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out, and no subjects left either for slander and de- | cropping, on grass, on cattle, on the improvement famation, or fulsome and degrading adulation, of soil, would have been far more prized, if only and mercenary servility. No one thinks for a mo- for their rarity; but very few such have been furment that the materials for, or the interest in, the nished recently by correspondents; and if the exciting and popular subjects of sectarian contro- | Farmers' Register had not been so much devoted versy, or political warfare, can possibly be dimin- to furthering silk-culture latterly, it could have ished-and on one or both of these subjects all offered but few original pieces of value on othe: read, who read any thing. But on agriculture, by subjects. It is admitted that the editor's investiwhich all live, in the improvement of which all gations and writings have been principally devoted are interested, (and the pratical operations of during this time to silk-culture; and if it is in him which are perhaps the sole profitable occupation an error to enter zealousy and heartily in support of most of the persons who sustain such obfusca- of every subject which he deems of great interting publications as are above referred to,) com-est, it is one which he will always be disposed to mands no abiding interest, and the subject is sup-fall into. He tried at various times during the last posed to be soon exhausted. It never can be ex-six years to impress upon his readers the imporhausted; and it is one on which so much light is needed, and so much can be furnished, that the more it is treated of, the more of new matter will be presented for consideration and profitable instruction.

tance of silk-culture to Virginia; but until recently there were no materials to operate upon, and his words were unheeded, if not unnoticed. But the iron, which he before struck upon cold and unyielding, is now at a red heat, and he has deemed it The editor has devoted his labor and his time proper to strike continually while the blows may for nearly seven years to the support of this work possibly be effective. He trusts that his and other and its great objects, to the exclusion and necessa- perhaps more efficient efforts in this cause, have ry neglect of other things in which his private gain already done much good, and that there is now no was more deeply concerned, and by attending to doubt of silk-culture being established in this counwhich, his interest would have been better served. try, and particularly in Virginia, speedily, permaHe has recently abandoned all personal and direct nently, and profitably. That alone will be a result participation in other business, and will continue of more utility and value to the public than a thouto devote his energies exclusively to sustaining sand-fold the cost of this publication. But still the this publication, heavy as the burden has been and editor has no intention or wish that the publication will be, when so little aided by the labors and the should be principally devoted to silk-culture, or to encouragement of others. Therefore, should the any one of the many important branches of agripublic support be eventually withdrawn, and the culture in general; nor can any one justly comwork sink for want of pecuniary as well as literary plain of the preponderance of articles, recentsupport, that result would prove a most seriously, on silk-culture, unless communications on blow to the private interest now so entirely vested in the property. Nevertheless, the consideration of this contingency, which may be hastened and made more sure by predicting its possible occurrence, shall not prevent it being stated in the strongest manner to those who sustain this work by their subscription money, that they must also give it the beiter aid of their pens, and maintain the interest I make it a rule never to be idle, and whereas thus to be produced, or that the publication must I am at this time very nearly in that situation, I become of comparatively little worth, and sink. write for the Register; and if this shall answer During the last six or eight months the Farm-any good purpose, I may at odd times continue ers' Register has been very copious, and the con- therefore request, that you now take your pencil in the practice. I dislike any thing superfluous, tents very interesting and instructive, upon one sub-hand, and erase any letter, word, or sentence, of ject of all-absorbing recent interest in this country such description, lest when I come to read, I may -that of silk and mulberry culture. So large a be tormented with my own work, as often as I proportion, indeed, of its pages has been devoted have been with that of others. Suckers on Indian corn.-Lands which are rich to this subject, that, as the editor was sensible, to a great depth, if not planted thick, will sucker it was out of all proportion to the remaining and profusely; and in such case the suckers will not more important subjects of agriculture in general. damage, but be serviceable, by extracting the reBut whose fault was this, but of the individuals pletion, which would otherwise create disease. who could, and ought to have written on other drills, in clusters, no suckers will appear, especialBut if such grounds be planted thick, either in subjects, and who did not? Communications only on a deep fallow. So likewise will corn suck

other subjects had been offered, and received with a less degree of welcome and attention-which certainly has not been the case.

PROMISCUOUS.

