form in which them. tribution. But it is, perhaps, easy to perceive the this claim is made, as well as the claim itself, RESOLVED, That the reservation of certain lots error, in which this proposed ratio of distribu- appears calculated to awaken jealousy and dis-of land in townships offered for sale by the Unittion arose, and to trace it to that general delu- cord. Some are denominated the favoured, and ed States, for the support of schools in such sion, if the expression may be indulged, in which others the excluded States. The latter are re- townships, in pursuance of standing laws, canthis extraordinary claim itself originated. The presented to be powerful, having one hundred not justly be considered as a donation to the States aggregate of these school reservations, being a and sixty-nine Representatives in Congress; the within which such lands are situated, and cannot, portion of each township surveyed, for sale, must former feeble, having only seventeen Representa- therefore, entitle any other State to demand any land or other donation by way of equivalent. of course, be in exact proportion to the number of tives. The question is ultimately to be decided these townships. As a benefit promised to pur-by these Representatives, having themselves RESOLVED, That His Excellency the Gover chasers, this was the just proportion. Had such an interest in the question. As a questionor, be requested to transmit copies of the forereservation been designed principally as a gift or between parties thus situated, it becomes an the several States, with a request that they will going report and resolutions to the Governors of gratuity, to inhabitants or settlers, independent of imperious duty to waive all considerations of their interest in the lands, a different proportion interest, policy and expediency, and to decide communicate the same to the Legislatures therewould naturally have presented itself. (11.) This only upon those unerring principles of justice, and Representatives of this Commonwealth, in of, respectively; also to each of the Senators circumstance throws additional light upon the which can alone ensure harmony and safety.— Congress. The question, whether Congress has power, and N. B. Those who feel an interest in the imwhether under any circumstances, it would be Maryland does not propose, as the Massachusetts for the encouragement and support of schools and those in the Maryland Report, may see the latter (11.) It is apparent from the last note, that adviseable to exercise it, in making appropria-portant subject of the foregoing Report, and wish to compare the argument contained therein with Committee suppose, that the school lands, if report at large in the American Farmer, vol. 3, page 81. Vide Note 11. granted to the states, which have received none will increase with it an advantage incident to heretofore, or the proceeds of them, should be the local situation of the new states, carved out distributed amongst them according to "extent of the public lands, which cannot be extended to of surface;" and we agree with that Committee, the old states; for, when the lands appropriated that "extent of surface, can," in those states to their benefit, shall once be sold, the fund be"furnish no safe or equitable rule of distribution." comes fixed and cannot increase. HORTICULTURE. POMARIUM BRITANNICUM, An Historical and Botanical account of Fruits, known in Great Britain, by Henry Philips. -Second Edition. (Continued from page 170.), DATE-DACTYLUS. . Species of the Palma, or Palm 1 ree-Date The case, however, is different in the states form- The grants therefore to the new states, though ed out of the public lands. Extent of surface in in form they are proportioned to territorial extent, these furnishes the best guide for arriving at an operate beneficially in a “just proportion," acequitable distribution, in reference to population, cording to population, and of course as respects the subject of education. Let it be borne in mind, those states, in entire conformity with the spirit that the school grants in these states are reserva-of the condition of the cessions, by Virginia and A ons in perpetuity of lots number 16, in the cen-other states, to wit: that these lands should tre of each township. These lots can never be enure to the benefit of the states, "according to sold. Their value, as a fund for the promotion their usual respective proportion in the general The palm-tree is a native of the eastern counof education, depends upon the rent which they charge and expenditure" which is in proportion tries, and has been known to grow in the deserts will bring. In unsettled townships, they will to Representation in Congress, and of course în of Arabia and Syria from the earliest ages.bring none. In townships, thinly settled, where proportion to population. Dates appear to have been the first food which land in fee simple can be purchased cheap, they Perhaps the best rule of distribution of the the Israelites found in the wilderness of Shur.