if they get one good crop in five years they are satisfied. Great as are the complaints respecting the rot in this country, I doubt not that our crops will average as much as those of Europe. Much labor and time have been devoted by yourself and others to the subject of silk and beet-root-culture; but I am certain that a few hours of research and reflection will convince you of the greater importance of vine-culture in the amount of profitable employment it will give to the country. Among the cultivators of the vine in South Carolina, can you not find a successor to Mr. Herbemont, of equal learning, equal urbanity, and equal veracity? A SUBSCRIBER. most of the grass about and between the stalks. The grass not covered by the plough is covered by the hoe-hands; and where the earth is piled up too high against the stalks it is pulled down and levelled. This is a very rapid operation, as it of ten happens that no use of the hoe will be needed for 50 or 100 successive hills. When the ploughs have got through the field they commence again and turn a second furrow to the corn on each side as before, and a third furrow turned in the same manner, and at a proper time, finishes the row, and the culture of the crop. Thus the entire culture of the crop after planting requires only eight for rows of the plough to a row, two from and six to the corn, and of hoe-labor next to nothing. The principle on which this mode is founded seems to to me consistent with reason. It is simply this: A PROFITABLE MODE OF CULTIVATING CORN. that no root of the corn should be cut, if possible, BADEN CORN. To the Editor of the Farmers' Register. and a constant accession of soft earth thrown to the roots as they extend. I know that it has lately been discovered that corn has certain latent vertical roots which cause it to prosper, however often the horizontal fibres may be severed; but giving due deference to this new discovery, and to the distinguished agriculturist who has promulged it, it still seems to me that the maturity of the plant must be retarded and its strength diminish Wigwam, Amelia, March 8, 1839. Permit me through the columns of your journal, to recommend a mode of cultivating corn, which has been successfully pursued by a friend of mine, for the last 20 years, and which seems to me to be founded on reason. The gentleman to whom I allude is, Major Jno. H. Stegar, of this county,ed by the severance of the least root, when not who is as remarkable for the large crops of corn absolutely necessary. We know that the tobacco which he yearly makes, as for the little labor he planter works his crop late in the season, when he bestows upon them. His method is, to break the wishes to retard its ripening, and give it the beneland well with a two-horse plough early in the fit of the autumnal dews. I have also been inyear, taking care, however, not to turn up the clay, formed that the great success of a certain gentlesince he has found by experience, that the clay of man in Mississippi in raising cotton, who makes Amelia, when turned up, never becomes produc-nearly double as much as his neighbors, to the tive, A coulter follows immediately after the hand, is, in a great measure, to be attributed to the plough, in the same furrow, so that the substratum fact that he works his crop as little as possible. is deeply broken, and a reservoir secured for the re- But whether the theory be right or wrong, the tention of moisture. By this means, and laying above is the mode of culture pursued by Major off his land horizontally, though with a level sur-Stegar; and to show its advantages, I might only face, his corn-field is but little liable to wash. In state, that he is uniformly successful in making preparing to plant, a rake drawn by two horses is corn, and that his neighbors, most of whom, ridipassed over the land in the direction of the rows culed his plan at first, have now generally adoptfor planting, and when the surface is sufficiently ed it. I doubt not that it will be generally adoptsmooth, the rows are opened with a suitable ed when understood and appreciated, wherever plough, and the planting follows immediately. land is abundant, and labor scarce and dear. It His rows are 5 feet apart on ordinary corn-land, saves so much labor, and enables a small force to and the corn dropped from 24 to 30 inches apart. cultivate so much more land than would otherThe experience of the first year, however, satis-wise be possible. By nearly a similar method, fied me, that a less distance may, with advantage be given; say 5 feet by 2. The corn is covered by a common cultivator, adapted to the purpose by taking out the front tooth. He prefers this mode of covering to any other, as it is much the most speedy, fills up the entire furrow, and pulverizes the adjacent earth. He has found that, corn planted in this way comes up better than in any other, and very rarely needs re-planting. After