For the Farmers' Register.

er profusely, on a shallow fallow, where the sur-sire to be the greatest amongst the great, but that face is rich, and the under stratum poor; but in this selfish and mean disposition to keep others in obcase the suckers will presently be a nuisance, for the scurity and ignorance, that he, who is little, may soil will not continue sufficient to feed both plants appear big. He who lives alone for his own good, and suckers. If such ground be fallowed deep, no is a brute; and like a brute, will he go down to the sucker will appear, although thinly planted. grave, to be thought of no more.

Lodged grain.--No grain will lodge whilst Seeds.-I think it a shame for old Virginia to healthy. Diseased seed, diseased ground, diseased send to the Yankees for their garden seeds. Our atmosphere, insects and dung, will make grain mountains are equal to any place in the world, for unhealthy. Both very thick, aad very thin grow-the production of large and healthy vegetables; ing, grain will stand erect: in the first case, any and if I thought I could profit, I would try a seed disease being equally divided amongst the nume-garden. rous plants, the effect is slight; in the second, the Improvement of land.-I have made thorough air and sun can penetrate in such abundance, that trials of improvement by turning under sorry and any poisonous matter is extracted or evaporated. ordinary crops of oats, and can recommend it as a If on land already in good heart, a goodly portion cheap and expeditious method. Turn them in of fermented manure be turned in to the depth of when merely half ripe, by which means sudden a three or four-horse fallow, we might expect a putrefaction is secured; which putrefaction will be healthy and abundant crop of wheat; and I know food for the second crop of oats. of no reason why the produce in Virginia would In closing, I will remark that I am a subscriber not, could not, be equal to that of France, or else-to your paper, that I was raised to farming, that where. I believe it to be useful to spread manure I have read nearly every publication on farming, on the surface of a shallow fallow and thin soil. that my locks are getting gray, and yet I am lackEvery person of observation will remember that ing-lacking-lacking. on ordinary and shallow tilled grounds, wheat and other crops start vigorously, and stole profusely; but when the surface has become somewhat ex-address. exhausted, and nature has pushed the roots downward, there is a sudden failure, the greater portion of those stoles will perish, and consequently disease is generated.

Although I am neither ashamed of my name, nor writing, yet request you will not mention my

As evidence of my sincerity in asking questions, I pay postage. MOUNTAINEER.

[We are pleased to have the observant, practiI have now standing 60 heads of wheat, con- cal, and working farmer, that we believe the taining about 2000 grains, which are the produce writer above to be, in our pages, even without a of one grain; this I intend to sow on ground pre-name. He will be always and still more welcome, pared according to the above ideas; and if the and still more useful, over his own real signature. produce hereafter should be one-twentieth part of the present, that would be one-hundred fold; and We have neither erased nor altered, nor supplied why not?

Grasses.-I send the heads of a grass which I call the smooth cock's-foot; and another which suppose to be the American rye-grass--please let me know what they are?

a word.

From our correspondent's proposal to cure leaves for winter forage, it is presumed that he has read and profited by Professor Symonds' account of the Sour grasses, and sour weeds, are more nume-practice in Italy, in one of our recent numbers. If rous this year than I have ever known them-not, it is recommended to his notice. Let him, by sumach, fern, cheat or chess, sorrels, &c. &c.

Hay. I never have food sufficient to winter the cattle, which I graze through summer. I have a bank about one mile long, which is clothed with shrubbery, consisting of poplars, ash, mulberry, linn, sassafras, locust, walnut, &c., of which I have strong mind to make hay. My ideas is to break off the tips of the limbs by hand, and cure and stack as usual for grass; but if you Mr. Editor, or any other person, would suggest a cheaper or better plan, I would thank you.

Prices current.-If the editor would state the prices of beef, cows, &c. &c., he would much oblige some of his western subscribers.

all means try the experiment, and report the result to the Farmers' Register.

We would, with pleasure, extend the prices current on the covers of the monthly numbers, not only to beef, live-stock. &c., but to many other articles of agricultural products; but the demand of the small town in which we publish, is too limited to show market prices-and to endeavor to obtain them from abroad might lead to deception, more frequently than furnish correct information.

The heads of grasses, in the state received, could not be identified. One seems to be the "feather-grass," of which we know not the botanical name, nor the grade of comparative value.-ED. F. R.]

