that I should over-do the matter; but nevertheless, I will venture to send you something, lest others better qualified should be unmoved by your appeal.

Greece. In every village there are round paved places, where the inhabitants spread out their corn, and have it trodden out by horses. On the arrival of the Bavarians in this country, an officer ordered several flails to be made, with the inten- You must long ago have been convinced that I tion of teaching the Greeks their use; and some most heartily wish success to your Register on soldiers were set to work with them for this pur- your own account; but you have yet to learn that pose. The Greeks, of course, approved of the I wish it also, because I take a pride in it, as a new way for them; "but why should we tire our-work of good old Virginia, concocted out of her selves," said they, "when our horses can do it as well with their feet?"

That awkardness, or idleness, which is perceptible on many occasions, struck me particularly on seeing them digging or trenching the ground. It is extraordinary how men in this warm climate can remain bent, and sitting on the calves of their legs, or, rather, doubled on their legs, for hours together, and not upright, as every where else, working with implements which never have longer handles than from 2 ft. to 2 ft. 6 in.

own materials, and by a native-born Tuckahoe.* To aid it, therefore, in every honest way that I possibly can, is a matter which occupies much of my thoughts, and prompts me, perhaps oftener than is useful, to be scribbling for it. This, however, having no other object than the good of our cause, is never designed to impose upon you more trouble than that of perusal ; since to see myself in print, very rarely, if ever, forms any part of my motive for addressing you. Let me then again repeat, as I have often done before, that you are at perfect liberty to destroy whatever of mine you do not deem fit to publish.

At present I have nothing to offer but certain suggestions brought to my mind by your just complaints of the increasing want of original commu

The climate of Greece being so favorable for the vine, accounts for the country also abounding in wine. We must not, however, expect to see the vine cultivated regularly; the stocks are planted, they are allowed to grow, and they are thought of no more till the time of the vintage. Those nications-suggestions, which, if followed out, as wines which come from the islands are very good and light; those, on the contrary, which are made on the continent, for want of cellars and reservoirs for keeping them in, are always mixed with resin or gypsum. The taste produced by this mixture is at first extremely disagreeable, particularly when gypsum or plaster-of-Paris is used. I soon got accustomed to the mixture of resin, which seems at first to be turpentine. The latter custom, in this warm climate, is a very good means of promoting digestion.

This is nearly the amount of the notes which I wrote during my stay in this country. I can, if you wish it, communicate other matters to you, perhaps still more agreeable than these. Soho, London, September, 1838.

From the Southern Agriculturist.
TRISH POTATOES FROM SLIPS.

Irish potatoes may be grown from the slips, like the sweet potato. As soon as your potato tops have grown about one foot high, cut them off and plant the same as you do to the sweet potato, only have the beds nearer each other. The potatoes from these will be later, but they will be more numerous, and decidedly more mealy.

OLLA PODRIDA.

To the Editor of the Farmers' Register.

March 22nd, 1839. In one of the late numbers of your Register, I have read what I consider a very just complaint against most of your early correspondents, who are yet in the land of the living. It is, that they appear to have grown weary in the good work of contributing to your paper, as their communications have gradually been diminishing in number and frequency, until you rarely hear from them at all. You and your readers, I think, will all acquit me of this fault, for my fear has generally been

your own judgment might direct, would add, I am sure, considerably to the interest of your highly useful journal. One of these is, to re-publish, when you are hard run for fresh matter, short articles, from some of our comparatively old agricultural works; for instance, the American Farmer, which consists of 15 quarto volumes. My reasion for this recommendation is, that such works, when published periodically, are almost always treated as waste paper. Their contents, therefore, are very soon entirely lost and forgotten. I, who read every agricultural work I can lay my hands on, and carefully preserve all I subscribe for, was forcibly reminded of this fact a few days ago, while searching the American Farmer for something of which I had a faint, but imperfect recollection. My attention was so completely arrested by several highly interesting and valuable articles, which I had utterly forgotten, that I was near losing sight of the first object of my search. Had I seen them in your paper, without a mark of quotation, I have no doubt that I should have taken them for original communications to yourself; and I am very sure that the same thing would happen to hundreds of your other subscribers; for there are multitudes of us agriculturist who require "line upon line," and "precept upon precept," to enable us to retain in our memories what we learn of our profession from books; especially if they are published piece-meal.