— will bring but little. But they will command a proceeds of the school lands amongst the states," And they came to Elim, where twelve wells of high rent in townships thickly settled, where of which have had no grants, after Congress. shal! water, and threescore and ten palm-trees, and course the price of land in fee simple will be have determined the aggregate amount of land, they encamped there by the waters." (Exodus, high and rentable land of course in demand. In to which they are equitably entitled, as between chap. xv. verse 27.) The ancients esteemed dates short, cæleris paribus, the rent of these school them and the other states, would be a Ratio, com-next to the vine and olive. lots will be in proportion to population-their hounded of actual population and territorial ex- The palm-trees are very lucrative to the Arabs value therefore, as a fund for th support of tent, weight being given to territorial extent, on and other inhabitants of the desert, where the schools, will be in proportion to population, an account of future population. fruit forms a principal part of their food, particu larly in all that part of the Zaara which is near Among the trees of Egypt, there is no ne more trees of the forest, so as it might see," says the Mount Atlas, where they grow but little corn, common than the date-trec, both on the sands as poet, "the male palm-tree at Brindisi, it then beand chiefly depend on this fruit for subsistence.well as on the cultivated districts. It requires no gan to bear fruit in abundance." M. Geoffrey In this part of the world, forests of date-trees attention, and is very profitable, the fruit being makes no doubt but that the tree then only began may be seen, some of which are several leagues in great demand, particularly that in the neigh-to bear fruit, because it was in a condition to in circumference. The Grecian and Roman au-bourhood of Rosetta, which is delicious. The catch on it's branches the farina of the male thors have given full accounts of this fruit. It is branches are cut off with the dates upon them brought thither by the wind. related that Alexander's army having met with before they are thoroughly ripe, and thrust into It may appear to many persons almost incredates of such a delicious quality, many, who baskets made for the purpose, which have no dible, that the poller. of the male flower should could not forbear eating too plentifully, died.- other aperture than a hole, through which the be conveyed to so great a distance; but that it There is one kind of date described by the an- branches project. The dates thus packed up, should be attracted by a tree of it's own species, cient authors, that would inebrate and overturn ripen in succession, and boats are laden with will not create so much our wonder, when, with the brain. them, and sent to Cairo. Could they not be the least reflection, we must be satisfied that the The Babylonian, or Royal Dates, were most brought to England in this state ? glutinous moisture on the stigmata of flowers, has esteemed these, in ancient times, were reserv- The timber is so durable, that it is thought in- an attraction for the pollen of the anthera of it's ed for the kings of Persia, and are said to have corruptible by the natives. It is used for making kind only; else, when a variety of flowers were grown only in one hortyard or park at Babylon, beams and implements of husbandry, as also for blossoming at the same time, we should have which was annexed to the Persian crown. The javelins, and the trees often grow to a hundred the rose impregnating the lily, and the wheat dates at Jericho, in Jewry, were also in high es- feet in height. There are but few trees which giving it's generating powder to the poppy. All timation with the ancients, who made both bread are used for so many valuable purposes, and I animals and insects, when left to nature, couple and wine of them. Pliny, who has written at great know of none where the sexual distinctions are with their kinds. Vegetables do the same, allength upon this fruit, mentions forty-nine kinds so evident. It is the female tree which produces though it is now clearly ascertained that it is of dates, varying according to the country where the fruit, and on which account it is cultivated in possible to make the stigmata of one blossom rethey grew; some of which were white, black, greater numbers; but in order to obtain the fruit, ceive the pollen of another, if it is prevented or brown, some were round, others in the shape the orientalists, who live upon it, plant male from taking that of it's own species; and thus of a finger, some very small, and others he de- trees also; and it is no uncommon practice for we have within these last few years so great a scribes as being as large as the pomegranate.