Writing.-Many persons do not promulgate information which would prove valuable, because they have no time; many will not write because they fear criticism, and some fear contradiction. Now, I have at all times, about as little time to write as the next man; as to criticism, it would be sport for me; and as to contradiction, nothing could better please me; because to prove either truth or falsehood, something valuable is apt to be elicited. But I am sorry to believe there are Surry county, July 1st, 1839. some amongst us who have other, and worse rea- Perhaps it may not be uninteresting to some of son for not attempting to enlighten the communi-your readers, to learn the sad, and lamentable ty, to wit, a desire to be the big man-not the de- newe, that the chinch-bug is now spreading rapid

THE CHINCH BUG IN SURRY.

For the Farmers' Régister.

COMPARITIVE VALUE OF MORUS MULTICAU-
LIS, MORUS ALBA, AND THE CANTON, AL-
PINE, FLORENTINE AND CHINESE SEED-
LING MULBERRY TREES.

ly over every part of our county, and on some few farms destroying every thing before it, and I am afraid, it is destined at no very distant time, to be one of the greatest calamities that ever befel this country. Many farmers (and indeed very For the Farmers' Register. reasonably so,) are very much alarmed at the vi sitation of this great destroyer, not only of the To the citizens of Virginia, who design making farmer's hopes, but in fact of man's principal and permanent plantations of the mulberry, for the main support of existence. We are now harvest-purpose of embarking in the culture of silk, the ing our wheat crop, in which they got rather too adoption in the beginning, of such varieties of the late to destroy it entirely, but on many farms have mulberry as are best suited to our soils and cliseriously injured it, many places in the fields being mate, is of the highest importance. Enjoying as quite destroyed. On following after the scythes, I do at present the opportunity of comparing the you may see millions of the bugs, of all sizes and above-named varieties, so as to form a tolerably colors, red, black and gray, running in the great correct judgment, as to their value for the proseest consternation in every possible direction, seek-cution of silk-culture in Virginia, I will, endeaing shelter under the sheaves of wheat, and vor to state, with plainness, brevity and candor, the bunches of grass, which may happen to be near. conclusions to which I have been led by a careful But all those on the borders of the field, and in-examination.

deed on every part of it, very soon quit the dry Of all the above-named varieties the "morus and hard stubble for the more tender and juicy corn or oats, whichsoever may be nearest at hand; and now commences their havoc and dreadful devastation. We see the healthy, dark-green, luxuriant oat, which a few days before looked so beautiful and rich, turn pale, wither and die, almost at their very touch. It would seem exaggeration and almost incredible to state how very prolific this devouring insect is, their increase being so prodigiously great, as to appear to be the work of ma-perience. It is capable of enduring our hardest

multicaulis," justly claims the pre-eminence. Its growth is rapid, and as large as it should be for a permanent plantation, on light sandy soils that are capable of producing 15 or 20 bushels of corn to the acre. Indeed, it should not be planted on more fertile soils, because at the age of four or five years, after having been headed down, the stalks are liable to be broken down by violent winds. On this point, I speak from very recent exgic. winters. In proof of this, the following facts are In one day and night they have been known to stated: In the fall of '37 and '38, I dropped in the advance fifteen or twenty yards deep in a field, field a small tree of "morus multicaulis," which destroying as they proceed. Unless some kind remained exposed root and branch all the winter. dispensation of providence delivers us from this It was found, and planted in March, following, ruthless enemy to the farming interest, it is im- and is now healthy, and growing very rapidly. In possible to say to what extent their ravages will, '36 and '39 other plants were exposed in the and may extend, in the course of a year or two. same way, which are yet living and doing very To us farmers, who are dependent on the produc- well. From those facts some may imagine that tions of the earth, for our every thing, it is truly the winters in this part of Virginia are very mild; awful. And if their increase in future is commensu- but it is far otherwise. In this region the sassarate with the past, it must be but a short time be- fras and wild pimento, (laurus benzoin,) both of fore this section of country will be laid waste by which are found in high northern latitudes, have this dreadful depredator, and its inhabitants, re-occasionally been killed, and the ground freezes to duced to want and misery. Every attempt hitherto made to arrest their progress, or destroy them, has proved abortive. Some have attempted to drive them from their corn by pouring boiling water over them; a remedy, for the corn, as bad as the disease. Others try to stop their ingress to the corn fields by digging ditches around the fields; but with no avail, as they are furnished with wings, in a short time after they are hatched, and of course can easily fly over the ditches. Would it not be advisable always to sow clover, or some other tender grass, with all small grain, to induce the bug to remain in the field after the grain is taken away long enough, to enable the corn crop to get size and age, so as not to be seriously injured by them. I have observed that the older the plant, the much less liable it is to be either injured or attacked. The wheat crop, where it is not in-dor. jured by the bug, is as promising, and bids fair to yield as plentiful a harvest, as I have ever seen. In fact, this crop is gradually increasing, more having been sown last fall, than for several years past; this desirable change, may perhaps be attributed partly to the use of marl. The growth of the corn crop is very fine; oats likewise; cotton but little, and that very indifferent.