planting, nothing more is done until the corn is large enough to be thinned. The earth is now thrown from the In conclusion, permit me to say a word as to the corn, a single furrow on each side being run with Baden corn, about whose merits there seems to be a one-horse turning plough, the bar next the corn. so great an opposition of opinion. I planted last The corn is then thinned to one stalk in a hill, and year about two and a half bushels, mostly on flat may then be weeded if there be hand-labor to spare. land, five feet by sixteen inches. Two stalks This, however, may generally be postponed until were intended to be left in each hill. But owing the furrow turned away is thrown back; which is to neglect in thinning, the average was nearly done by the same ploughs immediately after they three. Until July I never saw finer corn than get through the field in the first operation. By some of it on the richest land. It continued green postponing the weeding to this period of the cul- and flourishing in the midst of the drought, until tivation, much hoe-labor will be saved, as the fur-attacked by myriads of chinch-bugs, at the most rows when properly turned, will lap and cover critical period, that of shooting. The consequence the last year with five horses and ten hands, Í had 170 acres cultivated in corn, and sincerely believe, that after the land is broke up, 50 acres to the horse may readily be cultivated, of our common high-land. The saving of hoe-labor is also a great advantage. Not more than 30 acres of my whole crop had a hoe in it, and yet the crop was as good as my neighbors, and scarcely any difference perceptible between the portions where the hoe was used and where it was not. Again this year, the making of silk was invited by a new act of encouragement, as follows: was, that the crop was shortened fully one-third, aforesaid, have enacted, and by these presents do if not one-half. I measured about four-fifths of enact, that noe horses or mares after the last of an acre of the best, and found it to yield eight bar-December next, shall be by any person or perrels. Several stalks had from four to eight ears. son imported or brought into this colony, from any 1 shelled and measured the corn obtained from other plantation or government whatsoever."one stalk with six ears, and it turned out two Statues at Large Vol. ii. p. 271. pints. Now basing a calculation upon this, I think it can be proved that on suitable land, rich low-grounds, no corn in use among us can be more productive. On such land the proper dis- "Whereas the advancement for the makeing tance would be five feet by eighteen inches, two of silke will undoubtedly tend greately, as to the stalks in a hill. Planted in this way, there would present honour and reputation, soe to the future be on an acre 5808 hills, each with two stalks. great benefitt and profitt of the country, It is enSupposing the two stalks to yield six ears or two acted that the former encouragement of filty pints, which I think might certainly be calculated pounds of tobacco for every pound of wound silke on, if the flat land were rich, the product to the be allotted as formerly out of the publique.”—p. acre would be 182 bushels, or 36 barrels. At only three ears, or one pint, to the hill, the product would be 18 barrels, a product which even a The same year another act for destroying James River planter might be contented with. wolves was passed which required of the tributaThis corn has two other recommendations; it furnishes a greater quantity of fodder, and matures ry Indians, in proportion to the number of hunters sooner than the common kinds. The first results belonging to each tribe, or settlement, a certain from its very great height, and the second from number of wolves' heads. The following comthe smallness of the ear and husk. Though I mencement of the act sets forth the evil to be rethink it an invaluable species for rich flat-land, I cannot recommend it for high-land, on which it medied, and the apportionment of the duty reseems to lose its capacity of maturing more shoots quired. than the common sorts, whilst at the same time, it suffers more from drought. WM. H. HARRISON. CURIOUS EXTRACTS FROM THE ANCIENT (Continued from page 717, vol. VI.) 272. "Since it is most evident that the inhabitants of this country doe receive dayly damage by wolves, and noe fitt way or temper yet found for the destruction or diminishing of them, It is enacted that the Indian tributaries be enjoyned and assessed to bring in a certaine number annually, that is to say: Into Nanzemond county, the Nan- Surry. Pochay-icks Bowmen wolves or hunters. heads. 