MISTAKE IN THE CULTURE OF THE BEET. From the Farmers' Cabinet. manure, ten carts, per statute acre. Why use so great a quantity of sea sand if it does not possess very considerable vegetative power?-Eng. Paper. REAPING MACHINE. Talbot, Md., Sept. 14, 1839. ear) 3 feet 3 inches; barley do. 3 feet 3 inches; peas sown about April last (pods completely formed) 3 feet 3 inches. The farmers all around the I am one of the root raisers-growing sugar Bay of Morecambe, in forming composts for their beet, mangel-wurtzel, ruta-baga, and potato for wheat and barley crops, use of sea sand about 26 feeding stock. And as farmers may, in my opi-carts (small one-horse carts,) lime, about four carts, nion, be as useful to each other by reporting their mistakes and failures, as their success, I will mention that my beets were flourishing, and the admiration of the public passing by them as late as the first week in the seventh month (July.) But the weather becoming hot and dry, and the ground harder than I liked, I concluded to run the cultivator through them and loosen up the soil. The consequence was, instead of improvement, the To the Editor of the Farmers' Register. leaves began immediately to wilt, curl, and the edges of them to die; the mangel-wurtzel worse than the sugar beet; but all declined from that period until the late rains; at the present the original top is nearly all dead, and a new one formed, which bids fair to rival the first, if left to stand long enough. But it is supposed the root, although a pretty good size, has lost much in growth by the decay of the first top, and its maturity protracted, if indeed the crop be not much diminished. My inference is, that late culture, even if the weather be seasonable, may be injurious, by destroying the the fibrous side roots, which seem to be indispen- REPORT OF A COMMITEE OF THE PHILadelsable to the plant during its latter stage-and that consequently the earth should be kept in good tilth while it is young, and afterwards left alone. The best crop of beets I have raised was in 1837, alternated between rows of corn; a full crop of the latter was obtained, (as was believed) and three hundred bushels of beets per acre besides; those in open patch a long side did not do so well; the shade of the corn seemed to be useful during the dry weather. I intend rerpeating this plan next J. JENKSNS. year. VEGETATIVE POWER OF SEA SAND. I send, herewith, two papers containing articles respecting Hussey's wheat reaper. One of them (the report of the committee which tried it near Philadelphia) is so full and satisfactory that I deem any further description of it, by me, as requested, even if I were competent, altogether unnecessary. From my experience in its use, of three years, I am of opinion they have not said in its favor a single word too much. SAML. HAMBLETON. SOCIETY, ON HUS PHIA AGRICULTURAL The committee appointed at last meeting, to superintend the operation of Hussey's Reaping Machine, beg leave to report: That they discharged the duty of their appointment on the day following the same. They met for the purpose on the farm of Mr. John Fox, in Oxford township, where the machine was put in operation in a piece of several acres of heavy wheat, considerably lodged—and contrary to the expectations of most of the committee, it performed remarkably well. The machine requires two horses to draw it, a boy to drive them, and a man to push off the grain. It is not material whether the speed be a walk or a slow trot, though a walk, where the grain stands tolerable fair, is to be preferred. A trot is sometimes necessary where the grain is much lodged, or a strong wind drives in the direction of the machine. It operates very satisfactorily in grain so much fallen as to be entirely beyond the ability of the cradle; and the grain is generally laid fully as regularly as by the cradle, with the advantage on the part of the machine, that it is laid in heaps ready for binding, thoreby saving much labor in thin crops, and rendering a rake unnecessary. So perfect did the machine perform, even in grain considerably lodged, and in which a cradle could scarcely have been used at all, that not a stalk was left standing, while the stubble presented one uniform height of about seven inches throughout the field. The loss, too, by this mode of harvesting, A few days since a quantity of sea sand was carried out of Morecambe Bay, about a mile from the Furness shore. It had been, less than an hour previously, covered a considerable depth by the tide, and contained several cockles and other shell fish. It was immediately placed in pits or beds, fifteen inches deep, and sown, without manure or admixture of any kind-just in the state it was when taken from the bay with wheat, barley, peas, mustard, cress, and radish seed. In five days the mustard, cress, and radish seed had sprouted, and begun to vegetate, having thrown out a considerable length of root, while (what is most