AN OLD SUBSCRIBER.

the depth of fifteen inches. This occurred in the winter of '36 and '37 when we had standing out 900 small plants of "multicaulis" raised from cuttings planted the preceding May, and not more than three or four were lost. I thawed the ground by building a fire, in order that I might get accurate information.

The "morus multicaulis" makes silk of the finest quality, equal, if not superior to the silk from morus alba, and much softer and more lustrous than that produced from morus rubra. I have made very careful experiments on this point, and I confidently assert that the published statement of some northern men, that the silk of "morus multicaulis" is as coarse as that from "morus rubra," or "morus nigra," is without foundation in fact, and evinces either ignorance or want of can

Next to the "morus mnlticaulis," I place a mulberry which I shall call the "Chinese seedling." This is a scarce plant, and cannot for several years at least, come into competition, for purposes of speculation, with the other varieties. I therefore hope I shall escape the suspicion of a tree selling coininunication. It was raised by Mr. C. H. Hunt, of Fredericksburg, from seed which were purchased for multicaulis seed. I have this vari

ety, the “Canton" and the "Alpine," growing from cuttings on similar soil, and I have no hesitation to affirm that it is superior to either. It furnishes leaves that are as large, and they are heavier, more thickly set on the branches, and more glossy. Next to the "Chinese seedling," for light sandy soils, I place the Canton. It bears leaves about half the size of "morus multicaulis," grows very well in such soils, and propagates readily from cuttings.

With respect to the value of morus alba, and the Alpine and Florentine, which are both varieties of the former, I have to say that they will prove valuable to farmers having land that will produce from 80 to 100 bushels of corn to the acre; but on inferior soils they are not worth the expense of cultivation.

I will only add that I consider the Florentine superior to the Alpine.

LAYTON Y. ATKINS. Stafford co., Va., July 1839.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.

List of Graduates of July 4th 1839.

ANCIENT LANGUAGES.

John W. Clay, Huntsville, Ala.
Robert A. Coghill, Amherst, Va.
Muscoe R. H. Garnett, Essex, Va.
Wm. H. Glascock, Huntsville, Ala.
Hunter H. Marshall, Charlotte, Va.
Joseph A. Shanklin, S. Carolina.
James A. Waddell, Staunton, Va.

Latin Language and Literature.
Charles II. Barksdale, Charlotte, Va.
John Staige Davis, University of Va.
Richard Barnes Gooch, Richmond.
Marcellus V. Lanier, Danville,
Carter P. Johnson, Richmond City,
F. R. Rives, Albemarle Co.
John S. Sunith, Louisa,
J. D. Thornton, Cumberland,
Thomas H. Watts, Alabama.

MODERN LANGUAGES.

French Language and Literature. Charles H. Barksdale, Charlotte, Va. Benj. J. Barbour, Orange,

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Wm. S. Caldwell, New Orleans.
John S'aige Davis, University of Va.
Richard B. Gooch, Richmond City.
Muscoe R. H. Garnett, Essex, Va.
William H. Glascock, Huntsville, Ala.
Geo. F. Harrison, Cumberland, Va.
Carter P. Johnson, Richmond City.
Aaron Jeffery, Norfolk Borough.
John C. Meredith, Louisa, Va.
James Morris, Louisa,
Francis E. Morancy, Louisiana.
Peter B. Prentis, Nansemond, Va.
Wm. L. Pitts, New Orleans.
George F. Pitts, Kentucky.
Francis R. Rives, Albemarle, Va.
John Prosser Tabb, Gloucester, "
Isaac R. Watkins, Charlotte,
VOL. VII-53

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Charles D. Wharton, Goochland, Va.
J. A. Washington, Mount Vernons

Spanish Language and Literature.
John W. Clay, Huntsville, Ala.
John Staige Davis, University of Va.
Richard B. Gooch, Richmond City.
Wm. H. Glascock, Huntsville, Ala.
George F. Harrison, Cumberland, Va.
Carter P. Johnson, Richmond City,
James Morris, Louisa, Va.
John C. Meredith, do
Hunter H. Marshall, Charlotte, Va.
Francis R. Rives, Albemarle.
C. R. G. Slaughter, Charlottesville.
Isaac R. Watkins, Charlotte,
Charles D. Wharton, Goochland,"

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Va.