30 6 15 3 50 10 The legislators of the colony had no idea of the free-trade doctrine, nor of the importance of leaving the people to direct their own industry, as the Charles City co. Nottaways, 2 townes 90 18 best means of increasing the general wealth. ther in excess or deficiency of any product, Gloster. Appomattux 50 10 30 6 10 2 Pamunckies 50 10 Chickahomonies 60 12 Mattapanies 20 4 30 6 S 3 60 12 50 10 70 14 10 2 725 145 Rapahanocks by some compulsory direction or prohibition of in- New Kent. infer,) in spite of it, the increase of horses had Appomatux } The fence law in 1670, was somewhat modified, in violation of its general principle and policy, and consequently, with just so much deviation towards "Whereas the last assembly partly to restraine the support of justice. However, the restraints the numerous increase of horses now rather grow-imposed were upon the stock belonging generally ing burthensome then any way advantagious to the country, partly to encourage trade, did permit that to the rich-from which it would seem that there mares might be exported, this assembly takeing was a little leaven of loco-focoism at work in the care that both the ends might be advanced as colony, even in the time and under the rule of that thorough enemy of popular rights, Sir William | dressed flax or hemp every year, under penalty of Berkeley. The act is in these words: being fined 50 pounds of tobacco for each pound "Whereas the act ffor ffences doth not suffitient-required and not produced. ly provide for remedy of those many damages done The following enactment of the session of 1676– by unruly horses breaking into corne ffields, It is 7, seems to indicate that there was much reformaby the authority of the grand assembly enacted, that tion needed among the clergy of the established the owner of such horses shall be, and hereby and only church, as no other sect was tolerated. is required and enjoyned to take some effectuall course for restrayning them from trespassing their neighbours, from the twentyeth of July till the last of October in every yeare, it being much fitter that rich men who have the benefitt of such horses should provide for their restraint, then the poore enjoyned to the impossibility of every high ffences; and if any horse or horses shall at any tyme breake into any corne feild, the ffence being ffowre foote and halle high, then the owner of such horse or horses, upon proofe of the damage, shall pay for the first trespasse single damages and for every trespasse after double dammages to the party greived; and because question hath been made about the suffitiency of ffences according to the former act, of enjoyning them to be close to the bottome, It is hereby declared, that being soe close that nothing mentioned in the former act can creep through is only by that act intended.”—p. 279 The last act for encouraging the killing of wolves by the Indians, being found ineffectual, was this year repealed, leaving the earlier act in force. In 1671, millers were prohibited from taking more of the Indian corn, ground by them, than one-sixth for toll, and of the "English graine," as wheat was called, more than one-eighth part. The long continued and favorite policy of prohibiting the exportation of wool, hides, and iron, was, by the following repealing act, abandoned at this session, on the avowed ground of the failure of the benefit expected. "And be it further enacted by this grand assembly, and by the authority thereof, that such ministers as shall become notoriously scandalous by drunkingnesse, swearing, ffornication, or other haynous and crying sins, and shall be thereof lawfully convict, shall for every such their haynous crime and wickednesse, the first time forfeite to the parish or parishes wherein he or they soe offending shalbe benificed, the one halfe of one yeares sallary and dues, and the same for a second tyme he shalbe convicted, and if any minister offitiating in any parish shalbe three tymes convicted of any such haynous crime and wickednesse before mentioned, that he be forever hereafter made uncapable of offitiating in any office or ministeriall ffunction in any parish in this colony."-p. 384-5. The following section of the same act of general reform and regulation, (which followed soon after the re-establishment of the royal authority upon the suppression of Bacon's rebellion,) shows that the freedom of speech was treated with but scant respect in that time of excessive loyalty. "And whereas it hath beene frequent for rude and ill disposed persons to contemne and revile authority and magistrates, as well in words as in actions; Bee it therefore enacted by this present grand assembly, and by the authority thereof, that the tyme to come presume to speake and utter muall and every person and persons that shall from tinous or contemptuous words, or shall by any wayes or meanes abuse the right honourable the governour, or any of the councell, justices of the peace, or commissionated militia officers, and shall "Whereas it was hoped that weavers, tanners, be thereof lawfully convict, shall for his such ofand smiths would have been encouraged with fence, if against the right honourable the