extraordinary) the shell fish were even then alive! Thus have we wheat, barley, peas, mustard, cress and radishes, all growing, and cockles and other shell fish in a living state, in one and the same bed of sea sand! Should any one be at all incredulous as to the truth of this statement, he can easily is greatly reduced. The machine operates sometry the experiment himself; an ordinary flower pot filled with sea sand, sown with almost any kind of seeds, would at once put the matter to the test. Common hay seed sown in October last in beds of sand similar to the above, and treated exactly in the same way, have now grown to the extraordinary height of 3 feet 6 inches. Some wheat sown about Christmas last (now in what on the principle of the common shears, requiring nothing of the momentum of the cradle; and the only jarring attending it is from the weight of the grain falling on a smooth surface. The wheat cut on the present occasion, was dead ripe, having been standing two weeks longer than necessary, and yet scarcely a grain could be found shattered out. It is estimated by the committee, that the ordi- | common cultivator, and once cleaned with the hoe nary performance of this machine is from ten to around the plants. Upon the 16th of June, I withtwelve acres per day; although they fully believe, drew the labor of cultivation to the harvest field, that, on an emergency, it could accomplish twice and was unable afterwards to pass my horses this amount of work. In confirmation of this, they through the rows without breaking off the shoots. would state, that it cut, on this occasion, six hun- Upon the 10th of August it was ready to be stripdred and thirty square yards in two minutes, doing ped of tops and fodder. Now my immediate its work in the most perfect manner. It requires neighbors planted at the same time, and ploughed from six to ten persons, according to the state of their corn four times; mine was mature full three the crop, to bind up or remove the grain as fast as weeks before theirs; now here is a fair case for cut, which it is necessary should be done to pre-philosophy. vent it from being crushed by the horses and I am now burning shells for the second applicawheels of the machine, on the succeeding through. tion to my fallow of 60 bushels per acre, the first The machine is not liable to get easibly out of or- having been made three years since. Clover seed der; and the cutters, although they are very rea- is for the greater part a failure, owing I presume dily sharpened, seldom require it, as more than to the cloudy wet weather. This will compel me one hundred acres of grain, according to the state-to take successive crops from the same land; an ment of Mr. Hussey, had been cut by those at-odious practice, except in the mountains and upon tached to this machine, prior to the present occasion. their best land. Upon the whole, the machine did its work re- I have stated the facts having relation to my markably well, whsre it was possible for any thing corn crop, believing that the saving of three weeks except the naked scythe to penetrate-and so far in the cultivation is a matter worthy of notice. as the committee could perceive, to the entire satis- My obliging friend Senex may be able to account faction of a number of intelligent farmers present philosophically for the rapid maturation of the on the occasion, most of whom were, at first, not crop. If time be money, not less than $100 was a little skeptical of its utility. saved in the cultivation of the crop, and I entertain Your committee would say, in conclusion, that the belief that the erop has been made without they believe the reaping machine of Mr. Hussey, injury to the land; that is, that a summer fanow to be an advantageous substitute for the present would have been as injurious as my crop of corn, mode of cutting grain on large farms, or where or more so. What should be done with weeds two or three adjoining farmers of the ordinary from two to four feet high, covering all my wheat amount of land in this vicinity unite in using it-stubble? Nature's course is onward; are they the the price of one being one hundred and fifty dol-means she uses for that purpose under the infuJars. We would therefore recommend it to the ence of lime? attention of this society, and the agricultural community generally, K. SMITH, JACOB SHALLCROSS, For the Farmers' Register. LY CEASING TO CULTIVATE THE GROWING I avail myself of a rainy hour to return your philosophical correspondent, Senex, my hearty thanks for his very beautiful explanation of the manner of the acting of plaster of paris upon limed Jand; time may prove him right in his speculations, but right or wrong, I thank him. The man who cultivates his racionating faculty has always been more in request than he who cultivates that of discrimination. Without much care for the philosophy of this matter, it is my purpose to push the facts to all useful extent. I think that it was that