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PROFICIENTS IN POLITICAL ECONOMY.

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MORAL PHILOSOPHY. Benjamin J. Barbour, Orange, Va. Wm. P. Bayly, Accomack, R. W. Bushnell Rockingham,“ Henry C. Cabell, Richmond City, Va. Willis J. Dance, Powhatan, Eugene Davis, University of Va. W. P. Duvall, Tallahassee, Florida, Richard B. Gooch, Richmond City. Donald M. Harrison, Amelia, Va. James P. Holcombe, Lynchburg, Va. James Alfred Jones, Mecklenburg. Augustus E. Maxwell, Alabama. Francis E. Morancy, Louisiana. Wm. L. Pitts, New Orleans, Robert R. Prentis, Nansemond, Va. Samuel Saunders, Lunenburg, James R. Sneed, Georgia. John R. Stapler,

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Lewis Turner, Louisa, Va.

66

J. A. Washington, Mount Vernon, Chas. D. Wharton, Goochland, Va. L. W. T. Wickham, Richmond Cuy.

LAW.

Peter Carr, Albemarle, Va.
C. C. Clay, Jr., Huntsville, Ala.
Thomas O. Dabney, King William.
Robert A. Johnson, Lexington, Ky.
Robert Patterson, Philadelphia.
Henry Spencer, Charlotte, Va.

Robert H. Whitfield, Isle of Wight.

PROFICIENTS IN MEDICAL JURISPRUDence.

Wm. P. Bayly, Accomack, Va.
Richard W. Bushnell, Rockingham.

John D. Bracey, Alabama.
Henry C. Cabell, Richmond City.
Willis J. Dance, Powhatan, Va.
W. P. Duval, Tallahassee, Florida.
James Alfred Jones, Mecklenburg.
Thomas B. Jordan, Georgia.
James Morris, Louisa, Va.
James R. Sneed, Geergia.

J. A. Washington, Mount Vernon.
Thomas H. Watts, Alabama.

L. W. T. Wickham, Richm❜d City.

The following students having graduated in the schools of Ancient Languages, Modern Languages, Mathemaics, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and Moral Philosophy, were declared

"MASTERS OF ARTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA."

R. W. Bushnell, Rockingham Va.
Eugene Davis, University of Va.
Donald M. Harrison, Amelia, Va.
James Alfred Jones, Mecklenburg,
Samuel Saunders, Lunenburg, Va.
Charles D. Wharton, Goochland, Va.

WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGE. Public exercises and honors of July 4th. 1839.

Orations were delivered by the following gentlemen:

1. William M. Overton, A. B. of Lunenburg, on the probable fate of our institutions.

2. John A. Coke, A. B. of Williamsburg, on the progress of the United States.

3. Richard Ivanhoe Cocke, L. B. of Powhatan, on the former character and present condition of Virginia.

4. Benjaman Blake Minor, L. B. of Spottsylvania, on the circumstances which contribute to the rise of great men from obscuity.

5. Thomas Blackwell, A. B. of Luner.burg, on the probable influence of the U. States on the destiny of the world, together with a valedictory address to the Patrick Henry Society.

After the orations were concluded, the President proceeded to confer the degree of A. B. upon the following gentlemen:

Thomas Blackwell of Lunenburg.
John B. Cary of Hampton;
John A. Coke of Williamsburg;
Wm. H. Fitzhugh of Stafford ;
Benjaman F. Garrett of Williamsburg;
Henry Harrison of Charles City;
James B. Jones of Chesterfield;
Alexander Jones of Chesterfield;
Charles W. Montague of Gloucester;
William M. Overton of Lunenburg;
Edmund Randolph of Amelia ;

Julian C. Ruffin of Petersburg.

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And the degree of L. B. on the following gentle

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