-their enemies, in time of war, to cut down the variety of new flowers and fruits. One species of the date, the Lotus, was much male trees, which prevents the others from pro- The date tree grows very rapidly, and will cultivated in Italy, and is by some supposed to ducing dates, and causes famine. The number of produce fruit in some countries in the third year, be the fruit by which the companions of Ulyses female trees cultivated in Asia, is much greater while in others it is from four to six years before were enchanted, and forgot their native country. than that of the males, the former being more it begins to bear: when arrived at maturity, it Italy, and the coast of Spain, have been re- profitable. makes no change, but remains in the same state nowned for palm-trees more than two thousand. The sexual organs of the date-tree grow upon for three generations, according to the account years: "but the dates," says Pliny, "never come different stalks; and when they are in flower, of the Arabs. Like most other fruits, the date to maturity or ripeness, nor were they ever the Arabs cut the male branches to impregnate requires cultivation to have it good, as the fruit known to grow without being planted" this the female blossoms: for this purpose, they which is produced from trees which have been caused him to state that they were foreign trees. make incisions in the trunk of each branch which raised from seed is poor and ill-tasted, while The Arabs eat dates without seasoning, for they wish to produce fruit, and place in it a stalk those trees which are reared from the shoots, they have a very agreeable taste when they are of male flowers: without this precaution, the give dates of good quality. fesh, and afford wholesome nourishment. date-tree would produce only abortive fruit. In The flowers of both sexes come out in very These people dry and harden them in the sun, some parts the male branches are only shaken long bunches from the trunk between the leaves, to reduce them to a kind of meal, which they known to the ancients, and is accurately descri- withers: those of the male have six short stamiover the female blossoms. This practice was and are covered with a spatha which opens and preserve for food when they undertake long bed by Pliny, who says, "if the male tree be cut mina, with narrow four-cornered anthers filled journeys across the deserts; and they will subsist a considerable time on this simple nourish-down, his wives will afterwards become barren, with farina. The female flowers have no stamiment pieces of the date-bread diluted in water and bare no more dates, as if they were widows. na. afford a refreshing beverage. The Arabs like-So evident is the copulation of the sexes in the Dates are imported into this country in a dried a wise strip the bark and fibrous parts from the date-trees," says he," that men have devised to state, similar to dried figs: when in good condition, make the females fruitful, by casting upon them they are much esteemed, and fetch a high price, young date-trees, and eat the substance that is in the centre. It is very nourishing, and has and sometimes by strewing the powder which he lings the pound, although inferior kinds may be the blooms and down that the male tree bears, At the present time, they are sold for five shilsweet taste, and they call it the marrow of the date-tree: they also eat the leaves when they yields upon them." bought much cheaper for medicinal purposes, for are young and tender, mixed with lemon-juice, Plants, speaking of the date-tree, says, Linnæus, in his Dissertation on the Sexes of which they are principally used in England, beas a salad. The male flowers are also eaten, male date-bearing palm, flowered many years at ing the head-ache to those who eat them in "A fe-ing considered hard of digestion, and often causwhen tender, in the same manner. The fruit before it is ripe is somewhat astringent, but when Berlin, without producing any seeds; but the quantities, and they create scorbutic complaints thoroughly mature is of the nature of the fig-blossoms of the male tree, which was then flow-qualities of dates are to soften the asperities of Berlin people, taking care to have some of the as well as the loss of teeth. In medicine, the A white liquor, known by the name of date-milk, is drawn from the palm-tree. To obtain it, all ring at Leipsic, sent them by the post; they ob- the throat, to assuage all immoderate fluxes of the branches are cut from the summit of one of tained fruit by these means; and some dates, the the stomach, and to ease disorders of the reins, these trees; and after several incisions have offspring of this impregnation, being planted in &c. The oil and phlegm render them moistenbeen made in it, they are covered with leaves, in my garden, sprung up, and to this day continue ing and good to assuage coughs. They stop vomitorder that the heat of the sun may not dry it; to grow vigorously." ings and fluxes, and are good for the piles when the sap then drops into a vessel placed to receive Père Labat, in his Account of America, men- taken in red wine. (Barham.) the liquor. The milk of the date-tree has an tions a tree which grew near a convent in Mar- They are principally brought from Africa, Eagreeable sweet taste when new: it is very re- which came to maturity enough for eating: but tinique, that produced a great quantity of fruit, gypt, and Syria, but the finest come from Tunis. freshing, and is given even to sick people. Thus Near Elete, in Spain, there is a wood consisthas Providence reared a blessing in the sandy and, it was desirable to propagate it, but none of dates. These trees furnish a curious traffic: as there was no other tree of the kind in the isl-ing of two hundred thousand palm-trees, bearing the seeds would grow. He conjectures that the the branches of them are bound up in mats to Even the stones of dates, though very hard, tree might probably be so far impregnated by bleach the leaves, which in time become white ; are not thrown away; they are bruised and laid some neighbouring palm tree, as to render