singular, yet great man, Napoleon, who said that "if he gave ear for one hour to the philosophers of his court, his dynasty would not last three days." Perhaps a mere practical farmer has as little to expect from philosophy as Napoleon; in practical life it is a great matter to think correctly; but to apply those thoughts usefully, is not a matter of less importance. I have another curious fact to state in relation to my corn crops. The land was turned with a good plough and two horses, then checked at right angles, 4 feet square, and planted from the 4th to the Toth of April. It was then cultivated with the A FAIRFAX CULTIVATOR. We presume the weeds which have succeeded the growth of wheat, are annuals, (as carrot weed, crop-grass, &c.,) which will not appear next year, and keep the land foul, but will yield their place to some other crop in nature's manuring rotation. Nothing is required but to let them alone, and they will serve to top-dress, and enrich the land; and first to protect and next to manure the next year's clover, if clover be already sown, or if not, such other crop, natural or artificial, as may succeed. ED. F. R. ON THE VALUE OF SUN-FOWER SEEDS FOR OIL. To the Editor of the Farmers' Register. Athens, August 25th, 1839. Although a stranger to you, I take the liberty of addressing you, upon the subject of the surflower plant; knowing that you take a deep interest in any and every thing connected with agriculture, &c. For the last five years my attention (mental I mean,) has been at times occupied on the merits of this plant, as a valuable addition to, if not a supersedent of our oils, now in general and unavoidable use. I have used the term mental, because I have expended much more of thought than manual exercise upon the subject. From the limited trials made, however, both in the culture of the sun-flower, and the home-made ex traction of the oil, and the results in its use for do- | field, as in the case I am about to detail. Mr. H. mestic purposes, I am compelled to believe, that the oil extracted is equal if not superior to any other now in use; answering the place of olive oil, for the table, and spermeceti, and all other kinds now in general use, for all the requirements of painting, lighting of lamps, &c. &c. This may appear a very broad assertion to those who have for the first time had the subject brought to their view, and to others who have fallen into the received opinion, that the oils now in use are the best, because they answer the immediate wants and requirements; not reflecting that it takes two or more of these specific kinds and qualities of oil, to supply the necessary wants and uses-when this oil, if properly cultivated and prepared, will answer, if not take the place of all others put together. A grand desideratum, and which ought not to be lost sight of, is, that for lamps, it burns as long, gives a clear and more brilliant light, exhales no disagreeable or unhealthy odor, no apparent smoke evaporates from the wicks, and consequently leaves none of those dark and unsightly features of soot attendant upon even our finest oils now in use. All of which, without the aid of philosophy, is apparent to even the most careless observer, to be detrimental to the health of families thus using them, and repugnant to the olfactory nerves. These remarks hastily put to paper, is intended to draw from you any information or experience you may be possessed of in regard to the sunflower plant, for the purposes here mentioned, or as food for stock or poultry; and you will confer a singular favor upon me, by letting me hear from you on the subject so soon as convenient. With respect, N. A. ADAMS. We have no experimental knowledge on the subject of the foregoing letter; and request that any information possessed by others may be af forded through our pages. In the agricultural and other papers, sundry articles have appeared, within the last twenty years, recommending the oil of the seeds as a substitute for olive oil. But, so far as we know, there has been no statement of practical results, or of cost and profit.-ED. F. R. says, "on the 26th of the present month, I was ploughing for turnips, myself with one team, and my son with another; and observing that we were followed by a flock of the above little birds, I took it into my head to notice their motions, to ascertain what was the attraction, when I perceived that their object was grubs. We ploughed up plenty of a small white, and a large brown or gray grub, as well as some in a chrysalis state, and angle worms; all of them, excepting angle worms, appeared to be acceptable to them; and as the sequel will show, they were capable of devouring large quantities. I should think that one would make way with at least 100 per day. I cautioned my son against making any motion towards noticing them, in any way to intimidate them; as I found they grew more and more bold in their honest avocation, and as the land diminished