bushel of bunches." Whether the difference what was the result compared to that sown with cability of making equally good under crops, such in these results was owing to a difference in winter or spring grain? Does the crop increase as peas, beans, cymblins, pumpkins, &c.—the the power and continuance of the pressure, or or diminish the grass crop? Will the clover time which each variety occupies the land, and in the nature of the grapes, or to inaccuracy in take and stand the drought of the first summer may be taken off, out of the way of seeding wheat the estimates, we shall be better enabled to better, when sown with grass, than when sown by or rye. the grapes were of a good kind. decide, after Major Adlum shall have answer- itself? I am induced to make these enquiries in Such comparative experiments on this and ed the inquiries of J. C. B.; who appears to consequence of an accidental trial of the subject, other crops, would be interesting and beneficial think "that his own process was very imperfect," made by an observing farmer of this county,and until we proceed with accuracy, through as we should ourselves have inferred; because, which he relates to me as follows:-Having such details, we will continue as much afloat as after allowing one fourth for unoccupied space failed in his efforts to seed his ground with clo-ever, and our opinions of the comparative value in the bushel, and half of the residue as the ver, for two or three successive years, with the of different crops, or varieties and parts of these, measure of skins, seeds and pulp, three gal-wheat crop, he last spring sowed spring rye on be merely conjecturai. lons would still remain that might be juice, if ground well prepared, and afterwards sowed it We had sent to our friend some Black, Sweeddown with clover seed; when the rye came up ish Oats, that Mr. Christopher Hughes, Jr. preEdit. Am. Far. he found that he had missed one land when seedsented to us; and the receipt of them was acing the rye, as none grew on it. The clover companied by the expression of a wish that they ON THE MANUFACTURE OF WINE, &c. came up well on all the ground, but sooner on To the Editors of the National Intelligencer. the ground where there was no rye, where it might succeed on his farm, although he had GENTLEMEN: In the Intelligencer of 9th Nov. also grew ranker and faster. During the latter not found any, of many tried varieties, to yield better than the common kind of our country.last, is a letter from Mr. Adlum, to the Editor of part of the season there was a drought which We shall have it in our power, and we have the American Farmer, giving an account of his killed almost entirely all but this one land, which vineyard, and its product, &c. in which he says, stood it well, and on which he is sanguine in his promised to send him two varieties, that have been carefully and satisfactorily cultivated, in "that a bushel of bunches yields about three gal-expectations of a good crop of grass next sealons of juice." Mr. Adlum would confer an obson. Since hearing of the case, I have found in the this county-the potato and the tartary oatsligation, by communicating, through the medium transactions of the Society for the promotion of they are productive and heavy. The potato oats gives the best straw; its leaves are numerof your paper, the process which he pursues in Agriculture, Arts and Manufactures, in the state of ous, making an impenetrable shade-the tartary making wine: how he mashes the grapes-how New York, 2d part, published in 1794, a paper yields rather the most bushels of oats; the polong they remain in that state before pressed-by Ezra L'Hommedieu, Esq. in which he retato variety outweighs the other, it also meals how managed after being pressed-how fined, lates an instance, in which the clover seed was &c. In the years 1820 and 1821, I ma e a small sown alone on poor loomy land, and came up, and the best, but it must be sown upon good ground. The first season that the potato oats were culquantity of wine from the native grape. My me- the next year produced a good crop, leaving the tivated in this county, from imported seed, the thod I think a very imperfect one, not yielding a land much better afterwards. Now, I know it produce was not satisfactory in quantity, and gallon of juice to the bushel of grapes. I have has been a very common complaint for some the quality was inferior to the original seed; frequently been requested to give information years, that it was very difficult to get clover to but they improved the next year, and are now how to make wine. My method was, to bruise take and stand through the first summer. exclusively grown by some attentive farmers the grapes, and let them remain in that state then, would it not more certainly succeed if in this neighbourhood. Oats are now sold in about 12 hours; then press them, putting the sown alone, and allowed the first and sole nou-Baltimore by the standard bushel of 30 lbs. juice into vessels, letting it remain until the rishment of the manure, for its support during its weight. We are told that the Tartary and Pojuice emitted a white froth, then tighten the most helpless and tender state of existence?tato Oats weigh about 36 to 38 lbs. per heaped bung gently until tranquil. I added one pint And, if so, will not the greater certainty of a of brandy to each gallon of the juice, &c. good clover crop compensate the farmer for the bushel, as formerly sold. These we wish to have tried against our friend's common kind, under loss of the grain crop? I conceive that it is at equal circumstances, and to obtain for publicaleast worthy of a fair and conclusive trial. tion from him, next fall, when we would be glad Very respectfully your's, to receive from others also, demonstrative reEPHRAIM BUCK. ports upon the relative value of these and other JOHN S. SKINNER, Esq. crops. December 5th, 1822. 茶 J. C. B. GUINEA CORN AND GUINEA GRASS. I enclose a small piece of what is called in our state, a kind of Guinea Corn-the head I cut it from, is about 2 feet long; and was presented to me by Capt. J. Wharley, of Colleton district, in this state, who informed me that it was very productive, to cut as the Guinea Grass, to feed horses, or cattle. He had this year, more than thirty stalks, from one seed. Of the Guinea Grass seed, which I raised the last 66 THE FARMER. I ask BALTIMORE, FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1823. PRICES CURRENT.-CORRECTED WEEKLY. Flour, best white wheat, $7 25-Howard st. Superfine, $6 87-Wharf, do. 6 12-Wheat, VARIETIES OF CORN, OATS, &c. white, $1 35 to 1 40-Red do., $1 27 to 1 30We are indebted to a Maryland Farmer for Rye, 71 to 75 cents-Corn, 62 to 65 cts.specimens of corn, produced from seed that we Oats, 35 to 37 cents- Beef, live cattle, $5 8 cents per lb. had sent to him; "among them, some gourd-seed to $5 50 per cwt.