Still older works than the American Farmer

Would you believe it? There are hundreds of native-born Virginians still so ignorant of the early history of their own state as not to know that a root called "Tuckahoe," was a common article of food among the Indians, when Virginia was first settled by the English. It is indeed, a great botanical curiosity, (now very scarce,) for it has neither root in the ground, nor stem above it; but grows a few inches below the surface, apparently as unconnected with the soil as a varies in size from that of a goose egg to that of a man's buried cannon ball would be. It is oval in shape, and head. The coat is rough and of a dark brown color; the inner substance is very white, similar in texture to that of the yam, and of an insipid taste. I believe it is found in the Carolinas, as well as in Virginia.

might often afford some very useful information, |lowing words: "I must confess he has hit this, the mixed up with various things which would probably best of any of the grasses." According to him, prove to many, as they have done to me, exceed- it was first known to the English at Aleppo in ingly amusing from the very odd and queer style in which they are related, as well as from the subject matter itself. Take, as a specimen, the following droll captions to certain chapters in a work published in England about ninety years ago, in eight octavo volumes, by one William Ellis, who signed himself "Farmer,” and called his book "the Modern Husbandman."

"As to your comparison: most men, 'tis true, of any figure in life, are too prone to inconstancy and change in all their actions, as well as appetites; and must have the whole globe of earth and sea ransacked to gratify their inordinate desires. But this luxurious disposition is not, I hope, so much implanted in our natures, as 'tis owing to our indulging ourselves too much to ease and idleness; for set a good joint of meat before my ploughmen or laborers, every day the same, give From this author I have learned what I never them but enough, and I will answer for them, knew before, in regard 15 that excellent grass, the they will behave themselves very well in their lucerne. He begins his account of it with the fol-several attacks, and be lusty and healthy at the

year's end; though perhaps, their lazy master's pulverizing the soil. This it will most certainly stomach would have risen against the third meal. effect by being dragged only once over the surNor did I ever find that my working horses or ox-face, far better than either harrows or rollers can en refused the same hay and corn the year round, do it by passing two or three times, while the but eat clean up as much as was given them, draught is very little greater, if any, than that of the while those that were pampered and led, and kept largest sized harrow made for two horses. The sleek and fine for market, were as whimsical and first time I used it, (which was as soon as I could squeamish as the nicest beau. This must be at- get one made, after reading Mr. Gay's description tributed to the want of due labor and exercise. of it,) I became thoroughly satisfied of its great 'Tis just the same with the earth; for take a small superiority to rollers and harrows for reducing land piece, and manure it very well for some years, to fine tilth preparatory to sowing or planting any without either ploughing, or mowing, or feeding thing; and I have been using it ever since. Both on it, for there are exercises of the earth, and it the last mentioned implements are very useful for will denote a foulness of stomach, by putting forth other purposes, and therefore, nothing here said is nothing but rank weeds; but after you have given designed to supersede them by the drag-log, but it sufficiently of these exercises, you need not fear merely to represent their great inferiority as pulclogging its stomach" (a very needless caution | verizers and crushers of rough, cloddy land.* this, to most of us Virginia farmers,) "with too much and too constant food, if it be a proper sort; for it will always manifest a good digestion, by the grateful returns it will make you."

And now, my good sir, having succeeded in a
part at least, of my design, which was to make
this epistle a kind of hotch-potch affair, in the
hope of affording to you and your readers some
variety, as well as a mite or two of what may be
useful, I will conclude by proposing, (as you seem
fond of giving captions to the communications of
your correspondents,) that you should entitle mine
an "Olla Podrida, or dish of all sorts," and heartily
wishing that it may prove palatable,
1 remain, dear sir,

Your old friend and constant reader,
J. M. G.

From the Farmer and Gardener. BROOM-CORN-CROP.