in width, they would remain in the opposite furrow when not more than three or four feet distant. At length my son spoke cautiously, and said there was one on his plough beam. I then stopped the teams and told the boy to pick up a grub and throw it to the bird that had distinguished itself by its tameness. He did so; and the bird immediately seized it. Encouraged by this, I told him to pick out the next white one and hold it out in his fingers near the ground; crawling down, he did so, and the bird came and picked it out of his fingers! Afterwards he stood up and held out one, and the bird lighted on his hand and picked out the worm. This was repeated until it lighted on my own hand; I raised it up and applied my cheek to its wing without frightening it away. The next day he was not slow in finding us, and practised the same familiarity, in presence of James Sherman, William Hallock, and others of the neighbors; it came into the corn field where the boys were weeding corn, and actually, without any special attraction, perched upon the head of one of the boys; it coutinued these visits until one of the boys in an adjoining field, could not repress his inclination to seize and hold it. This made him more wary, but he gradually recovered his confidence." I communicate these facts in the hope that they may contribute to produce an examination into the subject, of how far it would tend to the agricultural familiarize small birds, instead of frightening, maiminterests, to fall upon some method to tame and ing, or destroying them. E. HULL. A BIRD STORY. From the Cultivator. Milton, Ulster co. N・ Y. July, 1839. Friend Buel.-I would not have ventured to forward the following statement, were it not that the narrator of it, Edward Hallock, of the firm of Wm. Hallock & Brother, of Milton, Ulster, co. is known to thee, and known to be of unquestionable veracity. I have heard him before express his conviction, that if birds were protected and cherished by farmers and others, we should never be subjected to the loss of corn or other crops by grubs; and that other noxious insects would be sensibly diminished. There is a small kind of bird (the males nearly black, the females brown,) that is noted for being around and following cattle in the TO CURE WOUNDS ON HORSES AND CATTLE. As there are many useful receipts hidden from the public, for the sake of speculation in a small way, by many who would be thought something 1235 dollars. Imported cow and calf, 2,100 dolof in the world, I am induced to lay before the lars. It must be considered that although a good public a recipe for making KING OF OIL, so called, Durham cow will not cost more than twenty guinwhich perhaps excels any other for cure of wounds eas perhaps in England, the expenses of transport on horses or cattle, and which has long been kept are very great, and they will generally stand in, by a few only in the dark. Feeling a desire to to the importers, about 600 dollars, before they arcontribute to the good of the public, but more es-rive at the state of Kentucky. pecially to the farmers of Genesee, I send you the following very valuable recipe for publication: 1 oz. of green copperas, 2 do white vitroil, 2 do common salt, 2 do linseed oil, 8 do West In- EXTRACT FROM AN OLD AUTHOR, CONCERNdia molasses. Boil over a slow fire fifteen minutes in a pint of urine; when almost cold, add one ounce of oil of vitrol and four ounces spirits of turpentine. Apply it to the wound with a quill or feather, which will immediately set the sore to running, and perform a perfect cure. Yours respectfully, STEPHEN PALMER. Middlebury, Dec. 10, 1832. PRICES OF STOCK IN KENTUCKY. ING MILDEW IN WHEAT. To the Editor of the Farmers' Register. Looking over old Fuller's 'English Worthies' last evening, I was so amused at his 'Farewell to Middlesex, that I have transcribed it, thinking it may serve to fill up, in an interesting way, some spare corner in the next number of your valuable Journal. Yours, S. "This county," says he, at page 47, vol. 2, “s much infested with mildew. That it is, I know to my cost; but could not purchase the knowledge what it is, much less how it might be prevented, at the same price, though having diligently enquired into the name and nature thereof. From Capt. Marryatt's Diary. Of the cattle show of Lexington, (Kentucky,) the fourth day was for the exhibition of jackasses "Some will have it called mildew, quasi maldew of 2 years and 1 year, and for foals and jennies or ill-dew; others meldew or honeydew, as being also; this sight was to me one of peculiar interest. very sweet, (oh! how lushious and noxious is flatAccustomed as we are in England to value atery!), with the astringency thereof causing an jackass at thirty shillings, we look down upon atrophy or consumption in the grain. His etythem with contempt; but here the case is reversed; mology was peculiar to himself who would have you look up at them with surprise and admiration. termed