-Beef, -Bacon, round, 10 to 11 cts.-Pork $4 50 year, much did not vegetate; still I had some very and some yellow flint corn that came to percorn, having more than thirty rows on the ear, to 5 50 per c lb.6 to 8 cts. per lb.-Mutton, 5 fine, and, with many of my neighbours, have saved "fection, quite hard in less than nine weeks."- to 6 cts. per lb.-Beans, $1 37 to 150-Peas, more seed this year, by shaking it off; and I hope This evidence of kind remembrance and wil-black eyed, 55 to 60 cts.-Clover seed, $9 to 10it has arrived to a greater state of maturity. I must also observe, that the Jamaica seed fail-lingness to experiment and report the results, Timothy seed, 4 to $5-Flax seed, 75 to 80 ed, at least three parts out of four. The seed encouraged us to ask our friend to place us under cts.-Whiskey, from the wagons, 32 to 36 cts. new and greater obligations to him, for the bene- per gal.-Apple brandy, 30 to 32 cts.-Peach do., which I planted about the 10th of May, came 65 to 70 cts.-Shad, none in market-Herrings, up much better, than what I planted the first fit of others. And that we may not "press unNo. 1, $3 62 per bbl.-No. 2, $3 37-Fine week in April. I will send you some by the fairly upon the willing steed," nor draw importantsalt 80 to 90 cts. per bush.-Coarse, do. 75next opportunity. The sample of Guinea Corn conclusions from the issue of a single experi, Butter, 20 to 25 per lb.-Eggs, 25 cts. per doz. I send, appears to be similar to the fig. num-ment, we beg leave to submit our views, and -Turkeys, 62 to 75 cts.-Geese, 28 to 37 cts. bered 1, in the 36th No. 4th Vol. of the Ameri- present our wishes to every friend of agriculcan Farmer. With my sincere wishes for an in-ture, who can find time, opportunity and the means-Chickens, $1 50 per doz.-Straw, $10 per ton of making the designated, or similar experiments. -Hay, $17. creased circulation to the Farmer, We wish them to cultivate approved varieties of MARYLAND TOBACCO-Of the fine qualities, I am your ob't serv't. JOHN S. BELLINGER. corn, under equal circumstances, in experimental none-Good red, $8 to 10-Common do. $5 to patches; and to compare the productions of each, 7-Dark brown, $3 to 4-Second do., $2 to 5in the following particulars: all in demand. CLOVER-DOES IT NEED A SHELTER- Bridgetown, Jan. 7th, 1823. DEAR SIR, Have any of your readers sown clover seed by elf on ground well prepared? If they have, The quantity in weight and measure of corn and cob, together and separately-the spirits obtainable from these collectively, and from the corn alone-the quantity of fodder-the practi * One had 38 rows. Printed every Friday at 4 per annum, for JOHN S. SKINNER, Edi tor, by JOSEPH ROBINSON, at the North West corner of Market and Belvidere streets, Baltimore; where every description of Book and Job printing is executed with nearness and despatch-Orders from a distance for Printing or Binding, with proper directions promptly attended to, addressed to J. Robinson, Baltimore No. 44.-VOL. 4. CHAPTER IV. Vegetables and Herbs. AMERICAN FARMER.-BALTIMORE, 24th JANUARY, 1823. 345 THE AMERICAN GARDENER, the finest asparagus that I ever saw, and pro-nure in the spring, to keep the ground constantly bably the finest in the world, no description of the free from weeds, to dig the paths up every fall, plant, or of its uses, is necessary. But, some and keep them clear from weeds in summer.remarks on its propagation and cultivation are The second method of making the beds is to begin 191. The word, VEGETABLES, is not, as was not wholly unnecessary; for, though it demands with plants, instead of seed. The plants (raised as observed in Paragraph 5, quite properly used less trouble in America than elsewhere, it de-above stated) may be planted in the beds at one here. This Chapter treats of the things culti- mands some; and, in proportion as it is valuable year old, or older, if it so happen. Plant them vated in the garden to be eaten at our tables as and esteemed, it is desirable that the means of at the same depth that is pointed out for depositfood; and, they are Vegetables; but, a tree is procuring it should be well and generally under-ing the seed. And, in all other respects, proceed also a vegetable; and such is a herb or a flower. stood.-It is propagated from seed. Gather the as in the case of a bed begun with seed. As to the Therefore, as a distinctive appellation, the word, seed, when it is dead ripe.. Sow it thinly in drills time of beginning to cut, some say the third year, vegetables, is not strictly proper. But it is the a foot asunder, and two inches deep, three weeks, some the fourth, and some even the fifth. There word we use to distinguish this class of the pro- well down upon the seed; and as soon as the soil and treatment. Asparagus, like other things, or about, before the frost sets in. Press the earth can be no fixed time; for, so much depends on the ducts of the earth from others; and therefore, I use it upon this occasion. HERBS are usually frost sets in, but not before, cover the ground with ought to be used when it comes in perfection, and placed as a class separate from Vegetables; but, muck, or litter, a foot deep, and lay some boards, not before.-All that has here been said proceeds while some of them are merely medicinal, like or poles, to prevent its blowing off. As soon as upon the supposition that the soil has a dry botPennyroyal, others are used, not only in medicine the frost breaks up in the spring, take off the lit-tom: If a wet bottom, sow, or plant, at the to and in soups, but also eaten in salads. There-ter; and you will have the plants quickly up. of the ground, and, in all other respects proceed fore, it appeared to be best to bring into this (See Paragraph 159.) When the plants are fairly as in the case of a dry bottom; except, that the one alphabetical list, all plants usually grown in up, thin them to four inches asunder; for, they earth to cover the bed with must, time after time, a garden, except such as come under the heads will be four times as strong at this distance as if be dug out of the paths, which will, at last, make they stood close. Keep them clean and hoe the paths into ditches, three feet deep from the of Fruits and Flowers. 192. ARTICHOKE.-A plant little culti- deeply between them all the summer.-To have tops of the beds. By these means the roots of the vated in America, but very well worthy of cul- beds of Asparagus, there are two ways of going plants will be kept some years longer from reachtivation. In its look it very much resembles a to work: first, sowing the seed in the beds at ing the cold, sour soil at the bottom; for, whenthistle of the big-blossomed kind. It sends up a once; and, second, making the beds, and re-ever they reach that, the plants, like all others, seed stalk, and it blows, exactly like the thistle moving the plants into them. It is desirable to cease to flourish, and begin to decay.