it ca- they are then cut off, and sent in ship-loads to in water to soften, when they become good food for pable of bearing fruit, but not sufficient to Genoa and other parts of Italy, for the grand prosheep and camels. make the seeds prolific. cession of Palm Sunday. There is a great trade The Egyptians make an agreeable conserve of M. Geoffrey cites a story from Jovicus Ponta- in them with Madrid also, where every house the fresh dates and sugar. The Arabs weave nus, who relates, "that, in his time, there were has it's blessed palm-branch. The dates seldom mats and other things of the same kind from the two palm-trees, the one a male, the other a fe- ripen so thoroughly as to keep well. old leaves; and from the filaments which arise male, in the wood Otranto, fifteen leagues apart; Hughes, in his Natural History of Barbadoes, from the stumps of the branches, they fabricate that this latter was several years without bearing speaking of the date-tree, says, "The straightest both ropes and sails. any fruit; till at length, rising above the other and youngest branches, which grow near the desert for the wanderer. summit of the tree, are much used here by the subject, would not permit me to determine the the body of the grain-Stacks, made as usual Jews, upon their feast of Tabernacles : these they precise genus of insects, to which these ani- with us, and by our best stackers, have this year, usually gild, and adorn with various flowers, and mals belong. yielded in wheat but very little more than half then carry them in procession to their synagogue." There is a curious fact connected with this the supposed contents. We have much straw; He adds, "whether this is the same kind of subject not generally known to farmers, and little grain, and the majority of farmers, whose palm that was used by the Israelites, we know which has led to some little mistakes. There average crop would reach four hundred bushels, not, or whether it is not here succedaneously is a fly called the ceraphron by naturalists, and on which they calculated with certainty, used as bearing the nearest resemblance to it." which is often seen in swarms among the wheat will not this season, have more than two hundred about the same time the depredations are bushels! (To be continued.) ON THE FLY IN WHEAT. made by the Hessian Fly. This insect is not Cotton crop promises well. In this section of quite so large as the other, and may be distin-Virginia, our attention to cotton is confined to a guished from it by the wings, which are four in sufficiency for domestic consumption-we never We submitted the following letter and the speci-number; the common fly being furnished with attempt a crop for exportation, for two reasons; mens which it contained, to the examination two only. The ceraphron so far from being we have not any cotton machines for cleaning the of Professor Green of Nassau Hall; who has injurious to the crops, is a great protection to wool from the seed; and our extensive fields of obligingly noticed the subject, and promises them; for it deposits its egg within the body of the Maize or Indian corn, and a full crop of wheat some further remarks. larva or germ of the Hessian Fy, which it even- also, preclude the possibility of attending to a tually kills for its own support; so that whole cotton crop, sufficiently extensive to make it a crops of wheat which might otherwise have chief object-not that our climate or soil are adbeen destroyed, are thus saved. After the cer-verse to the growth of cotton; but that our lands aphron has deposited its eggs, their wings are are equally productive in vegetables, nutritious to thrown off, so that it appears like the common man and beast. ant; and this curious fact has led many to be- Is there to be had in Baltimore, a Corn Malieve, that the Hessian Fly is nothing more than chine for grinding Indian corn into meal and a species of that insect. homony by horse power?-is it approved, or has Your's respectfully, it been in use with you? are there such machines J. S. SKINNER, Esq. JACOB GREEN. of different sizes? and what are their prices?* Very respectfully, THOMAS GRIFFIN. Edit. Am. Far. TO THE EDITOR OF THE AMERICAN FARMER. (Va.) May 28, 1822. Culpepper County, Woodville, } DEAR SIR, Enclosed you will receive a few blades of wheat, and by examination you will find that deposit of eggs has been made by the Fly in a mode not heretofore mentioned by any one. 0 FOR THE AMERICAN FARMER. The germs are now in the maggot state, and Occupy an apparently comfortable position in the substance of the blade, and most generally the top blade. You will find them between the| Information on this subject will be thankfulsurfaces, which are membranous, a fact which DISEASES OF HORSES, THE "BIG HEAD." ly received-especially from Farmers, who can I never before observed. As they progress, "Information is wanted with regard to a dis-speak from their own observation-and inventors feeding on the green pulp, they enlarge the ease of horses known in this part of the country of such Mills would find it to their advantage to cavity or bag, and the leaf then exhibits the by the term "big head." The disease commen- furnish us with descriptions and drawings. appearance called "fired," which must proceed ces with swellings, apparently of the