mildew, because it grindeth the grain Several were shown standing fifteen hands high, aforehand, making it to dwindle away almost to with head and ears in proportion; the breed has nothing. It falleth (be it mist or dew) when corn been obtained from the Maltese jackass, crossed is almost ripe for the sickle, and antidateth the harby those of Spain and the south of France. Those vest (not before it is welcome, but) before it is imported seldom average more than fourteen hands wished for by the husbandman, grain being rather high; but the Kentuckians, by great attention and withered than ripened thereby. If, after the fall, care, have raised them up to fifteen hands, and a good rain, or strong wind cometh, it washeth sometimes even to sixteen. But the price paid and wipeth it off, so that no mischief is done: othfor these splendid animals,for such they really were, erwise, the hot sun arising, sealeth (to use the will prove how much they are in request. War- husbandman's phrase) the mildew upon the straw, rior, a jackass, sold for 5,000 dollars, upwards of and so intercepteth the nourishment betwixt the £1,000 sterling. Half of another jackass, Ben-root and the ear, especially if it falleth not on the jamin by name, was sold for 2,500 dollars. At the hoase (which is but another case, and hath another show, I asked a gentleman what he wanted for a tunicle under it) but on the stripped straw near to very beautiful female ass, only one year old; he the top of the stalk. said that he could have 1,000 dollars, £250, for "Grain growing under hedges (where the wind her, but that he he had refused that sum. For a hath least power) is most subject thereunto, though two-year old jack, shown during the exhibition, wheat of all grain is most; bearded wheat of they asked 3,000 dollars, more than £600. I nev-wheat is least liable unto it; not that the hawnes er felt such respect for donkeys before; but the fact is, that mule-breeding is so lucrative, that there is no price which a very large donkey will not command. I afterwards went to a cattle sale a few "Inland counties, Northamptonshire, Bedfordmiles out of the town. Don Juan, a two year old shire, &c. complain the least; maritime the most, bull, Durham breed, fetched 1,075 dollars; an im- of mildew; which insinuateth the vapors of the sea proved Durham cow, with her calf, 985 dollars. to be casuall thereof; some hold that, seeing that, Before I arrived, a bull and cow fetched about 1,300 it falls from the skies, earth hath no guard for dollars, each of them about £280. The cause of heaven's blowe, save praier, which in this very this is, that the demand for this stock, now that case is prescribed by Solomon.* But others conthe western states are filling up, becomes so great, ceive, that humane may be subordinate to spiritual that they cannot be produced fast enough. Mr. means; to prevent not the falling but the hurting Clay, who resides near Lexington, is one of the of this dew in such a degree, and hopefully expect best breeders in the state, which is much indebt-the remedy from the ingenuity of the next gened to him for the fine stock which he has impor-eration. ted, and I quote the prices: Yearling buil, 1,000 dollars; do heifer, 1500. Cows of full Durham blood, but bred in Kentucky, 1,245 dollars; do. thereof are spears to fright the mildew from it; but advantageous gutters, to slide it away the sooner which striketh on rotted or pollard wheat. "I am the rather confirmed in my hopes, because * 1st. Kings, viii, 37. a help hath been found out against the smooting of wheat, at least wise in some good proportion; I say the smooting of wheat, which makes it a negro, as mildew makes it a dwarfe; viz. by mingling the seed with lime as your husbandmen will inform you. "And for my vale to this county, I heartily desire that either God would of his goodness, spare the fruits of the earth from so hurtful a casualty, or put it into the minds of men (if it may stand with his will) to find out some defensitive in some part, to abate the malignity thereof." were seldom at home at this troublesome period. The thrashing machine was likewise so busily employed after the weather settled, that our stackyard has become nearly empty. Every thing seems now to be restored to order except the hay, which will give us a little trouble Mr. Jamieson before it can be safely stacked. says it has received damage which cannot be cured, and that I will soon see the extent of injury done to hay, by a fall of rain, while in the cock. He adds, that it is much less hurt by wetness during the early stages of the winning process than when in the cock; because the natural fermentation LETTERS FROM AN AGRICULTURAL APPREN- which necessarily takes place is then reinforced by TICE TO HIS FATHER. (Continued from page 512.) From the (Edinburgh) Farmers Magazine. artificial auxiliaries, consequently that a degree of putridity ensues, inevitably injurious to the article. Fairbairn has returned to the turnip field; and the young plants being all thinned and set out, he is going over them a second time, correcting former errors, and destroying every weed that has recently vegetated. July 28.