-As to the that we see in the Arms of Scotland. It is, in- have the beds about four feet wide, that you may time that asparagus beds will last, that depends deed, a thistle upon a gigantic scale. The parts cut the asparagus by going in the paths between on the soil. Having a dry bottom and good mathat are eaten are, the lower end of the thick them, and not trample the beds. As to the first nagement, they will probably last three generaleaves that envelope the seed, and the bottom out of method, ifthe soil have a dry bottom, trench in the tions, and if that be not enough to compensate the which those leaves immediately grow. The whole manner described in Paragraph 20; but, in this trouble of making them, it would be difficult to find of the head, before the bloom begins to appear, case, where there is a root always penetrating a compensation. The general cause of the decay is boiled, the pod leaves are pulled off by the downward, do not content yourself with a clean of Asparagus-beds is, negligence; and, particularly eater, one or two at a time, and dipped in butter, trench two feet deep; but, before you turn your the want of attention to keep them clear of weeds, with a little pepper and salt, the mealy part is to earth into this trench, put some good manure which, without doubt, are the greatest enemies of stripped off by the teeth, and the rest of the leaf, into it, and dig it into this bottom part; and then the plants. These send their roots down deep; put aside, as we do the stem of asparagus. The you will have manure at two feet and nine inches but, they rely also on the ground at the surface. bottom, when all the leaves are thus disposed of, from the surface. Your ground being ready, lay The lucerne, which will send its roots down is eaten with knife and fork. The french, who out your beds, four feet wide, with a path two feet thirty feet into a dry bottom, and will live in make salads of almost every garden vegetable, wide between each two beds. In the fall, having vigour for an age, if kept clean at top; will, and of not a few of the plants of the field, eat the made all the ground right strong with manure, though in the best and most suitable soil in the artichoke in salad. They gather the heads, when draw the earth to six inches deep from the top of world, perish in a few years, if grass and weeds not much bigger round than a dollar, and eat the the beds into the paths, which will then form high be suffered to grow amongst it on the surface. lower ends of the leaves above mentioned raw, ridges. Then draw your drills a foot apart, and sow Sea-sand, where it can be had, is as good as dipping them first in oil, vinegar, salt and pepper; your seed, as before directed. When they are up, ashes, except the beds are very near the sea; and, in this way, they are very good. Artichokes in spring, thin them to a foot apart. Thus you will and there it is of little use. With regard to are propagated from seed, or, from offsets. If have them a foot apart all over the bed. Keep the sorts, I do not know that there is any difference, by the former, sow the seed in rows a foot a part, plants clean all summer; and, when the haulm is except such as climate produces. It is very ceras soon as the frost is out of the ground. Thin yellow in the fall, cut them off near, or close, to tain, that, to whatever cause owing, the Asparathe plants to a foot apart in the row; and, in the the ground; but, let the haulm be quite dead gus here, though so little care is, in general, fall of the year, put out the plants in clumps of first; yet, do it before the frost actually sets in. taken of it, is far superior to that in England. four, in rows, three feet apart, and the rows six When you have cut off the haulm, lay some litter From our frequently meeting with it at a great feet asunder. They will produce their fruit the upon the bed till spring, to prevent the frost from distance from all houses, there is reason to supnext year. When winter approaches, earth the being too long coming out of the ground in spring, 'pose, that it is a natural weed of the country; roots well up; and, before the frost sets in, cover When the frost breaks up, throw some wood and, therefore, it may differ from the English all well over with litter from the yard or stable. ashes, or, some other manure about an inch sort, as the Charlock and some other weeds do. Open at the breaking up of the frost; dig all the deep over the bed, having first loosened the top In England the Charlock has a leaf like that of ground well between the rows; level the earth of the bed, with a fork. Upon this manure, throw the white turnip; here it has a leaf the colour of down from the plants. You will find many young earth over the bed, out of the paths, three inches that of an early York cabbage; that is to say, of anes, or offsets, growing out from the sides. thick, and break it very fine at the time. In the a blue-green colour. There may be a difference Pull these off, and, if you want a new plantation, fall, cut down the haulm again as before; repeat between the Asparagus of America and that of put them out, as you did the original plants. They the winter operation of littering; and, in the spring Europe: at any rate, I will ascertain the fact; will bear, though later than the old ones, that again fork up, put on ashes or good mould, and for, I will carry some seed to England.-As to same year.-As to sorts of this plant, there are the other three inches deep of earth out of the the space which the beds ought to occupy, that two, but they contain no difference of any conse-paths. Thus you bring the beds to be an inch must depend on the size of the family, who are to quence: one has its head, or fruit pod, round, or two higher than the paths; and this year, if eat the Asparagus. Plenty, however, is always and the other, rather conical. As to the quantity your work have all been well done, you may have a blessing when the commodity is a good one. for a family, one row across one of the plats will some asparagus to eat. The next fall, and every About six beds across one of the Plats will be be sufficient.-For Jerusalem Artichoke, see Je-succeeding fall, cut down the haulm and cover suficient for any family. They might be at the with litter as before; and, in the spring, of this west end of Plat, No 6, that being the warm rusalem. 193. ASPARAGUS.-Were I writing to Nova third year, put on ashes again, or other fine ma- est.