bones of either from an absorption, or change of the co- the face, on each cheek a few inches below the lour of the pulp. Whether the season, or eyes, attended with a slight discharge of pale some adventitious circumstance, has produced bluish mucus from the nostrils. DEAR SIR, Your's respectfully, PHLE HORNTON. Cabi Princeton, August 16th, 1822. F." Editorial Correspondence. Extract of a letter to the Editor of the American 1822. CORN MILLS, &c. Edit. American Farmer. WEEPING WILLOW. Extract of a letter from a correspondent, dated I observe this beautiful Tree has been attack this aberration; or, whether its consequences "Is this the disease described under the name will be more or less injurious to the farmer, of Glanders ? Is it contagious ? Are mules liamust be left for time to disclose. The injury ble to be affected by it? Is it curable, and by ed by a writer in the American Farmer. From is most prevalent in rank wheat. | what means ? Should any person offer the information above solicited it will be thankfully receiv-a remark I met with many years ago, that “in Priestley's opinion, the Willow was the greatest Milledgeville, Geo. absorbent and corrector of bad air," I have planted them all round that part of my rice field which is nearest my dwelling and negro settlements. My people are very healthy, and although I It would afford me much satisfaction to be able to communicate any useful hint on the inthe River, six weeks or two months later than move from hence to Smithville, ten miles down teresting subject of your letter, and its enclomy South Carolina friends do from their Rice sures: I fear, however, the amateurs of Natural History will be able to assist but little in CORN, WHEAT AND COTTON CROPS.-bourhood of Wilmington, who has a summer replantations, and later than any one in the neighthe extermination of so formidable an enemy to sidence-and although I visit it almost weekly our wheat crops, as the Hessian Fly. If the A severe drought now oppresses us-Up to the through the fall, I experience no inconvenience. devastations made by this insect are ever ar-third week of July, our corn crops were more In my 66th year, i do not recollect having kept rested, it will in all probability be done by the promising than at the same period of time, and my bed a whole day in my life. practical farmer. The fact which your cor-earlier by twenty days than in any former crop respondent, Mr. Thornton, communicates res-of my recollection; but our fine prospects are pecting the situation in which the fly has depos- at an end; the forward corn crop upon our best Extract to the Editor of the American Farmer, ited its eggs, near the top of the blades of wheat, lands, will it is believed, by the most observing dated King and Queen county, Virginia, 14th is to me entirely new, and upon enquiring and intelligent farmer, reach not more than half August. among some of our most intelligent farmers, I a crop-and the corn planted late, and on thin "Our crops in this neighbourhood are sufcannot find that they ever witnessed a similar cold land, or on light spare soil, can never re-fering to the most alarming degree from the phenomenon. The fly I have always been led cover; rain now, cannot aid the forward corn; drought. The wheat crop is very deficient both to believe was particularly careful, not only in it is too much advanced; nor can it assist the in quantity and quality, and the corn which a selecting the interior of the plant to deposit its latter corn crops, because there are no shoots few weeks ago eggs, but also in placing them near the bottom, to fill, and the stalk itself is so dry and parched, now withering rapidly, beyond the power, I was unusually promising, is or root, so that when the larva or maggot was that the circulation of the sap or fluid, is impeded believe, of being retrieved by the most friendexcluded from the egg, it would find itself sur--We are now busily engaged in gathering fod-ly seasons which could be desired. rounded by the soft and nutritious part of the der, or corn blades, earlier by three weeks than B. S. plant, on which it supports itself during the has been known in this section of the State, Another extract, from Montgomery county, winter. From this circumstance taken in con- for years ; never within my recollection. Such Md. states:-"That the drought still continued nexion with the fact, that the instincts of ani - are our prospects for a crop of Indian corn. unusually severe in that neighbourhood, and mals with regard to their offspring, vary but The wheat crop, lately, and now getting rea-that every kind of vegetation was destroyedlittle, I am induced to believe that the blades dy for market, is far short of the general ex-that the water for drinking and culinary purof wheat you sent for my examination have pectation, and the individual hopes of the farm-poses, in many instances, was not to be had been injured by some other insect than the com-er. It is the practice of lower Virginia, to stack within two miles of their dwellings; and that mon Hessian Fly; and the imperfect state of their small grain around perpendicular poles, their stock also suffered very much from this the specimens, and my limited knowledge on this in various parts of the field, most contiguous to great inconvenience." |