-Since my last, a material change of August 4th.-The hay is now safely stacked, weather has taken place, which occasioned much though a good deal of work was required before positive loss in the first instance, and a great deal we got it into such a condition as to satisfy Mr. of additional labor alierwards. It is under such Jamieson. Three days ago, when fine sunny circumstances that the judgment and activity of weather and gentle wind prevailed, our united the farmer comes to be most completely ascertain-strength was employed to take down the cocks and ed; because the derangement of his usual plans expose the wet parts to their beneficial influence; throws every branch of work out of shape, and after which the whole was re-cocked, great care causes a resort to measures of expediency or of a being taken to mix the external and internal parts temporary nature, In such a situation Mr. Jamie-together, so as the quality might be equal, and any son shines conspicuously. His mind seems sto- moisture remaining in the damaged parts absorbed red with resources for every emergency, and the by what was in good condition. It stood for the difficulty of the case appears to give increased night in these new made cocks, but next day prostrength to his natural powers. He shapes his mising good weather, the carts were set to work conduct to the circumstances under which he is about nine o'clock, and in that and the following placed, constantly preserving the greatest order day the whole was got into the stack-yard. It is and regularity. put up in two stacks, each containing about five thousand Scotch stones, or fifty-five English loads. The charge of superintending the loading of the carts was committed to me, and I had full proofs of the truth of Mr. Jamieson's previous opinion respecting the damage; those parts of the cock that were wetted, though made perfectly dry, breaking with the slightest touch, and appearing altogether devoid of substance. Mr. Jamieson says the damage will not be so apparent after the stacksweat has ensued, though perhaps he means that the partial damage, being thus transferred to the whole stack, will not be so discernible as when confined to a certain portion of it. The stacks are to be immediately combed down, completely covered with straw and hard roped, so as they may be secured from the storms of winter. I observed that where clover was most plentiful, the hay had suffered most; and, vice versa, that the cocks containing the greatest quantity of rye-grass were least damaged. Had the cock been of clean clover, I am almost sure that it would have been fit only for the dunghill. Last week a violent and continued rain for twenty-four hours occurred, which, to a certain extent, floated the fallow field, wetted the hay ricks, stopped the thinning and cleaning of turnips, and lodged at least one half of the corn crops on the farm. With such a number of people, many farmers would have been thrown into utter confusion, or at least one half of those below them would have remained idle, while others would not have been much more profitably employed. Not so with Mr. Jamieson; for the rainy day was as throng a one as ever I saw since I came here. The several inventories were examined, and deficiencies noted down with the greatest accuracy. Two pair of fanners were set to work in dressing of corn. The lofts were sweeped, dusted and cleaned; in short every one was sedulously employed. When the rain ceased, my whole corps were instantly despatched to the fallow and turnip fields, and express orders were given me not to suffer a drop of water to stand on any of them; of course I had not a dry foot while in the field, but fortunately was not the worse of this treatment, having taken care to shift regularly after working hours. When thus employed, Elliot and his ploughmen were busy in removing dung from the farm-yards, and middening it in a regular manner on an adjoining field of grass-land, where it is to be used next winter; and as two hundred bolls of wheat had been lately sold, Mr. Jamieson took this opportunity of delivering it to the merchant. Even Howard and his herds were not idle; for, as several markets were held at the time, he and they August 10th.-The fallow is now dunging, and four heads of carts, or sixteen altogether, are employed at that business. Each head requires two men to fill, and one to pull out the dung from the cart, while the carter drives the horses regularly forward; and one man and three women spread the heaps laid down by each head of carts, so that thirty-two men and twelve women are thus employed besides the overseers. My post is at the dunghill. Elliot looks after the carts in the field, and sees that the dung is properly drawn out, while |