-Asparagus may be had in winter with Scotians, I ought not to omit to give instructions nure, and throw over the beds the earth that will the greatest facility. There are but few things as to which end of the Asparagus the eater ought come out of the paths dug six inches deep. This that are worth the trouble of a hot bed for the purto use; for I knew a gentleman of that country, will make the paths six inches lower than the pose of having them to eat in their opposite season, who, being at New York, on his first trip from beds, and that is a great convenience for weeding but, Asparagus is worth it. And this is the way home, began eating at the stem in place of the and for cutting the Asparagus. After this, you to have it for the table, even in February, that point. Writing, as I now do, to those, whose are to cut down the haulm in the fall, cover with month of snow and of north-westers. Sow some country produces, with the least degree of trouble, litter during winter, fork up and occasionally ma-seed in the garden, in the manner before des cribed, the rows a foot asunder, and the plants that the latter are grown with poles, which the green before the 2d of October when the first four inches apart in the row. Keep them clean, former are not. In this fine country the seed is frost came. They were not cut up by the frost and manure them the first year. Cut the haulm off so good, the soil and climate so favourable to the till the 17th of October; and they kept bearing in the fall. Do not cover them during winter. In plant, the use of the vegetable so general, the till they were.-A row or two sown every fortthe spring fork up the ground, manure it again propagation and cultivation so easy, and so well night, across one of the Plats (see Paragraph 60) and, in the fall cut off the haulm again. Just understood, that little in detail need be said about will keep any family, however large, well supbefore the frost sets in, take up as many plants as them. I prefer sowing the dwarfs in rows to plied. And, perhaps twenty rows, across one you will want for your hot-bed. Dig each plant sowing them in bunches or clumps. It is a great of the Plats, for pole-beans of all the sorts that up without tearing it about; and put them all object to have them early, and, they may be had are desired, will be more than sufficient. It is carefully on a cellar floor, cover them over about much earlier than they usually are with a little best to sow several sorts of these; for some bear half a foot thick with fresh ground, and lay some pains. It is useless to sow them while the ground early and some later than others. As to the sorts straw upon that to prevent the earth from drying is cold; for they will not grow till it be warm; but, of Kidney-beans, they are, as I observed before, too much. In January prepare dung for a hot-there are means to be used to get them forwarder almost endless in number. I will, however, name bed; and make the bed in the manner as directed than the natural ground will produce them. If you a few: the Dun, or Drab coloured dwarf bean is in Paragraphs 69 to 74. When the heat has suf- have a glazed frame, or a hand-glass or two (see the earliest. The same ground will bear and ficiently risen, put on earth as in Paragraphs 75 Paragraph 94,) use one or the other in this case; ripen two crops in one year, the last from the and 76. Upon this earth put your plants, straight-but, if not, dig a hole and put in it, well-shaken seed of the first. The Yellow; the Black; the ening out their roots in every direction, Let the together, a couple of wheel-barrows full of good Speckled; the Painted; white and red: these crowns of the roots be about 7 inches apart all hot dung; and lay some good rich mould upon are all dwarfs; but there are a great many others. over the bed, which, being a bed four feet wide it six inches thick. Then lay on this some of the Amongst runners, or pole-beans, there are the and nine feet long, will contain 180 plants. Cover earliest sort of dwarf-beans. Put them not more Scarlet-blossom, the seed of which is red and the plants over with fine earth, so that the sur-than an inch apart, and cover them with two black and the seed-pod rough. There is a White face of this earth be six inches above the crowns inches of fine rich mould. Bend some rods over bean precisely like the former, except that the of the plants. Proceed as to air, shelter, and con- the whole, and put the ends of the rods in the bean and blossom are white. The Case-knife vering in the same way as directed for the cab-ground; and every evening, cover this sort of bean, which, in England, is called the Dutchbage-plants. In about twelve, or fourteen days, you roof over with a bit of old carpet or sail-cloth. runner; this is the best bean of all to eat green. may begin to cut asparagus for the table; and, In default of these, corn-stalks may do. Do this Then there is the Cranberry-bean of various coif you take proper care, and keep your heat up by when the winter frost is just got out of the ground, lours as to seed. The Lima-bean, which is never a lining (see Paragaph 93,) you may have alor soon after. The beans will be up in a week's eaten green (that is, the pod is never eaten,) and regular supply for a month. When the plants time; and, in about a fortnight afterwards, they which is sometimes called the butter-bean, has a have done bearing here, they are of no use, and will be fit to remove. The place for them is broad, flat and thin seed of a yellowish-white inay be thrown away. Of all the things that are under a wall, a pailing, or a hedge, facing the colour. This bean must never be sown till the forced in hot-beds, none give so little trouble as South. Prepare the ground well and make it ground is right warm. The other sorts will grow Asparagus, and none is so well worth a great rich. Take a spade and carry away a part of and bear well in England; but this sort will not. deal of trouble. the beans at a time, and plant them at six inches I raised good and ripe Indian Corn at Botley; 194. BALM is a herb purely medicinal. A asunder with as much earth about the roots as but, I never could bring a Lima-bean, to pervery little of it is sufficient in a garden. it is pro- you can. Plant them a little deeper than they fection, though I put it in the hottest spot I could pagated from seed, or from offsets. When once stood in the bed. They are very juicy, and may find, and though cucumbers produced very well planted, the only care required is to see that it have a little water given them as soon as planted. in the natural ground at a yard or two from it.does not extend itself too far. Shade them the first day, if the weather be warm For the raising of dwarf beans or a large scale, 195. BASIL is a very sweet annual pot-herb. and the sun out; and cover them every night till see paragraphs 163 and 164. The pole beans may There are two sorts, the dwarf and the tall. It all frosts be over. This is easily done, if against be raised in the same way, only with larger spaces should be sown in very fine earth, and, if conve-any sort of fence, by putting boards, one edge (six feet perhaps) between the rows, and without nient, under a hand-glass. The bunches may be upon the ground and the other leaning against any poles at all. The seed for sale is raised the fence; but, if you have no fence, and have in this way even ir. England, where the climate dried for winter use. 196. BEAN.