The proprietors of the broom factory at Georgetown, D. C. take pleasure in laying before their agricultural friends, an accurate statement of the product of this new grown crop. The estimate is made on the measurement of seven acres of land the last year, although the season was unfavorable for corn. From the seven acres they secured 24,488 lbs. of broom brush, cut with six and seven inches stalk, with seed on.

On the subject of agricultural machines and implements, Ellis treats very largely, and describes several as long used in England, which have been supposed, in the United States, to be modern inventions of our own. I will invite our brethren to make trial of at least two which he extols very highly. These are the prong-hoe, (or "hough," as he spells it,) and the "beck-hough." I can say of the first, after more than twenty years use, that it is incomparably the best implement for taking up and throwing coarse manure into a cart or other vehicle used for the purpose, that I have ever seen. It is also far preferable to any other for cleaning out wet drains obstructed by trash of any kind, and it is an excellent tool for hoeing up garden ground, as it pulverizes at the same time. Although it is much used in some parts of our state, yet I know that in others, it is entirely unknown, and therefore I confidently recommend it. The prongs (three in number,) should be flat, about an inch or inch and a quarter wide at the widest part, and tapered to of an inch at the point, which should be sharp and well steeled. Their length should be about that of a common hilling-hoe, and they should be slightly curved inward. The whole width of the implement, including the spaces between the prongs, many be about eight inches, although the whole size should be proportioned to the strength of the person who is to use it. The beck-hoe I have never seen, but am so well satisfied with Ellis' description of it, that I shall certainly try one as soon as I can get it made. He says, "it differs from the common pick-axe, or mattock, only by having its two ends about four inch-$100 per ton, es broad." He adds that, "at Farnham, in Surry, it is so esteemed, that there is hardly any other per bushel, tool used to weed their hop-grounds and allays, and to keep them clean and hollow; for by its make, the digger can enter the earth deeper than with either the prong-hand-hough, or prongspade; and it is with this tool that they keep their plantations of hops in a most fine tilth," &c.

Whilst I am on this subject, permit me once more to recommend, most earnestly, the drag-log -the credit of contriving which is entirely due, I believe, to your worthy correspondent, Mr. Gay. For the combined qualities of simplicity, cheapness, and utility, I have met with nothing that will bear any comparison with it in regard to the purpose which it is designed to effect, and that is

After taking the seed off, the net brush weighed, 5,549 lbs. The seed measured from the same, 473 bush. and weighed 40 lbs. per bush, making 18,939 do. Recapitulation.

Net weight of the brush from 7 acres,
Net weight of seed from the 7 acres,

Making the gross weight grown,
Value of crop as follows:
5,549 lbs. of net brush, at 5 cents

5,549 lbs. 18,939 do.

473 bushels clean seed, at 50 cents

Amount of crop grown per acre on seven acres,

24,488 do.

per lb. or $277 45

236 75 $514 20 $73 453

It would be well here to state, in the year 1835, with a more favorable season, the same seven acres of land was planted in Indian corn, and produced 573 bbls. and sold at $4 50 per bbl. $231 75 Making the difference in favor of broom-corn, on seven acres,

$272 45

The drag-log was fully described, and its peculiar advantages stated at page 751, vol. ii, and 616, iii. Far. Reg.-Ed.

The Indian corn-crop per acre, was about net. With these cows he fed 17 spring pigs until $33 103. Making the difference in favor of October, whose average weight was 177 lbs. each; broom-corn $40 35. half of this pork, say 88 lbs., was to be credited to the cow. He is of opinion, that when pork is $10 per 100 lbs., a cow will give at least $8 worth of pork per year. Cow, Cr.

For planting, our own experience has taught us to lay the land off three feet each way, so as to avoid hoe-labor. This distance will give 4800 hills per acre. On the above described land we would leave from 10 to 15 stalks in the hill. The preference is given to the finest brush. Half a gallon of seed will plant an aere carefully dropped. Any farther information can be had, by application at the factory. The propretors of the Georgetown broom factory have, with great care, selected their earliest and best seed for planting, and offer it to the farmers at a moderate price. For securing the harvest, will be hereafter noticed. GEORGE T. MASON & Co.

From the Second Report of the Agriculture of Massachusetts.
DAIRY HUSBANDRY.