govergreater diligence and cheerfulness to have im- nour, be whipped on the bare back with thirty proved their severall callings for the good of the lashes, or pay eight hundred pounds of tobacoo country when they were sencible what tender care and caske, if against any of the honourable counwas taken for supplying them with materialls for cell, that then he shalbe whipped on the bare back to work upon, in reference to which the exporta- with twenty fowre lashes, or pay six hundred tion of wool, hides and iron, was by an act of as-pounds of tobacco and caske, and if against any sembly, (continued the three and twentyeth of justice of the peace or commissionate feild officer, March, 1661,) under greate penalties prohibited, then to be whipped on the bare back with twenty and that act strengthened by diverse others since, lashes, or pay fowre hundred pounds of tobacco but noe successe adswering the conceived hopes and caske, and the like for such second offence, and apparent losses accrueing to all inhabitants being likewise thereof lawfully convict. And if by the refusall of those concerned to buy the co- any person or persons, male or female, shall be modityes aforesaid, Be it therefore enacted by this convicted a third tyme of such mutany or congrand assembly and the authority thereof, that all temptious or villifying words, writeing or otheracts tending to the restriction of selling or export-wise, abuseing or scanduliseing the right honoraing of any of the comodities aforesaid stand repealed and every one permitted to make the best he can of his owne comodity."-p. 287, In 1673, an act was passed to encourage the growth and manufacture of hemp and flax. It required that the county courts should cause to be distributed one quart of flax-seed, and one quart of hemp-seed to every tythable person; and each person, so furnished, was to make two pounds of ble the governour or any of the honourable councell or any justice of the peace or commissionated militia ffield officer, then to be whipped on the bare back with thirty nine lashes, and stand in the pillowry two howers, or pay double the before shalbe and belong the one halfe to the informer, recited ffines, all which said ffines as aforesaid if he shall sue for the same, and the other halfe to the county," &c.-p. 385-6. At the same session (1676-7) an act was pass From the Magazine of Horticulture. ed regulating the rates of charges of keepers of "ordinaries,” or taverns, the prices being all stated NOTICES OF CULINARY VEGETABLES, NEW OR in tobacco, the legal currency of the colony. The act required that RECENTLY INTRODUCED, WORTHY OF GEN- "Ordinary keepers selling liquors doe not demand or take more for Virginia drahmes, or strong In again presenting to our readers our remarks beer or ale then is sett downe in the act of assem-on new vegetables, we feel gratified in being able bly made in September, 1671, that the rate of per- to state that our notices, which have appeared in ry and syder if boyled be twenty pounds of tobacco our two last volumes, have been the means of inper gallon, and if rawe eighteene pounds of tobacco troducing to greater notice and cultivation, many per gallon, that the price of lodging be three of the new productions which we have noticed and described. We shall continue to add all the pounds of tobacco per night, that the price of dyett where the generall court or assembly is held information which can be gathered upon this subbe twelve pounds of tobacco each meale, for the ject, and shall not let any new variety, worthy of master, and eight pounds of tobacco for the ser-notice, escape our attention. vant, and in the country in all other ordinaryes, Among those kinds, which have been more tenn pounds of tobacco each meale for the mas- particularly mentioned in our articles, and which ter, and six pounds of tobacco the servant. That have now become extensively known, and much the rate for horse pasture be six pounds of tobac- cultivated, are Bailey's red and white giant celeco for one day and night, and if housed, for strawy, the forty-fold potato, the early Vanack caband hay eight pounds of tobacco the day and night, and for Indian corne after the rate of fforty pounds of tobacco the bushell, and for oates after the rate of sixty pounds of tobacco per bushell."p. 393-4. bage, and the Soissons bean. Each of these varieties have been much sought after, and they have proved fully equal to what they were recommended. Many of the other sorts which were noticed are now under trial, and their good qualities will soon be ascertained. New vegetables do not find It is a curious fact that the importation of tobac- their way into cultivation with the rapidity of new co from the Carolinas, or in other words, the mer- the community who would be the most benefitted fruits or flowers, especially among that portion of chants of Virginia buying and exporting the pro- by their growth; the