-The only species of bean much to plant in the open ground, it will be best to is so cold and wet compared to this. The poling used in this country, is, that, which, in England, plant in clumps, and flower-pots put over the is a great plague and expense; and if large is called Kidney-Bean, and in France, Haricot. clumps will do for a covering. In Long Island a quantities be raised, it may be dispensed with: Of these I shall speak in the next article. The clod or two, or a brick or two, laid by the side of nay it may be dispensed with in a garden; for Bean I here mean is, what is called by most per- the clumps, will hold up a large horse-foot fish poles look ugly there; they intercept the view; sons in America the horse-bean. In England shell, which is an excellent covering. On the and the addition they make to the crop is not there are some sorts of this bean used for horses first of June, 1817, I saw a farmer at South a compensation even for ill look, especially under and hogs; but there are several sorts used as Hampstead, covering his beans with burr-dock this bright sun, where the ground is almost conhuman food. It is, at best, a coarse and not very leaves, while there were hundreds of horse-foot stantly dry.-Let it be observed, that every sort wholesome vegetable; yet some people like it. It shells in his yard. The dock-leaf would wither of Kidney-bean must have rich ground to produce is very much eaten by the country people of in the day. A fresh supply must be had for the a large crop. England, with their bacon, along with which it next night. This circumstance shows, however, 198. BEET.-This vegetable, which is little is boiled. There are several sorts of these how desirous people are to get this vegetable used in England, is here in as common use as garden-beans, the best of which is the large early; and, by the method that I have pointed carrots are there. It should be sown in the fall flat-seeded bean, called the Windsor-Bean. The out, it may be had fifteen days, at least, earlier (see Paragraph 159;) but, if not, as soon as the Long Pod is the next best; and though there than it generally is.-As to the main crop, it is ground is free from frost, and is dry, in the spring. are several others, these are enough to mention by no means advisable to sow very early. If you The rows a foot apart and the plants eight ches here. The bean is difficult to raise here. It do, the seed lies long in the ground, which is apart in the rows. In order to hasten the seed does not like dry and hot weather; and it likes always injurious to this plant. The plants come up in the spring (if sown then) soak it four days moist and stiff land. If attempted to be raised up feebly. The cold weather, that occasionally and nights in rain water before you sow it. Put in America, it should be sown in the fall by all comes, makes them look yellow; and they, then, it two inches deep, cover it well, and press the means (see Paragraph 159 ;) but, still it is useless never produce a fine crop. Of the various sorts earth hard down upon it. Sow the seed pretty to sow, unless, you guard against mice. If sown of pole beans one sowing is enough; for, if you thick all along the drill; and, when the plants in the South Border, where it would be shaded gather as the beans become fit for use, they con- come up, thin them to eight inches apart. Hoe and protected from the hot sun, it might do pretty tinue bearing all through the summer, especially between the plants frequently; but not very deep; well; and the vegetable is convenient, as it follows the Lima-bean, which delights in heat, and for because these tap rooted things are apt to fork immediately after the early peas are gone.-Ten which no weather can be too dry; and which if the ground be made loose very low down while rows of these beans across the South Border, should never be sown till the ground be right they are growing.-There are yellow and white four feet apart, and the beans four inches apart, warm. The Dwarf sorts may be sown all sum-Beets, as well as red; but the red is the true will be enough for a family. mer, from the time that the ground becomes kind: the others are degenerate. There is, how 197. BEAN (KIDNEY.)—Endless is the warm to within seven weeks of the time that the ever, round, or turnip-rooted, red beet, which is variety of sorts. Some are dwarfs, some climbers; little frosts begin in the fall; for, they will, at equally good with the tap-rooted-beet.-The but, the mode of propagating and cultivating is this season, produce, for eating green, in six weeks ground should be rich, but not fresh dunged. nearly the same in all, except that the dwarfs from the day of sowing. I sowed them on the Ashes of wood, or compost mould, is best; and equire smaller distances than the climbers, and 15th of August, and had several gatherings to eat the digging ought to be very deep and all the clods ought to be broken into fine earth; because one half the county is arable, or cleared land, and Gloomy, however, as is this view of the tillage the clods turn the point of the root aside, and the remainder woodland, tide marsh, swamp &c. of our county, we hail with pleasure the dawn of make the tap short, or forked. Fresh Dung, very little of which is worth bringing under cul-light arising from the spirit of enquiry now genewhich, of course, lies in unequal qualities in tivation.* rally excited, and the increasing interest which the ground, invites the tap root, or some of the The three-shift system (that is, corn followed is felt on the subject of agriculture. We alrea side roots to it, and thus causes a short or forked by wheat, when the land is equal to the produc- dy perceive, within a few years, manifest evibeet, which, for several reasons, is not so good tion of 4 or 5 bushels per acre, and the field then dences of improvement; and we therefore, in as a long and smooth one.