133 lbs. butter, at 23 cts., (comm. paid,) $30 59
Pork, -
8 00

Profits of a cow,

$38 59

$12 00
5 00

25

2 50

$19 75

$18 84

It is understood, that no extra feed is, in this case, given to the cow; and the butter and milk used in the family, it is supposed, will fully pay for the attendance. This is a fair profit; but it is, as I think, we shall presently see, much less than it should be. No animal is better entitled to good keeping than a cow; because none makes a more liberal return for all the extra kindness and feed and attention bestowed on her.

In another dairy, nine cows made 1550 lbs. of butter, and 300 lbs. of cheese.

I proceed to speak now of another of the great interests of the agriculture of Berkshire-the dairy. The dairy business has always been a great business. For a time it gave way to the raising of fine wool, when the prices of that staple were high. Since the abatement of the demand for wool, with that caprice for which mankind always have been, and there is reason to think always will be remarkable, many farmers have sacrificed Another dairy of twenty cows produced, of their flocks; and are now giving their exclusive butter, 500 lbs. ; of new milk cheese, 4000 lbs. attention to the dairy husbandry. These changes, In this town, two acres of land are deemed sufin matters so important as the dairy or the sheep ficient for pasturing a cow or fatting a steer. husbandry involving, as they do, a considerable Twenty head of cattle, made up of cows and three investment of capital, and many expensive fix-year old steers, were fatted upon thirty acres of tures, cannot be suddenly or frequently made with-land. out risk of serious loss and disadvantage.

The county of Berkshire is admirably adapted to the dairy husbandry. Grass is every where abundant. The soil is suited to the cultivation of esculent vegetables in the highest perfection. Several increasing manufacturing villages, with their swarming population, require supplies from the farms in the vicinity. Besides this, the great mart of the country, the city of New York, is easily accessible. Most of the farmers in Berkshire can reach Hudson with their produce, by a journey of four to eight hours, and put on board the boats at four o'clock P. M., it is in New York by an early hour the next morning. The farmer usually allows two cents a pound commission for the freight and sale of his butter; and, upon other produce, it is equally reasonable. He does not return from the river empty; but carries home a load of plaster, or of articles of necessity for his family. The great roads to the river, after the hills are surmounted, are among the best in the whole country. The rail-road, already open from Hudson to West Stockbridge, will afford to many of the farmers all the facilities they can desire for reaching the Hudson river.

Produce and expenses.

1. Egremont.-I will, in this place, state, as an example, the operation of a farmer who resided about twenty-five miles from Hudson. The great object of his attention was the making of butter, which was sold every week in the New York market.

From 18 cows he sold 2400 lbs. butter, at 23 cts.

The subject of dairy-produce is of such importance, that I shall give various returns and calculations. I omit names; I should be glad to give them, and in a majority of cases it might not be disapproved; but a fear of giving offence, or of being thought to take an improper liberty, or of interrupting that freedom of communication, which I wish should subsist between myself and the farmers, and which seems indispensable to the success of the survey, induces me to withhold them, save where permission has been explicitly granted, or the nature of the case renders it obviously proper. The statements, which I give, rest upon undoubted authority.

2. In Otis.-Twenty cows gave 5000 lbs. new milk cheese, for sale; each averaging also 25 lbs. of butter; 600 lbs. of cheese were also used in the family.

Cow, Cr.

280 lbs. cheese, at 8 cts.,
25 lbs. butter, at 20 cts.,
Calf,

$22 40 5 00 4.00

1 56

$32 96

$12.00
5 00
$1.50
2 16

$20 66

$12 24

3. Lanesboro'.-Sales from 12 cows: cheese | ten acres of land here, with the use of plaster, is at 12 cts.; butter at 25 cts.; gross amount, $600. deemed sufficient for the pasturage of four cows. No account in this case is made of supplies in the family.

6. In Sheffield, the average product of 28 cows Cheese 100 lbs. do., besides using what milk and was 394 lbs. new milk cheese, and 50 lbs. of but-butter were required by two persons. She had her own skimmed milk, but no meal or grain. ter each. She consumed, as ascertained, two tons of hay; and her pasturage was 25 cts. per week.