prejudices of market gardenducts of the other colonies, was held to be so inju-ers and farmers against new articles, as well as rious to the interest of Virginia, that it was deem-new experiments, are almost fatal to their introed necessary, in 1679, to pass the following prohibitory law. The same trade now continues from North Carolina; but the complaint is now from the other party, and with as little reason in the one case as the other. may take the place of those we now value. The past year, there has not been so many new varieties brought into notice, as heretofore. In the kitchen garden department there have been one or two introductions of some merit. To the farm there has been one addition of great importance in the Rohan potato; indeed we may, with truth, say, one of the most important acquisitions ever made to our husbandry. The past year was not propitious to the gardener or farmer in our vicinity; the unprecedented drought, during August and September, cut short the crop of most vegetables. Potatoes suffered severely, and the only crop which may be said to have been good and large, was the squash. Corn suffered in common with all other products. duction. Unless the merit of a new variety is so very great as to partake of the marvellous, it is a long period before it becomes generally cultivated. The information, however, which is now diffused through the great number of farming periodicals is, luckily, dissipating such prejudices, and the more enlightened of our agriculturists have become "Forasmuch as the importation of tobaccoes somewhat convinced, that there may be great iminto this colony from Carolina and other parts, provements made in the varieties usually cultivatwithout the capes, hath been found very prejudi-ed, as well as superior kinds introduced, which ciall to this country and the inhabitants thereof, and for prevention of like mischiefe and inconveniency for the future, Bee it enacted by the governour, councell and burgesses of this present grand assembly, and the authority thereof, and it is hereby enacted, that from and after the tenth day of October next, after this present session, noe tobaccoes packt in casque or otherwayes, shalbe brought from without the capes of Virginia into this colony, either in boate, sloope, shipp, or other vessell whatsoever, to be landed on shoare, sold or shipt of in any ship or other vessell rideing in this colony, except only by such persons as shall make it appeare that they are inhabitants of Lower Norfolke county, and that the tobaccoes by them brought round the capes, is of the growth of the said county, upon penalty of forfeiting all such In Britain, and on the Continent, some new tobaccoes soe brought into this colony contrary to vegetables have been introduced, which have atthe true intent and meaning of this act, the one-tracted considerable attenion; these we shall halfe of such tobaccoes soe forfeited to be to the briefly notice at this time, leaving a more extenduse of the kings majestie, and the other halfe to ed account of them to a future period, when we be equally divided betweene the informer and the may do so from our personal observation. country. Provided alwayes that it shall be law- The Cuba tomato, introduced by Mr. Lowell, full for any merchant or other person inhabitting the seeds of which he procured in Cuba, during in this country to fetch from Carolina, commonly a residence there through the winter of 1837, was called the South, and bring hither all such tobac-exhibited before the Massachusetts Horticultural coes as are already due to him before the makeing Society, and noticed by us in our reports, (Vol. of this law.”—p. 445 IV. p. 390.) Mr. Lowell stated in a note, that it was preferred by the Spaniards to any other variety. The fruit is rather smaller than the common tomato, of an oblong shape, and of a deep red color, not quite so bright as the former. It is fine for preserves. It is an abundant bearer, and full eight days earlier than the common kind. Mr. Lowell's recommendation is a sufficient guarantee of its goodness. The imperial watermelon, a new variety, was raised the past summer, by T. Allen, Esq., of Hyde Park, New York, which, for richness of flavor, firmness of the flesh, thinness of the skin, productiveness, and every other good quality, surpasses any thing we have ever tasted. We do not know the source from whence the seed was procured; but it is sufficiently early to arrive at perfection in our climate, and it must become very extensively cultivated. The seed cannot, probably, be procured in any quantity, as only a few melons were raised; we shall, after the trial of another season, notice it again. The Cedo Nulli pea, introduced for the first time last year, has promised to be a fine and very early variety, and one which we recommended to the notice of all gardeners. It is dwarf, early, and prolific. We would not have gardeners, as well