-As to the preserving grazed until the fourth year, when its turn comes pursuance of our instructions, proceed with of beets during the winter, it is well known, that again for cultivation,) is now, and long has been greater confidence to point out those obstacles the way is to put them in a dry cellar, with dry the usual course. Those who pursue it, seek to which have in an essential degree tended to obsand between them, or indeed, without sand or prevent a diminution of their crops, by clearing struct its advance. If in the course of this enany thing at all between them. They may, if in the adjoining forest, and thus increase the size of quiry, propositions are advanced which appear large quantities, and not wanted till spring, be their fields, or supply the place of what is utter- either trite or paradoxical, we hope at least, that preserved out of doors, thus: Take them up ly ruined and thrown out of cultivation. Their they will not be denounced, until investigation three weeks before the hard frost is to come. great object is to cultivate as much land as possi- decides them to be useless or false. Cut off their leaves; let them lay two or three ble, and this so completely employs their labour In every age, country and situation, the best days upon straw, or boards, to dry in the sun; as to leave very little for improvement. Under system of husbandry is that which yields most then lay a little straw upon the ground, and, in such management, it is scarcely necessary to add clear profit to the cultivator, for the capital and a fine dry day, place ten bushels of beets (picking that our land becomes poorer every year. Though labour employed. The correctness of this defiout all the cut or bruised ones) upon it in a co-many have, to a greater or less extent, abandon- nition will be admitted to be so palpable, as to nical form. Put a little straw smoothly over the ed the three shift system, for a better; yet we need no elucidation. But obvious as it is, expeheap; then cover the whole with six or eight fear there are still more, who practice even a rience proves that it has been either totally disinches of earth; and place a green turf at the worse mode, by denying to their fields that small regarded, or is at best, but slightly operative. top to prevent the earth from being washed, by share of rest which three shifts afford. Nor do we conceive that we shall materially err, rain,om the point, before the frost set in. All The quantity of Tobacco made for the last when we attribute the low state of husbandry the whole heap will freeze during the winter; ten or fifteen years, has been very inconsiderable; principally to the inconceivable misapprehension but, the frost will not injure the beets, nor will it and though the effort is now general to increase of this subject, on the part of agriculturists of injure Carrots, preserved in the same way. If its production, (on account of the low price of every description-whether practical or theoretiyou have more than ten bushels, make another grain ;) that crop must still be very limited We cal-improvers or exhausters of the soil. heap, or other heaps; for fear of heating before have but little woodland to clear, rich enough to Various and discordant as are the opinions of the frost comes. When that comes, all is safe produce Tobacco, and therefore nearly all must agriculturists, they may properly be classed untill spring; and, it is in the spring, that season be made on our small quantity of highly manur-der the two heads of practical and theoretical, of scarcity, for which we ought to provide. How ed land. If the first effect of this change, is in- which names, though not exactly appropriate, many bushels of beets are flung about and creased attention to making manure, it also di- will serve for the purpose of distinction. With wasted in the fall, the smallest of which would rects its whole application to a crop, which gives our practical men, he is the best farmer who culbe a treat in the month of May!-As to the nothing to the soil in return, and must ultimately tivates the greatest number of acres, and who quantity to be raised for a family, eighteen rows, make the progress of exhaustion still more ra- derives the heaviest gross product from the planted as above, across one of the Plats (little pid than before. more than two perches of ground) will produce amount of labour employed. The first and generally the only questions asked to decide on the 812 beets, or nearly four for each day, from the * When the swamps of this county are said to good or bad management of any individual, are, first of November to the last of May; and, if be scarcely worth bringing into cultivation, the as- "How many labourers does he employ ?"-"How they are of the size that they ought to be, here sertion is intended to apply to the only course which many acres does he cultivate ?"What amount are much more than enough. Beets may be now can be adopted for draining them, that is, by of crop does he make?"-By such estimates, is transplanted, and will, in that way, get to a good the unconnected efforts of different individuals, the practice of most of us entirely regulated. size. See Transplanting, Paragraph 169. who are compelled always to begin the work at the Yet the gross product is very different from wrong end-on the outskirts and head branches, the nett product, (in which the whole profit coninstead of at the outlet and through the middle of sists,) and the former may be, and frequently is, REPORT ON THE STATE OF AGRICUL-tended with great labour and expense, and have minishing. If farmers were in the habit of calthe swamp. Therefore all attempts have been at increasing, at the same time that the latter is di (To be Continued.) TURE IN PRINCE GEORGE, VIRG. No. 5. never had more than partial success.-But if our culating the probable cost and profit of every Legislature would PERMIT extensive swamps process of cultivation and improvement, and in At a meeting of the Agricultural Society of to be drained on a rational plan, the improvement consequence, would reject whatever was not more Prince George, held on the 9th March 1821, the would be one of the most valuable and decidedly profitable than costly, a most extensive and benefollowing Report of the Committee, appointed at the cheapest which could be effected in lower Vir- ficial change would be immediately produced. It the request of the Delegation for that purpose, ginia. Blackwater Swamp and its numerous may perhaps be useful to state a few examples of was read, unanimously adopted, and ordered to be branches contain thousands of acres of the richest its effects, and practices which are found on every laid before the next meeting of Delegates. land, which is ikely to continue useless and farm in the county. P. H. THWEATT, Sec'ry. a nuisance. A considerable portion belongs to The cost of the cultivation of corn on average The committee appointed by the Society, to this county. A central drain ten feet wide would land, including every attendant operation, exenquire into the state of agriculture in the county effectually reclaim all this land, and perhaps at pense and injury, cannot be rated lower than $5 of Prince George, and to suggest the remedies the same time afford good sluice navigation dur-per acre. The highest price of corn at this time, which they may think calculated to correct the ing part of the winter. But however well assur- is $2 per barrel,* and of course 2 barrels per existing defects, regret to state, that the want of ed its owners may be of the value, and cheapness means for obtaining correct information will, of of this operation, it never can be effected by pri- *The price of corn has greatly increased since necessity, prevent as ample an investigation of vate agreement among so many persons. If only this report was made. The low price above statthe subject referred to them, as its importance one of their number refuses to unite in the plan, ed caused a diminution of grain culture, and an merits. They believe, however, that the report or is a minor and of course unable to consent, all increase of that of Tobacco and Cotton in this now submitted, though perhaps not altogether the rest can do nothing-A law ought to be pass county, and as far as the same reasons operated, accurate, is at least free from those prejudices ed to grant to those owners disposed to attempt wherever climate and situation did not forbid the which would prompt either a flattering picture or this work, power to proceed at their own risk, and change. This, together with two successive bad hideous caricature. only in case of their succeeding, compel all others seasons for corn, has nearly doubled its price. The soil of this county is generally level, light benefited to pay their full proportion of the ex- This temporary advance is however balanced by and poor, though a considerable proportion dif hense, out of the new value given to their land. the depression of the price of 1obacco and Cotton, fers in one or all of these characters. Rich land, In this way no person could possibly incur loss so as to leave our average profit for all our crofis or such as once was rich, is only to be found against his will, or have any reason to complain. not very different from that of 1820. But whatalong the rivers and swamps which intersect the If such a law should be considered an invasion of ever change may occur in price, it will not at all county. All the good soils have been long under the rights of property, then still more so must be affect the " principle "on which these calculations cultivation, and are much exhausted, but stili ex- all laws for cutting public roads, digging canals, are founded. All that is contended for is, that the hibit a marked superiority over the great body and indeed every other which combines the means, amount of "nett product" is the measure and the which was originally sterile. From one third to of all for the benefit of all. proof of "good husbandry; and from this propo acre are necessary to replace the actual cost of who in the end become the best farmers, have al-years. But its benefits cannot on that account be cultivation, and from every acre cultivated pro- most invariably passed through a long appren-questioned. Inclosing furnishes more vegetable ducing less than that quantity, an actual loss ac- ticeship of loss and disappointment. matter to the earth, than could possibly be done 100 crues. Let us suppose a field of 60 acres to pro- To derive as much nett profit as possible from in any other way, (on our poor soils,) without duce 180 barrels, of which 20 acres produce 5 our capitals, it is necessary to discontinue much any expense being incurred, and with the actual barrels per acre, 103 barrels at $2 $200 gross of the labour now devoted to both cultivation saving of ten days labor. It is true, that we Deduct for cultivation 20 acres at $5 and improvement; but the application of the lose the means of keeping large stocks of poor same rule will shew, that many improvements cattle and sheep; but before we can admit this which are generally thought too dear, would be to be a loss of profit, it must be proved that some highly profitable. The least expense should be profit is derived from keeping stock in the usual rejected, which did not promise profit adequate mode. We are attempting to shew in what to its reimbursement; but permanent improve- manner our business may be rendered the most ment cannot be purchased too dearly, provided profitable, and not by what means we may comthe increased profit would more than pay the in- mand most luxuries and conveniences; but even terest of the expenditure. A farm which would on this ground, a reduction of our stock to one yield a regular annual profit of 600 dollars, after third their present number, would enable us to paying all the expense of cultivation, would be derive from them as much gross product of wool, thought cheap at 10,000 dollars. But certainly meat and butter, and far more clear profit than it would be equally profitable, to lay out 10,000 now. Remainder, clear profit $100 20 acres at three bbls. per acre, 60 bbls. at 2$ per barrel $120 Deduct for the cultivation of 20 acres at $5 per acre 100 Profit 20 acres at 1 bbl.-20 bbls. at $2 Cultivation of 20 acres $40 Absolute loss 20 100 60 dollars on the improvement of land, already in About 45 days of the year, the whole of our possession, if from that improvement, an addi- labour is employed in clearing land, of which a tional clear profit of 600 dollars, could be derived; very small proportion is rich enough to yield nor would the propriety of the measure be af- any clear profit. Allowing 15 days for clearing This shews that two thirds of the field would fected, whether the quantity of land thus impro-enough for firewood and other uses, there remains have yielded $120 profit, and yet from the whole ved, was 1000 acres, or only ten. This however, 30 which may be saved without diminishing the it amounted to $60 only. Considerable as is the applies only to permanent improvement as clear-nett product of the farm. loss stated, but few farmers in the county have ing, draining, and the application of earthy ma- Much land is planted in corn, which does not a greater proportion of good, or a less proportion nures which change the constitution of soils.