as farmers, forget to cultivate, and extensively too, Groom's superb dwarf blue pea, which we have heretofore recommended. on an acre; and we have no hesitation in saying that it may be made to exceed this! A paragraph has just met our eye in the London Gardener's Gazette, stating that a new variety, called the mangel wurtzel potato, was introduced last spring, and that a gentleman of Waterford procured four of the tubers. These were cut into thirty-six sets, and planted on good land, with the usual quantity of farm-yard manure, in drills three feet apart and twelve inches between the sets, the whole occupying just twelve square yards. When dug, the produce was one hundred and twelve pounds, being at the rate of thirty-five tons to the acre, or thirteen hundred bushels. There is not the least doubt but that the mangel wurtzel potato, so called, is the Rohan, which has acquired the former name in England, from its great size. We again commend it to the notice of every farmer or gardener. LARGE OAK TREES. Loudon, in his Arboretum Britannicum, states that the oldest oak in England is supposed to be the Parliament oak (so called from the tradition of Edward I. holding a parliament under the branches,) in Clifstone Park, belonging to the The Rohan potato.-This remarkable variety Duke of Portland, this park being the most_anof the potato will be very generally cultivated the cient in the island. It was a park before the Concoming season. The extraordinary produce in quest, and seized as such by the conqueror. The almost every single experiment which has been tree is supposed to be fifteen hundred years old. made in their growth, notwithstanding the past The tallest oak in England was the property of unprecedented dry season, has convinced even the same nobleman-it was called Duke's Walkthose who have little faith in new varieties of ve-ing Stick-higher than Westminster Abby, and getables, that it is a most prolific, and, conse-stood till of late years. The largest oak in Engquently, a valuable article. Only a very limited land is the Calthorpe oak, Yorkshire, measuring supply for planting could be obtained last spring, seventy-eight feet in circumference where the and four or five pounds was the most that could be trunk meets the ground. The Three Shire Oak, easily procured by a single individual: but the in-at Worksop, was so called from covering parts of crease has been so enormous, that, from this small amount of seed, a sufficiency has been raised to plant an acre or more. After what we have said in our previous numbers, and the appearance of Mr. Kenrick's article, (p. 51,) it is not necessary that we should occupy the time of our readers with a repetition of the same, but simply remark, in addition, that there remains no doubt but that it is the most valuable article which has been introduced to our husbandry for many years. We have given an account of the origin of this variety in our IV., p. 149. It was named in honor of the Prince Roban, of Geneva, who was the first to disseminate it. Yorkshire, Nottingham and Derby: it had the greatest expanse of any recorded in this island, dropping over seven hundred and seventy-seven square yards. The most productive oak was that of Gelonds, in Monmouthshire, felled in 1810. Its bark brought £200, and its timber £670, (about $4,000.)-Arb. Brit. From the Maine Farmer. MORE ABOUT HOGS. Any experiments which render the operations of the farmer more certain, or which shall give cerAn opinion has gained ground, that the Rohan tain data whereby to calculate the profit or loss of potato is very inferior to our common kinds: this, any pursuit in agriculture, are of great value. however, is a great error. We have previously One trouble in the business of the farm has been, given Judge Buel's opinion of its quality, and we the uncertainty with which the cost and the recan confirm what he has stated. When the pota- turns of investiments in this occupation has too toes are grown to their proper size, which is two generally been attended, owing to the remissness or three pounds each, we have no doubt that, with of farmers in keeping proper accounts. The keepthe same care in cultivation, they will be founding of hogs and the fattening of them, are subequal to any other variety. In proof of this, we jects respecting which much has been said and may notice that a late London paper states. that a much been written, but after all, the exact cost, "new and extremely prolific variety, of German for an exact account current, has but in a very few origin," was introduced last spring, and cultivated for the metropolitan market. Of its enormous produce there is no doubt; we lately stated, (p. 35,) that twelve hundred bushels might be raised instances been fairly kept. Arthur Young, many years ago, published some experiments wherein the expenses were laid down, and the profits also minuted. Mr. Colman also published some ex |