- produce more than one barrel per acre, and about of poor land, than in the above example. Such Improvements which are temporary in their ef- one half the arable land of the county, falls short is the profit and loss arising from our best land. fects, such as more perfect tillage, or animal of 24 bbls. which has been stated as the least We feel no disposition to exhibit a similar state- and vegetable manures, to be profitable, must re- product that will defray the expense of cultiment of the worst. turn the principal, as well as the interest of the vation. One half of our land is cultivated, not Suppose the clearing an acre of wood land, and expenditure. only without profit, but with certain and inputting it in order for cultivation to cost $12, and The want of capital is considered an almost creasing loss; and to this purpose, our labour is its average product to be only 2 barrels: the re- insuperable obstacle to the improvement of agri- devoted ninety days, the whole crop being supgular loss attending its cultivation will be $1, be- culture. None are now so listless, or so biggot-posed to require six months. Every considerasides $12 for the first improvement. Not one ted as to consider it unnecessary, but their wishes tion of profit demands that this portion of our soil tract of the land regularly cleared yields suffi- avail nothing, because, "they have no surplus should not be cultivated while in its present concient nett product to repay the enormous ex- capital, and their labour is already fully employ-dition. This will save of our whole labour now unpense of the operation. ed." It is true indeed, that the capital of agri- profitably employed 10+30 +90=130 days in eve Our theoretical, or improving farmers, by a culture is small, and its profits almost nothing; ry year, without diminishing, in the smallest dedifferent road frequently arrive at the same end, but we shall, notwithstanding, endeavour to gree, the farmer's nett profits. Every operation viz: diminishing the nett product, to augment shew, that we have the means for improvement discontinued was a certain source of loss, nor is the gross. They define good husbandry to con- fully within our reach, and without the slightest there any new employment for the labor on our sist in adopting every mode of enriching the soil, diminution of our clear annual profits. Capi- farms, excepting their improvement. If then the and of making the different processes of cultiva-tal cannot be increased at will, although it is smallest clear profit can be derived from the tion as perfect as possible, so as to make each not long since the belief prevailed that banking improvement of our soil, the change of more than acre produce to the utmost. This rule is deriv- could effect that impossibility.-That opinion four months of loss, to more than four months of ed from the publications and practice of Europe, however, is no longer supported, and even our gain, cannot fail to be greatly and immediately and applied to American agriculture, without con- legislatures have become almost convinced of beneficial. sidering the great difference of circumstances. their mistake. If our capital cannot be made Your committee are aware that many trivial In England, land and produce are high, and la- equal to our cultivation, at least our cultivation and some real objections, (in certain situations,) bour cheap: it is therefore profitable to raise as may be reduced, till the proper proportion is may be raised against the reduction of our culmuch as possible from each acre, without much re-restored. This reduction is required even by tivation to the extent recommended. We have garding the additional labour. In this country, land views of annual profit, and in the portion now already trespassed too much on your time, to and produce are cheap, and labour dear; and it unprofitably directed, abundant means for im- shew in detail, in how few cases such objections is therefore generally to our interest to make the provement will be found. The full amount of are solid. Whatever may be the case under parmost of our labour, and to estimate the quantity labour, time and fertility thus thrown away, ticular circumstances, the general question of exof land as of secondary importance: Even if the every one must estimate for himself; but many pediency must turn on such statements as the climate and products of the two countries were processes are so general, that we cannot err preceding. If we have made an incorrect rethe same, the best Virginia management if prac-greatly in stating them. It would be both unneces-port of our situation, or if our estimates are false, tised in Britain, would quickly lead to ruin; and sary and presuming in us to prescribe the pre-let their fallacy be exposed-but if they are corif the Lothian fallow, (the perfection of Scottish cise means of improvement which shall be adopt-rect, or even approach correctness, it is scarcely husbandry,) was adopted here, the whole crop of ed; these must vary in different situations, and possible for us to know our situation, and yet not wheat added to the fee simple of the land on our remarks are grounded on the supposition, receive benefit from such examinations of our which it grew, would not pay the cost of prepa-that every farmer knows some means by which own affairs. A complete change of system on a ration. This neglect of drawing a line of distinc- he might improve with profit, could he spare farm cannot be effected at once; but no man can tion between improvements suitable to our time and labour for the purpose. be fully sensible that he is regularly throwing away situation, and such as are not, is a fruitful source: The labour of a plantation is devoted about one third, or even one sixth of his labour and of error, to young and enterprising farmers. twenty days in the year to repairing fences.-income, without quickly attempting to remove They are certain to bring upon themselves, se- As those on the dividing lines of adjoining pro the defect. rious losses, and by giving practical men an op-prietors, are made at their joint expense, the The obstacles to improvement, which have portunity to triumph over book-farmers, their fences between the several shifts, require at least been mentioned, serious as they are, may be reown bad habits are confirmed, and new obstacles one half of this time. By the discontinuance of moved by our own exertions. There are others, opposed to the progress of improvement. Those division fences we should save ten days' labour of no less magnitude, which are beyond our conof every year, and by so doing, protect all our fields trol-evils which have been imposed on the sition it follows, that a course of cultivation or im- from grazing, and thus allow the land to improve agricultural interest by government, which can provement may be at one time good, and at ano-itself during the whole time of its rest. We ex-only be remedied by the same power. Required ther bad, according to the variation in the price pect no wonderful effects from merely inclosing, as we are to point out the causes of the depressof the product. and none perhaps would be perceived for several ed state of agriculture, it would be improper to |